Anima Vitae
Anima Vitae is a Helsinki-based 3D animation studio with a Kuala Lumpur production site that delivers high-end animation services and co-produces own-IP features and series for international broadcasters, gaming companies, and entertainment IP holders, including the Niko franchise and Moominvalley.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersHelsinki, Finland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Anima Vitae does
Anima Vitae is a privately-held, award-winning 3D character animation studio headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, with a seamlessly connected production site in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Anima Vitae Point Sdn Bhd). Founded around 2000-2001, the studio has produced 9,000+ minutes of aired animation spanning TV series, feature films, commercials, and game advertisements over two decades. It operates as a dual-model business: a service studio providing high-end 3D animation production for international broadcasters, gaming IP holders, and entertainment companies, and an own-IP co-producer developing original franchises such as the Niko reindeer feature trilogy, Minifauna, and Trash Monsters. Its core technology stack combines industry-standard tools (Maya, Houdini, Nuke) with a proprietary super-efficient 3D digital cut-out pipeline and a full-service workflow spanning layout, animation, lighting, and compositing.
The studio serves a global roster of enterprise and government clients including YLE (Finland), Sky (UK), Rovio (Angry Birds Stella), Ubisoft Motion Pictures (Rabbids Invasion), Gutsy Animations (Moominvalley Seasons 1-4), Maipo Film, and Tencent (The Adventures of Little Penguin). Revenue is generated through project-based professional services contracts, co-production equity participation in own-IP features and series, and licensing/royalty streams from internationally distributed IPs (Niko 1 sold to 118 countries; Moominvalley to 40+ countries). Distribution is achieved through direct broadcaster contracts, theatrical release, co-production partnerships with European producers (Cinemaker, A. Film Production, Ulysses Filmproduktion, Animoon, Godo Films), and film-festival validation (Annecy Official Selection, International Emmy Kids nominations, British Animation Awards, European Film Awards nominations).
The company employs 11-50 staff across its two sites and is led by CEO/Producer Antti Haikala in Helsinki and COO/Producer Yuki Pang in Kuala Lumpur, with Christine Peh as CFO. Ownership appears founder/management-controlled, with no disclosed venture capital or private equity investment. Its competitive positioning rests on a price-quality advantage from the Helsinki-KL dual-shore model, deep craft talent developed over 20 years, and a growing portfolio of internationally validated own-IP properties.
Anima Vitae firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Anima Vitae
- Legal name
- Oy Anima Vitae Ltd
- Website
- https://anima.fi
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Anima Vitae is a Helsinki-based 3D animation studio with a Kuala Lumpur production site that delivers high-end animation services and co-produces own-IP features and series for international broadcasters, gaming companies, and entertainment IP holders, including the Niko franchise and Moominvalley.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Anima Vitae industry classification
Industry- Product category
- 3D Animation Production Services
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- 2D Character Animation (MPAHACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming) (MPADACAG), Animated Feature Film Production (MPADACAH), Animation Pipeline, Asset & Render Services (MPADACAM), Outsourced Art/Audio Production Services (2D/3D, Animation, VFX, Audio/VO) (MPAFAKAM)
Keywords
Where Anima Vitae is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Helsinki
- HQ country
- Finland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Anima Vitae business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Animation Services: The studio generates primary revenue by providing high-end 3D animation production services to international clients including broadcasters, entertainment companies, and game developers. Services range from full-series production to specialized animation for commercials, trailers, and game advertisements.
- Co-productions and Own IPs: Anima develops and co-produces original intellectual properties such as the Niko franchise (sold to 118 countries), Fleak, and Minifauna. The studio holds equity positions in feature films and TV series, generating revenue through distribution rights, licensing, and international sales.
