Tencent Invests in Production Company 'Haoliners Animation'
DoNews, 1/18/17
Shanghai-based animation production firm Huijie Culture Communication (Haoliners Animation) recently announced completion of RMB 9-digit funding from Chinese internet and mobile services firm Tencent (0700.HK) and Wutongshu Investment.
Haoliners Animation, established in 2013, was initially known as "Huimeng Culture Communication Laboratory" and served as an outsourcing company in support of the Japanese animation industry.
Since 2013, Haoliner Animation has been involved in producing numerous Chinese online 2D animated films. It set up a Japanese subsidiary called Huimeng Animation in October 2015, with Shoji Murahama, founder of Japanese animation studio Gonzo, as its executive director. In June 2016, Haoliner Animation invested in Japanese animation company Artland and partnered with Studio Denn and TV station Tokyo MX to continue developing its business in Japan.
Haoliner Animation has frequently partnered with Tencent in the past. The company has produced many animated films based on anime serials owned by Tencent or its subsidiaries, including "Wo Jiao Bai Xiaofei," "Hu Yao Xiao Hongniang," and "Congqian You Zuo Lingjian Shan." Tencent's latest investment is intended to support greater cooperation between the two firms, strengthen Tencent's control over its IP adaptations, and lead to greater profitability.
According to online media outlet IT Juzi, Haoliners Animation previously won RMB 7-digit angel funding from Innovation Works in January 2015, followed by RMB 8-digit Series A funding in March 2016 from Greenwoods Asset Management, Innovation Works, game developer and operator Two Fishes Interactive Technology (Happy Elements), and Hode Information Technology, operator of online and mobile bullet-screen video platform Bilibili.
Keywords: Haoliners Animation M&A Wutongshu VC television film film production animation funding Tencent Series A 0700.HK
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