Variety is reporting that the Japanese TV network TV Asahi has acquired a majority interest in the anime studio Shin-ei Animation, which is probably best known for producing the long running Doraemon anime series, which aired on Japanese TV from 1979 to 2005 racking up the enormous total of 1,049 episodes and the raunchy Crayon Shin-chan series that has run on Adult Swim and is distributed in the U.S. by FUNimation.

According to Variety Shin-ei Animation, which was founded in 1976, amassed some $37 million in sales in the most recent fiscal year.  TV Asahi’s acquisition of Shin-ei is just the latest takeover in the anime industry.  Less than a month ago Gonzo’s parent company accepted a buy-out from the investment firm Iwakaze Capital (see “Gonzo Accepts Take-Over Offer”).