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Studio Bind
Studio Bind
from Wikipedia

Studio Bind, Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社スタジオバインド, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Sutajio Baindo), is a Japanese animation studio founded in November 2018 as a joint venture by Egg Firm and White Fox. It is best known for the adaptation of the light novel series Mushoku Tensei.

Key Information

History

[edit]

The company was founded in November 2018 as a joint venture between animation studio White Fox and production, planning and management company Egg Firm. The first work of the studio was on the anime Karakuri Circus for the episodes 22 and 31, while the first work of the company as a lead animation studio is Mushoku Tensei, which debuted in 2021.[1][2]

On January 31, 2021, Egg Firm CEO and Mushoku Tensei chief producer Nobuhiro Osawa stated that he built the new production studio for Mushoku Tensei.[3] In October 2019, production company Egg Firm explained their rationale for setting up a separate studio from the existing White Fox studio, stating they "needed a system that would allow us to move forward with the project in a continuous, long-term, and systematic manner" so they "will be able to concentrate more on the production of Mushoku Tensei." Egg Firm noted that "Studio Bind will use Mushoku Tensei as a launchpad for its full-scale animation production business."[1]

Works

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Television series

[edit]
Title Director(s) First run start date First run end date Eps Note(s) Ref(s)
Mushoku Tensei Manabu Okamoto January 11, 2021 December 20, 2021 23 Based on a light novel series written by Rifujin na Magonote and illustrated by Shirotaka. [4]
Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister! Shingo Fujii January 5, 2023 March 23, 2023 12 Based on a manga series written and illustrated by Nekotofu. [5]
Mushoku Tensei II Hiroki Hirano (part 1)
Ryōsuke Shibuya (part 2)
July 3, 2023 July 1, 2024 25 Sequel to Mushoku Tensei. [6]
[7]
Flower and Asura Ayumu Uwano January 7, 2025 March 26, 2025 12 Based on a manga series written by Ayano Takeda and illustrated by Musshu. [8]
[9]
Ruri Rocks Shingo Fujii July 6, 2025 September 21, 2025 12 Based on a manga series written and illustrated by Keiichirō Shibuya. [10]
Mushoku Tensei III Ryōsuke Shibuya July 2026 TBA TBA Sequel to Mushoku Tensei II. [11]

OVAs

[edit]
Title Director(s) Release date Eps Note(s) Ref(s)
Mushoku Tensei Manabu Okamoto March 16, 2022 1 Based on a light novel series written by Rifujin na Magonote and illustrated by Shirotaka. [12]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Studio Bind, Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社スタジオバインド, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Sutajio Baindo) is a Japanese animation studio headquartered in Tokyo's ward. Founded in November 2018 as a between the established animation studio and the production company Egg Firm, it was specifically created to handle adaptations with a focus on high-quality, long-term projects. The studio's inaugural and flagship project is the adaptation of , which premiered in 2021 and spans multiple seasons, OVAs, and specials through 2024, with Season 3 announced for 2026. Initially directed by Manabu Okamoto, with subsequent seasons directed by others including Hiroki Hirano, the series garnered acclaim for its detailed , world-building, and faithful adaptation of the , establishing Studio Bind's reputation for innovative visual storytelling. Led by representative director Toshiya Ōtomo, who has credits on series like Durarara!! and , and with involvement from Egg Firm founder Nobuhiro Ōsawa, known for and , the studio emphasizes systematic production to maintain consistency across extended narratives. Beyond , Studio Bind has produced notable works including ONIMAI: I'm Now Your Sister! (2023), a comedy directed by Shingo Fujii; Ruri Rocks (2025), a slice-of-life series; and Flower and Asura (2025), a slice-of-life/romance . The studio has also contributed key and in-between work to projects like Dragon Ball Daima (2024) and Terminator Zero (2024), and produced Mechanical Marie (2025), showcasing its versatility while prioritizing original productions. As of November 2025, Studio Bind continues to focus on character-driven , building on its foundational commitment to sustained, high-fidelity .

Overview

Founding and Establishment

Studio Bind was established in November 2018 as a between the animation studio and the production and management company Egg Firm. The primary motivation for the venture was to integrate White Fox's specialized production expertise with Egg Firm's strengths in project planning, production management, and overall coordination to enable the creation of high-quality projects. The studio's initial headquarters were located in Suginami, , , operating as a collaborative entity under the joint oversight of its parent companies. Nobuhiro Osawa, CEO of Egg Firm, played a key role in driving the establishment of the studio.

