THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD is a London-based, founder-led 2D and mixed-media animation studio serving global brands, game publishers, and music artists with hand-drawn advertising, game cinematics, and music videos, while developing proprietary original IP.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD does
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD is a London-based, founder-led animation studio founded in 2013 by six animators and grown to 30+ in-house staff, producing hand-drawn 2D, mixed-media, and hybrid live-action animation for enterprise clients across advertising, music, gaming, and broadcast. Its core technology stack centers on traditional hand-drawn craft augmented by digital compositing, 2D/3D hybrid pipelines, and practical effects, delivered at 24fps with a hand-picked crew model for each project; specific technique differentiators include period-accurate 2D animation, Japanese woodblock print-inspired sequences, watercolor backgrounds, and bespoke styles such as risograph and pixel art. The studio's commercial offering is organized into four revenue streams: (1) branded content and advertising animation for global brands (Gucci, Mercedes-Benz, Chobani, Godiva, Estee Lauder, Channel 4, ITV), (2) game cinematics and launch trailers for publishers including Riot Games, Blizzard, Supergiant Games, Digital Extremes, Ubisoft, and Garena, (3) music videos for artists such as Gorillaz, Lil Nas X, and Porter Robinson, and (4) original IP development through a dedicated THE LINE Entertainment division, supplemented by a digital product storefront (THE LINE Editions on Gumroad) and an industry podcast (The Pegbar & Grill). The business model is project-based, quote-driven, and one-time-fee oriented with licensing potential on owned IP; pricing varies by style, length, complexity, and detail. Go-to-market is direct sales-led with named senior contacts per vertical (Commercials, Games, Entertainment) and a US representation agreement with Free Agents in New York, and the company is a privately held UK private limited company with no disclosed external investors, M&A, or IPO activity.
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD
- Legal name
- The Line Animation Studio Ltd
- Website
- https://thelinestudio.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD is a London-based, founder-led 2D and mixed-media animation studio serving global brands, game publishers, and music artists with hand-drawn advertising, game cinematics, and music videos, while developing proprietary original IP.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animation Services
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Advertising (7310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Animation Production (2D/3D/Stop-Motion) (MPAAAMAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Animation Pipeline, Asset & Render Services (MPADACAM), Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming) (MPADACAG), Content & Creative Studio for Creators (Concepting/Production) (MPAAAHAD)
Keywords
Where THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Commercial Animation Projects: Project-based fees for creating branded content, commercials, and promotional animations for brands. The studio tailors services to each project with pricing based on style, length, complexity, and detail requirements. They typically work on larger-scale projects but remain open to budget discussions.
- Music Video Production: Creating music videos for artists and bands, often in collaboration with record labels and music artists. Revenue generated through project fees from artists and music industry clients.
- Game Cinematics: Production of cinematics, trailers, and promotional animations for video game publishers and developers. Includes hype films, launch trailers, and in-game promotional content.
- Entertainment/IP Development: Developing original intellectual property including feature films, TV series, webseries, and games. The studio is building a slate of original projects including Amaro & Walden, The Mighty Grand Piton, FRSH WRLD, Cargo, Deaths of Peck, Roomies, and Buzz Chickson & The Hype Heads.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD product offering
Product offeringCore offering
THE LINE is a London-based animation studio producing hand-drawn 2D, hybrid, and mixed-media animation for advertising, interactive media, music videos, games, and original intellectual property. The studio delivers end-to-end production from creative concept and direction through animation, compositing, and final delivery for global brands, game publishers, and music artists. Core service verticals include branded content and commercials, game cinematics and trailers, and music videos, alongside an original IP development arm called THE LINE Entertainment.
Product overview
THE LINE Animation Studio is a London-based animation studio offering a comprehensive suite of animation services. The core offering spans three main areas: (1) Branded content and advertising animation for major global brands, (2) Game cinematics and trailers for video game companies, and (3) Music videos for artists and record labels. Additionally, the studio operates THE LINE Entertainment, a division dedicated to developing proprietary original IP including animated series (Buzz Chickson & The Hype Heads, Roomies), feature films (The Mighty Grand Piton), and games (Cargo, Amaro & Walden). Supporting offerings include a digital products shop selling artwork and animation assets via Gumroad, and The Pegbar & Grill industry podcast. The studio was founded in 2013 by six animators and has grown to 30+ in-house staff, producing hand-drawn, 2D, and hybrid animated content at 24fps.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- THE LINE Entertainment: Dedicated team focused on developing and producing the studio's own IPs, including long-form content like features and series, games, and comics.
- The Pegbar & Grill Podcast
Products and services
- Branding & Advertising Animation Full-service animation for brands including commercial spots, branded content, and promotional videos. The studio collaborates with major global brands to create visually distinctive animated advertisements. Clients include Gucci, Mercedes-Benz, Chobani, Godiva, Channel 4, Kenzo, Estee Lauder, Doritos, Virgin, and Honda.
- Game Cinematics High-impact animated trailers and cinematics for video game launches. THE LINE has produced promotional content for major gaming titles including League of Legends, Overwatch 2, Warframe, Hades II, Marvel Snap, and Battle Aces.
- Music Videos Animated music videos combining various animation techniques. Notable work includes collaborations with Gorillaz (Humility, Song Machine, The Mountain), Lil Nas X, Porter Robinson, and Riot Games' virtual artists.
- THE LINE Shop (Digital Products) Digital product store selling artwork, animation assets, and limited edition merchandise. Products available through Gumroad at theline.gumroad.com, including The Vault master collection of digital products.
Quantifiable outcome
- Created 8-minute animated short for Gorillaz - their longest and most ambitious project to date
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, notable and important.
