Cypic × CyberAgent: Designing the Future of Anime
—Leaders Discuss the Challenges of New Era
Since its founding in 2016, the animation studio Cypic has leveraged its strength in high-quality production to create numerous hit titles.Marking its 10th anniversary, the company rebranded as Cypic and joined the group as a consolidated subsidiary of the Media & IP business.
Including the highly anticipated April 2027 premiere of Kagurabachi, we are merging Cypic’s artistic vision with the group’s robust business infrastructure to craft world-class content that captivates both domestic and global markets.
From the relentless pursuit of quality on the frontlines to the strategic support of the business side, both leaders share their journey of bringing our works to the world.
Contents
Sharing the Joy of New Challenges
Kagurabachi : Respect for the Original Work at the Core
Creating Organization to Maximize Individual Passion to Deliver the Best Anime
Sharing the Joy of New Challenges
— With Cypic’s new structure now in place, what is the strategic potential you see here, Yamauchi-san?
Yamauchi: Cypic has a very unique value, combining exceptional creative power with the agility to achieve rapid growth.
This partnership was made through years of trust with Cygames President Watanabe and a shared commitment to deep integration across the group.I find it extremely encouraging that we can move forward together.
As seen in their 10th-anniversary movie, their works possess a soul and a gritty determination that surprises the audience.I am confident that by spreading their sincere attitude toward production throughout the group, the entire group will be able to deliver even higher-quality work.
— Takenaka-san, what were your thoughts behind the name change and logo renewal on this 10th-anniversary milestone?
Takenaka: We rebranded to Cypic with the goal of becoming a globally recognized animation studio.Our logo's neutral gray is a shade composed solely of black and white, with no specific hue.It embodies our desire to be a company with an unchangeable core while capable of expressing any color.By not limiting our work to specific genres, we aim to be a studio that keeps people guessing—"What will they do next?"I believe this mindset acts as a magnet for top-tier creators and fosters an environment where we can constantly challenge new expressions.
We also wove in elements of cell division to the design to ensure the brand feels organic and alive, rather than static.As our people grow, the company evolves. This perpetual motion is what drives us to deliver fresh works.
Yamauchi: I feel "cell division" is a perfect word that symboilzes Cypic.Takenaka-san leads the company with deep empathy for each creator while maintaining a strategic grip, all while moving at a relentless pace.We on the business side of CyberAgent want to respond to that passion with equal intensity.By leveraging each other's strengths, we should be able to boost the value of our works many times over.
— There is a steady stream of co-productions, such as Apocalypse Hotel, The Summer Hikaru Died, and The World is Dancing.What is your impression of CyberAgent, Takenaka-san?
Takenaka: It is an environment that always allows us to take on challenges. These titles were new attempts for Cypic, and CyberAgent shared the excitement and supported us along the way.They are a reassuring partner with whom we can pursue work for the world from the same perspective in times when there are no right answers.
Yamauchi: In today's rapidly changing environment, challenging new things is absolutely necessary.Our creator-first philosophy is at the heart of everything—we build environments where creators can perform at their best.We would like to create even bigger waves through this collaboration by backing the frontline with our business resources.
Kagurabachi : Respect for the Original Work at the Core
— As we look toward the April 2027 launch of Kagurabachi, how are you approaching the project?
Yamauchi: As a co-production lead with Shochiku Co., Ltd., we feel the immense responsibility in handling such a popular work from Weekly Shonen Jump, published by Shueisha.This is a major challenge for us. We just devote ourselves to pursuing the work's appeal with absolute humility and sincerity.Going forward, we will explore multifaceted approaches that leverage our synergy while carefully protecting the world of Kagurabachi.
Takenaka: On the production floor, everything starts and ends with respect for the original work.The journey of Chihiro Rokuhira and the unique world is iconic. There are more fans worldwide waiting for this than we can even imagine.Our mission is to deliver an animation that lives up to their expectations and makes them say, "This is the best adaptation."
On top of that, we hope to go beyond their expectations in a positive way.With Director Tetsuya Takeuchi and Character Designer Keigo Sasaki leading the charge at Cypic, we are piling it up step by step, believing in ourselves.
Yamauchi: As Takenaka-san mentioned, the global energy behind Kagurabachi is unprecedented. We must meet that fervor sincerely.While leveraging group synergy, we will build a path to share the anime's appeal with the fans around the world in its purest form.That is our role here.
— A world tour starting in summer 2026 to screen the first 20 minutes of episode 1 was announced. Tell us about your respective perspectives on the overseas strategy.
Takenaka: Paradoxically, we try not to over-analyze the global market. We just focus on making what we believe is undeniably cool. Because pure craftsmanship is ultimately the shortest path to people's hearts worldwide.
Yamauchi: Takenaka-san and his team protect the purity of the work throughout the production process; we on the business side have a responsibility to connect that value in the right way.Starting with the world tour, we would like to directly capture local enthusiasm and collaborate deeply with platforms in various countries.With this unique structure, we are ready to provide the support needed to bring wonder and emotion to every corner of the globe.
Creating Organization to Maximize Individual Passion to Deliver the Best Anime
— Takenaka-san, what is the fundamental principle that has guided your organization since the inception?
Takenaka: We don't stop thinking about how we can improve the work until the very last moment. Even though there are always constraints, such as schedule and budget. Unless you go all-in, you never see the real problems. That cycle of trial and error builds an organization capable of producing good work.
Also, I often tell new graduates, "Learn to be a cog of the team."I am not here to deny individuality, but rather to help them realize the responsibility of making anime as professionals in an organization.Animation production is the ultimate teamwork—it only works when every team member moves in relation to one another.I believe that taking part in the team and building a foundation for their careers will help them gain the skills needed to make a living in anime for life.
Based on that awareness, my ideal is an organization where individuals can fulfill what they want to do.That’s why I ask every newcomer to speak up about their ambitions.If we know what they desire, we can align opportunities with their passion when the moment arrives.Taking ownership of a project is the most powerful fuel for a long-term professional career.
— Yamauchi-san, as a leader of CyberAgent, what do you think of Takenaka-san's philosophy of valuing ownership?
Yamauchi: It has much in common with our culture of supporting those who raise their hands. Passion is born when someone stands up and says, "I want to do this."
In the anime business, quality is the baseline. But the real differentiator is whether an organization can execute with relentless passion.We are committed to gathering passionate talent and building a culture where that energy is recognized and rewarded.
Our animation business not only handles production itself.We want to be a team that can get down into the core of production, including functions like producing and promotion.A work's value is maximized only when individual passion, as Takenaka-san mentioned, meshes closely between business functions and the production site.
— To wrap up, what is your vision for the future of this partnership?
Takenaka: First of all, what I'm most grateful for is that everyone at CyberAgent has a strong interest in the animation Cypic makes."Liking the same things" and "being able to share values" are more important than anything in creative work.I believe that trust has led to us being involved in the production of Apocalypse Hotel, The World is Dancing, and Kagurabachi.
I would like to be in a relationship where we can create what we both find interesting and deliver it to the world.
Yamauchi: Once again, I feel that Cypic is a team of gritty professionals.We maximize the impact of the creative work they produced and deliver it to many people through a business-side approach.
By sharing our values and combining our strengths, I am certain we can continue to wow and inspire users.With this dedicated team, we are committed to delivering world-shaking content. That is what I think.
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