Corporate Structure

Studio Bind functions as a between Egg Firm, a company focused on production planning and management, and , an established animation studio. In this ownership model, Egg Firm oversees production planning and related operations, while White Fox contributes animation production support, allowing Studio Bind to maintain semi-independent status in its day-to-day activities. In July 2025, was acquired by the publishing company AlphaPolis and became its wholly-owned subsidiary, affecting the ownership structure of the . The studio benefits from shared resources including staff and facilities across the partner entities to streamline operations and resource allocation. As of 2025, Studio Bind employs 51 to 200 individuals, organized into key departments such as , production, and teams to handle its workflow efficiently.

History

Early Development (2018–2020)

Following its establishment in November 2018 as a between the animation studio and the production company Egg Firm, Studio Bind prioritized internal and efforts, drawing on personnel and resources from its partners to assemble a dedicated staff for animation production. The studio's initial activities included preparatory work and minor contributions to external projects to develop technical expertise in key animation and in-between processes. Its first official credit was providing production cooperation for episodes 22 and 31 of , a 36-episode action series produced by that aired from October 2018 to June 2019. Throughout 2019 and 2020, Studio Bind continued offering support roles in select , such as in-between tasks, which helped refine its workflows while relying on resource sharing with amid the challenges of transitioning to independent operations within the joint venture structure. The public announcement of the studio in October 2019 highlighted its focus on systematic, long-term production capabilities.

Major Productions and Growth (2021–present)

Studio Bind achieved its breakthrough with the production of , which debuted as a television series in January 2021. This marked the studio's first major credit as the lead producer for a full TV series, having been established specifically to handle the long-term adaptation of the systematically. The project's success, including high viewership and praise for its visual quality, established Studio Bind's reputation in the genre and beyond. Following the debut, the studio expanded its portfolio, continuing production on subsequent seasons of through 2024 while taking on additional projects. In 2023, Studio Bind led the adaptation of Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister!, its first project outside of , which aired from January to March and received positive reception for its character animation. By 2023–2025, the studio handled multiple simultaneous productions, including support roles in international efforts like 2nd key animation for Netflix's Terminator Zero in 2024, signaling growth into global co-productions. This period saw an implied increase in staff capacity to manage the workload, as evidenced by the shift from a single flagship project to diversified output. Recent milestones include announcements for 2025 releases, with Studio Bind leading Flower and , a slice-of-life drama premiering in January, and Ruri Rocks, an educational adventure series set for summer. These projects highlight the studio's broadening scope beyond adaptations. In July 2025, restructuring occurred when AlphaPolis acquired , Studio Bind's joint venture partner holding half ownership, potentially influencing future operations though no direct changes to Bind were reported as of November 2025. No new facility investments were publicly detailed during this timeframe.

Key Personnel

Leadership and Founders

Studio Bind was established in November 2018 as a between the animation studio and the production company Egg Firm, with the primary aim of producing long-term adaptations such as . Nobuhiro Osawa, CEO of Egg Firm since its founding in 2015, played a pivotal role in creating Studio Bind, drawing on his extensive background in production management and chief producing duties for titles like . Osawa's vision emphasized systematic, continuous production to elevate adaptation quality, and he has remained a key figure in joint oversight, leveraging Egg Firm's planning and management expertise. Toshiya Ōtomo serves as the president and CEO of Studio Bind, a position he has held since its inception. Previously an animation producer at studio 8-bit, where he contributed to projects like (2017), Ōtomo was selected for leadership due to Osawa's admiration for his production capabilities in handling complex workflows. Under his direction, the studio has focused on high-fidelity adaptations, with no reported changes to his role as of November 2025 following Fox's acquisition by AlphaPolis. White Fox contributes to Studio Bind's leadership through shared governance, providing animation production expertise rooted in its founding by Gaku Iwasa in 2007 and successes in series like Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World. This collaboration ensures integrated planning, with White Fox's technical oversight complementing Egg Firm's strategic management. As of November 2025, following White Fox's acquisition by publisher AlphaPolis in July 2025, there have been no reported changes to Studio Bind's leadership or key personnel.

