CloverWorks, WIT STUDIO, Shueisha, and Aniplex establish new production company 'JOEN'
The goal of JOEN is to build a new business model, wherein profits are directed back to the creators.
By: Nicole S. Castro on May 30, 2022 at 14:42 PHT
Four of the biggest names in the Japanese anime industry have joined forces to form a new production company called JOEN.
The company is based in Tokyo and is represented by Yuichi Fukushima (the producer of the anime for SPY×FAMILY) and Tetsuya Nakatake (the producer of the anime for Attack on Titan when it was under Wit Studio).
JOEN (read as "jo-en") is a joint venture between animation studios CloverWorks and WIT STUDIO, manga publishing company Shueisha, and anime and music production company Aniplex. With the combined resources and connections of these four companies, their goal is to introduce a new business model in the anime industry that will return more of the profits to their creators.
While the four companies will still retain their distinct businesses and identities, this collaboration as JOEN will streamline the communication and resource sharing of the four parties, making it easier to provide each other with financial support as well as pooling the best creators for any upcoming projects.
According to their company website (available in both Japanese and English), they aim to support the animation industry and related ventures by taking a supporting role and allowing the people involved in planning, production, and distribution to take center stage.
About WIT STUDIO
Wit Studio, Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社ウィットスタジオ) is a Japanese animation studio founded on June 1, 2012, by producers at Production I.G as a subsidiary of IG Port. It is headquartered in Musashino, Tokyo.
The studio gained notability for producing the first three seasons of Attack on Titan, The Ancient Magus' Bride, Vinland Saga, Ranking of Kings, and SPY×FAMILY.
About CloverWorks
CloverWorks, Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社CloverWorks) is a Japanese animation studio that was rebranded from A-1 Pictures' Kōenji Studio. It is a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan's anime production firm Aniplex.
Some of their notable anime include The Millionaire Detective Balance: Unlimited, My Dress-Up Darling, Horimiya, and SPY×FAMILY.
About Shueisha
Shueisha Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社集英社) is a Japanese company headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The company was established in 1925 as the entertainment-related publishing division of Japanese publisher Shogakukan. The following year, Shueisha became a separate, independent company.
Manga magazines published by Shueisha include the Jump magazine line, which includes shonen magazines Weekly Shōnen Jump, Jump SQ, and V Jump, and seinen magazines Weekly Young Jump, Grand Jump, and Ultra Jump.
Some of their highly popular manga series include Jujutsu Kaisen, SPY×FAMILY, My Hero Academia, and Demon Slayer.
About Aniplex
Aniplex Inc. (株式会社アニプレックス) is a Japanese anime and music production company owned by Sony Music Entertainment Japan.
Established in September 1995, Aniplex has been involved in the planning, production and distribution of several anime series such as Fullmetal Alchemist, Sword Art Online, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Fate, The Promised Neverland, Rurouni Kenshin, and more. Additionally, Aniplex produces and distributes music and soundtrack records, including the original soundtracks for all of Sony Interactive Entertainment's computer and video games.
Source: JOEN official website