N LITE Expands Board, Eyes Global Anime Domination

N LITE, a U.S. and Tokyo-based media company and anime studio, has significantly bolstered its leadership team by adding four industry veterans to its board of directors. This expansion, which includes Jay Francis, former VP of Disney Television Animation, signals the company's aggressive growth strategy across multiple entertainment sectors.

N LITE is actively developing its original fantasy epic, MFINDA, for a feature film release, collaborating with notable partners such as GKIDS and JuVee Productions. Alongside the film, a prequel manga series with Kodansha and a making-of documentary are also in production.

The studio's expanding slate also features a film adaptation of "Jungle Emperor Leo" with Tezuka Productions, an original horror anime "WEBE: Spirit Detective," and an anime series "IFE: Secret of the Star Child." These projects aim to leverage diverse storytelling and creative talent.

New board members Ricky Joshi, Elizabeth Nelson, and Carlos Dos Santos bring expertise in direct-to-consumer brands, licensing, and international partnerships, respectively. Dos Santos, in particular, will help N LITE build a stronger presence and develop projects in Africa, including a feature anime film set in Mozambique.

The company aims to forge stronger relationships with Hollywood streamers and studios, navigating the complexities of international anime co-productions by fostering trust and collaboration with Japanese artists through its subsidiary Studio N LITE. This strategic focus is expected to yield further projects and consumer products, with the MFINDA manga and related merchandise slated for release early next year.