D’ART Shtajio in Japan, recognized for its groundbreaking work on projects such as Star Wars: Visions – The Pit and The Boys Presents: Diabolical, announces the appointment of Sy Huq as its new Lead Executive Producer. In this role, Huq will spearhead the studio’s creative and strategic initiatives, acting as a bridge between anime production in the East and the West and helping lead the prodco as it moves into its next phase of growth.
Huq joins D’ART Shtajio with a proven track record in the animation industry, having previously held pivotal roles at several esteemed studios. His career has been defined by a commitment to pushing boundaries, fostering diverse narratives in animation and a passion for innovative storytelling. In his new role, he will be the first Bangladeshi-American creative executive in Japan’s anime industry.
“D’ART is entering its ninth year, and we are seeking to adapt our business approach to align with the evolving landscape of anime and the wider entertainment industry. With that in mind, we are thrilled to welcome Sy to our team as our Lead Executive Producer,” said Arthell Isom, CEO of D’ART Shtajio. “Collaborating with him in the past, we believe Sy’s creative approach to storytelling and production fully aligns with D’ART’s objectives, and we look forward to continuing to create with him. We all share a belief in the importance of multifaceted storytelling in enriching the human experience, and we see anime as an ideal and globalized medium with the potential to do this effectively. We’ve already started putting our heads together on some big developments and can’t wait to share them in the future.”
D’ART Shtajio has gained acclaim for its distinctive approach to animation, blending traditional Japanese artistry with modern storytelling techniques. As Lead Executive Producer, Huq will play a pivotal role in expanding the studio’s portfolio.
“I am extremely excited to continue to build a platform that has already made so many waves in the anime industry,” said the newly appointed exec. “The narrative DNA and impact potential is historical and something I can see pave the road for other creators in the future. I’m looking forward to working with D’ART and Arthell to help inspire writers and creators around the world.”
Huq is a four-time Oscar-qualified, Norwegian-born Bangladeshi-American film director, screenwriter and producer. His films, including Things That Fall (2019), Boys (2021) and Oh, Mighty Ocean (2022), have won an AT&T Film Award, a Stage 32 Film Award, an ISA Fellowship and an Imagine Impact Creators Network Screenwriting Staff Pick. Huq also produced The Journey (2022), with Toei Animation and Manga Productions; the first-ever animated feature film collaboration between Japanese and Saudi studios (available to watch on Crunchyroll).
D’ART Shtajio, the first major Black-owned anime studio in Japanese history, was established in 2016 by twin brothers Arthell and Darnell Isom with the aim of creating Japanese anime that merges with Westernized culture. Their notable projects include Star Wars: Visions, The Weeknd’s “Snowchild” music video, The Boys Presents: Diabolical, and collaborations with renowned Japanese studios on productions like One Piece, Overlord, Tokyo Ghoul Re:, Castlevania, Pokémon, Fire Force, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Attack on Titan, and more. Arthell will be codirecting the upcoming feature film Mfinda, a Congolese epic fantasy.
