Typhoon Graphics

Typhoon Graphics Co., Ltd. (Japanese: 株式会社颱風グラフィックス) is a Japanese animation studio founded on May 1, 2014, specializing in the production of anime series, original video animations, and related media.^[1] Based in Tokyo, the studio manages the full spectrum of anime creation, from initial planning and storyboarding to compositing, editing, and post-production workflows.^[2] Since its establishment, Typhoon Graphics has contributed to a diverse range of anime projects, often handling key animation, finish work, and photography for both original and adaptation-based titles. Notable productions include the fantasy romance Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion (2023), the isekai adventure The Water Magician (2025), among others such as One Room (2017), with contributions including color design and photography for the post-apocalyptic series The Kingdoms of Ruin (2023) and finish animation for high-profile works like Akame ga KILL! (2014).^{[1] [3]} The studio emphasizes innovative production techniques, including the adoption of high-capacity cloud storage solutions to streamline collaborative rendering and editing for multiple ongoing projects simultaneously.^[2] With a focus on delivering emotionally resonant animations, Typhoon Graphics continues to play a vital role in Japan's competitive anime industry.^[4]

Overview

Founding and leadership

Typhoon Graphics Co., Ltd. was established on May 1, 2014, in Musashino City, Tokyo, Japan, as a specialized animation studio dedicated to anime production.^[3][5] The company was founded by Takashi Sakurai, a veteran in the animation industry who previously served as a producer and editor at Anime International Company (AIC).^[6] Sakurai's background includes early work as an editor at Tokyo Kids on projects like Magikano, after which he transitioned to AIC, where he advanced to producer roles on various anime titles.^[7] Since the studio's inception, Sakurai has held the position of representative director, guiding its operations with a focus on creative and efficient animation workflows.^[8] From its founding, Typhoon Graphics emphasized comprehensive anime production, handling everything from project planning and storyboarding to final content creation for television series and digital media platforms.^[2] This integrated approach allowed the small studio to deliver high-quality outputs in a competitive industry, leveraging Sakurai's experience to build a team skilled in both traditional and modern animation techniques.^[9] As of September 2024, the studio employs 38 people, including staff at its new Maebashi Studio branch, underscoring its reliance on efficient team structures to manage complex anime projects without compromising on innovation or detail. This compact leadership and operational model, centered around Sakurai's vision, has enabled Typhoon Graphics to sustain steady growth while adapting to evolving demands in anime content creation.^[5]

Operations and specialization

Typhoon Graphics operates as a full-service animation studio based in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in the complete production cycle of anime content, from initial planning and storyboarding through to compositing, editing, and final rendering. This encompasses work for television series, original video animations, specials, and digital media projects, enabling the studio to deliver polished outputs tailored to broadcast and online distribution needs. In June 2024, the studio expanded operations with the establishment of the Maebashi Studio in Gunma Prefecture to enhance production capacity.^[2][8] The studio's operations emphasize efficient production workflows to handle mid-scale projects in-house, including the simultaneous management of up to three anime series at various stages. By leveraging high-speed networked storage solutions, such as 10Gbps connections integrated with cloud-based systems, Typhoon Graphics streamlines data aggregation for backgrounds, digital frames, and post-production tasks, reducing turnaround times for revisions and enhancing overall rendering stability without the need for repetitive data copying.^[2] In its business model, Typhoon Graphics maintains a focus on independent in-house production for core projects while participating in selective collaborations with other studios for co-productions and support roles, such as finish animation and photography assistance on larger titles. This approach allows the studio to contribute specialized expertise to broader industry efforts without compromising creative autonomy in directing key artistic and narrative elements.^[3]

