Nippon Animation Explained

Nippon Animation Co., Ltd.
Native Name:	日本アニメーション株式会社
Native Name Lang:	ja
Romanized Name:	Nippon Animēshon
Predecessor:	Zuiyō Eizō
Type:	Kabushiki gaisha
Founder:	Kōichi Motohashi
Location:	Tama, Tokyo
Location Country:	Japan
Locations:	Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Num Employees:	76 ^[1]
Industry:	Japanese animation

is a Japanese animation studio.^[2] The company is headquartered in Tokyo, with its headquarters in their Tama City studio and an administrative office in the Ginza district of Chūō.

Nippon Animation is known for producing numerous anime series based on works of Western literature such as Anne of Green Gables and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, co-founders of Studio Ghibli, directed several episodes in the World Masterpiece Theater series.

History

Early History (as Zuiyo Eizo)

What is now Nippon Animation is descended from Zuiyo Eizo (or Zuiyo Enterprise), an animation studio founded in April 1969 by TCJ former manager Shigeto Takahashi.^[3] The studio produced several popular series in the early and mid-1970s, including 1974's Heidi, Girl of the Alps, an adaptation of Johanna Spyri's popular children's book Heidi.^[4] The Heidi anime was enormously popular in Japan (and later in Europe, and the feature-length edit of the TV series saw a U.S. VHS release in 1985). Zuiyo Eizo soon found itself in financial trouble because of the high production costs of a series (presumably Maya the Honey Bee) it was attempting to sell to the European market.

Modern History (as Nippon Animation)

In 1975, Zuiyo Eizo was split into two entities: Zuiyo, which absorbed the debt and the rights to the Heidi anime, and Nippon Animation, which was essentially Zuiyo Eizo's production staff (including Miyazaki and Takahata). Officially, Nippon Animation Co., Ltd. was established on 3 June 1975 by company president Kōichi Motohashi. The newly rechristened Nippon Animation found success right away with Maya the Honey Bee and A Dog of Flanders (both of which began as Zuiyō Eizō productions), which became the first entry in the World Masterpiece Theater series to be produced under the Nippon Animation name. Hayao Miyazaki left Nippon Animation in 1979 in the middle of the production of Anne of Green Gables to make the Lupin III feature The Castle of Cagliostro.

A lawsuit by 361 voice actors was filed against Nippon Animation and its recording studio subsidiary Onkyo Eizo System in demand of unpaid royalties from DVD releases of anime series.^[5] After four years, a judge ruled in 2003 that Onkyo Eizo owed 87 million yen (US$796,000) to the actors, but dismissed the case against Nippon Animation as they deemed actor compensation to be the responsibility of the recording studio.^[6] Both parties appealed the decision.^[5] On 25 August 2004, the Tokyo High Court upheld the ruling against Onkyo Eizo and also found Nippon Animation liable, ordering both companies to pay the 87 million yen.^{[5] [7]} The Supreme Court of Japan upheld the ruling in 2005.^[8]

Body of work

In addition to the World Masterpiece Theater series, Nippon Animation has also produced many other series based on Western works of literature, as well as original works and adaptations of Japanese manga. Especially, until Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair (1992), its peak of productions based on Western works of literature. Many of these are included in the list of the studio's works below.

Of the studio's productions not based on Western literature, the most popular is undoubtedly Chibi Maruko-chan (1990), based on the popular manga by Momoko Sakura. At its peak, this slice-of-life anime about an unusually intelligent elementary-school-aged girl and her family and friends managed an audience rating of nearly 40%, making it one of the highest-rated anime series ever (and the highest-rated anime program in Japanese history at the time).

Works adapted from Western literature

World Masterpiece Theater series

See main article: World Masterpiece Theater.

