Netflix And Japan’s Studio Colorido Inks Multi-Picture Partnership

Netflix
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has inked a multi-picture partnership with Studio Colorido, marking the first time the streamer has signed a studio deal with a Japanese feature animation company. Netflix and Studio Colorido previously collaborated on the film A Whisker Away in 2020.

The partnership will include the release of three films, starting with Drifting Home, which premieres on September 16 this year. Two more Studio Colorido films will follow, with one project helmed by A Whisker Away director Tomotaka Shibayama, launching on Netflix in 2024.

“Studio Colorido has some of Japan’s finest animation creators who have been producing best-in-class original animated features over the last 10 years,” Netflix’s Director of Japan Content, Yuji Yamano, said about the deal. “This partnership extends our growing film slate in Japan, and also adds to our collection of more ‘lean-back’ and family-friendly stories.”

The Asia-Pacific region remains a bright spot for Netflix and it was the only area to see positive paid net additions to its subscriber base for Q1 2022. The streamer gained 1.09 million net subscribers in Q1 2022, while its subscriber base shrunk in the US/Canada, Latin America and EMEA regions. Netflix currently boasts 33.72 million paid memberships in APAC. In its shareholder letter, Netflix also noted that it saw “nice growth” in the Japan, India, Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan markets.

Studio Colorido’s President, Koji Yamamoto, shared in a statement that the collaboration with Netflix was a “combination of coincidence and opportunity.” A Whisker Away was initially slated for theatrical release in 2020, but this was postponed repeatedly due to Covid-19. He added that concerns over the pandemic and the uphill task for A Whisker Away to become an immediate box office hit, Studio Colorido decided to pivot to a Netflix premiere.

“A Whisker Away gave us the opportunity to see a business model where streaming and theater release could co-exist,” Yamamoto said. “Our first premiere on Netflix also broke the mindset that a Japanese film would be well-received only in certain countries. For us, it was exciting to discover a new segment of viewers, beyond core anime fans.”

This week, Netflix released its trailer for Studio Colorido film, Drifting Home, which premieres September 16.