Editing Production I.G (section)

==History==
On December 15, 1987, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, a producer at Tatsunoko Production, established IG Tatsunoko Ltd., the predecessor of Production IG, with Takayuki Goto, who had organized Studio Chime.<ref name="animationbusiness13287"/> It was in the form of an independent Tatsunoko production branch led by the staff who participated in the Tatsunoko-produced TV series ''[[Zillion (anime)|Zillion]]''.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/> Japan was experiencing a booming economy at that time thanks to the [[economic bubble]], but it was a difficult time for the animation industry to create new anime. Original animation projects that may or may not be successful were particularly difficult to pass, and there were few opportunities for young talent to demonstrate their abilities. Ishikawa therefore planned ''Zillion'' to provide them with a place to play an active role.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/> Ishikawa, already a [[freelancer]], was entrusted with the work as a Tatsunoko Production branch separated from the company.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/><ref name="animeanime47064_1"/><ref name="TOMinterview">{{cite web|url=https://otakumode.com/news/5d2ed7f9393e4ac85c4f0ec9/Anime-Site-Collaboration-Project-Vol-17-Production-I-G|title=Anime Site Collaboration Project Vol. 17: Production I.G|date=July 22, 2019|access-date=June 15, 2023|website=Tokyo Otaku Mode News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615162448/https://otakumode.com/news/5d2ed7f9393e4ac85c4f0ec9/Anime-Site-Collaboration-Project-Vol-17-Production-I-G|archive-date=June 15, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Takashi Nakamura]], [[Kōichi Mashimo]], Takayuki Goto (later Production I.G board member), [[Hiroyuki Okiura]] and [[Kazuchika Kise]] (later Production I.G board member) who were at Anime R and Mu in [[Osaka]] at the time, as well as Mizuho Nishikubo and Mamoru Oshii helped in the production. [[Kyoto Animation]] also participated in the production.<ref name="animeanime47064_1"/><ref name="TOMinterview" /> After ''Zillion'', he could have disbanded the team, but he sensed that everyone wanted to continue working together with this group, so he started I.G Tatsunoko.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/><ref name="jinzai-bank.net2"/> The company was formed by merging the ''Zillion'' production team and Studio Chime, which was run by Takayuki Goto, who designed its characters, with the cooperation of Kyoto Animation.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net2"/>
Animator [[Kazuchika Kise]] also joined the studio early on.<ref group="Web">{{cite news|url =https://www.productionig.com/contents/people/2005/11/studio_2_part_0.html|title =Studio 2 Part 01: Kazuchika Kise and the birth of Studio 2|website =Production I.G |access-date= May 30, 2024}}</ref> Hideaki Hatta, President and CEO of Kyoto Animation, who encouraged Ishikawa to become president, supported him in establishing the company and even invested in it.<ref name="animeanime47064_1"/> The company name "I.G" was named by Takayuki Goto, after the initials "I" of Ishikawa, the head of the production team, and "G" of Goto, the head of the animation studio. It was Ishikawa's idea to put Tatsunoko in the company name because he thought it would make it easier to get work and out of consideration for Tatsunoko, which had trained him.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net2"/><ref name="TOMinterview" /> The company name was changed to Production I.G in 1993.<ref name="animationbusiness13287"/><ref group="Web" name="history">{{cite web|url=https://www.production-ig.co.jp/company/history.html|publisher=Production I.G|script-title=ja:会社案内 - 沿革|language=ja|access-date=April 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426153520/https://www.production-ig.co.jp/company/history.html|archive-date=April 26, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Mitsuhisa Ishikawa - Lucca Comics & Games 2015.JPG|thumb|Founder [[Mitsuhisa Ishikawa]] in 2015]]

