Takeshi Anzai
Description
Takeshi Anzai is a Japanese animation producer and business executive whose career in the anime industry spans from the late 1970s through the 2010s. He is most prominently known for his role as the chief executive officer of the animation studio Daume, where he was also a primary producer on numerous television series and original video animations.
Anzai began his career in animation in the late 1970s, working in entry-level production roles. His early credits include serving as an in-between animator on the television series Treasure Island in 1978 and as an assistant production manager on films such as Aim for the Ace! The Movie in 1979 and The Fantastic Adventures of Unico in 1981. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, he worked primarily as a production manager and producer on various OVA projects, including Devil Hunter Yohko and titles within the Tenchi Muyou! franchise.
His career became closely tied to the studio Daume, where he became co-president in 1993 and later served as the company's president until its withdrawal from primary animation production around 2015. In this capacity, Anzai functioned as a key producer and animation producer for many of the studio’s most recognized projects. Among his producer credits are the television series Please Teacher! in 2002 and Please Twins! in 2003, as well as the OVA Le Portrait de Petit Cossette in 2004. He also served as animation producer for series such as Strawberry Marshmallow in 2005, Minami-ke in 2007, and Shiki in 2010.
As an original creator, Anzai is credited as a primary creative force behind the anime series BuBu ChaCha. The original 1999 television series, directed by Tetsurō Amino and written by Akira Okeya, lists Anzai among its creators alongside Okeya, Iku, and Amino. Anzai’s involvement continued with the second season, I Love Bubu Chacha! (also known as Daisuki! BuBu ChaCha), where he received credit as an original creator and contributed to production design and planning. The series, produced by Daume and Japan Digital Entertainment, follows the story of a young boy whose deceased pet dog is reincarnated as a living toy car.
Throughout his career, Anzai was known for his work behind the scenes as a producer and studio executive rather than as a public-facing director or writer. His industry significance is largely tied to his leadership at Daume, where he oversaw the production of a diverse range of titles, from slice-of-life comedies to supernatural thrillers, during the studio’s most active period from the late 1990s through the late 2000s.
Anzai began his career in animation in the late 1970s, working in entry-level production roles. His early credits include serving as an in-between animator on the television series Treasure Island in 1978 and as an assistant production manager on films such as Aim for the Ace! The Movie in 1979 and The Fantastic Adventures of Unico in 1981. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, he worked primarily as a production manager and producer on various OVA projects, including Devil Hunter Yohko and titles within the Tenchi Muyou! franchise.
His career became closely tied to the studio Daume, where he became co-president in 1993 and later served as the company's president until its withdrawal from primary animation production around 2015. In this capacity, Anzai functioned as a key producer and animation producer for many of the studio’s most recognized projects. Among his producer credits are the television series Please Teacher! in 2002 and Please Twins! in 2003, as well as the OVA Le Portrait de Petit Cossette in 2004. He also served as animation producer for series such as Strawberry Marshmallow in 2005, Minami-ke in 2007, and Shiki in 2010.
As an original creator, Anzai is credited as a primary creative force behind the anime series BuBu ChaCha. The original 1999 television series, directed by Tetsurō Amino and written by Akira Okeya, lists Anzai among its creators alongside Okeya, Iku, and Amino. Anzai’s involvement continued with the second season, I Love Bubu Chacha! (also known as Daisuki! BuBu ChaCha), where he received credit as an original creator and contributed to production design and planning. The series, produced by Daume and Japan Digital Entertainment, follows the story of a young boy whose deceased pet dog is reincarnated as a living toy car.
Throughout his career, Anzai was known for his work behind the scenes as a producer and studio executive rather than as a public-facing director or writer. His industry significance is largely tied to his leadership at Daume, where he oversaw the production of a diverse range of titles, from slice-of-life comedies to supernatural thrillers, during the studio’s most active period from the late 1990s through the late 2000s.
Works
- Topics: Anime overview