- Service work for games industry: Animation services for mobile game advertisements, such as the Empires & Puzzles campaign for Small Giant Games, providing additional revenue diversification.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom project-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Anima Vitae product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Anima Vitae provides high-end 3D character animation production services for international broadcasters, entertainment IP holders, and game developers, covering the full pipeline from layout and animation through lighting and compositing. The studio also co-produces and holds equity in original animated properties, including feature films and TV series sold globally. Production capacity is distributed across seamlessly connected sites in Helsinki, Finland and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Product overview
Anima Vitae is an award-winning character animation studio offering high-end 3D animation services with a competitive price-quality ratio. The studio operates from Helsinki and Kuala Lumpur, producing 9000+ minutes of aired animation including TV series, feature films, commercials, and co-productions. Their product portfolio includes: (1) 3D Animation Services as the core offering covering full production pipeline from layout through animation to light and comp; (2) Own IPs & Co-Productions including original properties like the Niko franchise (three feature films), Minifauna (in development), and Trash Monsters (in development); (3) Service Work for external clients such as Moominvalley (four seasons for Gutsy Animations), Angry Birds Stella (for Rovio), Rabbids Invasion (for Ubisoft), and others. The studio is known for character animation, artistic ambition, and super-efficient production pipelines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 3D Animation Services High-end 3D character animation services covering the full production pipeline from layout and animation through lighting and compositing. Delivered to international broadcasters, entertainment IP holders, and game developers as B2B contracts.
- Animation Co-Productions & Own IPs Original IP and equity co-productions of animated feature films and TV series with international partners; includes the Niko franchise, Fleak, Rufus, Minifauna, and Trash Monsters. The studio holds equity positions and generates revenue through distribution rights, licensing, and international sales.
- Moominvalley (TV Series, Seasons 1-4) 3D CGI animated TV series based on Tove Jansson's Moomin stories, produced as animation studio for Gutsy Animations across four seasons (13 x 22 minutes each per season). Emmy-nominated and sold to 40+ countries via YLE, Sky, NHK, ZDF and other broadcasters.
- Niko - Beyond the Northern Lights (Feature Film) Third installment in the Niko reindeer feature film saga. Co-produced with international partners and distributed theatrically worldwide, opening at #1 in Germany and Finland.
- Fleak (Feature Film) Feature film (85 minutes) about 11-year-old Thomas who meets Fleak, a tiny mischievous creature from another dimension. Co-produced with Animoon (Korea) and Godo Films (Netherlands); premiered at the Annecy Film Festival 2025.
- Rufus - The Sea Serpent Who Couldn't Swim (Feature Film) Feature film (~80 minutes) about young Rufus, a sea serpent who cannot swim, who must step up to save his family when Uncle Ludvik loses his powers. Produced for client Maipo Film and opened in cinemas fall 2025.
- Santa's Holiday (TV Special) Short film TV special (24 minutes) based on Mauri Kunnas' beloved Christmas books, about elf Maeve and her dog Rocket helping elf Arthur enjoy Christmas. Co-produced with Ink & Light (Ireland) and commissioned by YLE and RTÉ; premiered Christmas 2025.
- Minifauna (TV Series in Development) Original TV series in development about Newt, a greedy Toad, and brainless Frog in a peaceful forest pond. Written and directed by Mariko Härkönen.
- Trash Monsters (Feature Film in Development) Animated feature film (85 minutes) in development - a fantasy adventure for the whole family. Co-production between Anima Vitae, Seeding Pictures, and Nusa Film; developed with Creative Europe Programme MEDIA support.
- The Adventures of Little Penguin (TV Series) 52 x 5-minute TV series following Oscar, a small penguin, on action-packed escapades across 50 episodes. Produced as service studio via Luce creative for the Tencent platform.
- Angry Birds Stella (TV Series, Season 1) First season (13 episodes x 6 minutes) of 3D animated series that pioneered transitioning the Angry Birds franchise from 2D to 3D. Produced with Rovio Entertainment as animation studio.
