Bandai Namco Filmworks

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Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc.
Native name
株式会社バンダイナムコフィルムワークス
Kabushiki gaisha Bandai Namuko Firumuwākusu
FormerlySunrise Studio Y.K.
有限会社サンライズスタジオ
Nippon Sunrise Inc.
株式会社日本サンライズ
Sunrise Inc.
株式会社サンライズ
Company typeSubsidiary (kabushiki gaisha, formerly yūgen gaisha)
Industryproduction enterprise and Japanese animation (Sunrise)
FoundedSeptember 1972; 51 years ago (1972-09) (as Sunrise)
April 1, 2022; 23 months ago (2022-04-01) (as Bandai Namco Filmworks)
Headquarters,
Japan
Key people
Makoto Asanuma
(president and CEO)
Satoshi Kawano
(executive vice-president)
Yoshitaka Tao
(managing director)
Number of employees
586 (as of April 2023)[1]
ParentBandai Namco Holdings
DivisionsSunrise
Bandai Visual
Emotion
Bandai Channel
SubsidiariesBandai Namco Music Live
Bandai Namco Pictures
Actas
Sotsu
Evolving GUNDAM
Eight Bit
Websitebnfw.co.jp (BN Filmworks)
sunrise-inc.co.jp (Sunrise)
Footnotes / references
[2][3]

Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社バンダイナムコフィルムワークス, Hepburn: Kabushiki gaisha Bandai Namuko Firumuwākusu), previously and still famously known as Sunrise Inc., is a Japanese company owned by Bandai Namco Holdings with its business focused on production, planning and management for anime.

History[edit]

According to an interview with Sunrise members, the studio was founded by former members of Mushi Production in 1972 as Sunrise Studio, Limited (有限会社サンライズスタジオ, Yugen-kaisha Sanraizu Sutajio). Rather than having anime production revolve around a single creator (like Mushi, headed by Osamu Tezuka), Sunrise decided that production should focus on the producers. The market for mainstream anime (such as manga adaptations, sports shows, and adaptations of popular children's stories) was already dominated by existing companies, so Sunrise decided to focus on robot (mecha) anime, known to be more difficult to animate but which could be used to sell toys.[4]

Sunrise has been involved in many popular and acclaimed anime television series, including Mobile Suit Gundam (and its spin-offs and sequels since 1979), the Magic God Hero Legend Wataru series (1988–1997), the Brave (1990–1997) and Eldran series (1991–1993), both of which were co-produced with Takara Tomy, and the Crest of the Stars series (1999–2001). They produced the apocalyptic Space Runaway Ideon in 1980.

The company have co-produced a number of series with Toei Company, including Majokko Tickle (from episode 16), the Robot Romance Trilogy (Chōdenji Robo Combattler V (1976), Chōdenji Machine Voltes V (1977), Tōshō Daimos (1978)), Daltanious, and Cyborg 009 (a 1979 co-production with Toei Animation). Sunrise is well known for their mecha anime series (including Gundam), such as Invincible Steel Man Daitarn 3 (1978), Fang of the Sun Dougram (1981), the Armored Trooper Votoms and Aura Battler Dunbine series (1983), Blue Comet SPT Layzner (1985), Patlabor (1989), The Vision of Escaflowne (1996), The Big O (1999/2003), Overman King Gainer (2002), Zegapain (2007), Code Geass (2006/2008), Tiger & Bunny (2011), and Valvrave the Liberator (2013), and worked with Tsuburaya Productions to animate The Ultraman (1979).

In February 1994, Sunrise Inc. became part of the Bandai Group.[5]

On April 1, 2022, Bandai Namco Holdings adopted a new logo that had been initially revealed in October 2021, and with it, a major organization shuffle occurred, resulting in Sunrise subsuming the visual arts division of Bandai Namco Arts, which was dissolved that same day. Following this, the company has adopted the same logo as its parent, and adopted the name of Bandai Namco Filmworks.[6] Its music division, Sunrise Music, has similarly subsumed Bandai Namco Arts' music operations, including Lantis, and changed its name to Bandai Namco Music Live.[7] The Sunrise name has been kept as one of the major brands of the company as of August 2023.[8]

On March 1, 2024, Bandai Namco Filmworks announced the acquisition of anime studio Eight Bit, making it a wholly owned subsidiary.[9][10]

Sunrise[edit]

Logo for the Sunrise brand, used since late 1996. It was also used as a corporate logo until 2022.

The company's primary division, Sunrise (サンライズ, Sanraizu), is an animation studio founded in September 1972 and is based in Ogikubo, Tokyo.[11] Its former names were also Soeisha, Sunrise Studio and Nippon Sunrise.[12]

The studio is renowned for critically praised and popular original anime series such as Gundam, Cowboy Bebop, Space Runaway Ideon, Armored Trooper Votoms, Magic God Hero Legend Wataru, Yoroiden Samurai Troopers, Future GPX Cyber Formula, Crush Gear Turbo, The Vision of Escaflowne, Love Live!, Witch Hunter Robin, My-HiME, My-Otome, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, Tiger & Bunny, and Cross Ange: Rondo of Angel and Dragon, as well as its numerous adaptations of acclaimed light novels including Crest of the Stars, Dirty Pair, Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere and Accel World, and manga such as City Hunter, Inuyasha, Yashahime, Outlaw Star, Angel Links, Yakitate!! Japan, Planetes, Sgt. Frog, Gin Tama, and Kekkaishi. Their productions usually feature fluid animation and action sequences and many fans refer to the quality of their work as "Sunrise Smooth".

