Greetings
SME Visual Works Inc. began in 1997 as SPE Visual Works. Inc., a joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. In 2001, it changed its name to SME Visual Works Inc. upon becoming a subsidiary wholly owned by Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.　From April 2003, we will aim, with the central focus on producing quality animations, to encompass a broader range of business under the new name of Aniplex Inc. Based on the corporate philosophy of “Bringing ‘dreams’ and ‘inspiring experiences’ to all generations”, Aniplex has produced quality features aimed at a wide range of generations from its inception. Among them are highly successful anime series such as Rurouni Kenshin and Hare Tokidoki Buta, which have been aired not only on national television but also overseas, gaining worldwide recognition for their outstanding qualities. In addition, Aniplex has actively sought to adopt new technologies and approaches. This effort led to the critically acclaimed “Blood: The Last Vampire”, the world’s first full digital theatrical animation in HD24P, which was released in November 2000. While producing outstanding animations with our superior technologies and production talents, we have successfully expanded business opportunities utilizing our wide array of contents. Japanese animation is now known and loved as “Japanimation” by people all around the globe and is deemed to be Japan’s major property in the international visual market. We will continue to be committed to aiming for higher quality and to providing “dreams” and “inspiring experiences” to people all over the world.

Corporate History

September 1995

Established SPE Music Publishing Inc.

January 1996

TV animation Ryurouni Kenshin began airing on Fuji Television.

January 1997

Established SPE Visual Works Inc. by a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) Inc.

July 1997

TV animation series Hare Tokidoki Buta began airing on TV Tokyo.

January 1998

Integrates all visual software excluding music videos of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. to SPE Visual Works.

October 1998

Inaugurated a CD label specializing in music for games released from Sony Computer Entertainment.

July 1999

TV animation series Kyoro-Chan began airing on TV Tokyo.

November 2000

The first full-digital animated film using HD24P Blood: The Last Vampire opened doors nationwide in movie theaters.

January 2001

Company name changed to SME Visual Works Inc.

February 2001

Blood: The Last Vampire received the “Noburou Ohfuji Award” at the 55th Mainichi Film Contest.

March 2001

Blood: The Last Vampire received the “Grand Prix” at the Animation Division for Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs Media Blood: The Last Vampire received “Special Prize” at the 15th Takasaki Movie Festival.

August 2001

Blood: The Last Vampire received “Best Theatrical Feature Film/First Place” at The World Animation Celebration (USA). Blood: The Last Vampire sells over 100,000 videos in the United States.

September 2002

TV animation series Hare Tokidoki Buta under the name of Tokyo Pig began airing on ABC Family (North America).

September 2002

TV animation series Tama and Friends began airing with the syndication of FOX and Warner (North America).

October 2002

TV animation series “Spiral” began airing on TV Tokyo.

December 2002

Acquired video rights for mega-hit TV animation series “Naruto”.

April 2003

Company name changed to Aniplex Inc.

April 2003

TV animation series “Wonder Bevil-kun” began airing on NHK.

June 2003

Imcreased capital to \2,280,000,000.

April 2003

A license acquired program "Hello! Oswald" began airing on WOWOW.

October 2003

TV animation series “Full Metal Alchemist”began airing on 27 stations nationwide through MBS/TBS.
TV animation series "R.O.D-The TV" began airing on Fuji Television.