Will Smith And Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Media Company Joins Forces With Studio Azuki For Global Anime Push

Westbrook Inc., the entertainment studio founded by Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Miguel Melendez, and Ko Yada, is entering the anime world — and not quietly. According to a report from Variety, the company has announced a partnership with the newly formed Studio Azuki, signaling a global push that connects Hollywood storytelling with next-generation anime development.

The collaboration pairs Westbrook with a new kind of anime studio, one rooted in Japanese tradition, driven by fan participation, and powered by digital culture.

“…Our mission has always been to tell stories that connect, inspire, and transcend borders,” Yada, CEO of Westbrook, said via Variety. “…[Studio Azuki’s] creative vision and cultural insight align seamlessly with our global strategy.”

Studio Azuki is a joint venture formed by digital-native brand Azuki, manga publisher Comisma Inc., and animation house Xenotoon Inc. Each brings something different to the table. Azuki, born from an NFT project, has already amassed a global fan base. Comisma operates the manga app Ganma! and runs the boutique studio Qzil.la. Xenotoon blends 2D and 3D pipelines to deliver short-form, TV, and theatrical anime productions, Variety further noted.

“By joining forces with Comisma and Xenotoon, we’re combining deep, authentic anime production expertise with fresh creative energy and global perspective,” Feb Tea, head of content at Azuki Labs, told the outlet.

Studio Azuki is built to be more than just a production company. It is a proof of concept for Anime 2.0, a new model where anime isn’t just made for fans, but with them. This means co-financing opportunities, blockchain-backed participation, and platforms that enable communities to shape the creative process directly.

“Studio Azuki is our bold step toward building the next generation of anime, one that empowers creators, and connects directly with fans,” said Feb Tea. “…Together, we can redefine how anime is developed, financed, and experienced around the world…”

Among Azuki’s first offerings is “Enter the Garden,” a short-form animated anthology, and Anime.com, which it describes as a new destination for anime culture. The studio is also supporting the launch of the Animecoin Foundation, a nonprofit created to drive innovation in anime development, IP ownership, and monetization.

As previously reported by AFROTECH™, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith sold a 10% minority stake in Westbrook Inc. for $60 million to a media venture led by former Disney executives Tom Staggs and Kevin Mayer. The deal, backed by The Blackstone Group, valued Westbrook at just under $600 million. Around that time, Westbrook also named three Black executives to leadership roles, underscoring its commitment to inclusive storytelling and innovation.

On the production side, Comisma views this as an opportunity to bring more original stories to international audiences without compromising cultural authenticity.

“Through trust in creators and strong engagement with fans, we have delivered many successful IPs to the world. With our anime studio Qzil.la focused on high-end anime, we aim to create globally beloved anime titles. I look forward to driving the industry’s growth through Studio Azuki,” Koki Sato, CEO of Comisma, noted to Variety.

Xenotoon’s flexible animation workflows will allow Studio Azuki to scale up or down, from digital-first stories to full-scale theatrical releases.

“This also marks a turning point in realizing our long-held vision to democratize the anime production, funding, and distribution pipeline,” said Koichi Kawase, CEO of Xenotoon, via Variety.

For Westbrook, the deal signals a natural expansion of its global footprint. Known for producing projects like “King Richard” and “Emancipation,” the company has built its brand around stories that speak across generations, cultures, and platforms. Variety further reports that anime, with its rapidly growing global audience and profound cultural impact, presents a new frontier.

With this alliance, Westbrook Inc. will serve as a bridge between Studio Azuki and the global entertainment landscape, helping bring projects to streamers, distributors, and new audiences. Meanwhile, Azuki’s creative leadership will guide the vision, style, and fan-forward strategy.