The Answer Studio Co., Ltd.

Native name	株式会社アンサー・スタジオ
Romanized name	Kabushiki-gaisha Ansā sutajio
Company type	Kabushiki gaisha
Industry	Japanese animation
Predecessor	Walt Disney Animation Japan
Founded	June 2004; 21 years ago (2004-06)
Founder	Motoyoshi Tokunaga
Headquarters	Sakura Kamiogi Building, Kamiogi, Suginami, Tokyo , Japan
Number of employees	80[1]
Website	answerstudio.co.jp

The Answerstudio Co., Ltd. (Japanese: アンサー・スタジオ) is a Japanese animation studio founded in June 2004 by Motoyoshi Tokunaga and headquartered in Tokyo.^[2] Formed after the closure of Walt Disney Animation Japan, the studio has collaborated on and produced animation projects, including television series, films, OVAs and ONAs. It had worked with CoMix Wave Films on Makoto Shinkai’s films, such as Your Name (2016), and with DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation on projects like Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018), alongside productions like Golgo 13 (2008–2009) and Tower of God season 2 (2024).^[3][4]

History

The history of The Answerstudio is linked to several predecessor studios. Its lineage traces back to Topcraft, established in 1972 by former Toei Animation producer Toru Hara. Topcraft became known for its collaborations with Rankin/Bass Productions on animated films such as The Hobbit (1977), The Return of the King (1980), and The Last Unicorn (1982).^[5] Despite its achievements, Topcraft faced financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy, leading to its dissolution on June 15, 1985. After completing Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) with Hayao Miyazaki, Topcraft split, with some talent, including Toru Hara, forming Studio Ghibli, while others established Pacific Animation Corporation.^[6]

In 1988, The Walt Disney Company acquired Pacific Animation Corporation and renamed it Walt Disney Animation Japan.^[7] This studio produced television series and direct-to-video works, including The Tigger Movie (2000) and Piglet’s Big Movie (2003). Disney announced the closure of Walt Disney Animation Japan in September 2003, with Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (2005) as its final work.^[8][9]

Following the closure, Motoyoshi Tokunaga, former vice president and general manager of the studio, founded The Answerstudio in June 2004. Tokunaga secured a loan to establish the new company and reassembled many of the animators and staff from the former Disney Japan team.^[2]

Works

Notable staff

Notes

References

External links

• Official website (in Japanese)
• The Answer Studio at Anime News Network's encyclopedia