Imagi To Make CG Astro Boy Feature
Imagi Animation Studios has optioned rights from Tezuka Prods. Co. Ltd. of Japan to produce a new CG-animated feature-length motion picture based on the renowned anime franchise ASTRO BOY for theatrical release in 2009.
The new feature will be based on an original story developed by Imagi’s U.S. studio. Physical production will take place at Imagi’s Hong Kong animation studio.
The original ASTRO BOY story follows the adventures of a boy-sized robot named Atom. With the help of his friends, he battles enemies attacking the world and faces personal challenges in adapting to the human world. Created by the godfather of anime Osamu Tezuka, ASTRO BOY first appeared as a manga comic series in 1952. The original 1963 Japanese television series was among the first to embody aesthetics that later became known as anime. After enjoying success abroad, ASTRO BOY was remade in 1980 and again in 2003.
“I grew up with ASTRO BOY as did so many of us at Imagi,” said Francis Kao, ceo/vice chairman of Imagi. “We now have an opportunity to bring our ASTRO BOY dreams to life by combining the power of high-end CG imagery and Imagi’s creative collaboration with Tezuka.”
“Imagi is a world class producer of CG feature animation and has a unique talent for bringing 2D comic characters to life in stunning 3D worlds,” said Yoshihiro Shimizu, gm of Tezuka. “We are delighted to be working with them on ASTRO BOY.”
Imagi’s current CG-animation productions include TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES and GATCHAMAN.
Founded in 1983, Imagi Int’l Holdings Ltd. (www.imagi.com.hk) is a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is engaged in the production of feature-length animated motion pictures and TV series using CG technologies. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Imagi also has overseas production studios and marketing offices in Los Angeles and Tokyo.
Founded by Japanese animation icon Osamu Tezuka, Tezuka Prods. (www.tezuka.co.jp) created a revolution in manga and anime and effectively took this Japanese art form internationally. Among the many works produced at Tezuka Prods. were Japan’s first two-hour animated TV special, BANDER BOOK, a new color version of the ASTRO BOY TV series and the theatrical feature PHOENIX 2772.
The new feature will be based on an original story developed by Imagi’s U.S. studio. Physical production will take place at Imagi’s Hong Kong animation studio.
The original ASTRO BOY story follows the adventures of a boy-sized robot named Atom. With the help of his friends, he battles enemies attacking the world and faces personal challenges in adapting to the human world. Created by the godfather of anime Osamu Tezuka, ASTRO BOY first appeared as a manga comic series in 1952. The original 1963 Japanese television series was among the first to embody aesthetics that later became known as anime. After enjoying success abroad, ASTRO BOY was remade in 1980 and again in 2003.
“I grew up with ASTRO BOY as did so many of us at Imagi,” said Francis Kao, ceo/vice chairman of Imagi. “We now have an opportunity to bring our ASTRO BOY dreams to life by combining the power of high-end CG imagery and Imagi’s creative collaboration with Tezuka.”
“Imagi is a world class producer of CG feature animation and has a unique talent for bringing 2D comic characters to life in stunning 3D worlds,” said Yoshihiro Shimizu, gm of Tezuka. “We are delighted to be working with them on ASTRO BOY.”
Imagi’s current CG-animation productions include TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES and GATCHAMAN.
Founded in 1983, Imagi Int’l Holdings Ltd. (www.imagi.com.hk) is a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is engaged in the production of feature-length animated motion pictures and TV series using CG technologies. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Imagi also has overseas production studios and marketing offices in Los Angeles and Tokyo.
Founded by Japanese animation icon Osamu Tezuka, Tezuka Prods. (www.tezuka.co.jp) created a revolution in manga and anime and effectively took this Japanese art form internationally. Among the many works produced at Tezuka Prods. were Japan’s first two-hour animated TV special, BANDER BOOK, a new color version of the ASTRO BOY TV series and the theatrical feature PHOENIX 2772.
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