Other TV series

• Vicky the Viking (小さなバイキング ビッケ, Chiisana Viking Vikke) – 1974–1975 (eps. 53-78, property of Zuiyo)
• Maya the Honey Bee (みつばちマーヤの冒険, Mitsubachi Māya no Bōken) – 1975–1976 (began as Zuiyo Eizo production)
• Laura, The Prairie Girl (草原の少女ローラ, Sōgen no shōjo Rōra (Laura, Girl of the Prairies)) – 1975
• (Arabian Naitsu: Shinbaddo No Bôken) – 1975
• The Adventures of Piccolino (Pikorīno no Bōken) – 1976
• Little Lulu and Her Little Friends (Little Lulu to Chicchai Nakama) – 1976
• (Kuma no Ko Jacky) – 1977
• Future Boy Conan (Mirai Shonen Conan) – 1978, a Hayao Miyazaki work
• Bannertail: The Story of Gray Squirrel (Seton Dobutsuki Risu no Banner) – 1979
  • Ruy, the Little Cid (Little El Cid no Bouken) – 1980, co-production with BRB Internacional Heart (Cuore): An Italian Schoolboy's Journal (Ai no Gakko Cuore Monogatari) – 1981
• Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds (Wanwan Sanjushi, The Three Musketeers) – 1981; co-production with BRB Internacional (Madrid, Spain)
• The New Adventures of Maya the Bee (Shin Mitsubachi Maaya no Boken) – 1982
• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Fushigi no Kuni no Arisu) – 1983
• Around the World with Willy Fog (Anime 80 Sekai Isshu) – 1983 (In Spain), 1987 (In Japan); co-production with BRB Internacional
• Manga Aesop's Fables – 1983
• Bosco Adventure (Bosco Daiboken) – 1986
• Grimm's Fairy Tale Classics (Grimm Meisaku Gekijo) – 1987–1988
• New Grimm's Fairy Tale Classics (Shin Grimm Meisaku Gekijo) – 1988–1989
• Jungle Book Shōnen Mowgli (2 October 1989 – 29 October 1990)
• Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair (Kaze no Naka no Shojo Kinptasu no Jeannie) – 1992

TV specials

• Manxmouse (Tondemo Nezumi Daikatsuyaku) (30 June 1979)
• Anne's Diary: The Story of Anne Frank (Anne no Nikki: Anne Frank Monogatari) (28 September 1979)
• Back to the Forest (Nodoka Mori no Dobutsu Daisakusen, English titles: Peter of Placid Forest, Back to the Forest) (3 February 1980)
• The Story of Fifteen Boys (Hitomi no Naka no Shonen Jugo Shonen Hyoryuki) (19 October 1987)

