The Paris-based animation studio run by Miraculous co-creator Jeremy Zag (pictured) is expanding with the launch of a new office in Tokyo.

Heading up this outpost as COO is Kanji Kazahaya, who previously spent 15 years working at Toei Animation in roles such as director of international operations (licensing properties like Dragonball Z and One Piece), COO and president. 

Zag is best known for developing and producing Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir—a CG-animated series with a foundation in the mahō shōjo (magical girl) genre of Japanese storytelling. Kazahaya notes that its success shows there’s “immense potential” for blending Western animation with the soul of Japanese manga/anime. 

Zag Japan is looking to leverage this kind of cultural fusion in its slate, and the plan is to develop a variety of content ranging from manga and anime series, to what it calls traditional animation films.

The regional unit has already locked down a deal with Japanese talent agency Highway Star that will see well-known musician/singer Hironobu Kageyama featured in ZAG’s productions. Kageyama has worked on the title tracks for anime shows like Dragon Ball Z and Dengeki Sentai Changeman.