Most of their work are original titles created in-house by their creative staff under a collective pseudonym, Hajime Yatate. They also operated a defunct video-game studio, Sunrise Interactive. Sunrise launched a light-novel publisher, Yatate Bunko Imprint, on September 30, 2016, to publish original titles and supplement their existing franchises with new materials.[13] Anime created by Sunrise which have won the Animage Anime Grand Prix are Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979 and the first half of 1980, Space Runaway Ideon in the second half of 1980, Crusher Joe (a co-production with Studio Nue) in 1983, Dirty Pair in 1985, Future GPX Cyber Formula in 1991, Gundam SEED in 2002, Gundam SEED Destiny in 2004 and 2005, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion in 2006 and 2007 and Code Geass R2 in 2008, making Sunrise the studio which won the largest number of Animage Awards.

Studios[edit]

Former[edit]

TV animation[edit]

1970s[edit]

No. Title Year(s) Broadcast network(s) Studios Notes
1 Hazedon October 1972–March 1973 Fuji TV Studio 1 First work as Soeisha (studio name from 1972 to 1976[5]).
2 Zero Tester October 1973–December 1974 Fuji TV Studio 1 The studio's first mecha production before iconic Mobile Suit Gundam, for which it would become famous.
3 Brave Raideen April 1975–March 1976 TV Asahi Studio 1 In association with Tohokushinsha and Asahi Advertising.
4 La Seine no Hoshi April 1975–December 1975 Fuji TV Studio 2 In association with Unimax and MK Company.
5 Kum-Kum October 1975–March 1976 TBS Studio 1 In association with ITC Japan.
6 Chōdenji Robo Combattler V April 1976–May 1977 TV Asahi Studio 1 In association with Toei Doga and Tohokushinsha.
7 Dinosaur Expedition Born Free [ja] October 1976–March 1977 TV Asahi Studio 1 In association with Tsuburaya Productions. First work as Nippon Sunrise (studio name from 1976 to 1987[5]).
8 Robot Child Beeton [ja] October 1976–September 1977 TBS Studio 3
9 Chōdenji Machine Voltes V June 1977–March 1978 TV Asahi Studio 2 In association with Toei Doga and Tohokushinsha.
10 Invincible Super Man Zambot 3 October 1977–March 1978 TV Asahi Studio 3
11 Majokko Tickle March 1978–January 1979 TV Asahi Studio 2 In association with Toei Doga, Neomedia and Kaze Productions.
12 Tōshō Daimos April 1978–January 1979 TV Asahi Studio 2 In association with Toei Doga and Tohokushinsha.
13 Invincible Steel Man Daitarn 3 June 1978–March 1979 TV Asahi Studio 1
14 Cyborg 009 March 1979–March 1980 TV Asahi Studio 3 In association with Toei Doga.
15 Mirai Robo Daltanious March 1979-March 1980 TV Tokyo Studio 2 In association with Toei Doga.
16 The Ultraman April 1979–March 1980 TBS Studio 4 In association with Tsuburaya Productions.
17 Mobile Suit Gundam April 1979–January 1980 TV Asahi Studio 1
18 Scientific Adventure Team Tansar 5 [ja] July 1979–March 1980 TV Tokyo Studio 5 In association with Tokyu Agency [ja].

1980s[edit]

No. Title Year(s) Broadcast network(s) Studios Notes
19 Invincible Robo Trider G7 February 1980–January 1981 TV Asahi Studio 2
20 Space Runaway Ideon May 1980–January 1981 TV Tokyo Studio 1
21 Strongest Robo Daiohja January 1981–January 1982 TV Asahi Studio 2
22 Fang of the Sun Dougram October 1981–March 1983 TV Tokyo Studio 1
23 Combat Mecha Xabungle February 1982–January 1983 TV Asahi Studio 2
24 Aura Battler Dunbine February 1983–January 1984
25 Armored Trooper Votoms April 1983–March 1984 TV Tokyo Studio 1
26 Round Vernian Vifam October 1983–September 1984 TBS Studio 3
27 Heavy Metal L-Gaim February 1984–February 1985 TV Asahi Studio 2
28 Giant Gorg April 1984–September 1984 TV Tokyo Studio 4
29 Panzer World Galient October 1984–March 1985 Nippon TV Studio 1
30 Choriki Robo Galatt October 1984–April 1985 TV Asahi Studio 3
31 Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam March 1985–February 1986 TV Asahi Studio 2
32 Dirty Pair July 1985–December 1985 Nippon TV Studio 4
33 Blue Comet SPT Layzner October 1985–June 1986 Nippon TV Studio 3
34 Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ March 1986–January 1987 TV Asahi Studio 2
35 Metal Armor Dragonar February 1987–January 1988 Studio 7
36 City Hunter April 1987–March 1988 Nippon TV Studio 3
37 Mister Ajikko October 1987–September 1989 TV Tokyo Studio 7 First work as Sunrise (studio name from 1987 to 2022[5]).
38 Mashin Hero Wataru April 1988–March 1989 Nippon TV
39 Ronin Warriors April 1988–March 1989 TV Asahi Studio 2
40 City Hunter 2 April 1988–July 1989 Nippon TV Studio 3
41 Jushin Liger March 1989–January 1990 TV Asahi Studio 2
42 Madō King Granzort April 1989–March 1990 Nippon TV Studio 7
43 Mobile Police Patlabor October 1989–September 1990 Studio 1 In association with Bandai and Tohokushinsha.
44 City Hunter 3 October 1989–January 1990 Studio 3

1990s[edit]

