💣 Major Anime Studio Closures & Mergers – What’s Next for the Industry?
2025 has turned out to be one of the most unpredictable and chaotic years for anime studios in recent memory. Behind the stunning visuals and weekly hype lies an industry in flux — and now, several studios are either closing doors or joining forces to survive the pressure.
So what’s really happening behind the scenes? Let’s break down the closures, mergers, and what they could mean for the future of anime.
❌ Studio Passione Shuts Down After Financial Collapse
Known for titles like Citrus, Higurashi: Gou, and High School DxD Hero, Studio Passione officially closed its doors in March 2025.
🔎 The Reason? Reports point to budget mismanagement, multiple production delays, and lack of sustainable income from overseas licensing.
😞 Animators have spoken out, claiming unpaid work and last-minute cancellations of upcoming projects.
“It felt like the studio just gave up halfway,” said one anonymous former animator.
Their upcoming dark fantasy series, Dawn Eater, was canceled mid-production.
🤝 Trigger × Science SARU Announce Surprise Merger
In a totally unexpected move, Trigger (known for Kill la Kill, Promare) and Science SARU (Devilman Crybaby, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!) have merged into a new creative entity:
🎬 “TRI-SARU Creative”
Goal: Share resources, teams, and tech pipelines to reduce production burnout and increase stylistic innovation.
Each studio keeps its core style but collaborates on new hybrid projects.
First Collab: A genre-bending action series combining Trigger’s loud aesthetic with SARU’s experimental flair — coming 2026.
“This isn’t a business move — it’s a survival instinct,” says CEO Masaki Yuasa.
💀 Layoffs Hit A-1 Pictures (CloverWorks)
While not a closure, A-1 Pictures (parent of CloverWorks) has confirmed a 20% reduction in staff due to restructuring by Aniplex.
Rumors suggest that CloverWorks projects will be absorbed fully under the A-1 Pictures label going forward.
Several artists from Spy x Family and Horimiya have reportedly left or gone freelance.
“They want fewer studios, tighter control — but they’re losing their identity,” an insider said.
🏢 Studios Being Absorbed: A Trend in Motion
In 2025, we’re seeing a pattern: smaller, mid-tier studios being absorbed by larger corporations or production committees.
Studio Connect and Nexus were quietly folded into the Kadokawa umbrella.
White Fox, creators of Re:Zero, are rumored to be on the verge of a full merger with Studio Bind (co-creators of Mushoku Tensei).
GoHands, known for its unique visuals (Hand Shakers, Project Scard), is reportedly halting new IPs after a streaming deal fell through.
⚠️ What’s Causing the Collapse?
Here’s the brutal truth:
📉 High production costs, especially for cinematic-level visuals
🗓️ Tight deadlines from streaming services
💸 Poor labor practices driving away animators
🔥 Fan expectations pushing demand through the roof
🤖 The rise of AI tools, making studios rethink old production models
Smaller studios can’t keep up — and even bigger ones are feeling the heat.
💡 What’s Next for the Anime Studio Scene?
Despite the drama, this might lead to a more sustainable industry:
🔹 Rise of Co-Productions & Studio Alliances
Studios teaming up (like Bones + CloverWorks or Trigger + SARU) could lead to more efficient workflows and better artist protection.
🔹 More Indie Studios & Crowdfunded Projects
As more creators go freelance, we’re seeing Patreon and Kickstarter-backed anime projects finally get animated.
🔹 International Collaborations
Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Disney+ are all investing directly in anime creation — expect more co-productions with Korean, French, and U.S. teams.
🔹 Smarter Use of AI & Previz Tech
Not to replace animators, but to lighten early production workloads — layouts, coloring, and movement planning.
🎭 Final Thoughts: A Bittersweet Era
We’re in the middle of a studio shift — a creative reckoning.
Some of our favorite names may disappear… but new ones will rise. These mergers and closures feel like loss, but they also clear the way for leaner, more creator-first studios to thrive.
If there’s one thing anime has always done, it’s evolve. The next chapter is coming — and it might be the boldest yet.
