About the studio
Founding and Vertical Animation Innovation
Anime Beans is a pioneering digital animation streaming platform and production initiative launched in June 2017 by Production I.G, one of Japan's most acclaimed animation conglomerates [1][2]. Originally launched under the name 'Tate Anime' (Vertical Anime) before rebranding to Anime Beans in May 2018, the service was conceived specifically to address the radical transformation in smartphone entertainment consumption habits among young mobile demographics [1][3]. Recognizing that modern smartphone users overwhelmingly view media vertically without rotating their mobile handsets, Production I.G engineered a native vertical video mobile application and production framework [2][3]. The platform was structured to produce and distribute exclusive short-form micro-anime episodes, each running approximately one to three minutes in length, designed and optimized precisely for vertical 9:16 aspect ratio smartphone screens and rapid touchscreen navigation [1][4].
Creative Adaptations and Short-Form Production Model
To populate the application, Anime Beans developed a streamlined, fast-paced production pipeline tailored for episodic vertical storytelling [1][2]. The platform primarily adapted popular digital web comics, romantic shojo manga, and lighthearted comedies, translating static smartphone scrolling manga into dynamic mobile animation [2][3]. Production I.G collaborated with diverse subcontracting studios, young directors, and emerging voice talent to produce dozens of exclusive vertical series [1][4]. Notable animated adaptations released under the Anime Beans banner included Karada Sagashi (Body Search), Caramel Honey, Monkey Peak, 15-sai, Shinryoushi de Hatsukoi (15 Years Old: First Love in the Clinic), and Ganso! Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku [2][3][4]. These micro-episodes utilized dynamic split screens, expressive vertical character framing, and rapid narrative pacing, demonstrating how traditional hand-drawn and digital animation techniques could adapt to vertical smartphone viewports [1][3].
Digital Marketplace Evolution and Legacy
In addition to short-form vertical animations, Anime Beans expanded its catalog to host traditional horizontal anime series, voice drama audio tracks, and localized Korean webtoon adaptations [1][2]. The platform explored innovative monetization models, incorporating free ad-supported viewing tiers, daily login point unlocks, and in-app micro-transactions for early episode access [2][4]. Although Production I.G eventually concluded active development of the standalone Anime Beans mobile service in March 2023 amidst intense competition from massive global video platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts, Anime Beans remains a historic trailblazer in Japanese media history [1][3]. It demonstrated how established animation studios could proactively innovate at the dynamic intersection of mobile telecommunications, digital comic formatting, responsive character layout, and short-form animation consumption habits [1][2][3][4].