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Knack Productions
View on WikipediaICHI Corporation (株式会社ICHI, Kabushikigaisha ICHI), formerly known as Knack Productions (株式会社KnacK, Kabushikigaisha KnacK) or simply Knack (ナック, Nakku) until August 2008, is a Japanese anime and film production company.
Key Information
History
[edit]Knack Productions was founded on September 25, 1967, by a group of former employees of Toei Animation and Osamu Tezuka's Mushi Production, including illustrator Seiichi Hayashi, animator/director Sadao Tsukioka, former Mushi producer Sakuro Koyanagi, and Seiichi Nishino, who would become the principal planner of most of the studio's works. From its early days the studio concentrated on TV production. The studio's first work, the TV series Granny Mischief (Ijiwaru Baasan), based on a manga by Sazae-san creator Machiko Hasegawa), premiered in 1970. In the late 1980s the company moved away from TV production and into OVA, finding success in the growing market for soft-core direct-to-video pornography anime. Since the late 1990s, Knack (renamed ICHI Corporation in August 2008) has focused chiefly on live-action production. The company's most recent animation work, in 1997, was on the adult anime OVA Slight Fever Syndrome and with production assistance on Gainax's The End of Evangelion.
Despite the number of anime-industry notables who worked with Knack over the years (including Go Nagai, Ken Ishikawa, Kazuyuki Okasako, Masayuki Kojima, Tetsuro Amino, Shun'ichi Yukimuro, Yoshikata Nitta, and Fumio Ikeno), the studio developed a dubious reputation for the low quality of its productions, particularly in regard to animation quality and to copying the premises of other, more popular shows, even when compared to their contemporaries in both Japan and America.[1] Nevertheless, a number of the studio's productions did become internationally successful, including the children's anthropomorphic cartoon series Don Chuck Monogatari; The Adventures of the Little Prince; and Attacker You!, a volleyball drama which achieved a staggering level of popularity when exported to Italy and France. The studio's children's comedies Manga Sarutobi Sasuke and Cybot Robotchi were also released in the U.S. as direct-to-video feature-length edits titled Ninja the Wonder Boy and Robby the Rascal, respectively. In more recent years, the studio's 1974 series Chargeman Ken! has become an online sensation, due to mockery of its limited production values.
Animated works
[edit]TV series
[edit]- Granny Mischief (Ijiwaru Baasan, いじわるばあさん) (1970–1971)
- Moonlight Mask (Seigi wo asuru mono, Gekko Kamen, 正義を愛する人、月光仮面) (1972)
- Astroganger (アストロガンガー) (1972–1973)
- Chargeman Ken! (チャージマン研!) (1974)
- Dame Oyaji (ダメおやじ) (1974)
- Don Chuck Monogatari/Shin Don Chuck Monogatari (ドンチャック物語, 新 ドンチャック物語) (1975–1977)
- Groizer X (グロイザーX) (1976–1977, created by Go Nagai)
- The Adventures of the Little Prince (Hoshi no ojisama Puchi Prince, 星の王子さま プチ・プランス) (1978–1979)
- Ninja the Wonder Boy (Manga Sarutobi Sasuke, まんが猿飛佐助) (1979–1980)
- Sue Cat (スーキャット) (1980)
- Manga Mitokomon (まんが水戸黄門) (1981–1982)
- Robby the Rascal (Cybot Robotchi, サイボットロボッチ) (1982–1983, created by Ken Ishikawa)
- Hitotsuboshike no Ultra Baasan (一ツ星家のウルトラ婆さん) (1982–1983)
- Psycho Armor Govarian (サイコアーマー ゴーバリアン) (1983, created by Go Nagai)
- The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle (ドリトルせんせいものがたり) (1984, U.S.-Japan coproduction, not aired in Japan until 1997)
- Attacker You! (アタッカーYOU!) (1984–1985)
- Oh! Family (Oh!ファミリー) (1986–1987)
- Manga Nihon Keizai Nyuumon (マンガ日本経済入門) (1987–1988)
- Momotaro Densetsu (桃太郎伝説 PEACHBOY LEGEND) (1989–1990)
- Peach Command: Shin Momotaru Densetsu (PEACH COMMAND 新桃太郎伝説) (1990–1991)
- New Attacker You (続・アタッカーYOU 金メダルへの道 Zoku atakkā YOU- kin medaru e no michi?) (2008)
Standard OVA
[edit]- Toumei Shounen Tantei Akira (透明少年探偵アキラ) (circa 1970)
- Male Transfrom Female Mayumi chan (男変形女マユミちゃん) (1986ー1987)
- Shibuya Honky Tonk (渋谷ホンキィトンク) (1988)
- Korogashi Ryota (ころがし涼太) (1990–1991)
- Furiten-kun (フリテンくん) (1990)
- Osaka Tough Guys (Naniwa Yūkyōden , なにわ遊侠伝) series (1992–1993)
- Crows (クローズ) (1993–1994)
- Grappler Baki: The Ultimate Fighter (グラップラー刃牙) (1994)
- Submarine 707 (深海の艦隊 サブマリン707) (1997)
Adult OVAs (as Knack+)
[edit]- Ninja Transfrom Mako-Chan (忍者変身マコちゃん) (1986-1987)
- Shin Otoko Henkei Jo Mayumi chan (1989-1990)
- Bōken Shite mo ii Koro (冒険してもいい頃) series (1989–1990)
- Yaruki Manman (やるきまんまん) series (1989–1991)
- Dance Till Tomorrow (Asatte DaNCE, あさってDaNCE) (1991)
- Mellow (1993)
- Vixens (Visionary, ヴィジョナリィ) (1995–1996)
- Lunatic Night (ルナティックナイト) (1996–1997)
- Slight Fever Syndrome (Binetsu Shōkōgun, 微熱症候群) (1997)
References