- Rabbids Invasion: Mission to Mars (TV Special) 70-minute TV special for Ubisoft in which the Rabbids are sent on a madcap mission to Mars. Anima served as exclusive service studio for the animation stage.
- Niko & The Way to the Stars (Feature Film) First feature film (80 minutes) about young reindeer boy Niko's quest to find his absent father. Sold to 118 countries; nominated for Best Feature at European Film Awards; won Best Film and Best Screenplay at the Finnish Jussi Awards. Co-produced with Cinemaker, A. Film, Magma Films, and Ulysses GmbH.
- Niko 2 - Little Brother, Big Trouble (Feature Film) Second feature film (79 minutes) about Niko dealing with a new stepbrother and embarking on a journey to save him. Nominated for Cartoon Movie Tribute 2013 European Producer of the Year.
Quantifiable outcome
- Niko & The Way to the Stars sold to 118 countries
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Anima Vitae
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Anima Vitae technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Anima Vitae partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and flagship.
- EurimagescoreEurimages awarded Fleak the Co-Production Development Award 2020, supporting the international co-production.
- Maipo FilmcoreNorwegian film company. Anima produced Rufus - The Sea Serpent Who Couldn't Swim feature film opening in cinemas fall 2025.
- Ink & Light (Ireland)secondaryIrish animation studio. Co-production partner for Santa's Holiday TV special, commissioned by YLE and RTÉ.
- Ulysses FilmproduktioncoreGerman co-production partner for Niko - Beyond the Northern Lights (Niko 3).
- Moetion FilmscoreIrish/European co-production partner for Niko - Beyond the Northern Lights (Niko 3).
- A. Film ProductioncoreLong-standing co-production partner for Niko franchise films, involved in all three Niko movies.
- Ulysses GmbHcoreCo-production partner for Niko & The Way to the Stars (2008).
- Seeding PicturessecondaryCo-production partner for Trash Monsters animated feature film in development.
- Nusa FilmsecondaryCo-production partner for Trash Monsters animated feature film.
- MoilosecondaryCo-production partner for Moka Mera & Atlas animated series.
- Luce creative for TencentcoreAnima oversaw production of 50 episodes of The Adventures of Little Penguin as service studio for Tencent platform.
- Filmiteollisuus/Yellow FilmcoreFinnish production company and main client for Pasila and Itse valtiaat animated series. Anima served as subcontractor for these highly successful satirical productions.
- Ubisoft Motion PicturescoreAnimation services provider for Rabbids Invasion: Mission to Mars TV special. Anima functioned as exclusive animation studio for the 70-minute film.
- JIANGSU YELLOW SEA WETLAND CULTURE DEVELOPMENT Co.LtdsecondaryClient for Not a Rookie Sandpiper short film (2022).
- Shanghai Yes And Culture & Arts CompanysecondaryClient for Not a Rookie Sandpiper short film (2022).
- Creative Europe Programme – MEDIAcoreEU funding program that provided development support for Trash Monsters and Moka Mera & Atlas through Creative Europe MEDIA sub-program.
- AnimooncoreKorean animation studio co-producer of Fleak feature film. Fleak received Eurimages Co-Production Development Award 2020.
- Godo FilmscoreDutch animation studio co-producer of Fleak feature film. Fleak premiered at Annecy 2025.
- POB ProductionssecondaryProduction company behind Icebreaker Snow book series. Anima produced trailer for upcoming Icebreaker Snow Adventures 3D animated TV series.
- Gutsy AnimationsflagshipGutsy Animations is the main production company behind Moominvalley, based on Tove Jansson's beloved Moomin stories. Anima was chosen after a 10-way pitch process as the animation studio for Moominvalley Seasons 1-4. Anima is responsible for everything from layout and animation to light and comp, and also developed the 3D look of the Moomins.
- Small Giant GamessecondaryFinnish mobile game developer. Anima provided animation services for Empires & Puzzles game advertisements.
