What Maga Animation Studio does

Maga Animation Studio is an Italian animation production company founded in 1996 and headquartered in Monza, near Milan. The studio provides B2B animation services across video games, television/film, advertising, and music videos, employing a multi-technique pipeline that spans 2D digital animation, 3D CGI, hybrid 2D/CG workflows, and real-time engine output using Unreal Engine and Ubisoft's Snowdrop engine. Its core video game work includes character animation, cinematics, gameplay animation, VFX, lighting, and FX integration for AAA titles such as Ubisoft's Mario+Rabbids series, Rayman Legends Retold, Nacon's Terminator Survivors, and Soulstice for Reply Game Studios. The studio also co-produces animated series with broadcasters and IP holders, including Hello Kitty Superstyle (Sanrio/Watch Next Media/Monello) and Lupin's Tales (Xilam/France Télévisions/Rai/Youku), distributed internationally on platforms such as Amazon Kids+, Rai YoYo, Discovery Kids Latin America, and Tiny Pop UK.

Maga Animation Studio generates revenue primarily through fee-for-service animation production for video game publishers, broadcasters, and consumer brands (Tenderly, Rigoni di Asiago, TIM, Disney), supplemented by co-production fees, licensing shares from co-produced series, and original IP monetization. Its proprietary original IP includes the NORA ノラ virtual idol (described as Italy's first) and the GoGoPig animated series, both distributed through streaming and social channels. The studio's go-to-market is sales-led and reputation-driven, anchored by attendance at major industry events (Annecy/MIFA, Cartoons on the Bay, Kidscreen Summit, First Playable, FAB Festival, Tokyo Game Show) and award recognition, with project-based quotes negotiated per client scope. Maga explicitly differentiates itself through human-driven keyframe animation, refusing generative AI in core production, and positions the "Made in Italy" brand as a premium export product.

The company is privately held as Maga animation studio S.r.l. a socio unico under Italian law, with no disclosed external investors, parent company, or subsidiaries. Founder Max Carrier Ragazzi leads the studio as Chief Creative Officer alongside a compact management team including a CFO, CTO, and heads of studio production. With 51-100 employees and nearly three decades of operation, the company functions as a mid-sized, founder-led boutique competing for global IP work from a European base.

Name

Maga Animation Studio

Legal name

Maga animation studio S.r.l. a socio unico

Website

https://maga-animation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Maga Animation Studio is an Italian animation production company (founded 1996, Monza) providing 2D/3D/CGI animation services and co-productions for video game publishers (Ubisoft, Nacon), broadcasters (Rai, Amazon Kids+), licensors (Sanrio), and brands. It also develops original IP including the NORA virtual idol.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animation Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming) (MPADACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animation Production (2D/3D/Stop-Motion) (MPAAAMAD), Animation Services for VFX (Creature/Character, Crowd, Simulation Support) (MPADAHAF)

Keywords

• Animation production services
• Game cinematics
• CG animation studio
• Animated series production
• Commercial animation

Headquarters

HQ city

Monza

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Animation Production Services: The studio's primary revenue stream is fee-for-service animation production for video games (cinematics, trailers, gameplay animation), TV/film series, and commercials. Clients include Ubisoft, Nacon, DESTINYbit, Day 4 Night Studios, Reply Game Studios, and Rai.
2. Co-Production and IP Licensing: Revenue from co-produced animated series where Maga is a production partner (Hello Kitty Superstyle with Watch Next Media/Monello/Sanrio; Lupin's Tales with Xilam/Rai/Youku). Revenue derived from production fees, licensing shares, and distribution involvement.
3. NORA Virtual Idol / Original IP: Original IP development including NORA virtual idol digital pop star, GoGoPig animated series. Revenue from music royalties (NORA music releases), streaming distribution, licensing, and award recognition-driven visibility.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Maga Animation Studio is an Italian animation production company that delivers end-to-end animation services—including CG cinematics, gameplay animation, character animation, VFX, lighting, and compositing—for video game publishers (Ubisoft, Nacon), broadcasters and entertainment brands (Rai, Sanrio/Hello Kitty), and consumer product advertisers. The studio also co-produces animated TV series (Hello Kitty Superstyle, Lupin's Tales) and develops original IP such as the NORA ノラ virtual idol, distributing across streaming platforms and international broadcasters.

