Ufotable
Ufotable is a Tokyo-based, privately held Japanese animation studio (founded 2000, ~256 employees) that produces anime TV series, theatrical films, and game animations for major franchises including Demon Slayer, Fate, Tales of, GOD EATER, and the upcoming Genshin Impact anime, while operating a proprietary chain of themed cafes, dining venues, a cinema, mocktail bar, and e-commerce shop.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Ufotable does
Ufotable is a privately held Japanese animation studio founded in October 2000 in Tokyo by Hikaru Kondo (Representative Director and President). The studio produces anime TV series, theatrical films, and game animations, holding production credits on the entire Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba franchise — including Infinity Castle Chapter 1, which became Japan's highest-grossing film ever at $741 million global box office — plus the Fate/stay night Heaven's Feel trilogy, GOD EATER TV series, Tales of franchise game animations (with Bandai Namco), The Garden of Sinners film series, and the 2026 Witch on the Holy Night theatrical. Core technology combines traditional 2D hand-drawn key animation with an integrated in-house digital pipeline covering background art, compositing, VFX, painting/finishing, and graphic design; the studio employs approximately 256 staff across these disciplines as of March 2024.
The company generates revenue through five streams: animation production services for IP rights holders (Aniplex/Shueisha for Demon Slayer, Type-Moon for Fate and Witch on the Holy Night, Bandai Namco for Tales of and GOD EATER, miHoYo/HoYoverse for the announced Genshin Impact anime); copyright and licensing royalties; merchandise sales through the ufotable WEBSHOP and lottery drops; themed cafes, fine dining restaurants, a cinema, and a mocktail bar operated directly under the ufotable brand; and event-based content (Machi★Asobi in Tokushima, character birthday celebrations, AnimeJapan, Comiket). This B2B production model combined with a proprietary D2C retail and experience network — covering Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokushima, Kitakyushu, Seoul, and via the Cafe TO GO mobile pop-up all 47 Japanese prefectures — is unique among Japanese anime studios and is the central differentiator. Strategic distribution is supported by Crunchyroll for international streaming and theatrical release in overseas markets.
Distribution strategy layers B2B partnerships (production committees, broadcasters, distributors) on top of a direct-to-fan physical and digital experience network. Pricing across cafes and dining is per-item (food ¥800–¥2,000; drinks ¥700–¥900; multi-course dining reservation-based; lottery prize draws at ¥650); loyalty is driven by a ¥350 point card yielding 1% rebate redeemable for exclusive merchandise. The studio is privately funded with no disclosed external investment, vertically integrated across production and direct retail, and currently expanding its real estate footprint via the May 2026 acquisition of the former Mizuho Bank Tokushima Branch (built 1928) for a cultural entertainment hub.
Ufotable firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ufotable
- Legal name
- ユーフォーテーブル有限会社 (ufotable Inc.)
- Website
- https://ufotable.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Ufotable is a Tokyo-based, privately held Japanese animation studio (founded 2000, ~256 employees) that produces anime TV series, theatrical films, and game animations for major franchises including Demon Slayer, Fate, Tales of, GOD EATER, and the upcoming Genshin Impact anime, while operating a proprietary chain of themed cafes, dining venues, a cinema, mocktail bar, and e-commerce shop.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ufotable industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animation Production Services
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Event Technical Production Management & Crew (MPAGAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Event Fabrication & Scenic/Set Build (Custom Builds, Installations) (BPAFAGAK)
Keywords
Where Ufotable is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices11 records
Markets served
Ufotable business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Animation Production Services: Ufotable produces anime series, films, game animations, and original net animations for IP rights holders. Revenue is earned through production contracts with distributors and publishers such as Aniplex, Shueisha, Type-Moon, Bandai Namco, and others. Notable productions include the entire Demon Slayer anime series, the Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] film trilogy, the Tales of series game animations, and the GOD EATER TV series.
- Merchandise Sales: Ufotable plans, designs, and sells original merchandise including figures, acrylic stands, badges, acrylic keychains, art books, Blu-rays, DVDs, lottery prizes, and collaboration cafe goods. Goods are sold through the official ufotable WEBSHOP e-commerce site (webshop.ufotable.co.jp), at physical cafe/dining locations, and at ufotable CINEMA. The company runs monthly 'Tsukiichi WEBSHOP lottery' prize draws, selling limited-edition merchandise bundles.
