Studio Pierrot Co., Ltd. (株式会社スタジオぴえろ, Kabushiki-gaisha Sutajio Piero), known as Pierrot Co., Ltd. between 2002 and 2025, is a Japanese animation studio established in May 1979 by Yuji Nunokawa, Hisayuki Toriumi, Mitsuo Kaminashi and Masami Annou, previously animators for Tatsunoko Production and Mushi Production. Its headquarters are located in Mitaka, Tokyo. Pierrot is renowned for several worldwide popular anime series, such as Naruto, Bleach, Tokyo Ghoul, Creamy Mami, YuYu Hakusho, Urusei Yatsura, Fushigi Yûgi, and many others. Aside from animation production, the company also handles character licensing.
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.
Contents
History
The studio was founded in 1979 by Yuji Nunokawa, Hisayuki Toriumi, Mitsuo Kaminashi, and Masami Annou. Prior to the studio's founding, all four animators previously worked at Tatsunoko Production and Mushi Production. Nunokawa was the studio's first president and CEO, a position which he held until 2012. That year, Nunokawa retired and was elected as chairman of the board; and Michiyuki Honma, the senior managing director, succeeded him as president. Nunokawa remained with the company as chairman until his death in 2022, and two years later in July 2024, Honma retired from his position as CEO in which he was also elected to chairman. Pierrot's director of sales, Kazumichi Ueda, succeeded Honma as CEO and president. The company took on a dual representative structure and Keiro Itsumi, the company's senior managing director, was promoted as a second president to the company (with Ueda).
On April 18, 2025, the company entered into a capital and business partnership with Asahi Production.
Productions
OVAs and specials
Note: This may not be a complete list.
Dallos (December 16, 1983 – August 5, 1984) — 4 episodes
Area 88 (February 5, 1985 – August 15, 1986) — 3 episodes (2 international)
Cosmo Police Justy (July 20, 1985)
Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel: Eien no Once More (1984)
Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel: Lovely Serenade (1985)
Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel: Long Goodbye (1985)
Kimagure Orange Road: Shonen Jump Special (November 23, 1985) — Short film
Fire Tripper (December 16, 1985)
Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel Song Special 2: Curtain Call (1986)
Maris the Chojo (May 21, 1986)
Magical Emi, the Magic Star: Finale! Finale! (1986)
Bari Bari Densetsu (May 10, 1986 – December 16, 1986) — 2 episodes
Magical Emi, the Magic Star: Semishigure (1986)
Laughing Target (March 21, 1987)
Lily C.A.T. (September 1, 1987)
Persia, the Magic Fairy: Merry-go-Round (1987)
Salamander (February 25, 1988 – February 21, 1989) — 3 episodes
Video games
Note: This may not be a complete list.