Toei Animation, together with entertainment company DeNA and Tokyo University of the Arts‘ (Tokyo Geidai) Department of Animation’s Planning and Development Office, has set up a creators label called GREEN OCEAN as of October 27 JST.

The label aims to provide training, produce a new generation of creators with skills applicable on the world stage, and provide better hands-on support for young creators.

The name GREEN OCEAN is said to be inspired by the 1971 Toei Animation-produced (then Toei Doga) Dobutsu no Takarajima (Animal Island), in which the ocean is depicted in green. One of the key animators on that animation was Tokyo Geidai graduate Yoichi Kotabe, who spent some time at Nintendo as Mario’s official illustrator (another was Hayao Miyazaki, who also had an idea composer credit).

GREEN OCEAN’s first project is the “Roar to Namae no nai Monotachi supported by Kawasaki Brave Thunders” video, a collaboration with the Kawasaki Brave Thunders basketball team’s mascot Roar. It’s being shown at THE KAWASAKI VISION, an LED display at the north passageway of Kawasaki Station.

Source: Press release