Studio Aura



Studio Aura is a Japanese animation studio founded in August 2018 as NickFamily Studios Japan (though most of its works that aired in 2018 and early 2019 started production as early as 2016 at various studios before the rights to them were sold to the animation company). The studio produces anime, mainly TV series but also OVAs. The studio operates facilities, most of which were previously CN XD Studios Japan and Studio Pri facilities, in the Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Saitama, Hokkaido, and Aichi Prefectures.

NickFamily Studios and AuraAnime Licensing hold the master licenses to all of Studio Aura's first-party works, with the only exception being PB&J Kawauso (on account of the anime initially being animated by Toei Animation prior to 2018). Sometimes the master license to a particular series is split between NickFamily Studios and Aniplex of America. Starting on January 1st, 2020, Studio Aura's first-party anime premiering prior to December 31st, 2019, high-profile series, and all CN XD Studios Japan/Studio Pri works, would be regrouped under "Studio Aura Originals" ("Studio Aura Original Adaptations", for anime adaptations of existing works, and "Studio Aura Presentations", for CN XD Studios Japan works), which would be licensed in whole or in part (such as linear broadcast rights) by AuraAnime Licensing in North America.

In November 2018, it was announced that Studio Aura would open a division to animate third-party works. It was also announced that Studio Aura would begin outsourcing in-between animation to other animation studios in the same month.

Studio Aura has an in-between animation studio, Sparkle Project, that was founded in March 2017 by NickFamily Studios and reorganized under Studio Aura in May 2019. Unlike Studio Aura, Sparkle Project holds none of the master licenses for any projects they work on.

In May 2019, Sparkle Project announced a new original anime series (which was in the works since January 2018), set to premiere on June 3rd, 2019. Studio Aura will represent the series outside of Japan.

In the wake of the Kyoto Animation arson attack, Studio Aura announced that they would donate approximately ¥500,000 (approximately $4601.50 USD) to Kyoto Animation to help them recover from the incident, additionally delaying the Japanese premiere of Miracle Tunes to August 10th, 2019, as well as delaying Magical Girl Bunny Utai and My Secret Pet to 2020. Magical Girl Bunny Utai and My Secret Pet were further delayed to July 2020 in the wake of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic.

In March 2020, Studio Aura J and Studio Aura K were founded. The studio facilities are expected to open up when coronavirus cases reduce throughout Japan; in the meantime, staff are expected to work from home. Some TV anime previously slated for Studio Aura C and F would instead be moved to J and K respectively.

On April 10th, 2020, Studio Aura D split-off two new studios: Studio Aura 3DCG, which alongside Boundary will take over animation production for Lycopene the Tomatoy Poodle: The Animation from Studio Aura D and Silver Link starting with season 3, and Studio Tomia. Both studios are considered a part of Aura Japan.

In August 2020, Studio Aura F split-off two studios: one in Aomori Prefecture as well as one in Akita Prefecture. Studio Aura then rebranded all their studios (except for Studio Aura 3DCG, Sparkle Project, Studio Komiya, and Studio Tomia, which remained unchanged, as well as Studio Aura H, which became Studio Aura Support Studio) to match the prefecture or district the studios were located in (for example, Studio Aura F became Studio Aura Hokkaido). The studios will be credited under these names beginning in the Winter 2021 anime season.

In January 2022, Studio Aura announced that Studio Aura Kyoto would receive a new animation team (called Team C) and that a new studio in Aichi Prefecture would be established, called Studio Aura Aichi C. Studio Aura Tokyo A also split-off a sister studio in Osaka Prefecture, called Studio Aura Osaka.

In April 2022, Studio Aura announced that its Tokyo C studio might close following the end of Monster Coins ReFINAL at the end of the year.

On September 9th, 2022, due to Studio Aura Support Studio not being utilized much for in-between animation (with some work being transferred to Studio YanYan), the facility was renamed "Studio Aura Saitama B".

On September 17th, 2022, it was also announced that Studio Aura Tokyo B would be closed in 2023; unlike the closure of Tokyo C, the Tokyo B team would be transferred to Studio Aura Tokyo A (soon to be renamed Studio Aura Tokyo). Replacing the Tokyo B facility would be new Studio Aura facility Studio Aura Nara.

On October 31st, 2022, Studio Aura announced it had founded its first overseas facility, "Studio Aura Southeast Asia", located in Singapore. The first anime to utilize the 3DCG team would be the anime adaptation of Cuddly Forest Friends, while the first anime to utilize the 2D team would be the anime adaptation of Sōbōtei Kowasubeshi (co-animated alongside Studio YanYan and Studio Aura 3DCG).

In 2023, Studio Aura and Aura Japan announced they had licensed out a package deal (consisting of, among other shows, the Cardbattle, Monster Coins and Cardrise Showdown franchises) for Southeast Asia.

