While this means that Artland will continue to operate as an animation studio and the threat of bankruptcy has been avoided in the short term, Emon explained in the release that after over a year with its investment and ownership stake, the larger goal of developing the Chinese animation industry by modeling its business after Japanese practices, the difficulties of restructuring a Japanese animation studio from outside made themselves apparent.
In what looks to be the final chapter in a messy business reorganization, Chinese animation conglomerate Haoliners, through its Emon Animation Company joint Japanese-Chinese subsidiary has announced in a press release that it has transferred its former 51% ownership stake in Artland Animation to Japanese local holding company Levels Co. Ltd, while current Artland president Kuniharu Okano will retain his current minority ownership stake of 49%.
With this development Artland will return to Japanese hands, while Haoliners/Emon learn an epensive lesson in business operations and management.