Nintendo Pictures

Japanese animation studio

  • Animation
  • Development of 3D-CG tools
FoundedMarch 18, 2011; 13 years ago (2011-03-18)FounderHiroshi HirokawaHeadquartersKanda Square, 2-2-1 Kandanishiki-cho, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Number of locations
2 studios (2022)
Key people
Hiroshi Hirokawa (Representative Director)
Atsushi Shirokawa (Director)ProductsCG and motion capture for video games and related mediaTotal equity34.5 million yen
Number of employees
121 (2023)ParentNintendo (2022—present)Websitehttps://nintendo-pictures.co.jp

Nintendo Pictures Co., Ltd.[a] (formerly Dynamo Pictures, Inc.[b]) is a Japanese animation studio owned by Nintendo that develops "visual content" using Nintendo properties.[1]

History

As Dynamo Pictures

Dynamo Pictures logo

Dynamo Pictures originated as the CG and motion capture production department of Visual Science Laboratory, Inc., a computer graphics and virtual reality research and development company founded in 1991 by Kenji Yoshida.[2] Though the studio would separate from Visual Science Laboratory and begin operating as Dynamo Pictures, Inc. in October 2004, it wasn't formally established as an independent animation studio by department head Hiroshi Hirokawa until March 18, 2011.[2][3] The studio's name was taken from the motion capture arm, which was known as Studio Dynamo, and was the first motion capture studio in Japan.

On October 1, 2021, the "Amusement" section of the company, dedicated to creating theater and VR attractions for theme parks, was spun off into a separate business called Dynamo Amusement, Inc. and subsequently became an affiliate subsidiary of GENDA, a Japanese amusement arcade company.[4]

As Nintendo Pictures

Nintendo announced their intent to acquire Dynamo Pictures and change its name to Nintendo Pictures on July 14, 2022, citing the focus of the company to strengthen the planning and production structure of visual content.[5][6][7] The deal closed on October 3, with the company becoming a full subsidiary of Nintendo, as well as adopting its new name.[1][8][9] Many fans of the 2006 Nintendo DS rhythm game Elite Beat Agents, the international counterpart of the Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan duology, noticed that a mission in the game references a then-fictional company called Nintendo Pictures.[10]

Since their acquisition, while Nintendo Pictures has continued to assist with outside productions, their main function has been as a support studio specializing in animation, art, design, and cinematic work for video games developed and published by Nintendo, such as Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

On November 27, 2023, Nintendo Pictures relocated their headquarters to Kanda Square, an office building shared with Nintendo's Tokyo branch, Nintendo Sales, and 1-Up Studio.[11] Their previous location is nearby and remains in use as their motion capture studio.

