Toei Animation

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Toei Animation Company, Limited (東映アニメーション株式会社 Tōei Animēshon Kabushiki-gaisha?) (JASDAQ: 4816) is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was originally founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films (日本動画映画, Nihon Dōga Eiga, often shortened to 日動映画 Nichidō Eiga). In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and was reincorporated under its current name. Over the years, the studio has created a large number of TV series, and movies, many popular worldwide. Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Go Nagai, and Yoichi Kotabe have all worked with the company in the past. Toei is a shareholder in the Japanese anime satellite television network, Animax, along with other noted anime studios and production enterprises such as Sunrise, TMS Entertainment and Nihon Ad Systems Inc.[1][2][3]

Until 1998, Toei Animation was known as Toei Doga (東映動画株式会社 Tōei Dōga Kabushiki-gaisha?) (although even at that time the company’s formal English name was indeed “Toei Animation Co. Ltd.”), with “dōga” being the native Japanese word for “animation” which was widely used until the 1970s. Their mascot is the cat Pero, from the company's 1969 film adaptation of Puss in Boots.

Toei Animation produced the anime versions of works by many legendary manga artists, including Go Nagai, Akira Toriyama, and Shotaro Ishinomori. In addition, the studio helped propel the popularity of the magical girl and Super Robot genres of anime; among Toei's most legendary and trend-setting TV series include the first magical-girl anime series, Mahoutsukai Sally, and Go Nagai's Mazinger Z, which set the standard for Super Robot anime for years to come.

Anime created by Toei Animation that have won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award have been Galaxy Express in 1981, Saint Seiya in 1987, and Sailor Moon in 1992.

In addition to producing anime for domestic consumption in Japan, in the 1980s, Toei Animation also provided animation work for several American-made television series and feature films (for Amercian animation studios such as Marvel Productions, Sunbow Productions, Rankin/Bass, Hanna-Barbera and Murakami-Wolf-Swenson, Inc among others), such as Muppet Babies, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Adventures of the American Rabbit, Dungeons & Dragons (TV series), Defenders Of The Earth, My Little Pony, Jem, Transformers and G.I. Joe. These series' producers outsourced animation production work to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia and other Asian countries because of cheaper labor costs.

Contents

[edit] Productions

[edit] TV series

Note: This may not be a complete list

[edit] 1960s

  • Ookami Shonen Ken (Ken, the Wolf Boy) (1963-1965)
  • Shonen Ninja Kaze no Fujimaru (Fujimaru of the Wind, the Boy Ninja) (1964-1965)
  • Uchuu Patrol Hopper (Space Patrol Hopper), also known as "Patrol Hopper: Uchuukko Jun" (Space Girl Jun) (Feb. 1965-Nov. 1996)
  • Hustle Punch (1965-1966)
  • Rainbow Sentai Robin (1966-1967)
  • Kaizoku Ouji (The Prince of Pirates, or Pirate Prince) (May 1966-Nov. 1966)
  • Mahōtsukai Sarii (Sally, the Witch) (1966-1968)
  • Pyunpyunmaru (July 1967-Sept. 1967)
  • Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro (original) (1968-1969)
  • Cyborg 009 (original) (Apr. 1968-Sept. 1968)
  • Akane-chan (Apr. 1968-Sept. 1968)
  • Himitsu no Akko-chan (Akko-chan’s Secret) (1969-1970, 1988-1989, 1998-1999) a.k.a. The Magic Mirror
  • Mohretsu Atarou (1st) (1969-1970)
  • Tiger Mask (1969-1971)

