GONZO KK
Native name
株式会社ゴンゾ
Kabushiki-gaisha Gonzo
TypePrivate KK -- subsidiary of ADK Holdings
IndustryAnimation studio, planning and production
FoundedFebruary 22, 2000 (2000-02-22)
FounderMahiro Maeda
Shinji Higuchi
Shouji Murahama
Hiroshi Yamaguchi
HeadquartersNaritahigashi, Suginami, Tokyo
Key people
Shinichiro Ishikawa (President and CEO)
Number of employees
12 (as of August 1, 2019)[1]
ParentADK Marketing Solutions (ADK Holdings) (84.1%)
SubsidiariesGonzino[2]
Okinawa Gonzo (2012–2019)
Websitewww.gonzo.co.jp

Gonzo K.K. (Japanese: 株式会社ゴンゾ, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Gonzo) (formerly GDH K.K.) is a Japanese anime studio owned by ADK that was established on February 22, 2000. Gonzo is a member of The Association of Japanese Animations. The company's predecessor Gonzo Inc. was established on February 11, 1992, by former Gainax staff members, but was later absorbed into its parent company, GDH K.K. on April 1, 2009, and it would assume the Gonzo trade name for itself.

Gonzo has not released a major animation project since 2020, with Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle being the studio's latest major work.

History

  • September 1992: Gonzo Inc. established by former Gainax members.
  • May 1996: Digimation K.K. established.
  • May 1999: Gonzo Inc. changed its company name to Gonzo K.K.
  • February 2000: GDH established.
  • May 2000: Creators.com K.K. established.
  • April 2002: Gonzo K.K. and Digimation K.K. merge; the combined company is renamed Gonzo Digimation K.K.
  • November 2003: Future Vision Music K.K. established.
  • July 2004: Gonzo Digimation K.K. changed its company name to GONZO K.K.; Creators.com K.K. changed its name to G-creators K.K.; Gonzo Digimation Holding changed its company name to GDH K.K.
  • July 2005: Gonzino K.K. established.
  • September 2005: Warp Gate Online K.K. becomes subsidiary.
  • December 2005: GDH Capital K.K. established and Warp Gate Online K.K. changed its company name to Gonzo Rosso Online K.K.
  • February 2006: GK Entertainment established.
  • April 2009: GDH K.K. merged with its subsidiary, Gonzo K.K., and changed its name to Gonzo K.K.
  • June 2019: Gonzo transfers some of the properties to Studio Kai.
  • November 2019: Okinawa Gonzo was dissolved.[3]
  • March 2020: It was revealed that the company planned to execute a reverse stock split. If approved, it would reduce the number of issued shares from 38,800 down to 24, making the company a wholly owned subsidiary of ADK in the process. After making Gonzo into an wholly owned subsidiary of ADK, it will transfer all of its shares in the company to Shinichiro Ishikawa.[4][5]

Financial issues

The studio had a financial problem in their closing account in the 2008–2009 term and stated its deficit was estimated over US$30 million. The Tokyo Stock Exchange announced that on July 30, 2009, Gonzo would be delisted from the exchange. This delisting is the conclusion of a notification made to investors in March 2008 that the studio's financial liabilities exceeded its total financial assets. Since Gonzo was unable to reverse this, paperwork for delisting was filed at the end of June.[6]

The studio is still able to operate, and its parent company GDH has absorbed it in an effort to consolidate management. The combined company now simply refers to itself as Gonzo.[7] By April 2009, the merger was complete.

As part of the restructuring, GDH also sold the Gonzo Rosso game development subsidiary, GDH Capital financing subsidiary, and remaining shares of Tablier Communications initially acquired in March 2006.[8] Gonzo Rosso K.K. was sold to Chushou service kikou kabushikigaisha (division of Incubator Bank of Japan, Limited) on March 31, 2009.[9]

Since this deficit, Gonzo has started to post better earnings due to the release of titles such as Rosario + Vampire to western online streaming services such as Netflix. The marketing of these products to western audiences has returned Gonzo to financial stability, and Gonzo posted higher than expected profit margins in the April–September 2012 period.[10]