Product overview

Maga Animation Studio is a European animation production company established in 1996, offering animation services across video games, TV/film, advertising, and music videos. The studio provides a comprehensive suite of services including CG production, 2D animation, character animation, VFX, gameplay and cinematic animation, and real-time engine output. Notable client projects include Ubisoft's Mario+Rabbids series, while original IP includes the virtual idol NORA ノラ and animated series The GoGoPig. The studio also co-produces series such as Hello Kitty Super Style! (with Sanrio/Watch Next Media/Monello), Lupin's Tales (with Xilam Animation), and provides animation services for Discovery Kids, Disney, National Geographic, and various advertising campaigns. Services span 2D, 3D, and CGI techniques with full production pipelines from pre-viz to final output.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NORA ノラ: Italy's first virtual idol, created and produced by Maga Animation Studio. A CG animated music video project combining music, animation, and digital experimentation with a human-centered creative approach. Debut single 'Beat of a Romance / Cha Cha Cha' mashup released 2022-2025.

Products and services

• Video Game Cinematics & Animation Services Outsourced animation production for video game publishers and developers, including character animation, cinematics, gameplay animation, lighting, VFX, modeling, and engine integration. Used by Ubisoft, Nacon, DESTINYbit, Reply Game Studios, Jyamma Games, and Day 4 Night Studios on titles such as Mario+Rabbids Kingdom Battle, Mario+Rabbids Sparks of Hope, Rayman Legends Retold, Soulstice, Terminator Survivors, and Bradley the Badger.
• TV/Film Animation Production Services End-to-end animation production for TV/film clients including series co-productions and feature work in 2D, 3D, CGI, and hybrid techniques. Used by Rai, Discovery Kids, Sanrio, Watch Next Media, CBM Italia Onlus, and other international broadcasters and licensors.
• Advertising & Commercial Animation Services CG and 2D animated commercial production for brand campaigns, including character animation, product visualization, and inclusive storytelling. Clients include Lucart/Tenderly, Rigoni di Asiago (Nocciolata), TIM/Disney, Rinascente, Nestl\u00e9/Kit Kat, and Esselunga.
• NORA ノラ (Virtual Idol / Original IP) Italy's first virtual idol created and produced by Maga Animation Studio, developed as a real music act with her own identity, voice, and CG-animated visual world. Debut release 'Beat of a Romance / Cha Cha Cha' mashup distributed as a music video and music single under co-publishing with Many Edizioni Musicali and RNC Music.
• Hello Kitty Super Style! (Co-produced CG Animated Series) CG animated television series (52x11') co-produced with Watch Next Media and Monello Productions for Sanrio/Hello Kitty, featuring Hello Kitty as a small-town hero in Cherry Town. Distributed on Amazon Kids+, Rai YoYo, Tiny Pop UK, and Discovery Kids Latin America via Kids First Distribution.
• Lupin's Tales (Co-produced 2D/CG Hybrid Animated Series) 2D/CG hybrid animated pre-school series (78x7') co-produced with Xilam Animation, France Télévisions, Rai Ragazzi, and Youku (Alibaba Cultural Media), featuring Lupin the wolf cub reimagining classic fairy tales. Broadcast on Rai YoYo (Italy), France Télévisions, and Youku (China).
• The GoGoPig! (Original Animated Series) Original animated series produced by Maga Animation Studio featuring GoGoPig and Mr. Cat, covering themes including winter sports, soccer (GoGoPig Soccer Session), and Olympic-style subjects. Episodes available in Italian, English, and Spanish via YouTube.
• Mario+Rabbids Sparks of Hope (AAA Game Animation Production) Animation production service delivered to Ubisoft for the AAA crossover game Mario+Rabbids Sparks of Hope, including character animation for cinematics, gameplay animation, lighting, modeling, and FX integrated via Ubisoft's Snowdrop engine. The end game product won Game Awards 2022 Best SIM/Strategy and DICE Awards 2023 Family Game of the Year.
• Ricky Zoom (Animated Series \u2013 Animation Services) Animation services for the CG animated series Ricky Zoom (104x11') produced for Discovery Kids and Entertainment One; reached 200M views in China on Youku within the first month of release.
• Mr. Men Little Miss Mini Adventures (Animated Series Services) 2D animated series produced for Sanrio Europe based on Roger and Adam Hargreaves' iconic Mr. Men and Little Miss characters with contemporary fast-paced storytelling, distributed via TIMvision.
• Extreme Football Tricks (3D CGI Animated Series) 3D CGI animated series (26 episodes) featuring freestyle soccer tricks, co-produced with Rai Ragazzi. Each episode showcases different players performing spectacular playing techniques.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mario+Rabbids Sparks of Hope won Game Awards 2022 Best SIM/Strategy and DICE Awards 2023 Family Game of the Year; nominated for BAFTA Best Family Game
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ITA - Italian Trade Agency ParisminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026At MIFA Annecy 2026, the Italian Trade Agency organized the Italian Pavilion showcasing 34 Italian animation companies, including Maga Animation Studio, as part of a collective effort to promote the Italian animation industry internationally.
• Tiny Pop UKminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026UK television channel broadcasting Hello Kitty Superstyle, premiering the series 6 months after Amazon Kids+ debut. Tiny Pop is part of the UK children's entertainment distribution network.
• DESTINYbitminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Development studio for Nitro Gen Omega sandbox tactical RPG. Maga Animation Studio provided mech 3D modeling and secondary character animations, with DESTINYbit publishing alongside Amplifier Studios, 2P Games, and Beep Japan.
• Day 4 Night StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Independent game developer of Bradley the Badger action-adventure game. Maga Animation Studio handled CG animation production for the reveal trailer presented at The Game Awards 2025, including character animation, layout, modeling, VFX, and cinematic/game animations.
• Nacon Studio MilancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Development studio for Terminator Survivors game. Maga Animation Studio worked on the reveal trailer with Nacon Paris and Nacon Studio Milan at Nacon Connect 2024, handling concept, storyboard, character animation, look dev, lighting, VFX using Unreal Engine, and original soundtrack production.
