Mushi Production

Mushi Production (虫プロダクション lit. Bug Production), or Mushi Pro for short, is a Japanese animation studio headquartered in Fujimidai, Nerima, Tokyo, Japan.^[1] It previously had a headquarters elsewhere in Nerima.^[2]

The studio was headed by manga artist Osamu Tezuka.^[3] Osamu Tezuka started it as a rivalry with Toei Animation, Tezuka's former employer, after Tezuka's contract with Toei expired in 1961. The studio pioneered TV animation in Japan, and was responsible for many successful anime TV series, such as Astro Boy, Gokū no Daibōken, Princess Knight, Kimba the White Lion, Dororo, and Ashita no Joe, as well as more adult-oriented feature films such as 1001 Nights, Cleopatra (the first X-rated animated film), and The Belladonna of Sadness.

Morisawa argues that Tezuka "proposed an unrealistically suppressed production budget... in an attempt to outbid his competitors", a budget that contributed to the Studio's (and industry) low profitability.^[3] Mushi Production, plagued by financial difficulties, declared bankruptcy in 1973 and its assets were divided.^[3] Tezuka had already left the company by then, having stepped down as acting director in 1968 and formed a new animation studio, Tezuka Productions (which made such works as Marvelous Melmo and Unico). A new Mushi Production company was later founded in 1977. This company continues to operate today.

Original productions

(based on the works of Osamu Tezuka)

• Astro Boy (1963–1966)
• Ginga Shōnen Tai (Galaxy Boys Squad) (1963–1965)
• Astro Boy: Hero of Space (movie; 1964)
• Shin Takara Jima (New Treasure Island) (TV special; 1965)
• The Amazing 3 (1965–1966)
• Kimba the White Lion (1965–1966)
• Son Goku ga Hajimaruyō (TV special; 1966)
• Kimba the White Lion: the Movie (1966)
• Leo the Lion (1966–1967)
• Princess Knight (TV special; 1966)
• Gokū no Daibōken (The Adventures of Goku) (Jan.-Sept.1967)
• Princess Knight (1967–1968)
• Vampire (1968–1969)
• Dororo (original TV series) (Apr.-Sept.1969)
• Wansa-kun (1973)

Non-original productions

(original TV/film productions, or adaptations of other material)

• Wanpaku Tanteidan (Naughty Detectives) (1968–1969)
• Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae (Sabu and Ichi's Arrest Warrant) (co-production with Toei Animation and Studio Zero; 1968–1969)
• Animal 1 (1968–1969)
• Frosty the Snowman (1969) (American production by Rankin/Bass Productions with animation by Mushi Production)
• The Mad, Mad, Mad Comedians (1970) (American production by Rankin/Bass Productions with animation by Mushi Production)
• The Reluctant Dragon and Mr. Toad Show (1970–1971) (American production by Rankin/Bass Productions with animation by Mushi Production)
• Ashita no Joe (original; second series was created by TMS) (1970–1971)
• Andersen Monogatari (1971)
• Wandering Sun (1971)
• Kunimatsu-sama no Otōridai (1971–1972)
• Mad Mad Mad Monsters (1972) (American production by Rankin/Bass Productions with animation by Mushi Production)
• Festival of Family Classics (1972–1973) (American production by Rankin/Bass Productions with animation by Mushi Production) (17 episodes)^[4]
• Animerama (film series)
  • One Thousand and One Arabian Nights (1969)
  • Cleopatra: Queen of Sex (1970; given self-applied "X" rating in U.S.)
  • Belladonna (1973)
• Vicky the Viking (1974; first six episodes only)
• The Star of Cottonland (1984, Production)
• Toki-iro Kaima (1989–1990, Work)
• Blue Sonnet (1989–1990, Animation Work)
• Ushiro no Shoumen Daare (1991, Animation Work)
• Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Aratanaru Tatakai no Overture (1993, Editing)
• Pipi Tobenai Hotaru (1996, Production)
• Monster (2004–2005, Animation Work Assistance)
• Paniponi Dash! (2005, Work Assistance)
• Katekyo Hitman Reborn! (2006–2010, Work Assistance)
• Rocket Girls (2007, Work Assistance)
• Kochira Tamago Outou Negaimasu (2008, Animation Work)
• Pattenrai!! Minami no Shima no Mizu Monogatari (2008, Production)
• Gekijouban Major: Yuujou no Winning Shot (2008, Work Assistance)
• Natsu no Arashi! (2009, Animation Work Assistance)
• Bakemonogatari (2009, Work Assistance)
• Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei (2009, Work Assistance)
• Natsu no Arashi! Akinai-chuu (2009, Animation Work Assistance)
• Shiki (2010, Animation Work Assistance)

References

1. Home. Mushi Production. Retrieved on March 15, 2012. "〒177-0034 東京都練馬区 富士見台2-30-5"
2. "Inquiries." Mushi Production. Retrieved on February 26, 2010. "本社：〒169-0075 東京都新宿区高田馬場 ４丁目32番11号'
3. Morisawa, T. (19 August 2014). "Managing the unmanageable: Emotional labour and creative hierarchy in the Japanese animation industry". Ethnography. doi:10.1177/1466138114547624.
4. . Cartoon Research. Retrieved on February 3, 2015.

External links

• Official website (Japanese)
• Article and interview over Mushi Production (German)