[edit] 1970s

  • Kick no Oni (Demon Kick) (1970-1971)
  • Mahou no Mako-chan (“Mako-chan’s Magic” or, “Magical Mako-chan”) (1970-1971) - based on the story of The Little Mermaid)
  • Sarutobi Ecchan (1971-1972) (note: “Ecchan” is the nickname of main character Etsuko)
  • Apacchi (“Apache”?) Yakyuugun (“The Apacchis”; lit. “Apacchi Baseball Team”) (1971-1972)
  • Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro (2nd) (1971-1972)
  • Genshi Shonen Ryu (1971-1972)
  • Mahou Tsukai Chappy (Apr. 1972-Dec. 1972)
  • Devilman (original TV series) (1972-1973)
  • Mazinger series
    • Mazinger Z (1972-1974) (broadcast in the US as “TranZor Z”)
    • Great Mazinger (1974-1975)
    • UFO Robo Grendizer (1975-1977) (broadcast on the Force Five block in the US as "Grandizer" (note the different letter); known as "Goldorak" and "Goldrake" in some European countries)
  • Babel Ni-Sei (Babel II) (Jan. 1973-Sept. 1973)
  • Microid S (Apr. 1973-Oct. 1973) (Co-production with Tezuka Productions. The original manga by Osamu Tezuka was called "Microid Z". The "S" refers to Japanese watch maker Seiko, the show's sponsor.)
  • Miracle Shoujo Limit-chan (1973-1974) a.k.a. Cybernella in Italy
  • Dororon Enma-kun (1973-1974)
  • Cutey Honey (original TV series) (1973-1974)
  • Majokko Megu-chan (Witch Girl Meg, Bia) (1974-1975)
  • Getter Robo series
    • Getter Robo (original) (1974-1975)
    • Getter Robo G (1975-1976)
    • Getter Robo Gō (1991-1992)
  • Calimero (1974-1975)
  • Shounen Tokugawa-ke Kou (lit. “The Peaceful House of Young Tokugawa”) (Apr. 1975-Sept. 1975)
  • Koutetsu Jiigu (Steel Jeeg) (1975-1976)
  • Ikyuu-san (1975-1982)
  • Daikuu Maryuu Gaiking (1976-1977)
  • Machine Hayabusa (Apr. 1976-Sept. 1976)
  • Robot Romance Trilogy
    • Choudenjin Robo Combattler V (1976-1977) (co-produced with Sunrise)
    • Choudenjin Machine Voltes V (1977-1978) (co-production with Sunrise)
    • Toushou Daimos (Brave Leader Daimos) (1978-1979) (co-production with Sunrise)
  • Magne Robo Gakeen (Magnetic Robot Gakeen) (1976-1977)
  • Candy Candy (1976-1979)
  • Jetter Marusu [Mars] (Feb. 1977-Sept. 1977) (co-production with Tezuka Productions and Madhouse; a semi-remake of Astro Boy)
  • Wakusei Robo Danguard Ace (Planetary Robot Danguard Ace) (1977-1978)
  • Choujin Sentai Baratack (related somewhat to the Super Sentai series) (1977-1978)
  • Arrow Emblem Hawk of the Grand Prix (1977-1978)
  • Captain Harlock (Uchū kaizoku Captain Harlock) (1978-1979)
  • SF Saiyuki Starzinger (Sci-Fi Journey to the West: Starzinger) (1978-1979)
  • Majokko Tickle (Magic Girl Tickle) (1978-1979) (co-production with Sunrise)
  • Galaxy Express 999 (Ginga Tetsudou 999) (original TV series) (1978-1981)
  • Captain Future (1978-1979)
  • Eiko no Tenshitachi: Pink Lady Monogatari (Glorious Angels: The Story of Pink Lady) (1978-1979, commissioned by the Japanese pop duo's managing company, T&C/Trust & Confidence)
  • Hana no Ko Lunlun (Lit. “Lunlun the Flower Girl”) (1979-1980) a.k.a. Angel
  • Cyborg 009 (color remake) (1979-1980) (co-production with Sunrise)
  • Mirai Robo Daltanias (Future Robot Daltanius) (1979-1980) (co-production with Sunrise)
  • Entaku no Kishi Monogatari: Moero Arthur (Go Arthur: Story of the Knights of the Round Table [loose translation]) (1979-1980)

