SHIROBAKO
An ensemble workplace drama about Aoi Miyamori and four friends who pledged in high school to make animation together, then struggle and grow in different production roles. The full 24-episode TV series and the film set four years later are integrated.
- Genre:
- お仕事 / アニメ制作 / 群像劇 / ドラマ
- Medium:
- Anime / Film
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SHIROBAKO — Timeline12 events
The five Kamiyama High friends vow to make a commercial anime
After completing their club animation, Aoi, Ema, Shizuka, Misa, and Midori of Kamiyama High's animation club make a donut pledge to create a commercial anime together one day.
Vol.TVアニメ SHIROBAKO 第1話 明日に向かって、えくそだすっ！・回想Ch. — Official TV episode 1 synopsis and P.A.WORKS' official movie page. ↗
Aoi runs production on Exodus!
Two and a half years later, Aoi works as a production assistant at Musashino Animation, racing to collect materials and coordinate departments on the airing series Exodus! Her first major production begins in earnest.
Vol.TVアニメ SHIROBAKO 第1話 明日に向かって、えくそだすっ！Ch. — Official TV episode 1 synopsis. ↗
Aoi helps bridge a conflict between 2D animation and 3DCG
A poorly relayed decision to change a showcase cut to 3DCG inflames conflict between key animator Endo and 3D director Shimoyanagi. Aoi consults Misa and searches for a way to restore mutual respect between the disciplines.
Vol.TVアニメ SHIROBAKO 第5話 人のせいにしているようなヤツは辞めちまえ！／第6話 イデポン宮森 発動篇Ch. — Official TV episode 5–6 synopses. ↗
Sugie takes on the finale's most difficult cuts
Unable to staff the finale's remaining key animation, Aoi follows Kanno's advice to veteran animator Sugie. He takes on the difficult animal climax while passing his craft to younger animators.
Vol.TVアニメ SHIROBAKO 第11話 原画売りの少女／第12話 えくそだす・クリスマスCh. — Official TV episode 11–12 synopses; the details of Sugie's solution follow those episodes. ↗
Musani takes on The Third Aerial Girls Squad and Aoi becomes desk
Musashino Animation is assigned the TV adaptation of the popular manga The Third Aerial Girls Squad. Promoted to production desk, Aoi begins assembling a new team while clarifying director Kinoshita's vision.
Vol.TVアニメ SHIROBAKO 第13話 好きな雲って何ですか？Ch. — Official TV episode 13 synopsis. ↗
The casting meeting is resolved by putting performance first
At a casting meeting distorted by competing demands over popularity, singing, and looks, the sound director resets the debate by comparing the acting itself. Shizuka is considered, but does not receive the role.
Vol.TVアニメ SHIROBAKO 第14話 仁義なきオーディション会議！Ch. — Official TV episode 14 synopsis; Shizuka's result follows the episode's resolution. ↗
Author revisions halt the character designs
Production stalls under abstract character-design revisions from the original author. Ogasawara supports the cornered Iguchi, helping her rediscover the core of the manga's art and prepare a new proposal.
Vol.TVアニメ SHIROBAKO 第15話 こんな絵でいいんですか？／第16話 ちゃぶだい返しCh. — Official TV episode 15–16 synopses; the route toward resolution follows the episodes. ↗
The five friends' specialties begin to converge on Third Aerial Girls Squad
Midori contributes research and writing under screenwriter Maitake, while Misa's studio handles 3DCG and Ema works on animation for the same production. Their high-school pledge moves closer through different parts of one work.
Vol.TVアニメ SHIROBAKO 第20話 がんばりマスタング！／第21話 クオリティを人質にすんなCh. — Official TV episode 20–21 synopses, with episode 24's official summary framing the five friends' convergence. ↗
Direct communication with the author resolves the finale
The finale is halted near completion because the author's intentions have been distorted through editorial mediation. Director Kinoshita meets the author directly, and together they reach a new character and ending both can accept.
Vol.TVアニメ SHIROBAKO 第23話 続・ちゃぶだい返しCh. — The official episode 23 synopsis explicitly covers the production halt and Kinoshita's resolve; the post-meeting resolution should be rechecked against the official episode. ↗
Shizuka voices Lucy as all five friends contribute to one production
Shizuka is cast as the new character Lucy, and Aoi watches her perform in the recording studio. For the first time, the five friends contribute to the same commercial anime through animation, 3DCG, writing, voice acting, and production.
Vol.TVアニメ SHIROBAKO 第23〜24話Ch. — The official episode 24 synopsis states that the five have moved closer to their pledge; details of Lucy's casting should be rechecked against episode 23. ↗
The five, now more experienced, face new struggles
Four years after The Third Aerial Girls Squad, the five have found places in the animation industry but face new struggles in their respective roles. Their TV-production experience now leads into the challenge of making a theatrical anime.
Vol.劇場版 SHIROBAKO 劇場版・序盤Ch. — P.A.WORKS' official movie page explicitly sets the story four years after The Third Aerial Girls Squad. ↗
The team reunites and carries a theatrical anime to completion
Facing a theatrical project under severe conditions, Aoi reconnects dispersed colleagues and staff to move production forward. By overcoming rights and workflow obstacles and delivering the film to its audience, Musani and the five take their next step.
Vol.劇場版 SHIROBAKO 劇場版・中盤〜終幕Ch. — P.A.WORKS' official page confirms the new challenge four years later; details of the project, rights dispute, and completion should be rechecked against the official film. ↗
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