Shin-Ei Animation

What Shin-Ei Animation does

Shin-Ei Animation Co., Ltd. (シンエイ動画株式会社) is a privately held Japanese animation studio founded on September 9, 1976, headquartered in Nishi-Tokyo City, Tokyo, with an additional production studio in Kobe. The company produces television anime series, theatrical films, and streaming content, anchored by two flagship franchises — Doraemon (annual theatrical film series since 1979/1980; 45+ films) and Crayon Shin-chan (weekly TV series since 1992, broadcast in 30+ countries). Its library spans more than 200 works over 50 years and includes both family-oriented comedy and prestige, critically recognized films such as 'Totto-chan' (Annecy 2024 Paul Grimault Award) and 'Peleliu' (49th Japan Academy Prize Outstanding Animation, 2026).

The studio generates revenue through six principal streams: television broadcast licensing (primarily via TV Asahi), theatrical film distribution (through Toho and Toei), streaming and VOD rights (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ABEMA, and other platforms), physical media (DVD/Blu-ray deluxe editions, e.g., 6,600 JPY Totto-chan set), merchandise and IP licensing (including the 2026 Lotte Pi-nomi collaboration), and direct-to-consumer sales via the official Shinei Shop. Distribution leverages long-standing contractual relationships with TV Asahi (Saturday prime slots for both flagship series), Fujiko Pro (Doraemon IP holder), Shogakukan, and global streaming partners, alongside nine official YouTube channels. Underlying production technology combines 2D animation with CGI integration, executed through a complete in-house pipeline covering planning, storyboarding, animation, coloring, compositing, and post-production.

Operationally, Shin-Ei Animation serves multiple customer segments — general family/children audiences, anime enthusiasts (Otaku culture), and B2B brand partners/licensees — across Japan and international markets (Korea, India, Spain, Taiwan, and others). The company is in an active growth phase entering its 50th anniversary in 2026, with multiple new TV series and theatrical films in the pipeline, the first globally exclusive Netflix streaming partnership, and an international co-production with Korea's Daewon Media.

Name

Shin-Ei Animation

Legal name

シンエイ動画株式会社 (Shin-Ei Animation Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://shin-ei-animation.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Shin-Ei Animation is a privately held Japanese animation studio (founded 1976) producing Doraemon theatrical films, Crayon Shin-chan, and 200+ works, distributing via TV Asahi broadcast, theatrical, streaming (Netflix, Amazon), and merchandise to family audiences globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Anime Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming) (MPADACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Animated Feature Film Production (MPADACAH)

Keywords

• Anime production
• Theatrical animation films
• Television anime series
• Animation studio
• Content licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Television broadcast licensing: Shin-Ei Animation's TV anime series (Crayon Shin-chan, Doraemon, and others) are broadcast on major Japanese TV networks including TV Asahi, with licensing fees from broadcasters constituting a primary revenue stream. These long-running series generate consistent broadcast income.
2. Theatrical film releases: Annual theatrical releases of Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan films distributed via major Japanese distributors generate box office revenue, with recent films achieving box office revenues exceeding 40 billion yen (Doraemon 2026海底鬼岩城).
3. Streaming / VOD rights: Content licensing deals with streaming platforms including Netflix (exclusive global for Milky Subway movie), Amazon Prime Video, ABEMA, and others for both catalog and original series content.
4. Physical media (DVD/Blu-ray): Sale of DVD and Blu-ray products for films and TV series, including premium collector's editions with bonus content, merchandise bundled with physical releases.
5. Merchandise and IP licensing: Licensing of core IP (Crayon Shin-chan, Doraemon, and others) for merchandise including toys, apparel, food products, collaborations, and promotional items, generating ongoing royalty income.
6. Official online store (Shinei Shop): Direct-to-consumer sales of official Shin-Ei Animation merchandise through the company's own e-commerce platform shinei-shop.com, selling DVDs, Blu-rays, books, and official goods.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Shin-Ei Animation is a Japanese animation studio founded in 1976 that produces theatrical films, television anime series, and streaming content. The studio is best known for the long-running Doraemon theatrical film franchise (annual releases since 1979) and the Crayon Shin-chan TV series and theatrical films (since 1992), and has produced over 200 animated works. The company also licenses its intellectual property for merchandise, international broadcast, and brand collaborations, and operates the SHINEI SHOP direct-to-consumer online store.

Product overview

Shin-Ei Animation is a traditional animation studio producing theatrical films, television anime series, and streaming content. The company's core products include the long-running Doraemon theatrical franchise (annual releases since 1979) and Crayon Shin-chan TV series and films (since 1992). Their portfolio spans over 200 animated works including major theatrical franchises, TV anime adaptations of popular manga, original series, and streaming-exclusive content distributed globally through platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. The company operates the SHINEI SHOP online merchandise store and maintains multiple official YouTube channels for content distribution and fan engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shin-Ei Animation: The primary animation production brand of Shin-Ei Animation Co., Ltd.

