#Japan #Tokyo #KADOKAWA #Animation Studio #Studio One Base

KADOKAWA Establishes New Animation Studio: Studio One Base

In a bold move to strengthen its position in the animation industry, KADOKAWA Corporation, headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has announced the establishment of a new studio named "Studio One Base". This initiative, dubbed "Creating Creators, Creating Places", marks the third phase in KADOKAWA's strategic plan to enhance its anime and live-action production capabilities.

Merging Talents and Techniques

The newly formed Studio One Base will bring together five established animation studios under the KADOKAWA umbrella: ENGI, Studio KADAN, ChipTune, BERNOCS Films, and Raising Bull. Set to officially open in November 2026, Studio One Base aims to leverage the unique talents and production expertise of each studio to consistently deliver high-quality anime content. The studio will be located within Ikebukuro's Sunshine City, a hub for entertainment and culture.

The vision behind the integration is to enhance KADOKAWA’s production framework while ensuring sustainability within the anime industry, which faces challenges such as increasing production costs and a shortage of creative talent. KADOKAWA acknowledges the enormous potential for growth as global demand for anime continues to rise.

Addressing Industry Challenges

KADOKAWA views its anime production as a critical pillar for its intellectual property (IP) strategy. Since 2018, the company has made significant investments in expanding its production capabilities, including the establishment of new studios and strategic mergers. To date, KADOKAWA's animation studios have contributed to a cumulative output of 48 works encompassing 486 episodes.

However, the anime industry grapples with various difficulties, including heightened pressure to create larger-scale and more sophisticated projects. KADOKAWA seeks to tackle these issues through ongoing investments in creator support, improving working conditions, and developing training programs for the next generation of talent.

Strengthening the Production Environment

KADOKAWA’s strategy includes consolidating back-office functions and recruitment across the five studios to create a streamlined operational framework. This will not only stabilize management but also enhance the overall working environment for creators, thus enabling them to devote their time to production. The integration aims to better manage schedules and promote quality and productivity in content creation.

Maintaining Studio Individuality

Despite the merger, all five studios will retain their distinct names—ENGI, Studio KADAN, ChipTune, BERNOCS Films, and Raising Bull. This decision underscores KADOKAWA's commitment to preserving the individual identities and unique styles that each studio brings to the table. The combination of their strengths will create a broader genre diversity and cater to various aspects of 3D CG, photography, and art within the new studio’s expansive production system.

Maximizing Synergies at the New Hub

With the establishment of the Studio One Base in Sunshine City, KADOKAWA aims to facilitate increased collaboration among creators, fostering an environment ripe for knowledge sharing, skill enhancement, and the mentoring of emerging talent. This centralization is intended to bolster communication between creators and lay the groundwork for greater agility in responding to the demands of larger and more complex animation projects.

Future Prospects

KADOKAWA is committed to its core strategy of "Global Media Mix with Technology", which aims to enhance its production capabilities for IP creation. The company intends to continue investing in sustainable production and remain focused on nurturing talent and improving production conditions.

Studio One Base is envisioned as a launchpad for the next generation of creators, enabling them to craft impressive works that resonate with fans around the globe.

Leadership Insights

KADOKAWA Chief Anime Officer, Sho Tanaka, expressed, "As global demand for anime expands, we are embarking on the challenge of building a sustainable production framework for the future. By strengthening our foundational base while preserving the unique identities of each studio, we are ensuring that creators can focus comfortably on their craft. Our investments in talent and environment will serve as the cornerstone for nurturing the next wave of innovation and creativity."

Kikuchi Takeshi, President of Studio One Base, added, "In a rapidly changing environment surrounding anime production, creating a secure and supportive setting for our creators is essential to continue producing captivating works. This merger is not just an organizational restructuring; it’s a significant step towards enhancing the individual value of the brands we've built over the years. We are determined to create a nurturing production environment, enabling us to keep delivering high-quality content alongside our talented creators."