If your project matches our studio values, then we can create your video from script to final edit, always considering your opinion and must-haves. We usually set review points for the storyboard, design approval, and final animation check.

In more detail, we provide: the team's recruiting, directing, script, storyboard, character designs, background art, digital animations, compositing, video editing, and, to some degree, marketing. In this article you'll find what each step involves.

No. We do love animated music videos, but we are open to commissions for other animated projects. Actually, we have experience in a variety of animated video formats but we can't show them because some are just not released yet, or are not open to the public for free.

We are also open to work that includes only one of our specialties. So if, for example, you just need a storyboard, you can choose to only have a storyboard made. Or if you have all the team to create an animated short film except the animators, we could help recruit and manage that department specifically.

Yes. The studio director, Mar, usually assembles a team based on each project's needs. Most of our team members are regulars, while others might be new. Also, we usually handle work from script to final edited animation. 

That said, we can do various parts of the process together with another team. For example, you may be working on a bigger production and only need a team of animators, a storyboard artist, or someone to help you contact and direct background artists.

The trickiest part is making sure our values and availability align. If those two things work, we are certainly open for collaboration with other teams.

Probably not. Right now, all our current comics are originals, and we are only actively looking for animated commissions. 

We could take into consideration shorter stories. That means a few strips or 1 volume, not a full saga. If the project fits our values and availability, we could consider helping in specific parts of the process too, such as offering storyboarding or coloring services. Again, if it is a short project.

Mar (studio director) reads direct messages, emails, and animation enquiry form answers on standard Japanese workdays. She usually replies within 48 hours.

Note that a quick reply does not mean your project can start right away. We first need to settle an agreement on who does what, by when, what is the storyboard, payments, and any other important part to ensure we will have the smoothest collaboration. 

That phase can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, but having everything clear before starting always pays off!

We believe honest communication and clear expectations are the core of any professionally successful and fun project to work on. It will give you a feeling of safety that everything will be done as you imagined and on time, which helps to also produce creative results!

See our "9 rules for a great freelancer to client communication" in this article.

We are flexible. Usually, main conversations evolve through email or chat. Then, there are three key moments where video calls are more valuable:

• First, at the beginning to know each other and set the right expectations. This usually includes talking about script ideas or reviewing the storyboard. 

• Second, we can do midpoint checks or reviews. This depends on the project length and its needs. 

• And lastly, a post-delivery call to gather your feedback and talk about needed revisions, or discuss release steps in terms of marketing.

These are the stages projects go through:

• Proposal: We discuss the script, storyboard, project needs, references, and deadlines. In this phase, we need at least a demo and lyrics of the song. We will settle the proposal when we both agree to an animatic (video storyboard) where you can see the drafted visuals attached to your song. Here is an example of an animatic.

• Pre-production: The director locks the necessary staff while we set the character design and test color moods for the entire production. We start getting an idea of what everything will look like.

• Production: The studio creates animation and background art, from keyframes to coloring. All this work is done digitally, mostly hand-drawn. If you are extra curious, we have shared parts of our production process through live streams on our YouTube channel.

• Post-production: We turn the sequential drawings into an actual animated video (this is called composition). Here, the final music file is needed since we need to match it together with the animated final video. At this stage, we also add effects or adapt colors if needed.

• Delivery: You get to see the final video. Necessary changes can be requested by using your allotted "revision time," or pay us for more if you want to upscale things. Of course, if we made a clear mistake (like typos in some background text), that is on us! After changes are made, you receive the final video without the watermark.

• Release: If requested, we will assist in marketing-related visuals providing high-quality stills or a video thumbnail.

Ultimately, we only need you to provide the final audio file to add to the video. But if that is in progress, a demo will work. Also, the lyrics in written format if there are any. 

Regarding the script, design requirements, or content in general, we can take suggestions as well.

Mostly, we work with a concept, message, or even feelings. For example: "This song is about the importance of showing love to others consistently, and it needs a happy ending." Then, after listening to the song, we will bring you a suggestion. This process tends to bring the best results.

In a few cases, we have followed a strict idea from a musician regarding what they wanted to see. 

Contact us through the animation enquiry form so we may assess your project. If we are interested and it fits within our values, we will reach out to you with follow-up questions and reply to yours as well until the proposal is solid and we are ready to start!