A-1 Pictures

Japanese animation studio and production company From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A-1 Pictures, Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社A-1 Pictures, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Ē-wan Pikuchāzu) is a Japanese animation studio and production company founded by ex-Sunrise producer Mikihiro Iwata. It is a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan's anime production firm Aniplex.[4][5]

Native name
株式会社A-1 Pictures
Kabushiki-gaisha Ē-wan Pikuchāzu
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryJapanese animation
Quick facts Native name, Romanized name ...
A-1 Pictures, Inc.
Native name
株式会社A-1 Pictures
Kabushiki-gaisha Ē-wan Pikuchāzu
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryJapanese animation
FoundedMay 9, 2005; 20 years ago (2005-05-09)
FounderMikihiro Iwata
Headquarters4-38-18 Naritahigashi, Suginami, Tokyo, Japan
Key people
Akira Shimizu (president)
Number of employees
285 (as of September 2025)[1]
ParentAniplex
Divisions
  • Animation Department[a]
  • Art Department[b]
  • Photography Department[c]
  • Coloring Department[d]
  • Fukuoka Studio[e]
  • Psyde Kick Studio[f]
Websitea1p.jp
Footnotes / references
[2][3]
Close

History

The company was established by SMEJ's animation production division, Aniplex, on May 9, 2005, to animate its anime series and productions.[4][5] In 2006, it co-produced the original production Zenmai Zamurai, and in October of the same year, established a studio in Asagaya. In the following year, 2007, the studio produced its first series, Ōkiku Furikabutte.

Originally established to oversee the production of only a few of Aniplex's family-oriented series, the studio has since grown and expanded as a full-fledged studio involved in the production of a wide range of media and anime productions and other activities, which it has overseen. The studio has also expanded its international presence, participating in the noted international convention, Anime Expo 2007 (AX 2007), held in Long Beach, California, and having its own panel there.[6]

In 2010, A-1 Pictures worked in collaboration with a joint project of TV Tokyo's anime department and Aniplex called Anime no Chikara for the creation of original anime series.[7] Three anime series were produced that year for the project: Sound of the Sky, Night Raid 1931 and Occult Academy.

In April 2018, A-1 Pictures rebranded its Kōenji Studio as CloverWorks, giving it a unique brand identity, which made it distinguishable from its main Asagaya Studio.[8][9] On October 1, 2018, CloverWorks separated from A-1 Pictures, although it still remains as a subsidiary under Aniplex.[10]

On June 17, 2024, the studio 3Hz announced that its animation planning and production business was transferred to A-1 Pictures.[11][12][13]

