■ History
1984
CEO Junya Okabe participates in the SFX Exhibition (International Tokusatsu Film Art Exhibition) held at Ikebukuro Tobu Department Store in summer as one of the staff.
Subsequently, Junya takes part in numerous events related to SFX tokusatsu visuals held in the country.
1985
A special effects film production group is formed by gathering the participants of the independent special effects screening at Ikebukuro Bungeiza.
Green Requiem, Sanrio Film Gakidama, Tsuburaya Productions Junya Okabe took charge of special models for films, television advertisements, and shows independently.
Film, Teito Monogatari (He was in charge of the underpass and a part for a creature, Shikigami.)
1986
Packaged diorama for Eggerland and Air Fortress, HAL Laboratory.
Video, Noriko Sakai Debut Disk.
Television drama, Tuesday Suspense Theater: Darekaga Miteiru.
1987
Production of a commentary character for Fuji TV’s show, Kyo no Bangumi.
Monthly Magazine Nanda: Design and the modeling of characters on the cover.
Television show, Yu Hayami, American Kids: Design and the modeling of characters.
Acquires the rights for figures of a film, RoboCop. Produces and sells soft vinyl figures (HUIA Label).
Introduces Imagica Personal Links. Begins the production of CG work.
1988
Establishes Buildup Inc.
Godzilla vs. Biollante, Toho Movie: General modeling art of Biollante.
Kerberus, Bandai Movie: Overall modeling of protection gear suits.
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080 War in the Pocket; Production of mobile suits soft vinyl kit (12 figures.)
1989
Changes from a limited private corporation to a joint stock corporation.
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, Toho Movie: Modeling art of characters
TM Network’s live: Design and modeling of characters
Produces a number of television advertisement.
1990
Stage art costumes for the band, Kome Kome Club (Junya took charge of their costumes for the next five years.)
TBS’s show, Shizen ga Ichiban! Chikyu-Juku: Opening and time-lapse visuals.
Television advertisement, Nissin Foods Yakisoban: Modeled suits of characters
1991
Film, Kappa: Character modeling of Kappa.
Television show, Macross 7: Opening CG visuals
Television show, Hammer Price: Opening visuals
Television advertisement, Sega Phantasy Star: Special modeling art for television advertisement.
1992
Giant Dinosaur Exhibition: Dino-A-Live: Production of overall automated control robot (collaborative production with Kaiyodo)
Fuji TV’s show, Saigo no Kyoryu Okoku 2: Production of interactive dinosaur robot and the overall management of dinosaurs for the facilities.
NHK Special, Seimei: Swimming robot of Anomalocaris and CG visuals
Television advertisement, Panasonic Batteries, Special modeling art
Television advertisement, South Korean Samsung Bio TV: CG visuals
Television advertisement, Asahi Beer Kuronama: CG visuals
And many more.
1993
Wins the Emmy Award for the part Junya took part for NHK Special, Seimei.
Movie, Acri: Modeling art of characters
Television advertisement, Shinken Zemi: Modeling art of characters
Television advertisement, Gakken: CG visuals
Television advertisement, Sega Virtual On: CG visuals
Television advertisement, Sony Crash Bandicoot: CG visuals
Television advertisement, National Katekinpepa: CG visuals
Television advertisement, Kirin Beverage Su-Water: CG visuals
Television advertisement, FromA: CG visuals
Television advertisement, Dunlop Water-Repellent Tire, Special modeling art
Television advertisement, South Korean Samsung Any Call: CG visuals
Television advertisement, Shiseido Reciente: CG visuals
Game, Virtua Fighter, CG visuals
Game, Sakura Taisen, CG visuals
Game, Virtual Pro-Wrestling: CG visuals
Game, Ace Combat 2: CG visuals
And many more.
1994
Wins the Young Entrepreneur Award by the New Business Conference (NBC).
Forms a capital alliance with Sega Enterprises Co., Ltd. (Current Sega Co., Ltd.) (50% share)
Television advertisement, Nippon Life, CG portion
Television advertisement, Goki jet: Character design, special modeling and CG visuals.
Television advertisement, Compaq Presario: CG visuals
Television advertisement, Chelsea: Special modeling art
Television advertisement, Apricot: Special modeling art
Television advertisement, Sony Crash Bandicoot 2: CG visuals
Game, Kaze no Klonoa: CG visuals
And many more.
1995
Establishes Buildup in the U.S.A.
Develops Lawrence Gordon for a planned program with an American network, Speed Fighter with Dark Horse.
CG film, GUNDAM Mission to the Rise (Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo): CG visuals
Television advertisement, CommuniCase: CG visuals
Game, Sakura Taisen 2: Opening CG visuals
Game, Wachenröder, Opening visuals
Game, Seventh Cross, Opening CG visuals
And many more.