- Cafe and Dining Operations: Ufotable operates themed dining and cafe experiences at multiple branded locations in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokushima, Kitakyushu, and Seoul, Korea. Revenue is generated through food and beverage sales at these locations. The company also holds a lottery-based 'otoshidashi' (luck-draw) system at ufotable DINING, where dining guests purchase lottery tickets (¥650 per draw) for a chance to win limited merchandise such as autographed art boards, B2 posters, acrylic stands, and badges.
- Cinema Operations: Ufotable operates ufotable CINEMA, a movie theater in Tokushima's Higashi-Shinmachi shopping street. The cinema screens a mix of Ufotable-produced films and third-party anime and general films, generating revenue from ticket sales, concessions, and merchandise. Ticket and concession pricing was revised upward as of April 1, 2026.
- Copyright Management: Ufotable holds and manages rights to the copyright and related rights for the animation works it produces, licensing these rights to distributors and broadcasters for domestic and international distribution.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Cafe food items range from approximately ¥1,000–¥2,000; desserts from ¥800–¥1,500; drinks approximately ¥700–¥900. Full-course dining at ufotable DINING involves multi-course meals priced as a set (advance reservation required, lottery-based booking system). |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | The 'otanoshimi' (enjoyment) lottery at ufotable DINING is priced at ¥650 per draw. Prizes include autographed art boards, B2 posters, acrylic stands, and badges. |
| Subscription | Monthly | Point card membership issued for ¥350, earning 1% cashback in points on purchases. Points are redeemable at 1 point = ¥1 for merchandise/prizes or 5% cashback equivalent. |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Blu-ray & DVD releases of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Chapter 1 and other Ufotable productions are sold through ufotable WEBSHOP, with special bonuses for advance reservations. |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels9 records
Ufotable product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ufotable is a Japanese animation studio that produces anime TV series, theatrical films, and game opening animations on contract for IP rights holders such as Aniplex, Shueisha, Type-Moon, and Bandai Namco. The studio maintains an end-to-end in-house production pipeline spanning key animation, background art, digital compositing/VFX, painting, and graphic design. In parallel, Ufotable directly operates a proprietary network of branded fan-facing venues including themed cafes, fine dining restaurants, a mocktail bar, a cinema, and an e-commerce webshop to monetize its IP with end consumers.
Product overview
Ufotable is a Japanese animation studio that produces a diverse portfolio of anime works and operates an entertainment ecosystem of themed cafes, restaurants, and retail stores. The core animation business includes TV series (Demon Slayer series, GOD EATER, Fate/Zero, Tales of Zestiria), theatrical films (Demon Slayer Infinity Castle, Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] trilogy, Witch on the Holy Night), and game animations (Tales of ARISE, Tsukihime, GOD EATER series). Supporting the animation brand is a retail and hospitality network comprising ufotable Cafe (themed collaboration cafes), ufotable DINING (course dining restaurants), ufotable MOCKTAIL BAR GINZA (mocktail bar), ufotable CINEMA (movie theater in Tokushima), MACHI★ASOBI CAFE (collaboration cafes), and ufotable WEBSHOP (online merchandise store). The company also operates a point card loyalty program redeemable for exclusive prizes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba TV anime series and theatrical film franchise produced by Ufotable covering Entertainment District Arc, Swordsmith Village Arc, Hashira Training Arc, and Infinity Castle movies for IP rights holders Aniplex and Shueisha.
- Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] Movies Theatrical anime film trilogy produced by Ufotable for Type-Moon, including I. presage flower, II. lost butterfly, and III. spring song.
- Witch on the Holy Night (Mahoyo) Theatrical animation produced by Ufotable in 2026, based on the TYPE-MOON visual novel of the same name.
- Tales of Series Animations Multiple Tales of franchise anime productions including Tales of Zestiria the X, Tales of Berseria, Tales of Arise, and various game opening animations produced for Bandai Namco.
- GOD EATER Series TV anime and game animations for the GOD EATER franchise, including GOD EATER, GOD EATER 2, GOD EATER 3, and related game animations produced for Bandai Namco.
- The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyoukai) Theatrical anime film series produced by Ufotable, including 8 chapters plus future gospel extra content based on the Type-Moon novel.
- Tsukihime Animations Game opening animation for Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- produced by Ufotable for Type-Moon.