- Riot GamescoreOngoing strategic partnership creating multiple music videos, cinematics, and promotional content for League of Legends. Collaborations include 'Giants' music video for True Damage virtual hip-hop collective, Worlds 2020 10th anniversary celebration video, and Spirit Blossom festival content. The partnership has produced over 10 projects spanning multiple years.
- Gorillaz (Eleven Management)coreLong-standing creative partnership producing iconic music videos and animated content. Projects include 'Humility' music video (The Now Now album), Song Machine YouTube series, and 'The Mountain, The Moon Cave and the Sad God' 8-minute animated short. The studio has worked with Gorillaz three times, considered the 'holy grail for any animator'.
- Supergiant GamesmajorCreated launch trailer for Hades II, Supergiant Games' highly anticipated sequel. The studio described this as a dream collaboration, being massive fans of the original game.
- Digital ExtremesmajorSecond partnership creating animated content for Warframe universe. Created 'Jade Shadows: Constellations' cinematic short (April 2026) as part of Warframe's narrative expansion, and previously created 'The Hex: Warframe 1999' animated prologue.
- Blizzard EntertainmentmajorCreated promotional content for Overwatch 2 collaborations including Overwatch 2 x Transformers cinematic and Cowboy Bebop x Overwatch 2 collaboration celebrating the iconic anime series.
- ChobaninotableCreated 'Dear Alice' animated film featuring music by Joe Hisaishi (legendary Studio Ghibli composer). The piece celebrates optimistic vision of farming and agriculture.
- Uncapped GamesnotableCreated cinematic for Battle Aces, Uncapped Games' debut release. Studio described collaborating with Uncapped as 'an absolute dream'.
- Channel 4 (4Creative)coreOngoing partnership creating channel idents and promotional content. Created 'Yes Boss' ident for Channel 4 rebranding and Great British Bake Off 2023 teaser trailer.
- BlinkInknotableCollaborated with BlinkInk on Gorillaz 'Humility' music video production, combining The Line's animation expertise with BlinkInk's production capabilities.
- Box of Toys AudiocoreRegular audio partnership for sound design and music across projects. Collaborated on multiple projects including Zigma (with Guildfi), Godiva campaign, Buzz Chickson series, and Hades II. Studio calls them 'formidable'.
- Free Agents (US Representation)importantUS agency representation firm handling The Line's presence in the American market. Contacts include Patricia Claire, Angela Kaper, and Xavier Egubide, based in New York.
- Jamie HewlettcoreCo-creator of Gorillaz and visual artist. Co-directed 'Humility' music video with The Line's Tim McCourt and Max Taylor, and collaborated on Song Machine series and 'The Mountain' animated short.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Nexus Studios: London-based animation and design studio producing commercials, music videos, game trailers, and original content. Closely comparable in scale, London geography, and multi-vertical commercial animation work.
- Golden Wolf: London-based animation studio focused on commercials, music videos, and gaming content (e.g., League of Legends cinematics). Direct competitor for Riot Games and similar entertainment clients.
- Giant Ant: Animation studio producing commercials and entertainment content with a similar emphasis on distinctive directorial voices. Comparable in service offering and award-winning positioning.
- Blink Industries: London animation studio producing commercials, music videos, and original IP including 'The Amazing Maurice'. Direct peer in style, scale, and London creative-studio positioning; has even collaborated with THE LINE on Gorillaz.
- Psyop: Award-winning animation and VFX studio producing commercials, game trailers, and entertainment content. Comparable in services mix and brand-tier commercial work.
- Buck: Global design and animation studio producing motion design, commercial animation, and game trailers for major brands and entertainment companies. Comparable in service mix and brand-tier client roster.
- Hornet Inc. Animation and motion design studio with offices in New York and London producing commercials and entertainment content. Direct competitor in branded animation.
- Studio AKA: BAFTA and Emmy-winning London animation studio producing commercials, music videos, and original series. Comparable in craft quality, London geography, and multi-vertical animation work.
- Passion Pictures: Long-established London animation studio producing commercials, music videos, and feature documentaries (e.g., Oscar-winning shorts). Comparable in advertising animation and London creative-studio positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Framestore: Major global VFX and animation studio with a much larger portfolio including film, episodic, and immersive content. Overlaps with THE LINE on advertising and game-related work but operates at significantly greater scale and breadth.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD social profiles
Digital presenceTHE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD 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 THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD
What does THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD do?
THE LINE is a London-based animation studio producing hand-drawn 2D, hybrid, and mixed-media animation for advertising, interactive media, music videos, games, and original intellectual property. The studio delivers end-to-end production from creative concept and direction through animation, compositing, and final delivery for global brands, game publishers, and music artists. Core service verticals include branded content and commercials, game cinematics and trailers, and music videos, alongside an original IP development arm called THE LINE Entertainment.
Is THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD a public or private company?
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD founded?
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD was founded in 2013.
Where is THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD based?
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Commercial Animation Projects are the primary driver. The others are music Video Production, game Cinematics and entertainment/IP Development.
Who are THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Nexus Studios, Golden Wolf, Giant Ant, Blink Industries, Psyop, Buck, Hornet Inc., Studio AKA and Passion Pictures. Framestore is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD have an API?
No public API is recorded for THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD.
What industry is THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD in?
THE LINE ANIMATION STUDIO LTD's product category is Animation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAAMAD, Animation Production (2D/3D/Stop-Motion), with a secondary code of MPADACAM, Animation Pipeline, Asset & Render Services. Its NAICS code is 512110 and its SIC code is 7812.