Production I.G, known for producing several projects in Japan, including the hit anime series Kaiju No. 8, is slated to merge with studios IG Port and Signal.MD. Serving as the surviving company, Production I.G will absorb the studios beginning June 1. IG Port stated that the merger aims to optimize management resources and enhance the overall group’s profitability.

Signal.MD and Production I.G are both subsidiaries of IG Port, which means no stock, money, or asset transfers will occur. Production I.G’s name, address, business activities, and leadership will remain unchanged. However, news on whether Signal.MD will suffer any layoffs or changes in management, and employees were not mentioned.

The History of IG Port and Production I.G

The Anime Conglomerate Is Not New To Mergers

IG Port is the parent company for Production I.G., Signal.MD, Wit Studio, and Mag Garden. Production I.G, known for producing Haikyu!! and Ghost in the Shell, was established in 1989 under the name Tatsunoko, a subsidiary of the animation company Tatsunoko Production, before changing its name in 1993. Mag Garden, a manga publishing company, merged with Production IG in 2007 to form IG Port. Soon after, Wit Studio was founded in 2012 with Signal.MD followed up in 2014. On May 21, 2019, Production I.G absorbed production studio XEBEC Co., Ltd, known for its work on Love Hina and Keijo!!!!!!!!

Many speculate that Wit Studio, known for the first three seasons of Attack on Titan and Netflix’s adaptation of The One Piece, will inevitably follow in the footsteps of Production I.G. and merge with its parent company, especially since George Wada serves as a producer at Production I.G. and president of the studio.

Established by IG Port in October 2014, Signal.MD has been led by Takatoshi Chino, its current president. The studio has produced numerous anime, including Napping Princess, The Wonderland, Recovery of an MMO Junkie, The Fire Hunter (both seasons), Platinum End, and Fate/Grand Order: Camelot (Wondering; Agateram). Its latest work, Nina the Starry Bride, premiered on October 7, and it is currently co-producing Shinkalion Change the World with Production I.G.

When Is Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 Debuting?

The Breakout Anime Is Set To Return This Year

Meanwhile, Kaiju No. 8 season 2 is slated to premiere in July 2025, with a special theatrical compilation expected to hit Japan in March. Season 1 follows the middle-aged Kafka Hibino, who suffers an accident that suddenly gives him the ability to morph into a powerful Kaiju with special powers and superhuman abilities.

Created by Naoya Matsumoto, the 13th volume is expected to be released June 2025. The manga has already sold over 13 million copies in less than four years, and with its anime adaptation garnering popularity, Kaiju No. 8 has drawn comparisons to Naruto.