Studio Trigger
Trigger, Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社トリガー, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Torigā), also known as Studio Trigger, is a Japanese animation studio founded by former Gainax employees Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Ōtsuka in 2011. It has produced anime works including Kill la Kill (2013), Little Witch Academia (short films, 2013 and 2015; TV series, 2017), Promare (2019), BNA: Brand New Animal (2020), Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022), and Delicious in Dungeon (2024), as well as the animated continuations of Gridman the Hyper Agent: SSSS.Gridman (2018), SSSS.Dynazenon (2021), and Gridman Universe (2023).
 | |
Native name | 株式会社トリガー |
|---|---|
Romanized name | Kabushiki-gaisha Torigā |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Anime |
| Predecessor | Gainax |
| Founded | August 22, 2011 |
| Founders | Hiroyuki Imaishi Masahiko Ōtsuka |
| Headquarters | Kichijōji, , Japan[1] |
Key people | |
| Parent | Ultra Super Pictures |
| Subsidiaries | Trigger Dōga-bu (2013) |
| Website | www.st-trigger.co.jp  |
Trigger, Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社トリガー, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Torigā), also known as Studio Trigger, is a Japanese animation studio founded by former Gainax employees Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Ōtsuka in 2011. It has produced anime works including Kill la Kill (2013), Little Witch Academia (short films, 2013 and 2015; TV series, 2017), Promare (2019), BNA: Brand New Animal (2020), Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022), and Delicious in Dungeon (2024), as well as the animated continuations of Gridman the Hyper Agent: SSSS.Gridman (2018), SSSS.Dynazenon (2021), and Gridman Universe (2023).
History
[edit]Studio Trigger was founded by former Gainax employee Hiroyuki Imaishi, following his success with Gurren Lagann (2007). This led to the creation of Studio Trigger, with Gurren Lagann's visual humor and style defining the studio's work, and Trigger being seen as a successor to Gainax.[2][3]
Studio Trigger was established on August 22, 2011,[4][5] by Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Ōtsuka[6] shortly after leaving Gainax.[7] The studio name and official website was revealed in October 2011.[8] The first animation they released was for the game Project X Zone.[9] Along with assisting production on various series, Trigger released a short film, Little Witch Academia,[10] and developed its first original anime television series, Kill la Kill, which aired from October 2013 to March 2014.[11][12] On July 8, 2013, Trigger launched a Kickstarter project in order to fund a second episode of Little Witch Academia. The project was well received and achieved its goal of $150,000 in under five hours, and went on to raise a total of $625,518.[13]
Studio Trigger, along with studios Sanzigen and Ordet, formed the joint holding company Ultra Super Pictures in 2011.[14]
In 2018, Studio Trigger created a Patreon with the goal of acquiring necessary funding for projects and merchandise. As of February 2025, Studio Trigger's Patreon offers two support tiers for patrons (US$1/month and US$5/month), has over 6000 members, and raises over US$3,000 per month.[15]
In 2023, Trigger announced it had acquired the rights to Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt and Gurren Lagann, and announced a follow-up series for Panty & Stocking and a North American re-screening of both Gurren Lagann movies.[16][17]
Productions
[edit]Anime television series
[edit]| Year | Title | Network | Director(s) | Eps. | Note(s) | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2014 | Kill la Kill | MBS | Hiroyuki Imaishi | 24 +OVA |
Original work. | [18] |
| 2014 | When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace | TV Tokyo | Masahiko Ōtsuka (chief) Masanori Takahashi |
12 | Based on a light novel by Kōta Nozomi. | [19] |
| 2016 | Space Patrol Luluco | AT-X | Hiroyuki Imaishi | 13 | Original work. | [20] |
| Kiznaiver | BS11 | Hiroshi Kobayashi | 12 | Original work. | [21] | |
| 2017 | Little Witch Academia | Tokyo MX | Yoh Yoshinari | 25 | Based on Trigger's short film of the same name. Released on Netflix. | [22] |
| 2018 | Darling in the Franxx | Tokyo MX | Atsushi Nishigori | 24 | Original work. Co-production with CloverWorks and A-1 Pictures. |
[23] |
| SSSS.Gridman | WOWOW | Akira Amemiya | 12 | Based on the tokusatsu series Gridman the Hyper Agent by Tsuburaya Productions. | [24] | |
| 2020 | BNA: Brand New Animal | +Ultra | Yoh Yoshinari | 12 | Original work. | [25] |
| 2021 | SSSS.Dynazenon | Tokyo MX | Akira Amemiya | 12 | Studio's 10th anniversary project. Related to SSSS.Gridman. |
[26] |
