The Fascinating History of Udon Entertainment: From Manga to Gaming
If you’re a fan of manga or video games, you’ve probably heard of Udon Entertainment. This Canadian art studio has become a prominent player in the global entertainment industry, thanks to their amazing work on the art and publication of comics, graphic novels, and video game art books. But how did Udon Entertainment manage to make such a huge name for themselves in such a competitive industry? In this article, we delve deep into the fascinating history of Udon Entertainment, from their humble beginnings to their current status as a market leader in the world of entertainment.
The Early Days of Udon Entertainment
Udon Entertainment was founded in 2000 by four artists from Toronto, Erik Ko, Jim Zub, Alvin Lee, and Omar Dogan. Their vision was simple – to create quality comics and manga art for a global audience. Their early work gained popularity, and soon they landed a contract with Capcom, a major gaming company, to create comics and art for their games. Udon Entertainment quickly made a name for themselves in the gaming world, which led to more opportunities in other areas of the entertainment industry.
The Rise of Udon Entertainment
In 2004, Udon Entertainment got their big break when they were given the opportunity to work on the Street Fighter comic series. The team put their heart and soul into the project, and the result was stunning. The comics were incredibly well received, and Udon Entertainment became a major player in the comic book industry overnight. They went on to create more comics, art books, and graphic novels for various franchises such as Darkstalkers, G.I. Joe, and Mortal Kombat. They also started creating their original content, such as their popular manga series, Robot Academy.
Udon Entertainment’s Expansion into Gaming
Given their background in the gaming industry, it’s no surprise that Udon Entertainment eventually entered the world of video games. They started by creating concept art for various games, such as the Halo series and Marvel vs. Capcom 3. They also started publishing video game art books, which were filled with gorgeous artwork and behind-the-scenes looks into game development. Their video game art books became incredibly popular and were a huge success.
Expanding their reach into the mobile gaming market, Udon Entertainment partnered with Idea Factory International in 2018 in order to bring the mobile game, Azur Lane, to North America. Their teamwork and collaboration paid off in a big way, as Azur Lane became a huge success, and Udon Entertainment gained even more recognition for their work on the game.
Conclusion
Udon Entertainment has come a long way since its inception in 2000. From their early work in the gaming industry to their current position as a market leader in the world of entertainment, they have proven themselves to be incredibly talented and creative. They have managed to create beautiful art and comics while staying true to their vision of making quality entertainment accessible to everyone. And that’s the real secret to their success – a passion for what they do, and a commitment to excellence that shines through in every project they take on.
