2006
2005
Think Corp. Begins Support of Animation Pilot Films Production
"The First Business Scheme for Supporting Production of Pilot Films"
Think Corp. (Minato-ku, Tokyo. CEO: Yuji Mori) sets up Anime Innovation Tokyo, a subsidiary wholly owned by THINK Corp. and launches a supporting business of animation production with financial assistance provided by the government of Tokyo. Purpose of this supporting system includes sponsorship for animation projects.

【 Descriptions of business 】
Sponsorship and hands-on type supervision for distinguished projects from individual creators and medium, and small production companies. The first goal is to make pilot films (about 30 minutes). The eventual plan is to generate revenues from sales of copyrights for big budget projects based on these pilot films, and also from the pilot films themselves. Total capital is about 300,000,000 yen. 15 projects will be supported within 4 years.
  • Application and production of the animation projects.

    Application of animation projects from individual creators, medium and small production companies will be made through Tokyo International Animation Fair and from our website.
    Approved projects will be financed and supervised by Anime Innovation Tokyo. Anime Innovation Tokyo will support planning, production, promotion, distribution, and also finding creators in case the original proposers do not participate in the actual production.
    A Consortium, which consists of Anime Innovation Tokyo and the original proposer will be established for each project, and the consortium will become basis for production and promotion. LLP, which took effect last August, or other forms of union organization will be utilized for the consortiums.

  • Distribution

    We plan to generate revenue from sales of copyrights for big budget projects (e.c. feature film, TV series) based on the pilot films, and also copyrights of the pilot films themselves, for airing on TV and BB, or sold as videos or DVDs.

    For distribution, Think Corp. will fully utilize its know-how and take large-scale overseas market into account as well as domestic market.

    For copyrights sales, Think Corp. will utilize the worldwide market, and will work enthusiastically to seek business opportunities with overseas clients.

* Regarding description of business and application, please refer to http://www.anime-innovation.jp for details.

【 Characteristics of the business 】
We will give financial support for projects. In addition to that, Hiroaki Takeuchi, who is the founder of Think Corp. and director of the Contents & Produce branch, and other domestic and international highly-qualified producers will supervise planning and production of the projects in hands-on style to get the project on track for reliable operation. This business is a joint venture of Anime Innovation Tokyo and the original proposers/creators, and the consortium will own the copyright for the project. Therefore, if the project succeeds, original proposers/creators, who usually can get production cost only, can gain incentive fees according to their contribution to the project. That means original proposers/creators can gain more profit than the traditional unit contract.
And we implement portfolio investment to finance several projects at the same time, which lessens volatility of underwriting profit and loss, and hedges business risks.

【 Background of the business and future prospects 】
In July 2005, government of Tokyo invited applicants to administer "support measures for animation and other visual art industries." Think Corp. was selected, and since then, started preparations for the animation production support business. Our plans for the near future are to start receiving applications for project plans, and to look for capital investors other than the government of Tokyo. With the completion of fund raising in March, 2006, we will start the business operation.

【 Company profile 】
  • THINK Corp.
    Yuji Mori became CEO in the spring of 2005. Having worked for Microsoft Corporation and McKinsey & Company, he has wide experience in business development. He started the development, investment, and supervision of visual art contents such as animation and computer graphics, in addition to the existing business of web system development.
    The executive producer is Hiroaki Takeuchi, an innovative pioneer of visual art contents who managed "Animatrix"(Warner Homevideo), an animation anthology of popular sci-fi Hollywood movie "Matrix." He is scouting and fostering promising new animation creators like Makoto Shinkai, creator of "The Voices of a Distant Star"(CW Films).

Address :Holland-Hills-Mori-Tower RoP 708, Toranomon 5-11-1, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Year of foundation : August, 1988
URL : http://www.think.ne.jp

【 For further information please contact 】

Think Corp.
Business Development & Investment Section
Contact person : Takahashi
TEL : +81-3-5405-3774
e-mail : press@anime-innovation.jp