Khara
Khara is a Tokyo-based animation production studio founded by Hideaki Anno in 2006, best known for the Rebuild of Evangelion film series and co-productions like Gundam GQuuuuuuX. It serves entertainment industry partners through theatrical, broadcast, streaming, gaming, and merchandise channels while licensing its Evangelion IP globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Khara does
Khara (株式会社カラー, khara, inc.) is a Tokyo-based animation production studio founded on 2006-05-17 by Hideaki Anno, formerly co-founder of Gainax. The studio's flagship output is the Rebuild of Evangelion theatrical tetralogy (2007-2021), spanning four films culminating in Shin Evangelion Gekijō-ban. Khara operates a small, in-house creative model emphasizing tight creative control and refusal to outsource core production, producing films, OVA series (e.g., FLCL), and co-productions such as Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX with Sunrise. Underlying technology combines hybrid 2D/3D CGI, digital compositing, and traditional cel animation, with an award-recognized in-house digital department profiled in CGWORLD.
Khara generates revenue through four primary streams: animation production fees and box office returns via the Japanese production committee (製作委員会) model alongside partners including TOHO and NTV; intellectual property licensing for merchandise, brand collaborations, gaming (e.g., Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIV), and disaster-prep products (NERV-designated Disaster Preparedness Plan with Gehirn); publishing of official making-of books, art collections, and original content (e.g., Project Shin Evangelion, EVA-EXTRA, Khara Calendars); and event/exhibition income (Space Battleship Yamato 50th anniversary, Mahiro Maeda solo exhibitions, anniversary talks). Its primary customer base is enterprise-side: production committees, film distributors, TV networks, and global streaming platforms (Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Bandai Channel, TELASA, J:COM STREAM, milplus). Direct-to-consumer activity exists via the EVANGELION STORE and official social channels (X, YouTube, LINE).
Khara is privately held with no disclosed external institutional investors. It is led by President Hideaki Anno, with Kazuya Tsurumaki (Animation Director, recipient of the 2025 Arts Selection Award from Japan's Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and Mahiro Maeda (Animation Director) as senior creative leadership. The studio operates internationally across Asia, Americas (USA), and Europe (France), and is led from its single Tokyo headquarters.
Khara firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Khara
- Legal name
- 株式会社カラー (khara, inc.)
- Website
- https://khara.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Khara is a Tokyo-based animation production studio founded by Hideaki Anno in 2006, best known for the Rebuild of Evangelion film series and co-productions like Gundam GQuuuuuuX. It serves entertainment industry partners through theatrical, broadcast, streaming, gaming, and merchandise channels while licensing its Evangelion IP globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Khara industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Anime Production Studio
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Anime Production (MPADACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Live-Action Production Management & Line Producing (MPADABAH)
Keywords
Where Khara is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Khara business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Animation Production Services: Khara produces animated films and series as a production studio, typically as part of a production committee (制作委員会) model, generating revenue through production fees, box office returns, and distribution licensing to broadcasters and streaming platforms.
- Intellectual Property Licensing: Khara licenses its owned and co-owned IP (Evangelion, original works) for merchandise, collaborations, events, and brand partnerships. Revenue is generated through licensing fees and royalty arrangements with manufacturers and brand partners.
- Publishing and Merchandise Sales: Khara publishes books, art collections, and records (e.g., 'Full Record Collections' for Evangelion films, art books for staff members), and sells official merchandise through the EVANGELION STORE and other retail channels.
- Event and Live Experience Revenue: Khara organizes and participates in events, exhibitions, talk shows, and special screenings (e.g., Yamato All-Record Exhibition, Anno Hiromichi exhibitions), generating revenue through ticket sales and associated merchandise.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Khara product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Khara is a Tokyo-based animation production studio that produces theatrical animated films and television series as a primary contractor within Japan's production committee (製作委員会) model. The studio's flagship offering is the Rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy, with additional productions including FLCL and the co-produced Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX. Beyond production services, Khara monetizes its owned and co-owned IP (notably Evangelion) through merchandise licensing, brand collaborations, official publications, and disaster preparedness products under the NERV program.
Product overview
Khara (株式会社カラー) is a Tokyo-based animation studio founded in 2006 by Hideaki Anno. The studio operates as a single unified animation production company focused on theatrical films and original video animations. Its core products include the Rebuild of Evangelion film series (ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版), consisting of four theatrical films spanning from 序 through シン・エヴァンゲリオン劇場版, which serve as the studio's flagship franchise. Beyond Evangelion, Khara produces various animations including フリクリ (FLCL) and the Gundam collaboration 機動戦士Gundam GQuuuuuuX directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki. The studio also publishes official making-of books (全記録全集 series) documenting its productions, business methodology books like プロジェクト・シン・エヴァンゲリオン, and merchandise products including calendars and art books. Recent initiatives include the NERV-designated disaster preparedness program (特務機関NERV指定防災備蓄品計画) and Space Battleship Yamato commemorative projects.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Rebuild of Evangelion Film Series (ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版) Four-film theatrical animation series reimagining the original Neon Genesis Evangelion story, distributed theatrically in Japan and internationally through streaming platforms. Targeted at animation audiences globally via production committees and major distributors.
- Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (機動戦士Gundam GQuuuuuuX) Gundam anime series co-produced with Sunrise, featuring theatrical advance screenings and television broadcast on NTV. Directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki for anime audiences in Japan and international markets.
- FLCL Streaming Distribution (フリクリ) Re-release of the original FLCL OVA series for streaming on major international platforms, making the catalog available to new audiences.