- ufotable Cafe Directly managed themed collaboration cafes operated by Ufotable in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokushima, Kitakyushu (Japan) and Seoul (Korea), offering themed menu items and merchandise tied to Ufotable animation works.
- ufotable DINING High-class entertainment dining experience offering specially crafted multi-course menus with carefully selected ingredients while immersing guests in the world of Ufotable works, operated at multiple Tokyo locations (DINING main, HANARE, HIROMA).
- ufotable MOCKTAIL BAR GINZA Mocktail-focused bar brand from Ufotable located in Ginza, Tokyo, offering Ufotable-themed non-alcoholic cocktails.
- ufotable CINEMA Movie theater produced by Ufotable located in Tokushima City that screens Ufotable films and third-party anime and general films, and sells merchandise and concessions.
- MACHI★ASOBI CAFE Collaboration cafes operated based on the everyday-experiences theme of the Machi★Asobi event, with various Ufotable productions beyond Demon Slayer, offering live events, readings, and anime screenings alongside food and merchandise.
- ufotable WEBSHOP Official e-commerce platform selling Ufotable merchandise, Blu-rays, DVDs, and monthly lottery prize bundles related to Ufotable animation works, with both domestic (webshop.ufotable.co.jp) and global (webshop-global.ufotable.co.jp) storefronts.
Quantifiable outcome
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle became Japan's highest-grossing film ever at $741 million globally, with Japan's domestic box office reaching a record $1.8 billion in 2025
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Ufotable
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Ufotable technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature2 records
Ufotable partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, major and core.
- Tokushima City Government / Tokushima PrefecturestrategicUfotable acquired the historic former Mizuho Bank Tokushima Branch building (built 1928) as a new entertainment and cultural hub for Tokushima. The acquisition was welcomed by Tokushima Prefecture Governor Zendo and Tokushima City Mayor Endo. This deepens Ufotable's long-standing relationship with Tokushima, where it has been a key contributor to regional cultural promotion through the Machi★Asobi anime event, the Awa Odori dance festival involvement, and its ufotable CINEMA.
- miHoYo (HoYoverse)majorUfotable announced an adaptation of Genshin Impact into anime format. A teaser was released by Ufotable on TechNode and confirmed through Ufotable's own news channels. This represents Ufotable's entry into one of the world's highest-grossing mobile game franchises as the animation production partner.
- Aniplex / ShueishacoreAniplex (of the Sony Group) and Shueisha are the primary production committee partners for the Demon Slayer anime series. Ufotable serves as the animation studio for the entire Demon Slayer TV series, theatrical films, and related content. This is Ufotable's flagship and most commercially significant partnership, with Demon Slayer becoming Japan's highest-grossing film franchise. The production relationship spans from the Tanjiro Kamado Unwavering Resolve Arc (2019) through the ongoing Infinity Castle saga.
- CrunchyrollmajorCrunchyroll serves as the international streaming and distribution partner for Ufotable-produced anime content, including the Demon Slayer franchise. Demon Slayer films distributed by Crunchyroll reached global audiences, contributing to the franchise's record-breaking box office performance. Crunchyroll also hosts the annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards, where Ufotable's Demon Slayer content has won multiple awards.
- Bandai Namco / BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment (GOD EATER series)majorUfotable produced the GOD EATER TV anime series (2015) and game opening animations for GOD EATER 2 (2013), GOD EATER 3 (2018), and GOD EATER RESONANT OPS (2018). Bandai Namco is the publisher and IP holder for the GOD EATER franchise.
- Bandai Namco (Tales of series)majorUfotable has been the primary animation studio for the Tales of JRPG franchise since Tales of Symphonia (2004-2007 OVA), producing opening animations and in-game animations for most mainline titles including Tales of Xillia, Tales of Xillia 2, Tales of Zestiria, Tales of Zestiria the X, Tales of Arise, and more. For the Tales of 30th anniversary (2025), Ufotable and Production I.G announced a collaboration to produce 188 original character illustrations. The 30th anniversary key artwork featured protagonists from the long-running JRPG franchise.
- Type-MooncoreUfotable has a long-standing production partnership with Type-Moon, having produced the entire three-film Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] theatrical trilogy (2017, 2019, 2020), multiple Fate/ series TV and web animations including Fate/Zero (2011), Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] (2014-2015), and the Witch on the Holy Night theatrical film (2026). Type-Moon is the IP holder and original creator.
