Tatsunoko Production

What Tatsunoko Production does

Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. (株式会社タツノコプロ) is a privately held Japanese animation studio (kabushiki kaisha) founded on 19 October 1962 by Tatsuo Yoshida, headquartered in Musashino, Tokyo, with 105 employees as of 1 June 2026. The studio's functional activity is end-to-end animation production: planning, character design, and production of TV series, theatrical films, and OVAs, plus a wholly owned music label (BAKKEN RECORD) and an in-house rights-management operation. Its competitive position is built on a 60+ year catalog of owned and co-produced anime franchises — Mach GoGoGo/Speed Racer (1967), Gatchaman (1972), Time Bokan/Yatterman (1975 onward), Tekkaman Blade, Casshan, Samurai Pizza Cats, Shurato, the Pripara/Pretty Rhythm and King of Prism franchises, Wake Up, Girls!, the Macross co-productions, and Karas — many of which have been re-launched in 21st-century revivals (Yatterman 2008, Casshern Sins 2008, MUTEKING The Dancing HERO 2021, Time Bokan 24 2016) and remain internationally localized.

The business model is multi-stream: (i) production services for broadcasters under contract; (ii) worldwide sales of broadcasting and licensing rights (Speed Racer, Battle of the Planets, etc.) — a stated company service line; (iii) character merchandising licensing to third-party manufacturers (U-Treasure 18K gold figures, Hasegawa and BellFine plastic kits, Futabasha fanbooks, chocolate sunday apparel, prize/capsule-toy makers); (iv) commissioned original character design for municipalities and corporations (e.g., Kokubunji City mascot "Bunji Hotaru Hotchi"); and (v) direct-to-consumer revenue through the official Tatsunoko Mall, Amazon Japan storefront, and BAKKEN RECORD music label. Distribution is multi-channel: linear-TV syndication across 10+ Japanese broadcasters (Animax, Kids Station, Nippon TV AnichU, Yomiuri TV Tuesday Anime, BS Nittere, TOKYO MX, BS12, TV Kanagawa), the YouTube Tatsunoko CHANNEL for global fan reach, and the official bilingual website. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quote-based across all B2B lines. Leadership is headed by President & CEO Sogo Atsushi with Chairman Kuwabara Yuzo and a board of twelve directors plus one statutory auditor.

Name

Tatsunoko Production

Legal name

Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. (株式会社タツノコプロ)

Website

https://tatsunoko.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tatsunoko Production is a 62-year-old Japanese animation studio that produces TV and theatrical anime, licenses a deep catalog of legacy character IP (Speed Racer, Gatchaman, Yatterman, Tekkaman, Pripara) to Japanese broadcasters and global merchandisers, and sells direct to fans via the official Tatsunoko Mall, BAKKEN RECORD label, and YouTube.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animation Production Services

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (3343)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming) (MPADACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Anime & Niche Genre Streaming Platforms (Horror/Faith/Indie/etc.) (MPACAAAH)

Keywords

• Anime production services
• Character IP licensing
• Animation broadcasting rights
• Anime merchandise licensing
• Character design services

Headquarters

HQ city

Musashino

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Animation Production Services: Production of TV and theatrical animation programs — listed as a core service on the English company profile. Revenue is generated via production contracts with broadcasters and other commissioning clients.
2. Worldwide Sales of Broadcasting and Licensing Rights: International licensing of broadcasting rights and character IP to overseas media partners; explicitly listed as a company service line. Recurring royalty-type revenue against a deep catalog of legacy titles (Speed Racer, Gatchaman, Yatterman, Tekkaman, Casshan, etc.).
3. Character Merchandising Licensing: Licensing of character IP for merchandise (apparel, gold/plastic figures, resin kits, fan books, capsule toys, prize goods, keychains) to third-party manufacturers and publishers. Driven by a continuous news cadence of new licensed product launches.
4. Character Design & Corporate/Municipal Mascot Work: Original character design and planning services for Tatsunoko's own works and for external clients such as municipalities and corporations (e.g., Kokubunji City mascot 'Bunji Hotaru Hotchi'). Income from commissioned character design.
5. Direct Merchandise & Music Sales: Direct-to-consumer revenue via the official Tatsunoko Mall (tatsunoko-mall.com) and the studio's BAKKEN RECORD music label (bakken-record.jp), supplemented by an official Amazon Japan storefront.

