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Robot Communications

Robot Communications Inc. (株式会社ロボット, Kabushiki-gaisha Robotto) is a Japanese production company founded on June 3, 1986, by Shūji Abe and based in Shibuya, Tokyo.^[1] A subsidiary of Imagica Group since 2018, it specializes in the creation of video content including theatrical films, television commercials, dramas, animations, and visual effects (VFX), as well as digital and experiential media. The company is known for its work in advertising, live-action and animated productions, and has received international recognition, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for La Maison en Petits Cubes in 2008. Recent projects include contributions to the VFX for Godzilla Minus One (2023) and upcoming films like Diary of Summer (as of 2025).^[2]

History

Founding and Early Years

Robot Communications Inc. was established on June 3, 1986, by Shūji Abe in a small office in the Ebisu area of Tokyo, Japan, initially operating with just the founder as president and one employee.^[3]^[4] The company began as an advertising planning business, reflecting Abe's prior experience as a creative director at Dentsu affiliate Daiichi Kikaku (later ADK Holdings).^[5] In its early years, Robot Communications focused on the production of television commercials (TVCM), early animation projects, and graphic design services tailored for advertising clients. The studio quickly established itself as a small outfit specializing in 2D animation and video production, handling planning and execution for commercial content to meet client demands in Japan's burgeoning advertising sector. By 1987, it had expanded into graphic design production, solidifying its role in visual media for promotional purposes.^[3]^[4]^[5] During the 1990s, the company experienced growth through diversification, expanding into computer graphics (CG) technologies and involvement in minor film projects. Key milestones included the formation of a Planning and Development Department in 1989 to explore entertainment content for films and TV dramas, followed by the 1994 launch of the animation initiative "ROBOT CAGE" via the TV series Stray Sheep on Fuji TV, which integrated character design and multi-media animation. In 1995, Robot entered theatrical film production with Love Letter, marking its initial foray into narrative cinema alongside ongoing CG and animation work.^[3]

Merger and Expansion

In 2006, Robot Communications integrated its management with Imagica, a leading post-production provider, to form the Imagica Robot Group, thereby enhancing its capabilities in film and advertising production through combined resources in imaging and content creation.^[6] This merger resulted in the establishment of Imagica Robot Holdings Inc. as the parent entity, transforming Robot Communications into a key subsidiary focused on creative production services.^[7] Following the merger, Robot Communications expanded its scope beyond traditional television commercials and graphic design into feature films, animation, and digital content, leveraging the group's infrastructure for broader media applications.^[8] The company increased its involvement in 3D animation and visual effects (VFX) for cinematic projects, incorporating advanced techniques in motion picture planning and production.^[1] Additionally, it diversified into web and mobile content creation, adapting to emerging digital platforms while maintaining excellence in 2D animation and video production.^[1] As part of the corporate restructuring under the Imagica Robot Group, Robot Communications became a fully integrated subsidiary, benefiting from shared technological and operational synergies across the holding company's portfolio.^[8] This shift included the relocation of its headquarters to 3-9-7 Ebisu-minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0022, centralizing operations in a key creative hub of the city.^[1] During the 2010s, the company scaled up its operations to handle international projects, drawing on the group's global network for collaborative content production.^[8] It also adopted advanced computer graphics (CG) technologies to support high-end VFX and animation workflows, enabling more complex visual storytelling in feature films and digital media.^[1]

