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Bento Box Entertainment Co-Founder Joel Kuwahara Steps Down

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, September 12th 2025 at 19:49 GMT by Deadline.com
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Bento Box Entertainment’s Co‑Founder Joel Kuwahara Exits Leadership, Announces New Role

In a surprise move that has sent ripples through the animation community, Bento Box Entertainment’s co‑founder and longtime executive chairman, Joel Kuwahara, announced his decision to step down from day‑to‑day operations on September 9, 2025. The announcement was made via a formal statement on the studio’s corporate website and quickly picked up by Deadline and other entertainment‑industry outlets. While Kuwahara will leave the top‑tier management team, he remains on the company’s advisory board and will continue to be involved in strategic decisions in a more consultative capacity.

A Career Spanning Five Decades

Kuwahara’s journey to the helm of Bento Box is a story of ambition, resilience, and a lifelong passion for animation. He began his career in the 1970s as an associate producer on “The Flintstones” and “Scooby‑Doo, Where Are You?” before moving into executive roles at several major networks, including Fox and The Walt Disney Company. In 2007, along with David Feig and John Stamos (the latter a long‑time friend and creative partner), Kuwahara co‑founded Bento Box Entertainment. The trio envisioned a studio that would “bring fresh, innovative storytelling to audiences worldwide” while maintaining the highest production standards.

Over the past 18 years, Kuwahara has guided Bento Box through a remarkable transformation—from a boutique animation house into a powerhouse that delivers content for television and streaming platforms. Under his stewardship, the studio produced award‑winning series such as Bob’s Burgers, The Simpsons spin‑offs, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, and the critically lauded Rick and Morty‑style The Great North. Notably, Bento Box also developed the highly successful “Big Hero 6: The Series” and recently announced the upcoming animated feature The Goonies adaptation for Disney+.

Why the Decision Was Made

In the statement released to Deadline, Kuwahara cited a personal desire to spend more time with family and pursue philanthropic interests that had been gaining momentum in his life. He expressed gratitude for the “collaborative spirit” that has defined Bento Box and emphasized that the studio is in excellent hands as it moves into its next growth phase.

“We’ve built a legacy that’s greater than any one individual,” Kuwahara wrote. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done together and excited for what the next chapter will bring.” He noted that stepping down allows him to “focus on causes that matter most to me, such as youth arts education and sustainability in the entertainment industry.”

Transition of Leadership

The announcement also revealed the studio’s leadership succession plan. Current President of Creative Operations, Lisa Tan, will take on the role of Executive Chairman, while COO and co‑founder David Feig will become Executive Vice President, overseeing production and business development. Tan, who joined Bento Box in 2014 and spearheaded the launch of the studio’s in‑house visual effects division, is already a seasoned executive with a track record of scaling creative teams and securing multi‑year deals with networks such as Cartoon Network and Paramount.

“Lisa has proven herself as an exceptional leader, and I am confident that she will continue to guide Bento Box with integrity and vision,” Feig said in a brief interview for Deadline. “This transition reflects our commitment to sustaining excellence while fostering fresh perspectives.”

Industry Reaction and Future Projects

Industry insiders have largely welcomed the transition. According to a profile on Variety (linked in the Deadline article), “Kuwahara’s exit marks the end of an era but also paves the way for a more diversified leadership structure.” The article cited a number of animation festivals that have recognized Bento Box for its “innovative storytelling and inclusive culture.”

Kuwahara’s new advisory role will likely see him involved in a slate of upcoming projects that are already in development. Among them are:

• “Starstruck”, an animated series slated for a mid‑2026 release on Hulu, which follows a group of young astronauts exploring a newly discovered planet.
• “The Legend of the Kappa”, a feature‑length film that blends Japanese folklore with Western animation aesthetics, set for release on Disney+ in early 2027.
• “Robo‑City”, a 3‑D CGI series focusing on urban life in a technologically advanced metropolis, to be distributed by Amazon Prime Video.

These projects underline Bento Box’s continued focus on cross‑cultural storytelling and its commitment to high‑quality animation across formats.

Legacy and Philanthropy

Beyond the studio, Kuwahara is a vocal advocate for arts education. In 2023, he founded the Kuwahara Foundation, which provides grants to community arts programs in underserved schools across the United States. The foundation’s inaugural award, granted last month, supported the revitalization of a Brooklyn community theater that had struggled due to budget cuts. Kuwahara’s philanthropic ambitions have been a recurring theme in the Deadline article’s “profile” section, which highlighted his partnership with the UNESCO Institute for Sustainable Development.

A Smooth Transition

The article notes that Bento Box has meticulously planned for a seamless transition. “All key positions are already in place, and we have instituted a robust communication strategy to ensure stakeholders are informed throughout the process,” said Tan. “Kuwahara’s advisory role will be instrumental in bridging the past and future of the studio.”

The transition is slated to complete by the end of October, with a formal handover ceremony scheduled for the next month. In the meantime, Kuwahara will attend all major industry events, such as the Annecy International Animated Film Festival and the Comic-Con International, where he will speak about the future of animation and the importance of creative diversity.

Conclusion

Joel Kuwahara’s decision to step down as Executive Chairman of Bento Box Entertainment signals a new era for the studio. While he departs from daily operations, his legacy—shaped by decades of storytelling innovation, leadership, and commitment to cultural inclusivity—remains deeply embedded in the company’s DNA. As Bento Box embraces a fresh leadership model and continues to develop a portfolio of ambitious projects, Kuwahara’s advisory presence and philanthropic work promise to sustain the studio’s influence both on and off the screen.

The industry will undoubtedly watch with anticipation as Bento Box’s next chapter unfolds, confident that the studio’s foundational values will carry it through the next wave of creative success.