Claynel

Aniplex's in-house premium scale studio, born from Revolve's prototyping legacy

At a glance

Status
Active as an Aniplex subsidiary.
Based in
Chiyoda Tokyo Japan.
Known for
Premium scale figures for Fate and Hololive; the catalog also includes Lycoris Recoil and My Dress Up Darling.
Good fit
collectors following Aniplex releases or Hololive who are comfortable ordering within limited preorder windows.
Before buying
check the sales channel and preorder deadline; some releases use Aniplex direct platforms or event channels.
Research coverage
Solid

TL;DR

  • Aniplex, part of Sony Music group, owns Claynel outright. The studio was rebranded from Revolve in April 2023 after Aniplex gradually acquired full ownership.
  • Claynel makes premium fixed-pose figures for Aniplex properties including Hololive, Fate, Lycoris Recoil, My Dress-Up Darling, and Spice and Wolf, priced at approximately $120-$185+ USD.
  • Aniplex ownership gives Claynel direct access to production decisions and properties. One Azur Lane release was created with the original illustrator.
  • Many releases are sold through Aniplex's own direct platforms, which can affect international accessibility and make pre-order windows important for collectors outside Japan.

From Revolve to Aniplex Subsidiary

Claynel began as Revolve, a studio established in October 2010 to make figure prototypes for other companies. Aniplex took majority ownership in 2017 and completed the rebrand to Claynel in April 2023. The studio is now fully owned by Aniplex within the Sony Music group. It has capital of 25 million yen ($167,000 USD) and is headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Fans of Aniplex properties such as Hololive, Fate, and Lycoris Recoil may already know its work.

CEO Hiromi Shimizu leads the studio, with Aniplex CEO Atsuhiro Iwakami serving on the board. That shared leadership gives Claynel direct input on production decisions and access to its parent company's properties, without outside licensing negotiations.

Hololive, Fate, and First Access to Aniplex Properties

The catalog covers Hololive characters, the Fate series, Lycoris Recoil, My Dress-Up Darling, Azur Lane, Uma Musume, Overlord, and the 2024 Spice and Wolf revival. Most releases fall in the 18,000 to 28,000 yen range ($120-$185 USD), with special editions climbing higher.

A standout example of this advantage is the Azur Lane Owari Anime Expo 2024 Version, produced in collaboration with the original illustrator and offered exclusively through event and direct channels. That said, the exclusive distribution model means some releases are difficult to obtain outside Japan, and aftermarket prices can climb quickly once pre-order windows close.

Limited Channels and Pre-Order Windows

Many Claynel releases sell through Aniplex's own direct platforms and select partner retailers, which can affect international accessibility. Exclusivity arrangements and event-limited editions are a recurring part of the strategy.

Claynel will frequently be the first studio to announce scale figures for new Aniplex series. Collectors outside Japan who want one of those releases may need to plan around its announcement and pre-order window.

Sources