• Discovery Kids Latin AmericaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Broadcasting partner for Hello Kitty Superstyle in Latin America, expanding the series' reach to South American markets following its premiere on Amazon Kids+.
• Kids First DistributioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022International distribution partner for Hello Kitty Superstyle, handling broadcast deals across Europe, East Africa, and North America.
• Reply Game StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Developer of Soulstice game (MODUS Games). Maga Animation Studio produced all game cinematics, trailers, and VFX for the game (80+ minutes of cinematics), using Unreal Engine. Soulstice featured on Unreal Engine's 'Awesome powered Games of 2022' reel.
• Italian Trade Agency (ITA) ParisminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022ITA Paris organized the Italian Pavilion at MIFA Annecy 2026 featuring 34 Italian animation companies, including Maga Animation Studio, as a collective showcase of the Italian animation industry's growth and international positioning.
• Sony Music Latin IberiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Music industry partner for Talent Explorers project and NORA virtual idol music production. Maga Animation Studio collaborated with Sony Music Latin Iberia on FC Barcelona-related animation projects.
• Wunderman Thompson ItalyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Creative agency partner for Rinascente 'Believe in Wonder' Christmas campaign film, produced and realized by Maga Animation Studio for the Italian luxury department store chain.
• ITA - Italian Trade Agency ParisminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022The Italian Trade Agency organized the Italian Pavilion at MIFA Annecy, enabling Maga Animation Studio and 33 other Italian animation companies to showcase collectively at the world's premier animation festival.
• Many Edizioni Musicali S.r.l.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Music publishing partner for NORA virtual idol's 'Beat of a Romance / Cha Cha Cha' single. Many Edizioni Musicali S.r.l. published the music under co-publishing agreement with Maga Animation Studio S.p.A., with RNC Music S.r.l. handling exclusive license.
• Jyamma GamesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Italian soulslike game developer. Maga Animation Studio produced the full CG animation for the Project Galileo announcement teaser trailer at Tokyo Game Show 2021, handling modeling, animation, lighting, VFX fluid simulation, rendering, and compositing.
• Watch Next MediacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Co-production partner for Hello Kitty Superstyle (52x11'), a CG animated series produced with Sanrio Inc., Amazon Studios, and Rai Kids. Watch Next Media leads the co-production alongside Monello Productions and Maga Animation Studio.
• Monello Productions (Banijay)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Co-production partner for Hello Kitty Superstyle (52x11') and Street Football animated series. Monello Productions (now part of Banijay Kids & Family) collaborates with Maga Animation Studio on multiple animated series productions.
• Sanrio Inc.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2020Licensor of Hello Kitty IP for the CG animated series Hello Kitty Superstyle. Maga Animation Studio is one of the production studios involved in creating the animated series based on the Sanrio property.
• Amazon Studios / Amazon Kids+coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Distributor and co-producer of Hello Kitty Superstyle series. Amazon Kids+ premiered the series in December 2022 across USA, Canada, UK, and Japan, with editorial involvement from Amazon's content team.
• Xilam AnimationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Lead production studio for Lupin's Tales (78x7'), a 2D/CG hybrid animated series co-produced with France Télévisions, Rai Ragazzi, and Youku (Alibaba Cultural Media). Xilam Animation leads the production while Maga Animation Studio serves as the Italian co-production partner.
• Youku (Alibaba Cultural Media Co. Ltd)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Co-producer and Chinese distribution partner for Lupin's Tales. Youku Kids (Alibaba's video platform) co-produced the series and features it as part of Youku Kids 2022 Main Highlights in China.
• France TélévisionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Broadcasting partner for Lupin's Tales animated series, participating in the co-production alongside Xilam Animation, Rai, and Maga Animation Studio.
• Rai / Rai RagazzicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Long-term Italian broadcasting partner. Rai YoYo broadcasts Hello Kitty Superstyle and Lupin's Tales in Italy. Rai Ragazzi is a co-producer of Lupin's Tales and Hello Kitty Superstyle. Also involved in GoGoPig series and Street Football distribution on Okoo platform.
• Ubisoft Milan StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Long-standing animation production partnership with Ubisoft Milan Studios (and Ubisoft Montpellier/Paris) spanning multiple AAA video game projects including Mario+Rabbids Kingdom Battle E3 trailer (2017), Mario+Rabbids Kingdom Battle Donkey Kong DLC (2018), Mario+Rabbids Sparks of Hope (2022), Mario+Rabbids Sparks of Hope DLC 2 (2023), and Rayman Legends Retold (2026). Maga provides character animation, game cinematics, gameplay animation, VFX, lighting, and FX integration using Ubisoft's Snowdrop proprietary engine.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DNEG: Global visual effects and animation services company with major feature and episodic work. Broader portfolio including VFX, feature animation (Entergalactic), and game services; not specialist at Maga's mid-size, but directly competes for premium animation briefs.
• Skydance Animation: Major feature and series animation studio (Luck, Spellbound, Pookoo). Provides scale-incumbent benchmark for Maga's longer-term ambitions in original IP and theatrical/streaming series, though operating at much larger production scale.
• Framestore: Major global VFX and animation studio with feature, episodic, and game-adjacent work. Overlaps with Maga in cinematic-quality animation and brand campaigns, but at a vastly larger scale and with broader service breadth.

