Animate, Broccoli team up

Comic chain pacts with retailer

By MARK SCHILLING

TOKYO -- Animate, which operates Japan's largest chain of comics, games and toon software stores, has taken an 11.31% stake in character goods developer and retailer Broccoli.

The pair will launch a joint venture company, AniBro, to develop and acquire sales licenses for games and animation goods. Anibro will also open toon goods shops, while Animate and Broccoli will co-operate in operating the shops they already own.

AniBro's start-up capital is Y200 million ($1.9 million), with Animate contributing 70% and Broccoli 30%. Animate's prexy, Yutaka Takahashi, will also serve as prexy of AniBro.

Animate acquired the Broccoli stake from Digital Adventure.