Marvel to redesign heroes for Japan market

TOKYO, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Marvel Entertainment says it's not going to merely adapt but rethink its superhero properties for Japanese anime versions due out in 2010.

The company has teamed up with renowned Tokyo animation studio Madhouse to develop new versions of characters such as Spider-Man and Iron Man for use in four new anime series, The New York Times reported. Marvel says that will mean redesigning its characters' looks and changing their back stories to better reflect Japanese culture.

"It will create an entire parallel universe for Marvel," Simon Philips, president of Marvel International, told the newspaper.

Madhouse company officials said they're excited for the opportunity to reimagine the familiar Marvel Comics superheroes.

"Marvel today is so open-minded," Madhouse President Jungo Maruta told the Times. "Marvel gives creators freedom to fly."

The newspaper said Madhouse, founded in 1972, includes in its stable such creative talents as Yoshiaki Kawajiri, the director of "Vampire Hunter D," and "Tokyo Tribes" manga series creator Santa Inoue.