Line #111 Creator/StudioShaft


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/studio_shaft_2017_logo.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:[[Film/{{Shaft}} Can you dig it?]]]]
3
4	'''[[http://www.shaft-web.co.jp/ Studio SHAFT]]''', founded by ex-Creator/MushiProductions animator Hiroshi Wakao on September 1, 1975, is a Tokyo-based animation studio best known for adding an almost constant stream of references and [[ShoutOut shout-outs]] to other series in the backgrounds of their shows. This usually manifests itself as writing on blackboards and posters which change with every cut. Also known for having a somewhat minimalist yet oddly stylish bent to their own productions. One of the more divisive anime studios. People either love the style or hate it. Middle ground is rare. ([[TakeAThirdOption Some people]] think their style is more suited to quirky Creator/TimBurton[=/=]Creator/WesAnderson-esque comedies like ''Manga/SayonaraZetsubouSensei'' or ''Manga/ArakawaUnderTheBridge'' and edgy supernatural drama like ''Literature/{{Bakemonogatari}}'' and ''Franchise/MadokaMagica'', and less to more traditional fare like ''Manga/{{Nisekoi}}'' and ''Manga/GourmetGirlGraffiti''.) Oh, and keep one thing in mind: whether the adapted work was originally a QuirkyWork or not, the SHAFT {{anime}} will most likely be one. They were one of the animation studios behind ''WesternAnimation/JayceAndTheWheeledWarriors''.
5
6	Creator/AkiyukiShinbo has been their primary director since 2004, and is responsible for much of their present image.
7
8	Note that some fans refer to them as just "Shaft". Do not confuse this with [[Film/{{Shaft}} a bad mother]]--([[CurseCutShort SHUT YO' MOUTH!]]), or a minor character in two ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' games.
9
10	----
11	!!Studio SHAFT solo productions:
12	[[index]]
13	* ''Manga/AndYetTheTownMoves''
14	* ''Manga/ArakawaUnderTheBridge''
15	* ''Manga/ArcadeGamerFubuki''
16	* ''Anime/AssaultLilyBouquet''
17	* ''Literature/{{Bakemonogatari}}''
18	** ''Nisemonogatari''
19	** ''Monogatari Series Second Season''
20	** ''Hanamonogatari''
21	** ''Tsukimonogatari''
22	** ''Owarimonogatari''
23	*** ''Owarimonogatari 2nd Season''
24	** ''Koyomimonogatari''
25	** ''Kizumonogatari''
26	* ''Manga/DanceInTheVampireBund''
27	* ''Literature/GroundControlToPsychoelectricGirl''
28	* ''Anime/DottoKoniChan''
29	* ''Anime/DualParallelTroubleAdventure'' (with Creator/{{AIC}})
30	* ''VisualNovel/EfAFairyTaleOfTheTwo''
31	* ''VideoGame/FateExtra CCC'' and ''VideoGame/FateExtellaTheUmbralStar'' (opening movie) and an animated adaptation of ''VideoGame/FateExtra'', ''Anime/FateExtraLastEncore''. They'd also done a trailer for the ''CCC'' collaboration event with ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder''.
32	* ''Anime/FireworksShouldWeSeeItFromTheSideOrTheBottom2017''
33	* ''Anime/GOnRiders''
34	* ''Manga/GourmetGirlGraffiti''
35	* ''Manga/HidamariSketch''
36	* ''Advertising/HungryDays'' (Season 2)
37	* ''Manga/InitialD'' (The ''Extra Stage'' [=OVAs=])
38	* ''Anime/JuuniSenshiBakuretsuEtoRanger''
39	* ''Manga/KatteniKaizo''
40	* ''VideoGame/KidIcarusUprising'' short "Palutena's Revolting Dinner", with [=ex-Po10tial=] staff [[note]]The studio behind TMS' ''Anime/LupinIIITheWomanCalledFujikoMine'', they were laid off from TMS after ''Anime/GravestoneOfDaisukeJigen'' animation was finished in April of 2014[[/note]] stationed at SHAFT doing the animation for Palutena's introductory trailer for her appearance in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU''
41	* ''Anime/LuminousWitches''
42	* ''Manga/MarchComesInLikeALion''
43	* ''Manga/MariaHolic''
44	* ''Anime/MekakucityActors''
45	* ''Manga/NatsuNoArashi''
46	* ''Anime/NegimaSecondSeason''
47	** ''[[Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi Mahou Sensei Negima!: Ala Alba]]'' (with Creator/StudioPastoral)
48	** ''[[Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi Mahou Sensei Negima!: Another World]]''
49	* ''Manga/{{Nisekoi}}''
50	* ''Anime/PaniPoniDash''
51	* ''Popotan''
52	* ''Literature/PrettyBoyDetectiveClub''
53	* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' (the studio's first [[AnimeFirst original]] series in a decade.)