Notable Directors and Animators

Manabu Okamoto serves as a prominent director at Studio Bind, best known for helming the studio's debut project, (2021), where he also handled series composition. Prior to joining Bind, Okamoto directed Gamers! (2017) at Pine Jam and contributed to storyboarding and episode direction on Akame ga KILL! (2014). His selection for Mushoku Tensei was personally endorsed by Bind's leadership, reflecting his experience in adapting complex narratives for television anime. Key animators at Studio Bind include Ryo Imamura, who has specialized in dynamic action sequences and served as animation director and key animator on episodes of Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation since 2021. Imamura, previously credited on Shaft productions like Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011) and Bakemonogatari (2009), also contributed to Bind's promotional visuals and character designs for Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister! (2023). Another notable figure is Shingo Fujii, a director and animator who led key animation for Mushoku Tensei's teaser PV and directed Onimai at Bind, earning lead credits for fluid action and character-driven scenes since the studio's early years. Fujii, an AIC alumnus with prior work in live-action video production, has continued directing at Bind, including Ruri Rocks (2025). This influx included core staff experienced in White Fox's high-profile adaptations, such as Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World, enabling Bind to assemble a specialized team for long-term project continuity. Examples include key animators like Hiroyuki Takashima, who handled key animation on action-heavy episodes of Season 1 (2021), drawing on prior industry expertise to elevate Bind's output.

Works

Television Series

Studio Bind's television anime output has primarily focused on fantasy isekai adaptations and slice-of-life stories, with Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation serving as its flagship production. As the studio's debut project, it established Bind's reputation for high-quality animation in long-form series. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (2021–present)
The series, adapted from Rifujin na Magonote's light novel, premiered its first season on January 10, 2021, and ran for 23 episodes until December 25, 2021, with Studio Bind handling full animation production under director Manabu Okamoto. The second season, directed by Hiroki Hirano for Part 1 and Ryōsuke Shibuya for Part 2, aired from July 3, 2023, to June 24, 2024, comprising 25 episodes across two cours. A third season was announced on June 30, 2024, for a 2026 release, with Studio Bind continuing as the primary animation studio. The plot centers on a 34-year-old unemployed man who dies in a traffic accident and is reincarnated as Rudeus Greyrat, a baby in a of magic and demons; leveraging memories from his previous life, Rudeus pursues mastery in magic and while navigating family bonds, adventures, and personal redemption in this new existence.
Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister! (2023)
Adapted from Nekotofu's , this 12-episode series aired from to March 23, 2023, with Studio Bind as the animation studio under director Shingo Fujii, series composition by , character designs by Ryo Imamura, and music by Alisa Okehazama. Key staff included chief Ryo Imamura, who also contributed to key . The story follows Mahiro Oyama, a reclusive adult obsessed with erotic games, who is transformed into a by his younger sister Mihari's scientific experiment; as Mahiro adapts to life as "Mahiro-chan" in school and society, the series explores themes of , sibling dynamics, and personal growth through comedic and heartfelt scenarios. Reception highlighted Bind's fluid and expressive character designs, earning praise for elevating the source material's elements with polished visuals, though some critics noted pacing issues in later episodes; it holds a weighted average rating of 7.40 on from over 300 viewers.
Flower and Asura (2025)
This 12-episode slice-of-life drama, based on the by Ayano Takeda and Musshu, aired from January 7 to March 25, 2025, produced by Studio Bind with direction by Ayumu Uwano, series composition by , and music by . The narrative tracks first-year high school student Hana Haruyama, an avid reader who joins her school's broadcasting club after impressing president Usurai with her natural voice talent; through club activities, Hana forms bonds with members like the energetic and reserved Shudai, discovering her passion for voice work amid school life challenges and personal insecurities in a coming-of-age tale set on a scenic island. Bind's contributions emphasized detailed backgrounds and subtle emotional animations, contributing to its positive early reception for heartfelt character interactions.
Ruri Rocks (2025)
Airing from July 6 to September 28, 2025, for 13 episodes, this educational slice-of-life series adapted from Makiko Tanaka's was animated by Studio Bind, directed by Shingo Fujii, with series composition by and character designs by Mayu Fujii. The plot revolves around high schooler Ruri Tanigawa, fascinated by shiny jewelry, who encounters graduate student Nagi and delves into ; joining a rock-hunting club, Ruri explores Japan's mountains for crystals and gems, learning about , , and perseverance through hands-on adventures that blend excitement with scientific facts. Bind's production showcased vibrant environmental animations to highlight mineral visuals, receiving acclaim for its accessible educational content and engaging character development.

