by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo, President: Yoshinari Kitajima, after this referred to as DNP) has developed a new flow that can significantly reduce the time and cost of animation production compared to conventional methods. Therefore, we set it and started providing the service in August 2022 under “Light Anime.” To meet the needs of consumers who want to enjoy a variety of anime works more efficiently, quickly, and on time at a lower cost, we call this project “Light Anime.”
Background and aim of the development of “Light Anime.”
The scale of the global market for Japanese anime for consumers will reach 2,426.1 billion yen in 2020 (Japan Animation Association “Anime Industry Report 2021”), and the impact of the corona disaster in Japan However, further growth is expected, supported by steady growth overseas. However, while anime adaptations of a limited number of famous manga works are progressing, many excellent manga works have a core fan base. Still, they have not been adapted into anime due to the extended production period and enormous costs. Increase.
In addition, with the spread of SNS and video subscription services, more and more people are enjoying watching content at double speed or while watching. In response to the need to enjoy a wide variety of new animation works promptly, issues such as the high production load and the deterioration of the working environment at the production site due to the shortage of human resources are becoming issues.
To solve these problems, DNP has developed a unique animation production method called “light animation” that applies and develops content processing technology cultivated over many years in the publishing and printing business. Centering on this new production flow, we will create an anime-related entertainment business with a view to the global market.
Features of the “light animation” business
In contrast to the conventional method of drawing an animation manuscript based on the original manga manuscript, “light animation” is based on the use of manga manuscripts. The production period and cost can be significantly reduced by coloring and dividing the manga manuscript from which dialogue balloons have been removed and adding actions as necessary to create a video. With this method, it is relatively easy to supply the market with many works that were difficult to animate with conventional production methods and results that want to make the most of the touch of the original. We aim to reduce the production time to about 1/12 of the conventional average and the cost to about 1/10.
DNP will act as the secretariat for the produced animation works and sell the broadcasting rights to the video distribution platforms. In addition, we will provide and sell pieces to consumers through e-book sales sites such as the hybrid general bookstore “honto” operated by the DNP Group and various digital content distribution services. As the first step, from August 2022, “honto” will start selling e-books with animation of Kaiohsha’s “Which one” (https://honto.jp/swamp/cp/2022 /docchimodocchi.html )
In addition to the domestic market, we will provide and distribute anime works that meet the diverse needs of consumers promptly, not only in the domestic market but also in other countries and regions.
DNP will open a production studio, “DNP Light Anime Production,” to strengthen collaboration with content holders, partner companies, and outside creators. Through this, we aim to provide a stable supply of animation works with higher cost performance.
Future outlook In the current manga industry, developments such as vertical scrolling and multilingualization using digital technology are accelerating. DNP will take the lead in this movement, look ahead to light anime as future development, and create a system to deliver animation works on time to fans of all kinds of content in Japan and overseas.
By March 2023, DNP plans to start producing domestic broadcasting animations, export content to global markets, and partner with companies with cutting-edge AI technology. Doing. We aim to achieve sales of 3 billion yen by fiscal 2025 for this business as a whole. Over the medium to long term, we will create new value in entertainment that allows consumers worldwide to enjoy diverse content easily.
