Disney Plus has announced the latest addition to its growing collection of Japanese anime. The fable is a series inspired by a hugely popular manga of the same name, and follows the story of a skilled assassin who has to hide for a while. The film will premiere worldwide on the Disney Plus platform on April 7.
By Katsuhisa Minami The fable The manga, which captivated readers of Japan’s Weekly Young Magazine from 2014 to 2019, has sold millions of copies over the years. The transition to the screen is brought to life by Tezuka Productions, led by veteran anime director Ryōsuke Takahashi.
The fable: the murderer who does not kill revolves around a notorious assassin known simply as ‘Fable’, whose life is dedicated to mastering the art of killing. Fable is known in the criminal underworld for his deadly abilities and his life is devoted to murder. However, after a particularly violent year, he receives an unexpected assignment from the leader of his organization: he must adopt a new identity in Osaka and abstain from murder for a year. Fable finds himself in a new environment full of potential enemies and must learn to temper his instincts and embrace normality.
The expansion of Disney Plus
The fable is the latest anime content to come from Disney’s partnership with Kodansha, a leading publisher in Japan known for producing some of the most renowned manga series, including other popular favorites such as AKIRA, attack on TitanAnd Ghost in the shell.
The news also comes shortly after the announcement that Disney has also entered into a new partnership with Akira Toriyamathe creator of the Dragon Ball series. The legendary Japanese manga artist will help produce an exclusive anime series called Sandy soil, a story set in a dystopian desert world.
Disney already has a near-monopoly on mainstream franchises, including Marvel and Star Wars. But the partnerships with these big names in Japanese entertainment show that the company wants to expand into other types of content.
Luke Kang, head of Disney’s Asia Pacific region, recently said this The Hollywood Reporter that he is excited about the entertainment potential coming out of Japan and the global impact it could have. “If you look at the size of the market and the resources available, there is no reason why Japan should not become a major player again,” he says. He also talked about the growing popularity of anime around the world and how this is a big priority for Disney right now.
However, Kang also says this isn’t just about anime, referencing the release of the second season of the live-action Japanese hit Gannibalas well as the ones to come Shogun series that he says is “packed with Japanese talent” and which he hopes will “help stimulate the industry.”