What Asahi Production does

Asahi Production (株式会社旭プロダクション) is a Japanese animation production studio founded in 1972 and headquartered in Nerima-ku, Tokyo, with a satellite Shiroishi Studio in Miyagi Prefecture. The studio operates as a B2B animation service provider serving anime production committees, publishers, broadcasters, and upstream studios in roles ranging from primary producer (元請け) to subcontractor (下請け). Core services span the full anime production pipeline: 2D digital drawing, 3DCG/CGI, animation photography (撮影), visual effects (特殊効果), color design, editing, and character design. The studio's distinguishing technical feature is an integrated CG and photography department handling both disciplines within a unified production workflow, enabling tighter VFX integration than studios that separate those functions. Documented portfolio includes Gundam, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, One Piece Film Gold, Sword Art Online Progressive, Tokyo Ghoul:re, and Granblue Fantasy, with One Piece Film Gold winning the 40th Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Animation (2017) and Tenchisouzo Design-bu winning Best Asian Animation at the Busan International Film Festival's Asia Contents Awards (2021).

The studio monetizes through four revenue streams: (1) contract-based animation production services (project-specific, pricing not publicly disclosed); (2) original IP development and licensing (e.g., co-original IP with DMM.com on 'Arus no Kemono'); (3) merchandise and event sales through official e-commerce and pop-up shops; and (4) hardware collaboration revenue from a co-branded TSUKUMO × AMD PC workstation lineup targeting animation production workflows (four models launched 2023-2026). Customer base includes Kodansha, Shueisha, Square Enix, Kadokawa, Aniplex, TBS Television, Sunrise, and DMM.com. Distribution is global via production committee licensing — exemplified by the 'Heroes ~Battle Disc Legend~' project planned for 28-country broadcast — alongside Japan-domestic pop-up shops and the merchandise e-commerce store. On April 18, 2025, Asahi Production entered a capital and business partnership with Pierrot Co., Ltd., under which Pierrot took an equity stake and the two studios agreed to joint project promotion, resource sharing, and personnel exchange, building on an October 2024 business partnership. The company remains privately held and operates with 51-100 employees.

Name

Asahi Production

Legal name

株式会社旭プロダクション

Website

https://asahi-pro.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Asahi Production is a Japanese animation studio founded in 1972, providing contract animation production services (2D, 3DCG, photography, VFX, editing) to anime production committees, publishers, broadcasters, and studios, while also developing original IPs. Its integrated CG and photography department serves tier-one franchises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animation Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Anime Production (MPADACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming) (MPADACAG), 3D/CGI Animation Production (MPADACAB), Animated Feature Film Production (MPADACAH), Animation Production (2D/3D/Stop-Motion) (MPAAAMAD)

Keywords

• Animation production services
• 3DCG animation
• Anime photography compositing
• Visual effects production
• Digital drawing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nerima

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Animation Production Contracting (元請け/下請け制作): Primary revenue stream: contracted animation production services for TV anime, movies, OVA, and web content. The studio serves as both primary producer (元請け) for original works and as a subcontractor (下請け) for specific production roles (photography, CGI, editing, VFX). Roles include 撮影, 3DCGI, 特殊効果, 編集, 制作, 監督, 演出,作画, 2D work, and more.
2. Original IP Development and Licensing: Development of original anime IPs (e.g., 'Arus no Kemono', 'Magical Girl ni Akogarete', 'Hakone-chan') where Asahi Production holds content rights, enabling downstream revenue from licensing, merchandise, and events. The studio co-developed 'Arus no Kemono' with DMM.com as a co-original IP.
3. Hardware/PC Collaboration Products: Collaboration with TSUKUMO and AMD on co-branded PC workstation configurations validated for animation production workflows. Revenue derived from product development consultation and licensing of the studio's brand for the 'Asahi Production Spec Model' PC lineup.
4. Merchandise Sales and Event Management: Direct-to-consumer merchandise sales through the official goods store (asahipro.official.ec) and pop-up shops at anime events. Pop-up shops for 'Hazure Skill' and 'Magical Girl ni Akogarete' featured original goods. Also includes promotional event management (follow & repost campaigns, viewing parties).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Asahi Production is a contracted animation production studio that provides end-to-end anime production services — including planning, digital drawing, 2D layout, 3DCG/CGI, animation photography (撮影/compositing), special effects (VFX), editing, and character design — for TV anime, theatrical films, web content, OVA, and corporate/PR video. The studio works as both primary producer (元請け) for original works such as 'Arus no Kemono', 'Magical Girl ni Akogarete', and 'Hakone-chan', and as a subcontractor (下請け) on major anime titles for other studios and production committees. It also sells co-branded animation-spec PC workstations developed with TSUKUMO and AMD, and direct-to-consumer merchandise through its official online goods store.

