8 Lions, TV Asahi, Ink Global Licensing Agreement for Anime Franchise Ninja Hattori
8 Lions, TV Asahi, Ink Landmark Global Licensing
Agreement for Iconic Anime Franchise Ninja Hattori
Deal signals a new era for the global expansion of Japanese anime catalogues,
embracing YouTube as an accelerator.
London / Tokyo, 17 March 2026
London-based IP growth and monetisation studio 8 Lions
Entertainment has signed a global licensing agreement with Japanese broadcaster TV Asahi
Corporation for the anime franchise Ninja Hattori, launching a digital distribution strategy that will
roll out the long-running series across SVOD, AVOD and FVOD platforms worldwide outside
Japan, targeting viewers whose habits are rooted in on-demand streaming
At the heart of the deal is a bold repositioning of how Japanese anime scales and monetises in a digital
era. 8 Lions will launch a network of localised Ninja Hattori YouTube channels. The first wave of
languages includes Spanish, Arabic, Thai and Vietnamese, representing millions of existing anime fans.
This model remains uncommon for Japanese IP, most IP owners limit YouTube channels to clips and
short-form rather than full scale, always-on distribution. YouTube's scale, with 2.7 billion monthly active
users, makes it an ideal engine for audience discovery, engagement and monetisation.
"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 initiative forms part of 8 Lions' broader push to rethink how Japanese catalogues travel globally,
unlocking audiences at scale. The company's commitment to Japanese IP owners will be further
underscored by plans to establish a Japan base later this year timed with the relocation of Lovely
Chavez, VP Digital Commercial Partnerships. “We are incredibly proud to be part of Ninja Hattori's next
phase of growth and deeply appreciative of TV Asahi's collaboration and desire to innovate." said Jiella
Esmat.
As TV Asahi looks ahead to expanding the global reach of the franchise, the company emphasised the
significance of this new digital strategy. “Ninja Hattori is a cherished property that has been loved across
generations in Japan. We are greatly encouraged to see this long-running IP reach audiences around
the world in a new way through 8 Lions' innovative, digital and multilingual approach. We believe this
partnership will further elevate the value of the franchise and help cultivate an even broader global fan
base,” said Maiko Sumida, Head of Animation Sales & Development, TV Asahi International Business
Department.
Originally created by legendary manga artist Fujiko Fujio A, Ninja Hattori has remained a cornerstone
of Japanese pop culture since debuting in Shōnen magazine in 1964. The series follows Kanzo Hattori,
an 11-year-old ninja from the Iga mountains who moves to modern Tokyo, navigating school life and
everyday challenges alongside his best friend Kenichi. Blending comedy, slice-of-life storytelling and
adventure, the series centres on enduring themes of friendship, loyalty and resilience. Known for its light hearted humour and cross-generational appeal, the show continues to resonate with audiences
across Asia and beyond.
The property spans decades of cultural impact: a live-action drama that aired on TV Asahi in the late
1960s, the celebrated 1981–1987 anime adaptation by Shinei Animation featuring multiple animated
films, video games, and a later remake produced with international animation partners. The franchise
enjoys a particularly devoted following across Asia, Latin America and the Middle East; markets where
digital distribution is an instrumental part of long-term IP success.
About 8 Lions Entertainment
Founded in 2024 by former Moonbug Entertainment executive Jiella Esmat, 8 Lions is a London-based
kids and teens entertainment company dedicated to building and scaling global IP. With one of the
industry's most experienced YouTube strategy and execution teams, the company partners with
producers, studios, creators, and toy companies worldwide to grow fan communities and maximise
long-term franchise value through digital audience development, global distribution, licensing, and
consumer products.
About TV Asahi Corporation
With more than 65 years of leading the Japanese content industry and having 23 network affiliate
stations covering the nation, TV Asahi Corporation delivers top-rated drama series, enduring animation
programs and high-quality variety shows that target the younger demographic, in addition to
broadcasting diverse sports events and daily news shows. Particularly, kids' animation such as
"Doraemon" and "Shin-chan" have been broadcasted and beloved worldwide for over 30 years.
TV Asahi is well known for producing long-running drama series such as the "Doctor-X" series which
has been distributed in over 190 countries and regions, and the detective series "AIBOU (Detective
Duo)" with 23 seasons. TV Asahi also engages in various new businesses, including original anime
production in India and collaborations with partnering studios in Korea and Thailand.
