Pierrot (company)

Pierrot Co., Ltd. (株式会社ぴえろ, Kabushiki-gaisha Piero) is a Japanese animation studio established in May 1972 by Yuji Nunokawa, previously an animator and director for Tatsunoko Production. Its headquarters are located in Mitaka, Tokyo.[2] Pierrot is renowned for several worldwide popular anime series, such as Naruto, Bleach, Tokyo Ghoul, Yu Yu Hakusho, Black Clover, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Ghost Stories, Great Teacher Onizuka, and Saiyuki.

Pierrot Co., Ltd.
Native name
株式会社ぴえろ
Kabushiki-gaisha Piero
Company typeKabushiki gaisha
IndustryMedia and entertainment
FoundedMay 1972; 51 years ago (1972-05)
FounderYuji Nunokawa[1]
HeadquartersMitaka, Tokyo, Japan
Key people
Michiyuki Honma (CEO)
ProductsAnime, film, television, OVA, video games
Number of employees
158 (as of November 2019)
SubsidiariesStudio Signpost
Websiteen.pierrot.jp

The company's logo is the face of a clown. "Piero" is a Japanese loanword for clown, adopted from the classical character of Pierrot.

Yu Yu Hakusho and Saiyuki, two of the company's anime series, won the Animage Anime Grand Prix Award in 1994 and 1995, and 2000, respectively.

Productions

TV series

1980s

TitleYearsNetworkDirector(s)Eps.Note(s)
The Wonderful Adventures of NilsJan. 1980–Mar. 1981NHKHisayuki Toriumi52Adaptation of the 1906 novel The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by the Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf.[3]
Miss MachikoOct. 1981–Oct. 1983TV TokyoMasami Anno95Adaptation of the manga by Takeshi Ebihara.
Urusei YatsuraOct. 1981–Mar. 1986Fuji TVMamoru Oshii
Kazuo Yamazaki
194Adaptation of the manga by Rumiko Takahashi.
Episodes 1-106 only, Studio Deen took over the animation role starting with episode 107.
Esteban, Child of the Sun
(The Mysterious Cities of Gold)
Jun. 1982–Jun. 1983NHK
Antenne 2
Hisayuki Toriumi39Very loosely based on the 1966 novel The King's Fifth by Scott O'Dell.[4] Co-produced with DIC.
Mrs. Pepper PotApr. 1983–Mar. 1984NHKKeiji Hayakawa130Adaptation of children's books by Alf Prøysen. Co-produced with Studio Gallop.
Creamy Mami, the Magic AngelJul. 1983–Jun. 1984Nippon TVOsamu Kobayashi52Original work.
Chikkun TakkunApr. 1984–Sep. 1984Fuji TVKeiji Hayakawa (eps. 1-14)
Masami Anno (eps. 15-23)
23Adaptation of the manga by Shotaro Ishinomori.
Persia, the Magic FairyJul. 1984–May. 1985Nippon TVTakashi Anno48Adaptation of the manga Persia ga Suki! by Takako Aonuma.
Star Musketeer BismarkOct. 1984–Sep. 1985Masami Anno51Original work. Dubbed and rewritten in the United States by World Events Productions under the name Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs.[5]
Magical Emi, the Magic StarJun. 1985–Feb. 1986Takashi Anno38Original work.
Ninja Robot TobikageOct. 1985–Jul. 1986Masami Anno43Original work.
Pastel Yumi, the Magic IdolMar. 1986–Aug. 1987Akira Shigino26Original work.
Anmitsu HimeOct. 1986–Sep. 1987Fuji TVMasami Anno51Adaptation of the manga by Shosuke Kurakane. A remake of the manga by Izumi Takemoto is serialized simultaneously with the anime adaptation.
Ganbare, Kickers!Oct. 1986–Mar. 1987NTVAkira Shigino23Adaptation of the manga by Noriaki Nagai.
Kimagure Orange RoadApr 1987–Mar. 1988Osamu Kobayashi48Adaptation of the manga by Izumi Matsumoto.
Norakuro-kunOct. 1987–Oct. 1988Fuji TVMasami Anno50Second television adaptation of the manga Norakuro by Suiho Tagawa, with the first being in 1970 by TCJ.
Osomatsu-kunFeb. 1988–Dec. 1989Akira Shigino86Second television adaptation of the manga by Fujio Akatsuka, with the first being in 1966 by Children's Corner and Studio Zero.
The Burning Wild ManMar. 1988–Sep. 1988Nippon TVOsamu Kobayashi24Adaptation of the manga by Tadashi Sato.
Magical HatOct. 1989–Jul. 1990Fuji TVAkira Shigino33Adaptation of the manga by Yōji Katakura.