Recent Developments

In the 2020s, Robot Communications deepened its role in visual effects for streaming platforms, contributing significantly to the Netflix series Alice in Borderland. The company handled key VFX elements for the production, including high-impact sequences that enhanced the thriller's dystopian visuals across its seasons, with involvement extending to the third season released in 2025.^[9]^[10] Post-pandemic production trends prompted adaptations in workflow, aligning with the broader industry's shift toward remote collaboration and accelerated digital content delivery for streaming services. Robot Communications integrated these changes to support ongoing VFX demands in entertainment projects.^[11]^[12] As of 2025, Robot Communications functions as a full subsidiary of the Imagica Group, emphasizing hybrid live-action and computer-generated imagery projects in film, television, and advertising production. The company, with 173 employees, continues to focus on entertainment content that blends traditional and digital techniques under this integrated structure.^[8]^[1] Leadership transitioned following the death of founder Shūji Abe in December 2023, who had served as an advisor and maintained influence on strategic decisions until then; current President Takayuki Fukuzaki oversees operations, ensuring continuity in the company's entertainment-focused mission.^[13]^[1] Looking ahead, Robot Communications is positioned within the Imagica Group's 90th anniversary framework in 2025, supporting initiatives like new funding schemes for innovative content projects amid evolving digital media landscapes.^[8]^[14]

Business Activities

Core Services

Robot Communications provides a diverse portfolio of services centered on planning and production across various media formats. These include television commercials (TVCM), motion pictures, 2D and 3D animation, video content for television, website development, mobile games, and graphic design. This comprehensive approach allows the company to handle projects from conceptual ideation to final delivery, catering to a wide range of creative needs in the media industry.^[1] The company's technical capabilities are supported by robust in-house pipelines for computer graphics (CG) and visual effects (VFX), encompassing all stages from pre-production—such as storyboarding and asset creation—to post-production, including compositing and rendering. These integrated workflows enable seamless execution of complex visual projects without reliance on external vendors for core technical elements.^[1] Robot Communications primarily targets sectors including advertising, entertainment films, and digital content creation, serving clients both in Japan and on an international scale. This global orientation facilitates collaborations that blend local expertise with broader market demands, ensuring adaptability to diverse cultural and technical requirements.^[1] A key strength of Robot Communications lies in its ability to integrate traditional animation techniques with contemporary digital tools, fostering efficient workflows that enhance productivity and creative output. This hybrid methodology, refined through years of evolution including early expansions into CG technologies, supports innovative solutions in both artistic expression and technical precision.^[1]

Facilities and Operations

Robot Communications is headquartered at 3-9-7 Ebisu-minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0022, Japan, a location accessible via a five-minute walk from Ebisu Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. The facilities at this site include dedicated studios equipped for animation production and visual effects (VFX) rendering, supporting the company's work in 2D/3D animation, XR attractions, and AR/VR content creation.^[1] As of April 1, 2025, the company employs 173 staff members, comprising animators, directors, technical specialists, and other creative professionals essential to its production pipeline.^[1] Robot Communications operates on a project-based model, assembling specialized teams for individual video, experiential, and digital content initiatives while leveraging resource sharing with its parent organization, IMAGICA GROUP Inc. This operational approach was enhanced by the 2006 merger between Imagica and Robot Communications, which formed Imagica Robot Holdings Inc. and enabled integrated access to group-wide production capabilities.^[8]^[15] The technology infrastructure relies on industry-standard software for 3D modeling, compositing, and rendering, facilitating efficient workflows in animation and VFX tasks. As part of IMAGICA GROUP, the company aligns with broader group commitments to sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly studio practices to support environmental stewardship in operations.^[1]^[8]

Notable Productions

Animated Films and Shorts

Robot Communications has established itself as a key player in the production of animated short films, leveraging its expertise in 2D animation to create emotionally resonant and innovative works that have influenced short-form storytelling in the industry. The studio's contributions emphasize meticulous craftsmanship in visual narrative, often blending subtle character development with evocative imagery to explore themes of memory, loss, and humor. A landmark project in this domain is the 2008 Japanese animated short film La Maison en Petits Cubes (also known as Tsumiki no Ie), directed by Kunio Katō. Produced by Robot Communications, the film follows an elderly man navigating the submerged levels of his flooded home, uncovering fragments of his past life through a poignant, dialogue-free journey.^[16] As the primary production entity, Robot Communications managed the full scope of animation studio responsibilities, encompassing storyboarding, character design, layout, and final rendering to realize Katō's vision of a compact yet deeply affecting tale.^[17] This work pioneered emotional storytelling in short-form animation by distilling complex human experiences into minimalist visuals and fluid motion, contributing to its widespread international acclaim for elevating the genre's capacity for introspection and universality.^[18] Expanding its portfolio in comedic animation, Robot Communications also handled the production of the Kami Usagi Rope series, a collection of lighthearted shorts created by Yūji Uchiyama that debuted as web animations before adaptation into a 2011 theatrical comedy anime film titled Kami Usagi Rope: Tsukai, Natsuyasumi Ichiichatte Maji Suka!?. The studio oversaw the transition from episodic sketches featuring anthropomorphic rabbits in absurd, everyday scenarios to a cohesive feature-length narrative, incorporating its animation pipeline for character animation and scene composition to maintain the series' signature whimsical timing and visual gags. This project highlighted Robot Communications' versatility in short-form content, bridging online shorts with cinematic releases while fostering a playful approach to character-driven humor in Japanese animation.^[19]

