After the sold-out run of the Masquerade immersive experience on Broadway last month, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s newly renamed LW Entertainment (previously Really Useful Group) has announced an exciting twist for The Phantom of the Opera: an anime adaptation. Based on the gothic tale by Gaston Leroux, which was originally serialized between 1909-1910, The Phantom of the Opera debuted in 1986 and holds the record for the longest-running show in Broadway history, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1988 and amassing a devoted following.
LW Ent. has brought on animation expert Justin Leach of Qubic Pictures for the anime project. Leach’s previous work includes co-executive producer on Star Wars: Visions and showrunner for Netflix anime series Eden and Leviathan. As per LW Ent., Leach will be responsible for “exploring opportunities” surrounding the concept.
“I’m incredibly excited to collaborate with the talented team at LW Entertainment to bring The Phantom of the Opera to life through anime,” Leach remarked in a statement. “This project presents a unique opportunity to merge the grandeur of musical theater with the artistry of Japanese animation — two cherished traditions that resonate with audiences globally. Our aim is to craft a timeless and emotionally stirring experience that resonates with a worldwide audience while honoring the legacy of this iconic tale.”
The narrative of The Phantom of the Opera focuses on a young ingenue at the Paris Opera, Christine Daaé, who rises to fame under the guidance, obsession, and interference of a mysterious masked figure residing in the hidden corners of the theater. As her “Angel of Music’s” possessive impulses escalate to a chilling climax, Christine finds herself caught between the Phantom’s overwhelming influence and the genuine love she shares with Viscount Raoul de Chagny.
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The Phantom anime was unveiled alongside a series of other plans for Lloyd Webber’s properties, including a Spring 2026 Broadway transfer of the off-Broadway reimagining Cats: The Jellicle Ball, a potential arena tour for Jesus Christ Superstar featuring Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert, and further brand/franchise strategies in progress for the aforementioned titles as well as other Lloyd Webber classics like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Evita, Sunset Boulevard, and Starlight Express.
[Source: Deadline]
