So, one of the most told animation studio is probably Kyoto Animation, Shaft, P.A. Works and GAINAX. These four studio's name values are exceptional, but they also have one of the biggest anti-groups as well. Still, it is true that if you are fan of 'certain' studio, it will always be one of 4; no-one really says they are fan of 'Sunrise' or 'JC Staff'.Well, what I'm going to do is revealing detailed informations on various animations studios (especially those four above) will provide better understandings on how they work and what is their specific characteristics and principles.
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Links to other informations:
Average DVD/BD Sales:
Kyoto Animation:
43064 K-On!
41038 Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu
39,400 K-On!!
29146 Lucky☆Star
24808 CLANNAD
24346 AIR
19052 Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu (2009)
19884 CLANNAD AFTER STORY
17253 Kanon
*8917 Full Metal Panic, Fumoffu!
*4833 Full Metal Panic, The Second Raid
**600 空を見上げる少女の瞳に映る世界 = Munto
Entire average: 22700
If you've seen 600, you are not mistaken... (...) Munto is Kyoani's original animation project, that failed so hard. Beside that, Kyoani is the only studio that never fails to hit (except munto), and probably their average sales figure is best among all.
K-On is scary.
SHAFT:
78380 Bakemonogatari
12786 Negima!?
*9600 Hidamari Sketch x ☆☆☆
*8123 Hidamari Sketch ×365
*7981 Pani Poni Dash!
*6885 Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
*5886 Hidamari Sketch
*5340 Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
*4221 Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
*4165 Ef - a tale of memories.
*3700 Arakawa Under the Bridge
*3390 Maria+Holic
*2620 MOON PHASE
*1398 ef - a tale of melodies.
*1,200 Dance in the Vampire Bund
**984 Natsu no Arashi!
Entire average: 9800
If you've seen 78,000, you are not mistaken... (...) This is the single biggest TV animation sales per volume in 21s century. No, you guys are underestimating this, it is a huge, HUUUUUUGE hit, which never occurred in anime industry since Evangelion. Selling even more than Gundam SEED as a mere light novel adaptation and late night-animation producer, is almost impossible. The world is going mad or something.
Manglobe:
*2218 Samurai Champloo
*1998 Ergo Proxy
*1300Seiken no Blacksmiths
**500 Saraiya Goyou
**400 Michiko to Hatchin
Entire average: 1,200
The saddest studio, the single lowest sales figure compare any other studio. Even Kami Nomi doesn't look promising. I heard that Manglobe was one of the most possible studios that may follow the history of GONZO.
Madoka Magica Production History:
Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica is broadcasting this January 2011. Anticipation towards this series is unlike anything else, but not much people knows that behind this, there were complicated planning stages and history of different aspects that are supporting this ever-increasing expectation. In this article, I will list the important step stones to production of this series and explain why it deserves much hypes from many eyes.
Shaft was founded by Wakao Hiroshi from 'Mushi Production', in purpose of colouring and painting of animation. With 'Studio DEEN', which was established also at the same year, they helped the production of various animations, including those from Sunrise.
--1995--
'Junni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Ranger' was the first animation produced by Shaft, distributed by NHK.
--2000--
NitroPlus makes visual novel called 'Phantom of Inferno', which remains as a legend now-a-days. The main script writer was 'Urobuchi Gen', who becomes popular along with this work.
--2001--
Shaft started working with 'Gainax', and produced collaborative works such as 'Mahoromatic (2001)' and 'The Ugly Yet Beautiful World (2004)'. This continues untill 2005.
At the same time, Shinbo Akiyuki gets directional work for 'The Soul Taker' from Tatsunoko Production. Even though it was failure financially, people started to recognise him more, for his distinct, abstract and creative directions. It is also important to note that the character designer of this series was 'Watanabe Akio', who is possibly, one of the primary reason why Bakemonogatari was so successful.
--2003--
NitroPlus produces visual novel called 'Saya No Uta', writen by Urobuchi Gen, which cause so many controversies and sensational boom. It is well-known for dark, gruesome plot with excessive goer, nudity and psychological terrors. With this work, Urobuchi Gen becomes very famous
--2004--
Shinbo Akiyuki
Shinbo directed his first original animation, 'Le Portrait de Petit Cossette', which remains as his signature work before the post-shaft era. it's also famous for its phenomenal music track by Kajiura Yuki. He also produced 'Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha' the first season with Seven Arc, which is now the biggest Mahou Shoujo franchise existing currently.