List of facilities

 * Studio Aura Tokyo A- formerly CN XD Studios Tokyo and Studio Aura A, flagship studio, soon to be renamed Studio Aura Tokyo (Team A), located in Tokyo Prefecture
 * Studio Aura Kyoto (Team A) - formerly CN XD Studios Kyoto and Studio Aura B, secondary flagship, located in Kyoto Prefecture
 * Studio Aura Aichi A- formerly CN XD Studios Aichi and Studio Aura C, located in Aichi Prefecture
 * Studio Aura Saitama A- formerly CN XD Studios Saitama, Studio Aura D and Studio Aura Saitama, located in Saitama Prefecture
 * Studio Aura Kyoto (Team B) - formerly CN XD Studios Kyoto and Studio Aura E, located in Kyoto Prefecture
 * Studio Aura Hokkaido- formerly Studio Pri and Studio Aura F, located in Hokkaido Prefecture
 * Sparkle Project- located in Tokyo
 * Studio Aura Tokyo B- formerly Yui Animation and Studio Aura G, located in Tokyo; to have its building sold and its contracts transferred to Studio Aura Tokyo (Team B) in 2023
 * Studio Aura Saitama B- formerly Studio Aura H and Studio Aura Support Studio, located in Saitama Prefecture
 * Studio Aura Tokyo C- formerly Studio Aura I, located in Tokyo; to be defunct and the building/contracts sold following completion of work on Monster Coins ReFINAL
 * Studio Aura Akihabara- formerly Studio Aura J, located in Akihabara, focused on shonen anime
 * Studio Aura Aichi B- formerly Studio Aura K, located in Aichi, focused on shoujo anime
 * Studio Aura 3DCG- located in Saitama Prefecture, focused on 3DCG anime
 * Studio Komiya- located in Chiyoda, Tokyo
 * Studio Tomia- located in Saitama
 * Studio Aura Aomori- located in Aomori Prefecture
 * Studio Aura Akita- located in Akita Prefecture
 * Studio Aura Kyoto (Team C) - located in Kyoto Prefecture
 * Studio Aura Aichi C- formerly CN XD Studios Aichi and Studio Aura C, located in Aichi Prefecture
 * Studio Aura Osaka- located in Osaka prefecture
 * Studio Aura Nara- located in Nara prefecture
 * Studio Aura Southeast Asia (2D team) - located in Singapore
 * First Studio Aura facility operating outside of Japan
 * Studio Aura Southeast Asia (3DCG team) - located in Singapore

2018

 * Dragonfly Girl: Dragon Sisters
 * Fate/Crystal (with ufotable)
 * Jewelpet Story
 * Magical Kari
 * Kawaii!! Magic School Finals
 * Robot Warriors
 * Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Cute (with Gallop)

TBA.

2019

 * Angel Cat Sugar (with Toei Animation)
 * Cave Story: The Animation
 * Cave Story: Quests of Toroko and Sue
 * Go-chan: The Animation (with Shin-Ei Animation)
 * Go-Go! Music Club
 * The Last Uniform
 * Little Witch Academia: Moonlight of One (with Studio Trigger)
 * Lycopene the Tomatoy Poodle: The Animation (with Silver Link (seasons 1-2) and Boundary (season 3-4) )
 * Miracle Tunes! (with OLM, Inc.)
 * Nano Invaders II (with Jiubao Animation and Ω+ Animation)
 * Nickelodeon Family/Nicktoons Family-based anime:
 * Cottonsweet: Feel the Magic!
 * Cottonsweet: Feel the Magic+!
 * Time Force Girls! Finale
 * Of the Red, the Light, and the Ayakashi
 * Pokémon: RéBURST Pikachu/Eevee (with OLM, Inc.)
 * Pokémon-chan Sun & Moon (with OLM, Inc.)
 * Pokémon-chan Sword & Shield (with OLM, Inc.)
 * Puella Magi Homura Tamura (with Shaft)
 * Puella Magi Tart Magica: The Legend of Jeanne d'Arc (with Shaft)
 * Robotics;Notes DaSH (with Production I.G)
 * Shoujo Mangaka Mizu
 * Tales of Xillia Side:Milla (with ufotable)
 * Wolf Girl and Black Prince II (with Yumeta Company)

TBA.

2020

 * AligaPocket (with Dong Woo Animation)
 * Beyblade: Rising (with Nelvana, SynergySP, and d-rights)
 * Cottonsweet: Maho no Usagi (with Silver Link)
 * Cowa! (with Toei Animation)
 * Go-Go! Music Club: A Bond to Remember
 * Guilty Crown: Dancing Endlaves (with Production I.G)
 * Heroes of Light: A Story about Magic (with Bionix Animation and Ω+ Animation)
 * Kitchen Princess
 * Magical Pokémon Journey: Ruby & Sapphire (with OLM, Inc.)
 * Magical Record Lyrical Nanoha Force (with Seven Arcs)
 * Magical Record Lyrical Nanoha Force Dimension (with Seven Arcs)
 * Monster Coins: Finale
 * MoonNight DX: Studying by Day, Werewolf by Night (with Studio VOLN (season 1) and Dong Woo (season 2) )
 * My Lawyer Sues for Everything Season 2
 * Pokémon-chan Gaiden: Rockruff Roommates (with OLM, Inc.)
 * Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Wraith Arc (with Shaft)
 * Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story (with Shaft)
 * Pukupuku Natural Circular Notice

TBA.

