FUNimation Entertainment is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corp. (Nasdaq: NAVR), the leading Japanese animator in the United States. The company launches advancing brands, managing and distributing them for broadcasting, production, Internet, home video sales and distribution. The company today announced its partnership with Geneon Entertainment Inc., a leading producer of Japanese animation.

Per the agreement, the companies will distribute select DVD titles in North America, and FUNimation will hold exclusive manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution rights to Geneon’s established titles. Geneon’s current titles, such as “Ergo Proxy”, “Hellsing Ultimate”, and “Black Lagoon”, have experienced international success, supporting FUNimation’s desire for a partnership.

“Geneon is a strong producer, known for excellent production and quality of its anime series,” Gen Fukunaga, president and CEO of FUNimation stated in the press release. “We are pleased to partner with them and we are committed to the successful release of these series.”

The companies will first release the special edition of “Hellsing Ultimate”, followed by “Black Lagoon Second Barrage”, “Karin”, “Kyo Kara Maoh Season 2″, and “Lyrical Nanoha”. The expanded distribution strategy is expected to boost both the company’s product line and presence in the market.

“FUNimation’s momentum as the leading anime distributor continues to build,” Yushin Soga, president and CEO of Geneon stated. “We are sure this partnership will only grow the prominence of our portfolio.”

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