Marvelous Cuts Down Staff From 120 To 100

Not immediately, but that's what Marvelous Entertainment is aiming for as soon as possible, in an attempt to reduce costs. This week's announcement bares a striking resemblance to Gonzo's initial attempt to cut down staff by 20% back in December - only to announce even more drastic job cuts a couple of months later. Hopefully it won't come down to that for Marvelous.



As the (co-)production company behind such anime titles as the Gunslinger Girl series, the School Rumble series, Mushishi and School Days (plus various non-anime stuff), Marvelous Entertainment seems to adopt a slightly different solution for reducing their work force. Instead of asking people to resign like Gonzo did, they're asking them to retire early. About 20 of them, to be more precise, representing 17% of their current total of 120 employees.

"The employees who choose to take advantage of the program between March 23 and April 3 will receive a special severance payment. Their retirement will become effective on April 30." (ANN)

Marvelous Entertainment's only upcoming anime project that I'm aware of is Shin Koihime Musou - roughly set for an October 2009 debut, based on the eroge of the same title and sequel to last year's Koihime Musou anime.