Wakao Hiroshi retires, and 'Kubota Mitsutoshi' becomes the chief director, and it is a most important period of Shaft. Kubota changed system more focused on digital groups and improved the filming/composing department so that they can undergo 2-cour projects. Since 'Moon Phrase' anime, Kubota scouted Shinbo Akiyuki on purpose of training and educating their staff members and supervising overall directional elements. Oishi Tatsuya; the expert in typography, most of the OP ED sequences, live-action usage and typesets have strong influences from him (Eg. Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, Bakemonogatari OP1); and Oonuma Shin; Pani Poni Dash, Ef series and Bakemonogatari directions; was also scouted at the same period.
--2005--
Shaft produces 'Pani Poni Dash', with the direction of Shinbo Akiyuki. This is THE most important work they ever did. This can be called as 'signature series of Shaft', 'compilation of Shaft-ness'. Constantly changing OP and ED sequences came as a shock to the viewers and use of ending card drawn by various doujin/manga etc. artists now became tradition of Shaft, which is being copied by other studio recently. (eg. Ore no Imouto, Kami Nomi) It sold average 8000 copies per volume, which can be described as success, and it still remains as a work that marked as 'must-watch' for any fan of Shaft. Also, since this series, Shinbo has got paired with Kameyama Toshiki -sound director- a lot, thus many of Shaft works have common seiyuu castings, including Kamiya Hiroshi, Saito Chiwa, Shintani Ryoko, and recently Aoi Yuuki
--2006--
Urobuchi Gen starts to write 'Fate/Zero', with the collaboration of Type moon Mushroom guy. This becomes his signature work as a writer. His name value and NitroPlus is now equivalent to that of Typemoon Mushroom and Ryukushi07 (When they cry series).
--2007--
Shaft and Shinbo directs 'Hidamari Sketch', manga drawn by 'Aoki Ume'. Actually, this work is the start of 'moe slice-of-life series cliche', which continues until huge success of 'K-On'.
--2008--
The second season of Hidamari Sketch (Hidamari Sketch x365) was produced, and does much better in terms of quality and finance. However, it was also a moment that the problems in production scheduling came to surface, with infamous 'Mt. Fuji Incident', where they entirely failed to draw certain background of the episode, thus they had to replace it with the typeset of 'Fuji'.
Nevertheless, this second season proves how much Shinbo and their young staff members (aka. 'Team Shinbo') improved in terms of quality production and directions. Shinbo also said that he has special attachment to this series and it provides him an opportunity to show all unique directions he craves.
Iwakami Atsuhiro, the major producer of aniplex who is famous for his project design for Kara no Kyokai and various others, plans the animation 'Bakemonogatari', by Nisioisin, one of the leading, most influential light novel writer with huge amount of fans. Iwakami decides to involve Shaft, Supercell into this and foresees its success. He also teamed up 'Watanabe Akio' and 'Shinbo' from 'The Soul Taker' again, and that alone was actually enough to produce huge anticipation.There were professional and organised marketing plans by aniplex. All these elements catalyse in one series; popularity of NisioisiN, the trust that Shaft built up with their uniqueness and quality, Ryo and Nagi's first collaboration and organised marketing plan by Iwakami; and it becomes, the most selling TV series per volume ever made of 21s century. Its sales was not just impressive, but godly. This should not happen unless world is going mad or something. With this sales alone, Shaft is the third studio with the highest average sales per DVD/BD volume, right behind Kyoto Animation and Sunrise.
Iwakami decides make this catalysis again, knowing Shinbo's experience on directing the first season of Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha, and how Shaft and Shinbo combination never did the original work. He suggests script and story board by infamous S-writer Urobuchi Gen and original character design by Aoki Ume of Hidamari. Like he did with Watanabe Akio, He decides to bring back 'Kujiura Yuki' from Cossette, pairing her with Shinbo again. There are many similarities in circumstance with Bakemonogatari, not only staffs but also marketing methods; showing releasing week by week. Even opening theme will be done by another 'Nico Nico Douga' debut singer duo, ClariS, who's building their fame through Ore no Imouto Opening, which was also produced by Iwakami.
