Ankama-Backed, Anime-Inspired Animation House Studio Unagi Launches In Montreal

Melanie Goodfellow

29 May 2024 at 8:00 am·2-min read

Ankama-backed animation company Studio Unagi has officially launched in Montreal after setting up under the radar over the first half of 2024.

The new company has been founded by animation industry veteran Guillaume Dubois, who previously held roles at Mercury Filmworks and Mondo TV, with the support of Anthony Roux, CEO of Ankama, the French entertainment company behind multiplayer game Dofus and animated series Wakfu.

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“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,” said founder and president Dubois.

The strategic partnership with Ankama is the fruit of a longstanding relationship between Dubois and Roux.

Under the mutually beneficial tie-up, Studio Unagi will meet the growing production needs of Ankama while this work will in turn support its growth as a company. Together, they aim to create high-quality 2D animation stories and develop innovative projects.

Studio Unagi’s first two commissions are the Ankama productions Bestiale, a new show being produced for Animation Digital Network, and Sacré-cœur, a 26-part series for France Télévision.

The studio is already preparing for future productions and plans to diversify its activities, exploring new segments like YouTube and video games to tell innovative stories.

“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 honor the spirit and aesthetics of the Ankama universe and anime in general,” said Roux.

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