Global streaming content provider Netflix is making a push to deepen its business relationships with anime production companies in Japan. On Wednesday, Netflix announced a continuing partnership with anime studios Production I.G and Bones in a press release. Netflix's partnership with Production I.G also involves the latter's subsidiary, Wit Studio.

Last summer, Netflix announced that it will be launching anime titles produced by two of the studios. B: The Beginning, produced by Production I.G, will debut on the platform on March 2, while A.I.C.O.: Incarnation by Bones will be available beginning March 9. No production has been announced for Netflix's partnership with Wit Studio.

Netflix's entrance into the anime market was first oriented toward securing distribution rights for existing popular works. In a later effort toward original content development, Netflix began acquiring exclusive distribution rights of anime titles such that these titles would not be broadcast on television. One most recent example is Devilman: Crybaby, which began streaming on the platform earlier this month.

According to journalist Takashi Sudo of the Animation Business Journal, since Netflix entered Japan in 2015, it has chosen to build direct relationships with anime studios rather than participating in the traditional production committee system. Netflix's partnerships are solely focused on the monopolization of distribution rights for the titles they are acquiring. Derivative businesses such as merchandising are left in the care of the studio.

In a letter to investors last week, Netflix reported that streaming revenue in 2017 grew to US$11.2 billion, a growth of 35.6 percent year-over-year. In addition, global paid memberships grew to over 110 million users, an increase of 24.2 percent year-over-year.

Source: Animation Business Journal, Anime! Anime! Biz, Netflix