After becoming independent, I.G's work was mainly subcontracted to other studios for a while.<ref name="animeanime47064_2"/> Soon after becoming independent, I.G received an offer from [[Studio Deen]] to subcontract the production of Mamoru Oshii's ''[[Patlabor]]'' OVA and the movie, and with these hits, I.G solidified its position in the industry.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net2"/> However, Ishikawa began to feel dissatisfied with the fact that even though his company, a subcontractor, actually produced the works, it was only credited as a production partner in the end credits, while the name of the main contractor came to the forefront, and he also began to think that the studio would not be able to survive on low-budget subcontract work in the future.<ref name="animeanime47064_2"/> Ishikawa therefore founded Ing Co., Ltd. in 1990, a planning and production company that handles copyright business.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/> In the anime industry, studios cannot make a profit if they only subcontract production. Ishikawa therefore established Ing with the idea of earning income not only from anime production but also from copyrights, and the studio invested in its works.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/><ref name="animeanime47064_2"/> During his time at Tatsunoko Productions, Ishikawa had seen how the company generate revenue through the operation of the copyrights for original works, so he decided to follow suit.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/> However, he chose a name that was as unobtrusive as possible and not reminiscent of I.G, so as not to alarm the large companies that were already in the copyright business.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/> For ''Patlabor'', Production I.G was a subcontractor for the first film in 1989, but was promoted to prime company for the second film in 1993, and even invested in the film.<ref name="animeanime47064_2"/> After that, Ishikawa continued to use Ing as a company responsible for matters related to contracts and funding, and invested in I.G works under the Ing name. ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' was the only non-I.G studio's work that Ing invested in, and Ishikawa said that investing in this blockbuster work turned out to be a very good result for the studio.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/>

Production I.G produced the film ''Ghost in the Shell'', which was released in Japan in 1995. When this video was released in the U.S., it was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard magazine]]'s Sell Video category in 1996, and the studio became known as one of the top animation studios in the world, both in name and reality.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net2"/> The film would go on to spawn a ''Ghost in the Shell'' franchise that includes sequel and reboot films, television series, original video animation, and original net animation. Ishikawa says this work was the biggest turning point for the studio.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/> In Japanese anime production, manufacturers which are involved in the manufacturing, sale and distribution of [[video software]], [[Television station|television stations]], [[publishers]] and [[advertising agencies]] form a production committee, and animation studios generally join after the committee is formed. Since this would not be profitable enough for the studio, Ishikawa decided that the studio needed to move from being the one who was given permission to produce works to being the one who had the right to grant permission. He approached [[Kodansha]], the publisher of the original ''[[Ghost in the Shell (manga)|Ghost in the Shell]]'' manga, and obtained permission to produce three forms of production: an anime TV series, a movie, and a video game. Since Production I.G has a direct contract with Kodansha for the rights to produce anime adaptations from the original manga, it is able to take the initiative when forming the production committee, including the ability to issue usage licenses to each of the participating companies.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/><ref name="animeanime47064_2"/> This allows Production I.G to develop a wide range of ''Ghost in the Shell'' anime franchises, including animation TV series, games, and movies.<ref name="animeanime47064_2"/> Ishikawa's decision was successful and brought in a fairly large amount of money for Production I.G, and the studio subsequently expanded its activities.<ref name="animeanime47064_2"/> After that, Production I.G began to get involved in the copyright business and grew into a company that was not just a production company, but also an investor.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net2"/> In the 2004 film ''Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence'', Ishikawa took a major risk to change the scheme of the Japanese animation business.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net2"/> He planned to make Production I.G, which had become a prime contractor and could invest somewhat, but was still just an animation production company, cut into a client position previously dominated by TV stations, publishing companies, and advertising agencies.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net3">{{cite web |url=https://www.jinzai-bank.net/edit/info.cfm/tm/095/ |title=魂の仕事人 第25回 其の三 |trans-title=Soul Craftsman No. 25 Part 3 |last= |first= |date=September 3, 2007 |language=ja|website=Jinzai bank net |publisher=HR vision |access-date=May 30, 2024}}</ref> Traditionally, it has been common knowledge that once an animation studio produces and delivers a work and receives payment for it, its relationship with the work ends, and any further profits are monopolized by the publishing company, television station, or advertising agency that has invested in the work and holds the copyrights.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net3"/> Anime studios need a lot of money to continue to produce high-quality works and to pay their animators, directors, and other staff appropriately, but it was impossible to do so under such conditions. Therefore, Ishikawa decided to become an investor.<ref name="animeanime47064_2"/><ref name="jinzai-bank.net3"/> Ishikawa decided to produce ''Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence'' on the studio's own , rather than relying on the publisher or other companies in Japan. In order to obtain production financing from major Hollywood film companies, he and Director Oshii traveled to the U.S. with a screenplay and negotiated directly with them without going through a major Japanese advertising agency.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net3"/> Ishikawa narrowed down the list of negotiating partners to [[DreamWorks Pictures|DreamWorks]], [[Warner Bros.]], and [[20th century Fox]], and finally signed a contract with DreamWorks, founded by [[Steven Spielberg]], and succeeded in raising a huge amount of money and securing a promise of worldwide distribution.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net3"/> On the other hand, advertising and publicity in Japan was entrusted to [[Toshio Suzuki (producer)|Toshio Suzuki]], a producer at [[Studio Ghibli]].<ref name="jinzai-bank.net4">{{cite web |url=https://www.jinzai-bank.net/edit/info.cfm/tm/097/ |title=魂の仕事人 第25回 其の四 |trans-title=Soul Craftsman No. 25 Part 2 |last= |first= |date=September 10, 2007 |language=ja|website=Jinzai bank net |publisher=HR vision |access-date=May 30, 2024}}</ref> Suzuki's power made possible a large-scale advertising campaign that I.G. would not have been able to carry out alone, but it also created some difficulties.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net4"/> Ishikawa's strategy was to first work with a major global distributor to make ''Ghost in the Shell 2'' a hit in the U.S., where the first ''Ghost in the Shell'' video sold well, and then import it back to Japan, but Suzuki rejected this.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net4"/> He suggested that the film be a hit in Japan before the rest of the world and that the studio forget about the success of the previous film and make it not as a sequel but as a completely new film. As a result, the Japanese title was changed from ''Ghost in the Shell 2'' to ''Innocence''.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net4"/> Furthermore, most of the investors have changed from the original lineup.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net4"/> This was an unthinkable situation, and the project could have been scrapped, but Ishikawa was able to renegotiate the contract with his remarkable negotiating skills.<ref name="jinzai-bank.net4"/>

