Line #40 Creator/BeeTrain


1	[[quoteright:225:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bee_train_3050.gif]]
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3	[[http://www.beetrain.co.jp/ Bee Train]] was a [[{{anime}} Japanese animation]] studio founded by ex-Creator/TatsunokoProduction employee Creator/KoichiMashimo in 1997 as a subsidiary of Creator/ProductionIG. The studio is probably best known for producing ''Anime/{{Noir}}'' and their subsequent contributions to the GirlsWithGuns genre, as well as the ''Franchise/DotHack'' anime entries, most notably ''Anime/DotHackSign''. They're also infamous for taking a... "creative" approach to adapting manga titles (read: ''Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle''), causing much discontent amongst the original fandom.
4
5	They previously had an animation sub-division known as Creator/CStation, whom assists Creator/SilverLink and others on their productions, and another called D-Station which appears to have gone defunct. They also have a animation farming studio known as Creator/StudioRoad, which has done work for companies like the aforementioned Production I.G, Creator/PAWorks and, to a lesser extent, Creator/A1Pictures.
6
7	Then, you can also mention that for at least [[Anime/{{Madlax}} one]] of their anime, the director decided to get drunk to figure out how the plot would work in the end. It worked.
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9	The "Bee Train" label (and their website) have been dormant since 2012. Although no official statement has ever been released, it appears to have been quietly shut down as a result of several factors, including the founder Koichi Mashimo's apparent retirement from the industry in the same year and a shortage of major hit productions since Bee Train's split with Production I.G in 2007. Many of the studio's old staff seem to have moved over to the independent Creator/CStation ("B Train", "C-Station", geddit?).
10	----
11	!!Filmography:
12	[[index]]
13	* '' VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'' (1998). Animation cut scenes were provided by the studio and directed, storyboarded and produced by founder Mashimo.
14	[[/index]]
15	* ''Anime/{{PoPoLoCrois Monogatari}}'' (1999). Adaptation of a popular [=PS1=] video game ''VideoGame/{{PoPoLoCrois}}'', only remembered by hardcore Bee Train and ''[=PoPoLoCrois=]'' fans today.
16	* ''VideoGame/ArcTheLad'' (1999), ditto.
17	* ''Anime/WildArmsTwilightVenom'' (1999), ditto.
18	* ''VideoGame/{{Medabots}}'' (1999), ditto. Replaced in the third season by Creator/ProductionIG and Creator/TransArts.
19	[[index]]
20	* ''Anime/{{Noir}}'' (2001). The first original series and the big breakthrough for the studio, lifting it to international fame effectively overnight. Licenced and aired in many countries outside Japan (including prime-time airing on French and Austrian network television, whereas TV Tokyo originally aired it at OtakuOClock) and spawning the studio's GirlsWithGuns trilogy. Your best chances to be introduced to Bee Train are through ''Noir''.
21	[[/index]]
22	* ''Anime/CaptainKuppaDesertPirate'' (2001-2002). Like the studio's productions of the 90s this series is also long forgotten.
23	[[index]]
24	* ''Anime/DotHackLiminality'' (2002). The very first ''Franchise/DotHack'' anime, a four-episode OVA that came with the original game tetralogy. Mostly forgotten nowadays, solidified an alliance between Bandai and Bee Train that lasted until 2008.
25	* ''Anime/DotHackSign'' (2002). The prequel to the original game tetralogy and the ''other'' most probable introduction to Bee Train you are likely to receive. The second and likely most famous ''Franchise/DotHack'' anime to date, ''SIGN'' is revered by many a fan.
26	[[/index]]
27	** ''.hack//Intermezzo'' (2002). A midquel of ''SIGN'', not relevant to the main plot.
28	** ''.hack//Unison'' (2002). A DistantFinale to both ''SIGN'' and the original games.
29	** ''.hack//GIFT'' (2002). A StylisticSelfParody of the entire franchise, decisively [[CanonDisContinuity non-canon]].
30	[[index]]
31	* ''VideoGame/WildArms3'' (2002). Like ''Xenogears'', featured animated cut scenes directed and storyboard by animator Creator/KazuyaTsurumaki with director Mashimo. Also produced with P.A. Works.
32	* ''Anime/{{Avenger}}'' (2003). The second original series, which failed to reach any considerable fame and is only remembered by die-hard fans today.
33	* ''Manga/DotHackLegendOfTheTwilight'' (2003). A "creative" adaptation of the eponymous manga sequel to the original ''[[VideoGame/DotHackR1Games .hack]]'' games, which considerably altered the original ending. Different continuity.
34	* ''Anime/IGPXImmortalGrandPrix'' (2003). Experimental original micro-series, mostly forgotten today but spawning some sequels by other studios.
35	* ''Anime/{{Madlax}}'' (2004). The second girls-with-guns entry, remaining largely overshadowed by ''Noir'' despite its virtues and good critical reception. Remembered by many an Administrivia/EntryPimp as one of the high points in Bee Train history.