No. Title Year(s) Broadcast network(s) Studios Notes
45 Brave Exkaiser February 1990–January 1991 TV Asahi Studio 7
46 Mashin Hero Wataru 2 March 1990–March 1991 Nippon TV
47 The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird February 1991–February 1992 TV Asahi
48 Future GPX Cyber Formula March 1991–December 1991 Nippon TV
49 Matchless Raijin-Oh April 1991–March 1992 TV Tokyo Studio 5
50 Armored Police Metal Jack April 1991–December 1991 TV Tokyo Studio 7 In association with Studio Deen.
51 City Hunter '91 April 1991–October 1991 Nippon TV Studio 3
52 Mama is a 4th Grader January 1992–December 1992 Nippon TV Studio 2
53 The Brave Fighter of Legend Da-Garn February 1992–January 1993 TV Asahi Studio 7
54 Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger April 1992–February 1993 TV Tokyo Studio 5
55 The Brave Express Might Gaine January 1993–January 1994 TV Asahi Studio 7
56 Nekketsu Saikyō Go-Saurer March 1993–February 1994 TV Tokyo Studio 5
57 Mobile Suit Victory Gundam April 1993–March 1994 TV Asahi Studio 2
59 Iron Leaguer April 1993–March 1994 TV Tokyo Studio 3
59 Brave Police J-Decker February 1994–January 1995 TV Asahi Studio 7
60 Haō Taikei Ryū Knight April 1994–March 1995 TV Tokyo Studio 1
61 Mobile Fighter G Gundam April 1994–March 1995 TV Asahi
62 The Brave of Gold Goldran February 1995–January 1996 Studio 7
63 Wild Knights Gulkeeva April 1995–September 1995 TV Tokyo Studio 3
64 Mobile Suit Gundam Wing April 1995–March 1996 TV Asahi Studio 1
65 Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team January 1996–July 1999
66 Brave Command Dagwon February 1996–January 1997 Studio 7
67 The Vision of Escaflowne April 1996–September 1996 TV Tokyo Studio 3
68 After War Gundam X April 1996–December 1996 TV Asahi Studio 1
69 Ganbarist! Shun July 1996–March 1997 Nippon TV Studio 5
70 Raideen the Superior October 1996–June 1997 TV Tokyo Studio 8
71 The King of Braves GaoGaiGar February 1997–January 1998 TV Asahi Studio 7
72 Ultra Mashin Hero Wataru October 1997–September 1998 TV Tokyo Studio 6
73 Outlaw Star January 1998–June 1998 Studio 10
74 Round Vernian Vifam 13 March 1998–October 1998 TBS Vifam Studio
75 Brain Powerd April 1998–November 1998 WOWOW Studio 1
76 Sentimental Journey April 1998–July 1998 TV Tokyo Studio 6
77 DT Eightron April 1998–November 1998 Fuji TV Studio 5
78 Gasaraki October 1998–March 1999 TV Tokyo Studio 9
79 Cowboy Bebop October 1998–April 1999 WOWOW Studio 2
80 Crest of the Stars January 1999–March 1999 Studio 5
81 Betterman April 1999–September 1999 TV Tokyo Studio 7
82 Aesop World April 1999–December 1999 Aesop Studio
83 Angel Links April 1999–June 1999 WOWOW Studio 10
84 Turn A Gundam April 1999–April 2000 Fuji TV Studio 1
85 Infinite Ryvius October 1999–March 2000 TV Tokyo Studio 9
86 Seraphim Call October 1999–December 1999 Studio 8
87 The Big O October 1999–January 2000 WOWOW Studio 6

2000s[edit]

No. Title Year(s) Broadcast network(s) Studios Notes
88 Mighty Cat Masked Niyandar February 2000–September 2001 TV Asahi Studio 8
89 Banner of the Stars April 2000–July 2000 WOWOW Studio 5
90 Brigadoon: Marin & Melan July 2000–February 2001 WOWOW Studio 7
91 Dinozaurs: The Series July 2000–November 2000 Fuji TV Studio 10
92 Gear Fighter Dendoh October 2000–June 2001 TV Tokyo Studio 10
93 Argento Soma October 2000–March 2001 TV Tokyo Studio 9
94 Inuyasha October 2000–September 2004 Nippon TV Studio 1
95 Z.O.E. Dolores, I April 2001–September 2001 TV Tokyo Studio 6
96 s-CRY-ed July 2001–December 2001 TV Tokyo Studio 4
97 Banner of the Stars II July 2001–September 2001 WOWOW Studio 5
98 Crush Gear Turbo October 2001–January 2003 TV Asahi Studio 10
99 Witch Hunter Robin July 2002–December 2002 TV Tokyo Studio 7
100 Overman King Gainer September 2002–March 2003 WOWOW Studio 4
101 Mobile Suit Gundam SEED October 2002–September 2003 TBS Studio 9
102 The Big O II January 2003–March 2003 WOWOW Studio 6
103 Machine Robo Rescue January 2003–January 2004 TV Tokyo Sunrise D.I.D
104 Crush Gear Nitro February 2003–January 2004 TV Asahi Studio 10
105 Tank Knights Fortress April 2003–March 2004 TV Tokyo Studio 8
106 Planetes October 2003–April 2004 NHK Studio 4
107 Superior Defender Gundam Force January 2004–December 2004 TV Tokyo Sunrise D.I.D
108 Sgt. Frog April 2004–April 2011 TV Tokyo Studio 6
109 Onmyō Taisenki September 2004–September 2005 TV Tokyo Studio 10
110 My-HiME September 2004–March 2005 TV Tokyo Studio 8
111 Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny October 2004–October 2005 TBS Studio 3
112 Yakitate!! Japan October 2004–March 2006 TV Tokyo Studio 1
113 Majime ni Fumajime Kaiketsu Zorori February 2005–January 2007 TV Asahi Studio 5 In association with Ajia-do Animation Works.
114 GaoGaiGar Final -Grand Glorious Gathering- April 2005–June 2005 TV Tokyo Studio 7
115 Cluster Edge October 2005–March 2006 TV Tokyo Studio 1
116 My-Otome October 2005–March 2006 TV Tokyo Studio 8
117 Zegapain April 2006–September 2006 TV Tokyo Studio 9
118 Gin Tama April 2006–March 2010 TV Tokyo Studio 5
119 intrigue in the Bakumatsu – Irohanihoheto October 2006–April 2007 Animax Studio 7
120 Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion October 2006–July 2007 TBS Studio 4
121 Kekkaishi October 2006–February 2008 Nippon TV Studio 1
122 Dinosaur King February 2007–August 2008 TV Asahi Studio 10
123 Idolmaster: Xenoglossia April 2007–September 2007 AT-X Studio 8
124 Mobile Suit Gundam 00 October 2007–March 2008 TBS Studio 3
125 Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 April 2008–September 2008 TBS Studio 4
126 Battle Spirits: Shounen Toppa Bashin September 2008–September 2009 TV Asahi Studio 9
127 Tales of the Abyss October 2008–March 2009 Tokyo MX Studio 1
128 Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season October 2008–March 2009 TBS Studio 3
129 The Girl Who Leapt Through Space January 2009–June 2009 TV Tokyo Studio 8
130 Black God January 2009–June 2009 TV Asahi Studio 11
131 Battle Spirits: Dan the Red Warrior [ja] September 2009–September 2010 TV Asahi Studio 9
132 Inuyasha: The Final Act October 2009–March 2010 Nippon TV Studio 1

