P.A. Works Founder Warns That Too Many Shows Could Harm Original Anime
The founder of P.A. Works, Kenji Horikawa, recently expressed concern that the sheer number of anime productions might be weakening creators’ motivation to develop original anime works.
In an interview with Real Sound, ahead of the release of the studio’s Alice in Wonderland adaptation, Horikawa explained that producing original works has become increasingly difficult.
With anime production costs rising sharply, investors view original titles as higher risk. On top of that, the overwhelming volume of new anime each season can create a sense of exhaustion, weakening that initial creative spark of “this is the story we want to tell.”
Horikawa stressed that in original projects, everything—from the **story and characters to the world-building—**must be created from scratch, requiring enormous effort. He admitted feeling a “sense of crisis,” warning that if the current trend continues, studios may even “forget how to make original works.”
P.A. Works and Its Legacy of Original Anime
Despite the challenges, P.A. Works has delivered many beloved original anime over the years, including:
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Angel Beats
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Shirobako
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Charlotte
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Nagi no Asukara (Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea)
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Iroduku: The World in Colors
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Appare-Ranman!
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Akiba Maid War
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Buddy Daddies
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Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms
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Komada: A Whisky Family
The studio is now working on Dusk Beyond the End of the World, a sci-fi original series that will celebrate P.A. Works’ 25th anniversary and stream on HIDIVE in fall 2025. Other upcoming projects include the manga adaptation Dealing with Mikadono Sisters Is a Breeze (currently streaming), the Alice in Wonderland anime film debuting later this month, and the confirmed second season of Skip and Loafer.
Horikawa confirmed that the studio intends to keep producing original anime well into the 2030s, despite the growing industry challenges. He also highlighted the importance of P.A. Works’ headquarters being located in Toyama, a rural area outside of Tokyo, which he believes contributes to the studio’s unique perspective and creative identity.
via Real Sound
