Independent animation studio, Studio Unagi, has recently launched in Montreal with the aim to inject fresh “anime” energy into the Canadian animation industry.
The company is founded by Guillaume Dubois and supported by Ankama CEO Anthony Roux, and will meet the growing production needs of Ankama while supporting its own growth. French company Ankama is known for its game Dofus and the animated series Wakfu. Ankama and Studio Unagi aim to develop high-quality 2D animation projects.
The studio team comprises 90 per cent Canadians and 10 per cent international contributors. Notably, women in the team hold 75 per cent of all roles, including crucial positions in production and animation.
The studio is currently working on two projects produced by Ankama: Bestiale (7×11 min, Broadcaster: ADN, France) and Sacré-Coeur (26×26 min, Broadcaster: France Télévision, France). The studio is preparing for future productions and plans to diversify its activities, exploring new segments like YouTube and video games to tell innovative stories.
Studio Unagi founder and president Dubois said, “Our ambition with Studio Unagi is to combine the technical and artistic excellence of Japanese animation with the cultural richness and creativity of Montreal to offer a competitive presence in North America. We aim to create works that resonate with anime fans worldwide while providing a space where talents can thrive.”
Roux added, “Our collaboration with Studio Unagi stems from our shared passion for animation and our desire to push the boundaries of creativity. Leveraging their expertise, we want to bring a new dynamic to the industry and create captivating stories that honour the spirit and aesthetics of the Ankama universe and anime in general.”