2010s[edit]

No. Title Year(s) Broadcast network(s) Studios Notes
133 SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors April 2010–March 2011 TV Tokyo Nerima Studio
134 Battle Spirits Brave [ja] September 2010–September 2011 TV Asahi Studio 9
135 Tiger & Bunny April 2011–September 2011 BS11 Studio 6
136 Gintama April 2011–March 2012 TV Tokyo Studio 5
137 Sacred Seven July 2011–September 2011 MBS Studio 7
138 Battle Spirits: Heroes September 2011–September 2012 TV Asahi Studio 9
139 Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere October 2011–December 2011 MBS Studio 8
140 Mobile Suit Gundam AGE October 2011–September 2012 TBS Studio 3 In association with Level-5.
141 Phi Brain: Puzzle of God October 2011–March 2014 NHK Studio 10
142 Daily Lives of High School Boys January 2012–March 2012 TV Tokyo Studio 9
143 Natsuiro Kiseki April 2012–June 2012 MBS Studio 11
144 Accel World April 2012–September 2012 Tokyo MX Studio 8 In association with GENCO.
145 Good Luck Girl! July 2012–September 2012 TV Tokyo Studio 9
146 Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere 2nd Season July 2012–September 2012 MBS Studio 8
147 Battle Spirits: Sword Eyes September 2012–September 2013 TV Asahi Studio 9
148 Gintama: Overtime October 2012–March 2013 TV Tokyo Studio 5
149 Aikatsu! October 2012–March 2016 Studio 9 & Studio 5 Later animation provided by Bandai Namco Pictures.
150 Love Live! School Idol Project January 2013–March 2013 Tokyo MX Studio 8
151 Valvrave the Liberator April 2013–December 2013 MBS/TBS Nerima Studio
152 Battle Spirits: Saikyou Ginga Ultimate Zero September 2013–September 2014 TV Asahi Studio 9
153 Gundam Build Fighters October 2013–March 2014 TV Tokyo Studio 3
154 Buddy Complex January 2014–March 2014 Tokyo MX Studio 8
155 KERORO March 2014–September 2014 Animax Studio 6
156 Love Live! 2nd Season April 2014–June 2014 Tokyo MX Studio 8
157 Mobile Suit Gundam-san July 2014–September 2014 Studio 6
158 Tribe Cool Crew September 2014–October 2015 TV Asahi In association with Ajia-do Animation Works.
159 Gundam Reconguista in G October 2014–March 2015 MBS/TBS Studio 1
160 Gundam Build Fighters Try October 2014–April 2015 TV Tokyo Studio 3
161 Cross Ange: Rondo of Angels and Dragons October 2014–March 2015 Tokyo MX Nerima Studio
162 Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans October 2015–March 2016 MBS Studio 3
163 Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 April 2016–September 2016 TV Asahi
164 Love Live! Sunshine!! July 2016–September 2016 Tokyo MX Studio 8
165 Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans: 2nd Season October 2016–March 2017 TBS/MBS Studio 3
166 Magic-kyun Renaissance October 2016-January 2017 Tokyo MX Studio 8
167 Classicaloid October 2016–April 2017 NHK Studio 5 [16]
168 Love Live! Sunshine!! 2nd Season October 2017–December 2017 Tokyo MX Studio 8
169 Gundam Build Divers April 2018–September 2018 TV Tokyo
170 Double Decker! Doug & Kirill October 2018–December 2018 Tokyo MX
171 Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin - Advent of the Red Comet April 2019–August 2019 NHK General TV

2020s[edit]