In May 1995, Production I.G established a subsidiary studio, [[Xebec (studio)|Xebec]].<ref group="Web" name="history"/> In 1997, Production I.G invested in [[Bee Train Production|Bee Train]], a studio founded by Kōichi Mashimo, and also established Production I.G.,LLC, an overseas subsidiary based in Los Angeles.<ref group="Web" name="history"/><ref>{{cite journal|last=Wong|first=Amos|title=Inside Bee Train|journal=[[Newtype USA]]|pages=8–15|date=March 2005}}</ref> The company co-developed and co-produced the television series IGPX, directed by [[Mitsuru Hongo]], with [[Cartoon Network]] in 2005. This was the first collaboration between an American cable network and a Japanese anime studio.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anime-pulse.com/2006/04/05/a-night-with-mitsuhisa-ishikawa/|title=A night with Mitsuhisa Ishikawa|date=April 5, 2006|access-date=October 22, 2007|author=Ichigo|website=Anime Pulse|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010012737/http://www.anime-pulse.com/2006/04/05/a-night-with-mitsuhisa-ishikawa/|archive-date=October 10, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>

Production I.G was recapitalized and became a [[joint-stock company]] from a limited company in April 1998, and merged with Ing in September 2000.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/><ref group="Web" name="history"/>

In 2000, Production I.G produced the movie ''Blood: The Last Vampire'', the first full-digital animation in Japan.<ref name="avwatch20090217"/> This was the first time for Production I.G to acquire the original rights to a work.<ref group="Web" name="history"/>

In the 2000s, Production I.G began to produce more TV series, especially those based on popular manga series published in magazines such as [[Weekly Shōnen Jump|Shōnen Jump]].<ref name="animeanime47064_2"/>
This was the result of Ishikawa's focus on creating a business scheme and leaving the animation production site to younger staff and producers, giving priority to their wishes.<ref name="animeanime47064_2"/>

In 2004, Bee Train acquired the shares held by Production I.G and ceased to be an equity method affiliate of Production I.G. Mitsuhisa Ishikawa also resigned from Bee Train's board.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-02-10/errata-bee-train-no-longer-subsidiary-of-i.g |title=Errata: Bee Train No Longer Subsidiary of I.G |website=[[Anime News Network]] |date=February 10, 2006 |access-date=October 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2005, Production I.G. Inc. went public on the [[JASDAQ]] stock exchange.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/><ref name="animationbusiness13287"/> With the funds raised through the [[IPO]], Production I.G founded a new studio capable of producing the latest [[3D computer graphics|3DCG]] animation at the time, and co-founded FILM LIP, a studio capable of digital editing, with [[Fuji Television]].<ref name="jinzai-bank.net4"/>

