Japanese console giant Nintendo plans to create an internal animation studio focused on animated feature production, according to a report in Japanese business publication NIKKEI JOURNAL.
This follows on the heels of a proposal by former company president Hiroshi Yamauchi, who suggested that the firm should create an animated film based on works from the famous Ogura Hyakunin Isshu collection of classic Japanese poetry. Yamauchi, still an adviser to the company and a significant shareholder, proposed the new venture at Nintendo's management event in Kyodo in October.
It was unclear whether he was proposing a traditionally animated or CGI film.
The report suggests that the firm will create a title based on one of its own game franchises for theatrical release in 2006.
Nintendo's POKÉMON franchise has resulted in several animated movies, created by external production companies. Now Nintendo plans to create its own in-house studio and manage the entire creative process from start to finish.