[edit]- ^ "Get the Knack," Let's Anime: Classic Japanese Animation 1960-1990, https://letsanime.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html, retrieved 04/16/2012.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Knack Productions at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
Knack Productions
View on GrokipediaCompany overview
Founding and structure
Knack Productions, known in Japanese as 株式会社ナック (Kabushiki-gaisha Nakku), was established on September 25, 1967, in Tokyo, Japan, as a small independent animation studio.[2][4] The company was founded by a group of animators seeking greater creative autonomy beyond the constraints of larger studios, including key figures Seiichi Hayashi, a former Toei Animation employee, and Seiichi Nishino, who had worked at Mushi Productions and served as the initial representative director. From its inception, Knack Productions operated as a limited liability corporation focused on animation production, starting with a small team of staff members in the late 1960s.[4] This lean structure allowed for agile operations in the competitive Japanese animation industry, with headquarters initially located in Tokyo to leverage the city's concentration of talent and resources. The studio's early capitalization was typical of independent ventures at the time, emphasizing low overhead to support outsourced and in-house animation projects without the backing of major conglomerates.[2] The foundational setup emphasized collaboration among ex-employees from established firms, fostering a environment geared toward innovative television and original video animation work while maintaining operational independence. This structure positioned Knack as a niche player, prioritizing artistic freedom over large-scale production until its evolution in later decades.Renaming and current operations
In August 2008, Knack Productions announced its rebranding to ICHI Corporation (株式会社ICHI).[2] The company's headquarters are located in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, at Akazawa 345-56, having relocated there in December 2017.[2] Leadership includes President Momoko Yoshino, who assumed the role in April 2017; founder Seiichi Nishino served as the first president until his death on September 25, 2018.[2] Following the rebranding, ICHI Corporation shifted its operations away from animation, with no new animated projects produced since the 1997 OVA Slight Fever Syndrome (Binetsu Shōkōgun).[2][5] Instead, the company has emphasized live-action film and television production, alongside the management and promotion of copyrights for its historical animation catalog, including titles like Charge Man Ken! and Astroganger.[2] The official website, ichi-knack.com, serves as a central hub for information on these works, highlighting the company's commitment to creating content enjoyable for audiences from children to adults.[2] Between 2020 and 2025, activities have included the 55th anniversary celebration in 2022 with a full website renewal, a live musical stage adaptation of Charge Man Ken! performed from December 23 to 31, 2023, the "Charge Man Ken!" music festival on September 21, 2025, at Kita Topia Sakura Hall in Tokyo, and continued events such as anime screenings, merchandise releases, and promotional collaborations.[2]Historical development
Early television production (1967–1980s)
Knack Productions entered the television animation landscape with its debut project, Ijiwaru Baasan (known internationally as Granny Mischief), a 39-episode adaptation of Machiko Hasegawa's 4-koma manga that aired on Nippon Television from October 30, 1970, to August 26, 1971.[6] This series marked the studio's initial foray into TV production, focusing on comedic vignettes featuring a mischievous elderly character, and established Knack's early emphasis on accessible, family-oriented content derived from established manga properties. Throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s, Knack expanded its portfolio through key collaborations and original series, including partnerships with manga artist Go Nagai on works like Groizer X (1976), a 36-episode mecha adventure broadcast on NET (now TV Asahi). The studio also produced notable titles such as Don Chuck Monogatari (1975), a 26-episode children's series about anthropomorphic animals that aired on Tokyo Channel 12, and Attacker You! (1984–1985), a 58-episode sports drama centered on volleyball that ran on TV Tokyo.[7][8] International co-productions further highlighted this growth, exemplified by Hoshi no Oujisama Petit Prince (1978–1979), a 39-episode adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince that aired on TV Asahi and incorporated elements of French literature into Japanese animation for global appeal.