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tatsunoko Production is a Japanese animation studio that produces television series, theatrical films, and OVAs, and monetizes a deep multi-generational library of original character IP (Speed Racer, Gatchaman, Yatterman/Time Bokan, Tekkaman, Casshan, etc.) through worldwide licensing of broadcasting and merchandising rights, plus direct fan sales via its own e-commerce mall, YouTube channel, and music label. The company also performs commissioned original character design for municipalities and corporations (e.g., Kokubunji City mascot 'Bunji Hotaru Hotchi').

Product overview

Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. (株式会社タツノコプロ) is one of Japan's oldest animation studios, founded on 19 October 1962, offering a single unified business of animation production and character IP exploitation rather than a modular product platform. The core offering is end-to-end animation production for TV and theatrical release, complemented by worldwide sales of broadcasting and licensing rights, character design and IP management, merchandise sales via the Tatsunoko Pro Official Mall, and music publishing under the BAKKEN RECORD label. Its portfolio of owned and co-produced animated properties includes flagship IPs such as Gatchaman (Science Ninja Team Gatchaman), the Time Bokan Series / Yatterman franchise, Mach Go Go Go (Speed Racer), Tekkaman Blade, Casshan / Casshern Sins, Samurai Pizza Cats, Shurato, Gold Lightan, Karas, the Pripara / Pretty Rhythm and King of Prism franchises, Wake Up, Girls!, Nurse Witch Komugi, the Macross co-productions, and the classic Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee series, with new titles like 'A Gatherer's Adventure in Isekai' (2025) and 'Tadaima, Ojamasaremasu!' (2026) entering production. The company also maintains the SUZUKA MUSEUM digital gallery showcasing character designer Yoshida Suzuka's work and an official YouTube Tatsunoko CHANNEL for distributing its library.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BAKKEN RECORD: Tatsunoko-affiliated music/record label with its own website (bakken-record.jp), promoted from the main Tatsunoko navigation and Works pages.
• Tatsunoko CHANNEL
• Tatsunoko Pro Official Mall (タツノコプロ OFFICIAL MALL)
• SUZUKA MUSEUM (～吉田すずかの世界～ SUZUKA MUSEUM)

