Square Enix Image Studio Division

Square Enix Image Studio Division

Native name	株式会社スクウェア・エニックス イメージ・スタジオ部
Romanized name	Kabushiki-gaisha Sukuwea Enikkusu imēji Sutajio Bu
Formerly	Visual Works Image Arts
Company type	Kabushiki gaisha
Industry	CGI animation for film, CGI animation for video games, performance capture, Visual effects
Founded	July 1999 April 1, 2021 (merged company)
Number of locations	Tokyo, Japan
Key people	Takeshi Nozue (general manager)
Products	Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV CG for Square Enix games
Parent	Square Enix
Website	jp.square-enix.com/imagestudio/

Square Enix Image Studio Division (Japanese: 株式会社スクウェア・エニックス イメージ・スタジオ部, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Sukuwea Enikkusu imēji Sutajio Bu) (formerly Visual Works and Image Arts), is a Japan-based CGI animation studio dedicated towards creating video game cut scenes and full-length feature films for Square Enix. Square Enix Image Studio Division was founded as Visual Works, the CGI department for Square that was responsible for creating the pre-rendered CG sequences for the company, starting with Final Fantasy VII in 1997.

Beginning with Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005) the company began to work on stand-alone CGI films, continuing with Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016). After the acquisition of Taito and Eidos Interactive by Square Enix, Visual Works branched out their functionality to create cinematic scenes for Square Enix's acquired publishing brands, whilst continuing to primarily work on Square Enix's in-house properties. Visual Works are assisting Square Enix with the lighting and cinematic direction of the Kingdom Hearts franchise for the high definition entries.^[1]

In April 2021, Square Enix merged its Visual Works division with its Image Arts Division to create Square Enix Image Studio Division. The Image Arts Division, whose core staff includes members from the team that created the Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV, has meanwhile engaged in research and development into high-end visual expression with a focus on real-time graphics.