In 2007, Production I.G, Inc. changed its trade name to IG Port Inc. and at the same time established a new subsidiary under the name Production I.G. Inc.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/><ref group="Web" name="history"/>
The company name and its function as an anime studio were taken over by the subsidiary, and the listing was maintained under the name IG Port.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/> Mitsuhisa Ishikawa was also the representative director of Production I.G and IG Port.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/> In the same year, IG Port acquired Mag Garden, a publisher specializing in comics, which publishes the [[monthly Comic Blade]], as a subsidiary.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/><ref name="merg1">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-07-05/production-i.g-announces-mag-garden-merger|last=Loo|first=Egan|date=July 5, 2007|title=Production I.G Announces Mag Garden Merger|access-date=October 22, 2007|website=[[Anime News Network]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009114202/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-07-05/production-i.g-announces-mag-garden-merger|archive-date=October 9, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> The norm in the animation industry is for anime studios to obtain permission from major publishers such as [[Shueisha]], Kodansha, [[Shogakukan]], and [[Kadokawa Shoten|Kadokawa]] to adapt popular manga into anime, and then produce anime adaptations based on the original manga.<ref name="natalie559014_1"/> Because of this, none of the animation studios wanted to have a publishing division, but Mag Garden was the perfect publisher for Production I.G to add to its group because it was not large enough to make those major publishers wary or hostile.

[[File:Mamoru Oshii - Lucca Comics & Games 2015.JPG|thumb|Frequent collaborator [[Mamoru Oshii]] in 2015]]

In September 2010, Production I.G moved its headquarters to [[Musashino, Tokyo]].<ref group="Web" name="history"/>

In 2010, IG Port acquired an 11.2% stake in Tatsunoko Production and Mitsuhisa Ishikawa became a non-executive director of the company.<ref name="animeanime2010060203">{{cite web |url= https://www.animeanime.biz/all/2010060203/ |title= IG タツノコプロの株式一部取得 タカラトミーと連携も|trans-title=IG acquires some shares of Tatsunoko Productions and collaborates with Takara Tomy|last= Sudo |first=Tadashi |date=June 2, 2010 |language=ja|website= Anime!Anime!Biz|publisher= iid |access-date=May 30, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110102095645/https://www.animeanime.biz/all/2010060203/ |archive-date=January 2, 2011 }}</ref>

On June 1, 2012, [[Wit Studio]], I.G's subsidiary animation studio, was founded, with the studio's first project being ''[[Attack on Titan (TV series)|Attack on Titan]]'', which I.G assisted in producing.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://animeanime.jp/article/2019/02/16/43459.html|title=「進撃」「カバネリ」WIT STUDIO取締役が明かす、ハイクオリティなアニメをつくり続ける秘訣【インタビュー】|trans-title= "Attack on Titan" and "Kabaneri" Director of WIT STUDIO reveals the secret to continuing to create high-quality anime [Interview]|last= |first= |date= February 16, 2019|language=ja|website= Anime!Anime!|publisher= iid |access-date=May 30, 2024|archive-url= |archive-date= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNTtS37Lzqc|title= Breaking Down Attack on Titan's (All Seasons) Incredible Animation - Animator Spotlight|website= [[YouTube]]|author= May, Callum|date= March 21, 2021|access-date= March 21, 2021}}</ref><!--Note: TheCanipaEffect (Callum May) is an occasional ANN writer/reviewer and OTAQUEST producer/editor; his personal videos, thus, meet reliable source guidelines.--> IG Port invested 66.6%, while George Wada and Tetsuya Nakatake who were in the planning section of Production I.G invested 21.6% and 10.0%, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gamebiz.jp/news/57989 |title=IGポート、アニメ制作子会社ウィットスタジオを設立 |trans-title=IG Port establishes anime production subsidiary Wit Studio |last= |first= |author-link=|page=|language=ja|date=April 20, 2012 |access-date=May 30, 2024 |website= |publisher= Social Game Info |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912123646/http://gamebiz.jp/?p=57989 |archive-date=September 12, 2014 }}</ref>

In 2017, IG Port created Lingua Franca, an electronic distribution service company, as a wholly owned subsidiary, with Kyohei Shinpuku{{efn|He was the editor of hit manga at Mag Garden, including ''[[The Ancient Magus' Bride]]'' and ''[[The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún]]''.}} as its president.

