In a move that signals Hollywood’s growing interest in anime as a powerful storytelling medium, Will Smith is stepping into anime production through his company Westbrook Inc. The collaboration comes through a strategic partnership with Studio Azuki, a newly formed U.S. based animation house known for blending anime creativity with technology forward innovation. This alliance aims to create a new wave of global anime titles that combine high quality production with fresh perspectives.
Founded by Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Miguel Melendez, and Ko Yada, Westbrook Inc. has always emphasized creating stories that cross borders and unite global audiences. CEO Ko Yada described the partnership as a natural extension of Westbrook’s mission to inspire and connect people worldwide through storytelling. By teaming up with Studio Azuki, they are expanding that vision into the world of anime, tapping into one of the fastest growing fanbases across the globe.
Studio Azuki is not a typical animation studio. It is a joint venture formed by the NFT based brand Azuki, manga platform Comisma Inc., and animation technology firm Xenotoon Inc. The studio was designed to operate at the intersection of anime, social media, and advanced technology, with ambitions to redefine how anime is created, funded, and distributed. Their vision, which they call “Anime 2.0,” embraces creator first models and direct fan engagement as foundational principles.
Among the upcoming projects from Studio Azuki is Enter The Garden, an anthology series that aims to explore new styles of anime storytelling. The studio is also developing Anime.com as a digital platform for anime innovation and fandom. One of the most intriguing parts of their plan is the exploration of blockchain in anime production, suggesting a shift toward more decentralized and transparent funding models for future anime titles.
This partnership arrives at a time when Hollywood has been increasingly drawn to anime. Recent examples include live action adaptations of One Piece and Cowboy Bebop, as well as anime prequels for franchises like John Wick and The Lord of the Rings. Major stars like Michael B. Jordan have openly expressed their love for anime, with many integrating anime inspired visuals and narratives into their own creative projects.
Studio Azuki benefits from the unique strengths of its founding companies. Comisma operates Ganma!, a major manga app in Japan, and owns the high quality animation studio Qzil.la. Their CEO, Koki Sato, expressed the studio’s commitment to making manga artistry a dream profession and crafting anime that resonates across the world. Xenotoon, on the other hand, brings an agile production pipeline and a strong focus on empowering independent creators, making it an ideal fit for the collaborative and innovative vision Westbrook wants to promote.
According to Studio Azuki’s Head of Content Feb Tea, this partnership is not just about content creation but about evolving anime into a global, social native phenomenon. By integrating storytelling with Web3 and creator empowerment, they hope to reach new heights of cultural influence and fan connection.
This venture represents a meaningful shift in how anime may be produced and consumed going forward. With Westbrook’s Hollywood reach and Studio Azuki’s tech driven creative infrastructure, the collaboration is poised to offer something truly new to anime fans worldwide.
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