Direct peers

• Tonic DNA: French animation studio specializing in 3D CGI animation for video games (including cinematic trailers and gameplay) and TV series. Direct comparable: European mid-sized studio, multi-technique pipeline, game/TV entertainment focus.
• Glow Animation: French studio producing CGI animation for video game cinematics and trailers (Ubisoft, Nacon) and animated series. Direct comparable: similar European mid-size game-cinematic work, overlapping client base, and 2D/3D hybrid capability.
• Mando: UK-based animation and VFX studio producing commercials, TV content, and game-related work. Comparable in B2B service model for advertising and entertainment, with a similar mid-size European studio profile and brand-driven client base.
• Xilam Animation: French animation studio (Oggy and the Cockroaches, Lupin's Tales). Maga is its Italian co-production partner on Lupin's Tales; directly comparable in European TV animation, 2D/3D hybrid pipeline, and broadcaster distribution model.
• Powerhouse Animation Studios: Austin, Texas-based animation studio producing work for AAA video games (League of Legends, Castlevania), TV series, and commercials. Closely comparable in service model — high-end 2D/3D animation for games and entertainment, multi-genre pipeline, premium positioning.
• House of Cool: Canadian animation services studio working on AAA game cinematics, feature animation (Spider-Verse), and pre-visualization. Direct comparable on game-cinematic and feature animation services, with similar engine-agnostic technical depth.
• Sun Creature Studio: Danish animation studio producing hybrid 2D/3D animated series (Kipo, Niko) and feature work. Comparable in pipeline flexibility, European mid-size, and focus on stylized character animation for international broadcasters and streaming platforms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@maga-animation
• Facebookfacebook.com/MagaAnimationStudio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maga-animation-studio
• Xx.com/MagaAnimation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 Maga Animation Studio