Productions

Television series

More information Title, Broadcast channel ...
TitleBroadcast channelFirst run start dateFirst run end dateEpsNotes
Zenmai ZamuraiNHK EApril 3, 2006February 6, 2009215Original work.
Co-production with No Side.
Robby & KerobbyTV TokyoApril 1, 2007March 30, 200852Original work.
Big Windup!TBS, MBSApril 13, 2007September 28, 200725Based on a manga by Asa Higuchi.
Persona: Trinity SoulTokyo MX, BS11January 5, 2008June 28, 200826Based on a video game by Atlus.
Birdy the Mighty: DecodeTV SaitamaJuly 5, 2008March 28, 200925Based on a manga by Masami Yuki.
Black ButlerMBSOctober 3, 2008March 27, 200924Based on a manga by Yana Toboso.
Kannagi: Crazy Shrine MaidensTokyo MXOctober 4, 2008December 27, 200813Based on a manga by Eri Takenashi.
Production co-operation by Ordet.
Valkyria ChroniclesMBSApril 5, 2009September 27, 200926Based on a video game by Sega.
Fairy TailTXN (TV Tokyo)October 12, 2009September 29, 2019328Based on a manga by Hiro Mashima.
Co-production with Satelight. (first series)
Co-production with Bridge. (second and third series)
Co-production with CloverWorks. (third series)
Sound of the SkyTV TokyoJanuary 5, 2010March 23, 201012Original work.
Big Windup! 2TBS, MBSApril 2, 2010June 25, 201013Sequel to Big Windup!.
Working!!Tokyo MXApril 4, 2010June 27, 2010Based on a manga by Karino Takatsu.
Night Raid 1931TV TokyoApril 6, 2010June 29, 2010Original work.
Black Butler IIMBSJuly 2, 2010September 17, 201012Sequel to Black Butler.
Occult AcademyTV TokyoJuly 6, 2010September 28, 201013Original work.
Togainu no ChiTBS
MBS		October 8, 2010December 23, 201012Based on a video game by Nitro+chiral.
FractaleFuji TV (Noitamina)January 14, 2011March 31, 201111Original work.
Production co-operation by Ordet.
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That DayFuji TV (Noitamina)April 15, 2011June 24, 2011Original work.
Blue ExorcistJNN (MBS)April 17, 2011October 2, 201125Based on a manga by Kazue Kato.
Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 1000%Tokyo MXJuly 3, 2011September 25, 201113Based on a video game by Broccoli.
The IdolmasterTBSJuly 8, 2011December 23, 201125Based on a video game by Bandai Namco Entertainment.
Working'!!Tokyo MXOctober 1, 2011December 24, 201113Sequel to Working!!.
Space BrothersNNS (ytv)April 1, 2012March 22, 201499Based on a manga by Chūya Koyama.
TsuritamaFuji TV (Noitamina)April 13, 2012June 29, 201212Original work.
Sword Art OnlineTokyo MXJuly 8, 2012December 23, 201225Based on a light novel by Reki Kawahara.
From the New WorldTV AsahiSeptember 29, 2012March 23, 2013Based on a novel by Yūsuke Kishi.
Chō Soku Henkei GyrozetterTXN (TV Tokyo)October 2, 2012September 24, 201351Based on a video game by Square Enix.
Magi: The Labyrinth of MagicJNN (MBS)October 7, 2012March 31, 201325Based on a manga by Shinobu Ohtaka
OreshuraTokyo MXJanuary 6, 2013March 31, 201313Based on a light novel by Yūji Yūji.
Vividred OperationMBSJanuary 11, 2013March 29, 201312Original work.
Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 2000%TV AichiApril 4, 2013June 27, 201313Sequel to Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 1000%.
Ore no Imōto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai.Tokyo MXApril 7, 2013June 30, 2013Sequel to Oreimo by AIC Build.
Servant × ServiceABCJuly 5, 2013September 27, 2013Based on a manga by Karino Takatsu.
Silver SpoonFuji TV (Noitamina)July 12, 2013March 28, 201422Based on a manga by Hiromu Arakawa.
Magi: The Kingdom of MagicJNN (MBS)October 6, 2013March 30, 201425Sequel to Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic.
Galilei DonnaFuji TV (Noitamina)October 11, 2013December 20, 201311Original work.
World Conquest Zvezda PlotTokyo MXJanuary 12, 2014March 30, 201412Original work.
Nanana's Buried TreasureFuji TV (Noitamina)April 11, 2014June 20, 201411Based on a light novel by Kazuma Ōtorino.
Sword Art Online IITokyo MXJuly 5, 2014December 20, 2014242nd season for Sword Art Online.
Aldnoah.ZeroTokyo MXJuly 6, 2014March 29, 2015Original work.
Co-production with Troyca.
Black Butler: Book of CircusMBSJuly 11, 2014September 12, 201410Related to Black Butler.
Persona 4: The Golden AnimationMBSJuly 11, 2014September 26, 201412Based on a video game by Atlus.
Magic Kaito 1412NNS (ytv)October 4, 2014March 28, 201524Based on a manga by Gosho Aoyama.
The Seven Deadly SinsJNN (MBS)October 5, 2014March 29, 2015Based on a manga by Nakaba Suzuki.
Your Lie in AprilFuji TV (Noitamina)October 10, 2014March 20, 201522Based on a manga by Naoshi Arakawa.
The Idolmaster Cinderella GirlsTokyo MXJanuary 10, 2015October 17, 201525Based on a social network game by Bandai Namco Entertainment in The Idolmaster series.
Saekano: How to Raise a Boring GirlfriendFuji TV (Noitamina)January 16, 2015March 27, 201512Based on a light novel by Fumiaki Maruto.
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha ViVidTokyo MXApril 3, 2015June 19, 2015Based on a manga by Masaki Tsuzuki.
Gunslinger Stratos: The AnimationTokyo MXApril 4, 2015June 20, 2015Based on a video game by Square Enix in Gunslinger Stratos.
Ultimate Otaku TeacherNNS (ytv)April 4, 2015September 26, 201524Based on a manga by Takeshi Azuma.
Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love RevolutionsTokyo MXApril 5, 2015June 28, 201513Related to Uta no Prince-sama.
GateTokyo MXJuly 4, 2015March 26, 201624Based on a novel by Takumi Yanai.
Working!!!Tokyo MXJuly 5, 2015September 27, 201513Second sequel to Working!!.
The Asterisk WarTokyo MXOctober 3, 2015June 18, 201624Based on a light novel by Yuu Miyazaki.
