(Photo: D’ART Shtajio)
Making history in Japanese anime
Did you know that there is a predominantly Black-owned anime studio?
Founded by animators behind titles such as Pokémon, Naruto, and Bleach, D’ART Shtajio is Japan’s first-ever Black-owned anime studio.
Founded in 2016 by three industry veterans—animator Henry Thurlow, background artist Arthell Isom and his twin brother Darnell— came together to works towards bringing together American aesthetics and Japanese anime. The studio focuses on 2-D animation and is located in Tokyo, the heart of Japan.
Thurlow had previously worked for Nakamura Production as an in-between animator and his credits fall under titles such as Pokémon and Gundam Build Fighters. He was also an animator for the title Tokyo Ghoul under Pierrot Animation.
During his time as an animator under these production companies, Thurlow shared with CBR that he was constantly frustrated because his creative inputs were never taken seriously, or he was not credited for certain projects.
“Back then I was drawing for Gundam and Pokémon, but my name was never mentioned, and I was literally making $4 a day,” Thurlow said, according to CBR. Isom’s work in animation includes titles such as Black Butler, Gintama, and Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine.
D’ART Shtajio now employs several foreign animators who all work on major Japanese animation productions. The number of non-Japanese animators (in Japan) is increasing, and many are taking on new roles such as anime planning, management, and public relations.
By: Maytinee Kramer
