Tatsunoko Production

Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. (株式会社タツノコプロ, Kabushiki gaisha Tatsunoko Puro)[lower-alpha 1] and often shortened to Tatsunoko Pro (タツノコプロ, Tatsunoko Puro), is a Japanese animation company. The studio's name has a double meaning in Japanese: "Tatsu's child" (Tatsu is a nickname for Tatsuo) and "sea dragon", the inspiration for its seahorse logo.[3][4] Tatsunoko's headquarters are in Musashino, Tokyo.[1]

Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd.
Native name
株式会社タツノコプロ
Kabushiki-gaisha Tatsunoko Puro
FormerlyTatsunoko Productions Co, Ltd. (1962–2013)
TypeKabushiki gaisha
FoundedOctober 19, 1962 (1962-10-19)[1]
FounderTatsuo Yoshida
Kenji Yoshida
Ippei Kuri
HeadquartersMusashino, Tokyo, Japan
Key people
Kyou Itou
(President and CEO)
ProductsAnime
OwnerNippon TV (54.3%)
Tomy (20.0%)
Horipro (13.5%)
Production I.G (11.2%)
Number of employees
70[2] (2022)
DivisionsI.G Tatsunoko (1987–1993)
Websitetatsunoko.co.jp/english

History

The studio was founded in October 1962 by mangaka and anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida and his brothers Kenji and Toyoharu (better known by his pen name "Ippei Kuri").[3]

The studio's first production was the 1965 TV series Space Ace. Since then many figures in the anime industry have worked with Tatsunoko, including Mizuho Nishikubo, Hiroshi Sasagawa, Koichi Mashimo, Katsuhisa Yamada, Hideaki Anno (Tatsunoko provided animation work on the Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series), and Kazuo Yamazaki. Sasagawa is notable for bringing his fondness for comedy animation to the forefront in Tatsunoko series such as the Time Bokan (1975) franchise.[5] The company later licensed Macross to Harmony Gold, who then produced Robotech.

Takara acquired Tatsunoko on June 3, 2005 after purchasing an 88 percent stake and made the company a subsidiary.[6] Production I.G was established in 1987 as I.G. Tatsunoko, a branch for the production of Zillion led by Mitsuhisa Ishikawa.[7][8][9]

In 2009, Tatsunoko announced that it would collaborate with Marvel Comics on a joint television project and other ventures.[10] IG Port announced on June 2, 2010 that its subsidiary, Production I.G, had purchased an 11.2 percent stake in Tatsunoko. Production I.G president Mitsuhisa Ishikawa became a part-time director of the studio.[11]

Talent agency Horipro announced on February 23, 2013 that it had acquired a 13.5 percent stake in Tatsunoko.[12] At Anime Expo 2013, Sentai Filmworks announced a deal to license and release some of Tatsunoko's titles, including Gatchaman and Casshan.[13] Nippon TV announced on January 29, 2014 that it had purchased a 54.3 percent stake in Tatsunoko and adopted the company as its subsidiary.[14][15][16]

In 2017, two short films titled Pandora to Akubi were released. These were the first works produced under Tatsunoko's "Bakken Record" label, which was officially established in April 2019.[17]

Representative directors
  • Tatsuo Yoshida (1962–1977)
  • Kenji Yoshida (1977–1987)
  • Ippei Kuri (1987–2005)
  • Kouki Narushima (2005–2010)
  • Keita Satou (2010–2012)
  • Shuuichirou Tanaka (2012–2014)[18]
  • Yuuzou Kuwahara (2014–2019)
  • Daisuke Kadoya (2019–2022)[19][20]
  • Kyou Itou (2022–present)[21]

