Anime News

Print View Gonzo Reducing Output in 2009 Will Produce Half as Many Anime
Date: 11/11/2008
According to the Anime News Network (via Japan?s Moon Phase Comments), GDH, the parent company of top anime studio Gonzo (Samurai Seven, Afro Samurai, Witchblade) has announced a restructuring that will result in a reduction of its annual anime output from eight to four. Gonzo plans to combine its four internal studios into one production division and then gradually reduce its output by 50%. No specific series were mentioned as potential cuts. The announcement from GDH is further evidence of problems in the anime market in Japan, something that Gonzo?s Arthur Smith talked about in a letter to American anime consumers (see ?An Open Letter to the American Anime Community?).



These developments come on the heels of a takeover of GDH/Gonzo by the investment firm Iwakaze Capital (see ?Gonzo Parent Accepts Take-Over Offer?). As the Anime News Network has pointed out, Gonzo has a number of anime series currently in production (or planned) including Linebarrels of Iron and Rosario & Vampire Capu2, The Tower of Druaga, Slap Up Party, Shangri-La, and Alive.
Source: ICv2