When was Topcraft animation studio founded?
Topcraft was founded on the 1st of February 1972 by Toru Hara, a former Toei Animation producer, in Tokyo, Japan.
Questions about Topcraft
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What animated films did Topcraft make for Rankin/Bass Productions?
Topcraft produced several animated films for Rankin/Bass Productions, including The Hobbit (1977), The Return of the King (1980), The Flight of Dragons (1982), and The Last Unicorn (1982), as well as several holiday television specials.
What is the connection between Topcraft and Studio Ghibli?
When Topcraft filed for bankruptcy and dissolved on the 15th of June 1985, Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, and Isao Takahata acquired its assets and formed Studio Ghibli. Topcraft's founder Toru Hara became Studio Ghibli's first manager.
Did Topcraft animate Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind?
Yes. Topcraft was the animation studio for Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984), the theatrical anime film directed by Hayao Miyazaki, produced in collaboration with Tokuma Shoten Publishing and Hakuhodo.
What happened to Topcraft animators after the studio closed?
After Topcraft dissolved in 1985, some animators joined Studio Ghibli while others formed Pacific Animation Corporation, headed by Masaki Iizuka, to continue working with Rankin/Bass on ThunderCats and Silverhawks. Pacific Animation was later bought by The Walt Disney Company and became Walt Disney Animation Japan. Some animators, like Tsuguyuki Kubo, went to studios such as Studio Pierrot.
When did Topcraft founder Toru Hara die?
Toru Hara died on the 14th of December 2021, at the age of 85.