Nippon Television Holdings: To Acquire Shares in Studio Ghibli to Make It a Subsidiary

By Kosaku Narioka

Nippon Television Holdings said Thursday it would acquire shares in Studio Ghibli to make the animation studio founded by anime film giant Hayao Miyazaki a subsidiary.
The Japanese media company said it would become the largest shareholder of the studio behind “Spirited Away” and other popular anime movies, holding 42.3% voting rights, and would send directors to the board of Studio Ghibli to support its management.

Nippon Television Senior Operating Officer Hiroyuki Fukuda will become president of Studio Ghibli, the company said.
Studio Ghibli said succession plans have been an issue at the studio. Miyazaki is 82 years old.
Nippon Television said it will respect the studio’s autonomy in the production of films.
Nippon Television said it would buy shares of Studio Ghibli from individual shareholders for an undisclosed sum and that the transactions would be completed on Oct. 6.
Write to Kosaku Narioka at [email protected]