Agreement for Iconic Anime Franchise Ninja Hattori
Deal signals a new era for the global expansion of Japanese anime catalogues,
embracing YouTube as an accelerator.
London / Tokyo, 17 March 2026
London-based IP growth and monetisation studio 8 Lions
Entertainment has signed a global licensing agreement with Japanese broadcaster TV Asahi
Corporation for the anime franchise Ninja Hattori, launching a digital distribution strategy that will
roll out the long-running series across SVOD, AVOD and FVOD platforms worldwide outside
Japan, targeting viewers whose habits are rooted in on-demand streaming
At the heart of the deal is a bold repositioning of how Japanese anime scales and monetises in a digital
era. 8 Lions will launch a network of localised Ninja Hattori YouTube channels. The first wave of
languages includes Spanish, Arabic, Thai and Vietnamese, representing millions of existing anime fans.
This model remains uncommon for Japanese IP, most IP owners limit YouTube channels to clips and
short-form rather than full scale, always-on distribution. YouTube's scale, with 2.7 billion monthly active
users, makes it an ideal engine for audience discovery, engagement and monetisation.
"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 initiative forms part of 8 Lions' broader push to rethink how Japanese catalogues travel globally,
unlocking audiences at scale. The company's commitment to Japanese IP owners will be further
underscored by plans to establish a Japan base later this year timed with the relocation of Lovely
Chavez, VP Digital Commercial Partnerships. “We are incredibly proud to be part of Ninja Hattori's next
phase of growth and deeply appreciative of TV Asahi's collaboration and desire to innovate." said Jiella
Esmat.
As TV Asahi looks ahead to expanding the global reach of the franchise, the company emphasised the
significance of this new digital strategy. “Ninja Hattori is a cherished property that has been loved across
generations in Japan. We are greatly encouraged to see this long-running IP reach audiences around
the world in a new way through 8 Lions' innovative, digital and multilingual approach. We believe this
partnership will further elevate the value of the franchise and help cultivate an even broader global fan
base,” said Maiko Sumida, Head of Animation Sales & Development, TV Asahi International Business
Department.
Originally created by legendary manga artist Fujiko Fujio A, Ninja Hattori has remained a cornerstone
of Japanese pop culture since debuting in Shōnen magazine in 1964. The series follows Kanzo Hattori,
an 11-year-old ninja from the Iga mountains who moves to modern Tokyo, navigating school life and
everyday challenges alongside his best friend Kenichi. Blending comedy, slice-of-life storytelling and
adventure, the series centres on enduring themes of friendship, loyalty and resilience. Known for its light hearted humour and cross-generational appeal, the show continues to resonate with audiences
across Asia and beyond.
The property spans decades of cultural impact: a live-action drama that aired on TV Asahi in the late
1960s, the celebrated 1981–1987 anime adaptation by Shinei Animation featuring multiple animated
films, video games, and a later remake produced with international animation partners. The franchise
enjoys a particularly devoted following across Asia, Latin America and the Middle East; markets where
digital distribution is an instrumental part of long-term IP success.
About 8 Lions Entertainment
Founded in 2024 by former Moonbug Entertainment executive Jiella Esmat, 8 Lions is a London-based
kids and teens entertainment company dedicated to building and scaling global IP. With one of the
industry's most experienced YouTube strategy and execution teams, the company partners with
producers, studios, creators, and toy companies worldwide to grow fan communities and maximise
long-term franchise value through digital audience development, global distribution, licensing, and
consumer products.
About TV Asahi Corporation
With more than 65 years of leading the Japanese content industry and having 23 network affiliate
stations covering the nation, TV Asahi Corporation delivers top-rated drama series, enduring animation
programs and high-quality variety shows that target the younger demographic, in addition to
broadcasting diverse sports events and daily news shows. Particularly, kids' animation such as
"Doraemon" and "Shin-chan" have been broadcasted and beloved worldwide for over 30 years.
TV Asahi is well known for producing long-running drama series such as the "Doctor-X" series which
has been distributed in over 190 countries and regions, and the detective series "AIBOU (Detective
Duo)" with 23 seasons. TV Asahi also engages in various new businesses, including original anime
production in India and collaborations with partnering studios in Korea and Thailand.
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