Product overview

Asahi Production is a Japanese animation studio offering comprehensive animation production services. The company operates as both primary producer and subcontractor for TV anime, theatrical films, web content, OVA, and corporate/PR videos. Core services include planning, digital drawing, 2D work, 3DCG/CGI production, animation photography (撮影), special effects (特殊効果), editing, and character design. The studio has two locations: Tokyo and Shiraishi Studio in Miyagi Prefecture. Additionally, the company partners with TSUKUMO and AMD to offer co-branded specialized PC workstations configured for animation production workflows.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AGC38: A 2D virtual idol project featuring 38 original characters launched in 2010. The project produced music CDs, SNS simulation games, comics, and talent operations.
• 白石スタジオ (Shiroishi Studio)
• Goods Shop (asahipro.official.ec)

Products and services

• TV Anime Production Services Full-service TV anime production including planning, production management, animation, photography, and post-production editing. The studio serves as both primary producer (元請け) and subcontractor (下請け) for various anime titles, for anime production committees and upstream studios.
• Animation Photography (撮影/Compositing) Professional animation photography and compositing services combining traditional and digital techniques for OP/ED sequences, visual effects, and final-image compositing, delivered to upstream anime studios and production committees.
• 3DCG/CGI Services 3DCG animation production, CGI integration, 3D layout, and computer graphics work for anime productions — including models, textures, rigging, and rendering — for anime production committees and upstream studios.
• Special Effects / VFX (特殊効果) Visual effects and special effects production for animation including particle effects, compositing, and digital enhancement, for anime production committees and upstream studios.
• Digital Drawing (デジタル作画) Digital animation and artwork production using industry-standard tools, available at the Tokyo and Shiroishi (Miyagi Prefecture) studios and delivered to anime production committees and upstream studios.
• 2D Layout and 2D Monitor Work 2D digital work including monitor design, 2D layout, and compositing for animation production workflows, for anime production committees and upstream studios.
• Editing and Post-Production Video editing and post-production services for animation content, including color correction and final output, for anime production committees and upstream studios.
• Movie/Theatrical Animation Production Feature film animation production including theatrical releases for various anime franchises, for anime production committees and film distributors.
• Web Animation Production Web-based animation content production for digital distribution platforms, for anime production committees and streaming platforms.
• Corporate/PR Video Production Commercial, corporate PR, and web video content production beyond anime, including promotional videos and advertising content, for corporate clients.
• Character Design Services Character design and original character development for anime productions, delivered to anime production committees, publishers, and studios.
• Asahi Production Spec Model PC (TSUKUMO × AMD Co-Branded Workstation) Co-branded desktop workstation configurations developed and validated by Asahi Production's in-house systems team with TSUKUMO and AMD, configured for animation production workflows across four variants: production operations, digital drawing, photography/VFX, and 3DCG. Sold through TSUKUMO's e-commerce platform at standard retail pricing, targeted at anime studios and animation production professionals.

Named customers8 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and minor.