54	* ''Rec'' - Not to be confused with the Spanish zombie movie ''Film/{{REC}}''.
55	* ''Anime/RWBYIceQueendom'' (co-production with Creator/RoosterTeeth)
56	* ''Literature/SasamisanAtGanbaranai''
57	* ''Manga/SayonaraZetsubouSensei''
58	* ''Manga/TsukuyomiMoonPhase''
59	[[/index]]
60	!!In cooperation with Creator/StudioGainax:
61
62	* ''Anime/GunBuster'' (three shorts--"Cosmic Space Battle", "Good Morning" and "Sizzler Project")
63	* ''Manga/HeIsMyMaster''
64	* ''Manga/{{Mahoromatic}}''
65	* ''Anime/ThisUglyYetBeautifulWorld''
66
67	!!Shows for Creator/{{DiC\|Entertainment}}:
68
69	* ''WesternAnimation/JayceAndTheWheeledWarriors'' (With Creator/{{Sunrise}}, Creator/KKCAndDAsia, Creator/StudioGiants and others)
70	* ''WesternAnimation/HulkHogansRockNWrestling'' (With Creator/HanhoHeungUp and Creator/WangFilmProductions)
71	* ''The Legend of Sarmoti: Siegfried & Roy'' (uncredited)
72	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Popples}}'' (With Creator/KKCAndDAsia, Creator/{{Madhouse}}, Creator/StudioJunio and Creator/StudioKorumi)
73	* ''WesternAnimation/DennisTheMenace'' (Color Styling)
74	* ''Series/{{ALF}} Tales'' (With Creator/MookDLE and Creator/KKCAndDAsia)
75
76	!!Other projects as support include:
77	[[AC:{{Creator/Sunrise}}]]
78	* ''Anime/TheBigO'' (Finish Animation)
79	* ''Manga/CityHunter'' (Finish Animation)
80	* ''Anime/CodeGeass'' (In-Between Animation; first season)
81	* ''Literature/DirtyPair'' (Animation, [=OVAs=] and ''Flash''. Finish Animation for the latter)
82	* ''Anime/FutureGPXCyberFormula'' (Key & In-Between Animation, Paint & Paint Check, ''Zero'')
83	* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam00'' (In-Between Animation)
84	** ''Anime/Gundam00AWakeningOfTheTrailblazer'' (In-Between Animation)
85	** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam0080WarInThePocket'' (In-Between Animation)
86	** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'' (Finish Animation)
87	** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamAGE'' (Finish Animation)
88	* ''Anime/RobotRomanceTrilogy''
89	** ''Anime/CombattlerV'' (Finish Animation)
90	** ''Anime/VoltesV'' (Finish Animation)
91	* ''The Ultraman'' (Finish Animation)
92	* ''Anime/{{Zambot 3}}'' (Finish Animation)
93
94	[[AC:Other]]
95	* ''Manga/AiYoriAoshi'' (Digital Paint)
96	* ''Anime/AkahoriGedouHourLovege'' (Finish Animation)
97	* ''Manga/AngelSanctuary'' (In-Between Animation)
98	* ''VideoGame/ArcTheLad'' (Animation)
99	* ''Manga/{{ARIA}}'' (2nd Key & In-Between Animation)
100	* ''Literature/AsuraCryin'' (In-Between Animation)
101	* ''Anime/AttackerYou'' (Production Cooperation, episodes 1-16)
102	* ''Manga/{{BECK\|1999}}'' (Finish Animation)
103	* ''Manga/BlackButler'' (In-Between Animation, OVA)
104	* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' (Animation)
105	* ''Anime/BloodPlus'' (In-Between Animation)
106	* ''Anime/BlueGender'' (Finish Animation; Animation; Production Assistance)[[note]]paired with Creator/DangunPictures for the latter[[/note]]
107	* ''Literature/BodaciousSpacePirates'' (In-Between Animation)
108	* ''Anime/BoogiepopPhantom'' (Key & In-Between Animation; Animation; Ink & Paint; Color)
109	* ''Anime/BurnUp Excess'' (Animation; Production Cooperation)
110	* ''Anime/TheCastleOfCagliostro'' (Ink & Paint)
