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Mook Animation

Mook Animation Inc. (株式会社ムークアニメーション, Kabushiki-gaisha Mūku Animēshon) is a founded on September 13, 1986, in Inagi, , specializing in planning, production, and subcontracted services for television series, films, and OVAs in both domestic and international projects. The studio emerged from the anime industry landscape of the , initially focusing on overseas support for productions before expanding into collaborative roles on high-profile titles. In 2006, Mook Animation entered a with Dream Link Entertainment (DLE), rebranding temporarily as Mook DLE until the partnership dissolved in 2008; this period marked increased involvement in global co-productions. Over its history, the company has contributed to in-between , key , finish , and full production duties, often partnering with major studios like , , and . Mook Animation gained prominence in the West through its work on direct-to-video Scooby-Doo films, including the groundbreaking Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998), Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost (1999), Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders (2000), and Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase (2001), where it handled primary animation and was selected for its superior test reels and prior successes on series like SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron. It later served as a key animation studio for the Cartoon Network series Transformers: Animated (2007–2009), splitting duties across seasons with other Japanese firms like The Answer Studio and Studio 4°C. In Japanese media, Mook provided essential support for acclaimed projects such as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2nd key and in-between animation), Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody (in-between and paint), and Gurren Lagann (finish and in-between animation), underscoring its role in the broader anime production ecosystem. As of 2025, Mook Animation continues to operate, primarily providing subcontracted animation services, though without major publicized projects in recent years.

History

Founding and early development

Mook Animation was established on September 13, 1986, by Tetsurō Kumase, a former employee at Trans Arts and producer at Panmedia, and animator Yoshiyuki Momose, as a Japanese animation studio focused on providing services for overseas clients. The company specialized in subcontracted , beginning operations in the district of , . From its inception, Mook Animation targeted Western markets, offering animation support to American studios such as Hanna-Barbera, which helped build its early portfolio through collaborative television projects. Key early contributions included animating four episodes from the first season of SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron (1993–1994), a Hanna-Barbera production. The studio later handled the full animation for the second season of The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest (1996–1997), another Hanna-Barbera series, demonstrating its growing capability in handling complete seasonal workloads. In the 1990s, Mook Animation expanded its reputation via contracts with , providing animation services for the surreal series across its run from 1991 to 1995. These engagements, alongside additional subcontracts for other Western , solidified the studio's expertise in traditional cel animation techniques during a transitional era for the industry.

Key partnerships and expansions

In the late , Mook Animation expanded its involvement in Western animation through collaborations with Productions and , providing full animation services for several high-profile series. This included handling the complete animation for the third season of in 1996, as well as the entirety of : The Series from 1997 to 2001 and from 1997 to 1999, which allowed the studio to build expertise in American-style action and sci-fi animation. Mook gained further prominence through its primary animation work on films, including (1998), (1999), (2000), and (2001). A significant milestone came in 2000 when Mook Animation secured a major contract with Warner Bros. Animation to produce animation for X-Men: Evolution, which aired from 2000 to 2003; this project marked the studio's deeper entry into high-profile American superhero content and involved overseas production alongside other studios like Madhouse. Parallel to these Western expansions, Mook Animation began subcontracting for Japanese anime productions in the early 2000s, contributing in-between animation and digital painting to series such as Ai Yori Aoshi in 2002 and Aishiteruze Baby in 2004, thereby diversifying its portfolio within the domestic market. In 2006, Mook Animation formed a capital alliance with Dream Link Entertainment (DLE), rebranding as Mook DLE until the partnership dissolved in 2008; this collaboration enabled shared resources for production and supported further growth in .

Reorganization and modern era

In 2010, following the end of its partnership with DLE in 2008, Mook Animation underwent a significant internal by establishing Mook Soratia Animation as a new entity dedicated to managing its production divisions. This reorganization aimed to streamline operations and focus on specialized workflows. As part of this shift, the production arm was divided into two distinct subsidiaries: NEO Pictures Corporation, based in Tokyo, and SORATIA inc., located in Uruma, Okinawa. These entities allowed for more targeted development in diverse animation styles and content areas, building on Mook's established expertise in international collaborations. The studio maintained its service-oriented approach through the 2010s, contributing to international projects such as full animation production for the third season of Transformers: Animated in 2009, after sharing duties with The Answer Studio for seasons 1 and 2 from 2007 to 2008. Post-reorganization, Mook Soratia Animation supported various anime titles in roles like in-between animation and production assistance, including Gosick (2011) and Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Gundalian Invaders (2011). As of November 2025, Mook Animation and its subsidiaries continue operations with a focus on digital tools and subcontracting services, without notable new major alliances reported. The company sustains a modest scale, adapting to industry shifts toward digital while leveraging its legacy in overseas support.

