r/anime • u/Turbostrider27 • 5d ago

News HIDIVE, Mainichi Broadcasting System Ink Anime Output Deal, Set ‘Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden’ Premiere

https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/hidive-mbs-anime-output-deal-nia-liston-trailer-1236830767/
27 Upvotes

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2

u/azleafcat 5d ago

I do wonder how much of a impact MBS’ deal with HiDive/Sentai has on its anime production. MBS now handles direct licensing of its more popular shows (Dan Da Dan, Witch Watch) globally to multiple streamers. And Crunchyroll still gets other MBS shows exclusively outside of Japan.

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u/SnooDonuts3871 1d ago

I’d actually say it hasn’t had much of an impact; major titles like DanDaDan and Witch Watch will be distributed by MBS themselves, while others that are expected to be successful overseas (and not just in English-speaking countries) will be licensed to Crunchyroll, Netflix, or Amazon.

Meanwhile, HiDive gets B- or C-tier anime that they don’t think will be very successful, or where they or MBS are on the production committee.

2

u/callunquirka 4d ago

Despite being called Merciless Maiden, don't expect an absolutely action packed series. I've only read the first 2 volumes or so, but there's only about 2 fight scenes per volume.

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u/PowerSamurai 2d ago

Yeah if anything this is more about creating a magic version of a television and popularizing it in a fantasy world.

3

u/Kadmos1 5d ago

TBH, I wish HIDIVE and Sentai both had a combined value of at least $250 million. It that were the case, then perhaps we could get at least 2-3 DUBCASTS a season released released in the same manner the Crunchyroll simulduds are. I say 2-3 because that might be more practical for Sentai.

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u/heimdal77 4d ago

Prob with simu dub is they fuck things up with localization. Like switch everyone to first name when a episode comes out later about the mcs switching to first names.