Brief
N LITE adds former Disney TV exec Jay Francis to board as studio expands anime slate
The U.S.–Tokyo studio named four veterans, including Jay Francis, to guide its growing feature‑film, TV and publishing ventures.
By Felo News Desk · Published
N LITE, a media company and anime studio operating in the United States and Tokyo, announced on October 14 that it has appointed former Disney Television Animation vice president Jay Francis and three other industry veterans to its board of directors.
What happened
The board expansion was disclosed in a press release quoted by The Hollywood Reporter. Francis joins as part of a four‑person board intended to support N LITE’s expansion across feature films, television, consumer products and publishing. The studio is simultaneously preparing to launch its flagship original fantasy epic MFINDA, a feature film with partners GKIDS, Viola Davis’s JuVee Productions, NBA star Joel Embiid’s Miniature Geant and Jaden Smith.
What the reports add
The report notes that N LITE has also announced a prequel manga adaptation of MFINDA with Kodansha, and a parallel documentary titled MFINDA: Spirits of the Congo. Additional slate items include a film adaptation of the classic manga Jungle Emperor Leo in partnership with Tezuka Productions, a Southern‑gothic horror anime WEBE: Spirit Detective executive‑produced by Willow Smith and Peter Ramsey, and the series IFE: Secret of the Star Child, which Ramsey will co‑exec‑produce with veteran director Gary Trousdale.
What was said
Francis said, “It is a tremendous privilege to join N LITE’s board of directors at such an exciting time for the company. Christiano and the entire N LITE team are doing groundbreaking work, and I am thrilled to contribute my experience to help support their mission and future vision.” The quote is attributed to The Hollywood Reporter.
How it came about
Founder and CEO Christiano Terry explained that N LITE has spent four years building a presence in Tokyo and cultivating relationships with what the company calls the “anime village.” He said the board appointments are meant to strengthen ties with Hollywood streamers and studios while navigating the challenges of cross‑cultural co‑production. The studio’s recent collaborations with major Japanese and Western partners illustrate its strategy of blending Western storytelling with Japanese animation expertise.
Key facts
- N LITE appointed former Disney Television Animation VP Jay Francis to its board. (hollywoodreporter.com)
- The studio is preparing to launch its flagship fantasy epic MFINDA with partners GKIDS, JuVee Productions, Miniature Geant and Jaden Smith. (hollywoodreporter.com)
- N LITE announced a manga prequel of MFINDA with Kodansha and a documentary MFINDA: Spirits of the Congo. (hollywoodreporter.com)
- Additional projects include a Jungle Emperor Leo film with Tezuka Productions and a horror anime WEBE: Spirit Detective. (hollywoodreporter.com)
Sources
- [1] hollywoodreporter.com — originally reported as “Anime Studio N LITE Taps Former Disney TV Animation Exec, Industry Veterans for Board of Directors (Exclusive)”