1990s

TitleYearsNetworkDirector(s)Eps.Note(s)
Heisei Tensai BakabonJan. 1990–Dec. 1990Fuji TVHiroshi Sasagawa46Third television adaptation of the manga Tensai Bakabon by Fujio Akatsuka, previously adapted twice by TMS Entertainment in 1971 and 1975 respectively, the second series being titled as Ganso Tensai Bakabon.
Musashi, the Samurai LordOct. 1990–Sep. 1991NTVAkira Shigino50Original work.
Tasuke, the Samurai CopOct. 1990–Mar. 1991TV TokyoTakeshi Mori22Adaptation of the manga by Manavu Kashimoto.
Chokkaku, the Stubborn Samurai BoyJan.–Oct. 1991Fuji TVMasami Anno36Adaptation of the manga by Yu Koyama.
Little Ghosts, There, Here and WhereApr. 1991–Apr. 1992NTVOsamu Kobayashi50Adaptation of children's picture books by Eiko Kadono and Yoko Sasaki.
Marude DameoNov. 1991–Sep. 1992Fuji TVAkira Shigino47Adaptation of the manga by Kenji Morita.
NontanOct. 1992–Mar. 1994263Adaptation of children's picture books by Sachiko Kiyono.
Yu Yu HakushoOct. 1992–Jan. 1995Noriyuki Abe112Adaptation of the manga by Yoshihiro Togashi.
Tottemo! LuckymanApr. 1994–Mar. 1995TV TokyoOsamu Nabeshima50Adaptation of the manga by Hiroshi Gamo
NinkuJan. 1995–Feb. 1996Fuji TVNoriyuki Abe55Adaptation of the manga by Koji Kiriyama.
Fushigi YûgiApr. 1995–Mar. 1996TV TokyoHajime Kamegaki52Adaptation of the manga by Yuu Watase.
Midori no MakibaōMar. 1996–Jul. 1997Fuji TVNoriyuki Abe61Adaptation of the manga by Tsunomaru.
Gon, the Stone-Age BoyApr. 1996–Jan. 1997NHKYutaka Kagawa39Adaptation of the manga by Shunji Sonoyama.
Baby and MeJul. 1996–Mar. 1997TV TokyoTakahiro Omori35Adaptation of the manga by Marimo Ragawa.
Hyper PoliceApr. 1997–Sep. 199725Adaptation of the manga by Minoru Tachikawa.
Clamp School DetectivesMay. 1997–Oct. 1997Osamu Nabeshima26Adaptation of the manga by Clamp.
Flame of ReccaJul. 1997–Jul. 1998Fuji TVNoriyuki Abe42Adaptation of the manga by Nobuyuki Anzai.
Takoyaki MantomanApr. 1998–Sep. 1998TV TokyoAkira Shigino77Adaptation of children's picture book by Hiroo Takada and Yasutoshi Nakamura.
Fancy Lala, the Magic StageApr. 1998–Sep. 1998TV OsakaTakahiro Omori26Original work.
Neo RangaApr. 1998–Sep. 1999WOWOWJun Kamiya (eps 1–24)

Toshiyuki Tsuru (eps 25–48)

48Original work.
Dokkiri DoctorOct. 1998–Jun. 1999Fuji TVKazunori Mizuno26Adaptation of the manga by Fujihiko Hosono.
YoikoNov. 1998–Mar. 1999TBSTakahiro Omori20Adaptation of the manga by Yugo Ishikawa.
Microman, the Little GiantJan. 1999–Dec. 1999TV TokyoNoriyuki Abe52Adaptation of the manga by Hisashi Matsumoto.
Power StoneApr. 1999–Sep. 1999TBSTakahiro Omori26Adaptation of the video game by Capcom.
I'm Gonna Be An Angel!Apr. 1999–Sep. 1999TV TokyoHiroshi Nishikiori26Original work.
Great Teacher OnizukaJun. 1999–Sep. 2000Fuji TVNoriyuki Abe43Adaptation of the manga by Tooru Fujisawa.
Guru Guru Town Hanamaru-kunOct. 1999–Sep. 2001TV OsakaJun Kamiya101Original work.
Rerere no Tensai BakabonOct. 1999–Mar. 2000TV TokyoHayato Date24Fourth television adaptation of Tensai Bakabon following Heisei Tensai Bakabon, which was already produced by Pierrot.