OVAs and Other Formats

Studio Bind has produced a limited number of original video animations (OVAs) and specials, primarily as supplemental content tied to its flagship television series . The studio's first such project was the OVA episode titled Eris the Goblin Slayer, released on March 15, 2022, as a bonus feature bundled with the fourth Blu-ray volume of the series' first season. This 24-minute episode explores a side story focusing on Eris Boreas Greyrat and Ruijerd Superdia during their journey after parting from , emphasizing action sequences involving goblin subjugation and character development for Eris. In 2023, Studio Bind released another special episode, Season 2 - Episode 0: Guardian , which aired on July 3, 2023, as a prelude to the second season. This 24-minute TV special depicts the backstory of Sylphiette (disguised as ) and her encounter with a Terminate Boar in the Asura Kingdom, providing context for her abilities and motivations in the main storyline. Produced under the direction of Manabu Okamoto with animation supervision by its core staff, the special highlights Bind's commitment to expanding the universe through high-quality supplemental animation. Beyond , Studio Bind handled animation production for episodes 1-5 of the original net animation (ONA) series Move to the Future, a promotional short series that premiered on February 7, 2019, and streamed on . Consisting of nine episodes, each around 2-3 minutes, the ONAs follow anthropomorphic animal characters in scenarios promoting the ART MOVING real estate company, blending lighthearted comedy with subtle marketing elements; Bind's involvement focused on fluid and vibrant backgrounds to enhance the whimsical tone. In support roles for external productions, Studio Bind has contributed key animation and in-between work to several non-television and television projects outside its primary output. For the ONA series Terminator Zero on Netflix, released in August 2024, Bind provided 2nd key animation for episodes 1-3, assisting in the depiction of intense cyberpunk action sequences within the post-apocalyptic narrative. Similarly, for the television series Dragon Ball Daima (2024), Bind handled in-between animation for episode 4, supporting smooth transitions in high-speed battle choreography. Another contribution includes 2nd key animation for episode 7 of As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill (TV, 2024), where Bind aided in animating strategic isekai confrontations. These collaborative efforts demonstrate Bind's versatility in bolstering external productions with its expertise in detailed motion and effects, particularly in action-oriented scenes.

Production Style

Animation Techniques

Studio Bind primarily utilizes a digital 2D animation pipeline to enhance the fluidity of character movements in fantasy narratives. Detailed background art remains a hallmark of the studio's style, drawing from the intricate environmental designs characteristic of its founding partner, , to create richly textured worlds that support narrative progression across diverse locations and time periods. The emphasis on gradual character growth without abrupt time skips further underscores this technique, with animations prioritizing subtle physical and emotional expressions to convey development in protagonists like Rudeus. A retro visual filter, resembling , is applied to add atmospheric depth, distinguishing Bind's output in the genre. Magic is depicted as an organic extension of the environment to emphasize immersion and spectacle, as seen in . Since its establishment in November 2018 as a between and Egg Firm, Studio Bind has evolved from providing support for other productions to handling lead roles in major projects, incorporating in-house storyboarding by to streamline creative control and ensure long-term consistency. This shift enabled a dedicated, systematic for like , prioritizing quality over rushed schedules, which contributed to the studio's reputation for high-fidelity adaptations. The studio's style has been adapted for diverse genres in later works, such as the fluid, vibrant 2D in the comedy ONIMAI: I'm Now Your Sister! (2023) and the slice-of-life Ruri Rocks (2024), maintaining detailed backgrounds and expressive character work. As of 2025, with Season 3 in production for an October premiere, Bind continues to emphasize consistent, high-quality 2D techniques across its projects.

Collaborative Approach

Studio Bind operates as a between the White Fox and the production management company Egg Firm, leveraging synergies in resource sharing to enhance its production capabilities. White Fox provides core animation resources, including experienced animators and technical infrastructure, while Egg Firm contributes expertise in project planning, budgeting, and overall management. This division is particularly prominent in adaptations like , where the combined strengths allow for seamless integration of creative and logistical elements. These internal partnerships facilitate a divided labor model that optimizes . For instance, Studio Bind, drawing on White Fox's personnel, focuses on producing key frames and detailed sequences, enabling the studio to tackle complex scenes in high-budget projects without overburdening a single entity. Egg Firm's role in coordinating timelines and resources ensures that production remains systematic and long-term oriented, as originally intended for dedicated series adaptations. This approach has proven beneficial for sustaining quality across extended narratives, allowing Studio Bind to allocate specialized talents where they are most effective. Beyond its foundational partners, Studio Bind engages in external collaborations with international distributors to broaden its reach. Notably, it has partnered with for the global simulcast and distribution of releases, including Season 2's cour in 2023 and 2024, facilitating wider accessibility and promotional support. These co-distribution arrangements complement the studio's production model by handling localization and marketing, thereby amplifying the impact of its joint venture-driven efficiencies. The overall collaborative framework, rooted in the founding , empowers Studio Bind to pursue ambitious adaptations that require substantial investment and coordinated expertise, resulting in elevated production values and consistent output.

References

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