No. Title Year(s) Broadcast network(s) Studios Notes
172 Wave, Listen to Me! April 2020–June 2020 MBS
173 King's Raid: Successors of the Will October 2020–March 2021 TV Tokyo Sunrise Beyond Inc. In association with OLM.
174 Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon October 2020–March 2021 NNS
175 Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club October 2020–December 2020 Tokyo MX
176 Scarlet Nexus July 2021–December 2021
177 Love Live! Superstar!! July 2021–October 2021 NHK Educational TV
178 Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon - The Second Act October 2021–March 2022 NNS
179 Amaim Warrior at the Borderline October 2021–December 2021 TV Tokyo Sunrise Beyond Inc.
180 Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club 2nd Season April 2022–June 2022 Tokyo MX Credited as Bandai Namco Filmworks
181 Amaim Warrior at the Borderline 2nd Season April 2022–June 2022 TV Tokyo Sunrise Beyond Inc.
182 Love Live! Superstar!! 2nd Season July 2022–October 2022 NHK Educational TV
183 Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury October 2022–July 2023 MBS/TBS Studio 1, Studio 3
184 Yohane the Parhelion: Sunshine in the Mirror July 2023–September 2023 Tokyo MX
185 Mashin Sōzōden Wataru TBA TBA

Films[edit]

Title Year(s) Studios Notes
Mobile Suit Gundam (Movie) March 1981 Studio 4
Mobile Suit Gundam: Soldiers of Sorrow July 1981
Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space March 1982 Studio 3
The Ideon: A Contact July 1982
The Ideon: Be invoked
Crusher Joe March 12, 1983 Studio 4
Document Dougram July 9, 1983 Studio 1
Choro-Q Dougram
Xabungle Graffiti Studio 2
Arion March 15, 1986 Studio 1
Dirty Pair: Project Eden November 28, 1986
Bats & Terry March 14, 1987 Studio 3
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack March 12, 1988 Studio 2
The Five Star Stories March 11, 1989
City Hunter: 357 Magnum June 17, 1989 Studio 3
Mobile Suit SD Gundam's Counterattack July 15, 1989 Studio 5
Gunhed July 22, 1989
Mobile Suit Gundam F91 March 16, 1991 Studio 2
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: The Last Blitz of Zeon August 29, 1992 Studio 3
Mobile Suit SD Gundam Festival March 13, 1993 Studio 3 & Studio 1
Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz -Special Edition- August 1, 1998 Studio 1
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team: Miller's Report August 1, 1998 Studio 3
Firefighter! Daigo of Fire Company M July 27, 1999 Studio 5
Escaflowne: A Girl in Gaea June 24, 2000 Animation Production: Bones
Pokémon 3: The Movie July 8, 2000 CG assistance, Animation Production by: OLM, Inc.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie September 1, 2001 Animation Production: Bones
Inuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time December 15, 2001 Studio 5
Turn A Gundam: Earth Light February 9, 2002 Studio 1
Turn A Gundam: Moonlight Butterfly February 10, 2002 Studio 1
Crush Gear: Kaizaban's Challenge July 20, 2002 Studio 10
inuyasha the Movie: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass December 21, 2002 Studio 5
Inuyasha the Movie: Swords of an Honorable Ruler December 20, 2003 Studio 5
Steamboy July 17, 2004 Nerima Studio
Inuyasha the Movie: Fire on the Mystic Island December 23, 2004 Studio 5
Keroro Gunsō the Super Movie March 11, 2006 Studio 6
Kaiketsu Zorori: The Battle for the Mysterious Treasure March 11, 2006 Studio 5 In association with Ajia-do Animation Works
Keroro Gunsō the Super Movie 2: The Deep Sea Princess March 17, 2007 Studio 6
Chibi Kero: Secret of the Kero Ball!? March 2007 Studio 6
Keroro Gunso the Super Movie 3: Keroro vs. Keroro Great Sky Duel March 2008 Studio 6
Musha Kero: Debut! Sengoku Planet Ran Big Battle!! March 2008 Studio 6
Pailsen Files the Movie January 2009 Sunrise D.I.D
Keroro Gunso the Super Movie 4: Gekishin Dragon Warriors March 2009 Studio 6
Kero 0: Depart! Assembly of Everyone!! March 2009 Studio 6
Keroro Gunso the Super Movie: Creation! Ultimate Keroro, Wonder Space-Time Island February 2010 Studio 6
Chō Denei-ban SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors February 2010 Nerima Studio
Gintama: The Movie April 2010 Studio 5
King of Thorn May 2010 Nerima Studio
Colorful August 2010 Animation production by Ascension
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer September 2010 Studio 3
s-CRY-ed: Alteration TAO November 2011 Studio 4
Sacred Seven: Wings of Gingetsu January 2012 Studio 7
s-CRY-ed: Alteration QUAN March 2012 Studio 4
Tiger & Bunny: The Beginning September 2012 Studio 6
Nerawareta Gakuen November 2012 Studio 8
Zorori's Big Big Big Big Adventure! December 2012 Studio 5 In association with Ajia-do Animation Works
Gintama: The Movie: The Final Chapter: Be Forever Yorozuya July 2013 Studio 5
Short Peace July 2013 Nerima Studio Received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film for its segment Possessions (九十九)
Kaiketsu Zorori: Protect It! The Dinosaur Egg December 2013 Studio 5 In association with Ajia-do Animation Works
Tiger & Bunny: The Rising February 2014 Studio 6
Aikatsu! The Movie December 2014 Studio 5
Love Live! The School Idol Movie June 2015 Studio 8
Kaiketsu Zorori: Heroes of Space September 2015 Studio 5 In association with Ajia-do Animation Works
Accel World: Infinite Burst July 2016 Studio 8 In association with GENCO
Zegapain ADP October 2016 Studio 9
Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative November 2018 Studio 1
Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie: Over the Rainbow January 2019 Studio 8
City Hunter the Movie: Shinjuku Private Eyes February 2019 Studio 1
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection February 2019
Gundam Reconguista in G November 2019–August 2022 Series of five films.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash June 2021–
Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island June 2022
Sand Land August 2023 In association with Kamikaze Douga and Anima
City Hunter The Movie: Angel Dust September 2023
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom January 2024
Orbital Era TBA