Products and services

• Animation Production (TV & Theatrical) Production of television and theatrical animation programs; Tatsunoko's primary business, producing original anime works and co-productions since 1962.
• Worldwide Sales of Broadcasting and Licensing Rights International licensing of broadcasting rights and character IP to overseas media partners; explicitly listed as a company service line on the English Company page.
• Character Design & IP Management Planning, design, and creation of original characters plus rights management of works and characters across Tatsunoko's owned IP portfolio; also commissions from external clients such as municipalities and corporations.
• Tatsunoko Pro Official Mall Official e-commerce storefront for licensed Tatsunoko character merchandise and goods, operated by the studio.
• BAKKEN RECORD Tatsunoko's music label imprint, releasing anime soundtrack and character music content.
• SUZUKA MUSEUM Official online gallery on the Tatsunoko website showcasing illustrations and character designs by character designer Yoshida Suzuka (daughter of founder Tatsuo Yoshida).
• Tatsunoko CHANNEL (YouTube) Official YouTube channel of Tatsunoko Production, distributing anime clips, promotional videos, and library content.
• Mach Go Go Go (Speed Racer) Classic Tatsunoko racing anime franchise created in 1967, internationally localized as 'Speed Racer'; one of the studio's pioneering and most enduring properties.
• Gatchaman (Science Ninja Team Gatchaman) Flagship Tatsunoko IP created in 1972; localized internationally as 'Battle of the Planets' (1978), with multiple series and media including Gatchaman II (1978), Gatchaman F (1979), Gatchaman Crowds (2013) and Crowds Insight (2015), plus Infini-T Force (2017).
• Time Bokan Series / Yatterman Long-running Tatsunoko anime franchise launched in 1975 with 'Time Bokan', including 'Yatterman' (1977), 'Zenderman' (1979), 'Rescueman' (1980), 'Ippatsuman' (1982), 'Itadakiman' (1983), 'Yatterman Night' (2015), 'Time Bokan 24' (2016), 'Time Bokan: Villain's Strike Back' (2017), and the 2008 'Yatterman' remake.
• Casshan / Casshern Sins 'Shinzo Ningen Casshan' (1973) original Tatsunoko mecha anime, plus OVA (1993) and 'Casshern Sins' (2008-2009) reboot.
• Tekkaman Blade SF mecha action anime (1992) inspired by 1975's 'Tekkaman: The Space Knight' with completely new settings, followed by 'Tekkaman Blade II' (1994).
• Samurai Pizza Cats (Kyatto Ninden Teyandee) Comedy action anime (1990) widely syndicated in the US in the mid-1990s, known in Japan as 'Kyatto Ninden Teyandee'.
• Shurato Battle action anime (1989) using ancient Indian mythology as motif, followed by OVA 'Shurato: Sosei e no Anto' (1991-1992).
• Gold Lightan - The Golden Warrior Mecha action anime originally aired in 1981 about a golden lighter that transforms into a giant robot.
• Karas Six-episode OVA series released from 2005 to 2007, a dark fantasy action anime about a karas (raven) yoroshi spirit guardian.
• Pripara / Pretty Rhythm franchise Long-running Pretty Rhythm anime franchise starting with Pretty Rhythm Aurora Dream (2011), spanning Pretty Rhythm Dear My Future (2012), Pretty Rhythm Rainbow Live (2013), Pripara (2014-2017), Idol Time Pripara (2017), Kiratto Pri-Chan (2018), IdolLand Pripara (2021), and Waccha Primagi! (2021-2022), plus multiple theatrical films.
• King of Prism Spin-off film/theatrical franchise from Pretty Rhythm starting with 'KING OF PRISM by Pretty Rhythm' (2016), including 'Pride the Hero' (2017), 'Shiny Seven Stars' (2019), 'Dramatic PRISM.1' (2025), and 'Your Endless Call - Everyone Sparkle! Prism Tours' (2025).
• Wake Up, Girls! Idol anime franchise starting with the 2014 theatrical film 'Seven Idols' and TV series (2014), continuing with 'Shadow of Youth' (2015), 'Beyond the Bottom' (2015), 'Wake Up, Girl ZOO!' (2015), and 'Wake Up, Girls! New Chapter' (2017-2018).
• Macross co-productions Tatsunoko co-produced mecha anime series: 'Super Dimension Fortress Macross' (1982), 'Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross' (1984), 'Genesis Climber MOSPEADA' (1983), and 'Macross: Do You Remember Love?' theatrical film (1984).
• 'Tadaima, Ojamasaremasu!' TV Anime New Tatsunoko Production TV anime series, began broadcasting 7 April 2026 in the Nippon TV AnichU slot (weekly Tuesday late-night 25:29) and Yomiuri TV Tuesday anime slot, with BS NTV from 8 April 2026.
• A Gatherer's Adventure in Isekai Tatsunoko Production TV anime co-production 'A Gatherer's Adventure in Isekai' (素材採取家の異世界旅行記), which aired from October 2025.

