If you have not watched Gigguk’s video about Animation
Studios, go watch it. Because I personify all these studios in my head exactly
as they speak and look. But that is not influencing what I will be talking
about.
Today, I would love to ship. To ship the animation studios
so that they can make those sweet sweet anime babies. No seriously, if we have
learned anything after Darling in the Franxx is that more studios should walk
hand in hand just like A1 and Trigger did. Now I am not talking about producing
OPs and EDs or doing keyframes and other minor stuff. I am talking about
sharing of ideas, staff and suggestions, birthing concepts and executing them. As
much as Darling in the Frankxx did go awry in the end, it was a thrilling ride
in the end. So, strap on, as I proceed to feed you some of that bitter opinions.
3. Trigger and Wit
Now both studios are new in the game, compared to other major
players. Both have hot properties in the market with Kill la Kill and Kiznaiver
for Trigger, and Attack on Titan and Kabaneri for Wit. Both are masterful in
animation department with their sound being an ace. But not one of them can be
called as the Go-To studios. There is a reason because both studios are like eccentric
children with lot of energy in them, with not a defined goal for the future, atleast
not for now.
As much as I enjoy Trigger shows, I have come to expect that
they will not have a satisfying ending. Maybe their grandad Gainax is still influencing
them, but they must stop playing in the mud for so long. Wit, on the other
hand, is acing with adapting AOT. But their delays are rather annoying and
unwanted. Also, Kabaneri didn’t leave the sweetest of tastes.
What to Gain? Trigger is known for original content
[Kill la Kill, Inferno Cop, Kiznaiver], whereas Wit is a master of adaptation
[AOT, Ancient Magus’ Bride, After the Rain], so both of them working together
can result in something very precious for anime community as a whole. I can see
them nailing the ‘Anime Original Endings’ with ease if they helm a joint
project.
2. Deen and Doga Kobo
Now this is a tricky one because I don’t think these names pop
up immediately when talking about animation studios, especially the latter. I think
both are decent studios, with their works being talk of the town one way or
another. Deen produced the legendary Urusei Yatsura, Ranma ½ and Ruroni
Kenshin. It also has big franchises under its belt like Hell Girl, Higurashi
and [Hate it or not!] Fate/ Stay Night. But we are talking about recent
climate, and Deen does not disappoint on that front too. KonoSuba, Rakugo
Shinju, Sakamoto Desu ga and Pupa are fan favorites all over the world. Maybe
not Pupa, maybe it is.
Doga Kobo on the other hand is a studio with fewer series
under its names, but they’re equally popular. Plastic Memories, TadaKoi and
Nozaki kun are some of the series I have personally enjoyed very much. Other popular
names like YuruYuri, New Game and Umaru chan (as much as you hate her) are very
popular titles which came out of this studio.
What to Gain? We can agree that these studios are not
on everybody’s tongues. But one collaboration may change everything. Both studios
have expert animation. Deen opts for more mellow and shot down animation style,
as it Rakugo, but can really shine when they want it to pop, as in KonoSuba. Doga
Kobo has more of a poppy feel all over. I can think of bright colors in Tadakoi
and subdued but sharp art of Plastic Memories. In the end, both studios are All
Rounders, but their stats lay in the middle. They can do everything, just not
up to the par of being stellar. If Deen takes over the background, and Doga
Kobo gives the characters and art their attention, a joint project can take a
place amongst the fan favourites.
1. Ufotable and Shaft
If I haven’t made clear before, let me state it out loud. THERE
IS NO BETTER ANIME STUDIO THAN SHAFT. Their avant-garde style of animation can
wet the pants of any art student, and I am always left in awe when I am
watching their shows/ movies. Case in point, my favorite show: the Monogatari
Series. Other favorites by Shaft are Arakawa under the Bridge, Zetsubou sensei
and Madoka Magica. Favorite Movie series: Kizumonogatari, Kara no Kyokai.
Oh Wait, Kara no Kyokai is made by a different, albeit
equally awesome, studio.
Yes, ufotable is the old kid in the block which blew up in
the 2010s. Props to you if you knew the shows they produced before Kara no
Kyokai series.
Ufotable is a spectacle machine when it comes to anime. The movies
series I have been ranting about, their Fate adaptations and the Fate movies
for Heaven’s feel are literally bleeding money. The only quality to rival it is
found in Kyoto Animation, but only in a random scene or so. How ufotable
manages to be consistent is beyond me.
What to Gain? Do I even need to explain? Ufotable is
animation genius. Shaft has the cheatsheet to make perfect animation. But it goes
further. Both studios excel on the musical score front. From clanking swords in
Fate to different pitches of voices in Monogatari exposition, these studios
together can make wonders happen. On the story front, I can’t speak much about
it because it depend on what they are provided with. I haven’t heard any
whispers of ufotable’s original work, and Shaft’s older original work is the
same. Madoka, however, was a classic.as far as adaptations go, they reign
supreme with the likes of KyoAni and Bones.
P.S. Saber doing that head tilt in the upcoming Fate/ Hollow
Ataraxia would be sick!
[A guy can dream, right?]
That is It for me. Please let me know how wrong I am on
twitter on @rishabh_SSW
And , I will be back.
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