Japanese visual storytelling, created for audiences worldwide.
CATACI is a Japanese-led creative studio producing manga, anime and illustration for brands, publishers, agencies and international organizations. From creative development and art direction to production and final delivery, we manage projects across North America, Europe, Asia and beyond.
20+core Japanese artists, plus a wider creator network
EN · 日本語creative direction in English and Japanese
Clients include
Our foundation
Japanese creative roots. International from the beginning.
CATACI grew out of more than two decades of experience working across Japanese and European creative industries. That background shaped a studio built around strong creative direction, careful artist selection and an understanding of how ambitious visual projects move from an initial idea to finished work.
2003
Japan–Europe design agency
Co-founded a creative agency representing Scandinavian industrial and graphic designers in Japan.
2018
CATACI LLC founded
Established in Japan as a manga and visual storytelling studio, directing Japanese artists for international clients.
Today
20+ core Japanese artists
Publishing, brand and public-interest projects for clients across North America, Europe and Asia.
Creative perspective
A clear point of view—not a fixed house style.
Story & atmosphereJapanese visual storytellingTradition & interpretationProject-specific direction
The principle
CATACI does not impose one visual formula on every brief. We identify the right tone,
develop the creative direction and bring together creators whose strengths belong to
the project. What remains consistent is the clarity of the direction and the care taken
through production.
How CATACI is built
A focused core. A wider creative network.
01
One studio lead
Centralized creative direction, communication and responsibility throughout the project.
02
Project-specific teams
Japanese artists and production specialists are selected around the story, style, format and schedule.
03
Bilingual direction
English and Japanese communication connects international clients and creators without losing creative intent.
04
Flexible production
The structure can support a single visual, a short manga, a book, an ongoing series or a larger production.
Founder · Paris
Founder
Tada Aoza
Founder & Managing Director
Our role is to shape the idea, build the right creative team and take the project through to finished work.
Born and raised in Japan and based in Europe since 2002, Tada worked across Japanese
and European creative industries before launching CATACI’s manga and visual storytelling
studio in 2018.
He leads creative development, artist selection and international production while
working with the creators and specialists best suited to each project.
Our production network is centered on Japanese creative talent. Our clients are in North America,
Europe and Asia, including international organizations.
Publishing · North America
Running Press / Hachette
Cover and illustrations for The Essential Manga Guide (2023).
Brand campaign · Europe
Knorr
“3 Minutes to Asia” manga campaign: launched in Austria in 2023, renewed and expanded to Germany in 2024.
Education · International
Pearson & Macmillan
Japanese-themed illustration for educational publishing, developed from English-language briefs.
Retail · Japan
AEON
Seasonal character artwork for a nationwide holiday campaign.
CATACI LLC · JapanInternational direction · Paris
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