The studio, founded in December 2023, aims to create IP using the latest technology
Studio Mayflower and CEO Taisei Tateno announced on Tuesday that the studio has appointed Chainsaw Man director Ryū Nakayama as chief creative officer (CCO).
Image provided by Studio Mayflower
Studio Mayflower aims to create IP “using the latest technology”. The company appointed Nakayama because his creative abilities fit their direction.
So far, this relatively new studio has worked on a single episode of the Spring 2024 Oblivion Battery TV anime, but is also working on several TV Anime that have yet to be announced.
Taisei Tateno founded the studio in December 2023. Tateno is the creator of the mascot character Syuwatti, who previously collaborated with Sanrio. AnotherBall acquired the studio in May. AnotherBall, led by Shunsuke “Captain” Oyu and Tatsuro Shimada, is comprised of entrepreneurs who previously founded “mamari,” a family information hub website, and the multinational VTuber agency “Project PRISM.” AnotherBall also developed the mobile streaming app “AniLive” for virtual creators.
Image provided by Studio Mayflower
Nakayama's work on the 2022 television anime adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto's Chainsaw Man manga was his series directorial debut. He has previously served as animator and chief animation director on several anime projects, starting with key animation on Tantei Opera Milky Holmes in 2010. He has served as episode animation director for Wake Up, Girls!, Barakamon, Yatterman. Night, Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale, Gamers!, Black Clover, Fate/Grand Order Excellent Demonic Front: Babylonia, and Jujutsu Kaisen.
Nayayama founded Andraft, a new creative unit for animation production, in 2023. The unit's goal is to create an environment that encourages freedom of expression and creativity. Andraft's first work was a promotional video for a collaboration between VSPO! esports agency VTuber and Bushiroad's Cardfight!! pioneering card game. Nakayama declared that he was the director, scriptwriter and animator for the video.
Source: Press releases, email correspondence
