is a Japanese animation studio founded in June 2004 by Motoyoshi Tokunaga and headquartered in Tokyo. Formed after the closure of Walt Disney Animation Japan, the studio has collaborated on and produced animation projects, including television series, films, OVAs and ONAs. It had worked with CoMix Wave Films on Makoto Shinkai’s films, such as Your Name (2016), and with DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation on projects like Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018), alongside productions like Golgo 13 (2008–2009) and Tower of God – Season 2 (2024).
History The history of The Answerstudio is linked to several predecessor studios. Its lineage traces back to Topcraft, established in 1972 by former Toei Animation producer Toru Hara. Topcraft became known for its collaborations with Rankin/Bass Productions on animated films such as The Hobbit (1977), The Return of the King (1980), and The Last Unicorn (1982). Despite its achievements, Topcraft faced financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy, leading to its dissolution on June 15, 1985. After completing Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) with Hayao Miyazaki, Topcraft split, with some talent, including Toru Hara, forming Studio Ghibli, while others established Pacific Animation Corporation.
In 1988, The Walt Disney Company acquired Pacific Animation Corporation and renamed it Walt Disney Animation Japan. This studio produced television series and direct-to-video works, including The Tigger Movie (2000) and Piglet’s Big Movie (2003). Disney announced the closure of Walt Disney Animation Japan in September 2003, with Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (2005) as its final work.
Following the closure, Motoyoshi Tokunaga, former vice president and general manager of the studio, founded The Answerstudio in June 2004. Tokunaga secured a loan to establish the new company and reassembled many of the animators and staff from the former Disney Japan team.
Works
Television Title First run start date First run end dateDirector(s)Note(s)Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!September 18, 2004December 16, 2006Ciro Nieli,Fumio Maezono,Alan Wan 52 Produced by Jetix, American-Japanese Production January 31, 2005July 25, 2005,Shunji Oga26OriginalTransformers: AnimatedDecember 26, 2007May 23, 2009Matt Youngberg13Produced by Cartoon Network StudiosGolgo 13April 12, 2008March 28, 2009Shunji Oga50Based on a manga by Takao SaitoJanuary 6, 2011March 24, 2013Hiroshi Kawamata1TV specialShimajiro: A World of WOW!April 2, 2012 Takamitsu Kawamura680+ Original,Produced by BenesseTower of God – Season 2July 7, 2024December 29, 2024Kazuyoshi Takeuchi,Akira Suzuki26Based on a webtoon by S.I.U.Anne ShirleyApril 5, 2025September 27, 2025 Hiroshi Kawamata 24Based on a novel by L. M. Montgomery
Films Release dateTitle Director(s) Note(s) August 8, 2007Flag Director's EditionRyousuke Takahashi& Kazuo TeradaCompilation of Flag ONAJanuary 17, 2009Armored Trooper Votoms: Pailsen Files MovieRyousuke TakahashiCo-production with SunriseMay 7, 2010Rainbow Magic: Return to Rainspell IslandHiroshi KawamataCo-production with HIT Entertainment October 28, 2010Hiroshi KawamataCo-production with TMS EntertainmentMarch 19, 2012Juju the Weightless DugongHiroshi KawamataOriginal, Part of March 15, 2013Shimajirō to Fufu no DaiboukenMarch 14, 2014Shimajirō to Kujira no UtaHiroshi Kawamata& Isamu HirabayashiMarch 13, 2015Shimajirō to OokinakiHiroshi Kawamata& Isamu HirabayashiMarch 11, 2016Shimajirō to Ehon no KuniHiroshi Kawamata& Isamu HirabayashiMarch 10, 2017Shimajirō to Niji no OasisIsamu HirabayashiMarch 9, 2018Eiga Shimajirō Mahou no Shima no DaiboukenTakashima Hiro& Hiroshi KawamataCo-production with Back StreetMarch 15, 2019Shimajirō to Ururu no Hero LandTakamitsu KawamuraCo-production with Back StreetMarch 11, 2022Shimajirō to Kirakira Oukoku no OujisamaTakamitsu KawamuraSeptember 8, 2023City Hunter The Movie: Angel DustKazuyoshi TakeuchiCo-production with SunriseJuly 17, 2026Kimi to Hanabi to Yakusoku toKei SuzukiCo-production with SynergySP
Original video animations (OVAs) +Release dateTitleDirector(s)October 26, 2007Armored Trooper Votoms: Pailsen FilesRyousuke Takahashi12April 23, 2008Hiroshi Kawamata30March 26, 2010Ryosuke Takahashi6
Original net animations (ONAs) Release dateTitleDirector(s)Note(s)June 16, 2006FlagRyosuke Takahashi& Kazuo Terada13Co-production with AniplexOctober 11, 2017Hiroshi Kawamata1October 20, 2022Modern Love Tokyo: He's Playing Our SongNaoko Yamada1Seventh episode
Support YearTitle TypeProductionNote(s) 2010Batman: Under the Red HoodOVADC Entertainment,Warner Bros. AnimationAnimation Production2011Children Who Chase Lost VoicesFilmCoMix Wave FilmsAnimation Production Assistance2013The Garden of WordsFilmCoMix Wave FilmsAnimation Production Assistance2014Son of BatmanOVADC Entertainment,Warner Bros. AnimationAnimation Production2015Batman vs. RobinOVADC Entertainment,Warner Bros. AnimationAnimation Production2016Batman: Bad BloodOVADC Entertainment,Warner Bros. AnimationAnimation Production2016Your NameFilmCoMix Wave FilmsAnimation Production Cooperation2016Batman: The Killing JokeOVADC Entertainment,Warner Bros. AnimationAnimation Production2016DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the YearOVADC Entertainment,Warner Bros. AnimationAnimation Production2017Teen Titans: The Judas ContractOVADC Entertainment,Warner Bros. AnimationAnimation Production2018Batman: Gotham by GaslightOVADC Entertainment,Warner Bros. AnimationAnimation Production2018Flavors of YouthFilmCoMix Wave Films,Haoliners Animation LeagueAnimation Production Assistance2018Marvel Rising: Secret WarriorsOVAMarvel AnimationProduction Assistance2019Weathering With YouFilmCoMix Wave FilmsProduction Cooperation2020Superman: Man of TomorrowOVADC Entertainment,Warner Bros. AnimationAnimation Production2022SuzumeFilmCoMix Wave FilmsProduction Assistance
Other works YearTitleDirectorNote(s)2014Z-Kai: Cross RoadMakoto ShinkaiProduction2020 "Taste of Restaurant" Anime CM- Together ForeverKenya HirataAnimation Production2021Marukome "Taste of Restaurant" Anime CM- Be Careful!Kenya Hirata2021Seven-Eleven Japan Anime CM2022Marukome "Taste of Restaurant" Anime CM- Memories of Summer VacationKenya Hirata2022KitKat Japan TV CMNaoko Yamada
Notable staff
Representative staff Motoyoshi Tokunaga
Animation staff
Hiroshi Kawamata Kazuyoshi Takeuchi Ryousuke Takahashi Yuji Watanabe Kazuo Terada Shunji Oga Seigo Kitazawa
Notes
References
External links