Toei Animation is developing two computer-animated feature films with an eye toward distributing them theatrically in the U.S., Europe and other international venues as well as in Japan and Asia.  The two films, which will be produced in 3-D and are based on vintage Toei properties, are Space Pirate Captain Harlock and Daikuu Maryuu Gaiking (based on the property that was released here as Shogun Warriors). 

Each film will have a budget of several billion yen ($20 million) and, if all goes according to play, will be released in the U.S., Japan, and Europe in 2012.  According to The Anime News Network the driving force behind Toei’s desire to create anime products that will do well overseas, is the decline of the number of anime programs and a slowdown in sales of anime DVDs in Japan.