Tonko House

07/14/2025

Tonko House is 11 years old today! We know we haven’t been as active here on our socials, BUT we are working hard and having fun outside of the spotlight and behind the scenes on some of our biggest projects to date. We are sworn to secrecy, but hope our efforts will be shared with the world in the unforeseeable future. Thank you to our community of supporters, colleagues, and friends. Making it to 11 years as a studio is a journey shared with all of you.

.e.bartel .lockwood

02/25/2025

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Fumi Kitahara Otto.

Fumi was our guide and the champion of art and artists from around the world. Whether on the red carpet, or in the press, or at an event, Fumi was always just out frame working invisibly and with incredible care to make sure the world got the very best of us. Her bright smile and belief in our work and studio was an unwavering light throughout our journey as a studio. Tonko House, our industry, and the world has lost an immense hero with her passing. We still feel the lasting effects of her love and support from outside the frame of this life and hope she left knowing how incredibly important she is to all of us.

All our love to Simon, Max and her loved ones,

Dice, Robert, and all of us at Tonko House.

Fumi Kitahara

01/09/2025

【Making of Bottle George】
"Character of Chaco"

How we created the character Chaco and her acting.
Dwarf animator S***a Ogawa did one of Dice's favorite scenes in the film.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year from Tonko House!

Looking forward to continuing this journey with you all!

#2025
Illustration by

12/24/2024

Interview with Dice Tsutsumi on making of Bottle George.

Thank you Animation Magazine!!!

Ten years ago, Japanese-born director-producer-illustrator Daisuke “Dice” Tsutsumi’s The Dam Keeper was nominated for a Best Animated Short Oscar and rece

12/18/2024

We are humbled and grateful to be included in this year’s Oscars shortlist for animated short film category. We are excited this indie passion project has come this far.
We understand the next step is a huge challenge to be nominated out of the list of 15 beautiful films. No matter the outcome, we thank all your support and encouragement in this community. Tonko House is still here today because of you all. 🙏 🙏🙏

10/28/2024

Next few months there will be multiple ways to watch our latest film Bottle George.

Stay tuned.

10/16/2024

Are you coming to ?
Come to the talk by and and hear 10 Tips for Starting Your Own Studio.

Room 101-102 | 

10 years ago, a younger idealized Dice Tsutsumi and Robert Kondo left Pixar to start Tonko House, their own independent animation studio in Berkeley, California. After ten years, their hopes and desires have matured through the experience of joyful high points and inevitable and unexpected low points in creating their Oscar nominated animated short, graphic novels, and their Emmy-award winning series, Oni Thunder God’s Tale for Netflix. They will share their vulnerable learnings for the benefit of anyone interested in the balance of chasing creative independence, sustainability, and purpose in this ever-changing world of evolving industry challenges, such as A.I., and the growing pressure to succeed in a world defined by social media.

04/25/2024

Official Website is up!

www.bottlegeorge.com

Our first public screening will be in San Francisco 10 am this Saturday!
https://sffilm.org/event/shorts-5-family-films-2024/

About News Filmmakers Info A stop motion animated short film about the darkness of addiction and the strength of family. Filmmakers DICE TSUTSUMI Director, Writer Tonko House is an Oscar-nominated, and Emmy and Annie Award winning animation studio founded by ex-Pixar art directors Robert Kondo and D...

04/22/2024

Attention Bay Area Friends!
Bottle George, stop motion short directed is going to premiere THIS SATURDAY, April 27th in one of the programs at SF Int' Film Festival!
Dice Tsutsumi's latest film Bottle George debuts this coming Saturday in San Francisco. Many of the key roles were played by Tonko House's core young artists, Yuka Nakamura Anna Nishibayashi Masa Inada and Yohei Hashizume.

Dice will be there on stage to answer question after the screening.

Hope you can join us!

Please try to get tickets in advance to support San Francisco Film Community!
https://sffilm.org/event/shorts-5-family-films-2024/
This Saturday 4/27
Marina Theatre, San Francisco, CA