TBS Acquires Gensho Yasuda's Studio Xenotoon: A Major Move in the Anime World
TBS Group, one of Japan's most established broadcasters, has crowned its growth strategy in the anime sector with a giant step. The Xenotoon studio, co-founded by the famous 3DCG artist and director Gensho Yasuda, where he shapes his creative vision, has joined TBS's anime and intellectual property (IP)-focused subsidiary SAND B. This acquisition is considered one of the most critical parts of TBS's plan to place anime at the center of its future growth strategy and produce globally competitive content.
Gensho Yasuda has an unconventional success story in the anime world. Reaching millions of followers with the short 3DCG animations he shared on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, Yasuda created a unique visual language in his journey from an independent artist to a studio leader. Make a Girl, the first feature film developed under the Xenotoon banner and adapted from Yasuda's viral short film, is preparing to hit theaters in Japan on January 31, 2025. This merger means massive logistical support for the film's promotion and the studio's future projects.
TBS Group has aggressively increased its investments in the anime industry in recent years. Moving beyond being just a broadcaster, the company aims to become a powerhouse that produces its own content through SAND B. With the acquisition of Xenotoon, TBS has incorporated Yasuda's digital-focused, innovative, and cost-effective animation techniques into its own structure. Industry analysts state that this move demonstrates TBS's determination to reach a young and digital-native audience in particular.
This development marks a significant shift in the anime industry as independent creators are being brought into the fold.