Products and services

• Doraemon Theatrical Films Annual theatrical anime film franchise based on Fujiko F. Fujio's Doraemon manga; 44 films produced from 1980 to 2025, with the 45th and ongoing annual releases continuing. Targeted at family audiences in Japan and internationally.
• Crayon Shin-chan Long-running TV anime series and theatrical film franchise based on Yoshito Usui's manga; weekly TV Asahi broadcast plus annual theatrical releases; broadcast in over 30 countries. Targeted at family audiences and children.
• PUI PUI Molcar Stop-motion style original anime series featuring guinea pig car characters; original concept by Asaki Mison; won Social Impact Award at the 25th Japan Media Arts Festival. Targeted at children and family audiences.
• Totto-chan Theatrical Film Theatrical anime film adapting the memoir of Tetsuko Kurobe about her childhood at Tomoe Gakuen school; directed by Junichi Sato; won the Paul Grimault Award (Special Prize) at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2024.
• Anzu-chan Theatrical Film Theatrical anime film based on Imashiro Tashi's manga featuring a ghost cat; international co-production with France's Miyu Productions; won the Paul Grimault Award at Annecy 2024. Blu-ray and DVD released February 2025.
• Peleliu Theatrical Film

Quantifiable outcome

• Doraemon film series box office exceeds 40 billion yen for 2026 release within 52 days
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration16 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lotte (ロッテ) — Pi-nomi (パイの実)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Shin-Ei Animation partnered with Lotte for the 'パイの実おしの森プロジェクト' — a new brand project for Lotte's long-selling Pi-nomi snack brand (launched 1979). Shin-Ei Animation provides animation production for the new project featuring original characters in a story themed around modern 'oshi' (fan) culture. This is the first-ever anime adaptation for the Pi-nomi brand.
• Resprey (レスプリ)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2026Resprey, known for '雨と君と' and 'コウペンちゃん', co-produced the anime trailer for 'モンスターハンターストーリーズ3 ～運命の双竜～' with Shin-Ei Animation. The partnership combines Resprey's animation expertise with Shin-Ei Animation's production infrastructure for this Capcom-licensed project.
• Daewon Media (大元メディア)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2024Daewon Media, a leading Korean cultural content company popular among MZ generation (20s-30s), partnered with Shin-Ei Animation for the co-production of 'MUZIK TIGER' animation series. The partnership aims for simultaneous broadcast in Korea and Japan, leveraging Daewon Media's popular character IP and Shin-Ei Animation's production expertise. The first season aired in April 2025, with a second season confirmed for October 2025.
• TV Asahi (テレビ朝日)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTV Asahi is the primary broadcast partner and co-producer for Shin-Ei Animation's most significant franchises including Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan. TV Asahi serves as co-producer for film projects and holds broadcast rights for TV series. The relationship spans decades across multiple franchise cycles.
• Fujiko Pro (藤子プロ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFujiko Pro holds the rights to Fujiko F. Fujio's works and is the core rights holder for the Doraemon franchise. Shin-Ei Animation has served as the animation production partner for Doraemon television and film content for decades, working with Fujiko Pro as the primary IP and creative partner.
• Miyu Productions (日仏合作)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiyu Productions, a Japan-France animation studio, co-produced '化け猫あんずちゃん' (released July 19, 2024) with Shin-Ei Animation. The film was screened at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2024, highlighting the international co-production dimension of this partnership.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• OLM (Oriental Light and Magic): OLM produces Pokémon and Berserk, with similar long-running franchise-driven revenue model and theatrical/TV production capabilities. Comparable Japanese animation studio at similar scale.
• Madhouse: Madhouse produces One Punch Man, Death Note, and Hunter x Hunter. Comparable Japanese animation studio with similar theatrical film and TV series production capabilities, and global streaming distribution.
• TMS Entertainment: TMS Entertainment (Tokyo Movie Shinsha) produces Detective Conan (Case Closed) and Lupin III, with a similar profile of long-running TV anime franchises, theatrical releases, and IP licensing. Comparable in scale and business model to Shin-Ei Animation.
• MAPPA: MAPPA produces Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan Final Season, and Chainsaw Man. A newer Japanese animation studio producing high-profile anime adaptations with theatrical films, comparable in production model though typically with more contemporary IP.
• Production I.G: Production I.G (now IG Port) is a major Japanese animation studio producing Ghost in the Shell, Psycho-Pass, and Haikyu!!. Comparable in producing both prestige content and long-running series, with similar theatrical and streaming distribution models.
• Toei Animation: Toei Animation is Japan's largest publicly listed animation studio, producing Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Sailor Moon. It is the most direct comparable peer, sharing the same business model of long-running TV anime series, annual theatrical releases, and global IP licensing. Toei also distributes Shin-Ei's Crayon Shin-chan theatrical films.
• Sunrise / Bandai Namco Filmworks: Sunrise (now Bandai Namco Filmworks) produces Gundam, Code Geass, and Love Live!. Comparable in scale, production capacity, and the combination of original IP with adaptations. Currently partners with Shin-Ei on the 'トリツカレ男' theatrical film.
• Bones: Bones produces My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Mob Psycho 100. Comparable Japanese animation studio producing major anime adaptations with theatrical releases and global streaming distribution.
• Pierrot (Studio Pierrot): Studio Pierrot produces Naruto, Bleach, and Yu Yu Hakusho — long-running shonen anime series with theatrical films. Operates with similar production pipeline and revenue streams (TV licensing, theatrical, merchandise) as Shin-Ei Animation.

Emerging players

• Science SARU: Science SARU is a smaller, critically acclaimed Japanese animation studio (directed by Masaaki Yuasa) that has co-produced content with Shin-Ei (SUPER SHIRO). Comparable in producing both family-friendly and auteur-driven animated content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shin_ei_ani
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/SHINEIANIMATIONOFFICIAL

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about Shin-Ei Animation