[9] Another example, Chargeman Ken! (1974), comprised 65 short 10-minute episodes syndicated on Tokyo Broadcasting System from April 1 to June 28, blending superhero action with sci-fi themes in a format designed for quick weekday broadcasts.[10] Knack's production strategies during this era relied on low-budget techniques, including outsourcing animation work to subcontractors, as seen in Chargeman Ken!, where much of the cel animation was handled externally to manage costs.[11] This approach often resulted in derivative visuals and simplified designs inspired by successful contemporaries, contributing to a reputation for accessible yet unpolished content that prioritized volume over high-fidelity animation.[12] Internal challenges, particularly limited financial resources, led to inconsistent quality across projects, with variable frame rates and stylistic shortcuts evident in series like Chargeman Ken!, which became notorious for its erratic execution despite its innovative short-episode format.[13]OVA era and adult content shift (late 1980s–1990s)
In the late 1980s, amid Japan's economic bubble and the rapid growth of the home video market, Knack Productions shifted its focus from television anime to Original Video Animations (OVAs), responding to increasing demand for direct-to-video releases and a contraction in available TV broadcasting slots for animated content. This transition allowed smaller studios like Knack to produce niche titles with fewer constraints on runtime and themes, capitalizing on VHS technology that enabled consumers to access anime outside traditional broadcast schedules.[14][15] Knack entered the OVA market around 1989 with productions such as Bōken Shitemo ii Koro, an ecchi series following the interpersonal dynamics of a film crew producing adult content, which exemplified the studio's pivot toward quicker, market-driven projects. By the early 1990s, the company had embraced adult-oriented material, releasing soft-core hentai OVAs like ASaTTe DaNCE (1991), a drama involving seduction and inheritance schemes laced with explicit elements, and Lunatic Night (1996–1997), depicting post-apocalyptic repopulation efforts amid erotic encounters and combat. These works, produced under Knack's banner, prioritized erotic themes to tap into the genre's surging popularity during the OVA boom, where over 300 series were released in total at its peak between 1990 and 1993.[16][17][18][19] The studio's output during this era totaled approximately 20 OVAs, reflecting a strategy of rapid production cycles to exploit the anime bubble's influx of investment before its 1991 collapse, which later strained the industry. Key collaborations in adult titles blended eroticism with comedic elements drawn from manga influences. Despite these efforts, Knack's OVAs inherited the low-budget constraints of its earlier television phase—such as limited animation frames and reused assets—earning critiques for technical shortcomings, though they achieved niche success in the adult video market through targeted distribution and thematic appeal.[4][20]Post-animation focus and legacy (1990s–present)
In the late 1990s, Knack Productions concluded its animation endeavors with the release of Slight Fever Syndrome, a two-episode OVA that aired from February 1997 to January 1998, marking the studio's final foray into animated content amid increasing market saturation and rising production expenses in the anime industry.[21][5] This hentai series, centered on a high school nurse entangled in the intimate lives of students and faculty, represented a capstone to Knack's OVA output, after which the company pivoted away from animation.[5] By the late 1990s, Knack had diversified into live-action film and direct-to-video productions, a strategic shift that continued under its rebranding to ICHI Corporation in August 2008.[22] Examples of this transition include live-action titles such as Assassin, reflecting the studio's move toward non-animated media to adapt to evolving industry demands.[23] In the 2010s and 2020s, ICHI maintained this focus, though detailed records of specific projects remain sparse in public documentation, highlighting gaps in contemporary coverage of the company's operations. Knack's legacy endures through its influence on low-budget anime tropes, particularly via series like Chargeman Ken! (1974), which exemplified cost-cutting techniques such as limited animation and repetitive sound effects, contributing to the "so-bad-it's-good" subgenre.[24] The series garnered a cult following in the 2010s through online rediscovery, spawning memes and mashup videos that amplified its absurd dialogue and plot inconsistencies across platforms like Nico Nico Douga and international forums.