The Perfect InsiderFuji TV (Noitamina)October 9, 2015December 18, 201511Based on a novel by Hiroshi Mori.
ErasedFuji TV (Noitamina)January 8, 2016March 25, 201612Based on a manga by Kei Sanbe.
Grimgar of Fantasy and AshTokyo MXJanuary 11, 2016March 28, 2016Based on a light novel by Ao Jūmonji.
Ace AttorneyNNS (ytv)April 2, 2016September 24, 201624Based on a video game by Capcom.
B-PROJECT: Kodō＊AmbitiousTokyo MXJuly 3, 2016September 25, 201612Original work.[14]
Qualidea CodeTokyo MXJuly 10, 2016September 25, 2016Based on a light novel by Speakeasy and Square Enix. (Sō Sagara and Wataru Watari)
The Seven Deadly Sins: Signs of Holy WarJNN (MBS, TBS)August 28, 2016September 18, 20164Related to The Seven Deadly Sins.
WWW.Working!!Tokyo MXOctober 1, 2016December 24, 201613Spin-off to Working!!.[15]
Uta no Prince-sama Maji LOVE Legend StarTokyo MXOctober 2, 2016December 25, 2016Related to Uta no Prince-sama.
Occultic;NineTokyo MXOctober 9, 2016December 25, 201612Based on a light novel by Chiyomaru Shikura.
Blue Exorcist: Kyoto SagaJNN (MBS)January 7, 2017March 25, 2017Sequel to Blue Exorcist.
Interviews with Monster GirlsTokyo MXJanuary 8, 2017March 26, 2017Based on a manga by Petos.
Granblue Fantasy The AnimationTokyo MXApril 2, 2017June 25, 201713Based on a video game by Cygames.[16]
Eromanga SenseiTokyo MXApril 9, 2017June 25, 201712Based on a light novel by Tsukasa Fushimi.[17]
Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend FlatFuji TV (Noitamina)April 14, 2017June 23, 201711Sequel to Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend.
Fate/ApocryphaTokyo MXJuly 2, 2017December 31, 201725Based on a light novel by Yūichirō Higashide.
The Idolm@ster SideMTokyo MXOctober 7, 2017December 30, 201713Based on a social network game by Bandai Namco Entertainment in The Idolmaster series.
Blend STokyo MXOctober 8, 2017December 24, 201712Based on a 4-panel manga by Miyuki Nakayama.[18]
Record of Grancrest WarTokyo MXJanuary 6, 2018June 23, 201824Based on a light novel by Ryo Mizuno.[19]
The Seven Deadly Sins: Revival of The CommandmentsJNN (MBS, TBS)January 13, 2018June 30, 2018Sequel to The Seven Deadly Sins.
Darling in the FranxxTokyo MXJanuary 13, 2018July 7, 2018Original work.
Co-production with CloverWorks and Studio Trigger.
Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for OtakuFuji TV (Noitamina)April 13, 2018June 22, 201811Based on a manga by Fujita.[20]
Sword Art Online: AlicizationTokyo MXOctober 7, 2018September 20, 2020473rd season for Sword Art Online.
After episode 24, the anime is titled as Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld.
Kaguya-sama: Love Is WarTokyo MXJanuary 12, 2019March 30, 201912Based on a manga by Aka Akasaka.[21]
22/7Tokyo MXJanuary 11, 2020March 28, 2020Part of the multimedia project idol girl group 22/7 by Yasushi Akimoto, Aniplex, and Sony Music Records.[22]
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War?Tokyo MXApril 11, 2020June 27, 2020Sequel to Kaguya-sama: Love Is War.
Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle: Rhyme AnimaTokyo MXOctober 3, 2020December 26, 202013Part of the multimedia project Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle by King Records.[23]
Warlords of SigrdrifaTokyo MXOctober 3, 2020December 26, 202012Original work.[24]
86Tokyo MXApril 11, 2021March 19, 202223Based on a light novel by Asato Asato.[25]
Visual PrisonTokyo MXOctober 9, 2021December 25, 202112Original work by Noriyasu Agematsu.[26]
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War – Ultra RomanticTokyo MXApril 9, 2022June 25, 202213Sequel to Kaguya-sama: Love is War?.
Lycoris RecoilTokyo MXJuly 2, 2022September 24, 2022Original work.[27]
Engage KissTokyo MXJuly 3, 2022September 25, 2022Part of the multimedia project Project Engage by Aniplex.[28]
Nier: Automata Ver1.1aTokyo MXJanuary 8, 2023September 27, 202424Based on a video game by PlatinumGames.[29]
Mashle: Magic and MusclesTokyo MXApril 8, 2023July 1, 2023Based on a manga by Hajime Kōmoto.[30]
Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle: Rhyme Anima+Tokyo MXOctober 7, 2023December 26, 202313Sequel to Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle: Rhyme Anima.[31]
My New Boss Is GoofyTokyo MXOctober 7, 2023December 23, 202312Based on a manga by Dan Ichikawa.[32]
Mashle: Magic and Muscles - The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam ArcTokyo MXJanuary 6, 2024March 30, 2024Sequel to Mashle: Magic and Muscles.
Solo LevelingTokyo MXJanuary 7, 2024March 31, 2024Based on a Korean novel by Chugong.[33]
Too Many Losing Heroines!Tokyo MXJuly 14, 2024September 29, 2024Based on a light novel by Takibi Amamori.[34]
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online (season 2)Tokyo MXOctober 5, 2024December 21, 2024Sequel to Sword Art Online Alternative Gun Gale Online by 3Hz.[35]
Fate/strange FakeTokyo MXDecember 31, 2024presentTBABased on a light novel by Ryōgo Narita.[36]
Solo Leveling: Arise from the ShadowTokyo MXJanuary 4, 2025March 29, 202513Sequel to Solo Leveling.
Grow Up Show: Himawari no Circus-danTBA2026TBATBAOriginal work.
Co-production with Psyde Kick Studio.[37]
BlessTBA2027TBATBABased on a manga by Yukino Sonoyama.[38]
Mashle: Magic and Muscles (season 3)TBA2027TBATBASequel to Mashle: Magic and Muscles - The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc.
Too Many Losing Heroines! (season 2)Tokyo MXTBATBATBASequel to Too Many Losing Heroines!.
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Films

