Tatsunoko Production
A Japanese animation studio and character-licensing company behind Speed Racer, Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, Time Bokan, and other internationally distributed anime properties.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd., commonly called Tatsunoko Pro, is a Japanese animation studio founded in October 1962 by manga creator Tatsuo Yoshida and his younger brothers Kenji Yoshida and Toyoharu Yoshida, better known as Ippei Kuri. The company began as a manga-oriented production and copyright-management business, but entered television animation in 1965 with Space Ace. It subsequently became one of Japan's most recognizable animation houses, combining original planning, television and film production, merchandising, and licensing of characters and intellectual property. The studio's early identity was shaped by Tatsuo Yoshida's interest in detailed, physically convincing action drawing. That approach was particularly visible in Mach GoGoGo, known internationally as Speed Racer. The 1967 series was Tatsunoko's first full-color television production and was conceived with overseas circulation in mind. Its export to the United States helped establish Tatsunoko as an international animation name, although the studio's financial return from some early overseas rights arrangements was limited. Tatsunoko reached a major commercial and creative turning point with Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, which began broadcasting in 1972. The series combined superhero action, science fiction, aircraft and mecha design, and a strongly serialized team format. Its success in Japan and through international adaptations made it one of the studio's defining properties. In the United States, a substantially edited and retitled version was distributed as Battle of the Planets. Tatsunoko also developed a contrasting comedy-action tradition through Time Bokan, which began in 1975 and generated a long-running family of television series, eccentric villains, transforming machines, and character merchandise. The company has historically handled a broad range of genres, including realistic action, science fiction, comedy, fantasy, animal stories, children's animation, and domestic drama. Its notable productions and associated properties include The Genie Family, The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee, The Littl' Bits, Tekkaman, Samurai Pizza Cats, and Super Dimension Fortress Macross. Tatsunoko has also served as a production contractor or principal production company on projects originating with other creators and rights holders. Its participation in Macross led to long-running disputes concerning ownership and licensing of the series, characters, mechanical designs, and overseas adaptations. For much of its history, Tatsunoko maintained an unusually integrated production model, with planning, scripts, drawing, photography, and editing organized within or closely around the studio. The company also trained animators and helped develop a generation of directors and producers. Several former employees and affiliated production units later contributed to the formation or growth of other Japanese animation companies, including Production I.G. and related studios. This role has led industry histories to describe Tatsunoko as an important source of personnel and production expertise within Japanese animation. Tatsuo Yoshida died in 1977 and was succeeded in company leadership by Kenji Yoshida. The studio experienced financial and staffing pressures during the late 1970s and 1980s, including the departure of veteran personnel and the costs associated with ambitious productions. In 2005, toy manufacturer Takara acquired an 88 percent stake, ending the Yoshida family's controlling position. Following Takara's merger with Tomy, Tatsunoko became associated with Takara Tomy. In 2014, Nippon Television Holdings acquired control through a share-exchange transaction with Tomy and made the studio part of the Nippon Television group. Today, Tatsunoko's business is centered on the planning and production of animated television programs and films, cooperation with outside production partners, exploitation of its catalogue, and licensing of original characters and co…
History
Tatsunoko Production was established on October 19, 1962, at Tatsuo Yoshida's home by Tatsuo and his brothers Kenji Yoshida and Toyoharu Yoshida, who worked under the name Ippei Kuri. The business initially focused on manga production and on administering copyrights connected with Tatsuo's work and assistants. The rapid growth of television ownership in Japan, together with the success of Astro Boy, convinced the founders that television animation would become a major field. Tatsunoko explored cooperation with Toei Animation, but negotiations did not produce an acceptable arrangement over copyright and production responsibilities. The company instead created its own animation operation, built a modest studio facility, recruited staff, and trained inexperienced applicants. Assistance from figures with Toei and other industry backgrounds helped the new studio complete its first television work. Space Ace began broadcasting in 1965 and demonstrated that Tatsunoko could originate and deliver a television series. The next major step came with Mach GoGoGo in 1967. Produced in color and exported to the United States as Speed Racer, the series established Tatsunoko's international profile. The production reflected Tatsuo Yoshida's preference for relatively realistic action and mechanical movement, including observation of real driving techniques. The studio's detailed drawing style was demanding, however, and Tatsunoko learned to balance labor-intensive action programs with simpler comedy productions. Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, launched in 1972, became the studio's most important early franchise. Its sophisticated action staging, team-based heroes, aircraft, and science-fiction setting were supported by extensive merchandising. The overseas version Battle of the Planets introduced the property to a large international audience, although the structure of the original overseas rights deal meant that Tatsunoko captured less of the subsequent international commercial value than it might have under a more favorable licensing arrangement. In 1975, Tatsunoko began the Time Bokan series, which combined action-adventure with broad comedy and unusual mechanical designs. The franchise broadened the company's appeal and became an important source of television and toy-related activity. During the 1970s, directors and creative leaders such as Hiroshi Sasagawa and Hisayuki Toriumi represented the studio's comedy and serious-action traditions. Tatsunoko also attempted to cultivate directors internally, training or promoting figures who later became influential elsewhere in the anime industry. Tatsuo Yoshida died of liver cancer in 1977. Kenji Yoshida became president, while the studio faced production pressure, financial constraints, and the departure of early personnel. Tatsunoko established an animator-training institution in 1978. In 1982 it became the principal production company for Super Dimension Fortress Macross, working with Studio Nue, Bigwest, Artland, and its own affiliated production resources. The project later generated complex disputes over rights to the animated footage, characters, mechanical designs, sequels, and overseas adaptations. Tatsunoko retained rights in some aspects of the filmed work, while other rights were recognized as belonging jointly or separately to Bigwest and Studio Nue. The 1980s also saw the departure of important Tatsunoko personnel and the creation of related companies. In 1987, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and staff associated with the Tatsunoko branch office established IG Tatsunoko, which developed into Production I.G. Kenji Yoshida retired from Tatsunoko that year and later returned as chairman in 1995. Tatsunoko's training organization also became independent in the 1990s. During the same period, the studio increasingly revisited established properties and worked on remakes and new versions of earlier successes. A major ownership transition occurred in 2005, when Takara acquired 88 percent of Tatsunoko from the Yoshida family. The founding family's executives subsequently left their positions. After Takara merged with Tomy, Tatsunoko remained connected with the combined toy and entertainment group. Production I.G. acquired an 11.2 percent minority interest in 2010. In 2014, Nippon Television Holdings obtained control through a share exchange with Tomy, making Tatsunoko part of the Nippon Television corporate group. The studio continues to operate as an animation and intellectual-property business. Its activities include planning and producing television and film animation, collaborating with external studios, and licensing characters and original works. Its catalogue spans action heroes, science fiction, comedy, fantasy, animal characters, and children's programming. The name Tatsunoko can be read both as a reference to Tatsuo Yoshida and as the Japanese word for seahorse, an idea reflected in the company's logo.
- 2021
Macross and Robotech rights agreement is announced
[1]Bigwest and Harmony Gold announce an arrangement intended to clarify worldwide development and licensing of Macross and Robotech.
- 2014
Nippon Television Holdings takes control
[1]A share-exchange transaction with Tomy places Tatsunoko under Nippon Television Holdings.
- 2010
Production I.G. acquires a minority stake
[1]Production I.G. acquires 11.2 percent of Tatsunoko's outstanding shares.
- 2005
Takara acquires 88 percent of the company
[1]Takara purchases a controlling stake from the Yoshida family and makes Tatsunoko a consolidated subsidiary.
- 1987
Production I.G. predecessor is established
[1]Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and personnel linked to Tatsunoko establish IG Tatsunoko, later associated with Production I.G.
- 1982
Super Dimension Fortress Macross is produced
[1]Tatsunoko serves as principal production company on the first Super Dimension series, beginning a complicated rights history.
- 1978
Animator training institute is established
[1]Tatsunoko creates the Tatsunoko Anime Technology Research Institute to develop animation talent.
- 1977
Tatsuo Yoshida dies
[1]Following the founder's death, Kenji Yoshida assumes the presidency.
- 1975
Time Bokan begins
[1]The studio launches a long-running comedy-action franchise that expands its character and mechanical merchandising activity.
- 1972
Science Ninja Team Gatchaman premieres
[1]Gatchaman becomes a major Japanese action franchise and is subsequently adapted for international distribution.
Products and positioning
A heritage Japanese animation studio positioned around original character properties, genre-diverse anime production, international licensing, and franchise development.
Television anime · 1967
Speed Racer
Originally released in Japan as Mach GoGoGo, Speed Racer is a color racing series centered on a young driver and his technologically advanced car. Tatsunoko designed the series with overseas circulation in mind, and its American version became one of the best-known early examples of Japanese animation achieving broad international television exposure.
Television anime franchise · 1972
Science Ninja Team Gatchaman
Gatchaman is a science-fiction action franchise about a team of young heroes using specialized suits, vehicles, and aircraft to oppose technological and criminal threats. It became a central Tatsunoko property through television series, films, merchandising, and overseas versions, including Battle of the Planets and later adaptations.
Comedy-action television franchise · 1975
Time Bokan
Time Bokan combines time travel, slapstick comedy, recurring villain teams, fantastical machines, and adventure plots. The franchise ran through numerous related series and helped define Tatsunoko's lighter production style while supporting character licensing and toy-oriented merchandising.
Science-fiction television anime · 1975
Tekkaman
Tekkaman is a science-fiction hero property built around an armored protagonist and space-based conflict. It represents Tatsunoko's continuing interest in hard-action heroes, transformation concepts, mechanical spectacle, and internationally adaptable character designs.
