Japanese media company Toho International has acquired a 50% stake in Frederator Networks original series Bee and Puppycat (pictured) and Bravest Warriors as part of a multimillion-dollar production, distribution and consumer products agreement.

The deal was made under Genius Brands International, which acquired Frederator Networks’ Vancouver-based parentco Wow! Unlimited Media in April 2022. Toho International is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based prodco and distributor Toho Co.

Frederator Networks and Toho International will coproduce new content based on the IP under the deal, and codevelop a global consumer products campaign. Genius Brands will handle global distribution and consumer products in territories outside of Asia, which will be overseen by Toho International.

Frederator is already in development on Catbug, a series based on an original character from Bravest Warriors. The original series was created by Pendleton Ward, who is also the creator of the Cartoon Network series Adventure Time. It began as a web series about a group of teenagers who can warp around the universe, with Nelvana later producing a TV series for U.S. streaming service VRV and Teletoon.

Bee and Puppycat is created by Natasha Allegri (Adventure Time) and follows a young woman who takes on odd jobs with her adopted cat-dog hybrid. Season one was launched on Netflix on Sept. 6, 2022. An online store dedicated to the brand was launched to coincide with the release.

Andy Heyward, chairman and CEO and Genius Brands, said the deal is “further validation of our strategic acquisition of Wow! Unlimited Media and their impressive portfolio of original content,” in a statement.

Hiro Matsuoka, president of Toho Co., added that its “production resources and distribution capabilities across Asia” will work in tandem with Genius Brands and Frederator to help the properties “continue to develop a global fan base.”

Image courtesy of Genius Brands