2000s

TitleYearsNetworkDirector(s)Eps.Note(s)
OH! Super Milk-chanJan. 2000–Apr. 2000WOWOWTakahiro Omori12Sequel to Super Milk-chan.
Gensomaden SaiyukiApr. 2000–Mar. 2001TV TokyoHayato Date50Based on a manga by Kazuya Minekura.
Ceres, Celestial LegendApr. 2000–Sep. 2000WOWOWHajime Kamegaki24Based on a manga by Yuu Watase.
Ghost StoriesOct. 2000–Mar. 2001Fuji TVNoriyuki Abe20Based on a manga by Toru Tsunametsu.
Super Gals!Apr. 2001–Mar. 2002TV TokyoTsuneo Kobayashi52Based on a manga by Mihona Fujii.
Kaze no YojimboOct. 2001–Mar. 2002NTVHayato Date25Based on Akira Kurosawa's film Yojimbo.
Hikaru no GoOct. 2001–Mar. 2003TV TokyoSusumu Nishizawa (eps 1–15)

Jun Kamiya (eps 16–58)
Tetsuya Endo (eps 59–75)

75Based on a manga by Yumi Hotta and Takeshi Obata.
KogepanNov. 2001AnimaxHidekazu Ohara10Based on a media mix project by San-X.
Tokyo UndergroundApr. 2002–Sep. 2002TV TokyoHayato Date26Based on a manga by Akinobu Uraku.
Tokyo Mew MewApr. 2002–Mar. 2003TV AichiNoriyuki Abe52Based on a manga by Reiko Yoshida and Mia Ikumi.
The Twelve KingdomsApr. 2002–Aug. 2003NHKTsuneo Kobayashi45Based on a light novel by Fuyumi Ono and Akihiro Yamada.
NarutoOct. 2002–Feb. 2007TV TokyoHayato Date220Based on a manga by Masashi Kishimoto.
E's OtherwiseApr. 2003–Sep. 2003Masami Shimoda26Based on a manga by Satoru Yuiga.
Detective School QApr. 2003–Mar. 2004TBSNoriyuki Abe45Based on a manga by Shin Kibayashi and Fumiya Satō.
Saiyuki ReloadOct. 2003–Mar. 2004TV TokyoTetsuya Endo25Based on Saiyuki manga sequel by Kazuya Minekura.
Saiyuki Reload GunlockApr. 2004–Sep. 200426Sequel to Saiyuki Reload.
Midori DaysApr. 2004–Jun. 2004TV KanagawaTsuneo Kobayashi13Based on a manga by Kazurou Inoue.
BleachOct. 2004–Mar. 2012TV TokyoNoriyuki Abe366Based on a manga by Tite Kubo.
Emma – A Victorian RomanceApr. 2005–Jun. 2005TBSTsuneo Kobayashi12Based on a manga by Kaoru Mori.
Sugar Sugar RuneJul. 2005–Jun. 2006TV TokyoYukihiro Matsushita51Based on a manga by Moyoco Anno.
Naruto: ShippudenFeb. 2007–Mar. 2017TV TokyoHayato Date (eps 1–479)

Osamu Kobayashi (eps 480–483)
Chiaki Kon (eps 484–488)
Toshinori Watanabe (eps 489–493)
Masahiko Murata (eps 494–500)

500Sequel to Naruto.
Blue DragonApr. 2007–Mar. 2008TV TokyoYukihiro Matsushita51Based on a video game by Mistwalker and Artoon.
Blue Dragon: Trials of the Seven ShadowsApr. 2008–Mar. 200951Sequel to Blue Dragon.
Hanasakeru SeishōnenApr. 2009–Feb. 2010NHKHajime Kamegaki39Based on a manga by Natsumi Itsuki.

