Disney Partnering with Toei Animation [Update]

In an attempt to reach the Japanese market, Disney is partnering with Toei Animation in order to create three television shows using Toei’s Computer Generating technology. In addition, Disney will be partnering with Madhouse Co. and Jinni’s Animation Studio.

Disney will be starting out with a short animated film project about a robot which is scheduled to debut in the Japanese market this May.

This partnership provides both Toei and Disney with business opportunities. For Disney, it provides them an opportunity to expand outside of its traditional market and expand its image from the traditional style of The Little Mermaid, Mickey Mouse, Aladdin, and other Intellectual Properties. It also provides Toei - which is responsible for animations such as Dragonball, Sailor Moon, Voltron, and Digimon - with a wider market outside of Japan through Disney’s vast network of distribution.

Source: Forbes [via a geek by any other name] .

Update: According to ANN, Disney will be producing a Lilo & Stitch! spinoff, currently titled Stitch!, in conjuction with Madhouse Co.. Additionally, the name of the previously mentioned Robot series in conjunction with Toei will be titled Robodies. Additionally, Disney is also planning to release a 3D rendered animation film short titled Fireball.  Fireball is a comedy set in the near future on another planet and centers on the character by the name of Rosselle and her two steward robots. All these productions are being created specifically for the Japanese market.