[25] Similarly, Attacker You! (1984–1985), despite modest domestic ratings, achieved significant international distribution and popularity in Europe, airing on networks in Italy (as Mila e Shiro), France (Antenne 2 from 1990), Spain, and others, aiding the globalization of 1970s–1980s sports anime.[8] More recently, ICHI has engaged in digital archiving efforts to preserve Knack's animated heritage, notably launching a successful 2021 crowdfunding campaign for an HD remastered Blu-ray release of Chargeman Ken!, which exceeded its funding goal and facilitated the restoration of the series' 16mm negatives.[26] This initiative underscores the company's ongoing role in safeguarding early anime works, even as its primary output remains live-action, ensuring that Knack's contributions to anime's formative low-budget era continue to resonate culturally up to the present day.[27]Animated works
Television series
Knack Productions entered the television anime market in the early 1970s, producing a range of series primarily aimed at children and families, often in collaboration with broadcast networks such as TBS and TV Tokyo. These works spanned genres like adventure, mecha, and sports, with many adaptations drawn from popular manga, including those by Go Nagai such as Dame Oyaji (1974, 26 episodes) and Groizer X (1976, 36 episodes).[4][22] Production challenges were common due to tight budgets, leading to techniques like reused animation cels, particularly evident in low-cost series like Chargeman Ken! (1973–1974, 65 episodes, directed by various), where staff reportedly grew apathetic and prioritized personal time over detailed animation.[28][29] The studio's TV output included approximately 17 series between 1970 and 1985, reflecting a shift from short adventure tales to longer serialized narratives. Representative examples include Ijiwaru Baasan (1970–1971, 26 episodes, based on Machiko Hasegawa's manga, aired on NET), an early comedic family story; Astroganger (1972–1973, 26 episodes, co-produced with Tama Productions, mecha adventure on Fuji TV); and Psycho Armor Govarian (1983, 45 episodes, Go Nagai creation, mecha action on TV Tokyo, directed by Seiji Okuda). These co-productions with networks helped secure airtime but often imposed episode quotas that strained resources, resulting in simpler visuals and stock footage reuse.[22][4][30][31]| Title | Year | Episodes | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ijiwaru Baasan | 1970–1971 | 26 | Various | Manga adaptation; family comedy on NET.[6] |
| Gekko Kamen | 1972 | 13 | Tomoharu Katsumata | Tokusatsu-style hero; aired internationally in Latin America as El Capitán Centella.[22] |
| Astroganger | 1972–1973 | 26 | Various | Co-production with Tama; mecha genre pioneer.[32] |
| Chargeman Ken! | 1973–1974 | 65 | Various | Sci-fi superhero; notorious for low-budget animation on TBS.[29] |
| Dame Oyaji | 1974 | 26 | Motoharu Takayama | Go Nagai manga adaptation; family drama.[22] |
| Groizer X | 1976 | 36 | Shigetsugu Yoshida | Go Nagai mecha; popular in Brazil.[33][34] |
| Hoshi no Oujisama Petit Prince | 1978 | 52 | Kunihiro Kawano | Adventure based on Saint-Exupéry; aired on Nickelodeon in U.S.[9] |
| Don Chuck Monogatari | 1978–1979 | 50 | Kazuyuki Okaseko, Kōzō Takagaki | Children's adventure; exported to Italy and France (as Le Petit Castor), with strong rerun viewership in 1980s Europe and Canada.[22][35] |
| Manga Sarutobi Sasuke | 1979 | 24 | Masami Annai | Ninja adventure; U.S. dub as Ninja the Wonder Boy.[36] |
| Sue Cat | 1980 | 50 | Shigetsugu Yoshida | Slice-of-life cat story.[37] |
| Manga Mito Kōmon | 1981–1982 | 44 | Various | Historical drama.[38] |
| Cybot Robotchi | 1982–1983 | 39 | Various | Robot comedy; dubbed as Robby the Rascal internationally.[39] |
| Hitotsuboshike no Ultra Baasan | 1982–1983 | 94 | Various | Family comedy.[40] |
| Psycho Armor Govarian | 1983 | 45 | Seiji Okuda | Go Nagai mecha; aired in South Korea.[31][41] |
| The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle | 1984 | 26 | Various | U.S.-Japan co-production; adventure on NBC.[42] |
| Attacker You! | 1984–1985 | 58 | Hiroyuki Yano | Sports anime (volleyball); major success in Europe and Latin America with high viewership.[8][30] |
| Manga Nihon Keizai Nyūmon | 1984 | 20 | Various | Educational economics series.[43] |
Standard OVAs