Main productions

1960s
TitleSeries directorBroadcast network(s)Year(s)Notes
Space Ace (Uchuu Ace) Hiroshi Sasagawa Fuji TV May 8, 1965 – April 28, 1966 Tatsunoko's first ever animated TV serial; adapted from the original manga by Tatsuo Yoshida that was serialized in Shueisha's Shonen Book magazine
Mach GoGoGo (Speed Racer) (original) Fuji TV April 2, 1967 – March 31, 1968 Tatsunoko's first animated TV serial to be produced in color; adapted from the original manga by Tatsuo Yoshida that was serialized in Shueisha's Shonen Book magazine
Oraa Guzura Dado (original) Fuji TV October 7, 1967 – September 25, 1968
Dokachin the Primitive Boy (or simply, "Dokachin") Seitarō Hara, Hiroshi Sasagawa Fuji TV October 2, 1968 – March 26, 1969
Kurenai Sanshiro Ippei Kuri Fuji TV April 2-September 24, 1969 Adapted from two manga serials by Tatsuo Yoshida that were serialized in Shueisha's Shonen Book from 1961 to 1962, and Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday and Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump from 1968 to 1969
Hakushon Daimaō Hiroshi Sasagawa Fuji TV October 5, 1969 – September 27, 1970 Adapted into Bob in a Bottle by Saban Entertainment in 1992

1970s
Title Series directorBroadcast network(s)Year(s)Notes
Honeybee Hutch (Mitsubachi Monogatari Minashigo Hacchi and La Abeja Hutch) Ippei Kuri Fuji TV April 7, 1970 – September 8, 1971
Inakappe Taishō Hiroshi Sasagawa Fuji TV October 4, 1970 – September 24, 1972 Adapted from the manga by Noboru Kawasaki, which was serialized in Shogakukan's Gakkushu Zasshi educational magazines for Japanese schoolchildren
Kabatotto Fuji TV January 1, 1971 – September 30, 1972
Animentari Ketsudan Ippei Kuri Nippon TV April 3-September 25, 1971 Dramatic adaptation of the Japanese Empire's role in the Second World War
Mokku of the Oak Tree Seitaro Hara Fuji TV January 4, 1972 – January 1, 1973 Adaptation of Italian novelist Carlo Collodi's 1881 novel, The Adventures of Pinocchio
Science Ninja Team Gatchaman Hisayuki Toriumi Fuji TV October 1, 1972 – September 29, 1974 Adapted for western audiences by Sandy Frank Entertainment into Battle of the Planets in 1978, by Sandy Frank and Turner Entertainment into G-Force: Guardians of Space in 1986, and by Saban Entertainment into Eagle Riders in 1996
Tamagon the Counselor Hiroshi Sasagawa Fuji TV 1972–1973
Kerokko Demetan Fuji TV January 2-September 25, 1973 Adapted for western audiences by Harmony Gold USA as an animated film The Brave Frog in 1985
Neo Human Casshan Fuji TV October 2, 1973 – June 25, 1974 A notable source of inspiration for Keiji Inafune who went on to be the artistic director for the Mega Man franchise for Capcom
New Honeybee Hutch Seitaro Hara NET April 4-September 27, 1974 Sequel to 1970's Honeybee Hutch
Hurricane Polymar Hisayuki Toriumi NET October 4, 1974 – March 28, 1975
Tentomushi no Uta Hiroshi Sasagawa Fuji TV October 6, 1974 – September 26, 1976 Adapted from Noboru Kawasaki's manga of the same name that was serialized in Shogakukan's Gakkushu Zasshi educational magazines from 1973 to 1975
Space Knight Tekkaman Hiroshi Sasagawa, Hisayuki Toriumi NET July 2-December 24, 1975
Time Bokan Hiroshi Sasagawa Fuji TV October 4, 1975 – December 25, 1976 First entry in Tatsunoko's Time Bokan Series
Gowappa 5 Gōdam Hisayuki Toriumi ABC April 4-December 29, 1976
Paul's Miraculous Adventure Hiroshi Sasagawa Fuji TV October 3, 1976 – September 11, 1977
The Time Bokan Series: Yatterman Fuji TV January 1, 1977 – January 27, 1979 Second installment of the Time Bokan Series
Ippatsu Kanta-kun Fuji TV September 18, 1977 – September 24, 1978 First of Tatsuo Yoshida's original works to be produced posthumously; he died of liver cancer on September 5, 1977, 13 days before the first episode aired
Temple the Balloonist Seitaro Hara Fuji TV October 1, 1977 – March 25, 1978 Second and last of Tatsuo Yoshida's original works to be produced posthumously
Tobidase! Machine Hiryuu Tokyo Channel 12 October 5, 1977 – March 29, 1978 First and only one of Tatsunoko's original works to be co-produced with Toei Animation, one of their rivals within the anime industry
Science Ninja Team Gatchaman II Hisayuki Toriumi, Hiroshi Sasagawa Fuji TV October 1, 1978 – September 23, 1979 Sequel to 1972's Science Ninja Team Gatchaman; adapted into Eagle Riders by Saban Entertainment in 1996; First of Tatsunoko's works to be produced by Kenji Yoshida
The Time Bokan Series: Zenderman Hiroshi Sasagawa Fuji TV February 3, 1979 – January 26, 1980 Third installment of the Time Bokan Series
Lupin the Thief: Enigma of the 813 Fuji TV May 5, 1979 Made-for-TV anime film; loosely adapted from Maurice Leblanc's 813
Science Ninja Team Gatchaman Fighter Hisayuki Toriumi Fuji TV October 7, 1979 – August 31, 1980 Direct sequel to 1978's Science Ninja Team Gatchaman II; final installment in the Gatchaman franchise until 1994 OVA
Gordian the Warrior Masamune Ochiai, Kunihiko Okazaki Tokyo Channel 12 October 7, 1979 – February 27, 1981
Ashinaga Ojisan ??? Fuji TV October 10, 1979 TV special; adapted from Jean Webster's 1912 novel, Daddy-Long-Legs

