A healthy increase in exhibitor and visitor figures at the recently concluded sixth annual Tokyo International Anime Fair (TIAF) points to continuing buoyancy for the anime business internationally. “The demand for anime is increasing strongly as interest amongst industry professionals worldwide has surged,” says Kanji Kazahaya, Director of Toei Animation’s International Department. Kazahaya says Toei Animation and the industry as a whole are benefiting from growing opportunities for distributing anime content. “Distribution should be based on research in not only the global macro market but also individual markets for optimum results,” he adds. To achieve better penetration into foreign markets, coproduction has been the preferred route for a number of anime producers including Toei. Foreign partners often provide knowledge on local preferences and tastes, as well as access to established distribution networks in their markets. This was exemplified by deals signed at the TIAF between French companies SIP (Saban International Paris) Animation and DEF2Shoot, with Japanese anime houses to co-produce anime for the French and Japanese