(Source: ICv2)
Three former FUNimation executives have formed Illumitoon Entertainment Ltd, a privately-held company based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Illumitoon's first DVD release, scheduled for January 2007, will be Beet the Vandel Buster (Japanese Title: Bouken Oh Beet). It's a 78-episode series originally produced by Toei Animation, based on the Shonen Jump manga by writer Riku Sanjo and illustrator Koji Inada.
The anime follows Beet, a young man who wants to destroy the demonic Vandels (an amalgamation of 'vampire' and 'devil'). During a battle, Beet receives the power of his heroes, the Zenon Warriors.
Viz Media has published nine volumes of Beet the Vandel Buster manga and Volume 10 will hit North American stores in November. In Japan, Beet has already reached eleven volumes with more to come.
"Illumitoon is focused on acquiring kid friendly properties that are "placeable" in the North American market. That is, properties that, in addition to having an inherent appeal to a general kid audience, are friendly towards the North American entertainment standards and poised for greatest broadcast placement. With an increasing number of alternatives for the viewing public, it is imperative that entertainment content be as adaptable as possible. Illumitoon seeks to maximize its presence in existing as well as emerging media," says the welcome page on its website. That indicates that Illumitoons is looking at properties that don't have to be extensively edited, the way most animes are when they're introduced to the North American market. Obviously, Illumitoons feel that Beet the Vandel Buster can be that first property, especially if they can get it on a mass-market broadcasting outlet.
The new company boasts a serious cross-section of FUNimation talent. Illumitoon's CEO Barry Watson co-founded FUNimation, and was V.P. of Production and New Business there. COO Stephanie Giotes was FUNimation's General Counsel, and Executive V.P. Richard Ray was FUNimation's Home Video Director of Sales.
Illumitoon is headquartered in a 48,000 square foot, state-of-the-art production facility in downtown Fort Worth, which it shares with CRM Productions.
