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Japanese animation studios

  • The Association of Japanese AnimationsThe Association of Japanese Animations began as a coalition of 52 animation production companies. Most members were small to medium-sized firms struggling…
  • Studio GhibliOn the 15th of June 1985, three men stood in a small office in Koganei, Tokyo to sign the papers that would create Studio Ghibli.
  • CoMix Wave FilmsThe year 2007 marked a decisive break in the history of Japanese animation production. CoMix Wave Films emerged from the ashes of its predecessor, CoMix Wave…
  • Bandai Namco FilmworksFormer staff from Mushi Production gathered in September 1972 to establish a new animation studio branch. This group operated under the name Soeisha during…
  • Studio PonocYoshiaki Nishimura established Studio Ponoc on the 15th of April 2015 in Musashino, Tokyo. He served as a lead film producer at Studio Ghibli before…
  • Mushi ProductionOsamu Tezuka signed a contract with Toei Animation in 1958. That agreement ended when the year turned to 1961. He left that company to start his own studio…
  • Studio PierrotMay 1979 marked the birth of Studio Pierrot when four animators left their previous employers to start a new company. Yuji Nunokawa, Hisayuki Toriumi, Mitsuo…
  • A-1 PicturesMikihiro Iwata stood at the center of a new venture on the 9th of May 2005. He had previously worked as a producer for Sunrise before establishing A-1…
  • SatelightThe year 1995 marked the beginning of a new chapter in animation history. A small team gathered in Sapporo, Hokkaidō to establish Satelight.
  • Kyoto AnimationHideaki Hatta and his wife Yoko established a small animation workshop in 1981. They began their journey with a handful of staff members from Mushi…
  • Nippon Animationthe 3rd of June 1975 marked the official birth of Nippon Animation. This new entity emerged from the ashes of Zuiyo Eizo, a studio founded in April 1969 by…
  • TMS EntertainmentIn 1946, a company named Kyokuichi opened its doors in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. It began as a textile manufacturer before changing its trade name to…
  • Wit StudioOn the 1st of June 2012, a new animation studio opened its doors in Musashino, Tokyo. George Wada and Tetsuya Nakatake established Wit Studio as a subsidiary…
  • Bones (studio)Bones opened its doors in October 1998 within the Igusa district of Suginami, Tokyo. Three former Sunrise employees named Masahiko Minami, Hiroshi Osaka, and…
  • Madhouse, Inc.In 1972, a group of animators left Mushi Production to establish Madhouse. Masao Maruyama and Osamu Dezaki led the charge alongside Yoshiaki Kawajiri.
  • Gonzo (company)On the 11th of February 1992, a group of former Gainax staff members established Gonzo Inc. in Japan. This new entity emerged from the ashes of a previous…
  • MAPPAMAPPA opened its doors on the 14th of June 2011 in Suginami, Tokyo. Masao Maruyama founded the studio at the age of 70 after leaving Madhouse.
  • P.A. WorksKenji Horikawa established P.A. Works on the 10th of November 2000 in Nanto, Toyama. He had previously worked for Tatsunoko Production and Production I.G…
  • Production I.GOn the 15th of December 1987, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and Takayuki Goto established I.G Tatsunoko Ltd. in Tokyo. This new entity began as a branch studio under…
  • Toei AnimationOn the 23rd of January 1948, Kenzō Masaoka and Sanae Yamamoto established Japan Animated Films in Tokyo. This small group of animators began their work with…
  • UfotableHikaru Kondo established Ufotable in October 2000 within Shinjuku, Tokyo. The studio emerged from the experience of a former Telecom Animation Film producer…