Report: Studio Ghibli Will Be Taken Over

According to Japanese news site ZakZak, Studio Ghibli is apparently set to be purchased by Japanese online entertainment company Dwango. UPDATE: A PR spokesperson told Kotaku that Dwango did not take over Studio Ghibli, and that the company has “no intention of doing so”.

This news comes as Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki recently said the studio needed a “short rest” and that they were considering “making a big change to the larger view of Studio Ghibli.”

Dwango runs Japanese video site Nico Nico Douga and owns game developer Spike Chunsoft. Nobuo Kawakami, Dwango’s chairman, previously worked at Studio Ghibli. What’s more. Studio Ghibli is teaming up with Dwango for Ronja the Robber’s Daughter, its upcoming television anime.

Several sources tell ZakZak that under the plan, Dwango will take over Studio Ghibli, including the studio’s staff. This apparently doesn’t include only Studio Ghibli animators, but also its copyright business. Though, it is possible that not all the animators will make the leap to Dwango, should this rumour be true.

One insider told ZakZak that this rumoured deal could conform to Suzuki’s ideal of reorganising the studio.

There is no official announcement yet regarding this and no details about when this rumoured buyout will happen. Kotaku is following up with Dwango to confirm and will update this story should the company comment.

ジブリ、ドワンゴ傘下に　すでに蜜月関係　仰天身請け話が浮上したワケ [ZakZak — Thanks, @blightLyre!]