On June 5, 2017, Production I.G launched Tate Anime (vertical anime), an anime distribution app optimized for viewing on smartphones.<ref name="animeanime38061">{{cite web |url=https://animeanime.jp/article/2018/06/08/38061.html |title=「タテアニメ」が「アニメビーンズ」へ全面リニューアル "待つと全話無料"のアニメ配信アプリ|trans-title="Vertical Anime" has been completely renewed to "Anime Beans" Anime distribution app where "all episodes are free if you wait" |page=1|last= |first= |date=June 8, 2018 |language=ja|website= Anime! Anime! |publisher= iid |access-date=May 30, 2024}}</ref> It was completely renewed in 2018 and replaced with a new app, Anime Beans, with expanded functions, including the ability to deliver Yoko anime (horizontal anime), and more content available for viewing.<ref name="animeanime38061"/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Pineda|first1=Rafael Antonio|title=Production I.G's 'Vertical Anime' App Reveals Promo Video, June 5 Launch Date|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-06-03/production-i.g-vertical-anime-app-reveals-promo-video-june-5-launch-date/.116937|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 29, 2022|date=June 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Jennifer|last=Sherman|title=Amidamuku's Meshi Numa. Manga Gets Anime in New App|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-05-18/amidamuku-meshi-numa-manga-gets-anime-in-new-app/.131743|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 29, 2022|date=May 18, 2018}}</ref> The service was launched on December 18 worldwide except for [[China]].<ref name="animeanime38061"/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Pineda|first1=Rafael Antonio|title=Production I.G's Anime Beans App Starts Streaming Anime Globally|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-12-17/production-i.g-anime-beans-app-starts-streaming-anime-globally/.140895|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 29, 2022|date=December 17, 2018}}</ref> The app ended service on March 31, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pineda |first1=Rafael Antonio|title=Production I.G's Anime Beans Streaming App Ends Service on March 31|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-01-31/production-i.g-anime-beans-streaming-app-ends-service-on-march-31/.194367|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=April 30, 2023|date=January 31, 2023}}</ref>

In 2018, Production I.G and Wit Studio entered into a comprehensive business partnership with [[Netflix, Inc.|Netflix]] for anime productions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1104049.html |title=NetflixがプロダクションIG、ボンズと業務提携。制作したアニメを190カ国へ配信|trans-title=Netflix partners with Production IG and Bones to distribute animated works produced by them to 190 countries|last=Yamazaki |first=Kentaro |author-link=|page=|language=ja |date=January 31, 2018 |access-date=May 30, 2024 |website=AV Watch |publisher= Impress Corporation }}</ref>

On November 20, 2018, IG Port sold Xebec to [[Sunrise (company)|Sunrise]]. Prior to that, Xebeczwei, a subsidiary of Xebec, was transferred to Production I.G on January 12, 2018, becoming a subsidiary and changing its name to IGzwei accordingly.<ref name="xebec">{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-01-12/fafner-production-stays-with-ig-port-as-xebeczwei-studio-is-renamed/.141813|title=Fafner Production Stays With IG Port as XEBECzwei Studio Is Renamed|date= January 12, 2018|website=[[AnimeNewsNetwork]]|last=Loo|first=Egan|access-date= January 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607215304/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-01-12/fafner-production-stays-with-ig-port-as-xebeczwei-studio-is-renamed/.141813|archive-date=June 7, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

On August 30, 2022, George Wada, who founded Wit Studio, was promoted from Executive Vice President of Production I.G to CEO, while Ishikawa resigned as CEO to become Chairman.<ref name="animationbusiness13287"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/column/559014 |title=アニメスタジオクロニクル No.11 Production I.G 石川光久 (代表取締役会長) (2) |trans-title=Anime Studio Chronicle No.11 Production I.G Mitsuhisa Ishikawa (Representative Director and Chairman) (2) |page=2 |last= |first= |date=February 20, 2024 |language=ja|website=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |publisher=Natasha |access-date=May 30, 2024}}</ref>
Wada also continued to serve as president of Wit Studio.<ref name="animationbusiness13287"/><ref group="Web">{{Cite web|url=https://www.productionig.com/contents/about_us/02_/index.html |last= |first= |title=FROM THE PRESIDENT |trans-title= |language= |page= |date= |access-date=May 15, 2024|website= |publisher = Production I.G }}</ref>