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Shaft (company)
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese animation
studio founded on September 1, 1975 by Hiroshi Wakao. They are best known for their unique use of gags and references notably in Pani Poni Dash!
, Maria Holic
, Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei
, Hidamari Sketch, Puella Magi Madoka Magica
, and Bakemonogatari
series.
's animator. The company was originally founded to paint the animation but later worked on animation production as a subcontractor. They were able to produce their own first original series, in 1987.
In 2000, after Shaft cooperating with Gainax
to produce a DVD special of remastered Gunbuster
, they were in joint production with Gainax to produce Mahoromatic
, This Ugly and Beautiful World, and He is My Master
. After Hiroshi Wakao's retirement in 2004, Kubota Mitsutoshi has become Shaft's representative director. Their painting group has also been downsized in order to strengthen their digital group.
, Tatsuya Oishi and Shin Ōnuma
have participated in most of Shaft's productions, starting with Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase. The studio is unique due to their use of gags and references to other anime through writing on a classroom chalkboard
or any available empty space in the background. The studio is also known for the use of various animation styles in a single series, changes in art style, a characteristic head tilt, and use of unusual music for the opening sequences of their shows.
Ef: A Fairy Tale of the Two.
series
Maria Holic
series
Natsu no Arashi!
series
Monogatari
series
Dance in the Vampire Bund
(TV, January 2010)
Arakawa Under the Bridge
series
Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru
(TV, October 2010)
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
series
Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko
(TV, April 2011)
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese animation
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
studio founded on September 1, 1975 by Hiroshi Wakao. They are best known for their unique use of gags and references notably in Pani Poni Dash!
Pani Poni Dash!
, also known as through its anime adaptation , is a Japanese manga series that uses parody, frequently referencing Japanese and American pop-culture in many ways...
, Maria Holic
Maria Holic
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Minari Endō, the author of Dazzle. The manga was first serialized in the Japanese seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive on June 27, 2006, and is published by Media Factory. The manga was licensed by Tokyopop with the first volume in English...
, Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei
Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei
is a Japanese manga by Kōji Kumeta, serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine. It is a comedy about a teacher who takes all aspects of life, word and culture in the most negative light possible. It satirizes politics, media, and Japanese society...
, Hidamari Sketch, Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
is a Japanese anime television series produced by Shaft and Aniplex. The series is directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and written by Gen Urobuchi with original character designs by Ume Aoki, character design adaptation by Takahiro Kishida and music by Yuki Kajiura...
, and Bakemonogatari
Bakemonogatari
is a Japanese popular light novel series written by Japanese novelist Nisio Isin and illustrated by Taiwanese illustrator Vofan; the series is published by Kodansha under the Kodansha Box imprint...
series.
History
Shaft was founded on September 1, 1975 by Hiroshi Wakao, former Mushi ProductionMushi Production
Mushi Production , or Mushi Pro for short, is a Japanese animation studio headquartered in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan....
's animator. The company was originally founded to paint the animation but later worked on animation production as a subcontractor. They were able to produce their own first original series, in 1987.
In 2000, after Shaft cooperating with Gainax
Gainax
is a Japanese anime studio famous for productions such as Gunbuster, The Wings of Honneamise, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann which have gone on to critical acclaim and commercial success, as well as for their association with...
to produce a DVD special of remastered Gunbuster
Gunbuster
Gunbuster, known in Japan as is a six episode anime OVA series created by Gainax in 1988. It was the directorial debut of Hideaki Anno, best known as the director of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The title is a combination of the titles of classic tennis anime Aim for the Ace!, whose plot inspired...
, they were in joint production with Gainax to produce Mahoromatic
Mahoromatic
is a sci-fi romantic comedy manga and animeseries which contains elements of the literary genre of tragic dramas. It is about a female android former soldier, Mahoro...
, This Ugly and Beautiful World, and He is My Master
He Is My Master
is a gag comedy manga which ran in Monthly Shōnen Gangan, later spun off into a television anime series in the harem genre with a lolicon aspect. The manga is authored by two individuals: Mattsu who does the story and his ex-wife Asu Tsubaki who does the artwork...
