In recent years, Toho, a Japanese production and distribution company, has been expanding its involvement in the animation industry. They have recently acquired Science Saru, a Tokyo-based animation studio known for producing the Netflix series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. Founded in 2013 by director Masaaki Yuasa and producer Eunyoung Choi, Science Saru has worked on various projects including films like Lu Over the Wall, Ride Your Wave, and Inu-oh, as well as series like Ping Pong, Space Dandy, and Devilman Crybaby.
In 2020, Yuasa stepped down as president, stating that he needed a break after years of non-stop work. Choi then took on the role of president and CEO, becoming the sole owner of the company. Science Saru has upcoming projects including Naoko Yamada’s feature The Colors Within and the Netflix series Dandadan, both set to launch later this year. In a statement on their website, Science Saru expressed their mutual vision with Toho for future business development and their goal to grow their animation production business.
Despite their successes in the industry, Science Saru has faced criticism for overworking artists. This issue of overworked artists is a common problem in the Japanese animation industry and something that they will need to address moving forward as they continue to work hard and strive to improve their corporate value for their client companies.