Toei Animation has been granted 50 million yen (~$636,000) as part of the non-profit organization UNIJAPAN’s “Co-production Certification Program” to help fund the upcoming Dragon Ball Z movie due out in Japan on 30 March 2013. The program was developed by the Japanese government’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), and other affiliated organizations, to support the international endeavors of Japanese filmmakers. Of the four films awarded funding support, the 2013 Dragon Ball Z movie was the only animated film to receive such an honor due to its “enduring international popularity” and its production collaboration with the U.S. company Fox.
So, is it time to start thinking about international releases now?