1999
First film directed by Junya Okabe, V Cinema, D: Production, scriptwriting, and direction (Gaga Communication)
Game, Cyber Troopers Virtual On: Opening CG visuals
2000
Television advertisement, EZ-Web Ayumi Hamasaki: Special modeling
Television advertisement, Prestige D: Special modeling
Television advertisement, Sharp Zaurus: Character design and special modeling
Game, Sonic Shuffle: Opening CG visuals
And many more.
2001
Candy toys for Uchuu Daisakusen Choco Vader (collaboration with Sony Creative): Planning and development, character design, figure modeling, game development,
and the production of television show (broadcasted on CX)
NHK’s educational show, Eigo de Asobo: Character design, modeled suits, and the production of opening visuals.
Game, Moto GP: CG still images for package.
And many more.
2002
NHK’s educational show, Eigo de Asobo: Character development, design, modeling, art, CG and show’s opening visuals.
NHK’s educational show, Hitori de Dekirumon: Character modeling and opening visuals.
Fuji TV’s show, Warau Inu no Jonetsu: Development and the design of all characters and opening visuals.
Game, Xenosaga (Namco): CG visuals and data for the game console.
Game, Doshin the Giant (Nintendo): CG visuals.
Game, Panzer Dragoon (Sega), Opening CG visuals.
Television show, Uchuu Daisakusen Choco Vader (CX), total 26 episodes: Program production.
And many more.
2003
Newly opens an incubation office inside the digital visual facilities, Skip City, in Nishi-Kawaguchi, Saitama.
(Secures a tie-up environment for HD 24P production equipment.)
Television advertisement, Kagome Vegetable Juice: Character design and special modeling.
Television advertisement, Eishogen Apricot Cocktail, Character design and special modeling.
Game, Soulcalibur II (Namco): CG visuals
Game, Tales of Symphonia (Namco): CG visuals
Game, Let’s Make Professional Soccer Clubs! III, (Sega): CG visuals
Game, Quest of D (Sega): Production and the design of characters (100 types)
Production of visuals for the distribution of Kaiki Seibutsu no Sekai (10 episodes) (Distributed at diners and through Internet service providers and KDDI)
And many more.
2004
Game, Gunslinger (Taito): Opening CG visuals
Game, Transformer (Atari): Opening CG visuals
Included novelty for Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (Shagohod prototype and mass production)
Television advertisement, Metal Gear Solid: Character art modeling (Crocodile cap)
DVD, Ultraman Series: Artwork for promotion (collaboration with Alex Ross)
PV, Asian Kung-Fu Generation: Characters for filming.
And many more.
2005
Konami, SPECTOR, Original V cinema: Planning, production, scriptwriting, and direction (Directed by Junya Okabe)
Konami, SPECTOR: Development of figures for the main character, prototype, and production.
NHK’s television show, Tensai Televi-Kun: Planning, production, scriptwriting, and direction (Directed by Junya Okabe)
V Neck, Yakuza 23-Ku, Shinjuku Version, Shinjuku Gyo-en: Scriptwriting and direction (Directed by Junya Okabe)
Television advertisement, Nintendo, Screwbreaker Drillero: VFX and character modeling
The group joins TYO Inc. (Stock code: 4358) (stock sales).
Concurrently, Junya Okabe continues as CEO and the company starts as a group company.
2006
Theatrical movie, Samurai Zombie (USEN)
Theatrical movie, Freesia: Effects director (Junya Okabe)
Theatrical movie, Negative Happy Chain Saw: Model production (Junya Okabe)
Theatrical movie, Shaolin Girl: Model production (Junya Okabe)
Animatronics, Tamanoi Vinegar Corporate Theater: Planning, facility design, vinegar robot, and HD visuals.
2007
Buildup Inc. merges with Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.
Junya Okabe assumes the position of executive vice president to oversee the creative division at Tsuburaya Productions.
Junya Okabe assumes the position of non-executive director for Dwarf Inc. (NHK characters, Domo-kun, Koma Neko, etc.)
He starts various internal projects at Tsuburaya Productions.
2008
Television show, Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle: Never Ending Odyssey (Total 13 episodes): Production supervision: Junya Okabe
Tsuburaya’s official video distribution website, Ultra Channel (Google and YouTube) opens and starts distributing videos.
Tsuburaya’s official online shopping site, Kaiju Depart (Amazon) opens and begins the sale of goods.
Tsuburaya’s fan video-sharing website, Niko Niko Tokusatsu (Dwango) opens and starts distributing videos.
Television show, Maison de Castle: Production and direction (Directed by Junya Okabe) (CS broadcasting)
2009
Film, Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legend The Movie: Production, scriptwriting, and visual direction: Junya Okabe.
