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Warner Bros. announced today that Jason DeMarco, the co-creator of Toonami, will take on a new role and become the senior vice president in the anime and action series/longform department at Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios.
Alongside continuing to run Toonami, Jason will spearhead Warner Bros. and Cartoon Network’s expansion into producing anime content, as well as developing action cartoon series and feature films. In the press release, DeMarco will be “drawing upon his extensive experience and relationships with some of Japan’s most prolific anime studios, artists, and creators. He will also be responsible for identifying and developing projects in the animated action genre. In both cases he will pursue properties – original, library and third-party– to develop and produce series and longform programming for all audiences.”
Jason DeMarco will continue his role at Adult Swim as Senior Vice President, Head of Anime and Action Series. To fulfill his new duties of producing original anime and action cartoons for Toonami, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, and other WarnerMedia entities, Jason will be stepping down from some of his previous roles including marketing and promotion for Adult Swim (outside of Toonami). He will also no longer be in charge of the Adult Swim’s singles program, though he will still be involved as a consultant.
SPIRAL CURSE DEMARCO on Twitter: “…but I won’t be working on AS Singles or albums any more. Don’t worry though, singles are in great hands already with @shanlmck, @LauraSterritt, @ancavlasan, @crd and others who are already killing it! More AS music project will be yours to enjoy! / Twitter”
but I won’t be working on AS Singles or albums any more. Don’t worry though, singles are in great hands already with @shanlmck, @LauraSterritt, @ancavlasan, @crd and others who are already killing it! More AS music project will be yours to enjoy!
Even before this announcement, Jason DeMarco and the Toonami crew have long been at work producing original titles for the block. Toonami previously co-produced the FLCL sequels FLCL Progressive and FLCL Alternative back in 2018. This year, Fena: Pirate Princess will be premiering on Toonami this coming Saturday at midnight, while Blade Runner: Black Lotus will be premiering in the fall. Other titles announced, including Uzumaki, and Shenmue: The Animation, are also in production. Jason also mentioned that there will be “four more originals in the pipeline for Toonami that are in production and have yet to be announce, and I’ll be making more Toonami exclusives while also producing stuff for CN/HBOMax/etc.”
SPIRAL CURSE DEMARCO on Twitter: “I’ve already got four more originals in the pipeline for Toonami that are in production and have yet to be announce, and I’ll be making more Toonami exclusives while also producing stuff for CN/HBOMax/etc / Twitter”
I’ve already got four more originals in the pipeline for Toonami that are in production and have yet to be announce, and I’ll be making more Toonami exclusives while also producing stuff for CN/HBOMax/etc
This announcement was made just a day after WarnerMedia announced that they have sold Crunchyroll to Sony for $1.175 billion. Despite the split-up, Toonami will be continuing their relationships with Crunchyroll, as well as fellow Sony subsidiaries Funimation and Aniplex USA, for acquisitions and co-productions.
The Full Press Release can be seen below (via WarnerMedia):
Jason DeMarco Named Senior Vice President, Anime and Action Series/Longform for Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios.
ADULT SWIM . WARNER BROS.
Burbank, CA (August 10, 2021) – Warner Bros. announced today that Jason DeMarco has taken on a newly expanded role joining Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) and Cartoon Network Studios (CNS) as Senior Vice President, Anime and Action Series/Longform. DeMarco will also continue his role at Adult Swim as Senior Vice President, Head of Anime and Action Series. DeMarco will report to both Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios and Michael Ouweleen, President, Adult Swim.
In his newly formed dual role, DeMarco will spearhead WBA and CNS’ expansion into producing anime content, drawing upon his extensive experience and relationships with some of Japan’s most prolific anime studios, artists, and creators. He will also be responsible for identifying and developing projects in the animated action genre. In both cases he will pursue properties – original, library and third-party – to develop and produce series and longform programming for all audiences. Among his first projects, DeMarco will serve as the lead creative executive on The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, the upcoming original anime feature film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama and produced by New Line Cinema and WBA.
As Senior Vice President, Head of Anime and Action at Adult Swim DeMarco will serve as the current series and development executive of anime titles. He is currently overseeing production of Adult Swim’s new original anime series Fena: Pirate Princess, famed Japanese horror franchise Uzumaki and the highly anticipated Blade Runner: Black Lotus set to premiere later this year. Previous series under his watch includes two seasons of fan favorite anime series, FLCL. In addition, DeMarco will lead the creative direction, development, and implementation of all facets of on-air communication, promotion, packaging, and sponsorships for Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block.
Sam Register said: “Jason is an outstanding executive with a proven track record of successfully partnering with the best anime storytellers and creators and doing so with an unmatched level of enthusiasm. His wealth of knowledge and passion will bring Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios sought after opportunities in the anime and action space.”
Michael Ouweleen said: “Jason has been a key creative voice at Adult Swim since before it started. We are delighted that he will still be working with us on everything Toonami, and beyond thrilled to share his incredible dedication and expertise with our animation studios.”
Jason DeMarco said: “I got into this business because I love action cartoons and storytelling. Being able to work in anime and action development, two areas of animation I care about deeply, is a dream come true. I can’t wait to bring everything I’ve learned from Toonami and Adult Swim to our animation studios.”
DeMarco has been with Adult Swim and Cartoon Network for more than 20 years, beginning as a senior writer/producer and rising through the ranks of the on-air, marketing and promotions teams. Among his many accomplishments, DeMarco co-created the Toonami programming block and has managed the brand throughout its nearly 25-year history. He also founded Adult Swim’s Williams Street Records, creating original music albums which then inspired the launch of the popular Adult Swim Singles Program. The annual program provides free streaming music to fans by new and emerging artists, as well as top acts such as Run The Jewels. His passion for music and extensive relationships with industry artists led to the debut of the first ever Adult Swim Festival, which was held in Los Angeles in 2018 and continues today.
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About Adult Swim
Adult Swim (AdultSwim.com), launched in 2001, is WarnerMedia’s #1 brand for young adults offering original and acquired animated and live-action series. Airing nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET/PT) on its linear channel, and also available through HBO Max, Adult Swim is basic cable’s #1 network with persons 18-34 and 18-49, and is seen in 94 million U.S. homes, reaching over 40 million viewers via HBO Max.
About Cartoon Network Studios
Established in 2000, Cartoon Network Studios (CNS) is a global animation and interactive studio recognized for its innovative approaches to IP development and world-building. Fostering a creator- driven environment, CNS is home to hundreds of visual artists who have been a part of the studio’s many critically acclaimed and groundbreaking animated series including Adventure Time, Craig of the Creek, Steven Universe, Summer Camp Island, The Powerpuff Girls, and We Bare Bears. CNS has also produced notable Adult Swim hits such as Primal, Samurai Jack, and Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law.
CNS has been honored with multiple awards and accolades including: Emmy®, Peabody, GLAAD and Annie Awards. Internationally, the studio also garnered the BAFTA Children’s Award, Italy’s prestigious Pulcinella Award and Annecy Festival’s Cristal Award. Currently, CNS houses a VR lab, and produces an array of interactive formats and products for youth and young adult audiences around the world. As part of its ongoing efforts to discover unique and promising voices everywhere, the studio has a robust global Artist Program and has numerous partnerships, including Exceptional Minds, Black Women Animate and California Institute of the Arts.
What are your thoughts on Jason DeMarco’s promotion? Are you looking forward to seeing more original productions from Toonami? Let us know by commenting below or directly on our social media.
