Marvel Heroes Meet Anime

[Geekyfanboy]

Marvel has signed a deal with anime producer Madhouse to create a lineup of animated series for the Japanese market featuring the company's stable of comic-book superheroes, Variety reported.

The first four series will debut in 2010 on Animax, a 24-hour network dedicated to anime. To better appeal to Japanese fans, Marvel's superheroes, including Iron Man and Wolverine, will be retrofitted with new looks and backstories that touch on local culture and Japanese history.

Launched in 1972, Madhouse has worked with many of Japan's best-known anime auteurs, including Satoshi Kon, Katsuhiro Otomo, Yoshiaki Kawajiri and Rintaro (aka Hayashi Shigeyuki).

Madhouse's parent company is Index, a media conglomerate with a strong presence in the mobile phone business. The partners also plan to exploit the new cartoon series in services to cell phone users, as well as create character goods and other merchandising.