Live-Action Films and VFX

Robot Communications co-produced the 2023 live-action kaiju film Godzilla Minus One, directed by Takashi Yamazaki, which earned critical acclaim for its visual effects on a modest budget of approximately $15 million. The film's VFX encompassed detailed kaiju modeling for Godzilla, emphasizing realistic scales, dorsal spines, and atomic breath effects to heighten the monster's menacing presence in post-war Japan settings. Destruction sequences showcased dynamic simulations of urban devastation, including building collapses and explosive impacts, achieved through a combination of practical miniatures and CGI enhancements.^[20]^[21] The production process highlighted Robot Communications' role in coordinating pre-visualization to storyboard intricate action sequences, compositing live-action plates with digital elements for seamless integration, and overseeing digital effects that amplified environmental realism, such as debris fields and shockwaves. These efforts contributed to the film's historic Academy Award win for Best Visual Effects, the first for any Godzilla entry. Technical innovations included custom tools developed in Houdini for procedural simulations of environmental destruction, enabling efficient rendering of complex physics like water splashes and structural failures across 610 VFX shots handled by a core team of 35 artists.^[20]^[22]^[20] In 2025, Robot Communications announced involvement in Godzilla Minus Zero, the sequel to Godzilla Minus One, directed and with VFX supervised by Takashi Yamazaki. Set for release in 2026 and co-produced with Toho Studios, the film continues the franchise's post-war narrative with advanced VFX techniques building on prior successes. In the realm of period dramas, Robot Communications produced the Always: Sunset on Third Street trilogy (2005, 2007, 2012), directed by Yamazaki, where VFX played a key role in evoking mid-20th-century Tokyo. Contributions included digital matte paintings and set extensions to reconstruct historical landmarks like the Tokyo Tower under construction, alongside compositing for era-specific details such as vintage automobiles and bustling street scenes, blending nostalgia with subtle enhancements to live-action footage. These effects supported the films' focus on everyday life amid Japan's post-war recovery, earning praise for their unobtrusive yet immersive quality.^[23]^[24] Building briefly on its foundational CG expertise from the 1980s, Robot Communications leveraged in-house capabilities to innovate VFX pipelines for these projects, ensuring high-fidelity integration of digital assets into live-action narratives.^[25]

