What Studio Trigger does

Studio Trigger (株式会社トリガー / TRIGGER Inc.) is a privately-held Japanese animation studio founded on August 22, 2011, by former GAINAX staff including President and Representative Director Masahiko Otsuka (大塚雅彦), Vice President Yoshinori Usa (宇佐義大), and Directors Hiroyuki Imaishi (今石洋之) and Kazuya Masumoto (桝本和也). Headquartered in Nakano, Tokyo, the studio produces original TV anime series, theatrical films, and web animations, with a portfolio spanning over 20 productions including Kill la Kill, Little Witch Academia, Promare, the SSSS.GRIDMAN franchise, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and Delicious in Dungeon (ダンジョン飯). The studio's core technology centers on 2D hand-drawn and digital animation production with a distinctive high-energy visual style derived from its GAINAX lineage, supplemented by 3DCG work via a recurring partnership with Sanzigen.

Revenue is generated through five primary streams: (1) anime production contracts and licensing to streaming platforms (Netflix, YouTube, ニコニコ動画, bilibili, dアニメストア, バンダイチャンネル, ひかりTV, etc.) and broadcasters (TBS, Toho for theatrical); (2) direct-to-consumer merchandise sold through the TRIGGER online store (trigger.ecq.sc), including art books, apparel (T-shirts, hoodies), acrylic stands, badges, and commemorative goods; (3) ticketed fan events such as TRIGGER NIGHT and all-night screenings at venues like 立川シネマシティ and 川崎チネチッタ; (4) official art books and publishing (e.g., The Art of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners at 6,600 yen); and (5) co-production revenue with partners including CD Projekt Red (Cyberpunk franchise), XFLAG/Mixi (Promare), Toho (theatrical), Tsuburaya Productions (Gridman IP), Good Smile Company (Little Witch Academia), and Dark Horse (manga). Pricing is publicly disclosed for merchandise and art books, while streaming content is monetized via subscription platforms (Netflix, U-NEXT, etc.) and free ad-supported services (YouTube, ニコニコ動画).

The studio's go-to-market is hybrid, combining a community-led model (Discord, Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Kickstarter with 7,938+ backers on Little Witch Academia: The Enchanted Parade in 2015) and event-driven model (TRIGGER NIGHT, Anime Expo panels, UPLINK screenings) with traditional streaming and theatrical distribution. Customer segments span B2B partners (Netflix, CD Projekt Red, Dark Horse, Tsuburaya, Good Smile Company) and B2C consumers (anime enthusiasts, merchandise collectors, event attendees). The studio maintains active social media presence, a dedicated recruitment portal (trigger-recruit.jp), and releases monthly commemorative merchandise tied to franchise anniversaries. No disclosed parent company, funding rounds, headcount, or revenue figures exist in the source material.

Name

Studio Trigger

Legal name

株式会社トリガー (TRIGGER Inc.)

Website

https://st-trigger.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Studio Trigger is a Japanese animation studio founded in 2011 by former GAINAX staff, producing original TV anime, theatrical films, and web animations for global streaming platforms including Netflix, with diversified revenue from licensing, merchandise, and fan events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animation Production

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming) (MPADACAG)

Keywords

• Anime production services
• Original animation series
• Theatrical anime films
• Anime merchandise sales
• Anime content licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Anime Production and Licensing: Studio Trigger produces anime series and films (TV series, movies, web animations) and licenses them to streaming platforms (Netflix, YouTube, ニコニコ動画, bilibili), broadcasters (TBS), and VOD services. Revenue is generated through production contracts, licensing fees, and broadcast rights.
2. Merchandise and Goods Sales: Sale of officially licensed merchandise including art books, apparel (T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, hoodies), acrylic stands, key visual posters, badges, blankets, flying discs, trading cards, and commemorative items through the TRIGGER online store and event venue sales.
3. Event Revenue: Ticket sales and event merchandise from fan events such as TRIGGER NIGHT, all-night screenings (SSSS.GRIDMAN, SSSS.DYNAZENON, Dungeon Meshi), premiere screenings, and autograph sessions at conventions like Anime Expo.
4. Publishing and Art Books: Sale of official art books, memorial books, storyboard books, and fan books documenting productions such as 'The Art of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' (6,600 yen), '紙、同然。' (PROMARE memorial book), and 'TVアニメ『ダンジョン飯』メモリアルブック'.
5. Collaborative Production Revenue: Co-production arrangements with partners such as CD Projekt Red (Cyberpunk: Edgerunners), Netflix (distribution), Toho (theatrical releases), XFLAG (PROMARE), and Good Smile Company (Little Witch Academia), generating revenue through production fees and profit sharing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Studio Trigger is a Japanese animation production studio that produces original and adapted anime across TV series, theatrical films, and short web animations. It licenses this content to streaming platforms such as Netflix and YouTube, distributes theatrically via Toho in Japan, and sells officially licensed merchandise, art books, and Blu-ray/DVD editions directly to consumers through its online store and at fan events.

