David Production
David Production Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio specializing in the planning and production of anime for television series, feature films, commercials, and game footage.[1] Founded in September 2007 by former Gonzo executives Kōji Kajita and Taito Okiura, the company initially operated as a subcontractor before undertaking its first full production as primary contractor with the 2009 television adaptation of Ristorante Paradiso.[2][1] In August 2014, David Production became a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Television Network, Inc., which provided expanded resources for larger-scale projects and integration into the broader Fuji TV media ecosystem.[1][3] Headquartered in Nishitōkyō, Tokyo, the studio employs approximately 66 staff as of early 2024 and is led by President and CEO Shuichirō Tanaka.[1] Its corporate mission emphasizes harnessing animation to "create energy for the Earth and ourselves."[4] The studio gained international prominence with its 2012 adaptation of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, which spawned multiple seasons and revitalized the long-running manga franchise through dynamic action sequences and faithful storytelling.[1] Subsequent hits include the educational biology series Cells at Work! (2018), the supernatural firefighting action of Fire Force (2019–2020), the 2022 remake of Urusei Yatsura, and the ongoing Undead Unluck (2023–present), showcasing David Production's versatility across genres like adventure, science fiction, and comedy.[4][2] Beyond television, the studio produced the 2021 feature film The House of the Lost on the Cape, which earned the Animation Film Award at the 76th Mainichi Film Awards.[1] In July 2025, David Production merged with Studio Recess to establish an in-house Art Division, further strengthening its production capabilities.[1]History
Founding and early years
David Production was established in September 2007 by Kōji Kajita and Taito Okiura, both former producers at Gonzo, in the city of Nishitōkyō, Tokyo.[5][6] The studio's name draws inspiration from the biblical tale of David and Goliath, representing an underdog confronting giants in the competitive anime industry, while also serving as an acronym for "Design Audio & Visual Illusion Dynamics," underscoring their commitment to creating visually and aurally striking animations.[7] Operating from a modest single-room apartment with basic equipment like a kotatsu for workstations, the founders aimed to rebuild from the ground up after departing Gonzo amid its financial turmoil, emphasizing a sincere approach to production and animator training.[8] In its early years, David Production functioned primarily as a production management entity without dedicated in-house animation facilities, outsourcing much of the artistic work to external collaborators and subcontractors to manage costs and leverage industry expertise.[9] This model allowed the studio to enter the field gradually, beginning with subcontractor roles such as animation production support for the OVA series Dogs: Bullets & Carnage in 2009.[10] The team focused on honing analog animation skills initially to build a strong foundation, while studying efficient production pipelines with guidance from established figures in the anime sector, reflecting a deliberate strategy to avoid overextension as newcomers.[8] The studio's breakthrough came in 2009 with Ristorante Paradiso, its first full-scale television anime project as lead studio, adapting Natsume Ono's manga about family and culinary life in Italy.[11] Directed by Mitsuko Kase, the series aired on Fuji TV's Noitamina block and marked David Production's entry into original TV adaptations, though it required two years of intensive preparation to navigate workflow challenges and ensure quality.[8] As a fledgling operation, the studio grappled with limited financial resources and the pressure to secure rapid projects for survival, relying on strategic partnerships and a reputation built through reliable, adaptation-focused work to gain traction in an industry dominated by larger entities.[5] This period laid the groundwork for future growth, transitioning to full digital production around 2009 while prioritizing fan-oriented storytelling.[8]Acquisition and expansion
