TMS Entertainment Taps Taiwan's R. Animation to Bolster Production for 'Sakamoto Days' and Beyond

TMS Entertainment, the studio behind the highly anticipated Sakamoto Days anime adaptation, has officially confirmed a production partnership with Taiwan-based R. Animation. The collaboration, announced on January 8, 2026, is a direct response to the persistent animator shortage currently impacting the Japanese industry. The goal is to secure consistent, high-quality output by sharing resources and production expertise across borders.

TMS is known for established franchises including Detective Conan and Dr. Stone. R. Animation, established in 2018, brings recent experience contributing key animation and production work to major titles such as One Piece, Spy x Family, My Dress-Up Darling, and The Elusive Samurai.

R. Animation specializes entirely in 2D hand-drawn animation. Their services cover key animation, in-betweens, finishing, direction, storyboarding, and post-production. The Taiwanese outfit maintains a core staff of over 40 young creators, most of whom are under the age of 30.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two studios will exchange production technology and know-how. TMS guarantees a steady flow of work for the Taiwanese team. In turn, R. Animation commits to developing skilled talent within a stable production environment.

This initiative aligns with TMS’s broader commitment to sustainable anime practices, which the company refers to as its 'Anime SDGs' push. Facing mounting pressure from labor gaps and escalating demand, the industry requires structural solutions.

R. Animation representative Mr. Huang Chiao-Hsin emphasized that the deal prioritizes both creator development and maintaining artistic quality. The ultimate objective is establishing a long-term framework capable of ensuring consistent anime delivery despite current industry headwinds.