2021

 * Beatcats!!
 * Dodgeball Girls (with Studio Comet)
 * Kitchen Princess: Search for the Angel Cake
 * Kos Rendah
 * Magical Aichi
 * Monster Coins: Changing our Lives (with David Production)
 * Monster Coins ReStart!
 * Pokémon-chan: Final Arc (with OLM, Inc.)
 * Tria (with Fukushima Gaina)
 * XIN (with Satelight)

2022

 * Ayene's High Kick (2022) (AuraNightfall April Fool's Day prank) (with Passione and Nikkatsu)
 * Card Masters Darkfall (with Nelvana)
 * Cardbattle: The New Experience (with Sparkle Project)
 * Chibi Workplace
 * Crush Gear: Protect The Club! (with Sunrise and BN Pictures)
 * Dodgeball Girls Pro (with Studio Comet)
 * Dragonfly Girl RE
 * First Rehearsal (with Boundary and Sanzigen)
 * Grand Dolls (with Tezuka Productions)
 * Happy Happy Clover (with Studio Tomia and Seven)
 * Jewel Cat (with Silver Link and Sanzigen)
 * Kyoo Usa (with C-Station)
 * Legendary B-Daman (with SynergySP)
 * Magical Aichi Mixin!
 * Magical Mini 4WD (with Sunrise Beyond and Production I.G)
 * MagicPunk (with TARGET Animation and Studio Acesky)
 * Miracle! Mimika (2022)
 * Monster Coins ReFINAL
 * MonsterShifters (with Studio Komiya)
 * Onegai My Melody High School~ (with Studio Comet)
 * Papuwa (with Nippon Animation)
 * Pokémon-chan Gaiden: Pikaworld (with OLM, Inc.)
 * Pon-chan (with Sparkle Project)
 * Robot Warriors NX: The Continuing Legacy
 * Tria Perfecta

TBA.

2023

 * Cardrise Showdown (with TMS Entertainment)
 * Cardrise Showdown: Kaedo vs Raki (with TMS Entertainment and Zexcs)
 * Chibi Adventure
 * Coffee & Cat (with Pie in the sky)
 * Cyclone Robots (with Studio Anima, One Animation and Mofac)
 * Galactic Fighter Laserblaster
 * Get Your Heart Beat (with Studio YanYan)
 * Happy Happy Clover: Travelling Clover! (with Studio Tomia and Seven)
 * Kemono Coin
 * Kos Rendah: Pembetulan Ekonomi
 * Little Forest Fellow (with SynergySP)
 * Lycopene the Tomatoy Poodle: The Animation: Extras (with Boundary)
 * Magical Aichi: The Final Chapter
 * Miss XV: The Animation
 * Music Game
 * Pixie Pop
 * Pokémon-chan Gaiden: Moving Out (with OLM, Inc.)
 * Racing Complex (with ENGI)
 * Remake! Cardbattle (with Sparkle Project)
 * The Saturday News
 * Time Force: The Original Time Force
 * Tria: Gran Finale
 * Ultimate Catgirl (with Zero-G)
 * XIN Underground (with Satelight)

TBA.

2024

 * Cuddly Forest Friends
 * Reborn Each Morning in Another World (with Silver Link)
 * Papuwa: The Final (with Nippon Animation)
 * Pokémon-chan: Epilogue (with OLM, Inc.)
 * Sōbōtei Kowasubeshi (with Studio YanYan)
 * SpinFire! (with Studio Comet)
 * WorldSaver the Animation

TBA.

International licensing
AuraAnime Licensing handles distribution of all Studio Aura shows in North America, with the exceptions of Heroes of Light: A Story about Magic and Nano Invaders II in which they only have/had sub-licenses (i.e. broadcast rights/streaming).

Crunchyroll and Flare+ license streaming rights to most Studio Aura shows; however, some shows, such as Jewel Cat, Nico in Fairyland and installments of Pokémon-chan co-produced with Studio Aura, stream exclusively on Flare+. HiDive also sub-license streaming rights to a number of Studio Aura anime per year, as did Funimation prior to their being absorbed into Crunchyroll in March 2022. Most shows streamed by Crunchyroll and HiDive are region-locked to North America with a few exceptions; similarly, as of February 2023 Flare+ have usually streamed Studio Aura's series only in North America, the UK/Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India (following the service's launch there), France and Germany. In Japan's case, most Studio Aura shows not available on Flare+ were picked up by AbemaTV, AnimeTeleto, or Bandai Channel for streaming.

TBA.