Knack Productions entered the original video animation (OVA) market in the late 1980s, producing a series of non-adult titles targeted at mainstream anime audiences through direct-to-video releases. These OVAs typically featured adaptations of manga or original stories in genres such as action, comedy, and drama, allowing the studio to experiment with formats unbound by television scheduling constraints.[20] Key examples from this period include Shibuya Honky Tonk (1988), a four-episode series based on George Abe's manga, depicting youthful adventures in Tokyo's nightlife scene with each episode running approximately 30 minutes.[44] In 1990, the studio released Furiten-kun (also known as Furiten-kun Change!!), a two-episode comedy OVA adapting Masashi Ueda's 4-koma manga about a mahjong-obsessed slacker, each installment around 30 minutes long.[45] By the mid-1990s, Knack shifted toward more intense narratives, exemplified by Koukou Butouden Crows (1994), a two-episode adaptation of Hiroshi Hirose's delinquent school manga, featuring high-stakes brawls at an all-boys high school and 45-minute runtimes per episode.[46] Also in 1994, Grappler Baki: The Ultimate Fighter was a single 45-minute OVA promoting Keisuke Itagaki's martial arts manga, showcasing protagonist Baki Hanma's underground fights.[47] The studio capped this era with Shura ga Yuku (1994), another two-episode yakuza drama OVA based on Yuu Kawabe and Masato Yamaguchi's manga, exploring organized crime with roughly 50-minute episodes.[48] These OVAs generally comprised short runs of 1 to 4 episodes, enabling Knack to test market viability for niche stories without committing to full series production, often drawing from popular manga to leverage existing fanbases rather than direct TV spin-offs.[22] Produced using traditional cel animation techniques prevalent in the era, the works emphasized dynamic action sequences and character-driven plots, with runtimes typically between 30 and 50 minutes to suit home video consumption.[49] Aimed at general anime enthusiasts interested in slice-of-life humor, sports, or gritty dramas, these releases contrasted with Knack's parallel adult-oriented output by prioritizing accessible, non-explicit content for broader distribution in Japan and select international markets.[50]Adult OVAs (as Knack+)
Knack Productions ventured into adult-oriented original video animations (OVAs) in the late 1980s, specializing in softcore hentai that emphasized erotic themes with comedic or adventurous elements, typically avoiding more extreme genres like tentacle or supernatural horror. These works were released exclusively on video through adult distribution channels, aligning with the burgeoning market for direct-to-video erotic anime during Japan's OVA boom. The studio produced titles that catered to niche audiences seeking lighter, narrative-driven adult content, often featuring adaptations of manga with explicit but not overly graphic depictions.[22] The imprint focused on erotic OVAs that balanced sensuality with humor or parody, distinguishing them from harder hentai by incorporating softer visual styles and censored versions for broader Japanese home video sales. Productions typically involved 2–3 episodes per series, with runtime around 30–40 minutes each, and emphasized character-driven stories over pure explicitness. This approach allowed Knack to capitalize on the era's demand for accessible adult anime, though output was modest compared to larger studios, totaling approximately 10–15 titles by 1997.[22] Key examples from the catalog illustrate their niche:| Title | Year | Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yaruki Manman | 1989–1990 | 3 | Comedic hentai parody based on manga by Gyuu Jirou and Yokoyama Masamichi, featuring absurd erotic adventures; softcore with mild censorship in original releases.[51][52] |
| Korogashi Ryouta | 1990–1991 | 3 | Action-comedy hentai adapted from manga, following a bus driver's lascivious misadventures; includes street racing and fights with erotic undertones.[53][54] |
| Age Man to Fuku Chin | 1991 | 1 | Sequel to Yaruki Manman, a short OVA with humorous erotic scenarios involving anthropomorphic elements; R+-rated with nudity but softer explicitness.[55][56] |
| Visionary (Vixens) | 1995–1996 | 3 | Sci-fi hentai adaptation of U-Jin's manga, involving a summoned android and time-travel erotica; known for stylish designs and bat-winged fantasy elements.[57] |
| Lunatic Night | 1996–1997 | 3 | Parody hentai with post-apocalyptic repopulation theme, featuring catgirls and comedy; softcore style with group scenes and sci-fi parody.[58][18] |
| Isourou Tengoku | 1996–1997 | 2 | Harem hentai based on manga, depicting a male roommate's erotic life with four sisters; focuses on domestic comedy and sensuality.[59][60] |
| Binetsu Shoukougun (Slight Fever Syndrome) | 1997–1998 | 2 | School counselor-themed hentai adapted from manga, exploring students' and teachers' fantasies; emphasizes psychological eroticism with yuri elements.[21][5] |