[edit] 1980s

  • Mahō Shōjo Lalabel (Lalabel, The Magical Girl) (1980-1981)
  • Moero Arthur: Hakuba Ouji (Go Arthur: The White Horse Prince) (Apr. 1980-Sept. 1980)
  • Ganbare Genki (Do Your Best, Genki [loose translation]) (1980-1981)
  • Uchū Daitei God Sigma (1980-1981)
  • Hello! Sandybell (Mar. 1981-Sept. 1981) a.k.a. Sandy Jonquille
  • Little Women (Wakakusa Monogatari yori Wakakusa no Yon Shimai) (April-Sept. 1981) - co-production with Movie International Co. (Kokusai Eiga)
  • Dr. Slump and Arale-chan (1981-1986)
  • Shin Taketori Monogatari: Sen Nen Jo Ou (The Queen of a Thousand Years; also “Queen Millennia”) (1981-1982)
  • Tiger Mask Ni-Sei (Tiger Mask Second Generation) (1981-1982)
  • Honey Honey no Suteki na Bouken (The Wonderful Adventures of Honey Honey) (1981-1982) - co-production with Movie International Co.
  • Asari-chan (1982-1983)
  • Patalliro! (1982-1983)
  • The Kabocha Wine (The Pumpkin Wine) (1982-1984)
  • Captain Harlock Endless Road SSX (Waga seishun no Arcadia—Mugen kidō SSX) (1982-1983)
  • Ai Shite Knight (or “Night”) (1983-1984) (AKA Kiss Me Licia, Embrasse-moi Lucile, Rock & Roll Kids)
  • Kinnikuman (1983-1986)
  • Stop!! Hibari-kun! (1983-1984)
  • Bemu Bemu Hunter: Gotengu Tenmaru (May 1983-Oct. 1983)
  • Voltron series (1984-1989)
  • Yume Senshi Wingman (Dream Warrior Wingman) (1984-1985)
  • Tongari Boushi no Memoru (U.S. title: “Wee Wendy”; released as compilation film by Celebrity Home Entertainment) (Mar. 1984-Sept. 1984)
  • Video Warrior Laserion (1984-1985)
  • GU-GU Ganmu (1984-1985)
  • Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) (1984-1988)
  • Hāi! Step Jun (Yeah! Step Jun) (1985-1986)
  • Konpora Kid (June 1985-Dec. 1985)
  • Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro (3rd) (1985-1988)
  • Maple Town Monogatari (Maple Town Stories) (1986-1987; broadcast in the US on Nickelodeon as simply Maple Town)
  • Dragon Ball series (1986-1997)
  • Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin (Silver Fang: “Shooting Star” Gin) (Apr. 1986-Sept. 1986)
  • Gou Q [Goukyuu] Chouji Ikkiman (Fastball Superboy Ikkiman) (Apr. 1986-Nov. 1986)
  • Saint Seiya (Knights of the Zodiac) (1986-1989)
  • Shin Maple Town Monogatari: Palm Town Hen (New Maple Town Stories: Palm Town Saga) (Jan. 1987-Dec. 1987)
  • Bikkuriman series (“Bikkuriman 2000” was not made by Toei, and is therefore not listed here)
    • Bikkuriman (1987-1989)
    • Shin (New) Bikkuriman (1989-1990)
    • Super Bikkuriman (1992-1993)
    • Happy Lucky Bikkuriman (2006-2007)
  • Kamen no Ninja Aka Kage (Masked Ninja Red Shadow) (1987-1988)
  • Lady Lady!! (1987-1988)
  • Tatakae!! Ramenman (Fight, Ramenman!!; Kinnikuman spinoff) (Jan. 1988-Sept. 1988)
  • Sakigake!! Otokojuku (Charge!! The Man School) (Feb. 1988-Nov. 1988)
  • Hello! Lady Lin ("2nd season" of Lady Lady!!) (1988-1989)
  • Akuma-kun (1989-1990)
  • Mahoutsukai Sally (2nd) (1989-1991)
  • Karioge-kun (1989-1990)

[edit] 1990s

[edit] 2000s

[edit] Films (partial list)

  • Sekai Meisaku Dowa (World Masterpiece Fairytales)
  • Taro the Dragon Boy (Tatsu no ko Taro) (1979)
  • Galaxy Express 999 (Ginga Tetsudō 999) (1979)
  • Baldios (Uchū Senshi Baldios Movie) (Space Warrior Baldios) (1981)
  • Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (Sayonara Ginga Tetsudō 999) (1981)

[edit] Outsourced Production Work

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ Animax official website - corporate profile (Japanese)
  2. ^ Toei Animation official website - history section, Toei Animation official website. (Japanese)
  3. ^ Toei Animation - official website - English section - History Toei Animation official website.
  4. ^ Animax Award official site, Animax official website. (Japanese)

[edit] External links