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Bones (studio): the story on HearLore | HearLore
Bones (studio)
Bones began as a small group of eight people in October 1998, a number that directly inspired the studio's name. Masahiko Minami, Hiroshi Osaka, and Toshihiro Kawamoto, all former staff members of Sunrise, left their previous employer to establish their own creative home in Igusa, Suginami, Tokyo. Minami explained the choice of name as a metaphor for their initial state, describing the eight founders as mere bones that needed to work hard to put on flesh and become a fully realized body. This humble beginning stood in stark contrast to the massive scale of productions they would eventually undertake, including the 2003 adaptation of Fullmetal Alchemist and the global phenomenon of My Hero Academia. The studio's early days were defined by a collaborative spirit and a desire to prove that a small team could compete with industry giants. Their first major project was a collaboration with Sunrise on Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door, a feature film that demonstrated their ability to handle high-profile franchises from the start. The founders brought with them a wealth of experience from their time at Sunrise, where they had worked on titles like Mobile Suit Victory Gundam and Mobile Fighter G Gundam, setting a high bar for quality and technical excellence from day one.
The Loss of Osaka
The studio suffered a profound tragedy on the 24th of September 2007 when co-founder Hiroshi Osaka died from cancer at the age of 44. Osaka was a pivotal figure in the studio's history, known for his exceptional work as a character designer on series such as Mobile Suit Victory Gundam and The Mars Daybreak. His death left a significant void in the leadership and creative direction of Bones, forcing the organization to adapt quickly to survive without one of its founding pillars. In the aftermath of his passing, the studio restructured its board of directors, bringing in two new additions: Makoto Watanabe and Takahiro Komori. Komori, who had been with the studio since its inception, was already well known as a character designer and animator for projects like Angelic Layer, Scrapped Princess, and Darker than Black. The loss of Osaka was not just a personnel change but a moment of reckoning for the company, requiring them to redefine their identity and leadership structure while continuing to produce high-quality animation. The resilience shown by the remaining founders and staff in the years following 2007 demonstrated the strength of the bonds formed during those early eight-person days.
The Seven Studios
To manage the increasing volume and diversity of their work, Bones reorganized its operations into smaller, specialized divisions known as studios, each led by a specific producer. Studio A, under Naoki Amano, became known for series like Gosick, Wolf's Rain, and Angelic Layer, while currently working on Gachiakuta. Studio B, led by Tatsuya Saito, handled the production of Eureka Seven, RahXephon, and the acclaimed Mob Psycho 100, and is currently developing My Hero Academia: Vigilantes. Studio C, directed by Yoshihiro Oyabu, took charge of Fullmetal Alchemist, Soul Eater, and the main My Hero Academia series, while Studio D, led by Nobuhito Takemoto, focused on Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and the Bungo Stray Dogs franchise. The expansion continued with Studio E, which produced the Eureka Seven: Hi-Evolution trilogy and Metallic Rouge, and the newest division, Studio F, which began working on an unknown project in 2024. This decentralized structure allowed Bones to maintain a high level of creative control and artistic consistency across a wide range of genres, from mecha to slice-of-life. The division of labor ensured that each team could specialize in their strengths, resulting in a portfolio that included everything from the dark fantasy of Darker than Black to the superhero action of My Hero Academia.
When did Bones studio begin operations and how many founders were there?
Bones studio began operations in October 1998 with eight founders. The number eight directly inspired the studio's name as a metaphor for the founders being mere bones that needed to work hard to become a fully realized body.
Who were the founders of Bones studio and what was their previous employer?
Masahiko Minami, Hiroshi Osaka, and Toshihiro Kawamoto were the founders of Bones studio. All three were former staff members of Sunrise before leaving to establish their own creative home in Igusa, Suginami, Tokyo.
What happened to co-founder Hiroshi Osaka on the 24th of September 2007?
Co-founder Hiroshi Osaka died from cancer on the 24th of September 2007 at the age of 44. His death left a significant void in the leadership and creative direction of Bones, forcing the organization to restructure its board of directors.
How many production divisions does Bones studio have and what are they called?
Bones studio has six production divisions known as Studio A through Studio F. Studio A is led by Naoki Amano, Studio B by Tatsuya Saito, Studio C by Yoshihiro Oyabu, Studio D by Nobuhito Takemoto, Studio E handles the Eureka Seven: Hi-Evolution trilogy, and Studio F began working on an unknown project in 2024.
When did Bones release the first and second Fullmetal Alchemist adaptations?
Bones released the first Fullmetal Alchemist series from 2003 to 2004 under the direction of Seiji Mizushima. The second adaptation, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, began in 2009 and was directed by Yasuhiro Irie.
When did Bones spin off its production division into Bones Film?
Bones made a significant structural change in October 2024 by spinning off its production division under a separate, wholly owned subsidiary known as Bones Film. All productions from 2025 onward will be credited to Bones Film.