On August 1, 2014, Fuji Television Network, Inc. acquired David Production, transforming it into a wholly owned subsidiary and providing the studio with substantial financial backing from one of Japan's leading broadcasters. This move offered greater stability, enabling the company to invest in larger-scale operations without the constraints of independent funding.[1][3][12] Following the acquisition, leadership transitioned with Shūichirō Tanaka assuming the role of President and CEO, bringing expertise from prior animation production roles to guide the studio's strategic direction. Under his leadership, the company integrated more closely with Fuji Television's resources, facilitating smoother operational workflows.[1] The acquisition spurred significant expansion, with the workforce growing to 93 employees by January 2021, reflecting increased production capacity. This period also saw physical infrastructure development, including the relocation and expansion of the Tokyo headquarters in Nishitōkyō and the establishment of specialized studios: a Digital Drawing Studio in Tanashi in June 2018 and a 3DCG Studio in Takadanobaba. These enhancements supported in-house animation capabilities, reducing reliance on external collaborators.[1] Post-acquisition, David Production shifted toward high-profile manga adaptations, particularly in action and fantasy genres, bolstered by strengthened partnerships with major publishers such as Shueisha. Internally, the studio built dedicated teams for key production stages, enhancing quality control and efficiency. Financially, integration into Fuji Media Holdings expanded distribution channels, allowing broader reach for outputs across television, streaming, and international markets.[12]Major projects and recent developments
David Production's adaptation of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, beginning with the first season in October 2012, marked a pivotal turning point for the studio, elevating it to international prominence through its faithful yet dynamic rendering of Hirohiko Araki's manga. The series, spanning multiple parts including Phantom Blood, Battle Tendency, Stardust Crusaders, Diamond is Unbreakable, Golden Wind, and Stone Ocean, has been praised for its vibrant animation style, intense action sequences, and stylistic flourishes that capture the manga's eccentric essence, earning an 8.5/10 rating on IMDb from nearly 48,000 users. This multi-part handling demonstrated the studio's capability for long-term projects, contributing to JoJo's global fanbase and high streaming demand, measured at 14.8 times the average TV series in the United States by Parrot Analytics. The adaptation received nominations at the Behind The Voice Actors Anime Dub Awards in 2016 and multiple categories at the 2023 Crunchyroll Anime Awards for Stone Ocean, underscoring its critical acclaim and influence on shonen anime production standards.[13][14] In 2018, David Production produced Cells at Work!, an innovative educational anime that anthropomorphizes human cells to depict biological processes, significantly impacting trends in edutainment within the medium. The series' engaging narrative, blending action, humor, and science, garnered positive reviews for making complex physiology accessible, with Anime News Network user ratings averaging "Very Good" from over 180 votes. It achieved rapid streaming success, amassing 56 million views in China within the first half of its run on Bilibili, highlighting its cross-cultural appeal and role in popularizing science-themed anime. Nominated for Anime Trending Awards in categories like Anime of the Year and character honors, Cells at Work! influenced subsequent works by demonstrating how anime could effectively merge entertainment with educational content.