Works

As Dynamo Pictures

As lead animation studio
Year Title Production Notes
As Visual Science Laboratory, Inc. / Motion Capture Studio DYNAMO
1996 Kyoko Date Virtual idol Motion capture work done for Horipro
2000 Biohazard 4D-Executer Animated short film Distributed by Digital Amuse for Japanese theme parks
As Dynamo Pictures, Inc.
2011 Appleseed XIII Original net animation First episode only, produced by Production I.G
2014 Pikmin Short Movies Produced for Nintendo, originally distributed on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShops
2015-2016 Yuuyake Dandan Theatrical short films Produced for 109 Cinemas movie theater chain
2018 Eiga Okaa-san to Issho - Hajimete no Daibōken Live-action film Animated segments, produced by NHK Educational TV
2018-2019 Monster Strike the Animation Original net animation Episodes 25–37, 51–57, 61
2020 ARP Backstage Pass TV anime Directed by Tetsuya Endo
Eiga Okaasan to Issho Surikaekamen wo Tsukamaero!! Live-action film Animated segments, produced by NHK Educational TV
Monster Strike the Movie: Lucifer - Zetsubō no Yoake Animated film Co-production with Anima
2021 Eiga Okaasan to Issho Henteko Sekai Kara no Dasshutsu! Live-action film Animated segments, produced by NHK Educational TV
As production assistance
Year Title Client Production Credit
As Visual Science Laboratory, Inc. / Motion Capture Studio DYNAMO
1995 Center Ring Boxing Victor Entertainment Video game Opening CG Animation
1996 Tōkidenshō Angel Eyes Tecmo Motion capture
Reel Fishing Victor Interactive Software CG Movie
Dead or Alive Team Ninja Motion capture
Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon SuperS: Shin Shuyaku Sōdatsusen Angel Opening animation, character animation, motion capture
2000 Reel Fishing II Victor Interactive Software CG movie
2001 Reel Fishing: Wild Westone Bit Entertainment Opening movie (visuals)
Malice@Doll GAGA Communications Original video animation CG production
2002 Shinobi Overworks Video game Motion capture
Lupin the 3rd: Treasure of the Sorcerer King Banpresto
2003 Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball Tecmo Movie support, technology support (motion capture)
Last Exile Gonzo TV anime 3DCG production (Episode 20)
Superflat Monogram Toei Animation Animated short film Production assistance
Simple 2000 Ultimate Series Vol. 23: Project Minerva Professional Flat-Out, Inc. Video game Motion capture
Nightshade Sega Wow
Bujingai Taito
2004 Seven Samurai 20XX Dimps
Shadow Hearts: Covenant Nautilus Cooperation (Motion capture)
Ninja Gaiden Team Ninja Motion capture
KOF: Maximum Impact Noise Factory Cinematics
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw Yuke's Motion capture
Rumble Roses
2004-2005 Zoids: Fuzors Tokyo Kids TV anime CGI assistance
As Dynamo Pictures, Inc.[c]
2005 Tengai Makyō III: Namida Red Entertainment Video game Motion capture
Killer7 Capcom 3D animation unit (Game part crew)
Shadow Hearts: From the New World Nautilus Cooperator (Motion capture, CG movie)
WWE Day of Reckoning 2 Yuke's Motion capture
Front Mission 5: Scars of the War Square Enix
2006 Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked Grasshopper Manufacture
Rumble Roses XX Yuke's Motion capture (Entrance demo)
Raw Danger! Irem Motion capture
Metal Slug SNK Playmore Movie & demo character
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 Yuke's Additional motion capture
2007 Lost Odyssey Feelplus
Mistwalker
Motion capture
2008 20th Century Boys: Beginning of the End Cinebazar
Office Crescendo
Live-action film CG production
2009 Suzumiya Haruhi no Gekidō Kadokawa Shoten Video game Motion capture
20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope Cinebazar
Office Crescendo
Live-action film CG production
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance Khara Animated film
Boku no Natsuyasumi 4 Millennium Kitchen Video game
Castle Under Fiery Skies Toei Company Live-action film
Wacky World of Sports Tabot Video game Motion capture
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Team Ninja
Yona Yona Penguin Madhouse
DFP
Animated film CG production
2010 LovePlus+ Konami Video game
2011 Final Fantasy XIII-2 Square Enix
2012 The Life of Budori Gusuko Tezuka Productions Animated film
2013 Tokimeki Restaurant☆☆☆ Konami Video game Video production
Harlock: Space Pirate Marza Animation Planet Animated film CG production
2014 Giovanni's Island Production I.G. Motion capture
Kano ARS Film Production Live-action film VFX
M3: The Dark Metal Satelight TV anime CG production
ST Aka to Shirō no Sōsa File Nippon TV Live-action series VFX
Love Live! School Idol Paradise Dingo Inc. Video game Motion capture
2015-2016 Garo: Crimson Moon MAPPA TV anime CG production cooperation
2016 Garo: Divine Flame Animated film CG animation
DAYS TV anime CG production
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV Visual Works Animated film
Debusen Hulu Japan
Nippon TV
Live-action series CG composition
Persona 5 Atlus Video game Motion capture
Yuri!!! on ICE MAPPA TV anime 3DCGI (eps 1-4), CG Modeling
Monster Hunter Stories Capcom
Marvelous
Video game Motion capture
Yo-kai Watch: Soratobu Kujira to Double no Sekai no Daibōken da Nyan! OLM Animated/live-action film CG production
2016-2018 Puzzle & Dragons X Pierrot TV anime CG production, motion capture, ending credits
Chi's Sweet Adventure Marza Animation Planet CG production
2017 Onihei Hankachō Studio M2 CG Production, photography
Resident Evil: Vendetta Marza Animation Planet Animated film Motion capture
Monster Strike LIVE! XFLAG Live attraction Video production
TsukiPro the Animation PRA TV anime 3DCG production, opening credits
2017-2018 Monster Strike: The Fading Cosmos Yokohama Animation Laboratory Original net animation CG production
2018 Alice Gear Aegis Pyramid Video game Motion capture
Monster Hunter World Capcom
Shimajiro Mahō no Shima no Daibōken The Answer Studio Animated film Animation production cooperation
2018-2019 22/7 Keisanchū Tokyo MX Variety show CG production
2019 The Price of Smiles Tatsunoko Production TV anime 3DCGI production
Death Stranding Kojima Productions Video game Motion capture
2021 Back Arrow Studio VOLN TV anime CG production
IDOLY PRIDE Lerche Motion capture
Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure Toei Animation CG production cooperation
WIXOSS Diva(A)Live J.C.STAFF Motion capture (ending credits, eps 7-8)
NieR Replicant_ver.1.22474487139... Toy Logic Video game Facial capture, motion production
TsukiPro the Animation 2 PRA TV anime 3DCG production, opening credits
Earwig and the Witch Studio Ghibli Animated film CG animation production
Macross Δ the Movie: Absolute Live!!!!!! Satelight
Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure the Movie: The Snow Princess and the Miraculous Ring! Toei Animation CG production cooperation
2021-2022 Monster Strike XFLAG Video game Video production
2022 Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Production I.G
Sola Digital Arts
Original net animation Layout (Season 2)
Watashi Dake no Okosama Lunch Toei Animation Animated short film CG production cooperation
2022-2023 Delicious Party♡Precure TV anime