| 2024–present | Delicious in Dungeon | Tokyo MX | Yoshihiro Miyajima | 24+ | Based on a manga by Ryoko Kui. | [27] [28] |
| 2025 | New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt | Tokyo MX / AT-X / BS NTV | Hiroyuki Imaishi | 13 | Second season revival based on the original series by predecessor studio Gainax. Released on Amazon Prime Video. | [29] |
Anime films
[edit]| Year | Title | Director(s) | Dur. | Note(s) | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Little Witch Academia | Yoh Yoshinari | 30m | Original work. Produced for Anime Mirai 2013. |
[10] |
| 2015 | Little Witch Academia: The Enchanted Parade | 55m | Original work. Sequel to the first Little Witch Academia film. |
[30] | |
| 2019 | Promare | Hiroyuki Imaishi | 115m | Original work. CG animation produced by Sanzigen. |
[31] |
| 2023 | Gridman Universe | Akira Amemiya | 118m | Crossover between SSSS.Gridman and SSSS.Dynazenon. | [32] |
Original net animations
[edit]| Year | Title | Director(s) | Eps. | Note(s) | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–2013 | Inferno Cop | Akira Amemiya | 13 | Original work. Released on YouTube. |
[33] |
| 2013 | Turning Girls | Masahiko Ōtsuka Ren Shimorenjaku |
7 | Original work. Released on YouTube. |
[34] |
| 2015 | Japan Animator Expo | Akira Amemiya (#9) Yasuhiro Yoshiura (#11, #29) Hiroyuki Imaishi (#14) |
N/a | Four shorts: Electronic Superhuman Gridman: Boys Invent Great Hero (#9; based on Gridman the Hyper Agent),[35] Power Plant No. 33 (#11; co-produced with Studio Rikka),[36] Sex & Violence with Machspeed (#14),[37] and Bureau of Proto Society (#29; co-produced with Studio Rikka).[38] | |
| Ninja Slayer From Animation | Akira Amemiya | 26 | Based on the novel series by Bradley Bond and Philip "Ninj@" Morzez. Released on Niconico. |
[39] | |
| 2021 | Star Wars: Visions Volume 1 | Hiroyuki Imaishi (#3) Masahiko Otsuka (#7) |
N/a | Episodes #3 ("The Twins") and #7 ("The Elder"). Co-production with Lucasfilm, released on Disney+. |
[40][41] |
| 2022 | Cyberpunk: Edgerunners | Hiroyuki Imaishi | 10 | Based on the video game Cyberpunk 2077 published by CD Projekt. Co-production with CD Projekt, released on Netflix. |
[42] |
| 2025 | Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 | Masahiko Otsukap | N/a | Episode #7 ("The Smuggler"). Co-production with Lucasfilm, released on Disney+. |
|
| 2025 | The Lenticulars | Akira Amemiya | 8+ | Original work. Released on YouTube. |
[43] |
| TBA | Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 | Kai Ikarashi | TBA | Sequel to Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Co-production with CD Projekt. |
[44] |
Other productions
[edit]- Project X Zone (2012; game) – Opening animation production[45]
- Yonhyakunijuu Renpai Girl (2013; PV) – Promotional video for light novel published by Enterbrain[46]
- Hacka Doll (2014; PV) – Promotional videos for mobile news app by DeNA[47]
- Bishoujo Mobage: Mobami-chan (2014; PV) – Promotional video for mobile game by DeNA[48]
- Black Dynamite (2014; TV) – Season 2 opening animation production; co-production with Sanzigen[49]
- Hacka Doll the Animation (2015; TV) – Animation assistance[50]
- Battlesaurs (2015; OVA) – Opening animation production[51]
- Chunithm (2015; MV) – Music video animation production[52]
- Fire Emblem Fates (2015; game) – Live2D illustrations[53][54]
- Hyoketsu (2016; CM) – TV commercial animation production for beverage by Kirin Company[55]
- Steven Universe (2016; TV) – Animation production assistance for S4E4, "Mindful Education"[56][57]
- OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes (2017; TV) – Opening animation production[58]
- Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time (2017; game) – Cutscene animation production[59]
- Kill la Kill: The Game: IF (2019; game) – Development supervision[60]
- Shantae and the Seven Sirens (2019; game) – Opening animation production[61]
- Delicious in Dungeon (2019; PV) – Promotional video for manga published by Enterbrain[62]
- Indivisible (2019; game) – Opening animation production; co-produced with Titmouse, Inc.[63]
- Idolish7 (2020; MV) – Music video animation production[64]
- Marble Knights (2020-23; game) – Opening animation production[65]
- Metallic Child (2021; PV) – Promotional video for video game published by Crest[66]
- Omega Strikers (2023; PV) – Promotional video for video game published by Odyssey Interactive[67]
- "Chocolat Cadabra" (2024; MV) – Music video animation production[68]
- Transformers 40th Anniversary Special Movie (2024; PV) - Promotional video for the 40th anniversary of the Transformers media franchise by Takara Tomy and Hasbro, with assistance from Production I.G., Madhouse, Studio Colorido, Studio Kai and Production +h[69]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "RECRUIT - TRIGGER Inc". Retrieved February 11, 2014.