Product overview

Studio TRIGGER is a Japanese animation studio producing original TV anime series, theatrical films, and web animations. The portfolio includes co-productions with international partners (Netflix, CD Projekt Red) and original works across multiple formats. Key product lines include: theatrical films (PROMARE, Gridman Universe), TV anime series (Kill la Kill, Little Witch Academia, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, SSSS.GRIDMAN, SSSS.DYNAZENON, BNA, Dungeon Meshi), web animation shorts (Japan Anime (ator) Market series including Inferno Cop, Hacka Doll, Power Planet), and the upcoming New PANTY & STOCKING reboot. Products are distributed through streaming platforms (Netflix, YouTube, d anime store, bilibili) and theatrical releases. The studio operates an e-commerce platform for official merchandise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kill la Kill (キルラキル) Original TV anime series about a girl who seeks answers about her father's death while battling a student council at her high school. Created by director Hiroyuki Imaishi and writer Kazuki Nakashima. Distributed via Japanese VOD platforms.
• Little Witch Academia (リトルウィッチアカデミア) Feature film and TV anime series about a young witch named Akko. Created by Yoh Yoshinari. The TV series later aired on Netflix globally.
• Little Witch Academia: The Enchanted Parade (リトルウィッチAcademia 魔法仕掛けのパレード) Second feature film in the Little Witch Academia franchise about Akko and friends organizing a parade. Funded through a Kickstarter campaign that drew 7,938+ international backers. Co-produced with Good Smile Company.
• PROMARE (プロメア) Original theatrical anime film about firefighters battling burnish (fire creatures). Co-produced with XFLAG. Achieved long-run theatrical success with additional revival screenings after initial release.
• SSSS.GRIDMAN TV anime revival of the 1993 Gridman tokusatsu series. Features high school student Hibiki Yuta who gains the power to become Gridman. 12 episodes. Directed by Akira Amemiya. Co-uses the Gridman IP with Tsuburaya Productions. Won the Seiun Award.
• SSSS.DYNAZENON Original TV anime about a giant robot pilot and kaiju user who fight monsters. Spiritual successor to SSSS.GRIDMAN. Directed by Akira Amemiya.
• Gridman Universe (グリッドマン ユニバース) Theatrical film featuring crossover of SSSS.GRIDMAN and SSSS.DYNAZENON characters. Released 2023. Directed by Akira Amemiya. Distributed theatrically in Japan by Toho.
• BNA: Brand New Animal (BNA ビー・エヌ・エー) Original TV anime set in a world where humans and beastmen coexist, following a tanuki beastman girl who moves to Anima City. Directed by Yoh Yoshinari with series composition by Kazuki Nakashima. Distributed on Netflix.
• Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (サイバーパンク: エッジランナーズ) 10-episode original anime series based on the Cyberpunk 2077 game universe, about an outlaw mercenary in Night City. Produced in collaboration with CD Projekt Red and streamed globally on Netflix.
• Delicious in Dungeon (ダンジョン飯) TV anime adaptation of Ryoko Kui's manga about adventurers eating monsters in a dungeon. Distributed on Netflix. Directed by Yoshikazu Buko.
• New PANTY & STOCKING with GARTERBELT Reboot of the 2010 anime about angel sisters who fight ghosts. Original concept by Geeckfleet, directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi. Features character designs by Nobutake Nishigori. Includes a 3D uncensored theatrical version.
• Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 (サイバーパンク: エッジランナーズ２) Sequel to Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. 10-episode original anime series set in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe. Director: Umetsu Kai. Character designer: Kanno Ikki.
• The Lenticulars Complete Version (完全版 ザ・レンチキュラーズ a/b)

