In a significant move within the anime industry, Studio 3Hz has announced the transfer of its primary business—animation planning and production—to the major player A-1 Pictures. This transfer will include the current staff members, with A-1 Pictures inheriting the business.

3Hz, operating under the Studio 3Hz brand, has been a primary contractor for animation production since its inception, starting with Sora no Method (Celestial Method) in 2014. The animation studio has produced several hit titles, including Princess Principal, Flip Flappers, and Hataraku Maou-sama!! (The Devil is a Part-Timer! Season 2).

Studio 3Hz is currently working on the sequel to their 2018 hit Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online titled Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II, set to premiere in October 2024. The production for this sequel will continue under the same staff but now under A-1 Pictures' name.

In recent years, there has been an increase in acquisitions of mid-sized and smaller studios by major entertainment and animation companies. Bandai Namco Filmworks established 8bit as a subsidiary in March, and TOHO announced the complete acquisition of Science SARU in May.

These trends can be attributed to rising animation production costs, difficulties in securing talent, and the increase in primary production companies, which contribute to the growing challenges for small to mid-sized studios. With larger production budgets, joining a major company's umbrella offers stability in management. Although this case involves a business transfer, it aligns with the trend of maintaining stable animation production.

A-1 Pictures, established in 2005 as a key studio subsidiary of entertainment giant Aniplex, has produced numerous hits, including Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai (Kaguya-sama: Love is War), Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler), and The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls. Today, it is regarded as one of the industry's leading studios.

Aniplex owns several animation studios besides A-1 Pictures, including CloverWorks and Boundary. Aniplex is also involved in the planning and production of the Sword Art Online anime series. This connection has fostered a close relationship with Studio 3Hz, the producer of Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online.

Source: Animation Business Journal