As part of an ever-expanding plan to dominate the entertainment world, Walt Disney Japan will produce an animated series targeted at boys aged 6-12. Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers will premiere on Japanese TV sometime in the spring of 2014, according to a press release.
It's a collaboration with Toei Animation and Nerima-ku, with Bandai Co. taking charge of character merchandising. Walt Disney Japan "is actively localizing content to fit the tastes and sensibilities of Japanese audiences" and Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers will be the first aimed specifically at boys, who will then, presumably, become Marvel fanboys for life.
The story will revolve around how The Avengers - Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and the Hulk together with the help of Spider-Man and a group of teens, will harness their respective fighting skills and superhuman powers to foil Loki's scheme to take over the world.
Last year, The Avengers was the ninth-highest grossing film at the Japanese box office, its $45 million take trailing Les Miserables ($62 million) and Resident Evil: Retribution ($48 million) among Hollywood studio products. This year, Iron Man 3 made "only" $25 million, below Monsters University, Ted, and Wreck-It Ralph (all figures per Box Office Mojo), so perhaps Disney is sensing the need to secure the hearts and minds of Japanese boys to ensure Marvel's future in the market.
Or, maybe they just want to sell more toys and other merchandise ...