[15][16] David Production expanded into international collaborations with the announcement of its involvement in Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 on November 20, 2024, at the Disney APAC Content Showcase, contributing anime shorts to the anthology series premiering on Disney+ in 2025 alongside studios like WIT Studio and Trigger. This project represents the studio's growing footprint in global franchises, leveraging its expertise in stylized action animation.[17][18] Marking a milestone as the studio's first original TV anime, Onmyō Kaiten Re:Birth Verse was announced on March 6, 2025, which aired from July to September 2025, directed by Hideya Takahashi with series composition by Hayashi Mori and original story by Fujiko Sakuno. Set in an alternate Heian-era world involving isekai elements and onmyōji battles, the series features voice cast including Taihi Kimura as Takeru Narihira and Maaya Uchida, produced in-house to showcase David Production's creative independence.[19][20] In July 2025, David Production merged with Studio Recess, a background and art production company, to establish an in-house Art Division, enhancing its internal production resources.[1] Further advancing its JoJo's Bizarre Adventure legacy, David Production revealed a teaser for Steel Ball Run (Part 7) in September 2025 during a Warner Bros. Japan livestream, confirming a 2026 Netflix premiere with co-directors Yasuhiro Kimura and Hideya Takahashi.[21] The adaptation features Shogo Sakata as Johnny Joestar, Yohei Azakami as Gyro Zeppeli, Kaito Ishikawa as Diego Brando, and Rie Takahashi as Lucy Steel, addressing production challenges such as adapting the manga's intricate alternate-universe narrative and horse-racing motifs through enhanced 3D integration for dynamic race scenes. This continuation builds on the franchise's industry influence, with prior parts driving widespread meme culture and cosplay trends.[22]Productions
Television series
David Production's television anime portfolio encompasses a diverse array of adaptations and original works, primarily broadcast on Japanese networks such as Fuji TV, Tokyo MX, and MBS, with many titles also available internationally via streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Funimation.[10][2] The studio's TV series often feature high-production values, including 3DCGI integration for action sequences, and have contributed to long-running franchises through multi-season adaptations of manga source material. The following table provides a chronological overview of David Production's television series, including premiere details, episode counts, key staff, source material, broadcast information, and notable production aspects.| Title | Premiere Date | Episodes | Director | Source Material | Broadcast Network / Streaming | Production Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ristorante Paradiso | April 9, 2009 | 11 | Mitsuko Kase | Manga (Natsume Ono) | Fuji TV (Noitamina block) | Studio's debut full TV production; focuses on slice-of-life drama in an Italian restaurant setting. |
| Tatakau Shisho: The Book of Bantorra | October 3, 2009 | 27 | Toshiya Shinohara | Light novel (Umon Akisaki) | Fuji TV | Adaptation emphasizing fantasy elements and philosophical themes; aired in two cours. |
| Level E | January 27, 2011 | 13 | Toshiyuki Kato | Manga (Yoshihiro Togashi) | WOWOW | Sci-fi comedy based on early work by the Hunter × Hunter creator; features episodic alien encounters. |
| Ben-To | October 5, 2011 | 12 | Shin Itagaki | Light novel (Asaura) | MBC, Tokyo MX | Action-comedy centered on "half-priced bento" battles; incorporates martial arts choreography. |
| Inu x Boku SS | January 12, 2012 | 12 | Naokatsu Tsuda | Manga (Ayumi Fujimura) | TBS | Supernatural romance with yōkai elements; known for elegant animation style. |
| JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken (Parts 1 & 2: Phantom Blood / Battle Tendency) | October 6, 2012 | 26 | Naokatsu Tsuda | Manga (Hirohiko Araki) | Tokyo MX, MBS / Crunchyroll | Launch of the long-running JoJo franchise; adapts the first two arcs with dynamic stand battles and 3DCGI enhancements. |
| Choujigen Game Neptune: The Animation | July 12, 2013 | 12 | Masahiro Mukai | Video game (Compile Heart / Idea Factory) | Tokyo MX | Parody of console wars personified as goddesses; first in a series of game adaptations by the studio. |
| JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken: Stardust Crusaders (First Cour) | April 5, 2014 | 24 | Naokatsu Tsuda | Manga (Hirohiko Araki) | Tokyo MX, MBS / Crunchyroll, Netflix | Third JoJo arc; introduces Stand powers prominently. |
| JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken: Stardust Crusaders (Second Cour: Egypt Arc) | January 10, 2015 | 24 | Naokatsu Tsuda | Manga (Hirohiko Araki) | Tokyo MX, MBS / Crunchyroll, Netflix | Continuation of global journey; features intensified action sequences with international co-production elements. |
| JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken: Diamond wa Kudakenai (Part 4) | April 2, 2016 | 39 | Naokatsu Tsuda | Manga (Hirohiko Araki) | Tokyo MX, MBS / Crunchyroll | Fourth arc set in a small town; longest single season to date, emphasizing mystery and ensemble casts. |
| Monster Hunter Stories: Ride On | October 3, 2016 | 75 | Mitsuo Fukuda | Video game (Capcom) | Fuji TV | Long-running adventure series; extensive episode count covers multiple story arcs with monster-collecting gameplay adaptation. |
| Sakurada Reset | April 6, 2017 | 24 | Shinya Kawatsura | Light novel (Yutaka Kōno) | AT-X, Tokyo MX / Crunchyroll | Time-loop mystery thriller; aired in two cours exploring ability-based world-building. |
| Hataraku Saibō (Cells at Work! Season 1) | July 8, 2018 | 13 | Kenichi Suzuki | Manga (Akane Shimizu) | Tokyo MX, MBS / Crunchyroll, Funimation | Educational anthropomorphic depiction of human cells; blends action and biology education. |
| Captain Tsubasa (2018) | April 7, 2018 | 52 | Toshiyuki Kato | Manga (Yōichi Takahashi) | TV Tokyo | Soccer shōnen remake; high episode count spans tournament arcs with realistic sports animation. |
| JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken: Ōgon no Kaze (Part 5: Golden Wind) | October 6, 2018 | 39 | Hideki Itō | Manga (Hirohiko Araki) | Tokyo MX, MBS / Crunchyroll | Italian mafia-themed arc; noted for fluid animation in Stand rush sequences. |
| Ensemble Stars! | July 7, 2019 | 24 | Masayuki Sakoi | Video game (Happy Elements) | Tokyo MX | Idol management adaptation; features musical performances with CG-assisted dance scenes. |
| Enen no Shōbōtai (Fire Force Season 1) | July 6, 2019 | 24 | Yuki Yase | Manga (Atsushi Ōkubo) | MBS, Tokyo MX / Crunchyroll | Supernatural firefighting action; incorporates 3DCGI for flame effects across two cours. |
| Enen no Shōbōtai Ni no Shō (Fire Force Season 2) | July 5, 2020 | 24 | Yuki Yase | Manga (Atsushi Ōkubo) | MBS, Tokyo MX / Crunchyroll | Sequel escalating conspiracy plot; continued use of 3DCGI for dynamic combat. |
| 2.43: Seiin Kōkō Danshi Volley-bu | January 7, 2021 | 12 | Yūichirō Hayashi | Light novel (Mikako Kotake) | Fuji TV | Sports drama on volleyball; intertwines personal stories with team dynamics. |
| Hataraku Saibō!! (Cells at Work! Season 2) | January 9, 2021 | 8 | Takahiro Omori | Manga (Akane Shimizu) | Tokyo MX / Crunchyroll | Shortened season continuing cellular adventures; focuses on immune system threats. |
| Urusei Yatsura (2022 Season 1) | October 14, 2022 | 23 | Hideya Takahashi | Manga (Rumiko Takahashi) | Fuji TV | Remake of classic rom-com; aired in two cours with updated visuals. |
| Undead Unluck | October 7, 2023 | 24 | Yuki Yase | Manga (Yoshifumi Tozuka) | Tokyo MX, MBS / Hulu, Disney+ | Superpowered buddy action; two-cour structure with escalating world threats. |
| Urusei Yatsura (2024 Season 2) | January 11, 2024 | 23 | Hideya Takahashi | Manga (Rumiko Takahashi) | Fuji TV | Second season of remake; expands on alien-human antics. |
| Enen no Shōbōtai San no Shō (Fire Force Season 3) | April 4, 2025 | 24 (split-cour: 12 + 12) | Yuki Yase | Manga (Atsushi Ōkubo) | MBS, Tokyo MX / Crunchyroll | Final season resolving infernal conflicts; first cour aired April-June 2025, second cour January 2026; 3DCGI-heavy finale. |
| Onmyō Kaiten Re:Birth Verse | July 3, 2025 | 12 | Hideya Takahashi | Original | Fuji TV (Noitamina), Crunchyroll, DMM TV | Studio's first original TV series; focuses on onmyōji themes in a reimagined verse; completed airing September 18, 2025. |