Aniplex Inc.

Background
Aniplex (formerly known as Sony Pictures Entertainment Visual Works and Sony Music Entertainment Visual Works) is a Japanese anime and music production and distribution enterprise owned by Sony Music Entertainment that was established in January 1997. Aniplex has been involved in the planning, production and distribution of several anime series and films. Additionally, Aniplex produces and distributes music and soundtrack records, including the original soundtracks for all of Sony Interactive Entertainment's computer and video games.

(January 1997-April 2003)
Logo: On a white background, we see the connected blue letters "VW' " with a pair of cartoony eyes looking at the upper left. Below it was either "SPE Visual Works Inc." (1997-January 2001) or "SME Visual Works Inc." (January 2001-April 2003) in a sans-serif font.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on many early anime titles from the era.

Editor's Note: None.

(April 2003- )
Nickname: "Aniplex Squares"

Logo: On a black background, outlined squares of various colors (starting blue, purple, pink and then, then going back pink, purple and blue) spin from the left side of the screen to the right. Each square as it goes past reveals a letter that spells out the company name "ANIPLEX". The squares and letters spin around a little as they come on before eventually stopping. Each letter is surrounded by the squares. The blue boxes are facing straight forward, the purple squares are slightly tilted to their respective sides, the pink squares are almost fully tilted, and the square only shows a red line that goes through the "P".

Variant:
 * An earlier version exists from April 2003 to September 2005, as well as early shows and movies by then. Here, the logo fades in.
 * A 4K Dolby Vision remastered version was most likely to appear on Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night and its possible Ultra HD Blu-ray release (if both Aniplex was planning to release it to Japan and Funimation for the USA and UK.)

FX/SFX: The letters and squares spinning.

Music/Sounds: A warping/spinning noise as the squares/letters spin into view, which is followed by a tired-sounding and stuttering robotic voice saying the company name.

Availability: Common.
 * This logo is found on just about all DVD releases of Aniplex programs, being them distributed by Aniplex themselves or other companies.
 * It can also be seen on Kill la Kill and Sword Art Online on Adult Swim.
 * Shows mainly produced by Aniplex feature a simple in-credit logo with no animation, although in any of the shows where the credits are translated into English, such as Fullmetal Alchemist, it is replaced by simply "ANIPLEX, Inc."

Editor's Note: None.