1980s
TitleSeries directorBroadcast network(s)Year(s)Notes
Cheerful Dwarves of the Forest: Belfy and Lillibit Masayuki Hayashi Tokyo 12 Broadcasting January 7-July 7, 1980 Adapted by Saban Entertainment into The Littl' Bits, which ran on the Nick Jr. Channel from 1991 to 1995
The Time Bokan Series: Time Patrol Team Otasukeman Hiroshi Sasagawa Fuji TV February 2, 1980 – January 31, 1981 Fourth installment of the Time Bokan Series
Dashing Warrior Muteking Seitaro Hara Fuji TV September 7, 1980 – September 27, 1981
The Great Navy War: 20,000 Miles of Love Ippei Kuri Nippon TV January 3, 1981 Made-for-TV anime film; loosely adapted from Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Adapted into English by Harmony Gold as simply Undersea Encounter
The Time Bokan Series: Yattodetaman Hiroshi Sasagawa Fuji TV February 7, 1981 – February 6, 1982 Fifth installment of the Time Bokan Series
Golden Warrior Gold Lightan Kōichi Mashimo Tokyo 12 Broadcasting March 1, 1981 – February 18, 1982
Dash Kappei Masayuki Hayashi, Seitaro Hara Fuji TV October 4, 1981 – December 26, 1982 Adapted from the manga by Noboru Rokuda, which was serialized in Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday manga magazine from November 1979 to November 1982
The Time Bokan Series: Gyakuten! Ippatsuman Hiroshi Sasagawa Fuji TV February 13, 1982 – March 26, 1983 Sixth installment of the Time Bokan Series
Mirai Keisatsu Urashiman Kōichi Mashimo Fuji TV January 9-December 24, 1983 Adapted from the manga by Hirohisa Soda and Noboru Akashi, which was serialized in Akita Shoten's Weekly Shonen Champion manga magazines
The Time Bokan Series: Itadakiman Hiroshi Sasagawa Fuji TV April 9-September 24, 1983 Seventh and final installment of the Time Bokan Series; returned briefly in 1993 as an OVA titled Royal Revival; resumed in 2000 with Kaito Kiramekiman
Genesis Climber MOSPEADA Katsuhisa Yamada Fuji TV October 2, 1983 – March 23, 1984 Adapted by Harmony Gold USA as Robotech: The New Generation in 1985, co-production with Artmic
Starzan S Hidehito Ueda Fuji TV January 7-August 25, 1984 Adapted from an original concept by Hiroshi Sasagawa
Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross Yasuo Hasegawa MBS April 15-September 30, 1984 Adapted by Harmony Gold USA into Robotech: The Masters in 1985
Yoroshiku Mechadoc Hidehito Ueda Fuji TV September 1, 1984 – March 30, 1985 Adapted from the manga of the same name by Ryuji Tsugihara, which was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump manga magazine from November 1982 to March 1985
Fire of Alpen Rose: Judy and Randy Hidehito Ueda Fuji TV April 6-October 5, 1985 Adapted from the manga, Alpen Rose, by Michiyo Akaishi, which was serialized in Shogakukan's Ciao manga magazine for female readers from April 1983 to May 1986
Showa Era Idiot Story Book: Most Refined Hidehito Ueda TV Asahi October 7, 1985 – March 24, 1986 Adapted from the manga of the same name by Yuu Azuki, which was serialized in Shueisha's Margaret manga magazine for female readers from 1985 to 1987
Shonen Jump Special: Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo Hiroshi Sasagawa Anime Film; Shown at 1985 Shonen Jump Film Festival November 23, 1985 Adapted from the manga of the same name by Osamu Akimoto, which was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump manga magazine from October 1976 to September 2016; presented as a double feature with Shonen Jump Special: Kimagure Orange Road, which was animated by Studio Pierrot
The Legend of Hikari Tomomi Mochizuki ABC May 3-September 20, 1986 Adapted from the manga of the same name by Izumi Aso, which was serialized in Shueisha's Ribon manga magazine for female readers from 1985 to December 1988
Doteraman Shinya Sadamitsu NTV October 14, 1986 – February 24, 1987 Tatsunoko's first TV anime to be broadcast on NTV in 15 years since Animentary Ketsudan
Red Photon Zillion Mizuho Nishikubo NTV April 12-December 13, 1987 After the production of the anime, Tatsunoko Production and Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, the producer of Zillion, established IG Tatsunoko (which later became Production I.G) to obstruct the dispersing of the excellent staffs of Tatsunoko branch which had done actual production. Therefore, Zillion is considered to be Production I.G's first work. Also co-produced by Sega, which had a fine relationship with Tatsunoko until they purchased rival studio TMS in 1992.
Oraa Guzura Dado Hiroshi Sasagawa TV Tokyo October 12, 1987 – September 20, 1988 Color remake of the 1967 series
Legend of Heavenly Sphere Shurato Mizuho Nishikubo TV Tokyo April 6, 1989 – January 18, 1990 Adapted from the manga of the same name by Hiroshi Kawamoto, which was serialized in Shonen Gahosha's Shonen King manga magazine from February to September 1988
Konchū Monogatari: Minashigo Hutch Iku Suzuki NTV July 21, 1989 – August 31, 1990 Modern remake of the 1970 anime Honeybee Hutch

