Disney has tapped Japanese publisher Mixi to develop and launch the new Marvel Tsum Tsum in the US and Canada.

While the original Disney Tsum Tsum was published by LINE Corporation, with whom it has achieved over 60 million downloads, Disney has changed publishing partners for Marvel Tsum Tsum.

Mixi-ing things up

The new game is instead published by XFLAG, a Mixi development studio best known for Japanese mega-hit Monster Strike.

It may be slightly surprising that Disney is working with Mixi to launch the game in the West first, especially given Mixi's recent decision to suspend its marketing of Monster Strike in North America.

The Marvel brand is likely to help give Marvel Tsum Tsum a better chance in the Western market, however.

The game is expected to be released in other markets later in the year.