Science-fiction television anime · 1982
Super Dimension Fortress Macross
Produced in 1982 with Studio Nue and other partners, Macross combines transforming mecha, space warfare, character drama, music, and intergenerational storytelling. Tatsunoko's production role gave it rights in elements of the animated footage, while rights to designs and related intellectual property became the subject of prolonged disputes.
Television anime · 1969
The Genie Family
The Genie Family is a fantasy comedy series centered on a genie and the complications created by magical wishes. It illustrates Tatsunoko's expansion beyond action and science fiction into family-oriented comedy and character-driven entertainment.
Children's television anime · 1970
The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee
This children's adventure property follows an anthropomorphic honeybee through journeys and dangers in the natural world. Its animal characters and emotional storytelling demonstrate the studio's work in family and children's programming alongside its better-known superhero and mecha titles.
Comedy television anime · 1990
Samurai Pizza Cats
Samurai Pizza Cats is an English-language adaptation and localization of Kyatto Ninden Teyandee, a Tatsunoko-associated comedy series featuring anthropomorphic characters, exaggerated action, and playful genre references. Its international release became notable for a highly localized presentation.
Marketing campaigns
- 1985Robotech adaptation licensing
United States · International markets
Several Tatsunoko works were licensed for combination into the Robotech television and merchandising property, which presented different series as successive eras in one fictional continuity.
Outcome. Created a major overseas franchise while contributing to long-running disputes among Tatsunoko, Bigwest, Studio Nue, and Harmony Gold over the scope of Macross-related rights.
- 1978Battle of the Planets international adaptation
United States · International markets
Science Ninja Team Gatchaman was edited, redubbed, and repackaged for overseas broadcast as Battle of the Planets. The adaptation altered dialogue, structure, and setting elements to fit local broadcast conditions and contemporary audience expectations.
Outcome. Gave Gatchaman broad international visibility, while the rights structure reportedly left much of the overseas commercial benefit with the distributor.
- 1967Speed Racer international export
United States · Japan · International television markets
Tatsunoko developed Mach GoGoGo as a color production with overseas circulation in mind and licensed an English-language version as Speed Racer. The export helped establish the studio's reputation outside Japan, although the original rights arrangements limited its financial participation in the property's later international success.
Outcome. Established an enduring international franchise and helped normalize the overseas syndication of Japanese television animation.
Brand decisions
2021
Macross and Robotech rights frameworkStrategyBackground
Rights claims involving Bigwest, Studio Nue, Tatsunoko, and Harmony Gold had restricted the international development of Macross and Robotech for many years.
Action taken
Bigwest and Harmony Gold announced an agreement addressing worldwide rights and future development, including approved overseas use of Macross elements in Robotech.
Aftermath
The agreement was intended to permit broader international development of Macross and clarify the position of Robotech outside Japan.
2014
Transition into the Nippon Television groupM&ABackground
Following Takara's merger with Tomy, Tatsunoko's ownership was reorganized within the broader Japanese entertainment and broadcasting sector.
Action taken
Nippon Television Holdings acquired control through a share-exchange transaction with Tomy.
Aftermath
Tatsunoko became part of Nippon Television's corporate group while retaining its animation and licensing identity.
2005
Sale of a controlling stake to TakaraM&ABackground
After decades as an independent, family-controlled studio, Tatsunoko required a new ownership and corporate structure.
Action taken
Takara purchased 88 percent of the company from the Yoshida family.
Aftermath
Tatsunoko became a consolidated subsidiary, and the Yoshida family's executives departed the company.
Acquired ownership stake. 88 percent (June 30, 2005)
1972
Launch of Science Ninja Team GatchamanProduct launchBackground
Tatsunoko sought to extend its detailed action style and develop a property capable of supporting character and mechanical merchandising.
Action taken
The studio recruited and trained additional animators to handle the series' demanding production requirements and introduced a highly merchandisable hero team.
Aftermath
Gatchaman became a major hit in Japan and one of Tatsunoko's most important international properties.
1967
Full-color export-oriented production of Mach GoGoGoProduct launchBackground
Japanese television was still transitioning to color, while Tatsuo Yoshida wanted a visually dynamic series that could appeal to the United States.
Action taken
Tatsunoko produced Mach GoGoGo in color and pursued overseas distribution, where it became Speed Racer.
Aftermath
The series became a signature international property and demonstrated the commercial potential of export-focused anime production.
1965
Tatsunoko builds an independent animation operationStrategyBackground
After discussions with Toei did not resolve copyright and production terms, the manga company chose to develop and produce its own original television animation.
Action taken
It built a modest studio, recruited and trained animators, and produced a pilot before launching Space Ace.
Aftermath
The move established Tatsunoko as an independent animation producer and created the foundation for its later television catalogue.
Recent events
Animoca Brands receives Gold Lightan license[3]
Reported:
Tatsunoko Production granted Animoca Brands a non-exclusive global license to create a blockchain game and NFTs based on the anime series Gold Lightan The Golden Warrior.
Sources3 sources
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