Other works

TV series

• Dokaben (6 October 1976 – 26 December 1979)
• Attack on Tomorrow (4 April 1977 – 5 September 1977)
• Blocker Gundan 4 Machine Blaster – 1977 (co-production with Ashi Productions)
• Ginguiser (Chogattai Majutsu Robot Ginguiser) (co-production with Ashi Productions) – 1977
• I'm Teppei (Ore wa Teppei) – 1977
• Charlotte (Wakakusa no Charlotte) – 1977
• The Casebook of Charlotte Holmes (Angie Girl, Jouo Heika no Petite Angie) – 1977
• Poetry of the Baseball Enthusiasts (Yakyū-kyō no Uta) (23 December 1977 – 26 March 1979)
• Haikara-san ga Tōru (Smart-san, Mademoiselle Anne) – 1978
• Highschool Baseball Ninja (Ikkyu-san) – 1978
• Misha the Bear Cub (Koguma no Misha) – 1979
• Seton Dobutsuki Risu no Banner – 1979
• Sanpei the Fisherman (Fisherman Sanpei) – 1980
• Fútbol en acción – 1981 (co-production with Estudio Equip, BRB Internacional and Televisión Española)
• The Many Dream Journeys of Meme – 1983
• Noozles (Fushigi na Koara Burinkii, Blinky and Printy) – 1984
• Elves of the Forest (Mori no Tonto Tachi) – 1984 (co-production with Shaft)
• Bumpety Boo (Hey! Bumboo) – 1985
• Spaceship Sagittarius (Uchuusen Sagittarius) – 1986
• Animated Classics of Japanese Literature (Seishun Anime Zenshū) (25 April 1986 – 26 December 1986)
• Topo Gigio – 1988
• Dagon in the Land of Weeds – 1988
• Chibi Maruko-chan – 1990
• Pygmalio – 1990
• Top Striker (Moero! Top Striker) – 1991
• Christopher Columbus – 1992 co-production with Mondo TV
• Mikan's Picture Diary (Mikan Enikki) – 1992
• Papuwa-kun (Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun) – 1992
• Bow: Modern Dog Tales (Heisei Inu Monogatari Bau) (14 October 1993 – 22 September 1994)
• Dragon League – 1993
• Muka Muka Paradise – 1993
• Miracle Girls – 1993 (as Japan Taps)
• Mahojin Guru Guru – 1994
• Pig Girl of Love and Courage: Tonde Burin – 1994
• Yamato Takeru – 1994
• Romeo's Blue Skies – 1995
• Mama Loves the Poyopoyo-Saurus – 1995
• Grander Musashi – 1997
• Duck Caen – 1997
• Cooking Master Boy (Chūka Ichiban!) – 1997
• Coji-Coji (Sakura Momoko Gekijo: Koji-Koji) – 1997; from the creator of Chibi Maruko-chan, Momoko Sakura
• Ten-Ten-Kun (Hanasaki Tenshi Ten-Ten-kun) – 1998
• Inventor Boy Kanipan (Hatsumei Boy Kanipan) – 1998
• Xenon Football Sign – 1999
• Shuukan! Story Land – 1999
• Hunter × Hunter – 1999
• Corrector Yui – 1999
• Bikkuriman 2000 – 1999
• Taiga Adventure (Mirai Shonen Conan II: Taiga no Daiboken) – 1999; a remake of Future Boy Conan directed by Hayao Miyazaki's former assistant, Keiji Hayakawa, but featuring a new cast of characters
• Marcelino Pan y Vino – 2000 (Japan-Spain co-production; title is Spanish for "Marcelino, bread and wine")
• Mahōjin Guru Guru – April 2000, TV Tokyo
• Princess Comet (Cosmic Baton Girl Comet-san) – 2001; based on a manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, creator of Tetsujin 28-go and Sally, the Witch
• Dennou Boukenki Webdiver – 2001 (co-production with Radix)
• Daigunder – 2002 (co-production with Brains Base)
• – 2002–2003, Animax
• Papuwa – September 2003, TV Tokyo
• Sore Ike! Zukkoke Sannin Gumi – April 2004, TV Tokyo
• Fantastic Children – October 2004, TV Tokyo
• Mix Master – 2005 (Japan-Korea co-production with Sunwoo Entertainment and KBS)
  • Pokapoka Mori no Rascal – 2006, Sequel of Araiguma Rascal Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge – 2006
• Antique Bakery – 2008
• Hyakko – 2008
• Hakushon Daimaō 2020 – 2020 (co-production with Tatsunoko Production)
• Let's Make a Mug Too – 2021
• Love All Play – 2022 (co-production with OLM)
• Ao no Orchestra – 2023

Films

• Future Boy Conan (Mirai Shōnen Konan) (15 September 1979)
• Yakyū-kyō no Uta: Kita no Ōkami Minami no Tora (15 September 1979)
• 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother (19 July 1980)
• Future Boy Conan: The Revival of the Giant Machine (Mirai Shōnen Konan: Tokubetsu Hen-Kyodaiki Gigant no Fukkatsu) (11 March 1984)
• Locke the Superman (Chōjin Rokku) (14 April 1984)
• Chibi Maruko-chan (15 December 1990)
• Chibi Maruko-chan: Watashi no Suki na Uta (19 December 1992)
• Tottoi (AKA "Secret of the Seal") (22 August 1992)
• Heisei Inu Monogatari Bau: Genshi Inu Monogatari Bau (20 August 1994) – short film
• Mahōjin Guru Guru – (20 April 1996) – short film
• Violinist of Hameln (20 April 1996) – short film
• The Dog of Flanders: The Movie (15 March 1997)
• The Mighty Kong (16 June 1998) (Co-produced with L.A. Animation, Hahn Shin Corporation and Lana Productions)
• Marco: 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother (2 April 1999)
• The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2014) (Real production by Studio Ghibli, Nippon Animation was the animation cooperation with BONES, Tatsunoko Production and Studio 4°C)
• (23 May 2015)^{[9] [10]}
• – 2015
• – 2015
• Haikara-San: Here Comes Miss Modern – 2017–18

