Cygames, the studio behind Umamusume: Pretty Derby and Granblue Fantasy, has revealed its acquisition of domestic 3DCG and VFX firm Griot Groove, set to take effect on May 1, 2026. Cygames has secured all of Griot Groove’s shares, integrating it as a fully owned subsidiary.
With 31 years of operation and approximately 100 staff members, Griot Groove brings expertise in film, video games, and commercial production, with a focus on realistic modeling and animation. The company operates one of Japan’s top motion capture studios and has collaborated with major game developers such as Square Enix, Sega, Koei Tecmo, and SIE. Griot Groove’s recent credits include titles like Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, Kirby Air Riders, Ninja Gaiden 4, Tekken 8, and Street Fighter 6, as noted here.
By acquiring Griot Groove, Cygames aims to “further enhance the quality of its video content and boost efficiency in video production.”
Mido