Ultra Q: Film colorization (adds color to black-and-white) planning and production (Junya Okabe).
In December of the same year, Junya Okabe resigns from the position of executive vice president in the creative division.
In the same month, he also resigns from the position of non-executive director for Dwarf Inc. He left the TYO Group.
2010
- Feb.
- Establishes IDA Inc. (Daiba, Minato, Tokyo)
- Jun.
- Opens the IDA Channel on YouTube (Premium partner)
- Jul.
- Founds an affiliate company in Los Angeles, the United States of America.
- Releases Cat Shit One-The Animated Series- for free on YouTube.
(The first free rollout of the entire HD video for YouTube Japan) - Aug.
- Opens a branch office in visual facilities, Skip City in Kawaguchi, Saitama.
- Oct.
- Cat Shit One wins the TCM Award 2010 at the Tokyo Content Market (Current CTM) Becomes a member of LIMA (Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association)
- Dec.
- Begins the direct sales of Blast’s first own products, Cat Shit One, on the official website shop and Amazon in Japan.
Exhibitions
- Jul.
- Wonder Festival 2010 Summer
- Oct.
- Tokyo Content Market 2010
- TIFFCOM 2010
2011
- Feb.
- Begins the direct sales of Cat Shit One on Amazon in the U.S.A.
Cat Shit One was nominated in the short animation category in the Ninth Annual VES
hosted by the Visual Effects Society (VES)
for the first time for Japanese films. - May.
- Sets up an office in visual facilities Skip City in Kawaguchi, Saitama,
to gather and reinforce Blast’s production structure.
Exhibitions
- Jan.
- Hong Kong International Licensing Show
- Feb.
- Wonder Festival 2011 Winter
- Jul.
- ANIME EXPO 2011
- Aug.
- Shanghai Licensing Show
2012
Establishes a VFX production company, Light & Shadow
Establishes special modeling studio, Zeppet
Exhibitions
- Jan.
- Hong Kong International Licensing Show
- Jul.
- Digital Taipei
- Oct.
- TIFFCOM 2012
2013
- Jan.
- Relocates the headquarters to Sotokanda, Chiyoda (3331 Arts Chiyoda).
- Apr.
- Relocates the visual production department and the modeling department to Komae.
- Jun.
- Plans and produces an exhibition, Work Exhibition of Takayuki Takeya (3331 Arts Chiyoda).
Exhibitions
- Jul.
- Production Expo 2013
2014
- Jan.
- Forms a capital alliance with Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation.
Exhibitions
- Feb.
- Wonder Festival 2014 Winter
- Mar.
- MONSTERPALOOZA 2014
- May.
- Game & Creative Content Networking Bangkok 2014
- Jul.
- Bangkok International Digital Content Festival 2014
- Wonder Festival 2014 Summer
2015
- Jul.
- Changes the company name to Blast Inc.
- Dec.
- Dissolves the affiliate company in Los Angeles, the United States of America.
Exhibitions
- Feb.
- JAPAN EXPO IN THAILAND 2015
- Mar.
- MONSTERPALOOZA 2015
- Apr.
- Bangkok International Digital Content Festival 2015
- May.
- Thailand Comic-Con 2015
- Jun.
- MONSTER Exhibition 2015
- Jul.
- Production Expo 2015
Theme Park Expo 2015 - Oct.
- Leisure & Service Industry Fair 2015
2016
- Jul.
- Introduces a large high-definition 3D printer for the first time in the special modeling industry in Japan.
Exhibitions
- Mar.
- Hong Kong Filmart 2016
- Jun.
- Production Expo 2016
- Aug.
- Design Festa Summer 2016
- Oct.
- Tokyo Design Week 2016
2017
- Jan.
- Begins accepting commission projects of the first Animals As Art, Polar Bear Parent and Cub.
- Apr.
- Dissolves a capital alliance with Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation.
- Nov.
- BRAVESTORM, a special effects movie, goes on a nationwide release in TOHO Cinemas theatres, etc.
- Dec.
- Worldwide release of a fictitious film trailer, ZVP, on the Internet.
Wins Staff Pick for the first time for Japanese film by Vimeo, an American video-sharing website.
Exhibitions
- Mar.
- Art Fes Tokyo 2017
- Hong Kong Filmart 2017
- Apr.
- Marche du Film (Cannes Film Market) 2017
- Jun.
- Content Tokyo 2017
- Oct.
- TIFFCOM 2017
- Nov.
- American Film Market 2017
2018
- Jan.
- Begins accepting commission projects of animal art, Clone Wanko.
- Mar.
- Wins an award as one of the “Vibrant HABATAKU Small and Medium Enterprises 300” by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
- Jun.
- ZVP is screened at GOSH! Film Festival in Paris and CEO Junya Okabe wins the Best Director Award.
