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Tag: Gen Fukunaga

  • Sony Pictures TV gobbles up anime distributor Funimation

    Sony Pictures TV gobbles up anime distributor Funimation

    MUMBAI: Funimation is now a part of Sony Pictures TV after the latter closed a deal worth $143 million for a 95 per cent stake in the anime distribution company. The valuation is around $150 million and the partnership will enable it to spread its wings globally.

    Funimation CEO Gen Fukunaga will continue as CEO holding a minority stake. An official statement from the company said, “The deal has closed for Sony Pictures Television Networks to acquire Funimation – and we’re incredibly excited! We’re still the Funimation you’ve known and grown up with and now with the power of Sony, and we Gen Fukunaga at the helm, we have the opportunity to bring the best anime to even more fans across the world.”

    The company has many acclaimed anime titles to its repertoire – Dragon Ball, One Piece, Your Name, Attack on Titan, Cowboy Bepop and My Hero Academia.

  • Sony Pictures TV to acquire Japanese distributor Funimation’s majority stake

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television Networks has reached an agreement to acquire a substantial majority stake in Japanese anime distributor Funimation Productions, subject to regulatory approvals and certain other closing conditions, valuing the company at approximately $150 million. 

    Funimation CEO Gen Fukunaga will retain a minority stake in the business and remain CEO.

    J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Funimation along with Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP acting as exclusive legal advisor. Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP acted as legal advisor to Sony Pictures Television Networks.

    With a catalogue that includes popular titles such as “Dragon Ball Z”, “Cowboy Bebop”, “One Piece”, “My Hero Academia” and “Attack on Titan”, Funimation licenses and distributes Japanese anime content in the U.S., and operates the subscription streaming service FunimationNOW, available via the PlayStation Store, iTunes Store, Google Play, Amazon Apps, Xbox Store and mobile devices. Additionally, the company sells merchandise and DVDs through its website, Funimation.com.

    “Around the world, Sony’s networks have been major players in the anime space for nearly two decades, and in more recent years we have rapidly increased our networks’ over-the-top and digital offerings to consumers. With the acquisition of Funimation, the combined IP of Animax, Kids Station and Funimation allows us to deliver the best anime to fans across all screens and platforms,” said Sony Pictures Television president – worldwide networks Andy Kaplan.

    Gen Fukunaga added, “With Funimation’s long-established leadership position in anime and Sony’s direct access to the creative pipeline in Japan, it will be a great partnership to take Funimation to the next level.”

    Outgoing Funimation chairman John A Kuelbs, and lead investor Doug Deason, said, “Funimation experienced tremendous growth and success since 2011. We believe Sony, Gen and his team are uniquely positioned to lead Funimation and its fans into an exciting and entertaining future.”

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