DLE Inc. is entering the crowded anime production market with a new “Alternative Anime” business designed to cut both costs and production times for 30-minute series.
The Tokyo-based animation company will leverage its expertise in Adobe Animate to produce what it calls “middle-quality” animation at lower prices compared to traditional 2D anime studios. The service targets IP holders, content providers and production committees struggling with industry-wide bottlenecks.
Japan’s anime industry has experienced significant global growth in recent years, creating severe production constraints at studios. Current wait times for completed anime projects can stretch to four or five years, according to the company.
DLE’s first project under the new business model is “The Way of Hiroshi Nohara’s Lunch,” a spinoff from the popular “Crayon Shin-chan” franchise. The series is currently in production and scheduled to broadcast on BS Asahi starting in October 2025.
The company is positioning the service as a solution for rights holders who want to capitalize on trendy IP while it remains relevant, rather than waiting half a decade for traditional animation production.
