May 23, 2024

Toho acquires Science Monkey Animation Studio

Japanese production and distribution company Toho, which has expanded its involvement in animation in recent years, has recently acquired Science Saru, a Tokyo-based animation studio that produced the Netflix series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. Founded in 2013 by director Masaaki Yuasa and producer Choi Eun・young, the studio has produced many of Yuasa's films, including Lu Over the Wall, Ride Your Wave, and Inu-oh, as well as series such as Ping Pong, Space Dandy, and Devilman Crybaby.

Yuasa resigned as president in 2020 and said he needed to take a break after 7 years of non-stop work. When Yuasa stepped down, Choi assumed both the roles of president and CEO and became the sole owner.

Science Saru's upcoming projects include Naoko Yamada's feature "The Colors Within" and the Netflix series "Dandadan," both of which are expected to launch later this year.

In a statement posted on the Science Saru website, the company said:

We have largely agreed on a mutual vision for future business development. By joining the Toho Group, we aim to further grow our animation production business. Going forward, we will continue to strive to improve the corporate value of our customers.

We will continue to work even harder in the future.

Science monkeys have been criticized by some workers for overwork the artist to the point where "girls were crying in the toilet and doing all night long.""The problem of overworked artists is unique to the Japanese animation industry.