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Zag, the independent animation studio founded by Jeremy Zag, “Miraculous” co-creator and producer, is opening an outpost in Japan and has appointed former Toei Animation boss Kanji Kazahaya as COO of the new company.
Zag, who has always been inspired by Japanese culture and its impact on the world of animation culture, said the launch of Zag Japan will allow the company to “explore the emotional depth and artistic beauty of Japanese storytelling by developing manga, anime series, and traditional animation
films.”
“Japanese culture holds a special place in our hearts, and we are incredibly proud to finally have the chance to work alongside the extraordinary talents who have inspired generations of dreamers worldwide,” Zag said.
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Kazahaya, who comes to Zag Japan with 15 years of executive leadership at Toei Animation, said “Zag has been “infusing the essence of Japanese manga and anime, particularly the inner strength of its protagonists,” into the content it has been producing, and in doing so, it has brought “a unique emotional depth to its storytelling.”
The “groundbreaking global success of ‘Miraculous,’ Kazahaya said, “has revealed the immense potential of blending Western animation with the soul of Japanese manga and anime. “ said Kanji Kazahaya. He said his mandate at Zag Japan will be to continue weaving the two cultures and traditions.
Zag Japan has already enlisted major partners. It’s kicking off with a partnership with Highway Star, one of Japan’s leading talent agencies. Hironobu Kageyama, the famed Dragon Ball singer, will sing for Zag productions.
“Music has always been at the heart of storytelling at Zag, and Japanese music has greatly
influenced our narratives,” said Zag. Starting this first collaboration with Hironobu Kageyama and many other iconic franchises from our childhood couldn’t be a more meaningful symbol.”
Kiyoko Matsumura, President of Highway Star, said the company has a “history of contributing to many of Japan’s most celebrated animated works” and said both Hironobu Kageyama and Nami Tamaki, two of their top artists, will perform for Zag.
