Legendary animation studio Telecom Animation Film will officially be merged into its parent company, TMS Entertainment. The corporate restructuring marks a significant shift in Japan’s anime production landscape.
Founded in 1975, Telecom Animation Film has played a major role in the industry for decades. The studio contributed to numerous high-profile projects, including entries in the long-running Lupin the Third franchise and more recent titles such as Blue Box. Known for its strong animation direction and consistent production quality, Telecom has built a respected legacy both domestically and internationally.
The merger was formally announced through an official notice published in Japan’s government gazette on February 16, 2026. According to the announcement, Telecom Animation Film will be dissolved following the full transfer of its assets and liabilities to TMS Entertainment. This means TMS will assume complete operational control, integrating Telecom’s resources directly into its corporate structure.
While the move signals the end of Telecom as a standalone entity, it does not necessarily indicate a halt to its creative output. Instead, the integration is expected to streamline operations, consolidate management, and potentially improve production efficiency under TMS’s centralized system.
Industry observers note that such mergers are not uncommon in Japan’s animation sector, particularly as studios seek to optimize costs, secure long-term stability, and adapt to the increasingly globalized anime market. With rising production expenses and intensifying international competition, consolidation can provide stronger financial backing and strategic flexibility.
For long-time anime fans, however, the dissolution of Telecom Animation Film as an independent studio represents the closing of an important chapter in anime history. Its legacy, built over more than five decades, remains deeply embedded in some of the medium’s most beloved works.