- ^ Qu, Hans (June 20, 2019). "'Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann' and Taking Up the 'Evangelion' Torch". Film School Rejects. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
- ^ "The 50 Best Anime Series of All Time". Paste Magazine. October 3, 2018. Archived from the original on December 23, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
- ^ "ABOUT 会社概要 | 株式会社トリガー | ANIMATION STUDIO TRIGGER Inc" (in Japanese). January 21, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ "Hiroyuki Imaishi's New Studio's Name, Website Revealed". Anime News Network. February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ "Masahiko Ōtsuka". IMDB. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Animator: Gurren Lagann Helmer Imaishi Establishes Studio". Anime News Network. October 6, 2011. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
- ^ "Hiroyuki Imaishi's New Studio Name, Website Revealed". Anime News Network. July 10, 2011. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
- ^ Loo, Egan (July 25, 2012). "Studio Trigger, Evangelion's Yoko Takahashi Work on Project X Zone Opening". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
- ^ a b "Gonzo, Trigger, Pierrot, Madhouse Make Anime Mirai 2013". Anime News Network. June 6, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
- ^ "Studio Trigger's 1st TV Series Teaser Streamed". Anime News Network. February 9, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
- ^ "Kill La Kill Anime Reunites Gurren Lagann Director, Writer". Anime News Network. May 8, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
- ^ "Little Witch Academia 2". Kickstarter. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
- ^ "Sanzigen, Ordet, Trigger Form Ultra Super Pictures Holding Firm". Anime News Network. November 27, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ "Studio TRIGGER is creating Animation and Illustration". Patreon. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 1, 2023). "Trigger Unveils Announcement Video for New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt Anime Project". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^ Mateo, Alex; Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 1, 2023). "Studio Trigger to Re-Screen 2 Gurren Lagann Films in Japan, N. America, Taiwan in This Year". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ Sherman, Jennifer (September 6, 2013). "Kill la Kill Anime's Full Main Cast Revealed". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
- ^ Cardine, Kyle. "Inō Battle with Everyday Life Anime's Cast, Staff Announced". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn. "Hiroyuki Imaishi's Uchū Patrol Luluco TV Anime Reveals Cast, Characters, Staff, Story". Anime News Network.
- ^ Sherman, Jennifer. "Kiznaiver TV Anime's Ad Introduces Cast, Staff". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio. "Little Witch Academia TV Anime Reveals January Debut & Returning Cast, Staff". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
- ^ Sherman, Jennifer. "Studio Trigger, A-1 Pictures' DARLING in the FRANKXX Anime Reveals Video, Visual, Staff". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
- ^ Loo, Egan. "Trigger Reveals SSSS.Gridman Anime's Cast, Staff, Fall TV Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn. "Yoh Yoshinari, Trigger's BNA: Brand New Animal Anime Reveals Cast, Visual, Story, April 2020 Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
- ^ "Trigger, Tsuburaya Productions Announce New Gridman Anime, SSSS.Dynazenon". ComicBook. December 14, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- ^ "Delicious in Dungeon Anime's Teaser Trailer Reveals Main Cast, More Staff, January 2024 Debut". Anime News Network. May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ Cayanan, Joanna (June 13, 2024). "Delicious in Dungeon Anime Gets 2nd Season". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ "New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt Anime to Air in 2025". Anime News Network. July 4, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
- ^ "Trigger's Little Witch Academia 2 Meets Kickstarter Goal". Anime News Network. July 9, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- ^ "1st Promo Video for Trigger, XFlag's Promare Anime Reveals Theatrical Release in 2019". Anime News Network. October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
- ^ "Gridman Universe Anime Film Unveils Visual, Returning Cast, 2023 Premiere". Anime News Network. August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
- ^ "Studio Trigger's 1st Inferno Cop Short Streamed". Anime News Network. December 25, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
- ^ Minto, Evan; Estrella, David (July 9, 2015). "Interview: Studio Trigger on Inferno Cop, Turning Girls, and Kill la Kill". Ani-Gamers. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ "9th Animator Expo Short 'Gridman' Streamed". Anime News Network. January 18, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ "11th Animator Expo Short Power Plant No.33 Streamed". Anime News Network. January 30, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ "14th Animator Expo Short 'Sex and Violence with Mach Speed' Streamed". Anime News Network. March 19, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ "Japan Animator Expo Streams Yasuhiro Yoshiura's 'Bureau of Proto Society' Short". Anime News Network. August 28, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ "Ninja Slayer Novels' Online English Release, English-Dubbed Trailer Unveiled". Anime News Network. April 10, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
