President
Launched in September 2017, Akatsuki Entertainment is a revolutionary new approach to adaptation and intellectual property (IP) value expansion in the mediums of film, television, digital, and animation.
Equipped with both development and production financing, will not only self-finance, but also co-finance production, working in close collaboration with Japanese creators and IP owners. Akatsuki Entertainment will bring exciting, accessible, and commercially-strong properties to American studios and production companies, facilitating the creation of new versions of these valuable IP in the form of Hollywood adaptations. Via these adaptations, the Japanese side will achieve significant brand expansion and improved global IP recognition, while Hollywood entities will gain access to lucrative and original concepts to launch rewarding new franchises. Adaptations will not only be limited to big-name IP. We pride ourselves on finding the best stories Japan has to offer, and often will find them via independent filmmakers and first time authors as well.
In addition to bringing Japanese content to Hollywood, Akatsuki Entertainment will also be instrumental in bringing original concepts to Japan. Working with established Japanese creators and studios, Akatsuki Entertainment will create concepts to be developed as original manga, anime, and other media within Japan, for a Japanese audience. Once created, these original properties will be open to further expansion and international exploitation, potentially becoming the basis for future live-action Hollywood adaptations.
Akatsuki Entertainment brings an experienced, dedicated group of internationally-minded creative professionals to the challenge of global collaboration. Combining knowledge of the Japanese creative industry with mastery of Hollywood story structure and development strategy, the women and men of Akatsuki Entertainment bring a unique approach to both adaptation and original concept generation.
The exciting future of creative media collaboration has arrived.
We are deeply passionate about what we do. Individually, we’ve all come together on this creative path through profound love of these rich and multifaceted mediums. We are driven to bring forward the best of both nations, to combine the boundless potential of Japanese and American storytelling and bring happiness to the world via this creative marriage. By unlocking the possibilities of each of these valuable and vibrant cultures, we can create something new, something unique, something revolutionary.
The company is helmed by President and Board Member Annmarie Sairrino. Akatsuki Inc.’s Kazushige Shimizu will oversee Akatsuki Entertainment’s USA’s operation on behalf of the parent company. Moeko Suzuki will head the company’s Tokyo office. Kat McPhee serves as VP of Production and Development in Los Angeles.
Sandy Climan, President of Entertainment Media Ventures, reports as senior advisor to Akatsuki Entertainment USA and to the parent company Akatsuki Inc., while Ben Anderson advises Akatsuki Entertainment USA.
Vice President, Development & Production
Advisor to Akatsuki Entertainment
Official 'Root Letter' website launchesLink to Website
Danny Ramirez to Star in Film Adaptation of ‘Root Letter’ Video GameLink to Article
Japan Games Firm Akatsuki Launches U.S. Film Production VentureLink to Article
Japan’s leading mobile gaming company Akatsuki Inc. Launches Us-based feature film produciton armLink to Article
Sep 2017 - Akatsuki Entertainment is established in Los Angeles
Sep 2019 - Production on 'Root Letter' begins
Jul 2020 - Post-Production on 'Root Letter' is complete.