Works

TV series

TitleFirst run start dateFirst run end dateEpsNotes
Gate Keepers April 3, 2000 September 18, 2000 24 Based on a game by Kadokawa.
Vandread October 3, 2000 December 26, 2000 13 Based on the light novels.
Samurai Girl: Real Bout High School July 30, 2001 October 22, 2001 13 Based on a light novel by Reiji Saiga.
Final Fantasy: Unlimited October 2, 2001 March 26, 2002 25 Based on Square Enix's Final Fantasy franchise.
Hellsing October 10, 2001 January 16, 2002 13 Based on a manga by Kouta Hirano.
Vandread the Second Stage October 5, 2001 December 28, 2001 13 Second season of Vandread.
Full Metal Panic! January 8, 2002 June 18, 2002 24 Based on a light novel by Shoji Gatoh.
Saikano July 2, 2002 September 24, 2002 13 Based on a manga by Shin Takahashi.
Kiddy Grade October 8, 2002 March 18, 2003 24 Original work.
Gravion October 7, 2002 December 16, 2002 13 Original work.
Kaleido Star April 4, 2003 March 27, 2004 51 Original work.
Last Exile April 7, 2003 September 28, 2003 26 Original work.
Gad Guard April 17, 2003 December 30, 2003 26 Original work.
In collaboration with Amber Film Works.
Peacemaker Kurogane October 7, 2003 March 24, 2004 24 Based on a manga by Nanae Chrono.
Chrono Crusade November 24, 2003 June 10, 2004 24 Based on a manga by Daisuke Moriyama.
Gravion Zwei January 8, 2004 March 25, 2004 12 Second season of Gravion.
Gantz April 12, 2004 November 18, 2004 26 Based on a manga by Hiroya Oku.
Burst Angel (Bakuretsu Tenshi) April 6, 2004 September 14, 2004 24 Original work.
Samurai 7 June 12, 2004 December 25, 2004 26 Based on a movie by Akira Kurosawa.
Desert Punk (Sunabouzu) October 4, 2004 March 28, 2005 24 Based on a manga by Usune Masatoshi.
Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo October 5, 2004 March 29, 2005 24 Based on a novel by Alexandre Dumas.
Basilisk April 12, 2005 September 20, 2005 24 Based on a manga by Masaki Segawa.
Speed Grapher April 7, 2005 September 29, 2005 24 Original work.
Trinity Blood April 28, 2005 October 6, 2005 24 Based on a light novel by Sunao Yoshida.
Transformers: Galaxy Force/Cybertron January 8, 2005 (Japan)
July 2, 2005 (USA)		 December 31, 2005 (Japan)
October 2, 2006 (USA)		 52 Co-produced by Hasbro and Takara, in collaboration with Sunwoo Entertainment.
G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 September 10, 2005 (USA) October 28, 2006 (USA) 26 Co-produced by Hasbro
SoltyRei October 6, 2005 March 30, 2006 24 Original work.
In collaboration with AIC.
Black Cat October 6, 2005 March 30, 2006 24 Based on a manga by Kentaro Yabuki.
Glass Fleet April 4, 2006 September 21, 2006 26 Original work.
Witchblade April 16, 2006 September 20, 2006 24 Based on the comic of the same name.
Welcome to the N.H.K. July 9, 2006 December 17, 2006 24 Based on a novel by Tatsuhiko Takimoto.
Marginal Prince October 1, 2006 December 24, 2006 13 Based on a dating simulation mobile game by NTT Docomo.
In collaboration with Tokyo Kids and Studio T&B.
Red Garden October 3, 2006 March 13, 2007 22 Based on a manga by Kirihito Ayamura.
Pumpkin Scissors October 2, 2006 March 19, 2007 24 Based on a manga by Ryotary Iwanaga.
In collaboration with AIC.
Master of Epic: The Animation Age January 8, 2007 March 26, 2007 12 Based on an MMORPG by Konami.
In collaboration with Palm Studio.
Afro Samurai January 4, 2007 February 1, 2007 5 Based on a manga by Takashi Okazaki.
Co-produced by Paramount Network Originals.
Getsumento Heiki Mina January 13, 2007 March 24, 2007 11 Original work.
Romeo × Juliet April 4, 2007 September 26, 2007 24 Based on a play by William Shakespeare.
Bokurano April 8, 2007 September 25, 2007 24 Based on a manga by Mohiro Kitoh.
Kaze no Stigma April 21, 2007 September 21, 2007 24 Based on a light novel by Takahiro Yamato.
My Bride Is a Mermaid April 1, 2007 September 30, 2007 26 Based on a manga by Tahiko Kimura.
In collaboration with AIC.
Dragonaut: The Resonance March 3, 2007 March 26, 2008 25 Original work.
Rosario + Vampire January 3, 2008 March 27, 2008 13 Based on a manga by Akihisa Ikeda.[11]
The Tower of Druaga: the Aegis of Uruk April 1, 2008 June 20, 2008 12 Based on a game by Namco.
S · A: Special A April 6, 2008 September 14, 2008 24 Based on a manga by Maki Minami.
In collaboration with AIC.
Blassreiter April 5, 2008 September 27, 2008 24 Original work.
Strike Witches July 3, 2008 September 18, 2008 12 Based on a manga by Yoshiyuki Kazumi
Rosario + Vampire Capu2.. October 2, 2008 December 24, 2008 13 Based on a manga by Akihisa Ikeda, sequel to Rosario + Vampire.[11]
Linebarrels of Iron October 3, 2008 March 20, 2009 24 Based on a manga by Eiichi Shimizu.
The Tower of Druaga: the Sword of Uruk January 8, 2009 March 26, 2009 12 Based on a game by Namco, sequel to The Tower of Druaga: The Aegis of Uruk.
Saki April 6, 2009 September 28, 2009 25 Based on a manga by Ritz Kobayashi.
Shangri-La April 6, 2009 September 14, 2009 24 Based on a manga by Eiichi Ikegami.
Nyanpire July 6, 2011 September 21, 2011 12 Based on a manga by yukiusa.
Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing October 15, 2011 March 23, 2012 21 Original work, sequel to Last Exile.
Ozuma March 16, 2012 April 21, 2012 6 Based on Lightning Ozma manga by Leiji Matsumoto.[12]
In collaboration with LandQ Studios.
Leviathan: The Last Defense April 6, 2013 July 7, 2013 13 Based on a mobile game produced by GREE.[13]
Dog & Scissors July 1, 2013 September 16, 2013 12 Based on a light novel by Shunsuke Sarai and Tetsuhiro Nabeshima.
A Town Where You Live July 13, 2013 September 28, 2013 12 Based on a manga by Kouji Seo.[14]
Blade & Soul April 3, 2014 June 26, 2014 13 Based on a game by NCSOFT.
Seiyu's Life! July 7, 2015 September 29, 2015 13 Based on a manga by Masumi Asano.
Aokana: Four Rhythm Across the Blue January 12, 2016 March 29, 2016 12 Based on a visual novel by Sprite.
Akiba's Trip: The Animation January 4, 2017 March 29, 2017 13 Based on a game by Acquire.
18if July 7, 2017 September 29, 2017 13 Based on a mobile game by MobCast.
Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits April 2, 2018 September 24, 2018 26 Based on a light novel by Midori Yūma.
Space Battleship Tiramisu April 3, 2018 December 25, 2018 26 Based on a manga by Satoshi Miyakawa.
Hinomaru Sumo October 5, 2018 March 29, 2019 24 Based on a manga by Kawada.
Conception October 10, 2018 December 26, 2018 12 Based on a game by Spike Chunsoft.
Try Knights July 30, 2019 October 15, 2019 12 Based on a manga by Shunsaku Yano.
In collaboration with Seven
Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle October 7, 2019 March 30, 2020 25 Based on a game by Sega.
In collaboration with Studio Kai

