ADV Films Acquires Sgt. Frog Video, Merchandising Rights.
ADV Films, the number one producer-distributor of anime outside of Japan, announced today it has acquired exclusive broadcast, home video, and major merchandising rights in the English-speaking world for Sgt. Frog, the biggest franchise to come from Japan since Hello Kitty ™!
‘While Sgt. Frog has wowed the fickly otaku crowd, part of the reason it’s become such a hit in Japan is that it has a broader appeal…Watch out folks - this frog could conquer America just as easily as he conquered Japan!’ - Anime Insider
From the famed animation production studio Sunrise (Mobile Suit Gundam, Cowboy Bebop) and Chief Director Junichi Sato (Sailor Moon) comes one of Japan’s most popular anime series. It’s a red-hot phenomenon, with over 131 anime episodes and counting, 14 manga volumes, two animated movies, and hundreds of licensed products. The character’s iconic good looks account for only part of Sgt. Frog’s appeal. The lead character is an eternal anti-hero on par with Stewie Griffin or Bart Simpson!
‘We couldn’t be happier being chosen to handle this mega-hit television franchise,’ says ADV’s President and CEO John Ledford. ‘This show is unique in that it has immense mass-market appeal that crosses over to any age, while still earning raves from anime fandom.’
Synopsis: The erstwhile leader of an advanced party sent to conquer Earth, Sgt. Frog loses his battalion of comrades and is forced to live with the Hinata family as their ‘pet.’ Clever, charismatic and extremely manipulative, Sgt. Frog continues to plot the subjugation of humanity…just as soon as he is finished building one more model Gundam! If he weren’t so easily distracted by his hobbies, Sgt. Frog just might be dangerous. But as it is, he’s a laugh riot!
In addition to broadcast and home video rights, ADV is the master toy, merchandising and interactive game licensing representative for the franchise in the English-speaking territories, including but not limited to printed goods, food and drink, and apparel.