OVAs/ONAs[edit]

Title Year(s) Studios Notes
White Fang Story [ja] May 5, 1982 Studio 1
Round Vernian Vifam: News from Kachua October 1984 Studio 3
Round Vernian Vifam: The Gathered 13 December 1984 Studio 3
Round Vernian Vifam: The Missing 12 February 1985 Studio 3
Armored Trooper Votoms: The Last Red Shoulder August 1985 Studio 1
Round Vernian Vifam: Kate's Memory September 1985 Studio 3
Dirty Pair: Affair of Nolandia December 1985 Studio 1
Panzer World Galient: Chapter of Ground January 1986 Studio 1
Panzer World Galient: Chapter of Sky March 1986 Studio 1
Armored Trooper Votoms: Big Battle July 1986 Studio 4
Panzer World Galient: Chapter of Iron August 1986 Studio 4
Blue Comet SPT Layzner: Eiji 1996 August 1986 Studio 3
Blue Comet SPT Layzner: Le Caine 1999 September 1986 Studio 3
Blue Comet SPT Layzner: Engraved 2000 October 1986 Studio 3
Heavy Metal L-Gaim: Pentagona Window + Lady Gablae November 1986 Studio 2
Heavy Metal L-Gaim: Farewell My Lovely + Pentagona Dolls January 1987 Studio 2
Dirty Pair: From Lovely Angels with Love January 1987 Studio 4
DOUGRAM vs ROUND-FACER January 1987 Studio 1
Heavy Metal L-Gaim: Fullmetal Soldier March 1987 Studio 7
Dead Heat July 1987 Studio 2
Original Dirty Pair December 1987–April 1988 Studio 1
Armored Trooper Votoms: Roots of Ambition February 1988 Studio 7
New Story of Aura Battler DUNBinE February 1988–August 1988 Studio 1
Mobile Suit SD Gundam March 1988–August 1991 Studio 5 & Studio 3
Starship Troopers October 1988–December 1988 Studio 5
Armor Hunter Mellowlink November 1988–April 1989 Studio 1
Crusher Joe: The Ice Prison February 1989 Studio 1
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket March 1989–August 1989 Studio 5
Ronin Warriors Gaiden April 1989–June 1989 Studio 2
Crusher Joe: The Ultimate Weapon: Ash June 1989 Studio 1
Shin Mashin Hero Wataru August 1989–September 1989 Studio 7
Ronin Warriors: Legend of the inferno Armor October 1989–January 1990 Studio 2
Dirty Pair: Flight 005 Conspiracy January 1990 Studio 1
SD Gundam Gaiden March 1990–March 1991 Studio 5
Obatarian April 1990 Studio 3
City Hunter: Bay City Wars August 1990 Studio 3
City Hunter: Million Dollar Conspiracy August 1990 Studio 3
Madō King Granzort: The Final Magical Battle August 1990–September 1990 Studio 7
Patlabor: The New Files November 1990–April 1992 Studio 1
Mobile Suit SD Gundam Scramble March 1991–August 1991 Studio 5
Ronin Warriors MESSAGE March 1991–August 1991 Studio 2
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory May 1991–September 1992 Studio 3
Madō King Granzort: The Mado Stone March 1992–June 1992 Studio 7
Raijin-Oh FinAL September 1992–February 1993 Studio 5
Future GPX Cyber Formula 11 November 1992–June 1993 Studio 7
Mashin Hero Wataru: The Endless Story October 1993–February 1994 Studio 7
Dirty Pair Flash February 1994–April 1996 Studio 2 & Studio 5
Armored Trooper Votoms: Shining Heresy March 1994–December 1994 Studio 5
Future GPX Cyber Formula ZERO April 1994–February 1995 Studio 7
Ryū Knight: Adeu's Legend July 1994–May 1996 Studio 1
Iron Leaguer: Under of The Banner of Silver Light November 1994–April 1995 Studio 3
City Hunter: The Secret Service January 1996 Studio 3
The Silent Service March 1996–January 1998 Studio 3 (VOYAGE.01 (March 1996)) → Studio 9 (VOYAGE.02 & VOYAGE.03 (September 1997–January 1998))
Future GPX Cyber Formula EARLYDAYS RENEWAL April 1996–June 1996 Studio 7
Future GPX Cyber Formula SAGA August 1996–July 1997 Studio 10
City Hunter: Good-Bye My Sweetheart April 1997 Studio 6
Brave Command Dagwon: The Boy with Crystal Eyes October 1997–December 1997 Studio 7
GUNDAM Mission to the Rise August 1998 Sunrise D.I.D
Dinozaurs December 1998 Sunrise D.I.D
Future GPX Cyber Formula Sin December 1998–March 2000 Studio 10
Z-Mind February 1999–July 1999 Studio 8
City Hunter: Death of the Vicious Criminal Ryo Saeba April 1999 Studio 8
Gundam Wing: Operation Meteor April 1999–May 1999 Studio 1
Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz May 1999–June 1999 Studio 1
Aesop World April 1999–December 1999 Studio 5
The King of Braves GaoGaiGar Final January 2000–March 2003 Studio 7
Passage of the Stars - Birth April 2000 Studio 5
Crest of the Stars: SPECIAL April 2000 Studio 5
G-Saviour December 2000 Sunrise D.I.D
ZOE: 2167 IDOLO March 2001 Studio 6
Afro-Dog [ja] June 2001 Sunrise D.I.D
Banner of the Stars: SPECIAL July 2001 Studio 5
Argento Soma: Alone and by myself February 2002 Studio 9
Kagero Kakun May 2003 In association with TMS Entertainment
Gundam Evolve September 2003–January 2007 Sunrise D.I.D
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED AFTER PHASE March 2004 Studio 9
Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO July 2004–April 2009 Sunrise D.I.D
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: Special Edition August 2004–October 2004 Studio 9
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation May 2005–March 2006 Studio 7
Hotori - A Simple Wish for Joy [ja] August 2005 Nerima Studio
Banner of the Stars III August 2005–September 2005 Studio 5
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: FinAL PLUS December 2005 Studio 3
The Wings of Rean December 2005–August 2006 Nerima Studio
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: Special Edition May 2006–January 2007 Studio 3
Cluster Edge Secret Episode September 2006 Studio 1
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: Stargazer November 2006 Studio 3
My-Otome Zwei November 2006–August 2007 Studio 8
Freedom Project November 2006–May 2008 Nerima Studio
SOS! Tokyo Metro Explorers: The Next May 2007 Sunrise D.I.D
Armored Trooper Votoms: Pailsen Files October 2007–August 2008 Sunrise D.I.D
Code Geass: Black Rebellion February 2008 Studio 4
My-Otome 0~S.ifr~ February 2008–November 2008 Studio 8
Urusei Yatsura: The Obstacle Course Swim Meet December 2008 Studio 8
Code Geass: Zero Requiem July 2009 Studio 4
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Special Edition October 2009–February 2010 Studio 3
Hipira: The Little Vampire December 2009 Nerima Studio
Black God: Tiger and Wings December 2009 Studio 11
My-HiME: The Black Dance January 2010 Studio 8
My-Otome: The Holy Maiden's Prayer March 2010 Studio 8
Armored Trooper Votoms: The Phantom Chapter March 2010–October 2010 Sunrise D.I.D
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn March 2010–June 2014 Studio 1
Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G August 2010–December 2010 Sunrise D.I.D
Armored Trooper Votoms: Case;Irvine November 2010 Studio 8
Votoms Finder December 2010 Sunrise D.I.D
Armored Trooper Votoms: Alone Again January 2011 Sunrise D.I.D
Coicent February 2011 Nerima Studio
Five Numbers! April 2011 Nerima Studio
Code Geass: Nunnally in Wonderland July 2012 Studio 4
Code Geass: Akito the Exiled August 2012–February 2016 Studio 4
Accel World: Awakening of the Silver Wings October 2012 Studio 8
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team: Battle in Three Dimensions February 2013 Studio 3
Mobile Suit Gundam AGE: Memory of Eden July 2013 Studio 3 In association with Level-5
Buddy Complex: The Final Chapter September 2014 Studio 8
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin February 2015–November 2016
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt December 2015-June 2016
Gundam Build Fighters Try: Island Wars August 2016 Studio 3
Mobile Suit Gundam: Twilight Axis June 2017
Gundam Build Fighters: GM's Counterattack August 2017
Gundam Build Fighters: Battlogue August 2017
Isekai Izakaya ~Koto Aitheria no Izakaya Nobu~ April 2018–September 2018
SD Gundam World Sangoku Soketsuden July 2019–
Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise October 2019–August 2020 Sunrise Beyond Inc.
Mashin Eiyūden Wataru: Seven-Souled Ryūjinmaru April 2020–
Artiswitch May 2021–September 2021
Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance TBA