Also, it's manga version is confirmed, the first volume will be released in February.
--2011--
Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica will be aired in MBS, January 6th, late night 1:25 AM.
Name: SHAFT inc.
Market Information: Unlisted
Established Date: 1975/09/01
Executive: Kubota Mitsutoshi
There is history, for everything. SHAFT inc. was established in 1975 by Wakao Hiroshi, pretty long history (35 years). They started as a small busyness of finishing the animations from big studios such as Sunrise, mostly colouring and painting of animations. Interestingly, 'Studio DEEN' also established in the same year and worked as subcontracted company on series. They built up their experiences and grow, and soon they were able to complete their 'own' first animation series, 'Junni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Ranger' in 1995, produced by NHK. After they worked with 'Top wo Nerae!'s DVD specials with GAINAX in 2000, SHAFT started to produce animations with Gainax with the same 'producer' title; those series include 'Ugly yet Beautiful World' and 'Mahocromatic'.
@Akiyuki Shinbo
Later Wakao Hiroshi retired in 2004 and 'Kubota Mitsutoshi' became new chief director of Shaft, and this is where Shaft really started to actually get 'recognised' by otaku community. It's only 6 years ago. Kubota scouts 'Shinbo Akiyuki' and other young animators like 'Oonuma Shin' and 'Oishi Tatsuya' (aka 'Team Shinbo'). Especially Shinbo, was scouted as a 'educator' and 'supervisor' of Shaft, in purpose of training staffs in Shaft. They were now able to undertake 2-cour projects, due to the improvements in filming and digital editing department. 'New' Shaft started their own animation with 'Moon Phrase' (2004) and other 'moe' centered items thus finally getting noticed by various animation fans. 'Pani Poni Dash' can be called as 'epitome of Shaft/shinbo-ness' and you will actually see how all the series they make is hugely influenced by directions in this series.
If you are Shaft fan, you are instantly love this. If you are Shaft anti, you will instantly hate this. The same thing happened with this entire series at that time. It turned off a lot of fans, but at the same time, they established one of the most profound fans. Having more than average 10,000 sales explains its impact, and Shaft became 'only' studio that you can actually call 'unique' and 'consistent' in terms of their directions and style. They did semi-hit with Hidamari Sketch series and Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, but also built up their notoriousness on their busy schedules and failing to finish animation in time. (Hidamari 365 'Mt. FUJI' incident) However, they always promised to complete animations and improve/fix the qualities of TV aired episodes, which is primary reason why fans never fell off. (*Shinbo once said in interview that he always wants to fix as much as he can in DVD/BD releases, and he has always been doing it.)
There effort finally pays off with 'Bakemonogatari' in 2009, which became one of the greatest hit in anime industry, even bigger than Suzumiya Haruhi moe boom. It sells over 80,000 figure per volume, which is practically 'impossible' for any late night TV series which is not mecha. There are various, complex reasons with Bakemonogatari's success; but no-one can deny that direction of Shaft and their built up potential for 5 years under Shinbo's command greatly assisted this ridiculous sales figure.
However at the same time, it was apparent that Shaft was having major issues with their scheduling and staff managements. Releasing 10th episode of Bakemonogatari with 'NO-ANIMATION' was one of the greatest production disaster of animation industry... (...deja vu?..) The fact was clear when we saw all those chalkboard jokes in Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, and Kamiya Hiroshi's (Shaft's favourite seiyuu, who did Itoshiki Nozomu and Murararagi Gomi.) interview, "You can't help it. Shaft is just too busy recently". They again underwent two series at the same time, which resulted on total screw up of 'Dance in the Vampire Bund' which was totally animated by 'other' studio, basically. They still managed to get some sweet sales with Hidamari ☆☆☆ (above 9,000 sales per volume), but it still does not justifies the fact that animation of DitVB was very low quality. This 2009 and 2010 were probably the worst year of Shaft if Bakemonogatari did not exist. Natsu no Arashi, Maria+Holic, Ef - a tale of melodies, Arakawa Under the Bridge all failed financial.
