Black Twin Brothers Launch Japan’s First Majority-Black Anime Studio

Imagine dreaming big enough to cross the globe and build something entirely new. That’s exactly what twin brothers Arthell and Darnell Isom did, establishing Japan’s first majority-Black-owned animation studio. Their journey from Paterson, New Jersey, to Tokyo is a testament to passion, creativity, and the power of pursuing your artistic vision.

From Childhood Dreams to Global Success

Raised by parents with creative inclinations – a writer mother and a musician/artist father – Arthell and Darnell were immersed in imagination from a young age. Despite not having many toys, they channeled their creativity into making ‘fake movies’ with their dogs and drawing superheroes, developing intricate stories and character designs together. This early collaboration laid the groundwork for their future endeavors.

Their high school years saw a shift towards music, influenced by their father’s entrepreneurial spirit. However, a pivotal moment arrived in their senior year when they watched the groundbreaking 1995 Japanese animated film ‘Ghost in the Shell.’ The film’s futuristic cyberpunk aesthetic and realistic art style deeply resonated with them, planting the seed for their future careers in anime.

Pursuing Animation in Japan

At 17, the twins made a pact to pursue higher education in art and animation with the ultimate goal of launching their own company. Darnell focused on practical effects, while Arthell delved into animation at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Arthell soon realized that to truly master the anime style he admired, a move to Japan was necessary.

After learning the Japanese language, Arthell was accepted into the Yoyogi Animation Academy. In a remarkable full-circle moment, he later worked under his idol, Hiromasa Ogura, the art director for ‘Ghost in the Shell,’ at Ogura Koubou Atelier. Arthell’s talent and dedication led him to work on beloved franchises like ‘Naruto,’ ‘Bleach,’ and ‘Black Butler.’

Founding D’ART Shtajio: A Historic Studio

With his experience and vision, Arthell shared his dream of starting a company with Ogura, which materialized in 2016. Together, the Isom brothers launched D’ART Shtajio, a 2D animation studio based in Tokyo. This venture made history, reportedly becoming Japan’s first majority-Black-owned animation studio and the first foreign-owned anime studio in Japan.

D’ART Shtajio has since produced its own short films and contributed to major projects, including work for ‘One Piece,’ ‘Pokémon,’ and ‘Star Wars: Visions Volume 2.’ They’ve also animated music videos for artists like Flo Milli, GloRilla, and Ice Spice, and created a viral animated video for The Weeknd’s ‘Snowchild’ that garnered over 30 million YouTube views.

Paving the Way for Future Creators

Looking ahead, Arthell is set to co-direct ‘Mfinda,’ an epic fantasy film based on Congolese folklore, in collaboration with notable figures and companies. Christiano Terry, founder of N LITE, acknowledged Arthell’s pioneering role, stating, ‘he was the first foreign person ever… to have an anime studio in Japan. So we’re following his footsteps.’