Doubtful "Studio" - Anonymous employee FUTAKU Employee Review

Excellent working relations and flexible work balance. As an Illustrator and 2D Animator at Futaku, LLC, I worked on a range of projects spanning original IP development and promotional trailers for major anime franchises such as Naruto Shippuden, Castlevania, Captain Tsubasa, and Zom 100. My role involved creating illustration and animation assets used in trailer production, contributing to visual development, key frames, and final animation. I collaborated closely with creative teams to ensure each project aligned with established styles while meeting tight production timelines.

All negative reviews about the studio are inherently false and claims have been disproven by multiple entities, including the Texas workforce commission.

Great place to work if you like to be underpaid

Futaku Studios LLC , is an animation studio based in Dallas, but don’t let the name decieve you the "studio" is operated by a single person, Mike Fukunaga, who doesn't employ any full-time staff. Instead, hires freelancers part time for cheap rates. Mike Fukunaga is the son of Gen Fukunaga, the former CEO of Funimation. Mike frequently uses this familial tie to lend unwarranted credibility to his studio and attract unsuspecting artists. However Mike pays very low rates, very late, if he pays at all. I personally experienced this when Mike approached me with a project. He claimed he was producing an animated short intended to be the opener for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After dedicating my time and effort to create multiple backgrounds for this animation, I was left unpaid for the agreed sum of $1350. Despite waiting for nearly two months, I was met with excuses and delays. It was only after I threatened legal action that I received my payment. Out of the eight artists on our team, I remain the only one compensated to date. Further investigation revealed even more concerning details. Upon reaching out to the Pittsburgh Steelers' marketing team, I discovered the Steelers had no knowledge of Mike or the project. This means that Mike not only withheld payment but also lied to us about the nature of the project. Such actions can be classified as "fraudulent inducement," a serious legal offense. It's aggravating that Mike, despite flaunting his industry connections and family legacy, can't seem to find the funds to pay the very people his business relies on.