The hope is not lost. A lot of rumour proved that many of talented staffs from 'GONZO', especially from 3D animation and technical division, joined the team of Shaft in 2009 (although, it did not help Bakemonogatari's schedule anyway as what they need was 'actual animators' who draw, not specific skill-men.) Shaft still has their unique style of directions that makes them actually 'unique' among any other studios, which I appreciate, a lot. In 2011, another big title with Aniplex, Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica will be produced by Shaft. They are also animating their second attempt on light novel adaptation in this April, 'Denpa Onna no Seishun Otoko'. It is still mystery rather these will do as good as Bakemonogatari did, or fall flat (financially) as other series. However, it is true that it is getting most hype over any other series this winter 2011 season.
Characteristics:
Shaft is so unique in every-way compare to any other studios. Let's go with the surface elements, directions.
Honestly, direction of shaft is equivalent of direction of 'Shinbo Akiyuki'. Well, direction itself isn't really particularly 'amazing', as they are all sometimes used by other animators such as Anno Hideki and Yamakan. The thing is; 'Shinbo Akiyuki bring all those 'minor' elements of direction to extreme, and make it his 'own' style'. The 'directions of Shaft' is now even considered to be 'brand' since it is so distinctive and they never, ever changes this style regardless of what anime they produce.
The most notable thing about their direction is use of text and live action photos. As you see, it's sometimes even monochrome background with text only, or pure 'REAL PEOPLE' footage such as Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge ending theme. Another thing is that they blow 'massive amount of budget' in OP and ED sequences. I can even call it, 'the miracle of 1 and a half minutes'. So far, Shaft is the only studio that actually makes me to go through OP and ED every single episode without skipping. They changes them so frequently throughout the series; in Natsu no Arashi season 2, the lyrics of OP theme was different in EVERY FUCKIN SINGLE EPISODE. Bakemonogatari had FIVE different openings with totally different animation. Shinbo has his own way of direction for Camera angles, colouring and use of stop-pictures. Another really notable thing about Shaft is 'end card preview'. At the end of all episode since Pani Poni Dash, Shaft always have drawing from doujin, other animators, mangakas and even some famous ones like Hiro Mashima (author of rave). This became more like 'tradition' of shaft along with their unique directions, and this end card thing becoming 'GLOBAL' (?) trend for any series such as Ore no Imouto and Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai. Their direction usually fits really well with series with a lot of conversations, such as Bakemonogatari and Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, but criticised for ruining mood that series supposed to have. Shaft is known for fixing a lot of scenes in DVD/BD versions. It is sort of marketing strategy but at the same time, it was also major ingredient to build fan bases of their own.
Their uniqueness does not end here. If you see the staff role, you see 'director', 'series composition', 'music', 'character designer' and all sort of things, but you will never see 'series director' anywhere except those from Shaft. In order to understand 'series director', you need to know the fundamental role of 'Shinbo Akiyuki' in Shaft studio. He was scouted as a 'trainer' and 'supervisor'. He is a director, yet he 'DOES NOT' draw any contis (the drawing/sketch of basic directional elements and scenes in panel format.) or layouts in most of series. Someone who balances the entire series and do actual practical job is 'series director'; Shinbo is more of 'supervisor'. However, Shinbo's influence over the series still massive and he works as much as any other members, probably even more than any other directors do. All the current staffs of Shaft is those who are used to, and ok with Shinbo's dictatorship and direction - aka hive-minded. Shinbo supervises almost every single thing his staffs do with god-like speed, which brings much admiration from other team members from Shaft. (*One of the new Shaft staff member said 'Shinbo is very strict. Usually, he grins a lot and walks swinging his arms in light mood, but when it comes to work, he changes entirely. Even his voice tone is different. Not only that, he is checking every single works by 'himself'. Even though he never appears in a staff role, he checks contis, layouts, after-recordings, series compositions with amazing speed. He also has very strong belief over his works.')
Column:
After the finishing recording of Bakemonogatari, Sawashiro Miyuki (Kanbaru Suruga role) said, 'Animations are made of miracle'.
Fans of Shaft is very distinctive; they either like every directions Shaft does, or despise them all. A lot of people apparently hate Shaft due to these directions that turns some parts off. But think differently. When every other studio does 'A', being only studio which does 'B' needs a lot of faith and courage. The greatest of Shaft is not just being unique in direction, it is about pushing those directions to its limits and make a use of it as a commercial strategy. I said above that directions of Shaft is now established as a 'brand'. Here is an example;
Q: There are people who call [Shinbo Direction] and think you are making animation arbitrarily.