- ^ DiscussingFilm [@DiscussingFilm] (July 3, 2021). "From Studio Trigger, 'THE ELDER' follows a Master and Padawan who encounter an unknown enemy. The short film marks director Masahiko Otsuka's final work. #StarWarsVisions https://t.co/txIwlcj4QH" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 3, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ DiscussingFilm [@DiscussingFilm] (July 3, 2021). "From Studio Trigger, 'THE TWINS', the story of a brother & sister relationship inspired by Luke & Leia but one struggles with the Dark Side. #StarWarsVisions https://t.co/hPJqgyPrtp" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 4, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Netflix, CD Projekt Red, and Studio Trigger Come Together For Global Anime Cyperpunk: Edgerunners". Netflix Media Center. June 25, 2020.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (October 31, 2025). "Studio Trigger Reveals The Lenticulars Web Anime Shorts". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
- ^ Romano, Sal (July 4, 2025). "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners II anime announced". Gematsu. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ^ Loo, Egan (July 25, 2012). "Studio Trigger, Evangelion's Yoko Takahashi Work on Project X Zone Opening". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
- ^ Loo, Egan (January 25, 2013). "Trigger Makes Anime Promo for Enterbrain's Winning Novel". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 16, 2014). "Studio Trigger Makes Promo Anime for DeNA's Hacka Doll News App". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
- ^ Nelkin, Sarah (August 16, 2014). "Trigger Animates Promo For DeNA's Line of Bishōjo Social Games". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
- ^ Green, Scott (September 10, 2014). ""Kill La Kill" Director Helms "Black Dynamite" Opening". Crunchyroll. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (May 3, 2015). "DeNA's Hacka Doll News App Inspires TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ^ "Studio Trigger Animates Extra For Toy Story That Time Forgot Home Video Release". Anime News Network. November 7, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (July 20, 2015). "Trigger Animates Music Video for Sega's Chunithm Rhythm Game". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
- ^ "Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright Credits". MobyGames. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest Credits". MobyGames. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (August 2, 2016). "Studio Trigger Fukuoka Animates Kirin Beer Ad". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
- ^ Hori, Takafumi (August 25, 2016). "New episode of Steven Universe this Thursday..." Tumblr. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 25, 2016). "Studio Trigger Animator Takafumi Hori Works on Latest Episode of Steven Universe Animated Series". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ Trumbore, Dave (August 1, 2017). "'OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes' Creator Ian Jones-Quartey on His Robot-Punching Protagonist". Collider. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ Romano, Sal (November 2, 2017). "Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time details Trigger-produced anime scenes, character strengthening, more". Gematsu. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ Sanchez, Miranda (May 30, 2019). "How Kill la Kill Went from Anime to Game". IGN. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ Doolan, Liam (July 2, 2019). "Studio Trigger Is Handling The Opening Animation For Shantae 5". Nintendo Life. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (September 5, 2019). "Delicious in Dungeon Manga Gets Tasty 30-Second Anime Ad by TRIGGER". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
- ^ McWhertor, Michael (December 6, 2016). "Skullgirls developer teams up with anime studio Trigger for Indivisible". Polygon. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
- ^ Komatsu, Mikikazu (January 28, 2020). "TRIGGER-Animated "IDOLiSH7" Idol Group TRIGGER's New MV "Crescent rise" Streamed". Crunchyroll. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- ^ Lada, Jenni (April 12, 2021). "Here's the Studio Trigger Marble Knights Opening". Siliconera. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ Alex Mateo (July 7, 2021). "Studio Trigger Animates Trailer for Metallic Child Game". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael (April 21, 2023). "Studio Trigger Animates Trailer for Omega Strikers Game". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
- ^ Harding, Daryl (January 31, 2024). "Ado Releases 'Chocolat Cadabra' Full Length Studio TRIGGER-Animated Music Video". Crunchyroll. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ "Transformers 40th Anniversary Special Video by Studio Trigger, Full Reveal!". TFW2005 (Transformer World 2005). September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Studio Trigger.
- Official website (in Japanese)
- Trigger Inc. on Twitter (in Japanese)
- Studio Trigger at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Trigger Fukuoka at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
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