Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away's Chihiro
By
J.R. Waugh
Published Feb 19, 2026, 9:30 PM EST
An experienced Editor representing Canada via Screen Rant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com.
His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023.
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In a move that structurally shakes up one of Japan's oldest and most storied anime studios, TMS Entertainment is absorbing one of its greatest production assets. Its longtime subsidiary, Telecom Animation Film, was confirmed to be dissolved and absorbed into parent company TMS, inheriting its animation rights and obligations in the process.
With the news coming courtesy of Gamebiz, Telecom's dissolution means a particular transfer of a storied corner of anime history, with one of Studio Ghibli's most prominent contributing supporters. While TMS did so to consolidate Telecom's heavy 2025 financial losses, they confirm Telecom's functions will continue "as a division" of the parent company.
Longtime Studio Ghibli Contributor Telecom Animation Film Dissolved by Parent Company
In a move that strikes a blow for longtime fans of Studio Ghibli including its greatest hits, Telecom Animation Film's dissolution means closing the book on a studio that's had its hand in numerous fan-favorite projects. This includes forgotten millennial gems like Cybersix, supporting animation for Batman's greatest animated era, and icons like Lupin the Third.
But beyond even these contributions, Telecom's contributions are particularly felt among anime film buffs, with the studio working on eight Studio Ghibli productions. Perhaps most notable was their consultancy with Ghibli regarding Princess Mononoke resulting in the studio introducing digital painting and computer graphics.
But for other fans, its contributions have stretched well into the present. Telecom has contributed to one of TMS' most iconic co-owned IPs, Lupin the Third, even recently completing the excellent Lupin the IIIrd: The Immortal Bloodline. Overall, Telecom contributed to one OVA series, four TV anime, and seven movies, so this merger marks the end of an era.
Telecom's Merger Makes Financial Sense (Apparently)
With the merger announcement including TMS' previous confirmation of Telecom's financial losses of ¥346 million in the financial year ending in March 2025, while TMS is noted paying dividends totaling ¥2.091 million, the cash flow seems significantly healthier at the parent company.
While not much info is available on how staff are affected by this move, TMS is still a particularly strong studio as well. The studio has multiple classic anime under its brand, particularly Detective Conan, and other rising favorites like Sakamoto Days working its way into fans' good graces after an initially tepid reception.
The concern now, is whether TMS can maintain its current momentum and keep the goodwill of its audiences, without discarding popular IP. Series that have continued to maintain the studio's cultural cache with modern viewers, like Dr. Stone, are ending, while other hits like Rent-a-Girlfriend will (hopefully) end soon enough.
But on the other hand, in a world where labor shortages are growing sharply due to increased anime demand, this consolidation still faces that major hurdle.
Realistically, should TMS successfully juggle the properties and rights absorbed by this merger, it could potentially be a rewarding final result which, at best, won't have a discernible difference for average anime viewers. But on the other hand, in a world where labor shortages are growing sharply due to increased anime demand, this consolidation still faces that major hurdle.
TMS Carries the Torch for an Excellent Studio
Taiki and Chinatsu as seen in Blue Box anime
While TMS' established reputation includes decades upon decades of iconic anime franchises, its Telecom merger includes some choice acquisitions. The studio has contributed unique fan-favorites like Tower of God season 1, more contentious first installments like Don't Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro, and perhaps its most undeniably great recent anime, Blue Box.
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Dive into the world of movies and TV shows with Screen Rant, your source for news, reviews, and exclusive content. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.Realistically, these properties already bore the TMS branding, and as always it's more a matter of staff available versus prestige of a studio that'll determine their quality. Blue Box is still likely to be excellent going into season 2. Detective Conan will likely proceed uninhibited. Lupin the Third will likely swap out styles, but keep releasing anime until the sun explodes.
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