. After Hiroshi Wakao's retirement in 2004, Kubota Mitsutoshi has become Shaft's representative director. Their painting group has also been downsized in order to strengthen their digital group.
Characteristics
Since 2004, Akiyuki ShinboAkiyuki Shinbo
, born September 27, 1961 in Fukushima, Japan, is a Japanese animation director. Shinbo started his career as an animator in 1981 at Studio One Pattern. He then made his directorial debut with Metal Fighter Miku in 1994. He is most notable for his involvement in a number of Shaft works since 2004...
, Tatsuya Oishi and Shin Ōnuma
Shin Onuma
is a Japanese animation and theatre director. He has also provided key animation for many anime. Most prominently he has directed Ef: A Tale of Memories. and assisted Akiyuki Shinbo in directing three anime by Shaft: Pani Poni Dash!, Negima!?, Natsu no Arashi!.-Anime:*Baka to Test to Shōkanjū *Baka...
have participated in most of Shaft's productions, starting with Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase. The studio is unique due to their use of gags and references to other anime through writing on a classroom chalkboard
Chalkboard
A chalkboard or blackboard is a reusable writing surface on which text or drawings are made with sticks of calcium sulfate or calcium carbonate, known, when used for this purpose, as chalk. Chalkboards were originally made of smooth, thin sheets of black or dark grey slate stone...
or any available empty space in the background. The studio is also known for the use of various animation styles in a single series, changes in art style, a characteristic head tilt, and use of unusual music for the opening sequences of their shows.
TV anime
- Juuni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto RangerJuuni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Rangeris a 1995 Japanese anime television series. The Eto Rangers are based on the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac.- Summary :The Eto Rangers ride in Space-Time Transmitting Machine Kirinda to repair the Novel Worlds of Mugen. The Eto Rangers are anthropomorphic animals, each representing one of the...
(TV, 1995) - Dotto Koni-chan (TV, 2000)
- MahoromaticMahoromaticis a sci-fi romantic comedy manga and animeseries which contains elements of the literary genre of tragic dramas. It is about a female android former soldier, Mahoro...
series (joint production with GainaxGainaxis a Japanese anime studio famous for productions such as Gunbuster, The Wings of Honneamise, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann which have gone on to critical acclaim and commercial success, as well as for their association with...
)- Mahoromatic: Automatic Maiden (TV, 2001)
- Mahoromatic: Something More Beautiful (TV, 2002)
- Mahoromatic: Summer Special (OVA, 2003)
- G-On RidersG-On Ridersis a 2002 magical girl parody anime series. The "G" in "G-On" stands for "Glasses". Every female character in the series wears glasses, hence the title. The character designs are intended to both parody and glorify the meganekko fetish among many anime fans...
(TV, 2002, joint production with TNKTNKTNK is a three letter acronym that may refer to:* The Hebrew Bible. See also Tanakh.* Tenecteplase - an enzyme used as a thrombolytic drug.* TNK-BP Ltd. - a Russian oil company.* The Japanese animation studio TNK.*TNK - a Turkish band....
) - PopotanPopotanis a Japanese adult visual novel developed by Petit Ferret with character designs by Akio Watanabe under the alias Poyoyon Rock. It was originally released as a PC game for CD-ROM on December 13, 2002 and subsequently re-released on DVD-ROM and for the PlayStation 2 with certain scenes removed...
(TV, 2003) - This Ugly Yet Beautiful WorldThis Ugly Yet Beautiful Worldis an anime television series created by Shouji Saeki and Hiroyuki Yamaga. It was co-produced by the Gainax and Shaft animation studios.The series aired on the Tokyo Broadcasting System from April 1, 2004 to June 16, 2004, totaling 12 episodes...
(TV, 2004, joint production with Gainax) - Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase (TV, 2004)
- He is My MasterHe Is My Masteris a gag comedy manga which ran in Monthly Shōnen Gangan, later spun off into a television anime series in the harem genre with a lolicon aspect. The manga is authored by two individuals: Mattsu who does the story and his ex-wife Asu Tsubaki who does the artwork...
