In a bold move to capitalize on the popular anime market, Warner Bros. Discovery has announced plans to ramp up its anime output after the debut Suicide Squad ISEKAI to more than ten series annually through its established Japanese studio, showing major faith in the upcoming production.
James Gibbons, President of Asia-Pacific for Warner Bros. Discovery, revealed the ambitious endeavor, citing the studio’s existing track record. “We have a Japanese anime studio which has been producing five or ten anime series per year over the last few years. We’ve approved expansion to take that to more than ten series per year,” he stated.
🦈ななうえ君の大“暴”険#AnimeJapan 2024「ワーナー ブラザース ジャパン」ブースにハーレイ・クイン出現❤️💙
ななうえ君とお待ちしております！#異世界スースク#SuicideSquadISEKAI pic.twitter.com/yQmUB3qwcc
— Warner Bros. Japan Anime (@wb_anime) March 23, 2024
This expansion of Warnar Bros. Animation marks a significant leap in the company’s commitment to the genre, driven by the immense global popularity anime has garnered in recent years. Since its inception in 2011, the WBD anime studio has delivered over 80 titles, ranging from high-quality anime to live-action series and movies.
Among the notable productions from Warner Bros. Discovery’s anime studio are Western adaptations like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, which debuted in 2012, and recent hits like The Record of Ragnarök series and the Batman Ninja anime movie.
The most recent DC Comics inspired project from the Japanese studio is Suicide Squad ISEKAI, a new anime series that takes the super-villain mercenaries out of their usual element with a mission in a high-fantasy setting.
Helmed by Osada Eri and produced in collaboration with WIT Studio, known for its work on Attack on Titan and Spy x Family, the series is set for a Japan premiere in July, followed by an international rollout later in the year.
The recent unveiling of the trailer for Suicide Squad ISEKAI offers a glimpse into the narrative, centered around Amanda Waller assembling a team of DC villains for a mission in a fantastical realm inhabited by magical creatures. Hijinks ensue as the usually serious super-criminals adapt to a more whimsical realm with its own set of rules for reality.
Gibbons emphasized the strategic importance of anime in reaching elusive demographics, stating, “Anime is one of the best ways to reach the 18 to 30-year-old audience, which is incredibly elusive.” With series like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and The Record of Ragnarök performing well on streaming platforms like Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery sees a clear opportunity for growth and engagement. To that end, Gibbons noted the importance of collaboration with the right studios to ensure authenticity and appeal to fans.
A spokesperson for Warner Bros. Discovery highlighted the genre’s increasing relevance not only in Asia but globally. In addition to anime, the conglomerate intends to explore other content categories in the region, including Japanese scripted, Korean drama series, and Chinese-language content.
Looking ahead, Warner Bros. Discovery plans to introduce its streaming platform, Max, to East Asia, promising both content and operational enhancements over the existing HBO Go service. Given that the DC “Tomorrowverse” animated film series was not as well-received as its predecessor and is ending with the the 3-part Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths, perhaps this shift to anime is a herald of what’s to come?
As anime continues to captivate audiences worldwide, Warner Bros. Discovery’s commitment to expanding its anime production to at least ten series signals a strategic move to tap into this thriving market. With a rich pipeline of content and strategic partnerships, the studio may be pivoting to this style and largely unexplored Asian anime audience for their world-famous DC Comics brands.
Are you excited about Warner Bros. Discovery’s ambitious plans to expand its anime offerings? What DC characters and storylines would you like to see reimagined in the world of anime? Would you like to see Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the DC Universe with full seasons of anime shows?
We’re just excited to see things come completely full circle, where the future holds a live-action adaptation of a DC anime…