• 株式会社ぴえろ (Pierrot Co., Ltd.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2025Asahi Production entered a capital and business partnership with Pierrot on April 18, 2025. The two companies had been in a business partnership since 2024, combining Asahi Production's photography/CG expertise and technical capabilities with Pierrot's long-standing track record as a primary producer of long-running anime series. The partnership aims to build a stable production system for high-quality anime works through joint project promotion and resource sharing including personnel. Pierrot took a stake in Asahi Production as part of the capital partnership.
• 株式会社ぴえろ (Pierrot Co., Ltd.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2024Prior to the capital partnership, Asahi Production and Pierrot signed a business partnership agreement on October 11, 2024, to strengthen the production system for creating high-quality works in a stable manner. The agreement combined Asahi Production's accumulated photography and CG know-how and advanced technical capabilities with Pierrot's expertise in producing long-running anime series as a primary contractor.
• TSUKUMO × AMD (TSUKUMO Co., Ltd. / Advanced Micro Devices)keyTechnology or Integration · 10 August 2023Asahi Production collaborated with TSUKUMO (a Japanese PC hardware retailer) and AMD (a global semiconductor company) to develop and validate a lineup of co-branded PC workstations called '旭プロダクション使用スペックモデル' (Asahi Production Spec Models). Four configurations were developed for different animation production workflows: production operations, digital drawing, photography/VFX, and 3DCG. Asahi Production's system team validated the hardware specs based on actual production demands. The first model launched August 10, 2023, followed by a second model on June 21, 2024.
• Bauhutte (ビーツ株式会社 / B顺应)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2022Asahi Production collaborated with Bauhutte (a top gaming furniture brand under B顺应 Co., Ltd.) and Wacom on the development of the 'SA Tilt Desk' creator-focused furniture. Asahi Production's animator (森, from the drawing studio) participated as a sample monitor, providing feedback for the creator-specific desk designed for animation and creative professionals.
• 合同会社DMM.com (DMM.com LLC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2022Asahi Production and DMM.com co-developed the fully original fantasy anime 'Arus no Kemono -GIANT BEASTS OF ARS-' as a joint original IP. Both companies served as co-original IP holders, with Asahi Production handling animation production and DMM.com providing the original concept and platform. The anime premiered in January 2023.
• ESC-TOY LTD. (United States)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2013Asahi Production partnered with US-based figure manufacturer ESC-TOY LTD. for a joint anime project called '9 Deadly Killer Pussies' (9DKP). The project was launched via Kickstarter for crowdfunding. This represents Asahi Production's international co-production and licensing activity for original anime content.
• ギャザリング株式会社 (Gathering Co., Ltd.)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2012Asahi Production invested in Gathering Co., Ltd. through a third-party allocation of shares and entered into a business and capital partnership. Gathering specializes in FLASH animation digital content production and production management, and has been expanding its overseas licensing and production business primarily in China. The partnership aimed to share planning/sales and animation production operations to meet diverse client needs, and to develop original characters and content domestically and internationally.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sanzigen: 3DCG-focused anime studio producing CGI-heavy series, comparable to Asahi's 3DCG/CGI production services for TV and film anime.
• Graphinica: Japanese studio specializing in CG, VFX, and photography/compositing for anime, matching Asahi's integrated 3DCG-and-撮影 subcontracting niche.
• Orange: CG anime studio known for high-quality 3DCG productions, overlapping with Asahi's 3DCG animation and integrated CG workflow offering.
• Polygon Pictures: Veteran Tokyo 3DCG animation studio producing full CGI anime series and films, a direct comparator for Asahi's CGI and 3D production capabilities.

Emerging players

• Sublimation: Specialized CG/VFX and background studio serving anime productions, comparable to Asahi's technical subcontracting for effects and compositing.

Broad incumbents

• Studio Pierrot: Long-running major anime studio and now an equity partner/shareholder in Asahi; directly overlaps in TV anime production and is a primary-producer counterpart to Asahi's subcontract and co-production work.
• Wit Studio: Notable anime production studio delivering TV series and films with owned IP ambitions, overlapping with Asahi's production and original-IP strategy.
• MAPPA: Prominent anime studio producing high-profile TV and film titles; comparable as a full-service anime producer competing for talent and projects.
• Production I.G: Established anime studio producing TV series and films with strong technical/CG capabilities, competing in the same primary and subcontract production market.
• Toei Animation: Large integrated anime producer and IP owner (One Piece, Dragon Ball) whose franchises Asahi has contributed photography work to; overlaps broadly in anime production and IP monetization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/asahiproduction
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Asahi Production