Exhibitions
- Feb.
- Wonder Festival 2018 Winter
- Mar.
- Hong Kong Filmart 2018
- Oct.
- MIPCOM / MIP Junior2018(Cannes)
- TIFFCOM 2018
- Nov.
- Digital Contents EXPO2018
- Dec.
- SIGGRAPH Asia 2018
2019
Exhibitions
- Feb.
- Wonder Festival 2019 Winter
- Jul.
- Wonder Festival 2019 Summer
2020
- Jan.
- Developed, designed, produced, and managed the character "SeiSei" for Star Panda.
Regular appearance on the morning information program "ZIP!" on Nippon Television until March 2023.
"SeiSei's better better English" from February 2020 to March 2022.
"Better better English with SeiSei the Teacher" and "SeiSei's English Cafe" from April 2022 to March 2023.
- SeiSei Official Site - Feb.
- 10th anniversary of Blast Inc.
- Jul.
- The parent company of BLAST, DEN Inc. (now BIGONE Inc.), established the limited liability business partnership STAR PANDA with Nippon Television AX-ON for the license business and intellectual property management of "SeiSei".
- Dec.
- Produced the Hollywood collaborative sci-fi series "BLADER" as a BLAST original work, released in two versions in Japan and the US on Amazon Prime and YouTube.
Exhibitions
- Jan.
- Super Festival 83
- Feb.
- Wonder Festival 2020 Winter
- Oct.
- Exhibited at Content Tokyo 2020 / 10th Licensing Japan with content regarding STAR PANDA LLP
- Nov.
- Design Festa vol.52
2021
- Feb.
- Started renting three animal special modeling produced by the in-house special modeling studio Zeppet: "Brown Bear Costume," "Panda Costume," and "Polar Bear Art Piece" (limited to Japan).
- Animal Special Modeling Rental Details - Apr.
- Zeppet, the in-house special modeling studio, established a payment system that allows for payment in cryptocurrency in addition to cash, a first in the modeling industry.
2022
- Feb.
- Produced the leading character for the puppet show "Fantane!" within NHK's "Okasan to issho (Together with Mom)," broadcasting since April 2022.
- Jul.
- Expanded and renewed the personal custom-made counter at the in-house special modeling studio Zeppet. - Personal Custom-Made Details
- Nov.
- Produced a short drama series for Apple Hikkoshi Center’s corporate character "Ringori-kun," available on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, consisting of six episodes plus a special movie.
Exhibitions
- Jun.
- Jointly exhibited at Content Tokyo 2022 / 10th Video & CG Production Expo with STAR PANDA LLP
- Oct.
- TIFFCOM2022
2023
- Apr.
- Announced the production of the live-action film "Getter Robo" (scheduled for release in 2025).
Exhibitions
- Oct.
- The live-action film "Getter Robo" was selected for the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market at TIFFCOM2023.
2024
■ Corporate Profile
Founded：1984
Established：February 2010
Capital：20 million yen
CEO：Junya Okabe
Address：3-8-29, Nishinogawa, Komae City, Tokyo 201-0001, Japan
TEL： 03-6803-2035 (main)
FAX：03-6803-2045
Parent company：BIGONE Inc. >> Official Website
Main Clients
(in random order)
Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)
Nippon Television AX-ON
Takashimaya
Horipro Inc.
AOI Pro. Inc.
Tokyu Bunkamura, Inc.
Robot Communications Inc.
Irem Software
Engineering Inc.
The Pokémon Company
TYO Inc.
Dentsu Live Inc.
Dentsu Tec Inc.
Yamaha Corporation
CJ E＆M
ADK Arts Inc.
XM Studios Pte Ltd.
Taiyo Kikaku Co., Ltd.
NTT Advertising, Inc.
Bell Rock Media Co., Ltd.
BOOKOFF
Corporation Limited
Business Description
・Planning and production of visual content for film, television, and the Internet
・Planning, production, and sale of visual content and related products in general
・Development, production, and sale of special modeling for visuals, events, and exhibitions
・Development and production of special effects, CG, and VFX
・Planning and production of visual content for games and amusement devices
・Planning and production of amusement parks, large-scale visuals, and three-dimensional visuals
・Planning, production, and sale of goods and toys
・Management, agent services, and marketing for artists and creators
Main Financing Banks
(in random order)
Risona Bank Toranomon Branch
Mizuho Bank Fukagawa Branch
Sumitomo Mitsui Bank Iidabashi Branch
Number of Personnel
Total 25 (including regular employees and contract employees)
Approvals and Licenses
License for fee-based employment placement services: No. 11-yu-300414
License for general worker employment placement services: No. 11-300577
In-house department
Special modeling studio, Zeppet
>> Official Website