dwarf studios

dwarf studios (ドワーフ, stylized in lowercase) is Japan's premier stop-motion animation studio, founded in September 2003 by director and character designer Tsuneo Goda, creator of NHK's iconic mascot Domo-kun. Specializing in puppet stop-motion ('koma-dori'), character design, and end-to-end production from planning and shooting through to editing, the studio produces 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 widely regarded as Japan's pre-eminent stop-motion studio. In February 2026, the studio joined AOI Pro. Inc., Japan's major production company, while continuing to operate from its Tokyo-suburb facility in the Akitsu area.