History

Establishment and early development

Typhoon Graphics was established on May 1, 2014, in Tokyo, Japan, by Takashi Sakurai, a former producer and editor at Anime International Company (AIC), who departed along with several colleagues from AIC's post-production department to form the new studio.^[7] This initial recruitment drew on experienced personnel skilled in areas such as color design, photography, and finish animation, allowing the studio to quickly assemble a core team focused on supporting animation production services.^[10] In its formative months, Typhoon Graphics prioritized securing subcontracting contracts within the broader anime ecosystem, leveraging the founders' industry connections to integrate into ongoing projects without immediately pursuing full-scale independent productions. The studio's early operations centered on ancillary roles in established anime series, reflecting a strategic entry point for a newcomer in the field. For instance, in 2014, Typhoon Graphics contributed finish animation to episodes 10, 16, and 20 of Akame ga KILL!, as well as to The Eden of Grisaia and the ending animation for Black Bullet.^[3] By 2015, it expanded into photography support for the Digimon Adventure tri. film series, marking its initial foray into collaborative movie projects and demonstrating growing involvement in high-profile franchises. These short-form and supportive contributions helped the studio gain visibility and refine its workflows during its first two years. As a fledgling entity in Japan's intensely competitive anime industry, Typhoon Graphics navigated significant hurdles, including the need to build a reputation amid established players and invest in basic infrastructure like digital tools for animation processing. The sector at the time was plagued by systemic issues such as chronic understaffing, low wages—often below 200,000 yen monthly for entry-level roles—and grueling work hours exceeding 80 per week, which exacerbated talent retention challenges for new studios.^[11] Between 2014 and 2018, these pressures contributed to a wave of studio closures, with around 8 animation companies ceasing operations annually due to financial strain and burnout, underscoring the precarious environment Typhoon Graphics entered.^[12] Despite this, the studio's emphasis on specialized subcontracting enabled steady project accumulation, laying the groundwork for broader market entry by 2016.

Growth and key milestones

Following its establishment in 2014, Typhoon Graphics experienced steady growth in production capabilities during the late 2010s, transitioning from supporting roles in photography and in-between animation to leading animation production on multiple projects. This shift enabled the studio to undertake more independent contributions to anime series, particularly in the fantasy and adventure genres.^[3] In 2021, the studio provided photography support for the TV series The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter, showcasing its continued expertise in technical aspects of isekai narratives.^[3] By 2025, the studio had contributed to around 8 anime works as lead or co-lead animator, emphasizing quality through detailed character designs and fluid battle animations in adventure-focused stories like Dahlia in Bloom (2024) and Haigakura (2024). The latter entered an indefinite hiatus after episode 7 in November 2024.^[3][13] To support this increased project volume, Typhoon Graphics adopted advanced cloud-based storage solutions in 2024, such as the Blackmagic Cloud Store 80TB, which streamlined post-production for large-scale anime outputs and improved collaborative efficiency.^[2] Recent expansions include co-productions with Wonderland, notably on the 2025 TV series The Water Magician, a fantasy adventure about a reincarnated water mage that highlights the studio's growing partnerships for complex magical effects.^[14] These collaborations have facilitated international streaming adaptations, with The Water Magician premiering on Crunchyroll for global audiences, extending Typhoon Graphics' reach beyond Japan.^[14]

