Studio Ponoc
Yoshiaki Nishimura established Studio Ponoc on the 15th of April 2015 in Musashino, Tokyo. He served as a lead film producer at Studio Ghibli before launching this new venture. The studio name derives from a Serbo-Croatian word meaning midnight to signify the start of a fresh day. Nishimura recruited several animators who had previously worked under Studio Ghibli to join his team. Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi became one of the key figures supporting the new company's early efforts.
The studio released its first feature film Mary and the Witch's Flower on the 8th of July 2017 across Japan. This animated adaptation was based on The Little Broomstick by author Mary Stewart. The production featured main character Mary Smith who now serves as the studio's mascot logo alongside Totoro. Critics noted that the film reached number six among the highest-grossing movies of that year in Japan. Several former Studio Ghibli employees contributed their skills to bring this story to life for audiences worldwide.
Production on Tomorrow's Leaves began in June 2019 with Yoshiyuki Momose directing the project. The short film aimed to coincide with the opening of the Tokyo Olympic Games but faced delays due to postponements. It premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival during its opening ceremony on the 14th of June 2021. The film screened publicly from the Tokyo Skytree between the 12th of July and the 5th of September. Its official online release occurred on the 23rd of July when the 2020 Summer Olympics officially opened in Tokyo.
On the 25th of January 2024 Netflix announced they acquired worldwide streaming rights to The Imaginary. This agreement granted the platform global distribution for future feature projects from Studio Ponoc. The deal ensured that The Imaginary would appear on the service later within the same calendar year. Yoshiaki Nishimura wrote the screenplay while Yoshiyuki Momose directed the feature film released in December 2023. This partnership marked a significant expansion of the studio's international reach beyond theatrical releases.
Studio Ponoc produced an advertisement for JR West as part of their summer campaign in 2015. Their short works include Tomorrow's Leaves which was created in collaboration with the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage. The company also developed Modest Heroes released on the 24th of August 2018 featuring multiple directors. These commercial projects demonstrate the studio's versatility across advertising campaigns and animated shorts since its founding. The portfolio spans from 2015 through present day with diverse creative outputs.
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Common questions
When was Studio Ponoc established and by whom?
Yoshiaki Nishimura established Studio Ponoc on the 15th of April 2015 in Musashino, Tokyo. He served as a lead film producer at Studio Ghibli before launching this new venture.
What is the origin of the name Studio Ponoc?
The studio name derives from a Serbo-Croatian word meaning midnight to signify the start of a fresh day. This choice reflects the vision for creating a new beginning for animation.
Which film marked the first feature release for Studio Ponoc?
The studio released its first feature film Mary and the Witch's Flower on the 8th of July 2017 across Japan. This animated adaptation was based on The Little Broomstick by author Mary Stewart.
Who directed the short film Tomorrow's Leaves produced by Studio Ponoc?
Production on Tomorrow's Leaves began in June 2019 with Yoshiyuki Momose directing the project. The film premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival during its opening ceremony on the 14th of June 2021.
When did Netflix acquire worldwide streaming rights to The Imaginary?
On the 25th of January 2024 Netflix announced they acquired worldwide streaming rights to The Imaginary. This agreement granted the platform global distribution for future feature projects from Studio Ponoc.