Some animation producers are exchanging the stress of Tokyo for the inspiration of rural scenery — and regional economies are benefiting.

Tokyo-based ufotable Inc. opened a new studio on the fourth floor of a building along a river in the city of Tokushima in April, and nine new recruits have started on-the-job tracing training.

"This job largely depends on the motivation of staff, and to produce good work, a good environment is necessary," ufotable President Hikaru Kondo said, stressing that the purpose of the move to a rural area was to develop human resources.