Non-Japanese productions[edit]

Title Year(s) Studios Notes
Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds October 1981–March 1982 Nippon Animation Co-production with BRB Internacional
Inspector Gadget September 1983–February 1986 DIC Entertainment Additional services for TMS Entertainment for the ink and painting process
Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors September 1985–December 1985
ThunderCats September 1985–September 1989 Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment
The Centurions April 1986–December 1986 Studio 7; Ruby-Spears Productions
Sophie and Virginie [fr] December 1990–May 1993 C&D Co-production with AB Productions and CNC
Batman: The Animated Series September 1992–September 1995 Studio 6; Warner Bros. Animation
Street Fighter October 1995–May 1997 Studio 1 Co-production with InVision Entertainment, Graz Entertainment, USA Studios and Madhouse Studios
Siegfried & Roy: Masters of the Impossible August 1996 DIC Entertainment
Argai: The Prophecy September 2000–March 2001 Carrere Groupe Co-production with D'Ocon Films Productions and La Coloniale
Team Galaxy August 2006–July 2007 Marathon Media Co-production with Image Entertainment Corporation
Barangay 143 October 2018–February 2021 Shin-Ei Animation Co-production with ASI Animation Studio

Video game animation work[edit]

Title Year(s) Notes
Valis: The Fantasm Soldier 1986
Suishō no Dragon 1986
Blazing Lazers 1989
SD Gundam Neo Batoringu 1995
Brave Saga 1998
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special: Dominated Mind 1998
Sunrise Heroes 1999
Brave Saga 2 2000
Sunrise Heroes 2 2001
Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo 2001
Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars 2001
Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front 2001
Sunrise World War 2003
Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space 2003
Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam 2004
Inuyasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask 2004
Brave Wars 2005
Battle of Sunrise 2008
Tales of the Heroes: Twin Brave 2012
Zone of the Enders HD Collection 2012
Xuccess Heaven 2015
Starwing Paradox 2018
Love Live! School Idol Festival All Stars 2019
Scarlet Nexus 2021
Tales of Luminaria 2021 Co-production with Kamikaze Douga
Saikyō Kamizmode: Burst Spirits 2024