(TV, 2005, joint production with Gainax) - Pani Poni Dash!Pani Poni Dash!, also known as through its anime adaptation , is a Japanese manga series that uses parody, frequently referencing Japanese and American pop-culture in many ways...
(TV, 2005) - RecRec (manga)Rec is a Japanese manga about an aspiring voice actress, authored by Q-Tarou Hanamizawa. An anime adaptation has been created which consists of nine twelve-minute episodes, plus another twelve-minute original video animation episode.-Story:...
(TV, 2006) - Negima!?Negima!?is an alternate retelling of the manga series Negima! Magister Negi Magi. The anime, directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, aired October 4, 2006 to March 28, 2007 in Japan. It is accompanied by a new monthly manga series by Takuya Fujima called Negima!? neo. Both series feature the same characters and...
(TV, 2006) - Hidamari Sketch series
- Hidamari Sketch (TV, 2007)
- Hidamari Sketch Special (TV, 2007)
- Hidamari Sketch ×365 (TV, 2008)
- Hidamari Sketch ×365 Special (TV, 2009)
- Hidamari Sketch ×Hoshimittsu (TV, January 2010)
- Hidamari Sketch ×Hoshimittsu Special (TV, October 2010)
- Hidamari Sketch x SP (TV, October 2011)
- Sayonara Zetsubō SenseiSayonara Zetsubo Senseiis a Japanese manga by Kōji Kumeta, serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine. It is a comedy about a teacher who takes all aspects of life, word and culture in the most negative light possible. It satirizes politics, media, and Japanese society...
series - Zoku Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei (TV, 2008)
- Goku Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei (OVA, 2008-2009)
- Zan Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei (TV, July 2009)
- Zan Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei Bangaichi (OVA, 2009-2010)
Ef: A Fairy Tale of the Two.
Ef: A Fairy Tale of the Two is the overall title of a two-part Japanese adult visual novel series by Minori for the PC as a DVD. The first game in the series, Ef: The First Tale, was released on December 22, 2006, and the second game, Ef: The Latter Tale, was released on May 30, 2008...
series
- Ef: A Tale of Memories. (TV, 2007)
- Ef: A Tale of Melodies. (TV, 2008)
Maria Holic
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Minari Endō, the author of Dazzle. The manga was first serialized in the Japanese seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive on June 27, 2006, and is published by Media Factory. The manga was licensed by Tokyopop with the first volume in English...
series
- Maria Holic (TV, January 2009)
- Maria Holic: Alive (TV, April 2011)
Natsu no Arashi!
is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Jin Kobayashi, who is known for his previous work School Rumble. The manga started serialization in Square Enix's Gangan Wing shōnen manga magazine on August 25, 2006, and seven bound volumes have been released in Japan as of March 2010...
series
- Natsu no Arashi! (TV, April 2009)
- Natsu no Arashi! Akinai chū (TV, October 2009)
Bakemonogatari
is a Japanese popular light novel series written by Japanese novelist Nisio Isin and illustrated by Taiwanese illustrator Vofan; the series is published by Kodansha under the Kodansha Box imprint...
series
- BakemonogatariBakemonogatariis a Japanese popular light novel series written by Japanese novelist Nisio Isin and illustrated by Taiwanese illustrator Vofan; the series is published by Kodansha under the Kodansha Box imprint...
(TV, July 2009) - Kizumonogatari (Planned Movie, 2012)
- Nisemonogatari (Planned TV, January 2012)
Dance in the Vampire Bund
is a supernatural romance manga written and illustrated by . The manga series is serialized in Media Factory's seinen manga magazine Comic Flapper, and is licensed for an English-language release by Seven Seas Entertainment....
(TV, January 2010)
Arakawa Under the Bridge
is a Japanese manga series created by Hikaru Nakamura. The manga was first serialized in the Japanese seinen manga magazine Young GanGan starting December 3, 2004. An anime adaptation by Shaft was broadcast in Japan between April 4, 2010 and June 27, 2010 on TV Tokyo...
series
- Arakawa Under the Bridge (TV, April 2010)
- Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge (TV, October 2010)
Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru
, abbreviated as , is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Masakazu Ishiguro. The manga started serialization in Young King OURs magazine on March 30, 2005, and nine bound volumes have been released in Japan as of August 2011...