2010s

TitleYearsNetworkDirector(s)Eps.Note(s)
Level EJan. 2011–Apr. 2011TV TokyoToshiyuki Kato13Based on a manga by Yoshihiro Togashi. Co-produced with David Production.
KingdomJul. 2012–Feb. 2013NHKJun Kamiya38Based on a manga by Yasuhisa Hara.
Rock Lee & His Ninja PalsApr. 2012–Mar. 2013TV TokyoMasahiko Murata51Based on Naruto spin-off manga by Kenji Taira
Polar Bear CaféApr. 2012–Mar. 2013Mitsuyuki Masuhara50Based on a manga by Aloha Higa.
Kingdom Season 2Jun. 2013–Mar. 2014NHKAkira Iwanaga39Season 2 of Kingdom.
Gaist CrusherOct. 2013–Oct. 2014TV TokyoYoshihiro Takamoto51Based on a video game by Capcom.
The World Is Still BeautifulApr. 2014–Jun. 2014NTVHajime Kamegaki12Based on a manga by Dai Shiina.
Baby StepsApr. 2014–Sept. 2014NHKMasahiko Murata25Based on a manga by Hikaru Katsuki.
Tokyo GhoulJul. 2014–Sep. 2014Tokyo MXShuhei Morita12Based on a manga by Sui Ishida.
Yona of the DawnOct. 2014–Mar. 2015AT-XKazuhiro Yoneda24Based on a manga by Mizuho Kusanagi.
Tokyo Ghoul √AJan. 2015–Mar. 2015Tokyo MXShuhei Morita12Season 2 of Tokyo Ghoul.
Baby Steps Season 2Apr. 2015–Sep. 2015NHKMasahiko Murata25Season 2 of Baby Steps.
Mr. OsomatsuOct. 2015–Mar. 2021TV TokyoYoichi Fujita75Based on Fujio Akatsuka's 1962 manga series, Osomatsu-kun.
Divine GateJan. 2016–Mar. 2016Tokyo MXNoriyuki Abe12Based on a smartphone game by Acquire.
Twin Star ExorcistsApr. 2016–Mar. 2017TV TokyoTomohisa Taguchi50Based on a manga by Yoshiaki Sukeno.
Puzzle & Dragons XJul. 2016–Mar. 2018Hajime Kamegaki89Based on a 3DS game by GungHo Online.
Tsukiuta. The AnimationJul. 2016–Sept. 2016Tokyo MXItsuro Kawasaki13Based on a media mix project by Movic.[a]
Soul BusterOct. 2016–Dec. 2016Toshinori Watanabe12Based on a manhua by Bai Mao.[a]
ēlDLIVEJan. 2017-Mar. 2017Joji Furuta12Based on a manga by Akira Amano.
Boruto: Naruto Next GenerationsApr. 2017–Mar. 2023TV TokyoHiroyuki Yamashita (eps 1–66)

Toshiro Fujii (eps 67–104)
Masayuki Kouda (eps 105–281, 287–293)
Noriyuki Abe (eps 282–286)

293Based on Naruto manga sequel by Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto.
Convenience Store Boy FriendsJul. 2017–Sep. 2017TBSHayato Date12Based on a media mix project by Kadokawa.[a]
Black CloverOct. 2017–Mar. 2021TV TokyoTatsuya Yoshihara (eps 1–152)

Ayataka Tanemura (eps 153–170)

170Based on a manga by Yuki Tabata.
Dynamic ChordOct. 2017–Dec. 2017TBSShigenori Kageyama12Based on a visual novel by Honeybee Black.[a]
Sanrio BoysJan. 2018–Mar. 2018Tokyo MXMasashi Kudo12Based on a media mix project by Sanrio.[a]
Puzzle & DragonsApr. 2018–presentTV TokyoHajime KamegakiTBABased on a smartphone game by GungHo Online.
Tokyo Ghoul:reApr. 2018–Jun. 2018Tokyo MXToshinori Watanabe12Based on Tokyo Ghoul manga sequel by Sui Ishida.[a]
Tokyo Ghoul:re Season 2Oct. 2018–Dec. 201812Season 2 of Tokyo Ghoul:re.[a]

2020s

TitleYearsNetworkDirectorEps.Note(s)
Kingdom Season 3Apr. 2020–Oct. 2021NHKKenichi Imaizumi26Season 3 of Kingdom. Co-produced with Studio Signpost.
Akudama DriveOct. 2020–Dec. 2020AT-XTomohisa Taguchi12Original work. Co-produced with Too Kyo Games.
Kingdom Season 4Apr. 2022–Oct. 2022NHKKenichi Imaizumi26Season 4 of Kingdom. Co-produced with Studio Signpost.
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood WarOct. 2022–TBATV TokyoTomohisa TaguchiTBASequel to Bleach.
Play It Cool, GuysOct. 2022–Mar. 2023Chiaki Kon24Based on a manga by Kokone Nata.
Kingdom Season 5Jan. 2024–TBANHKKenichi ImaizumiTBASeason 5 of Kingdom. Co-produced with Studio Signpost.[6]
Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its MasterApr. 2024–TBAYoshiaki KyōgokuTBABased on a novel by Chisato Abe.

