Toho International to Acquire Stake in Genius Brands Content

Genius Brands International, through its WOW! Unlimited Media subsidiary, Frederator Network, has announced a deal with TOHO International, whereby TOHO International is making a multimillion-dollar investment to acquire a 50% stake in two of the company’s original productions, “Bee and PuppyCat” and “Bravest Warriors.” The deal also includes the upcoming series, “Catbug,” based on the character created in the “Bravest Warriors’” series. 

The deal provides a framework for Genius Brands’ Frederator Network and TOHO International to co-produce new content for the properties and cooperatively develop a global consumer products campaign. Genius Brands will oversee global distribution and consumer products development for the properties, excluding Asia, which will be handled by TOHO International.  

The Genius Brands consumer products team will develop a retail program for “Bravest Warriors,” “Bee and PuppyCat” and “Catbug,” excluding Asia, which will be handled by TOHO International. 

“This new deal aligns with our long-term strategy, as we build a more effective system for distribution and licensing of our own IP,” says Hiro Matsuoka, president, Toho. “We have seen the tremendous global popularity of ‘Bravest Warriors’ and the growth of ‘Bee and PuppyCat,’ as well as the growing popularity of ‘Catbug’ along with the overall Western anime genre. With our production resources and distribution capabilities across Asia, complementing Genius Brands and Frederators’ expansive network in key markets around the world, we anticipate these two properties will continue to develop a global fan base as we introduce new content and merchandise.” 

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“This transaction is a huge privilege for us at Genius Brands to now partner with the preeminent media company in Japan and their visionary management,” says Andy Heyward, chairman and chief executive officer, Genius Brands. “We believe it is a further validation of our strategic acquisition of WOW! Unlimited Media and its impressive portfolio of original content, which we can then migrate to the streamers, our own Kartoon Channel! and media platforms around the world.”