dwarf studios

dwarf studios (stylized in lowercase) is Japan's leading stop-motion animation studio, founded in September 2003 by director and character designer Tsuneo Goda, best known for creating NHK's beloved mascot Domo-kun. The studio specializes in puppet stop-motion animation ('koma-dori'), character design, and end-to-end film production — from planning and shooting through to editing — producing series, short films, TV commercials, music videos, and picture books. Internationally recognized for Netflix originals including Rilakkuma and Kaoru (2019), Rilakkuma's Theme Park Adventure (2022), and Pokémon Concierge (2023/2025) — all Annie Award or International Emmy-nominated — dwarf is considered Japan's pre-eminent stop-motion studio. In February 2026, the studio joined AOI Pro., Japan's major production company, under the banner 株式会社AOI Pro. ドワーフスタジオ, while continuing to operate from its Tokyo-suburb facility.