Topcraft Co., Ltd.( chu thức hội xã トップクラフトKabushiki-gaisha Toppukurafuto,also written as "Top Craft" ) was an animation studio established in 1972, by formerToei Animationproducer Toru Hara, and located in Tokyo, Japan. It was famous for the production ofNausicaä of the Valley of the Wind(1984),Hayao Miyazaki's theatrical anime film adaptation of his 1982–94manga series.Topcraft is well known for its collaboration forhand-drawn animationtitles byRankin/Bass Productions(New York City, US). Together, they produced several well-known animated television specials and feature films, includingThe Hobbit(1977) andThe Return of the King(1980). The studio served as a precursor to Studio Ghibli, another renowned Japanese animation studio.
The studio was founded on February 1, 1972, by former Toei Animation staff, including Toru Hara. Despite suggestions otherwise, the transition from Topcraft's demise into the formation ofStudio Ghibliis not clear. The studio went bankrupt and dissolved on June 15, 1985, essentially splitting the studio in half. Ghibli was founded after the advice ofTokuma Shotenand the success of Topcraft'sNausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.[1]Hayao Miyazaki,Toshio SuzukiandIsao Takahataacquired the assets and formedStudio Ghibli.Topcraft's founder, Toru Hara, became Studio Ghibli's first manager.[2]Topcraft's animators later formed another studio, called Pacific Animation Corporation and headed by Masaki Iizuka, to continue working with Rankin/Bass on television shows likeThunderCatsandSilverhawks,but eventually joined Ghibli once Pacific Animation was bought out byThe Walt Disney Companyand becameWalt Disney Animation Japan.[3]Some animators, like Tsuguyuki Kubo, went to work for other studios, such asStudio Pierrot,working onNarutoandBleachfor them. Toru Hara died on December 14, 2021, at the age of 85.
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Year
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Company
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Notes
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| The Jackson 5ive
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1971–1972
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Rankin/BassandHalas & Batchelor
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Topcraft was one of the animation cooperation studios.
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| The Osmonds
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1972–1973
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Topcraft was one of the animation cooperation studios.
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| Festival of Family Classics
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Rankin/Bass
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Topcraft was the main animation studio for episodes 4–5 and 19.
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| The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie
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Topcraft was the main animation studio for episodes 6, 14 and 17.
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| Mazinger Z
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1972–1974
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Toei Animation
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Topcraft was the main animation studio for episodes 55, 60, 64, 70, 76, 82, 84, 87 and 89.
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| Gatchaman
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Tatsunoko
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Topcraft was one of the animation cooperation studios.
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| Maya the Bee
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1975–1976
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Nippon Animation
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Topcraft was one of the animation cooperation studios.
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| Lupin III: Part II
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1977–1980
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Tokyo Movie Shinsha
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Topcraft was the main animation studio for episodes 24, 29, 109, 114, 119, 122, 124 and 128.
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| Doctor Snuggles
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1979–1980
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PolyScope Production
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Topcraft was the main animation studio for episodes 1 to 7.
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| Jarinko Chie
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1981–1983
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Tokyo Movie Shinsha
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Topcraft was the main animation studio for episodes 42, 45, 49 and 51.
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| Kojika Mongatari
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1983–1985
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MGM/UA Televisionand MK Company
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Topcraft was the main animation studio for episodes 11–12, 14, 22–23, 27, 29 and 32.
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| Lensman
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1984
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Madhouseand MK Company
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Topcraft was one of the animation cooperation and photography studios.
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| Magical Fairy Persia
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1984–1985
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Studio Pierrot
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Key animation
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| Sherlock Hound
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Tokyo Movie Shinsha
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Topcraft was the main animation studio for episode 24.
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| Galactic Patrol Lensman
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Madhouse andAcademy Productions
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Topcraft was one of the animation cooperation studios.
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| Star Musketeer Bismarck
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Studio Pierrot
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Topcraft was the main animation studio for episodes 27 and 29.
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| Sangokushi
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1985
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Shin-Ei Animation
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Topcraft was one of the production cooperation studios.
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| ThunderCats
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Rankin/Bass andLeisure Concepts
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Topcraft was the main animation studio for the first season.
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| The Smurfs
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1985–1986
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Hanna-Barbera ProductionsandSEPP International S.A.
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Topcraft was the foreign studios dubbed in Japanese for the first season.
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