Tokyo, Japan – Japanese anime powerhouse TMS Entertainment announced on Thursday a new business partnership with R. Animation, a Taiwanese animation studio. The collaboration aims to strengthen anime production capabilities and foster the exchange of valuable production knowledge and techniques between the two studios. This move is part of TMS Entertainment’s broader strategy to address challenges within the anime industry, including the aging demographic of veteran animators and persistent manpower shortages.
Addressing Industry Challenges Through International Collaboration
TMS Entertainment, a venerable studio established in 1946 (and entering animation in 1964) known for iconic franchises like Detective Conan and Lupin III, is actively seeking to build a more stable production pipeline for the future. The Japanese anime market continues to expand, driven by global popularity and the widespread adoption of streaming platforms, with over 300 anime titles reportedly produced annually. However, the industry faces significant hurdles, such as an aging talent pool and a scarcity of animators, leading some studios to be booked years in advance.
To mitigate these issues, TMS plans to establish more robust partnerships both domestically and internationally, supplementing its ongoing animator training initiatives. This strategic alliance with R. Animation represents a key step in that direction, aiming to enhance the quality and sustainability of anime production.
R. Animation: A Rising Force in Hand-Drawn Anime
Founded in Taipei in 2018, R. Animation has rapidly emerged as a significant player in the animation landscape. With a core team of over 40 members, the studio specializes in hand-drawn animation, adeptly employing the styles and methods prevalent in the Japanese anime industry. R. Animation boasts a comprehensive range of capabilities, including key art, in-between animation, finishing, line production, storyboarding, design, and post-production.
The Taiwanese studio has already established a strong reputation through its collaborative work on several high-profile anime projects. Notably, R. Animation has worked closely with CloverWorks, contributing key animation to popular series such as My Dress-Up Darling, Spy×Family, The Elusive Samurai, and Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc. Their portfolio also includes key animation for One Piece, takt op. Destiny, and Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation II, in addition to background art for the opening and ending credits of Butareba: The Story of a Man Turned into a Pig.
The Vision for a Stable and High-Quality Future
The partnership between TMS Entertainment and R. Animation goes beyond mere production outsourcing. Both companies are committed to sharing technical expertise and operational know-how to collectively improve the quality of anime production and establish a more stable creative environment. This collaborative approach is expected to facilitate deeper discussions on production workflows, technical insights, and communication strategies.
By investing in such alliances, TMS Entertainment continues its legacy of fostering talent and innovation within the global animation industry. The company has a history of strategic collaborations, including the Unlimited Produce Project launched in 2021, which emphasizes working with outside studios to strengthen all aspects of production. This new partnership with R. Animation underscores a shared vision for the long-term health and development of the anime industry, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality animated works to a global audience.