More information Title, Release date ...
TitleRelease dateDirector(s)
Welcome to the Space ShowJune 26, 2010 Koji Masunari
Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix PriestessAugust 18, 2012 Masaya Fujimori
Blue Exorcist: The MovieDecember 28, 2012 Atsushi Takahashi
Saint Young MenMay 10, 2013 Noriko Takao
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That DayAugust 31, 2013 Tatsuyuki Nagai
The Idolmaster Movie: Beyond the Brilliant Future!January 25, 2014 Atsushi Nishigori
Persona 3 The Movie: #2 Midsummer Knight's DreamJune 7, 2014 Tomohisa Taguchi
Space Brothers #0August 9, 2014 Ayumu Watanabe
Persona 3 The Movie: #3 Falling DownApril 4, 2015 Keitaro Motonaga
The Anthem of the HeartSeptember 19, 2015 Tatsuyuki Nagai
Garakowa: Restore the WorldJanuary 9, 2016 Masashi Ishihama
Persona 3 The Movie: #4 Winter of RebirthJanuary 23, 2016 Tomohisa Taguchi
Doukyusei: ClassmatesFebruary 20, 2016 Shōko Nakamura
Black Butler: Book of the AtlanticJanuary 21, 2017 Noriyuki Abe
Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal ScaleFebruary 18, 2017 Tomohiko Itō
Fairy Tail: Dragon CryMay 6, 2017 Tatsuma Minamikawa
The Seven Deadly Sins the Movie: Prisoners of the SkyAugust 18, 2018 Noriyuki Abe (Chief)
Yasuto Nishikata
Uta no Prince-sama: Maji LOVE KingdomJune 14, 2019 Takeshi Furuta (Chief)
Tomoka Nagaoka
High School Fleet: The MovieJanuary 18, 2020 Yuu Nobuta (Chief)
Jun Nakagawa
Love Me, Love Me NotSeptember 18, 2020 Toshimasa Kuroyanagi
Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless NightOctober 30, 2021 Ayako Kōno
Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love ST☆RISH ToursSeptember 2, 2022 Chika Nagaoka
Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep NightOctober 22, 2022 Ayako Kōno
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War – The First Kiss That Never EndsDecember 17, 2022 Mamoru Hatakeyama
Lonely Castle in the MirrorDecember 23, 2022 Keiichi Hara
Uta no Prince-sama Taboo Night XXXXMay 9, 2025 Akiko Seki
Kusunoki no Bannin (co-produced with Psyde Kick Studio)January 30, 2026 Tomohiko Itō
Eisen FlügelTBA Seiji Mizushima (Chief)
Daizen Komatsuda
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OVAs