- Production I.GmajorProduction I.G and Ufotable have a long-standing collaborative relationship in animation production. In 2026, the two studios jointly announced the Tales of 30th anniversary collaboration — 'ufotable×ProductionIG～RPGが紡いだ軌跡～' — to produce 188 original character illustrations for the Tales of series. The collaboration combines Ufotable's animation expertise with Production I.G's production capabilities.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ufotable competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Sunrise / Bandai Namco Filmworks: Major anime production subsidiary of Bandai Namco (Gundam, Love Live). Comparable to Ufotable at the broader incumbent level — an established IP-driven studio with extensive catalog and integrated IP rights, contrasting Ufotable's more franchise-agnostic production services model.
- Toei Animation: Largest legacy Japanese animation studio (Dragon Ball, One Piece, Sailor Moon). Comparable to Ufotable at the broad incumbent level — a long-established, full-stack anime IP owner with extensive production capacity and decades of franchise catalog.
Direct peers
- Madhouse: Veteran Japanese animation studio (One Punch Man, Death Note, Frieren). Comparable to Ufotable as a premium anime production studio with similar B2B production committee economics and franchise-scale output.
- A-1 Pictures: Anime studio (Sony subsidiary via Aniplex) producing Sword Art Online, Kaguya-sama, Oshi no Ko. Comparable to Ufotable as a major Japanese animation production house with similar IP-holder partner structure (Aniplex-owned).
- MAPPA: Japanese animation studio producing high-budget TV anime and theatrical films (Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan Final Season, Chainsaw Man). Closely comparable to Ufotable in production scale, premium-episode output, and franchise-driven B2B production model for major IP holders.
- Studio Trigger: Japanese animation studio (Promare, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Kill la Kill). Comparable to Ufotable as a premium anime production studio with strong visual identity and project-selection focus on flagship IP.
- Wit Studio: Tokyo-based anime studio producing premium TV anime and films (Spy x Family, Vinland Saga, Attack on Titan seasons 1-3). Comparable to Ufotable as a high-quality Japanese animation production services studio serving major IP holders.
- CloverWorks: Anime studio (Sony subsidiary via Aniplex) producing Spy x Family, My Dress-Up Darling, Bocchi the Rock. Comparable to Ufotable as a premium Japanese animation studio with similar production quality targets and IP-holder relationships.
- Production I.G: Long-established Japanese animation studio (Ghost in the Shell, Psycho-Pass, Haikyu!!) and Ufotable's explicit collaborator on the 2026 Tales of 30th anniversary project. Comparable as a peer-tier anime production house with overlapping IP-holder partnerships.
- Bones: Japanese animation studio producing My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Mob Psycho 100. Comparable to Ufotable as a high-output premium anime production studio serving major manga/game IP holders.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ufotable social profiles
Digital presenceUfotable financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ufotable leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Ufotable subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Ufotable funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ufotable 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 Ufotable
What does Ufotable do?
Ufotable is a Japanese animation studio that produces anime TV series, theatrical films, and game opening animations on contract for IP rights holders such as Aniplex, Shueisha, Type-Moon, and Bandai Namco. The studio maintains an end-to-end in-house production pipeline spanning key animation, background art, digital compositing/VFX, painting, and graphic design. In parallel, Ufotable directly operates a proprietary network of branded fan-facing venues including themed cafes, fine dining restaurants, a mocktail bar, a cinema, and an e-commerce webshop to monetize its IP with end consumers.
Is Ufotable a public or private company?
Ufotable is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ufotable founded?
Ufotable was founded in 2000. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Ufotable based?
Ufotable is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Ufotable make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Animation Production Services are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales, cafe and Dining Operations, cinema Operations and copyright Management.
Who are Ufotable's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Sunrise / Bandai Namco Filmworks and Toei Animation. Direct peers are Madhouse, A-1 Pictures, MAPPA, Studio Trigger, Wit Studio, CloverWorks, Production I.G and Bones.
Does Ufotable have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ufotable.
What industry is Ufotable in?
Ufotable's product category is Animation Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAKAH, Event Technical Production Management & Crew, with a secondary code of BPAFAGAK, Event Fabrication & Scenic/Set Build (Custom Builds, Installations). Its NAICS code is 512 and its SIC code is 7812.