As Nintendo Pictures

Year Title Client Production Credit
2023 Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure Toei Animation TV anime CG production cooperation
Ensemble Stars!! Recollection Selection: Element Dandelion Animation Studio
Happy Elements Cacalia Studio
Original net animation Animation Cooperation (Episode 5)
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Entertainment Planning and Development Video game Special Thanks
Pikmin 4 Nintendo EPD
Eighting
Very Special Thanks
Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo EPD Character Design, Character Action Design, Field Design, Cinematic Design, Technical Support, Project Management, Special Thanks
Super Mario RPG ArtePiazza Character Art, Animation Art, Technical Art
HATSUNE MIKU EXPO 2023 VR Crypton Future Media Virtual concert Motion editing
2024 Another Code: Recollection Arc System Works Video game Very Special Thanks
Wonderful PreCure! Toei Animation TV anime CG production assistance

Notes

  1. ^ Japanese: ニンテンドーピクチャーズ株式会社, Hepburn: Nintendō Pikuchāzu Kabushiki-gaisha
  2. ^ Japanese: 株式会社ダイナモピクチャーズ, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Dainamo Pikuchāzu
  3. ^ While it was not formally established as an independent company until March 2011, the studio separated from Visual Science Laboratory, Inc. and began operating as Dynamo Pictures, Inc. in October 2004, with several projects from 2005-2010 being listed on their official website.[2][12]

References

  1. ^ a b Batchelor, James (October 4, 2022). "Nintendo completes Dynamo Pictures acquisition, relaunches as Nintendo Pictures". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "MESSAGE – 株式会社インターメディア研究所".
  3. ^ "Company Profile - Dynamo Pictures" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 30, 2023.
  4. ^ "Notice of Capital Alliance with Dynamo Amusement, Inc" (in Japanese). October 19, 2021. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023.
  5. ^ "Nintendo acquires animation studio that'll become 'Nintendo Pictures'". The Verge. July 14, 2022. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  6. ^ Weprin, Alex (July 14, 2022). "Nintendo Buys Studio to Turbocharge IP-Based Production". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  7. ^ Goslin, Austin (July 14, 2022). "Nintendo buys animation studio, forms Nintendo Pictures". Polygon. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  8. ^ Wales, Matt (October 3, 2022). "Nintendo officially launches its Nintendo Pictures animation studio". EuroGamer. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  9. ^ Kevin, Knezevic (October 4, 2022). "Nintendo Pictures Launches Ahead of First 'Super Mario Bros.' Movie Trailer". CNET. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  10. ^ "Random: Turns Out Elite Beat Agents Predicted 'Nintendo Pictures' Years Ago". Nintendo Life. July 18, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  11. ^ "(法人名)の情報|国税庁法人番号公表サイト".
  12. ^ "制作実績". ダイナモピクチャーズ (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

External links

  • Official website
  • Dynamo Pictures
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