Television and Advertising

Robot Communications has provided production support and visual effects (VFX) for notable television series, including the Netflix survival drama Alice in Borderland (2020). As the primary production company, the studio contributed to high-level VFX that enhanced the series' intense game-based scenarios and post-apocalyptic environments, drawing from the manga by Haro Aso. Subsequent seasons, including Season 3 released in 2025, continued this involvement with expanded VFX for complex action and survival elements.^[9]^[26] In 2024, Robot Communications produced the Netflix teen drama series Chastity High, directed by Soushi Matsumoto, Yuka Yasukawa, and Ryo Ota. The eight-episode series explores high school romance and abstinence challenges among students, marking Netflix's first young adult series from Japan and receiving attention for its mature handling of Gen-Z themes. The studio also produced the Netflix musical drama Glass Heart, released on July 31, 2025, starring Takeru Satoh. The series follows a college student and aspiring drummer navigating band dynamics and personal growth, incorporating original music and emotional storytelling. In advertising, Robot Communications specializes in planning and producing television commercials (TVCMs) for major Japanese brands, integrating innovative digital elements such as animation and experiential content. Representative examples include the animated "Itsumademo Issho ni Hen" TVCM for Marukome miso soup, directed by Kenya Hirata, which portrays emotional family stories to highlight the brand's everyday role in Japanese life.^[1]^[27] The studio has also created commercials for brands like Asahi beer ("L92" campaign, 2018) and Suzuki automobiles (Swift model, 2008), emphasizing dynamic visuals and narrative storytelling.^[28] Additionally, Robot Communications has developed interactive tie-ins for advertising, such as the "TsuiTsui" mobile advergame service launched in collaboration with Dentsu in 2008, which delivers contextually linked games to promote corporate brands through engaging digital gameplay.^[29] Beyond TVCMs, the company produces graphic design for promotional campaigns and short-form video content, including branding films and social media shorts that support marketing efforts with creative visuals and animations.^[1]

Awards and Recognition

Academy Awards

Robot Communications achieved its sole Academy Award victory in the Best Animated Short Film category for La Maison en Petits Cubes (2008), directed by Kunio Katō. The film, a poignant tale of an elderly man descending through the submerged levels of his home to retrieve a lost pipe and revisit cherished memories, was honored at the 81st Academy Awards ceremony on February 22, 2009, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.^[30]^[16] The nomination and win recognized the film's innovative storytelling, which conveys profound themes of loss and nostalgia through subtle, dialogue-free narrative progression, paired with its distinctive visual style featuring simple yet evocative hand-drawn animation and monochromatic tones that enhance emotional depth.^[31] This marked the first—and to date, only—time a Japanese animated short film has won in this category, highlighting Robot Communications' expertise in crafting universally resonant animation.^[32] The accolade significantly elevated the studio's global profile, positioning it as a key player in international animation alongside its prior festival successes, where the short had already screened at over 80 events worldwide before the Oscars.^[33]

Advertising and Industry Awards

Robot Communications has garnered significant recognition in advertising and industry awards, particularly for its contributions to visual effects (VFX) and production in commercial campaigns. These honors underscore the company's role in delivering innovative, high-impact creative work for global brands, often in collaboration with leading agencies. The company's standing continued to grow with its designation as Regional Production Company of the Year for Asia at the 2024 LIA Awards, an accolade based on its Tokyo-based projects that excelled in production quality and creative execution across multiple entries.^[34] In 2025, Robot Communications collaborated with the Hakuhodo DY Group and TBWA\HAKUHODO on campaigns that secured four awards (one Silver and three Bronze) at the ADC 104th Annual Awards, including recognition for a McDonald's Japan project in branded content and innovation categories. Additionally, through partnerships on social media initiatives, the company contributed to Best of Discipline honors in Branded Entertainment – Online at The One Show 2025, emphasizing its expertise in digital storytelling for advertising.^[35]^[36]^[37] This series of awards reflects Robot Communications' acclaim for pioneering VFX techniques in advertising, with wins across prestigious festivals that affirm its influence in the industry.^[34]

