Kadokawa will merge five animation production studios to form a new company, Studio One Base, in November 2026.
Kadokawa has announced the merger of five of its animation production studios: ENGI, Studio KADAN, Chiptune, Bernox Films, and Raging Bull. The merger will result in the creation of Studio One Base Inc. The new studio will begin operations in November 2026.
The five studios will be brought together at a new animation production base in Sunshine City, Ikebukuro, which will also be named Studio One Base.
The merger is part of Kadokawa's “Creating creators. Creating Production Spaces.” initiative, which aims to strengthen its animation and live-action production systems and create a more sustainable environment for creators.
Why is Kadokawa merging five animation studios?
Kadokawa has expanded its anime production network since 2018 through the establishment and acquisition of studios. Its animation production studios have worked on a combined 48 productions and 486 episodes.
The company says the growing global demand for anime has resulted in increasingly large and complex productions, while the industry continues to face challenges, including a shortage of personnel and rising production costs.
Through the merger, Kadokawa will consolidate the management and administrative functions of the five studios while maintaining their individual brands and production lines. The company says this will allow creators to focus more on production while improving operational efficiency and working conditions.
ENGI, Studio KADAN, Chiptune, Bellnox Films, and Raging Bull will retain their respective identities under Studio One Base. Their combined expertise will cover a range of production areas, including 3DCG, cinematography, and art direction. The studios will also share facilities and production knowledge at the new Ikebukuro base, with KADOKAWA aiming to encourage collaboration between creators, talent exchange, and the development of younger staff.
ENGI is known for producing Medalist, Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!, Our Dating Story: The Experienced You and The Inexperienced Me. Studio KADAN primarily worked on the 2D design of Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress and assisted in CG character production for Suzume. Chiptune produced the second season of Blue Lock, as well as its Episode Nagi spin-off, and The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2. Bellnox Films produced the anime adaptation of Darwin Incident. Raging Bull did animation support for Blue Lock, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Calamity, The Elusive Samurai Season 2, and Fire Force Season 4.
Studio One Base is scheduled to open at Sunshine City in September 2026, ahead of the company's establishment in November. Takeshi Kikuchi, who also goes by Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, will head this initiative as President and CEO, and in a comment, through a machine translation, states:
“Amidst significant changes in the environment surrounding anime production, we believe that creating an environment where creators can focus on their work with peace of mind is essential for continuing to produce compelling works. This integration is not merely an organizational restructuring, but an initiative to further enhance the value of the brands and individuality that each studio has cultivated, while carrying them into the future. We will continue to work together with creators to create a production environment in which we can continue to produce compelling works.”
Kadokawa says the new structure will allow its production teams to collaborate more flexibly across projects while strengthening its ability to handle increasingly large-scale anime productions.
The merger is the third phase of Kadokawa's “Creating creators. Creating Production Spaces” production system reform initiative, following the company’s earlier efforts to strengthen its recruitment, training, and production environments.