Aniplex Inc. (株式会社アニプレックス, Kabushiki-gaisha Anipurekkusu) (formerly known as Sony Pictures Entertainment Music Publishing Inc., Sony Pictures Entertainment Visual Works Inc., and Sony Music Entertainment Visual Works Inc.) is a Japanese anime and music production and distribution enterprise owned by Sony Music Entertainment Japan and established in September 1995. Aniplex has been involved in the planning, production and distribution of several anime series, such as Fullmetal Alchemist, Blood: The Last Vampire, Persona 4: The Animation, Birdy the Mighty, Angel Beats!, Rurouni Kenshin and Charlotte. Additionally, Aniplex produces and distributes music and soundtrack records, including the original soundtracks for all of Sony Computer Entertainment's computer and video games.
Aniplex is also involved in retail merchandising, producing toys, games, stationery, food and other items featuring popular characters. In addition,Aniplex puts together events to promote their anime franchises. For example, in 2005 Aniplex held the Fullmetal Alchemist Festival which began with the Fullmetal Alchemist Tour at Universal Studios Japan.
Originally known as Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) Visual Works Inc., it was established on September 1995 as a joint-venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment Japan, and changed its name in January, 2001 to Sony Music Entertainment (SME) Visual Works Inc. after becoming a subsidiary completely owned by Sony Music Entertainment Japan. In April 2003, it changed its name to Aniplex Inc.
In 2004, Aniplex launched the Sugi Label, which releases the works of Koichi Sugiyama—the composer of the music for Dragon Quest, but since 2009 it was sold to King Records.
In March 2005, the company established its American affiliate company Aniplex of America, and later that same year in May 2005, it established its own animation studio called A-1 Pictures.
Une série de meurtres mystérieux. Toutes les victimes ont été sauvagement assassinées, tous les corps sont mutilés, tous les crimes semblent être commis par un étudiant. L'oncle de Kokutou est en charge de l'enquête, mais au fur et à mesure de son investigation, il découvre que son neveu est plus proche du meurtrier qu'il n'y parait.
Une série de suicides énigmatiques. Tous concernent des jeunes filles sans histoire, tous ont lieu dans un immeuble abandonné, tous semblent inexplicables. Alors que la police tente d'élucider le mystère, la seule justification possible pour la population résiderait dans la présence d'un fantôme sur les lieux des crimes. C'est dans ces circonstances troublantes qu'Aozaki confie l’enquête à Shiki.
Ces trois court-métrages suivent l'origine extra-terrestre de la vie venue de l'Univers sous la forme de six déités (Acte de l'Intermission), évoluant tout d'abord dans l'eau (So-ho), qui ensuite émergent dans l'air (Hyakkin) et dans la terre (Ku-nu). Chacune de ces créatures régit l'un des six éléments de la philosophie Godai : Terre, Eau, Feu, Vent, Ciel et Conscience.
In suburban Melbourne in the 1950s, amidst the Red Scare and a rabbit plague, Celia (Rebecca Smart) is a troubled nine-year-old caught up in these events, as well as family crises, and whose response to them eventually leads to tragic consequences.