Studio Trigger Explained

Trigger, Inc.
Native Name:株式会社トリガー
Native Name Lang:ja
Type:Kabushiki gaisha
Founders:Hiroyuki Imaishi
Masahiko Ōtsuka
Hq Location City:Tokyo
Hq Location Country:Japan[1]
Predecessor:Gainax
Industry:Anime and production enterprise
Parent:Ultra Super Pictures
Subsid:Trigger Dōga-bu (2013)

, also known as Studio Trigger, is a Japanese animation studio founded by former Gainax employees Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Ōtsuka in 2011. It has produced anime works including Kill la Kill (2013), Little Witch Academia (short films, 2013 and 2015; TV series, 2017), Promare (2019), (2020), (2022), and Delicious in Dungeon (2024), as well as the animated continuations of Gridman The Hyper Agent, SSSS.Gridman (2018), SSSS.Dynazenon (2021), and Gridman Universe (2023)

Business

Studio Trigger was founded by former Gainax employee Hiroyuki Imaishi, following his success with Gurren Lagann (2007). This led to the creation of Studio Trigger, with Gurren Laganns visual humor and style defining the studio's work, and Trigger being seen as a successor to Gainax.[2] [3]

Studio Trigger was established on August 22, 2011,[4] [5] by Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Ōtsuka[6] shortly after leaving Gainax.[7] The studio name and official website was revealed in October 2011.[8] Along with assisting production on various series, Trigger has released a short film, Little Witch Academia,[9] and has developed its first original anime television series, Kill la Kill, which aired from October 2013 to March 2014.[10] [11] On July 8, 2013, Trigger launched a Kickstarter project in order to fund a second episode of Little Witch Academia. The project was well received and achieved its goal of $150,000 in under five hours, and went on to raise a total of $625,518.[12]

Studio Trigger, along with studios Sanzigen and Ordet, joined joint holding company Ultra Super Pictures.

In 2018, Studio Trigger created a Patreon with the goal of acquiring necessary funding for projects and merchandise. As of May 2024, Studio Trigger's Patreon offers two support tiers for patrons (US$1/month and US$5/month), has over 5000 members, and raises over US$3,500 per month.[13]

In 2023, it was announced that the rights to Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt and Gurren Lagann, two of Imaishi's previous work at Gainax, had fully reverted to Imaishi and Studio Trigger; a follow-up to the former was also announced.[14]

Productions

Anime television series

YearTitle Director(s)Note(s)
2013–2014Kill la KillHiroyuki Imaishi24
Original work.[15]
2014When Supernatural Battles Became CommonplaceMasahiko Ōtsuka (chief)
Masanori Takahashi
12Based on a light novel by Kōta Nozomi.[16]
2016Space Patrol LulucoHiroyuki Imaishi13Original work.[17]
KiznaiverHiroshi Kobayashi12Original work.[18]
2017Little Witch AcademiaYoh Yoshinari25Based on Trigger's short film of the same name.[19]
2018Darling in the FranxxAtsushi Nishigori24Original work.
Co-production with CloverWorks and A-1 Pictures.
[20]
SSSS.GridmanAkira Amemiya12Based on the tokusatsu series Gridman the Hyper Agent by Tsuburaya Productions.[21]
2020Yoh Yoshinari12Original work.[22]
2021SSSS.DynazenonAkira Amemiya12Studio's 10th anniversary project.
Related to SSSS.Gridman.
[23]
2024–presentDelicious in DungeonYoshihiro Miyajima24+Based on a manga by Ryōko Kui.[24]
[25]
2025New Panty & Stocking with GarterbeltHiroyuki ImaishiUpcoming project based on the original series by predecessor studio Gainax.[26]

Anime films

YearTitle Director(s)Note(s)
2013Little Witch AcademiaYoh Yoshinari30mOriginal work.
Produced for Anime Mirai 2013.
2015Little Witch Academia: The Enchanted Parade55mOriginal work.
Sequel to the first Little Witch Academia film.
[27]
2019PromareHiroyuki Imaishi115mOriginal work.
CG animation produced by Sanzigen.
[28]
2023Gridman UniverseAkira Amemiya118mCrossover between SSSS.Gridman and SSSS.Dynazenon.[29]