1990s
TitleSeries directorBroadcast network(s)Year(s)Notes
Kyatto Ninden Teyandee Kunitoshi Okajima TV Tokyo February 1, 1990 – February 12, 1991 Adapted into English by Saban Entertainment as Samurai Pizza Cats in 1991; a Sequel series known as Kyatto Keisatsu Beranmee (or Crime Stoppin' Cats) was planned, but was mysteriously cancelled for unknown reasons
The Great Adventure of Robin Hood Kōichi Mashimo NHK July 29, 1990 – October 28, 1992 Adapted from the English folktale Robin Hood; also Tatsunoko's first anime to be broadcast on the government-owned NHK network
Shurato: Dark Genesis Yoshihisa Matsumoto OVA August 1991 – March 1992 Sequel to Legend of Heavenly Sphere Shurato
Space Knight Tekkaman Blade Hiroshi Negishi TV Tokyo February 18, 1992 – February 2, 1993 1992 reboot of 1975's Space Knight Tekkaman, adapted by Saban Entertainment and Media Blasters into English as Teknoman
The Irresponsible Captain Tylor Kōichi Mashimo TV Tokyo January 25-July 19, 1993 Adapted from the light novel series of the same name by Hitoshi Yoshioka, which was serialized in Fujimi Shobo's Fujimi Fantasia Bunko magazines from January 1989 to January 1996
Casshan: Robot Hunter Hiroyuki Fukushima, Masashi Abe, Takashi Watanabe OVA August 21, 1993 - February 21, 1994 1993 remake of 1973's Neo-Human Casshan; co-produced by Artmic and Gainax
Time Bokan: Royal Revival (1993–1994) Hiroshi Sasagawa, Akiyuki Shinbo OVA November 26, 1993 – January 1, 1994 Direct-to-video installment of Time Bokan Series
The Legend of Snow White (NHK) (1994–1995) Tsuneo Ninomiya NHK April 6, 1994 – March 29, 1995 Adaptation of the German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm; adapted into several languages by Mondo Media
Tekkaman Blade II Hideki Tonokatsu OVA July 21, 1994 – April 21, 1995 Sequel to 1992's Tekkaman Blade
Gatchaman Akihiko Nishiyama OVA October 1, 1994 – April 1, 1995 1994 reboot of 1972's Science Ninja Team Gatchaman; co-produced by Artmic
Dokkan! Robotendon Hiroshi Sasagawa TV Tokyo October 5, 1995 – March 28, 1996
Cinderella Monogatari Hiroshi Sasagawa NHK April 4-October 3, 1996 Adapted from the fairy tale by Charles Perrault
Hurricane Polymar: Holy Blood Akiyuki Shinbo OVA September 21, 1996 – February 21, 1997 1996 reboot of 1974's Hurricane Polymar; co-produced by J.C. Staff
Mach GoGoGo Hiroshi Sasagawa TV Tokyo January 9-September 25, 1997 1997 reboot of 1967's Mach GoGoGo; adapted into English by DiC Entertainment as Speed Racer X in 2002
Generator Gawl Seiji Mizushima TV Tokyo October 6-December 22, 1998
Seikimatsu Densetsu: Wonderful Tatsunoko Land Hiroshi Sasagawa TBS December 31, 1999 TV special

