Studio Unagi, a new independent animation studio, has recently opened its doors in Montreal. Founded by Guillaume Dubois and supported by Anthony Roux, CEO of Ankama, this studio stands out for its benevolent corporate culture and ambitious vision, merging the technical excellence of Japanese animation with Canadian creative richness. Since its inception, the studio has garnered significant attention, attracting more than 700 spontaneous applications.
The composition of the team showcases a strong local foundation with 90% Canadian talent, complemented by 10% international contributors. Notably, the studio emphasizes gender diversity, with women holding 75% of all roles, including crucial positions in production and animation. The artists at the studio, predominantly senior professionals, are distinguished by their exceptional skill and creativity.
Currently, Studio Unagi is working on two productions produced by Ankama: "Bestiale"(7x11 min, Broadcaster: ADN, France) and "Sacré-coeur" (26x26 min, Broadcaster: France Télévision, France). The studio is already preparing for future productions and plans to diversify its activities, exploring new segments like YouTube and video games to tell innovative stories. The strategic partnership with Ankama, known for its game Dofus and the animated series "Wakfu", is based on a longstanding, trusting relationship between Guillaume Dubois and Anthony Roux. This new entity will meet the growing production needs of Ankama while supporting the growth of Studio Unagi. Together, they aim to create high-quality 2D animation stories and develop innovative projects. As a premium and independent boutique studio, Studio Unagi carefully selects its projects, ensuring real added value in each collaboration. This approach and its privileged partnership with Ankama position Studio Unagi as a strong new player in the animation sector.
Guillaume Dubois, founder and President of Studio Unagi appealed to the combination of Canadian talent with Japanese culture: "Our ambition with Studio Unagi is to combine the technical and artistic excellence of Japanese animation with the cultural richness and creativity of Montreal to offer a competitive presence in North America. We aim to create works that resonate with anime fans worldwide while providing a space where talents can thrive," commented.
Anthony Roux, founder of Ankama mentioned that the goal is to bring a new dynamic to the industry: "Our collaboration with Studio Unagi stems from our shared passion for animation and our desire to push the boundaries of creativity. Leveraging their expertise, we want to bring a new dynamic to the industry and create captivating stories that honor the spirit and aesthetics of the Ankama universe and anime in general," added.
