Technology News

Posted: Mon., Apr. 6, 2009, 2:36pm PT

FUNimation to stream Toei cartoons

Anime unit inks deal for online content

TOKYO -- Texas-based anime distrib FUNimation Entertainment has inked to stream Japanese studio Toei Animation's toons on its web site. All toons will be subbed in English.

FUNimation began offering episodes of Toei's classic "Fist of the North Star" on Friday. It will add one new series to its line-up each week for six weeks, including "Air Master," "Captain Harlock," "Digimon Adventure 2," "Galaxy Express 999," "Pretty Cure" and "Slam Dunk."

 Although FUNimation is the top North American distributor of anime, on the Internet it has fallen behind  San Francisco-based streaming site Crunchyroll.

FUNimation launched its own site, which offers free toons, in December and is still playing catch up. It hopes that its deal with Toei will help close the gap. 

 On March 20, FUNimation closed a similar deal with toonmaker Gonzo (formerly GDH) to beef up its online content.

Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

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