News

Bunkyo Gakuin University’s Graduate School of Business Administration is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Taiki Sakurai, founder and CEO of Salamander Pictures Co., Ltd., as a Visiting Researcher. Mr. Sakurai’s extensive experience in anime production, including his pioneering work in integrating new technologies, positions him to play a critical role in shaping the next generation of content creators.

Mr. Sakurai, well-known for his work on major anime productions such as Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Pokémon Concierge, will work closely with the university to enhance its educational offerings. The Graduate School’s Content Management Course, which focuses on innovative approaches to Japan’s evolving content industry, will benefit greatly from his expertise.

Mr. Sakurai’s connection to the university is long-standing. He served as a part-time lecturer from 2008 to 2018, during which time he taught “Content Production Theory” and supervised internships. Many of his former students have since gone on to successful careers in the anime industry.

Professor Kazumi Ohno, from the Graduate School of Business Administration, has expressed the university’s commitment to creating a unique educational program that nurtures talent capable of making a significant impact in both Japan’s and the global content industries. A key focus of this program will be on attracting international students, particularly from Asia, who are eager to work in Japan’s anime industry. The partnership with Salamander Pictures will provide these students with practical experience in anime production, as well as the latest techniques used in the field.

With Mr. Sakurai’s support, Bunkyo Gakuin University plans to position itself as a global hub that connects Japan’s anime industry with the rest of the world. An international recruitment campaign is set to launch in early 2025, targeting students for the 2026 academic year.