Quantifiable outcome

• Cyberpunk: Edgerunners aired globally on Netflix in 2022 and was widely acclaimed; a second season is in development; a prequel manga was released in February 2026.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• CD Projekt RedflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2020Studio Trigger co-produced the Netflix anime series 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' with CD Projekt Red (CDPR), the Polish game developer behind Cyberpunk 2077. CDPR provided the IP, story direction (Bartosz Sztybor served as story writer), and creative collaboration. A second season of Edgerunners is currently in development. This is one of Studio Trigger's most internationally visible collaborations, leveraging both the game IP and Trigger's animation style to reach global audiences.
• NetflixflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetflix serves as the primary global streaming partner for several Studio Trigger productions, distributing content to its subscriber base worldwide. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Little Witch Academia TV series, and Dungeon Meshi have all been released globally on Netflix. Netflix provides both global reach and promotional support, while Studio Trigger supplies original anime content for the platform's catalog.
• XFLAG (Mixi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXFLAG, a subsidiary of Mixi, co-produced the theatrical anime film 'PROMARE' (2019) with Studio Trigger. XFLAG served as a production partner alongside Toho for distribution. PROMOARE was a passion project featuring the creative team of Imaishi and Nakashima, with XFLAG providing production backing.
• Toho (東宝映像事業部)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorToho (specifically 東宝映像事业部, Toho Visual Enterprises) served as the theatrical distributor for Studio Trigger productions including PROMOARE and グリッドマン ユニバース. Toho handles theatrical distribution, marketing, and exhibition coordination for Trigger's feature film releases in Japan.
• Good Smile CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGood Smile Company was a co-producer and distributor for Little Witch Academia the Enchanted Parade (2015 film), which was also supported by a Kickstarter campaign with 7,938+ backers. Good Smile Company has a long-standing relationship with Studio Trigger founding members and has produced figures and merchandise for Trigger properties.
• 円谷プロダクション (Tsuburaya Productions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTsuburaya Productions (円谷プロダクション), the studio behind Ultraman and the original Gridman tokusatsu series, collaborated with Studio Trigger on the SSSS.GRIDMAN franchise (2018) and the グリッドマン ユニバース theatrical film (2023). The partnership involves co-using the Gridman IP and joint production of anime adaptations that incorporate the tokusatsu source material.
• ポニーキャニオン (Pony Canyon)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPony Canyon handled music production for multiple Studio Trigger productions including SSSS.GRIDMAN and SSSS.DYNAZENON (with music by 鷺巣詩郎). Pony Canyon also co-sponsored screening events and handles music CD production and distribution for Trigger anime soundtracks.
• サンジゲン (Sanzigen)coreTechnology or IntegrationSanzigen is a 3DCG studio that has worked with Studio Trigger on multiple productions including PROMOARE (for the film's 3DCG sequences), SSSS.DYNAZENON, and グリッドマン ユニバース. Sanzigen provides 3DCG production, animation integration, and cinematography expertise that complements Trigger's 2D animation.
• Dark HorseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDark Horse published the 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Madness' prequel manga (written by Bartosz Sztybor of CDPR, illustrated by Studio Trigger's Asano) released in February 2026, expanding the Night City universe into manga format. The manga adds backstory for characters Rebecca and Pilar and is sold through standard publishing channels globally.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sunrise (Bandai Namco Filmworks): Sunrise, now Bandai Namco Filmworks, is a major Japanese animation studio and the home of the Gundam franchise, Code Geass, and Love Live!. A much larger broad incumbent with deep IP ownership; relevant as a benchmark for vertically integrated anime production.
• Production I.G: Production I.G is an established Japanese animation studio behind Ghost in the Shell, Psycho-Pass, and Haikyuu!!. A larger, broader incumbent in the anime production space with overlapping capabilities and similar original-versus-adapted mix.
• Madhouse: Madhouse is a long-established Japanese animation studio behind One Punch Man, Death Note, and Frieren. A broader incumbent producing both original and adapted anime with comparable scale and genre breadth.

Direct peers

• MAPPA: MAPPA is a Japanese animation studio founded in 2011 by Masao Maruyama, producing anime such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan Final Season, and Chainsaw Man. It is the closest direct peer to Studio Trigger in terms of size, founding era, and project slate of high-profile TV anime and theatrical works.
• Ufotable: Ufotable is a Japanese animation studio renowned for the Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) franchise, Fate series, and theatrical anime films with distinctive high-quality visuals. Comparable to Trigger in delivering visually distinctive TV and theatrical anime with strong global fandom.
• Bones: Bones is a Japanese animation studio producing My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, and Mob Psycho 100. A direct peer in producing high-quality TV anime with distinct visual styles and a mix of original and adapted works.
• CloverWorks: CloverWorks is a Japanese animation studio (formerly A-1 Pictures' Koenji studio) producing Spy x Family, The Promised Neverland, and Bocchi the Rock!. Directly comparable to Trigger as a mid-sized anime studio working on premium adaptations with global streaming partners.
• Wit Studio: Wit Studio was founded in 2012 by former Production I.G staff and is known for Attack on Titan (seasons 1-3), Vinland Saga, and Spy x Family. Comparable to Trigger as a relatively newer independent studio producing high-profile TV anime often in partnership with global platforms.

Emerging players

• Science SARU: Science SARU is a Japanese animation studio founded by Masaaki Yuasa and Abel Góngora, producing Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, The Tatami Galaxy film, and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. An emerging peer with a distinctive style and growing international recognition through Netflix and partner projects.
• Khara: Khara is the Japanese animation studio behind the Evangelion Rebuild films, founded by Hideaki Anno. Comparable to Trigger as a creator-led independent studio with strong brand IP, theatrical focus, and selective project slate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/trigger_inc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/studiotrigger
• Facebookfacebook.com/st.trigger

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Studio Trigger