Works

Television series

Typhoon Graphics has contributed to numerous anime television series since its founding, often taking on roles such as full animation production, photography, and key animation support, with a focus on fantasy and isekai genres that highlight their expertise in detailed character designs and atmospheric backgrounds.^[3] Their involvement in TV formats emphasizes episodic storytelling suited for broadcast schedules, typically airing on networks like AT-X and Tokyo MX, enabling wider accessibility for seasonal releases.^[1] These projects have influenced visual styles in isekai narratives by emphasizing immersive world-building and expressive animation that enhances emotional depth in otherworldly settings.^[15] One notable early TV series is One Room (2017–2021), a short-form original anime with three seasons totaling 36 episodes, where Typhoon Graphics served as the primary animation studio, handling full production including character animation and backgrounds to create an intimate, first-person perspective in slice-of-life scenarios.^[16] The series aired weekly on AT-X from January to March 2017 for the first season (12 episodes), April to June 2018 for the second (12 episodes), and October to December 2021 for the third (12 episodes), with key animation support extending to interactive viewer elements that set it apart in experimental TV formats.^[17] In 2023, Typhoon Graphics took full production responsibility for Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion, a 12-episode isekai series adapted from a web novel, broadcast from April to June on networks including AT-X, where they managed animation direction, character design, and background art to vividly depict the protagonist's reincarnation in a noble fantasy world.^[18] Their contributions emphasized fluid magical sequences and detailed costume designs, contributing to the series' acclaim for balancing romance and intrigue in the isekai genre.^[19] Another significant project is My Daughter Left the Nest and Returned an S-Rank Adventurer (2023), a 13-episode fantasy series produced by Typhoon Graphics, which aired from September to December on networks including Tokyo MX and AT-X, and featured their lead role in animation production, including opening sequence photography and episode artwork that highlighted familial bonds in an adventure setting.^[20] The studio's visual style added warmth to the fantasy elements through expressive character movements and scenic backdrops. In 2024, Typhoon Graphics produced Madougushi Dahliya wa Utsumukanai (Dahlia in Bloom: Crafting a Fresh Start with Magical Tools), a 12-episode isekai fantasy series adapted from a light novel, which aired from July to September, focusing on the protagonist's new life as an inventor in a magical world with detailed craftsmanship animations.^[21] Later that year, they handled full production for Haigakura, a 12-episode adventure fantasy series based on a manga, airing from October to December, emphasizing ethereal spirit world visuals and character-driven storytelling in a josei demographic.^[22] Looking to 2025, Typhoon Graphics co-produced The Water Magician with Wonderland, a 12-episode fantasy adaptation of a light novel series that aired from July to September on AT-X, where they led animation efforts focusing on water-based magic effects and environmental designs to immerse viewers in the protagonist's reborn life in a magical realm.^[23] This series underscores their growing specialization in elemental fantasy visuals, with production notes highlighting collaborative workflows for dynamic spell-casting sequences broadcast weekly.^[14]

Original video animations and specials

Typhoon Graphics has primarily focused on television series but has also produced and supported select specials and original video animations, often as direct-to-video or limited-release content that expands on existing narratives with self-contained arcs. These works emphasize the studio's strengths in character-focused animation and visual storytelling, particularly in short-form formats that allow for experimental presentation styles outside traditional broadcast constraints. A key example is the One Room OVA, released in 2017 as a three-episode set bundled with the Blu-ray volumes of the parent series. Each episode reimagines the original TV content with the characters in swimwear, delivering unique, intimate story arcs from a first-person perspective and clocking in at roughly 4 minutes per episode for a total runtime of 12 minutes. Typhoon Graphics handled full production, leveraging detailed shading and dynamic camera angles to heighten the interactive feel and emotional depth of the slice-of-life interactions. The OVA's exclusive home video format catered to dedicated fans, earning moderate reception for its playful variation on the source material, though it scored 5.49 on MyAnimeList due to its brevity and perceived lack of new plot substance.^[24][25] In the same year, the studio fully produced Sengoku Night Blood: Ongaku Dai Tokushuu, a 24-minute TV special aired as an interlude between episodes 7 and 8 of the main series. This standalone release spotlights the soundtrack through animated musical performances by the cast, weaving in fantasy elements like vampire and werewolf lore to build out the alternate Sengoku-era world without advancing the primary plot. Typhoon Graphics enhanced the visuals with fluid choreography and atmospheric effects, such as glowing artifacts and period-inspired backgrounds, to immerse viewers in the historical-fantasy blend. Fan response was mixed, with a 6.19 MyAnimeList score highlighting praise for the energetic sequences but critiques of its promotional tone; no award nominations were noted.^[26][27] Typhoon Graphics also contributed to the 2022 special D4DJ Double Mix, a 25-minute one-off streamed for free on YouTube, centering on a collaborative DJ performance between the idol groups Merm4id and RONDO in a vibrant, music-driven narrative. The studio provided color design, coordination, and check services, applying vivid palettes and lighting effects to amplify the high-energy concert scenes and subtle interpersonal dynamics. This direct-to-digital format allowed for broader accessibility and event-like exclusivity, garnering positive fan feedback for its polished visuals and rhythmic pacing, though quantitative reception data remains sparse beyond general acclaim in multimedia franchise discussions up to 2025.^[28][29]