36	[[/index]]
37	* ''VideoGame/MeineLiebe'' (2004) and ''Meine Liebe wieder'' (2006). Adaptation of a DatingSim, mostly forgotten nowadays.
38	[[index]]
39	* ''Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle'' (two seasons, 2005-2006). Likely the most controversial of Bee Train adaptations. The adaptation rights have since been transferred to Production I.G who produced ''Tsubasa Tokyo Revelations''.
40	[[/index]]
41	* ''[[Franchise/DotHack .hack//Roots]]'' (2006). A SpiritualSuccessor to ''SIGN'' and a prequel to ''.hack//G.U.'' trilogy. Failed to meet expectations and may well be the last ''Franchise/DotHack'' anime by Bee Train: ''.hack//G.U. Trilogy'' movie has since been produced by Bandai Visual/CyberConnect2.
42	** ''.hack//G.U. Returner'': An OVA follow up to the G.U. Games, similar to ''Unison''.
43	[[index]]
44	* ''Anime/SpiderRiders'' (2006). An adaptation of children novels, went largely unnoticed by the fandom despite being one of the few Bee Train long-runners.
45	* ''Manga/MurderPrincess'' (2007). A minor manga adaptation. Probably intended as an effort to improve Bee Train's reputation in this field, the OVA remained thoroughly faithful to the original. Going mostly unnoticed, it's still remembered by some fans.
46	* ''Anime/ElCazadorDeLaBruja'' (2007). The final installment of the girls-with-guns trilogy, suffering from the same lack of attention as ''Madlax'', despite being even closer to ''Noir'' thematically. Met with mixed reactions because of its cheesy tone in contrast to its dark, moody predecessors, the fandom since learned to accept "Cazzy" for what it is.
47	[[/index]]
48	* ''Anime/SpiderRiders: Yomigaeru Taiyou'' (2007). A sequel to ''Spider Riders'', attracted even less attention.
49	[[index]]
50	* ''Manga/BladeOfTheImmortal'' (2008). The first major manga adaptation since ''Tsubasa''.
51	* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanGothamKnight: Field Test'' (2008). Bee Train animated one of the short segments in the compilation.
52	* ''[[VisualNovel/PhantomOfInferno Phantom ~ Requiem of the Phantom]]'' (2009). A VisualNovel adaptation.
53	* ''Anime/HaloLegends: Homecoming'' (2010). A short OVA that focuses on the tragedies involving the SPARTAN-II recruitment in the year 2517, and a particular Spartan, Daisy-023, coming to terms with her origins as she tries to lead a small squad of soldiers to safety. One of the more tragic, emotional stories in the ''Halo Legends'' package, fitting with Bee Train's approach to storytelling.
54	* ''Literature/PsychicDetectiveYakumo'' (2010). A LightNovel adaptation directed by the director of ''Murder Princess''.
55	* ''Manga/HyougeMono'' (2011). A manga adaptation.
56	[[/index]]
57
58	!! Additional Sub-Contracted work:
59	* ''Manga/AngelicLayer'' (In-Between Animation)
60	* ''Literature/{{Baccano}}'' (2nd Key Animation)
61	* ''Anime/{{Bakugan}}'' (2nd Key Animation - ''New Vestroia'' season)
62	* ''Anime/{{Basquash}}'' (2nd Key Animation)
63	* ''Anime/{{Canaan}}'' (In-Between Animation)
64	* ''Literature/TheCaseFilesOfYakushijiRyoko'' (2nd Key Animation, In-Between Animation for episode 5)
65	* ''Anime/CodeGeass'' (Finish & In-Between Animation, Production Assistance)
66	* ''Anime/{{FLCL}}'' (In-Between Animation)
67	* ''Anime/MichikoAndHatchin'' (In-Between Animation)
68	* ''VideoGame/ProfessorLaytonAndTheDiabolicalBox'' (Editing)
69	* ''VideoGame/SakuraWars2ThouShaltNotDie'' (Production Assistance)
70	* ''VideoGame/SakuraWars3IsParisBurning'' (In-Between Animation; anime sequences)
71	* ''VideoGame/SakuraWars4FallInLoveMaidens'' (In-Between Animation; anime sequences)
72	* ''Literature/{{Slayers}}'' (2nd Key Animation - ''Revolution'' season)
73	* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' (2nd Key & In-Between Animation)
74	* ''Manga/ToLoveRu'' (Key Animation)
75	* ''Literature/{{Toradora}}'' (2nd Key Animation)
76
77	In early 2008 (before the announcement of ''[=BotI=]''), word of mouth was that Bee Train was to animate ''Manga/FutureDiary'', yet this rumor has since been debunked (instead, {{Creator/asread}} is doing an OVA).

Context Creator / BeeTrain