When did Osamu Tezuka found Mushi Production?
Osamu Tezuka founded Mushi Production in 1961 in Fujimidai, Nerima, Tokyo. The studio was established with the explicit goal of destroying the dominance of his former employer Toei Animation.
Common questions about Mushi Production
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was the first animated television series produced by Mushi Production?
Tetsuwan Atomu, known globally as Astro Boy, premiered on the 1st of January 1963 as the first successful animated television series in Japan. The series ran until the 31st of December 1966 and established a template for the future of anime.
Which adult animated films did Mushi Production release in the late 1960s and early 1970s?
Mushi Production released A Thousand and One Nights on the 14th of June 1969, Cleopatra on the 15th of September 1970, and Belladonna of Sadness on the 30th of June 1973. These films were part of the Animerama series and included the first Japanese animated film to receive a self-applied X rating in the United States.
When did Mushi Production cease operations?
Mushi Production ceased operations on the 26th of November 1973 due to financial overreach and unsustainable debt. The studio had been plagued by debt since its inception, and the assets were divided after Tezuka stepped down as acting director in 1968.
Which animation studios were founded by former employees of Mushi Production?
Madhouse, Sunrise, and Studio Pierrot all trace their roots back to the animators who had worked under Osamu Tezuka at Mushi Production. These studios emerged from the legacy of the original studio despite its collapse.