'Ninja Hattori' Lands Global Licensing Deal as 8 Lions, TV Asahi Team

Mar 16, 2026 5:00pm PT ‘Ninja Hattori’ Lands Global Licensing Deal as 8 Lions, TV Asahi Team for Digital Push (EXCLUSIVE) By Naman Ramachandran Plus Icon Naman Ramachandran Latest Japan Pushes for a New Global Stage as Film Frontier Makes Its Debut at Hong Kong Market 26 minutes ago AI Registry to Protect Athlete Likenesses and Digital IP Launched by New Sports-Tech Firm Callandor Group (EXCLUSIVE) 12 hours ago National Theatre Director Indhu Rubasingham Eyes Bollywood Talent, India Expansion — and Brings Ayesha Dharker Full Circle in ‘The Jungle Book’ 14 hours ago See All ©FUJIKO Ⓐ/SHIN-EI, SHOGAKUKAN, TV Asahi. London-based IP studio 8 Lions Entertainment has struck a global licensing deal with Japanese broadcaster TV Asahi Corp. for “Ninja Hattori,” one of Japan’s most enduring anime franchises. Under the pact, 8 Lions will handle digital distribution of the series across SVOD, AVOD and free VOD platforms in all territories outside Japan. The story centers on Hattori Kanzo, a young ninja from the mountainous Iga region who transplants himself to contemporary Tokyo, where he attends school and gets into scrapes with his close friend Kenichi. The franchise traces its origins to 1964, when manga artist Fujiko Fujio introduced the character in Shōnen magazine. Its mix of warmth, humor and accessible storytelling has given it particular traction across Asia, Latin America and the Middle East — regions where 8 Lions sees strong digital growth potential. Related Stories David Ellison Vows CNN Will Operate Independently as Paramount Buys Warner Bros.: 'We Want to Be in the Truth Business' Scott MacFarlane, CBS News' Hard-Charging Justice Correspondent, to Exit The property has taken many forms over the years, beginning with a live-action TV drama on TV Asahi in the late 1960s, followed by an anime series produced by Shin-Ei Animation between 1981 and 1987 that spawned films and video games, and later a remake developed with overseas animation partners. Popular on Variety The centrepiece of the strategy is a slate of localized YouTube channels carrying full seasons of the show, initially in Spanish, Arabic, Thai and Vietnamese. The move represents a meaningful shift in how Japanese anime IP is typically deployed on the platform, where rights-holders have generally restricted content to clips and promotional material rather than committing to continuous, full-library availability. With YouTube’s monthly active user base sitting at 2.7 billion, 8 Lions sees the platform as the most powerful tool available for building sustained international audiences. “Japanese anime libraries previously locked behind paywalls have an opportunity to build a direct connection with millions of fans via AVOD platforms that have enjoyed little more than promotional content to date,” said Jiella Esmat, CEO of 8 Lions Entertainment. “We’re placing these communities, specifically YouTube, at the heart of our growth strategy, building a multi-format, multilingual, full-season fan ecosystem.” The agreement is part of a wider effort by 8 Lions to establish itself as a go-to partner for Japanese rights holders seeking international growth. The company plans to open a Japan office later this year, with VP of digital commercial partnerships, Lovely Chavez, relocating to lead the on-the-ground operation. For TV Asahi, the deal represents a new chapter for a property that has been part of Japanese cultural life for decades. “‘Ninja Hattori’ is a cherished property that has been loved across generations in Japan,” said Sumida Maiko, head of animation sales and development at TV Asahi’s international business department unit. “We believe this partnership will further elevate the value of the franchise and help cultivate an even broader global fan base.” The agreement was unveiled at Hong Kong FilMart. 8 Lions was founded in 2024 by Esmat, previously an executive at children’s entertainment company Moonbug Entertainment. The firm specialises in scaling entertainment properties internationally through digital distribution, YouTube strategy, licensing and consumer products. TV Asahi, which has been a fixture of Japanese broadcasting for more than 65 years, produces and distributes some of the country’s best-known animation titles, among them “Doraemon” and “Shin chan,” as well as long-running drama series that have reached audiences in upwards of 190 countries. Jump to Comments Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics to Start With Boycotts Against Russia’s Official Return to Global Sporting Arena How the African Screen Industries Are Turning to Tech — and Each Other — to Adapt to Market Turbulence: ‘Every Fight Is a New Fight’ Paramount Says It Will Release 15 Warner Bros. Movies a Year in Theaters, Reaffirms 45-Day Theatrical Window ‘KPop Demon Hunters 2’ Confirmed by Netflix and Sony: ‘This Is Only the Beginning’ David Zaslav Sells $114 Million Worth of Warner Bros. Discovery Stock After WBD Clinches Paramount Skydance Deal Burning Questions for Paramount’s Warner Bros. Deal: Who Does David Ellison Think He Is? What’s Next for Netflix? 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