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Natsume-sanchi (なつめさんち)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2026Natsume-sanchi is a popular Japanese drawing YouTuber. In June 2026, Tatsunoko announced it would participate in the planning and producing of a new short anime featuring Natsume-sanchi's original characters, provisionally titled 'Doko ni demo Iru noni, Doko ni mo Inai Aitsu-ra' (どこにでもいるのに、どこにもいないアイツら). Marks a creator-economy co-development tie-up with a major Japanese YouTube IP holder.
• chocolate sundayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerApparel brand running a 'Tatsunoko Production Special Feature' (announced 2026-06-22) with T-shirts designed from Tatsunoko works including Science Ninja Team Gatchaman and the Yatterman Time Bokan series.
• U-Treasure (ユートレジャー)minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerJewelry manufacturer producing limited-edition 18K gold mini-figures under Tatsunoko license: Time Bokan 'Time Mecha Buton' (announced 2026-06-16) and Casshern (announced 2026-06-09) — each limited to 100 pieces with serial-numbered certificates.
• Hasegawa (ハセガワ)minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerShizuoka-based plastic model manufacturer producing a 1/12 scale resin kit of 'Marjo' (マージョ) from the Time Bokan series (announced 2026-06-02), with prototype by Aren Ken and release scheduled for September 2, 2026.
• BellFine (ベルファイン)minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerHobby manufacturer producing 1/12 scale plastic models of 'Yattarou' (ヤッ太郎) and 'Toritsukkun' (トリツックン) from 'Samurai Pizza Cats' (キャッ党忍伝てやんでえ), with reservations from May 1, 2026 (news announced 2026-06-01).
• Futabasha (双葉社)minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerPublisher of the 'Yatterman Time Bokan Series Fanbook' released June 16, 2026 — a mook covering Yatterman, Doronbo, Yatter Mecha, Doronbo Mecha, Zolo Mecha, and related characters.
• Amazon JapanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTatsunoko-branded storefront on Amazon Japan (amazon.co.jp/stores/...) used to sell licensed character merchandise to Japanese consumers.
• Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2026 (TAAF2026 / 東京アニメアワードフェスティバル2026)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTatsunoko is featured as a participating partner on the Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2026 (animefestival.jp/ja/), as indicated by the festival banner linked from the Tatsunoko homepage footer.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Studio Ghibli: Studio Ghibli is a globally renowned Japanese animation studio focused on theatrical films (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro). Comparable to Tatsunoko as a peer legacy Japanese animation house with internationally recognized IP, though Ghibli's theatrical-focused model contrasts with Tatsunoko's broader TV/merchandising mix.

Emerging players

• MAPPA: MAPPA is a relatively newer Japanese animation studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan (Final Season), and Chainsaw Man. Comparable to Tatsunoko as a Japanese anime production company, but representing the streaming-era high-growth model that contrasts with Tatsunoko's heritage/IP-licensing model.
• Khara (Studio Khara): Khara is the Japanese animation studio behind the Evangelion rebuild films, founded by Hideaki Anno. Comparable to Tatsunoko as a Japanese animation production entity with a mix of original IP and theatrical output, though smaller and more focused on a single creator-led franchise.

Direct peers

• Studio Pierrot: Studio Pierrot is a Japanese animation studio known for Naruto, Bleach, and Yu Yu Hakusho. Comparable to Tatsunoko as a peer Japanese anime production company with long-running TV series, theatrical output, and merchandise licensing partnerships.
• Production I.G: Production I.G is a Japanese anime studio responsible for Ghost in the Shell, Psycho-Pass, and Haikyu!!. Comparable to Tatsunoko as an independent Japanese animation production house with a diversified TV, theatrical, and international licensing business.
• Toei Animation: Toei Animation is one of Japan's largest and oldest animation studios, producing TV anime (Dragon Ball, One Piece, Sailor Moon, Pretty Cure) and theatrical films. Directly comparable to Tatsunoko as a legacy Japanese anime production house with a multi-decade catalog and global licensing footprint.
• Madhouse: Madhouse is a Japanese animation studio behind Death Note, One Punch Man (S1), and Hunter x Hunter. Comparable to Tatsunoko as an independent Japanese animation studio with a catalog spanning decades and a mix of original and adaptation productions.
• TMS Entertainment: TMS Entertainment (Tokyo Movie Shinsha) is a long-standing Japanese animation studio known for Lupin III, Detective Conan/Case Closed, and Anpanman. Directly comparable to Tatsunoko as a peer legacy studio producing both original anime and TV adaptations with extensive character merchandise licensing.
• OLM (Oriental Light and Magic): OLM is a Japanese animation studio known for Pokémon, Berserk, and Inazuma Eleven. Comparable to Tatsunoko as a heritage Japanese anime studio producing both long-running franchise animation and original IP with extensive licensing.
• Sunrise / Bandai Namco Filmworks: Sunrise (now Bandai Namco Filmworks) is a major Japanese animation studio behind Gundam, Code Geass, and Love Live. Comparable to Tatsunoko as a heritage anime studio with deep franchise IP, model-kit merchandise ecosystems, and global licensing operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tatsunoko_pro
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UChrOH-No_-hkTmF025T6Nrg
• Instagraminstagram.com/yoshidasuzuka125

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tatsunoko Production