Studio Trigger
Trigger, Inc., also known as Studio Trigger, is a Japanese independent animation studio founded by former Gainax employees Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Ōtsuka in 2011. It has produced anime works including Kill la Kill, Little Witch Academia, Promare, BNA: [Brand New Animal], Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and Delicious in Dungeon, as well as the animated continuations of Gridman the Hyper Agent: SSSS.Gridman, SSSS.Dynazenon, and Gridman Universe.
History
Studio Trigger was founded by former Gainax employee Hiroyuki Imaishi, following his success with Gurren Lagann. This led to the creation of Studio Trigger, with Gurren Laganns visual humor and style defining the studio's work, and Trigger being seen as a successor to Gainax.Studio Trigger was established on August 22, 2011, by Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Ōtsuka shortly after leaving Gainax. The studio name and official website was revealed in October 2011. The first animation they released was for the game Project X Zone. Along with assisting production on various series, Trigger released a short film, Little Witch Academia, and developed its first original anime television series, Kill la Kill, which aired from October 2013 to March 2014. On July 8, 2013, Trigger launched a Kickstarter project in order to fund a second episode of Little Witch Academia. The project was well received and achieved its goal of $150,000 in under five hours, and went on to raise a total of $625,518.
Studio Trigger, along with studios Sanzigen and Ordet, formed the joint holding company Ultra Super Pictures in 2011.
In 2018, Studio Trigger created a Patreon with the goal of acquiring necessary funding for projects and merchandise. As of February 2025, Studio Trigger's Patreon offers two support tiers for patrons, has over 6000 members, and raises over US$3,000 per month.
In 2023, Trigger announced it had acquired the rights to Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt and Gurren Lagann, and announced a follow-up series for Panty & Stocking and a North American re-screening of both Gurren Lagann movies.