by “Attack on Titan” and “Kimetsu no Yaiba.” The rise of Japanese animation continues, but it is a sad story for the company that laid its foundation. “Mushi Production” was founded by the late Osamu Tezuka. The successor company is in a financial crisis. It is said that the widow of Tezuka has been sued for unpaid rent.
The complaint states that it was submitted in June this year. The proceedings are currently underway in the Tokyo District Court.
The defendant is “Mushi Production Co., Ltd.”, commonly known as Mushi Production and its representative director. The plaintiff is the widow of the late Osamu Tezuka, who is 89 years old.
“Mushi Production is a company that can be said to be the ancestor of Japanese animation.”
Mr. Masaki Tsuji, a scriptwriter and detective writer, states. He has also written scripts for Tezuka’s major anime works, such as “Astro Boy” and “Jungle Emperor.”
“The first domestic TV anime series was created, and the animators who grew up there used to be” Gundam “and” Space Battleship Yamato, “and in recent years” Attack on Titan. ” I came. “
Mushi Production closed for business.
Mushi Production was established in 1962 by Tezuka, who had longed for Disney animation. The following year, he made Japan’s first serial TV animation “Astro Boy.” He produced masterpieces such as “Jungle Emperor,” “Princess Knight,” and “Ashita no Joe” one after another, but management gradually deteriorated. After retiring as president, he went bankrupt in 1973, and Tezuka took over a huge debt. The core staff jumped out here, and four years later, the remaining staff rebuilt the current “Mushi Production.”
Why did the widow sue for such a related company?
“Mushi Production is no longer a company and can no longer pay rent.”
Is a journalist who covered the proceedings.
The company has its head office in Fujimidai, Nerima-Ku, but this area was originally the land where the Tezuka residence of 400 tsubos was located. After the bankruptcy, Tezuka sold his house to repay his debt, but he left only this land and the company building and lent it to Mushi Production.
“However, payment began to be delayed about five years ago. The rent was about 380,000 yen a month, but I was late and continued to pay in a lump sum for several months, and from two years ago, there was no transfer at all. Even if you do, it will be ignored, or you will just be told, “I will issue a rehabilitation plan, so please wait.” Since there is no sign of being paid at all, I asked for the surrender of the building and the liquidation of the unpaid rent and filed a lawsuit. “(same)
It seems to be a severe proceeding for Mushi Production, but why did the traditional company get into such a state?
“Tezuka-sensei has also set up a company called” Tezuka Productions, “which owns most of the copyright for his anime, so it’s not in the interest of Mushi Productions. You can’t make money without making an original, but the old staff from the Mushi Production era has also been aging, and the president from the time of reconstruction died three years ago. In recent years, I have hardly made any new works. “
The store was closed.
I applied for coverage to both parties, but none of them responded.
Mr. Tsuji mentioned above says.
“About ten years ago, when I went to Mushi Production for TV coverage, the particular camera used by Professor Tezuka for filming remained as it was. I missed it because everyone touched and stroked it. Even though it’s a company, it’s a shame that Mushi Production is supposed to do that. “