OVAs

ONAs

Films

Games

Music videos

Shorts

  • 2013: The Midnight Animals

Manga

International distribution

Many of Gonzo's titles were licensed for North American distribution by Geneon, ADV Films, and Funimation Entertainment. ADV Films UK branch was the UK distributor for Gonzo titles licensed by ADV, with the exception of Gantz, as it was licensed by MVM Films. Gad Guard, Hellsing, and Last Exile, which were titles originally licensed by Geneon, were also licensed by ADV Films UK, although they're no longer licensed since the company's closure. MVM Films was the UK licensee for the majority of Gonzo titles licensed by Funimation in the US, with the exception of Afro Samurai, which was initially distributed directly in the UK by GDH[16] and later by Manga Entertainment UK[17] who also licensed Strike Witches (season 1), Origin: Spirits of the Past, and recently Last Exile and Hellsing. Welcome to the N.H.K., Pumpkin Scissors, and Red Garden, which were originally licensed by ADV Films UK, were re-licensed by MVM Films.

In June 2006, it signed a long-term output deal with the anime television network, Animax, which saw Animax broadcasting all of Gonzo's anime titles across all of its networks around the world, including Japan, Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and Latin America and from November 2007 on Southern Africa's DSTV satellite network.[18] As of 2008 they decided to stream some of their airing anime on video sites such as: YouTube, Crunchyroll, and BOST.[19]

References

  1. ↑ "Profile | Gonzo". Archived from the original on June 27, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Gonzo Establishes Subsidiary in Okinawa". Anime News Network. May 22, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  3. ↑ "ゴンゾ傘下のデジタルアニメスタジオ「沖縄ゴンゾ」が解散".
  4. ↑ http://www.gonzo.co.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/3b1001237378d05b23ad42a30da24ea6.pdf
  5. ↑ "ゴンゾ 創業メンバー石川真一郎氏が全株式買取りへ | アニメーションビジネス・ジャーナル". March 13, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Tokyo Stock Exchange to Delist Gonzo on July 30". Anime News Network. June 29, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  7. ↑ "GDH to Absorb Its Gonzo Subsidiary, Adopt Gonzo's Name". Anime News Network. February 18, 2009. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  8. ↑ Gonzo's Parent Company to Sell Off Game Subsidiary. (Updated)
  9. ↑ GDHオンラインゲーム事業から撤退，ゴンゾロッソ株式を売却へ
  10. ↑ "Anime/Game Studio Gonzo Posts Higher Earnings, Profit". Anime News Network. January 3, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Funimation".
  12. ↑ "松本零士 零時社 オフィシャルサイト". 松本零士 零時社 オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Gonzo Makes Leviathan Moe Fantasy Mobile Game's TV Anime". Anime News Network. March 3, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Gonzo Makes TV Anime of A Town where you live Manga". Anime News Network. March 8, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  15. ↑ Suikoden III credits
  16. ↑ "AFRO SAMURAI". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  17. ↑ "AFRO SAMURAI". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Animax Asia Signs New Output Deal with GDH". Anime News Network. June 21, 2006. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Gonzo Works to be Streamed Simultaneously with Airing". Anime News Network. March 21, 2008. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
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