Founded by brothers Takejir? Otani and Matsujir? Shirai, Shochiko is a Japanese movie studio that specializes in kabuki as well as anime production and distribution. Initially named Kunyomi Matsutake and renamed later on, Shochiko quickly grew and did expand to include other theatrical styles such as Bunraku as well as Noh.
When Shochiku began to produce films, the business was the first to leave behind female impersonators for its actors and turn towards Hollywood standards for itself and its productions. Through this process, the business began to specialize in the shomin-geki genre. Eventually Shochiku was moved out of Kamata, Tokyo and reopened in Ofuna where it remained for several years.
Due to financial hardship caused by the conclusion of its popular series Otoko wa Tsurai yo, the Ofuna location was sold off to the Kamakura Women’s College and the studio’s theme park, Kamakura Cinema World, was closed down. Shochiko is best remembered for directors such as Mikio Naruse, Keisuke Kinoshita, and Yoki Yamada, as well as many of its theatrical animes such as the Cardcaptor Sakura films, Piano no Mori, Ghost in the Shell, Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa and Sword of the Stranger, in addition to other well known titles.