2000s
TitleSeries directorBroadcast network(s)Year(s)Notes
Tatsunoko Fight Electronics Application (Eleca) PSX October 5, 2000 Video game featuring an exclusive character, Denkou Senka Volter
Time Bokan 2000: Kaitou Kiramekiman Hidehito Ueda TV Tokyo April 5, 2000 – September 27, 2000
The SoulTaker Akiyuki Shinbo WOWOW April 4, 2001 – July 4, 2001
Yobarete Tobidete Akubi-chan Hiroshi Sagasawa TV Tokyo 2001-12-11 to 2002-03-26 Spin-off of The Genie Family
Nurse Witch Komugi Yasuhiro Takemoto & Yoshitomo Yonetani OVA 2002-08-23 to 2004-04-02 Co-production with Kyoto Animation; spin-off of The SoulTaker
Karas Keiichi Sato OVA March 25, 2005 – August 3, 2007 Tatsunoko's 40th anniversary work; combined into a two-part film in the west by Manga Entertainment
Akubi Girl Hiroshi Sagasawa TV Tokyo 2006 Remake to Yobarete Tobidete Akubi-chan
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles Tommy Yune, Dong-Wook Lee & Yeun-Sook Seo Movie January 5, 2007 co-production with Harmony Gold USA
Yatterman Hiroshi Sagasawa YTV January 14, 2008 – September 27, 2009 Remake of 1977 Series
Casshern Sins Shigeyasu Yamauchi MBS October 1, 2008 – March 15, 2009 Re-imaging of the 1973 series; Animation production by Madhouse
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes Fighting Wii December 11, 2008 Video game; Tatsunoko also animated Cross Generation's opening and anime cutscenes.