One of the studio's most significant achievements was the production of two distinct adaptations of Hiromu Arakawa's manga, Fullmetal Alchemist. The first series, which aired from 2003 to 2004 under the direction of Seiji Mizushima, featured a partially anime-original storyline that diverged from the source material, creating a unique narrative that resonated with audiences. This was followed by Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, which began in 2009 and was directed by Yasuhiro Irie, offering a more faithful adaptation of the manga. The studio also produced Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa in 2005 and Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos in 2011, expanding the universe with feature films that explored the characters' journeys. The success of these projects established Bones as a master of long-form storytelling and character development, earning them a dedicated global fanbase. The studio's ability to handle such a complex and beloved property twice, with different creative directions, showcased their versatility and commitment to honoring the source material while adding their own artistic flair. The Fullmetal Alchemist franchise remains a cornerstone of Bones' identity, influencing their approach to future projects and setting a benchmark for quality in the industry.
The Mob Psycho Phenomenon
In 2016, Bones released Mob Psycho 100, an adaptation of the manga by One, which quickly became a cultural phenomenon and a critical darling. Directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa, the series followed the story of Shigeo Kageyama, a powerful psychic middle schooler who struggles to control his emotions and abilities. The show was praised for its unique animation style, which blended traditional hand-drawn techniques with dynamic, fluid motion that set it apart from other anime of the time. The series ran for three seasons, with the final season, Mob Psycho 100 III, concluding in 2022, and was accompanied by several original video animations, including Mob Psycho 100: The Spirits and Such Consultation Office's First Company Outing. The success of Mob Psycho 100 demonstrated Bones' ability to take a niche property and turn it into a mainstream hit, appealing to both longtime anime fans and new audiences. The studio's work on the series, particularly the character designs and action sequences, has been widely celebrated for its creativity and emotional depth. The series also led to the creation of a spin-off, Mob Psycho 100 Reigen -The Miraculous Unknown Psychic-, which further expanded the universe and showcased the studio's commitment to exploring the world they had created.
The My Hero Academia Era
Since 2016, Bones has been the primary animation studio for the My Hero Academia franchise, adapting Kōhei Horikoshi's manga into a long-running series that has become one of the most popular anime in the world. The studio has produced multiple seasons, including My Hero Academia, My Hero Academia 2, My Hero Academia 3, and subsequent seasons, each directed by Kenji Nagasaki and Masahiro Mukai. In addition to the television series, Bones has produced several feature films, including My Hero Academia: Two Heroes, My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising, and My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission, which have been box office successes both in Japan and internationally. The studio's work on the franchise has been praised for its high-quality animation, particularly in the action sequences, which are known for their fluidity and impact. The series has also spawned spin-offs, such as My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, which is currently in production, and My Hero Academia: All Might: Rising, an original video animation. The My Hero Academia franchise has become a defining part of Bones' identity, showcasing their ability to handle a long-running, high-stakes series with a massive global audience. The studio's commitment to the franchise has been evident in their consistent output and their willingness to take on new challenges, such as the upcoming My Hero Academia: You're Next, which is set to release in 2024.
The Netflix Expansion
In recent years, Bones has expanded its reach into the world of original net animation, producing content for streaming platforms like Netflix. The studio has created several original series, including A.I.C.O. -Incarnation-, Super Crooks, and Time Patrol Bon, each of which has been well-received by critics and audiences. A.I.C.O. -Incarnation, released in 2018, was an original work that explored themes of science fiction and human connection, while Super Crooks, released in 2021, was based on the comic book series by Mark Millar and featured a unique blend of action and humor. Time Patrol Bon, released in 2024, was based on the manga series by Fujiko F. Fujio and showcased the studio's ability to adapt classic properties for a modern audience. The studio's work on these projects has demonstrated their versatility and willingness to take risks, exploring new genres and storytelling techniques. The Netflix expansion has allowed Bones to reach a global audience, bypassing traditional television networks and connecting directly with fans around the world. The success of these projects has also led to the creation of new partnerships and collaborations, further expanding the studio's influence in the animation industry. The studio's commitment to original content has been a key factor in their continued success, allowing them to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible in animation.
The Bones Film Division
In October 2024, Bones made a significant structural change by spinning off its production division under a separate, wholly owned subsidiary known as Bones Film. This move marked a new chapter for the studio, with all productions from 2025 onward being credited to Bones Film. The division was created to streamline operations and allow the main Bones studio to focus on its core strengths while the new subsidiary handles the increasing volume of projects. The transition has been smooth, with the studio continuing to produce high-quality content, including My Hero Academia: Vigilantes and Gachiakuta. The creation of Bones Film reflects the studio's growth and maturity, as they adapt to the changing landscape of the animation industry. The division has already begun to produce new projects, such as Metallic Rouge and the upcoming My Hero Academia: You're Next, which are expected to be major successes. The move also signals a new era of collaboration and innovation, as the studio explores new ways to tell stories and engage with audiences. The establishment of Bones Film is a testament to the studio's ability to evolve and adapt, ensuring their continued success in the years to come.