For nearly seven decades, animation studio Toei Animation Co.
has relied on recognizable franchises, including pirate adventure “One Piece” and fantasy “Dragon Ball,” in making itself a leader.But publishing platforms are now such that just about anyone can distribute animation, or so be moaned Toei Animation president Katsuhiro Takagi two years ago.“I feel that the number of hits is small compared to the number of works that are out in the world,” he says.
“How do you now make a profit from animation works that are expensive to produce?” The pandemic proved to be a challenge of another sort.
But investors are sanguine that the company can come up with an answer to the president’s question — its stock price has more than doubled over the past year — and advances in technology and a further tapping of the overseas market will be keys.Despite its success, the industry suffers from labor shortages.
Read full article