Charting a Course for Global Animation Excellence
Strategic Leadership Bolsters N LITE's Vision
N LITE, an anime production company rooted in both American and Japanese creative landscapes, has announced the addition of four accomplished figures to its executive board. Among these new appointments is Jay Francis, formerly the Vice President of Disney Television Animation, whose extensive experience is poised to guide the studio's ambitious growth trajectory.
Ambitious Projects and International Collaborations Unveiled
The studio is actively expanding its portfolio, venturing into feature films, television productions, consumer merchandise, and publishing. A key highlight is the forthcoming release of their original fantasy epic, MFINDA, a feature film developed in partnership with notable entities such as GKIDS, Viola Davis' and Julius Tennon's JuVee Productions, Joel Embiid's Miniature Geant, and Jaden Smith. Complementing the film, N LITE is also developing a prequel manga adaptation with Japanese publisher Kodansha, known for titles like Ghost in the Shell, and a behind-the-scenes documentary titled MFINDA: Spirits of the Congo.
A Diverse Slate of Creative Ventures
Beyond MFINDA, N LITE has several other exciting projects in the pipeline. These include a film adaptation of the classic manga Jungle Emperor Leo, a collaboration with Tezuka Productions to commemorate their 100th anniversary; WEBE: Spirit Detective, an original Southern gothic horror anime executive produced by Willow Smith and Peter Ramsey; and IFE: Secret of the Star Child, an anime series also set to be executive produced by Peter Ramsey alongside veteran animation director Gary Trousdale, renowned for his work on Beauty and the Beast.
Jay Francis's Pivotal Role in N LITE's Growth
With a burgeoning project list, N LITE's founder and CEO, Christiano Terry, sought to assemble a board capable of supporting the company's expansion. Jay Francis, an animation veteran with over two decades of experience, was a natural fit to lead this charge. Francis's illustrious career includes leadership roles at The Disney Channel and Level 13.net, an early online animation distribution network. He played a crucial role in the success of beloved series such as Phineas and Ferb, Big City Greens, and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. Furthermore, Francis established the Disney TVA Writing Program and has recruited talent for iconic shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy.
Bridging Cultural Divides in Anime Production
Francis expressed enthusiasm for joining N LITE at such a dynamic period, commending Christiano Terry and the team for their groundbreaking work. A primary objective for the newly strengthened board is to cultivate robust relationships with streaming platforms and studios in Hollywood. Despite the surging global demand for anime, co-productions between Western and Japanese animation teams often face hurdles due to differing production methodologies, creative preferences, and cultural norms. N LITE aims to navigate these challenges by fostering deeper collaboration.
Cultivating Trust and Collaboration in Tokyo
Christiano Terry highlighted the studio's dedication over the past four years to building a strong presence in Tokyo and establishing trust within the Japanese anime community. Through its subsidiary Studio N LITE, the company is facilitating a level of collaborative development and pre-production that is often absent in typical Western-Japanese studio partnerships. This approach empowers Japanese artists and animators to engage with innovative projects that push creative boundaries.
Showcasing Japanese Artistic Excellence
N LITE points to its successful collaborations with acclaimed anime producer Masao Maruyama and the hand-painted background studio Dehogallery as evidence of its ability to attract top Japanese talent. These partnerships aim to achieve high standards of artistic excellence in animation, bringing prestige-level work to a global audience.
Expanding into Direct-to-Consumer Markets
To spearhead its expansion into the direct-to-consumer sector, N LITE has welcomed Ricky Joshi to its board. Joshi is the co-founder of Saatva, a leading direct-to-consumer brand in America with over $600 million in revenue. His experience extends to film production, having served as an executive producer for films like The Beast and The Long Game. Joshi emphasizes his belief in the power of storytelling to connect and inspire audiences, and his excitement to support distinctive voices and compelling narratives at N LITE.
Capitalizing on Consumer Products and Licensing Opportunities
Elizabeth “Beth” Nelson has also joined the board to guide N LITE's efforts in consumer products and licensing. The studio has observed significant interest in MFINDA, with brands eager to license authentic Japanese anime that resonates with diverse audiences, including consumers of color in the U.S. and Europe, and those in Latin America and Africa. Nelson brings over two decades of experience in global business development, licensing, and brand franchise management, having held leadership roles at SD Toys and worked with major studios such as Disney, Marvel, Fox, Warner Bros., and Paramount.
Connecting Storytelling with Global Growth
Nelson expressed her enthusiasm for N LITE's potential to build entertainment franchises with global appeal. She aims to leverage her expertise in licensing and franchise development to translate compelling storytelling into sustainable growth, strategic partnerships, and enduring connections with fans worldwide.
Tapping into the African Market
The studio also plans to release ancillary products like manga, collectibles, and behind-the-scenes content well in advance of film releases to engage with fans. Given the significant role of Africa in N LITE's narratives, engaging with the African anime and animation fan community is a core strategic objective. Many African distributors, producers, and investment groups are recognizing this burgeoning opportunity. Carlos Dos Santos, Mozambique's permanent representative to the United Nations, has joined the board to help N LITE forge partnerships across the African continent.
Building Bridges and Telling African Stories
Dos Santos, who previously served as Mozambique's ambassador to several nations and as a senior adviser to the Mozambican president, has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for N LITE's presence in Africa. He will facilitate forthcoming partnerships and the development of a feature anime film set in Mozambique, to be announced soon. Dos Santos voiced his honor and pride in contributing to a project dedicated to telling African stories in an innovative way, both for those on the continent and in the diaspora, believing it to be a profound contribution from the creative industries to humanity.
Upcoming Releases and Future Plans
In a recent announcement, N LITE confirmed the upcoming release of the serialized MFINDA manga with Kodansha early next year, alongside a range of consumer products. Details regarding the film's release date and distribution partners are anticipated to be revealed in due course.
