Cloud Hearts, the animation studio behind Whisper Me A Love Song, Tawawa On Monday 2, and The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule The World, has officially filed for bankruptcy, according to Japan’s commercial registry.
The studio, which commenced bankruptcy proceedings on Dec 18, 2024, faced significant production challenges and heavy reliance on overseas outsourcing in its final years.
In October 2024, it was reported that the official domain of the studio’s website expired, which led many to speculate that the studio was going under.
A Brief History of Cloud Hearts
Cloud Hearts was officially founded as an animation studio and legal entity on June 1, 2021, with its headquarters located in the Igusa district of Suginami, Tokyo.
The studio originated as a division of Yokohama Animation Lab, led by producer Satoshi Nakatani, who served as president and CEO of Cloud Hearts.
The studio’s first major work was Tawawa on Monday 2, which was supervised by Yokohama Animation Lab.
Throughout its existence, Cloud Hearts primarily operated as a co-production studio with Yokohama Animation Lab, collaborating on series such as The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule The World, The Great Cleric, and Whisper Me A Love Song.
Satoshi Nakatani, who played a pivotal role in Cloud Hearts’ operations, last served as animation producer for The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule The World and The Great Cleric in 2023.
Following his departure, Yokohama Animation Lab president Yuuma Ooue took over as animation producer for subsequent projects, including Rail Romanesque 2, The New Gate, and Whisper Me A Love Song.
Production Challenges and Delays
Cloud Hearts’ bankruptcy comes amid a series of production woes, particularly with its final project, Whisper Me A Love Song.
The anime, initially announced for a January 2024 release, was delayed to April due to various circumstances.
The series faced further setbacks when its original director, Cai Xinya, was replaced by Akira Mano due to health issues. The final two episodes were delayed again to December 2024 and were credited solely to Yokohama Animation Lab, with no series director listed.
The studio’s struggles were worsened by its heavy reliance on overseas outsourcing to complete episodes.
Moreover, Yuuma Ooue took on multiple production roles, including serving as an animation producer for all Yokohama Animation Lab series and directing seven episodes of The New Gate despite lacking prior directorial experience.
He also supervised select episodes of Whisper Me A Love Song.
Impact on Yokohama Animation Lab and Future Projects
Cloud Hearts’ bankruptcy has also cast a shadow over its parent studio, Yokohama Animation Lab, which has faced its own share of challenges.
Yokohama Animation Lab was scheduled to co-animate New Saga with studio Makaria, directed by Norikazu Ishigooka, for a July 2023 release.
However, the project was indefinitely delayed and re-announced in January 2025 with a new production team, including Studio Clutch and director Naoki Mizusawa.
Similarly, Yokohama Animation Lab’s adaptation of Sword Of The Demon Hunter, initially set for a June 2024 release, was delayed and re-announced for March 31, 2025.
Source: Anime Atelier
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