Original net animations

YearTitle Director(s) Note(s)
2012–2013Inferno CopAkira Amemiya13Original work.
Released on YouTube.
[30]
2013Turning GirlsMasahiko Ōtsuka
Ren Shimorenjaku
7Original work.
Released on YouTube.
[31]
2015Japan Animator ExpoAkira Amemiya (#9)
Yasuhiro Yoshiura (#11, #29)
Hiroyuki Imaishi (#14)
Four shorts: Electronic Superhuman Gridman: Boys Invent Great Hero (#9; based on Gridman the Hyper Agent),[32] Power Plant No. 33 (#11; co-produced with Studio Rikka),[33] Sex & Violence with Machspeed (#14),[34] and Bureau of Proto Society (#29; co-produced with Studio Rikka).[35]
Ninja Slayer From AnimationAkira Amemiya26Based on the novel series by Bradley Bond and Philip "Ninj@" Morzez.
Released on Niconico.
[36]
2021Hiroyuki Imaishi (#3)
Masahiko Otsuka (#7)
Episodes #3 ("The Twins") and #7 ("The Elder").
Co-production with Lucasfilm, released on Disney+.
[37] [38]
2022Hiroyuki Imaishi10Based on the video game Cyberpunk 2077 published by CD Projekt.
Co-production with CD Projekt, released on Netflix.
[39]