More information Title, Release date ...
Title Release date Episodes
Birdy the Mighty: Decode - Cipher July 22, 2009 1
The Idolmaster Shiny Festa October 25, 2012 3
Saint Young Men December 3, 2012 – August 23, 2013 2
Black Butler: Book of Murder January 28, 2015 – February 25, 2015
Your Lie in April: Moments May 15, 2015 1
The Seven Deadly Sins June 17, 2015 – August 12, 2015 2
Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga April 4, 2017 – October 4, 2017
Eromanga Sensei January 16, 2019
Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku March 29, 2019 – October 14, 2021 3
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War May 19, 2021 1
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Specials

More information Title, Release date ...
Title Release date Episodes Notes
Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens May 27, 2009 1 Production co-operation by Ordet.
Fairy Tail April 15, 2011 – December 18, 2016 9 Episodes 1–6 co-produced with Satelight.
Valkyria of the Battlefield 3: The Wound Taken for Someone's Sake June 29, 2011 – August 31, 2011 2
Ore no Imōto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai. August 18, 2013 1
Sword Art Online: Extra Edition December 31, 2013
Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV March 30, 2016 – September 30, 2016 5 Based in the world and continuity of the 2016 video game, Final Fantasy XV. Co-production with Square Enix.
Persona 5: The Animation - The Day Breakers September 3, 2016 1
Shelter October 18, 2016 Music video for American EDM musician Porter Robinson and French DJ Madeon.
Learn with Manga! Fate/Grand Order December 31, 2018 Based in the world and continuity of the spin-off manga series by Riyo.
22/7: 8 + 3 = ? September 16, 2020
86 June 27, 2021 – March 6, 2022 4
Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 1000% July 31, 2022 1
Fate/strange Fake: Whispers of Dawn July 2, 2023 Based on a light novel by Ryōgo Narita.[39]
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War – The Stairway to Adulthood December 31, 2025 Based on a manga by Aka Akasaka.[40]
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Others

More information Title, Year ...
TitleYearNotes
Namisuke2007
Ōkiku Furikabutte: Honto no Ace ni Nareru KamoNintendo DS game; Produced the animation and CG segments
Takane no Jitensha (a.k.a. Takane's Bike)2008winner of Animax's Animax Taishō award
Persona 4PlayStation 2 game; Produced the 2D animation with Studio Hibari
Valkyria Chronicles II2010PlayStation Portable game
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney − Spirit of Justice2016Nintendo 3DS, iOS, Android game
Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology2017Nintendo 3DS game; Produced the opening animation
Layton's Mystery JourneyNintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, iOS, Android game
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Notes

  1. [a]
    A-1 Pictures Animation Department (A-1 Pictures 動画部), the studio's animation department.
  2. [b]
    A-1 Pictures Art Department (A-1 Pictures 美術部), the studio's background art department.
  3. [c]
    A-1 Pictures Photography Department (A-1 Pictures 撮影部), the studio's compositing and visual effects department.
  4. [d]
    A-1 Pictures Finishing Department (A-1 Pictures 仕上部), the studio's coloring and painting department.
  5. [e]
    A-1 Pictures Fukuoka Studio (A-1 Pictures 福岡スタジオ), the studio's Fukuoka branch.
  6. [f]
    Psyde Kick Studio (サイドキックスタジオ), the studio's in-house production label launched in July 1, 2025 and led by producer Jun Kato.

References

External links

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