Anime films

YearTitleDirectorDur.
1983Urusei Yatsura: Only YouMamoru Oshii89m
1984Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer97m
1987Lullaby for Wednesday's CinderellaMotosuke Takahashi52m
Bari Bari DensetsuOsamu Uemura84m
1988Kimagure Orange Road: I Want to Return to That DayTomomi Mochizuki69m
1989Osomatsu-kun: Greetings from the Watermelon Planet!Akira Shigino24m
1990MarokoMamoru Oshii90m
1991The Earring of MoonlightTakeshi Mori70m
1993Yu Yu Hakusho: The MovieNoriyuki Abe25m
1994Yu Yu Hakusho: Poltergeist ReportMasakatsu Iijima93m
Ninku: Tomb of KnivesNoriyuki Abe34m
1995Ninku: The MovieNoriyuki Abe25m
1996Kimagure Orange Road: Summer's BeginningKunihiko Yuyama95m
1999Daigekisen! Microman vs. Saikyou Senshi GorgonNoriyuki Abe30m
2001Saiyuki: RequiemHayato Date95m
2003Ryoukan-sanMasami Anno70m
2004Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of SnowTensai Okamura83m
2005Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of GelelHirotsugu Kawasaki97m
2006Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon KingdomToshiyuki Tsuru95m
Bleach: Memories of NobodyNoriyuki Abe93m
2007Naruto Shippuden the MovieHajime Kamegaki95m
Bleach: The DiamondDust RebellionNoriyuki Abe92m
2008Naruto Shippuden the Movie: BondsHajime Kamegaki93m
Bleach: Fade to BlackNoriyuki Abe94m
2009Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of FireMasahiko Murata95m
2010Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower99m
Bleach: Hell VerseNoriyuki Abe94m
2011Legend of the Millennium DragonHirotsugu Kawasaki98m
Naruto the Movie: Blood PrisonMasahiko Murata94m
2012Road to Ninja: Naruto the MovieHayato Date110m
2014The Last: Naruto the MovieTsuneo Kobayashi162m
2015Boruto: Naruto the MovieHiroyuki Yamashita96m
2019Mr. Osomatsu: The MovieYoichi Fujita108m
2022Mr. Osomatsu: The Hipipo Tribe and the Glistening FruitYoshinori Odaka75m
2023Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard KingAyataka Tanemura113m
Mr. Osomatsu: The Soul's Takoyaki Party and the Legendary Sleepover PartyHikaru Yamaguchi59m

OVAs and specials

Note: This may not be a complete list.

ONAs

YearTitleDirectorEps.Note(s)
2018Hero MaskHiroyasu Aoki15Original work. Released on Netflix.
2019Hero Mask Season 29Season 2 of Hero Mask. Released on Netflix.
2021Mr. Osomatsu: Valentine's Day ShortsYoichi Fujita3Short series of Mr. Osomatsu. Released on dTV.
Mr. Osomatsu: White Day Shorts
2024WcDonald's[7]4In collaboration with McDonald's

Video games

Note: This may not be a complete list.

TitleYearsPublisherNotes
Keio Flying Squadron1993JVC Musical IndustriesAnimated cutscenes
TIZ: Tokyo Insect Zoo1996General EntertainmentAnimated cutscenes
Keio Flying Squadron 21996JVC Musical IndustriesAnimated cutscenes
Rami-chan no Ōedo Sugoroku: Keiō Yūgekitai Gaiden1998Victor Interactive SoftwareAnimated cutscenes
Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament2004Digital FictionAnimated cutscenes
Flame of Recca: Final Burning2004KonamiAnimated cutscenes
Battle Stadium D.O.N2005Bandai Namco GamesAnimated cutscenes
Bleach: Soul Resurrección2011Sony Interactive EntertainmentAnimated cutscenes
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations2012Bandai Namco GamesAnimated cutscenes

Outsourced Western animation

TitleYearsNetworkNotes
Green Lantern: Emerald KnightsJun. 2011Warner Home VideoCo-animated with Studio 4°C and JM Animation
The Legend of KorraApr. 2012–Dec. 2014NickelodeonEps. 13–18, 21

Notes

References

External links