Miscellaneous work[edit]

International distribution[edit]

Most anime produced by Sunrise and Bandai and licensed by Bandai Visual in Japan was licensed and distributed in the United States by Bandai Entertainment and in Europe by Beez Entertainment, but both companies shut down in 2012 after Bandai Entertainment's restructuring. In North America, distributors such as Funimation, Viz Media, Sentai Filmworks, NIS America and Aniplex of America, as well as Sunrise USA, have licensed Sunrise properties. In Europe, Anime Limited and Manga Entertainment (in the UK) and Kazé (in France) have begun to distribute titles distributed by Beez and other unreleased Sunrise productions. In Australia, Sunrise productions are licensed and distributed by Madman Entertainment. At Anime Boston 2013, Sunrise confirmed that they would begin licensing anime in North America and were negotiating with Sentai, Funimation, and Viz to distribute their titles on DVD and Blu-ray.[19] Right Stuf agreed to distribute and re-release Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn on DVD in North America.[20] In 2014 the deal expanded, releasing the Gundam previously licensed by Bandai Entertainment (Mobile Suit Gundam, Turn A Gundam) and several works not released in North America (including Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ) in 2015.[21]

Anime studios founded by former Sunrise animators[edit]

  • Studio Deen (founded in March 1975) by Hiroshi Hasegawa and Takeshi Mochida.
  • Studio Dub (founded in January 1983) by Masa Yahata, taken over and became as BNP Iwaki Studio in 2019.
  • Lifework (founded in 1984) by Yutaka Kanda and Masahiro Toyozumi, today closed.
  • Studio Takuranke (founded in September 1987) by Yasuhiko Kondō and Hiroyuki Yamada.
  • Studio Gazelle (founded in September 1993) by Ikuo Sato.
  • Bones (founded in October 1998) by Masahiko Minami.
  • Manglobe (founded in February 2002) by Shinichirō Kobayashi and Takashi Kochiyama, files for bankruptcy on 29 September 2015.[22]
  • A-1 Pictures (founded in May 2005) by Masuo Ueda and Mikihiro Iwata.
  • Bridge (founded in August 2007) by Chie Ohashi.
  • Odd Eye Creative (founded in February 2011) by Naotake Furusato.
  • Yaoyorozu (founded in August 2013) by Tatsuki, closed in 2020, animation business transferred and integrated to the new company named 8million.[23]
  • Buemon (founded in April 2014) by Kiyohiko Takayama, former 3DCG staff in Nerima Studio.

References[edit]

  1. ^ 会社概要 / バンダイナムコフィルムワークス [Company Profile]. Bandai Namco Filmworks INC. (in Japanese). Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  2. ^ "Sunrise Official Site" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 5, 2006. Retrieved February 6, 2006.
  3. ^ "SUNRISE INTERNATIONAL Information". Retrieved February 6, 2006.
  4. ^ "ANNtv Inside Sunrise". Anime News Network. May 17, 2011. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d "Sunrise/Bandai Namco Filmworks history". Sunrise Inc. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (February 8, 2022). "Bandai Namco Details Restructuring of Sunrise, Other IP Production Operations". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  7. ^ "サンライズが社名変更 4月から「バンダイナムコフィルムワークス」に". ITmedia NEWS (in Japanese). Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  8. ^ "International". Sunrise Inc. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  9. ^ "株式会社エイトビット 完全子会社化のお知らせ | 主力 IP のさらなる拡大と制作ライン拡充による継続的な IP 創出を促進" (PDF). Bandai Namco Filmworks, Inc. March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  10. ^ "Bandai Namco Filmworks Makes Anime Studio 8-Bit Into Wholly Owned Subsidiary". Anime News Network. March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  11. ^ "SUNRISE INTERNATIONAL Information [Company Outline]". Sunrise-inc.co.jp. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  12. ^ Animage Editorial Staff (August 1987). "Arata na michi o mosakusuru orijinaru robotto anime no sōhonzan" 新たな道を模索するオリジナルロボットアニメの総本山 [The main office searches for a fresh original robot anime]. Animage (in Japanese). Vol. 110. pp. 60–65.
  13. ^ "Sunrise Launches "Yatate Bunko" Light Novel Imprint". Crunchyroll. September 15, 2016. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  14. ^ "Sunrise Moves to New Head Office Named After Gundam's White Base". October 4, 2023.
  15. ^ "SUNRISE BEYOND | SUNRISE BEYOND INC". sunrisebeyond.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  16. ^ "Sunrise Reveals Classicaloid Comedy TV Anime for 2016". Anime News Network. July 3, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  17. ^ @ArtofLostandCan (May 6, 2020). "Here are screenshots for various lost..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ^ "Pink Crows (Lost music video animation; 1985) - the Lost Media Wiki".
  19. ^ "Funimation, Sentai in Talks Over Former Bandai Titles". Anime News Network. March 25, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  20. ^ "Right Stuf to Release Gundam UC on DVD". Anime News Network. May 14, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  21. ^ "Sunrise Partners with Right Stuf to Release Gundam Franchise Stateside". Anime News Network. October 11, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  22. ^ "Manglobe Anime Studio Files for Bankruptcy". Anime News Network. March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  23. ^ "Anime Studio Yaoyorozu Folded Into New Company 8million". Anime News Network. March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.

External links[edit]