References

[1]
A Critical Review of Communications in Multi-Robot Systems - arXiv
Jun 19, 2022 · This review summarizes the broad roles that communication formats and technologies have played in enabling multi-robot systems.
[2]
How to Communicate Robot Motion Intent: A Scoping Review - arXiv
Mar 1, 2023 · We present an intent communication model that depicts the relationship between robot and human through different intent dimensions.
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HISTORY｜ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS INC. - 株式会社ロボット
1986年6月3日、創業者である阿部秀司（1949~2023）が、ROBOTを設立しました。はじまりは、恵比寿の駅前に今もある三恵8ビルの小さな一室で、社長1人、社員1人から ...Missing: Shūji | Show results with:Shūji
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Famed Godzilla Minus One Producer Shuji Abe Passes Away at 74
website." Abe founded Robot Communications in 1986 as an advertising planning business before moving into TV commercial and graphics design the next year. The ...Missing: June | Show results with:June
[5]
株式会社ロボット | 広告制作会社インタビュー - CM総合研究所
1986年に先代社長の阿部秀司が広告の企画会社として創立し、クライアントからの依頼に対応するため、翌年にグラフィックデザイン事業を開始するなど、プロダクション ...Missing: 歴史 Shūji
[6]
History｜IMAGICA GROUP｜90th Anniversary Special Website
In 2006, Imagica integrated its management with a movie and advertising production company ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS INC. The newly formed Imagica Robot Group ...
[7]
[PDF] GROUP COMPANIES GUIDE
2006. Merged with ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS INC. and changed corporate name to Imagica Robot Holdings Inc. (became a pure holding company). 2009. DIGITALSCAPE Co ...
[8]
[PDF] About IMAGICA GROUP
ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS INC. Giving courage and hope to people through entertainment. ROBOT opened its doors in 1986 as a television commercial production and ...
[9]
ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS INC.
株式会社ロボット。東京都渋谷区。TVCM・映画・CG・アニメーション・Webサイト・モバイルゲーム・グラフィックデザインなど、いろんな分野に向けた作品づくりに ...
[10]
Alice in Borderland : ONLY ON NETFLIX
"Win and survive" – Alice in Borderland, a blockbuster series filled with thrill and excitement, using the latest VFX. ... He joined ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS in 2009, ...
[11]
Spotlight: Alt.VFX lights up Alice in Borderland Season 3
Oct 16, 2025 · Their latest work was showcased in Robot Communications Inc.'s third season of Alice in Borderland which was supported through our Post, Digital ...
[12]
Live-action studio switches to all-CG for sci-fi film Babiru
Apr 24, 2025 · For the Babiru trailer, the studio used their Epic MegaGrant to switch from live action to all-CG with Unreal Engine.
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Feb 27, 2025 · Experts weigh in on the biggest trends shaping the industry and how they strive to keep craft alive in the AI revolution.
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Famed Godzilla Minus One Producer Shuji Abe Passes Away at 74
Dec 21, 2023 · Abe founded Robot Communications in 1986 as an advertising planning business before moving into TV commercial and graphics design the next year.Missing: current | Show results with:current
[15]
Japan's Imagica Selects 'Maria' As First Project For Funding Scheme
May 14, 2025 · Tomoka Terada's Maria, a drama about a young woman facing an unwanted pregnancy, is the first project to secure financing through a new initiative.
[16]
Imagica Robot acquires majority share in animation company
Apr 2, 2007 · Imagica, one of Japan 's largest post-production providers, merged with major production company Robot in April last year under the IRH banner.
[17]
The House of Small Cubes (Short 2008) - IMDb
Rating 8.2/10 (12,101) Release date · July 14, 2011 (Brazil) ; Also known as. La maison en petits cubes ; Production company · Robot Communications.
[18]
La Maison en Petits Cubes (movie) - Anime News Network
La Maison en Petits Cubes (movie) · Genres: drama · Objectionable content: None · Plot Summary: An old man lives in a town that has become submerged in water. As ...
[19]
Every Oscar Winner for Best Animated Short Film, Ranked - Vulture
Mar 2, 2025 · Japanese animation had never been recognized in this category until “La Maison en Petits Cubes,” the story of a fisherman in a flooded home who ...
[20]
Despicable Me's Minions Make Cameo in Kami-Usagi Rope Anime