Other productions

Notes and References

  1. Web site: RECRUIT - TRIGGER Inc. . February 11, 2014.
  2. Web site: Qu . Hans . 'Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann' and Taking Up the 'Evangelion' Torch . . December 29, 2019 . June 20, 2019.
  3. Web site: The 50 Best Anime Series of All Time . . December 26, 2019 . October 3, 2018 . December 23, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191223001652/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/10/the-50-best-anime-series-of-all-time.html . dead .
  4. Web site: 2019-01-21 . ABOUT 会社概要 株式会社トリガー ANIMATION STUDIO TRIGGER Inc. . 2024-02-17 . ja.
  5. Web site: 2024-02-16 . Hiroyuki Imaishi's New Studio's Name, Website Revealed . 2024-02-17 . Anime News Network . en.
  6. Web site: Masahiko Ōtsuka . IMDB . July 29, 2018.
  7. Web site: Animator: Gurren Lagann Helmer Imaishi Establishes Studio . . October 6, 2011 . May 8, 2013.
  8. Web site: Hiroyuki Imaishi's New Studio Name, Website Revealed . Anime News Network . July 10, 2011 . May 8, 2013.
  9. Web site: Gonzo, Trigger, Pierrot, Madhouse Make Anime Mirai 2013 . Anime News Network . June 6, 2012 . May 8, 2013.
  10. Web site: Studio Trigger's 1st TV Series Teaser Streamed . Anime News Network . February 9, 2013 . May 8, 2013.
  11. Web site: Kill La Kill Anime Reunites Gurren Lagann Director, Writer . Anime News Network . May 8, 2013 . May 8, 2013.
  12. Web site: Little Witch Academia 2 . Kickstarter . July 9, 2013.
  13. Web site: Studio TRIGGER is creating Animation and Illustration . 2022-09-22 . Patreon . en-GB.
  14. Web site: Trigger Unveils Announcement Video for New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt Anime Project . Anime News Network. Pineda. Rafael Antonio. July 1, 2023. July 6, 2023.
  15. Web site: Sherman . Jennifer . Kill la Kill Anime's Full Main Cast Revealed . Anime News Network . 17 September 2022 . en . 6 September 2013.
  16. Web site: Cardine . Kyle . Inō Battle with Everyday Life Anime's Cast, Staff Announced . Anime News Network . 17 September 2022 . en.
  17. Web site: Hodgkins . Crystalyn . Hiroyuki Imaishi's Uchū Patrol Luluco TV Anime Reveals Cast, Characters, Staff, Story . Anime News Network . en.
  18. Web site: Sherman . Jennifer . Kiznaiver TV Anime's Ad Introduces Cast, Staff . Anime News Network . 17 September 2022 . en.
  19. Web site: Pineda . Rafael Antonio . Little Witch Academia TV Anime Reveals January Debut & Returning Cast, Staff . Anime News Network . 17 September 2022 . en.
  20. Web site: Sherman . Jennifer . Studio Trigger, A-1 Pictures' DARLING in the FRANKXX Anime Reveals Video, Visual, Staff . Anime News Network . 17 September 2022 . en.
  21. Web site: Loo . Egan . Trigger Reveals SSSS.Gridman Anime's Cast, Staff, Fall TV Debut . Anime News Network . 17 September 2022 . en.
  22. Web site: Hodgkins . Crystalyn . Yoh Yoshinari, Trigger's BNA: Brand New Animal Anime Reveals Cast, Visual, Story, April 2020 Debut . Anime News Network . 17 September 2022 . en.
  23. Web site: Trigger, Tsuburaya Productions Announce New Gridman Anime, SSSS.Dynazenon . ComicBook . May 6, 2020.
  24. Web site: Delicious in Dungeon Anime's Teaser Trailer Reveals Main Cast, More Staff, January 2024 Debut . . May 25, 2023 . May 25, 2023.
  25. Web site: Cayanan . Joanna . 2024-06-13 . Delicious in Dungeon Anime Gets 2nd Season . 2024-06-13 . Anime News Network . en.
  26. Web site: New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt Anime to Air in 2025 . . July 4, 2024 . July 4, 2024.
  27. Web site: Trigger's Little Witch Academia 2 Meets Kickstarter Goal . . July 9, 2013 . January 9, 2016.
  28. Web site: 1st Promo Video for Trigger, XFlag's Promare Anime Reveals Theatrical Release in 2019 . Anime News Network . October 12, 2018 . October 13, 2018.
  29. Web site: Gridman Universe Anime Film Unveils Visual, Returning Cast, 2023 Premiere . Anime News Network . August 26, 2022 . August 26, 2022.
  30. Web site: Studio Trigger's 1st Inferno Cop Short Streamed . Anime News Network . December 25, 2012 . May 8, 2013.
  31. Web site: Minto . Evan . Estrella . David . July 9, 2015 . Interview: Studio Trigger on Inferno Cop, Turning Girls, and Kill la Kill . Ani-Gamers . November 21, 2016.
  32. Web site: January 18, 2015 . 9th Animator Expo Short 'Gridman' Streamed . August 31, 2015 . Anime News Network.
  33. Web site: January 30, 2015 . 11th Animator Expo Short Power Plant No.33 Streamed . August 31, 2015 . Anime News Network.
  34. Web site: March 19, 2015 . 14th Animator Expo Short 'Sex and Violence with Mach Speed' Streamed . August 31, 2015 . Anime News Network.
  35. Web site: August 28, 2015 . Japan Animator Expo Streams Yasuhiro Yoshiura's 'Bureau of Proto Society' Short . August 31, 2015 . Anime News Network.
  36. Web site: Ninja Slayer Novels' Online English Release, English-Dubbed Trailer Unveiled . Anime News Network . April 10, 2014 . April 13, 2014.
  37. DiscussingFilm . DiscussingFilm . 1411458655493492737 . July 3, 2021 . From Studio Trigger, 'THE ELDER' follows a Master and Padawan who encounter an unknown enemy. The short film marks director Masahiko Otsuka's final work. #StarWarsVisions https://t.co/txIwlcj4QH . en . July 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210703225545/https://twitter.com/DiscussingFilm/status/1411458655493492737 . July 3, 2021 . live.
  38. DiscussingFilm . DiscussingFilm . 1411457345469681669 . July 3, 2021 . From Studio Trigger, 'THE TWINS', the story of a brother & sister relationship inspired by Luke & Leia but one struggles with the Dark Side. #StarWarsVisions https://t.co/hPJqgyPrtp . en . July 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210704132824/https://twitter.com/DiscussingFilm/status/1411457345469681669 . July 4, 2021 . live.
  39. Web site: Netflix, CD Projekt Red, and Studio Trigger Come Together For Global Anime Cyperpunk: Edgerunners. Netflix Media Center. June 25, 2020.