TV specials

• King Fang (Oyuki Yama no Yuusha Haou) (23 September 1978)
• Our Hit and Run (18 February 1979)
• Preface Taro (Maegami Taro) (29 April 1979)
• Coral Reef Legend: Elfie of the Blue Sea (Sango-shō Densetsu: Aoi Umi no Elfie) (22 August 1986)
• On-chan, Dream Power Big Adventure! (5 August 2003)
• Miyori's Forest (Miyori no Mori) (25 August 2007)

Original video animations

• Locke the Superman: Lord Leon – 1989
• Bucchigiri – 1989
• Bucchigiri 2 – 1990
• Bucchigiri 3 – 1991
• Locke the Superman: New World Command – 1991
• Bucchigiri 4 – 1991
• Jungle Wars – 1991
• Boku wa Ō-sama – 1996
• Hunter x Hunter – 2002
• Shiritsu Araiso Koutougakkou Seitokai Shikkoubu – 2002
• Hunter x Hunter: Greed Island – 2003
• Pink Crayons – 2004
• Hunter x Hunter: G.I. Final – 2004
• Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil Masterpiece Theater: Leon and the Mysterious Village – 2023

Nippon Animedia

It is a department of Nippon Animation that had a partnership with famous toy company Takara on some anime.

• Beyblade – 2001 (co-production with Madhouse)
• Beyblade: V-Force – 2002 (co-production with Madhouse)
• – 2002
• Beyblade G Revolution – 2003 (co-production with Madhouse)
• B-Legend! Battle Bedaman – 2004
• – 2005
• Crash B-Daman – 2006
• Zero Duel Masters – 2007

Notes and References

1. Web site: 日本アニメーション株式会社の企業情報 キャリタス就活2024 新卒・既卒学生向け就職活動・採用情報サイト. 2023-06-21.
2. Web site: Nippon Animation Co., Ltd.. CELSYS. 6 March 2019. 7 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190307053951/https://www.celsys.co.jp/en/clipsolution/nippon-animation/. live.
3. Book: Kato, Yoshihiko . 作曲家・渡辺岳夫の肖像 ハイジ、ガンダムの音楽を作った男 (P-Vine Books) . Blues Interactions . 2010 . 101.
4. Book: Clements . Jonathan . The Anime Encyclopedia, 3rd Revised Edition: A Century of Japanese Animation . McCarthy . Helen . 9 February 2015 . Stone Bridge Press . 9781611729092 . 904144859 . 6 March 2019 . Google Books . 2 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220502200044/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/The_Anime_Encyclopedia_3rd_Revised_Editi/E03KBgAAQBAJ?hl=en . live .
5. Web site: 声の使用料支払え 番組ビデオ化で東京高裁判決 声優361人の主張通る. . Japanese. 2004-08-26. 2024-10-21.
6. Web site: Japanese Voice Actors Sue Studio. Anime News Network. 2003-11-07. 2024-11-29.
7. Web site: Voice Actors win Second Round of Lawsuits. Anime News Network. 2004-08-30. 2024-11-29.
8. Web site: Japanese Voice Actors Win In Court. Anime News Network. 2005-07-02. 2024-11-29.
9. Web site: Nippon Animation Sets Sail With Top Crew on 'Sinbad'. Mark. Schilling. 23 January 2015. Variety.com. 6 March 2019. 6 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190306235013/https://variety.com/2015/film/asia/nippon-animation-sets-sail-with-top-crew-on-sinbad-1201412855/. live.
10. Web site: Nippon Animation Announces 'Sinbad'. Mercedes. Milligan. 23 January 2015. Animationmagazine.net. 6 March 2019. 7 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190307000621/http://www.animationmagazine.net/features/nippon-animation-announces-sinbad/. live.