Shinbo Akiyuki: It cannot be helped even if it looks like it. To put it in an extreme way, Me, 'Shaft' and our works never once evaluated positively.
Studio SHAFT is a risk taker. Shaft is a 'ONLY' studio that you can actually them 'characteristic'. When every other studio does similar directions, similar style of animations and similar series, Shaft picks up most unusual series and animates them with their own directions that no-one can copy. You might hate it, but it can't be helped; that's what Shaft to in order to survive in 'red ocean' market. They created their own 'blue ocean' to generate fans demand and this is not only cost efficient for themselves but also differentiates them from other studios creating the whole new demands (eg. fixing animations in DVD). Honestly, I think if Shaft falls like GONZO, that means the end of animation industry is near. Shaft is generated by highly specific mania fanbase; fall of Shaft will be an indication of mania/otaku fanbase's fall. To antis, let's think this way. If all animation studio was using the same direction that Shaft does, will you still able to hate Shaft for those 'annoying' directions? Being different never correlates with quality. It will be much more relevant and open-minded to approve their beliefs and individuality.
However, there are things that Shaft must fix in order to become a big studio like Kyoto Animation. They really need to adjust their schedule and focus on quality improvement. Those Fuji incident, 10th episode disaster, DitVB screw up is not a coincident. There is a direct cause of being low of staff members and failing at time management. Look at kyoto animation: they only release about 2 series in a year, yet due to the quality they always give in maximum, they are one of the most profitable studio of all. Shaft is a bit different due to their fanbase being much more minor than those kyoani has, but they still need to work with pace.
Works of SHAFT
List of Works by Shaft:
1995: Junni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Ranger
1997: Sakura Diaries
2000: Dotto koni-chan
2001~2002: Mahocromatic (with GAINAX)
2003: Popotan
2004: This Ugly Yet Beautiful World (joint with GAINAX)
2004: Tsukuyomi: Moon Phrase
2005: He is my master (with Gainax)
2005: Pani Poni Dash!
2006: REC
2006: Negima!?
2007: Hidamari Sketch
2007: Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
2007: Ef - a tale of memories
2008: Hidamari Sketch x 365
2008: Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
2008: Ef - a tale of melodies
2009: Maria+Holic
2009: Natsu no Arashi!
2009: Bakemonogatari
2009: Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
2009: Natsu no Arashi! Aki nai chu
2010: Hidamari Sketch x ☆☆☆
2010: Dance in the Vampire Bund
2010: Arakawa Under the Bridge
2010: Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge
2010: Soredemo Machi wa mawatteiru
2011: Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica
2011: Denpa Onna no Seishun Otoko
2011: Maria=Holic Season 2
*Planned:
2012: Kizumonogatari(Movie)
????: Hidamari Sketch 4th season
Does anyone know, how can I contact this studio? We would like to make some dubbing, but we have never contacted Japanese studios and there is no e-mail...
Bakemonogatari "the single biggest TV animation sales per volume in 21s century", until now. Still i find that fact pretty fair, its the most interesting thing ive seen in years.
In the other hand, i agree that Shaft, P.A. Works and Kyoto Animation are the most "productive" studios right know, im not that sure about Gainax.
Interesting stuff.
Nikdo said: Does anyone know, how can I contact this studio? We would like to make some dubbing, but we have never contacted Japanese studios and there is no e-mail...
As long as there is no commercial use intended, you normally don't need any permission. Regarding Rights you maybe should try contacting the publisher of the show(like Kodansha, Square Enix etc.) you want to dub, before the studio.
In 9/10 cases, the worst thing about an anime is its fandom.
is there a possible update? after the events of madoka 3. movie and monogatari series second season?
current LN reading:
Death March kara hajimaru isekai kyousoukyoku translated here
for those who are interested in other forums about animes, check randomc.net, reddit.com/r/anime and forum.animesuki.com
^Same here, can someone like update the list? cause i heard that the madoka franchise earned the was either ranked 2nd highest bd sales next to bakemonogatari or almost as much sales as it.