Corporate structure

Headquarters and operations

Mook Animation's registered headquarters is in Inagi, , , while its operational head office was located in Suginami-ku, . These served as hubs for administrative functions and core activities. The studio operated with a workforce of approximately 46 employees specializing in 2D animation techniques, focusing on tasks such as in-betweening, key animation, and paint assistance for various projects. Its operational model centered on subcontracting services for international clients, including contributions to Western productions like direct-to-video films and , while maintaining in-house capabilities for storyboarding, in-betweening, and finishing processes. Over time, Mook Animation evolved its technological approach from traditional cel-based 2D in the —evident in its work on early outsourced projects—to incorporating digital tools by the , enabling hybrid workflows that blended manual and computer-assisted methods for efficiency in subcontracted assignments. Established in , the studio underwent a company split in 2010, with Mook Soratia Animation inheriting its ; the original entity ceased operations as part of this reorganization, and overall activity became limited thereafter, with no significant projects noted as of 2025. In 2019, founder Tetsuro Kumase was indicted for .

Subsidiaries and divisions

Following the reorganization in 2010, Mook Animation established subsidiaries to streamline production processes and leverage regional expertise. Mook Soratia Animation, established in 2010, served as the coordinating entity inheriting overall production oversight from the original studio, handling tasks such as in-between and production assistance for various projects until activity declined. NEO Pictures Corporation, based in Tokyo's ward, specialized in metropolitan-based projects, including key and digital services tailored to high-volume demands; it became inactive by 2014. SORATIA inc., located in , Okinawa, concentrated on regional , providing in-between and cost-effective services by utilizing local talent; it ceased operations around 2011. These subsidiaries operated under an inter-division collaboration model following the 2010 split, supporting the reorganized entity through subcontracting: NEO Pictures managed intensive urban and international workloads, while SORATIA handled supplementary regional tasks to enhance efficiency and resource distribution. However, by the mid-2010s, they became largely inactive, with a related entity T.A.P. continuing limited overseas operations until 2019. As of 2025, no significant activity is reported for these divisions.

Productions

Television series

Mook Animation provided full animation services for 13 episodes of the series SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron, airing from 1993 to 1994, handling the entirety of Season 2 with its high-energy action sequences and detailed character movements. This work was part of broader partnerships with and later , enabling outsourced animation for Western imports. In 1996–1997, the studio took on the animation for Season 2 of , delivering 13 episodes with a focus on cel-based visuals and exploratory adventure themes, produced in association with . For Japanese television, Mook Animation contributed key and in-between animation to the 2007 series , supporting its 12-episode run on with precise motion for rocket launch and training sequences. Similarly, in 2008, the studio provided animation cooperation—including key and in-between work—for nearly all 26 episodes of (also known as *), aiding in depicting futuristic memory-extraction scenarios. Mook Animation handled the complete animation for Season 3 of in 2009, comprising 13 episodes for , where it managed character designs, dynamic robot transformations, and intense action sequences independently after collaborating on prior seasons.

Original video animations and films

Mook Animation provided overseas animation services for several Scooby-Doo films produced by and during the late 1990s. These included (1998), where the studio handled key animation and in-between work, marking the first feature-length project animated primarily in . The studio continued this collaboration with (1999), (2000), and (2001), contributing to the films' distinctive blend of American storyboarding and Japanese animation techniques that emphasized fluid action sequences and detailed backgrounds. These projects highlighted Mook's early expertise in adapting character designs for production pipelines. In the Japanese market, Mook Animation served as the primary for several original video animations (OVAs) in the early , often adapting visual novels and focusing on character-driven narratives. For Triangle Heart: Sazanami Joshiryō (2003), a five-episode OVA series based on an by Ivory, Mook handled full production, including digital painting and in-between animation, centering on themes of dormitory life and interpersonal . Similarly, the studio produced Kurohime: Shikkoku no Yakata (2004), also known as , a two-episode hentai OVA that explored horror elements in a secluded mansion setting, with Mook responsible for and . Mook's work extended to Sin in the Rain (2008), a single-episode OVA delving into and mystery in a rain-soaked , where the studio managed all aspects to convey atmospheric tension through subtle expressions and environmental details. Mook also contributed animation support to feature films, notably The Condor (2007), a animated film from Entertainment and . The studio provided key animation services, aiding in the depiction of dynamic action and technological gadgetry central to the story of a crippled teen turned vigilante. This project exemplified Mook's versatility in Western co-productions following its with DLE, which facilitated expanded international collaborations.

Other contributions

Beyond its primary productions, Mook Animation has provided specialized support services in finish animation, key animation, in-between work, and backgrounds for select projects. For the original video animation series (1997–1999), the studio handled finish animation, contributing to the final coloring and detailing of the episodes produced by . Similarly, in the 2009 film Afro Samurai: Resurrection, Mook Animation served as 2nd key animation provider, assisting with intermediate key frames, in-between animation, and paint work alongside primary studios like . Mook Animation also offered in-between and background support for other original video animations, including Gibomai (2002 OVA), where it contributed as a key studio for intermediate drawings and scenic elements. This role extended to Asgaldh: Waikyoku no Testament (2001–2002 OVA, also known as F-Force), providing in-between animation and background assistance to enhance the fantasy-harem narrative's visual depth. In its early international efforts, Mook Animation delivered additional animation services for MTV's (1991–1995), supporting the distinctive style of the U.S. TV series through outsourced frame work. The studio further contributed elements, such as cleanup and , to various pilots during the 1990s, aiding the development of experimental shorts from predecessors. These ancillary roles highlight Mook's versatility in bolstering Western and Japanese projects without leading production.

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