2010s

2020s

Co-productions

Anime studios founded by former animators

Notes
  1. Formerly written Kabushiki gaisha Tatsunoko Purodakushon (株式会社竜の子プロダクション), 1962–2013

References
  1. "Tatsunoko Pro". Tatsunoko.co.jp. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
  2. "タツノコプロ | 会社概要".
  3. Jorge Khoury (2008-05-11). "GATCHAMAN! The story of Tatsuo Yoshida and his greatest creation". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  4. Macias, Patrick (2008-07-03). "'Speed Racer': drawing on an anime legend". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
  5. Chris Feldman (2007-08-02). "Anime Reviews: Stand Alone with Bokan & The Third". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
  6. "Takara acquires animation studio". The Japan Times. 2005-07-03. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  7. "石川社長が20年を語る 「プロダクション I.G 創立20周年記念展」開催中". mycom.co.jp (in Japanese). 2007-12-28. Archived from the original on 2008-06-06. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
  8. "第25回 株式会社プロダクション I.G代表取締役社長 石川光久-その２-悔しさから独立、フリーに". CodeZine (in Japanese). 2008-02-08. Archived from the original on 2008-06-30. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
  9. "Studio 2 Part 01: Kazuchika Kise and the birth of Studio 2". Production I.G. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
  10. "Report: Tatsunoko, Marvel Aim for Joint TV Anime in 3 Years". Anime News Network. 2009-02-24. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
  11. Loo, Egan (2010-06-01). "Production I.G to Acquire 11.2% Stake in Tatsunoko". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  12. Loo, Egan (2013-02-12). "HoriPro Agency Acquires Stake in Anime Studio Tatsunoko – News". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
  13. Ressler, Karen (2013-07-04). "Sentai Filmworks Signs Deal with Tatsunoko Production (Updated) - News". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
  14. Loo, Egan (2014-01-29). "NTV Buys 54.3% Stake in Anime Studio Tatsunoko Production". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2014-01-29.
  15. "Tomy to sell Tatsunoko Production to TV station". Nikkei. 2014-01-29. Archived from the original on 2015-01-10. Retrieved 2015-01-09.
  16. "Nippon TV Acquires Shares of TATSUNOKO PRODUCTION Co., Ltd". Nippon TV. 2014-01-29. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
  17. "ABOUT". Bakken Record (in Japanese). Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  18. タツノコプロ 新社長に田中修一郎氏 タカラトミー発表 アニメ!アニメ!ビズ 2012年2月27日
  19. "タツノコプロ | 会社概要". 2019-06-01. Archived from the original on 2019-06-26. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  20. "日本動画協会の新会員にMAHO FILMなど3社". 2019-07-14. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  21. "タツノコプロ │ 会社概要". 2022-06-01. Archived from the original on 2022-06-05. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  22. "Exception Horror Anime's Trailer Reveals Cast, Composer, October 13 Debut". Anime News Network. September 12, 2022.
  23. Romano, Sal (31 January 2022). "The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War anime produced by Tatsunoku Production, delayed to early 2023". Gematsu. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  24. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (November 25, 2022). "Tatsunoko Pro Reveals Original Pole Dancing Anime Pole Princess!!". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  25. Cayanan, Joanna (December 29, 2022). "Tatsunoko's Bakken Record, Pony Canyon Announce Original Anime Turkey!". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
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