Having brought the hugely successful Dragonball Z property to the U.S. on Cartoon Network, Japan Entertainment Network (JEN) has its sights set on producing an aggressive slate of anime shows targeted primarilyto kids in North America. According to Daily Variety, the joint venture between Turner Entertainment Network Japan and the Itochu company has created a special department devoted to establishing production partnerships with outside anime and comic creators.
As Japan’s satellite broadcaster of Cartoon Network, JEN tailored U.S.-produced toons such as The Powerpuff Girls for Japanese viewers. Now the company appears to be more interested in exporting than importing.
In two years’ time, JEN plans to be producing around two new animated series per year, working with companies in the U.S. and other countries. All projects will be squarely aimed at kids 6-11, a demographic that has made massive hits of such Japanese anime properties as Pok’mon and Yu-Gi-Oh!.
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