111	* ''Anime/LeChevalierDEon'' (In-Between Animation)
112	* ''Anime/DarkerThanBlack'' (In-Between Animation; ''Gemini of the Meteor'' season)
113	* ''Anime/DivergenceEve'' (finish animation on episode 3)
114	* ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}'' (Finish Animation, 1979 series)
115	* ''Anime/EdenOfTheEast'' (In-Between Animation)
116	* ''Anime/EurekaSeven'' (In-Between Animation; Digital Paint)
117	* ''Anime/ExcelSaga'' (Production Cooperation on episodes 4, 9, 14, 19, and 24)
118	* ''Manga/{{Eyeshield 21}}'' (Animation; Finish Animation)
119	* ''Anime/{{FLCL}}'' (In-Between Animation)
120	* ''Anime/GeneratorGawl'' (Finish Animation)
121	* ''Anime/GhostHound'' (2nd Key & In-Between Animation)
122	* ''Manga/GhostHunt'' (In-Between Animation)
123	* ''Gowappa 5 Godam'' (Finish Animation)
124	* ''Anime/GovernmentCrimeInvestigationAgentZaizenJotaro'' (Finish Animation)
125	* ''VideoGame/HardCorpsUprising'' (Animation Support for Creator/Studio4C)
126	* ''Manga/KaitouSaintTail'' (Ink & Paint)
127	* ''Anime/KiddyGirlAnd'' (In-Between Animation)
128	* ''Series/{{Kikaider}}'' (In-Between Animation; Paint; Production Assistance)
129	* ''Anime/KirbyRightBackAtYa'' (Digital Paint)
130	* ''Anime/MagicalAngelSweetMint'' (Cel Painting)
131	* ''Manga/MoonlightMile'' (In-Between Animation)
132	* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' (Cel Painting)
133	* ''Anime/{{Noein}}'' (In-Between Animation)
134	* ''Manga/OuranHighSchoolHostClub'' (In-Between Animation)
135	* ''Anime/Patlabor2TheMovie'' (Sweetening Cooperation)
136	** ''Anime/WXIIIPatlaborTheMovie3'' (Animation Assistance)
137	* ''Manga/TheQuintessentialQuintuplets'' (Animation for the TV Special episodes)
138	* ''Anime/SamuraiPizzaCats'' (Animation)
139	* ''Manga/SandLand'' (In-Between Animation for the anime)
140	* ''Anime/SerendipityThePinkDragon'' (Production Cooperation)
141	* ''Manga/SilentMobius'' (Animation, series)
142	* ''Manga/SkipBeat'' (In-Between Animation)
143	* ''Manga/SkullMan'' (Key & Finish Animation)
144	* ''Anime/SpiritedAway'' (Supporting Animation)
145	* ''Anime/StreetFighterIITheAnimatedMovie'' (Finish Animation; Associate Animation Production)
146	* ''Anime/{{Superbook}}'' Series 2 (1983) (Production Cooperation)
147	* ''Anime/TenchiMuyoGXP'' (Paint)
148	** ''Tenchi in Love'' (Key Animation; Paint)
149	* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' (In-Between Animation)
150	* ''[[Anime/{{Gigantor}} Tetsujin 28th]]'' (In-Between Animation; Digital Paint; Production Cooperation, three episodes)
151	* ''[[Anime/TimeBokan Time Patrol Otasukeman]]'' (Animation)
152	* ''Manga/TokimekiTonight'' (Finish Animation)
153	* ''Manga/TomorrowsJoe'' (Finish Animation; Second series)
154	* ''Manga/Touch1981'' (Finish Animation)
155	* ''Anime/WhereDoesTheDoomsdayTrainGo'' (In-Between Animation)
156	* ''Manga/UruseiYatsura: Only You'' (Production Assistance)
157	* ''Manga/YoureUnderArrest'' (Event Animation for the VisualNovel)
158	* ''Anime/YuGiOhZexal'' (Key Animation)
159	* ''Manga/Zom100BucketListOfTheDead'' (Production Cooperation; Composite; Background Art)
160
161	----
162	!!Tropes associated with SHAFT:
163
164	* AnimeFirst: ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' is their first-ever original work (read: not based on any preexisting material).