- Project Shin Evangelion (プロジェクト・シン・エヴァンゲリオン) Official business book documenting the production process and project management methodology of Shin Evangelion, including interviews with creative staff and executives. Targeted at animation professionals and project managers.
- Evangelion Complete Records Collection Books (ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版 全記録全集) Official making-of books documenting the production of each Rebuild of Evangelion film, published for fans and animation industry professionals.
- NERV-Designated Disaster Preparedness Stockpile Plan (特務機関NERV指定防災備蓄品計画) Licensing program featuring Evangelion-themed disaster preparedness products developed jointly with Gehirn, recruiting manufacturers and brands to produce Evangelion-branded emergency supplies for consumer markets.
- Mahiro Maeda Art Book (前田真宏 雑画集)
Quantifiable outcome
- Evangelion: 3.0 + 1.0 Thrice Upon A Time was a major box office success in Japan and internationally.
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Khara
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Khara technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Khara partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- BAAHUBALI International Production ConsortiumminorKhara and director Mahiro Maeda will participate in the production of 'BAAHUBALI: THE ETERNAL WAR PART 1 (Original Title)', a feature-length animation sequel to the Indian Baahubali film series. Multiple studios from India, France, and the UK are collaborating, with Khara producing a portion of the animation sequences.
- 株式会社カラー (Khara) / 版权归Khara所有coreKhara co-developed the 24-player alliance raid 'Evangelion: Ghosts of Desire' with Square Enix for Final Fantasy XIV's Evercold expansion. Khara's animation studio owns the Evangelion IP and provided design and animation assets for the crossover raid content, developed in collaboration with Square Enix.
- ゲヒルン株式会社 (Gehirn)coreKhara and Gehirn jointly developed and operate the '特務機関NERV指定防災備蓄品計画' (NERV-designated Disaster Preparedness Stockpile Plan), licensing Evangelion IP imagery for disaster preparedness products and services. The partnership aims to expand collaborations with manufacturers and brands seeking Evangelion IP licensing for disaster-related merchandise.
- サンライズ (Sunrise)coreKhara co-produced 'Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX' (GQuuuuuuX) with Sunrise. Khara's director Kazuya Tsurumaki served as series director, and Khara staff participated in animation production. This is Khara's first major Gundam co-production.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Khara competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Production I.G: Established Japanese animation studio producing theatrical films and television anime (Ghost in the Shell, Attack on Titan). Comparable as a producer of premium animation content for global distribution.
- Sunrise (Bandai Namco Filmworks): Major Japanese animation studio and Khara's co-production partner on Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX. Direct peer as a producer of theatrical anime and television series anchored by globally valuable franchise IP (Gundam).
- Ufotable: Japanese animation studio renowned for theatrical anime (Demon Slayer film series) and distinctive digital production quality. Comparable in its focus on premium visual production and box-office-driven franchise output.
- MAPPA: Japanese animation studio producing high-profile anime series and theatrical films (Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man). Comparable as a contemporary Japanese animation studio competing for major franchise commissions.
- Studio Ghibli: Iconic Japanese animation studio producing theatrical films with founder-led creative identity and a globally recognized IP catalog. Highly comparable as a privately held, prestige-driven Japanese animation house.
- Toei Animation: One of Japan's largest and oldest animation studios, producing both theatrical films and long-running television anime (Dragon Ball, One Piece). Direct peer as a vertically integrated Japanese anime studio with major franchise IP.
- Wit Studio: Japanese animation studio with roots in Production I.G, producing theatrical anime and high-profile television series (Spy x Family, Ranking of Kings). Comparable as a mid-sized, prestige-focused Japanese animation studio.
- Gainax: Hideaki Anno's former studio, co-founded by Anno in 1984 and the original producer of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Direct predecessor and historical peer; Khara was explicitly founded to continue work Anno could not pursue at Gainax.
Broad incumbents
- Square Enix: Major Japanese game and entertainment company and Khara's collaboration partner on the FFXIV 'Evangelion: Ghosts of Desire' raid. Comparable as a strategic IP partner enabling Evangelion crossover monetization into gaming.
Emerging players
- Trigger: Japanese animation studio founded by former Gainax staff, producing theatrical and streaming anime (Promare, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners). Comparable as a studio with strong creative lineage and similar production aesthetic.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Khara social profiles
Digital presenceKhara financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Khara leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Khara funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Khara 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 Khara
What does Khara do?
Khara is a Tokyo-based animation production studio that produces theatrical animated films and television series as a primary contractor within Japan's production committee (製作委員会) model. The studio's flagship offering is the Rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy, with additional productions including FLCL and the co-produced Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX. Beyond production services, Khara monetizes its owned and co-owned IP (notably Evangelion) through merchandise licensing, brand collaborations, official publications, and disaster preparedness products under the NERV program.
Is Khara a public or private company?
Khara is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Khara founded?
Khara was founded in 2006. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Khara based?
Khara is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Khara make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Animation Production Services are the primary driver. The others are intellectual Property Licensing, publishing and Merchandise Sales and event and Live Experience Revenue.
Who are Khara's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Production I.G, Sunrise (Bandai Namco Filmworks), Ufotable, MAPPA, Studio Ghibli, Toei Animation, Wit Studio and Gainax. Square Enix is listed as a broad incumbent. Trigger is listed as an emerging player.
Does Khara have an API?
No public API is recorded for Khara.
What industry is Khara in?
Khara's product category is Anime Production Studio. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADACAF, Anime Production, with a secondary code of MPADABAH, Live-Action Production Management & Line Producing. Its NAICS code is 51211 and its SIC code is 7812.