First came Masquerade, an immersive production of The Phantom of the Opera. Now Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group has announced a rebrand and a slate of new franchise expansions for the musical maestro’s universe of stories. Including… anime?
Deadline reports that the company, now known as LW Entertainment, has plans for a Phantom of the Opera anime, an idea so wild it’s bound to work. And it’s not completely out of left field: Sailor Moon‘s Tuxedo Mask is already so Phantom-coded. (We hope they get Phantom stage icon Ramin Karimloo to voice the 2D Eric.)
Qubic Pictures’ Justin Leach (Star Wars: Visions, Leviathan) is overseeing the project. In a statement to Deadline, Leech said, “I’m incredibly excited to join forces with the talented team at LW Entertainment to bring The Phantom of the Opera to life through anime. This project is a rare opportunity to unite the grandeur of musical theatre with the artistry of Japanese animation—two beloved traditions that have touched audiences around the world. Our goal is to create a timeless and emotionally resonant experience that speaks to a global audience and honors the legacy of this iconic story.”
The anime is just one element in, as LW Entertainment told the trade, “significant, global plans for The Phantom of the Opera over the coming years across live theater, film, publishing, music, and many other areas.” If ever a property was suited for the current YA romantasy trend in publishing, it’s this, so look for a first collaboration with Penguin Random House in the form of Our Strange Duet (“a reimagining of the Gothic love story that will bring a new voice to Christine Daaé, a central part of the Phantom canon”) next year.
What are your thoughts on Phantanime of the Operanime? Let us know in the comments below.
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