165	* CreatorThumbprint:
166	** UnreadablyFastText
167	** UnmovingPlaid
168	** ShoutOut
169	** The infamous head-tilt ([[http://i.imgur.com/4dqAX.jpg Now compiled for your convenience]])
170	** They also seem to have a thing for huge, mostly empty rooms that are, in fact, totally impractical but look artistic.
171	** SHAFT likes using stained glass or stained glass patterns a lot.
172	* {{Deconstruction}}
173	* DenserAndWackier: Their anime series which are based on preexisting works will often be sillier, stranger, and/or more prone to DerangedAnimation than their source material.
174	* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: ''Anime/EtoRangers'' contains little to none of the tropes that defines SHAFT.
175	* EnhancedOnDVD: Their by-now infamous scrambling to meet deadlines during a show's original airing season generally means improved animation for the eventual DVD release. They've become so notorious for it that this practice of revising art and animation has come to be known as "Shafting", as in "''Literature/{{Bakemonogatari}}'' was Shafted".
176	* GISSyndrome: SHAFT has developed a reputation for this.
177	* HaremGenre: Most of their series have at most TheOneGuy.
178	* QuirkyWork: Many of their shows are considered to be rather quirky in nature, particularly with their fondness for DerangedAnimation. Even if the source material isn't particularly weird, SHAFT's extra layer of weirdness will inevitably turn it into one.
179	* {{Retraux}}: They'll often add old-time-y film effects or use old-time-y orthography.
180	* ScheduleSlip: They're becoming increasingly infamous for this, due to a company policy of not rejecting work. Though they're generally good at [[EnhancedOnDVD fixing any errors]] on their TV release come the DVD/BD release.
181	** Justified in the case of ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica''. Due to the [[DistancedFromCurrentEvents 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami]], the final two episodes' airing was delayed for over a month. Creator/GenUrobuchi, who wrote for the series, explained that the slip came as a bit of a relief because they'd been having trouble animating them. When they finally ''did'' air on April 21st, fans could see why. SHAFT ''loves'' its surreal art, after all.
182	** This was also true for ''WesternAnimation/HulkHogansRockNWrestling'', but it was more [[Creator/DiCEntertainment DiC]]'s fault in that case.
183	* SignatureStyle: Part from the studio, part from Akiyuki Shinbo, but there are a lot of those:
184	** DerangedAnimation: To quote a random blogger: "Whenever I watch a SHAFT anime, I feel like I'm on acid. Not just a little bit of acid, a tanker truck filled with it."
185	** DesignStudentsOrgasm
186	** MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext: Whenever they stop trying to get some point across...it is as glorious as orthopedic squid panties to behold.
187	** MediumBlending
188	*** Pictures of real-life objects
189	** MindScrew: "[[MemeticMutation Meanwhile]] [[ButForMeItWasTuesday at SHAFT...]]"
190	** Camera showing whatever instead of the characters that are talking at the moment
191	** ArtShift: Frequently for asides or flashbacks, the art style will be drastically different from the show's usual style. Just watch almost any five-minute segment of a ''Bakemonogatari'' episode and you'll probably get an example.
192	** MundaneMadeAwesome: SHAFT will often, and for no reason, up the framerate and animation quality ''immensely'', and can focus on incredibly mundane things.
193	** SurrealThemeTune: ''All'' of them. [[spoiler:''Madoka Magica'''s makes complete sense, you just don't get context until the end]].

Context Creator / StudioShaft