Tatsunoko Production
Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. (株式会社竜の子プロダクション or 株式会社タツノコプロダクション, Kabushiki gaisha Tatsunoko Purodakushon?), often shortened to Tatsunoko Pro. (竜の子プロ or タツノコプロ, Tatsunoko Puro?), is a Japanese animation company founded in 1962 by legendary anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida along with his brothers Kenji and Toyoharu (Toyoharu adopted the pen name Ippei Kuri to distinguish himself from his brothers). The studio's name has a double Japanese meaning of "Tatsu's child" (Tatsu being a nickname for Tatsuo) and "seadragon" which was the inspiration for its seahorse corporate logo.
Since the studio's inception, Tatsunoko has specialized in television production, as opposed to rival studio Toei Animation, who focused chiefly on feature films and was just beginning to move into TV production when Tatsunoko was formed. The studio debuted in 1965 with the TV series Space Ace. Since then, many legendary figures in the anime industry have worked with Tatsunoko, including Mizuho Nishikubo, Hiroshi Sasagawa, Koichi Mashimo, Katsuhisa Yamada, Hideaki Anno (Tatsunoko provided animation work on the Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series), and Kazuo Yamazaki. Sasagawa, in particular, is notable for bringing his fondness for "gag" or comedy animation to the forefront in Tatsunoko series such as the Time Bokan (1975) franchise.
The translated and edited versions of the studio's more successful animated series, such as Hiroshi Sasagawa's Speed Racer (1967), Gatchaman (1972), Macross (1982, adapted as part of 1985's Robotech), and Samurai Pizza Cats (1990), are credited with bringing international attention to Japanese animation. Nicknamed The Home of the Heroes for its strong roster of action and science-fiction anime titles, Tatsunoko has nevertheless become well-known also for several widely-acclaimed fairy tale and fantasy-based series for younger children, such as Minashigo Hutch (1970), The Adventures of Pinocchio (1972), Temple the Balloonist (1977), The Littl' Bits (1980), and the Bible-based Superbook (1981). Tatsunoko has not had as much success as other studios in the shōjo (girls') anime field, although the studio's adaptation of the rhythmic gymnastics manga Hikari no Densetsu (1986) was a hit in Europe.
In June 2005 Japanese toy company Takara Co., Ltd. brought a majority stake in the studio. Tatsunoko then became a complete subsidiary of TOMY (known in Japan as Takara-Tomy) following the subsequent merger of Takara and TOMY Co., Ltd. in 2006.
Tatsunoko's studios are located in the Kokubunji district of Tokyo.
Several of today's top Japanese animation studios have their roots in Tatsunoko. Studio Pierrot was founded in 1979 by former Tatsunoko employees. Production I.G was established in 1987 as I.G. Tatsunoko which was a branch for the production of Zillion led by Mitsuhisa Ishikawa,. Studio XEBEC also traces its history to Tatsunoko, as it is an offshoot of Production I.G.
It has been confirmed that there will be a fighting game called Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes, which is basically about Capcom crossing over with Tatsunoko Production. The comfirmed characters for the Tatsunoko side are Ken Washio from the Gatchaman series and Tetsuya Azuma from the Shinzo Ningen Casshan and for the Capcom side Chun Li and Ryu from the Street Fighter series.
[edit] Anime series
 Mach Go Go Go ( Speed Racer) (1967) |
 Saban's Adventures of Pinocchio (1972) |
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 Samurai Pizza Cats (1990) |
 Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) |
- The Littl' Bits (Mori no Yoki na Kobitotachi: Berufi to Rirubitto) (1980)
- Rescueman (Time Patrol Tai Otasukeman) (1980)
- Muteking, The Dashing Warrior (Tondemo Senshi Mutekingu) (1980-1981)
- Firebird (Yattodetaman) (1981)
- Gold Lightan, The Gold Warrior (Ougon Senshi Gold Lightan) (1981)
- Superbook Series One (Anime Oyako Gekijo) (1981-1982)
- Dashu Kappei (Dash! Kappei, a.k.a. Gigi la Trottola, Chicho Terremoto) (1981-1982)
- Gyakuten! Ippatsuman (1982)
- The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982) (Producer credit only, show created by Studio Nue)
- The Flying House (Taimu Kyoshitsu: Tondera Haosu no Daiboken) (1982-1983)
- Mirai Keisatsu Urashiman (Future Cop Urashiman) (1983)
- Itadakiman (1983)
- Genesis Climber Mospeada (1983)
- Superbook Series Two (Pasokon Toraberu Tanteidan) (1983)
- Time Bokan: Oudou Fukko (1983)
- Okawari Boy Starzan S (1984)
- Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross (1984)
- The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? (1984) (Production credit only, created by Studio Nue)
- Yoroshiku Mekadokku (What's Up Mechadoc?, a.k.a. A Tutto Gas) (1984-1985)
- Honou no Alpine Rose (a.k.a. Judy and Randy) (1985)
- Shouwa Aho Soushi: Akanuke Ichiban (1985)
- Robotech [An adaptation of Macross, Southern Cross, and Mospeada] (1985)
- Hikari no Densetsu (Legend of Light, Tale of Hikari, a.k.a. Hilary, Cynthia ou le rythme de la vie, Piruetas) (1986)
- Doteraman (1986)
- Outlanders (animated by AIC on Tatsunoko's behalf; is not listed on Tatsunoko's website) (1986)
- Akai Kodan Zillion (1987)
- Guzula (color remake) (1987)
- Shurato (Tenkū Senki Shurato) (1989)
- Konchuu Monogatari: Minashigo Hutch (new series) (1989)
[edit] External links
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