Aug 6, 2015 · Yūji Uchiyama created the Kami- Usagi Rope anime as a series of comedy shorts at the Oscar-winning studio Robot . Kami- Usagi Rope: Warau Asa ni ...
[21]
VFXShow 279: Godzilla Minus One - fxguide
Jan 12, 2024 · Produced by Toho Studios and Robot Communications, it is the 37th film in the Godzilla franchise, and Toho's 33rd Godzilla film. The film stars ...
[22]
How a Small Team of Visual Effects Artists Pulled Off 'Godzilla Minus ...
Writer, director, and VFX supervisor Takashi Yamazaki takes you through the decisions and programs used to create this epic film.
[23]
Godzilla Minus One Did VFX the '90s Way and That's Why It Won an ...
Mar 12, 2024 · Godzilla Minus One made history at the 96th Academy Awards, securing the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, a first-time win for the Godzilla franchise.
[24]
Always: Sunset on Third Street (live-action movie)
Plot Summary: In 1958, while construction of the Tokyo Tower is being carried out, Mutsuko, a young girl boards a train to Tokyo where she has been accepted ...
[25]
Always: Sunset on Third Street 3 (live-action movie)
Always: Sunset on Third Street 3 (live-action movie) ; Visual Effects Director: Kiyoko Shibuya ; Visual Effects Supervision: Takashi Yamazaki ; Distributor: TOHO.
[26]
Robot Communications Inc - Company Profile and News
Company profile page for Robot Communications Inc including stock price, company news, executives, board members, and contact information.
[27]
[PRESS] Two globally renowned hit-makers announce the ...
May 15, 2024 · Akira Morii has been known as the producer of hit Netflix drama series such as ALICE IN BORDERLAND Season 2, which set a record for the highest ...
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https://www.crew-united.com/en/Robot-Communications-Inc_155449.html
[29]
Robot Communications, Inc., Production Company, Shibuya
Movies as production (6) ; 2018, CCJC - Love Water, Love, Commercial ; 2018, Asahi - L92, Commercial ; 2013, Tokyo Sky Story, Short Film ; 2008, Suzuki Swift - ...
[30]
[PDF] Dentsu and ROBOT Communications Announce Launch of ...
Apr 28, 2008 · The new “TsuiTsui” service delivers mobile advergames that use the context of the game content to make an appeal linked to a corporate or ...
[31]
The 81st Academy Awards | 2009 - Oscars.org
Winner. WALL-E · Andrew Stanton ; Nominees. Bolt. Chris Williams and Byron Howard ; Nominees. Kung Fu Panda. John Stevenson and Mark Osborne.81st Oscars Highlights · 2010|Oscars.org · 2008
[32]
Fresh from the Festivals: January 2009's Reviews
Jan 27, 2009 · Done poorly, this type of story becomes a tedious cliché, but done well...it's magic. La maison en petits cubes opens as an old man in his small ...
[33]
Every Anime That Has Been Nominated For An Academy Award
Feb 13, 2022 · 8 La Maison En Petits Cubes. Japan Took Home The Animated Short Award. The old man with a pipe in his mouth stepping in ankle ...
[34]
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Feb 20, 2009 · Andrew Farago interviews the directors of the five animated shorts nominees for the 2008 Academy Awards.Missing: impact | Show results with:impact
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Information about Robot Communications
LIA Awards 2017 Digital Bronze Winner (Apps) ; Cannes Lions 2017 PR Bronze Lion (Practices & Specialisms: Corporate Communication & Reputation Management).<|separator|>
[36]
LIA | 2024 Press Releases | Insider 365 - London International Awards
Nov 4, 2024 · Regional Design Company Of The Year: VML Ogilvy Japan, Tokyo Regional Production Company Of The Year: ROBOT Communications Inc., Tokyo
[37]
Hakuhodo DY Group wins 4 awards at the ADC 104th Annual Awards
May 22, 2025 · We are delighted to announce that the Hakuhodo DY Group has won four awards (1 Silver, 3 Bronze) at the ADC 104th Annual Awards.
[38]
ADC Annual Awards - 104th Winners Showcase | The One Club
Agency TBWA\HAKUHODO Inc. / Tokyo + ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS Inc. Client McDonald's Japan. Coors Light Coors Light. Agency Rethink / Toronto + Molson Coors ...Missing: 2025 DY
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Three APAC Agencies Win Best of Discipline at One Show 2025
May 17, 2025 · The work won four Gold Pencils, two Silver, and three Merits. TBWA\HAKUHODO Tokyo, working with Robot Communications Tokyo, received Best of ...