 In 1987, the studio released its first independent production, an original video animation entitled .From 2000 to 2005, Shaft collaborated with Gainax in the production of several TV anime ("Mahoromatic", "This Ugly yet Beautiful World", "He is My Master").In 2004, Hiroshi Wakao retired from the company, being succeeded in his position as president by production manager Mitsutoshi Kubota.