(TV, October 2010)
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
is a Japanese anime television series produced by Shaft and Aniplex. The series is directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and written by Gen Urobuchi with original character designs by Ume Aoki, character design adaptation by Takahiro Kishida and music by Yuki Kajiura...
series
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica (TV, January 2011)
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Planned Movie series)
Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko
is a Japanese light novel series written by Hitoma Iruma, with illustrations by Buriki. The series includes eight novels released between January 2009 and April 2011, published by ASCII Media Works under their Dengeki Bunko imprint. A manga adaptation started serialization in the October 2010 issue...
(TV, April 2011)
Other works
- Yume kara samenai (OVA, 1987)
- Arcade Gamer Fubuki (OVA, 2002)
- Mahō Sensei Negima! event screenings
- Mahō Sensei Negima! Haru (OVA, 2006)
- Mahō Sensei Negima! Natsu (OVA, 2006)
- Kino no Tabi: Byouki no Kuni -For You-Kino's Journey, shortened to Kino's Journey, is a Japanese light novel series written by Keiichi Sigsawa, with illustrations by Kouhaku Kuroboshi. The series originally started serialization in volume five of MediaWorks' now-defunct light novel magazine Dengeki hp on March 17, 2000...
(Movie, 2007) - Shina DarkShina Darkis a Japanese fantasy and comedy manga series written by Bunjūrō Nakayama and drawn by Yukari Higa. The manga originally started serialized in ASCII Media Works' seinen manga magazine Dengeki Teioh on January 26, 2006, and ran in that magazine until November 2006 when it went on hiatus until...
(Music Clip DVD, 2008) - Mahō Sensei Negima!Negima!: Magister Negi MagiNegima! Magister Negi Magi, known in Japan as is a manga and anime series by Ken Akamatsu . The manga is currently being published by Kodansha and serialized in Shōnen Magazine in Japan. Del Rey Manga published the English translated version in the United States and Canada prior to Kodansha...
OVA series- Mahō Sensei Negima!: Shiroki Tsubasa Ala Alba (OVA, 2008-2009)
- Mahō Sensei Negima! Magic World arc (OVA, September 2009)
- Katte ni KaizoKatte ni Kaizois a shōnen manga by Kōji Kumeta. The manga ran for 26 volumes in Shōnen Sunday from 1998 to 2004. The art style went through a huge change as the story went on, by the end of the story the art style was the same as the type used in Kumeta's next series, Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei...
(OVA, May 2011 - October 2011) - Kid Icarus: UprisingKid Icarus: UprisingKid Icarus: Uprising, known in Japan as , is an upcoming title for the Nintendo 3DS video game system, developed by Project Sora and to be published by Nintendo. It is the third game in the Kid Icarus series and the first since 1991's Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters, a nineteen-year wait...
(ONA, 2012)
North American Productions
- Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling (animation production shared with Wang Film ProductionsWang Film ProductionsWang Film Productions is one of the oldest and most prolific Taiwanese animation studios...
and Hanho Heung-Up) - Jayce and the Wheeled WarriorsJayce and the Wheeled WarriorsJayce and the Wheeled Warriors is a French/North American animated TV show which first aired on September 16, 1985. It was produced by DIC Entertainment , and animated by Japanese animation studios Sunrise, Shaft, Studio Giants, Studio Look and Swan Production...
(animation production shared with SunriseSunriseSunrise is the instant at which the upper edge of the Sun appears above the horizon in the east. Sunrise should not be confused with dawn, which is the point at which the sky begins to lighten, some time before the sun itself appears, ending twilight...
and other studios) - ALF Tales (animation production shared with MOOK DLEMOOK DLEMook DLE is an animation studio based in Japan and started in 1986. Mook Animation and Dream Link Entertainment have formed a business alliance and are now known as Mook DLE...
)