- Rovio EntertainmentcoreFinnish gaming company behind Angry Birds. Anima pioneered transitioning Angry Birds from 2D to 3D for Angry Birds Stella series.
- CinemakercoreFinnish production company and long-standing co-production partner for the Niko franchise. Co-produced Niko & The Way to the Stars, Niko 2, and Niko - Beyond the Northern Lights.
- Magma FilmscoreIrish animation studio that co-produced Niko & The Way to the Stars (2008).
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Anima Vitae competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TeamTO: French animation studio combining own-IP franchise development (Totally Spies, Titeuf) with co-production services for international partners. Closely mirrors Anima's hybrid service/co-production model in European family/kids animation.
- Studio Liddell: Animation production studio focused on children's and family animation including series and features (e.g., Lu & the Bally Bunch). Comparable as a mid-sized studio producing premium children's content through service and co-production models.
- Mondo TV: Italy-based animation production and distribution group with substantial children's content portfolio. Comparable as a European-focused animation IP owner producing co-productions for international broadcasters, similar to Anima's own-IP distribution strategy.
- Folimage: Independent French animation studio producing feature films and TV series (Mia and the Migoo, The Little Prince). Matches Anima in producing festival-circuit features and co-produced series for international release.
- Sun Creature Studio: Copenhagen-based studio producing 3D animated TV series and co-productions of comparable scale to Anima Vitae. Operates a similar service-and-IP model serving international broadcasters and publishers.
- Jam Filled Entertainment: Ottawa-based animation service studio providing outsourced 2D/3D animation for studios and brands (including gaming). Closely comparable to Anima's service work arm with similar scale and high-volume episodic production capability.
Broad incumbents
- DNEG: Global visual effects and animation services company serving film, episodic, and gaming clients (e.g., The Lego Movie 2, Ron's Gone Wrong). Overlaps with Anima in CG animation services for entertainment IP, at meaningfully larger scale.
- Bardel Entertainment: Vancouver-based animation production studio providing 2D/3D animation services for feature, series, and game clients (Rick and Morty, Teen Titans Go!). Comparable to Anima in service-studio delivery model but materially larger in headcount and scope.
- Framestore: Global VFX and animation studio producing feature film, episodic, and immersive content. Comparable as an animation capabilities provider serving major entertainment and gaming clients, albeit with a much larger footprint and broader portfolio than Anima.
- Mikros Animation: Major animation services provider with global presence producing and delivering theatrical features (The SpongeBob Movie, PAW Patrol). Comparable to Anima as a premium 3D animation services provider but operating at substantially larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Anima Vitae social profiles
Digital presenceAnima Vitae financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Anima Vitae leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Anima Vitae subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Anima Vitae funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Anima Vitae M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Anima Vitae
What does Anima Vitae do?
Anima Vitae provides high-end 3D character animation production services for international broadcasters, entertainment IP holders, and game developers, covering the full pipeline from layout and animation through lighting and compositing. The studio also co-produces and holds equity in original animated properties, including feature films and TV series sold globally. Production capacity is distributed across seamlessly connected sites in Helsinki, Finland and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Is Anima Vitae a public or private company?
Anima Vitae is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Anima Vitae founded?
Anima Vitae was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Anima Vitae based?
Anima Vitae is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, in the Europe region.
How does Anima Vitae make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Animation Services are the primary driver. The others are co-productions and Own IPs and service work for games industry.
Who are Anima Vitae's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TeamTO, Studio Liddell, Mondo TV, Folimage, Sun Creature Studio and Jam Filled Entertainment. Broad incumbents are DNEG, Bardel Entertainment, Framestore and Mikros Animation.
Does Anima Vitae have an API?
No public API is recorded for Anima Vitae.
What industry is Anima Vitae in?
Anima Vitae's product category is 3D Animation Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAHACAA, 2D Character Animation, with a secondary code of MPADACAG, Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming). Its NAICS code is 51211 and its SIC code is 7812.