Toonami Infolink

Cartoon Network and Production I.G. Join Forces for First Toonami Original Series

Today at the 2005 Tokyo Anime Fair in Japan, Cartoon Network unveiled the highly anticipated new series, IGPX. Cartoon Network has been pioneer in bringing popular Japanese animation to the U.S., expanding the fan base further than ever expected. Now, Cartoon Network leads the pack once again by partnering with acclaimed animation studio, Production I.G. and Bandai Entertainment to produce IGPX, an original series for Toonami, the Cartoon Network action programming block that first brought animé to wide audiences in the U.S.

IGPX will combine the talents of both Cartoon Network and Production I.G., establishing a new production paradigm. Blending the quality and style of animé with Western storytelling, IGPX will be the first instance of a U.S. cable network working directly with a Japanese animation studio to create an original series. The new original series that uses both traditional and CGI animation will debut in Fall 2005 during Toonami, currently #1 in the U.S. with boys 9-14 and 12-17 for 2005 to date.

“Toonami brought Japanese animation to a new generation of fans in the U.S., showcasing popular animé series like Dragonball Z, The Big O and Yu Yu Hakusho,” said Jim Samples, executive vice president and general manager for Cartoon Network. “Now, Toonami is the first to team up with one of the most respected and well-known animation studios in Japan, Production I.G., with a new approach on production, setting the stage for future co-productions.”

“I am very honored for Production I.G. to collaborate with Cartoon Network, and for our show to be broadcast on the world’s largest animation network, viewed in 160 countries. This co-production relationship with Cartoon Network is what truly motivated our staff to create such an amazing piece of work,” said Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, president of Production I.G.

Production I.G., internationally recognized for creating high-quality animation, including well known properties like Ghost in the Shell, Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL and the animé sequences in Kill Bill Vol.1, brings their stylish vision to IGPX. Cartoon Network first partnered with Production I.G. in 2002 to produce five 5-minute episodes of IGPX for an on-air Toonami event in 2003.

(Click "Read More" for a story overview and more producer comments, along with a link to an interview at Aintitcool.com)


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