Kadokawa will consolidate five anime production subsidiaries into a new company called Studio One Base in November 2026, bringing their management under one organization while preserving each studio’s creative identity.
Announced Sept. 8, the merger includes ENGI, Studio KADAN, Chiptune, Bellnox Films and Raging Bull. Their existing brands and production lines will remain in place under the new structure.
ENGI is known for titles including “Medalist” and “The Detective Is Already Dead.” Together, the five studios contribute expertise in animation, computer-generated imagery, compositing and background art.
Studio One Base will be wholly owned by Kadokawa and employ approximately 310 people. Takeshi Kikuchi will serve as president and representative director.
The company will operate from a new production hub inside Sunshine City in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district. The facility, also named Studio One Base, is scheduled to open in September.
Kadokawa said combining administrative and management functions will help creators concentrate on production. The company plans to improve employee benefits, working conditions and scheduling as part of its efforts to strengthen production quality and efficiency.
Bringing the studios into a shared location is also intended to support training for younger creators and encourage teams to exchange knowledge and technical skills. The arrangement will allow staff to collaborate across studios as projects require.
The consolidation follows Kadokawa’s expansion of its anime production business through acquisitions and studio launches since 2018. According to the company, its group studios have produced 48 works and 486 episodes, excluding productions completed before the studios joined Kadokawa.
Sho Tanaka, Kadokawa’s chief anime officer, said the company seeks to build a sustainable production foundation amid growing global demand for anime while maintaining the individual strengths of its studios.
Source: Kadokawa’s official announcement
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