Other productions

Typhoon Graphics has produced several original net animations (ONAs), which are short-form series released directly to digital platforms such as YouTube and Crunchyroll, often featuring runtimes under 30 minutes per episode to suit online viewing. One prominent example is Oh, Suddenly Egyptian God (Toutotsu ni Egypt Shin), a 10-episode ONA that aired from December 2020 to February 2021, depicting anthropomorphic Egyptian gods navigating modern life in comedic scenarios based on a 4-panel webcomic.^[30] A second season followed in 2023, also comprising 10 episodes, expanding on the gods' chaotic daily adventures with enhanced animation sequences.^[31] Another ONA, Shiyakusho (Death Hall), released in February 2022 as a single 11-minute episode, served as a promotional adaptation of Ryohgo Narita's supernatural novel, following a civil servant encountering eerie events at a mysterious government office.^[32] In the gaming space, Typhoon Graphics contributed to Uma Musume Pretty Derby: Road to the Top, a 4-episode ONA in 2023 tied to the popular mobile game franchise, chronicling a horse girl racer's intense training and competition arc with dynamic racing visuals under 25 minutes each.^[33] These works highlight the studio's focus on concise, platform-native content that leverages digital distribution for broader accessibility. In addition to ONAs, Typhoon Graphics has created music-related specials and videos. They also animated the 2019 music video More feat. Anderson .Paak, a 3-minute clip blending hip-hop rhythms with abstract visuals to promote the track by JT, showcasing the studio's versatility in short promotional formats.^[34] Promotional content includes contributions to game events and idol promotions, such as animated shorts for franchise milestones. For instance, a 2022 YouTube special commemorated manga achievements with 11-minute fantasy-themed episodes, distributed freely to engage online audiences. These efforts underscore Typhoon Graphics' role in producing bite-sized, event-tied animations that enhance digital engagement without extending into full series formats.

Production techniques

Animation workflow

Typhoon Graphics follows a structured animation production pipeline typical of Japanese anime studios, encompassing pre-production, production, and post-production phases to manage projects from initial planning to final output. The studio handles the full spectrum of anime creation, including planning, animation, and post-production tasks. Roles are divided among key personnel such as animators, color designers, special effects artists, cinematographers, and editors to facilitate efficient collaboration. In pre-production, the process involves conceptual planning and development of core visual elements to establish the project's foundation. During the production phase, 2D animators create key frames, inbetweening for smooth motion, and coloring to apply visual styles, with support from background artists and effects specialists. This stage emphasizes detailed character movements and scene composition, drawing on the team's specialized roles in 2D works and color specification. Post-production at Typhoon Graphics focuses on compositing, editing, and sound synchronization to integrate elements into a cohesive final product. The studio employs centralized data storage to enable real-time access for staff, streamlining compositing and rendering processes across multiple projects. Sound design and synchronization occur here, aligning audio with visuals for narrative impact. The small team structure promotes close collaboration, with directors overseeing specific aspects like composition to ensure seamless handoffs between stages. For instance, the Director of Composition manages integration of digital frames and backgrounds during post-production. Workflows are adapted based on project demands, such as handling simultaneous TV anime series with varying episode lengths. Quality control is maintained through iterative reviews, particularly in post-production, where retakes are efficiently managed via shared resources to preserve consistency in character movement, scene pacing, and overall visual quality. This approach minimizes errors in rendering and supports tight deadlines common in anime production.

Technology adoption

In 2024, Typhoon Graphics integrated Blackmagic Cloud Store with an 80TB capacity into its production pipeline to enhance collaborative workflows for anime projects.^[2] This setup, supported by a 10Gbps network upgrade, centralizes storage for large assets such as backgrounds and digital frames, allowing multiple team members to access and edit files directly without the need for individual local copies or manual data transfers.^[2] The system has been instrumental in supporting post-production on three major anime series simultaneously, improving rendering stability by consolidating data access and eliminating bottlenecks associated with distributed storage.^[9] The adoption facilitates remote rendering and file sharing across the studio's Tokyo-based operations, addressing the tight deadlines typical in anime production where frequent retakes demand rapid iterations.^[2] Initially deployed for compositing tasks, the Cloud Store has expanded to editing workflows, reducing overall data management overhead and enabling more efficient collaboration among animators and post-production staff.^[2] By streamlining these processes, Typhoon Graphics has achieved greater operational efficiency, particularly for high-volume projects requiring seamless integration of visual elements.^[9]