lead=yes is a Japanese animation studio founded in October 2000 by former Telecom Animation Film producer Hikaru Kondō and located in Shinjuku, Tokyo. A unique hallmark seen in many of their works ( Ninja Nonsense, Futakoi Alternative, Coyote Ragtime Show, Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight!, , The Garden of Sinners) is a claymation sequence.
They are known for their long relationship with Type-Moon, having produced adaptations of their works such as Fate/Zero, , and The Garden of Sinners, as well as Bandai Namco, for whom they have produced an opening animation and cutscenes for many of their games, primarily in the Tales and God Eater series.
One of the studio's most successful works is .
Productions
Anime television series
OVAs/ONAs
|
|
|
| Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight! | Team Manabibeya | 1 | A special episode of Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight!. | |
|
| Toriko | Mitsuru Obunai | 1 | Based on a manga series by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro. | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Takayuki Hirao | 1 | Based on a manga by Junji Ito. | |
|
|
|
Anime films
|
|
| Takuya Nonaka | The 2nd film in The Garden of Sinners film series. | |
|
| Teiichi Takiguchi | The 4th film in The Garden of Sinners film series. | |
| Takayuki Hirao | The 5th film in The Garden of Sinners film series. | |
| Takahiro Miura | The 6th film in The Garden of Sinners film series. | |
|
|
|
| Majocco Shimai no Yoyo to Nene | Takayuki Hirao | Based on a manga by Hirarin. | |
|
|
|
| Haruo Sotozaki | Compilation of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba first five episodes. | |
|
| Haruo Sotozaki | Sequel to Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. | |
|
|
|
|
|
Video games
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Opening animation/cutscenes. | |
|
| Tales of Xillia | Bandai Namco | Opening animation/cutscenes. | |
|
| Fate/stay night Réalta | Kadokawa Games | Opening animations. | |
|
| God Eater 2 | Opening animation/cutscenes. | |
|
| Fate/hollow ataraxia | Type-Moon | Opening animation. | |
|
| Opening animation/cutscenes. | |
|
|
|
| Dragalia Lost | Nintendo | Cutscenes/illustrations. | |
| God Eater 3 | Bandai Namco | Opening animation/cutscenes. | |
|
|
| Tales of Arise | Bandai Namco | Opening animation/cutscenes. | |
| Aniplex | Key illustration. | |
|
Other productions
-
Bang!Bang!Bang! (2019) music video for song by Idolish7 group ŹOOĻ.
Vaporware
|
| Girls' Work | | Series | Original work.
Co-production with Type-Moon. | |
| Untitled Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu film | | Movie | Related to Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu. | |
|
Tax evasion scandal
In March 2019, it was reported that a search was performed on Ufotable's offices due to alleged
tax evasion.
The next month, it was reported that Ufotable owed in taxes.
In June 2020, both the studio and company founder and president Hikaru Kondo were charged with violating the Corporation Tax Act and Consumption Tax Act by failing to pay (about US$1.28 million) in taxes.
The studio published a public statement apologizing for their actions.
In July 2021, Kondo was formally indicted with evading (about US$1.24 million) in taxes by the special investigation department of the Tokyo Public Prosecutor's Office.
Ufotable acknowledged the indictment and gave assurance that the company had already filed a corrected tax return and paid the appropriate amount.
In September 2021, Kondo admitted to evading in taxes at a preliminary hearing by the Tokyo District Court.
The company allegedly hid about (about US$4 million) in income.
In response to questioning by the prosecution, Kondo said, "The only profits coming from the studio come from the cafe business and merchandise sales, and if those were to disappear, we wouldn't be able to pay the staff's salaries or production costs, so I wanted to secure some cash just in case something happened."
In November 2021, it was reported prosecutors were seeking a 20-month prison sentence for Kondo.
The court delivered a verdict on December 10, 2021.
Kondo was sentenced to 20 months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for three years.
Notes
External links
