 Frontier Works, the planning and production arm of animate Group, has acquired animation studio Yokohama Animation Lab, making it a subsidiary. The announcement was made on September 5 through Frontier Works' official website. Established in 2002, Frontier Works is the core entertainment company within the animate Group, handling television and theatrical anime production, licensing, publishing, merchandise, music, and live events. The company has long been involved in anime production as a planner, producer, and investor but did not previously operate a studio of its own. Frontier Works stated that as anime continues to gain global popularity, direct collaboration with studios has become essential. The acquisition aims to strengthen the link between its intellectual properties (IPs) and anime production, while also facilitating adaptations of other companies' works. The move to bring Yokohama Animation Lab under its umbrella reflects Frontier Works' aim to secure production capacity at a time when demand for anime continues to grow worldwide. Yokohama Animation Lab, founded in 2015, is one of the few animation studios based in Yokohama, with additional production facilities in Tokyo's Suginami ward. The studio made its full production debut with the 2020 television anime Lapis Re:LiGHTs and has since produced titles such as Hametsu no Oukoku (The Kingdoms of Ruin) and Kijin Gentoushou (Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho). Known for its strength in dark fantasy and story-driven works, the studio has also been active in developing new workflows and tools to adapt to the evolving animation industry. Financial details, including the share acquisition ratio and purchase price, were not disclosed as both companies are privately held. In a statement, Frontier Works president Masahide Tsuji expressed optimism about the deal, noting that closer collaboration with the studio will allow them to deliver higher-quality animation and experiences for fans. Yokohama Animation Lab president Yuuma Oogami echoed the sentiment, saying the partnership will help stabilize and sustain production quality by combining technical know-how with the group's management resources. The acquisition marks animate Group's first direct step into directly operating an anime production studio, a move seen as part of a broader industry trend amid increasing demand and competition for production capacity. Source: PR Times, Animation Business Journal |
VindstotSep 6, 9:37 PM
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Reply to yamiyugi101
Not surprised it seemed like the studio has had a hard time operating for years now
| @yamiyugi101 I've been watching a number of their shows lately and it seems like they don't have the time or effort to make their anime more impressive. Although they clearly have talented and experienced animators. |
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| Loved they work with Miru Tights so if that means the chads can make more similar anime I couldn't be happier with this move.!!!!! |
Reply to yamiyugi101
@RobertBobert I fully agree it seems like they're just underfunded honestly their series don't feel half assed
| @yamiyugi101 Yeah. I've been watching their fantasy samurai show this season and it feels like a strong anime that just didn't have too much production for sakuga. |
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| Also good to mention that Movic is also part of the Animate group, and Movic is pretty much a producer for every anime out there... |
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