-Anima Kitchent is a company that today employs about 140 people and maintains offices in Madrid, Mexico City and the Canary Islands. Born in 2002 in Mexico as Anima Estudios, the studio arrived in Madrid in 2015 and found a home in the Canary Islands a year later. Is this a success story? It certainly is a narrative of growth, perseverance and steady progress through changing tides of the animation industry.
This journey began in the Canary Islands with a small team of 17 animators sharing a workspace and a single project called Cleo and Cuquín. Since then, the company has expanded to more than 140 professionals working across facilities exceeding 1,200 square meters. The studio now operates under a multi-project model, developing both proprietary intellectual properties and long‑term international projects for third parties. Today, Anima Kitchent operates as a Canary Islands company with full domestic capital and a distinctive local DNA proving that growth is possible from a regional base.
Anima Kitchent specializes in 2D and CGI animation, creating, producing and managing high‑quality brands, as well as developing original content focused on children and families, with series on streaming platforms such as Netflix and HBO. Is specialization the secret to sustained success? The firm has consistently centered its mission on building children’s entertainment brands. While there is a crowded field in this market niche, the company differentiates itself through expertise in preschool content. This specialization, combined with disciplined execution, positions it as a leader in that segment, yet the studio remains open to animation projects that pursue different goals, styles or formats. The belief is clear: focus on what you can do best, remain aware of market trends, and leverage a defined competitive edge to innovate and adapt.
Competition with major production companies has always been a challenge. How did Anima Kitchent grow and gain a foothold in such a competitive market? Competing against industry giants requires more than sheer scale. The approach has been to deliver a high‑quality product at a competitive price, supported by the team’s deep know‑how and favorable tax incentives. The fact that the content reaches global platforms like Netflix, YouTube and HBO MAX acts as a strong testament to the studio’s capabilities. Consistently staying in the spotlight has helped open doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
Expanding into international markets is another pillar of the company’s strategy. Even though Anima Kitchent positions itself primarily as a content creator, it also provides services to third parties. This dual approach helps diversify revenue streams and increases stability, while also signaling to major studios that the studio is a credible partner capable of handling outsourced production. When a project lands on global platforms such as Netflix or YouTube, it elevates the studio onto the international map and can unlock further business opportunities. The ability to adapt to market trends without overhauling the core business model is crucial. As a small or medium-sized enterprise, agility and rapid decision‑making help manage risks that were previously unforeseen.
The Canary Islands’ fiscal regime, offering significant deductions for audiovisual investments, has been a key factor in choosing Gran Canaria as a headquarters since 2016. The incentives are among Europe’s most attractive and, paired with proactive industry support, help create a thriving ecosystem. Public institutions focus on nurturing the sector on the islands, and the company contributes by participating in local training, job creation and industry development initiatives. The aim is to grow the local talent pool and sustain a vibrant production community that can attract projects from abroad.
Last year, the Las Palmas SME of the Year distinction recognized the company for creating jobs in a new industrial sector. Since arriving in Gran Canaria in 2016, Anima Kitchent has become the island’s first animation production studio, not only producing content but also strengthening the local economy through high‑quality employment, internships, and training that lead to potential careers within the company. Today, roughly 40% of the workforce is locally recruited, reflecting a commitment to developing local talent and offering clear career pathways for island residents.
Since 2016, the studio has produced roughly 3,400 minutes of animation with an annual turnover approaching 9 million euros. The portfolio includes 13 projects across television, SVOD and AVOD formats, with activity concentrated in the Canary Islands. Looking ahead, the plan remains steady: continue producing, expanding and showcasing the Spanish brand to the world while remaining adaptable to a fast‑evolving sector. The goal for 2024 and beyond is to secure a slate of projects that enhances brand value and broadens international reach.
When advising a small or mid‑sized enterprise on competing with larger players in the sector, the emphasis is not on matching size but on identifying a unique value proposition that creates market gaps. Flexibility is a major asset for SMEs, enabling quick responses to evolving market needs and rapid solution delivery. This adaptability will continue to sharpen the firm’s competitive edge and improve performance as the market evolves.