View source for HighTech Lab. Japan

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[[File:Htlj.png|right|HighTech Lab. Japan logo]]
'''HighTech Lab. Japan Inc.''' (株式会社ハイテックラボジャパン) was a pioneering computer graphics production company that worked on such projects as NHK TV programs and the animated films ''Akira'' and ''Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise''. It was founded in 1986 and headed by Takeshi Yoshizaki (吉崎武), formerly of ASCII. Yoshizaki was the editor-in-chief of ''ASCII'' magazine and established ASCII HighTech Lab., which developed the MSX LaserDisc game ''Starfighters''. [https://archive.org/details/TNM_CD-I_Compact_Disc_Interactive_News_Vol1_No9_J_20171113_0131/page/n5/mode/1up]

HighTech Lab. Japan was originally based in Higashiyama, Meguro, Tokyo [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Japan_Directory/5JqZAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22hightech%20lab%20japan%22], and later moved to Shibuya, Tokyo. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_CD_ROM_Directory_1996/74bo17LYjxQC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22hightech%20lab%20japan%22]

CG production proved to be a profitable business for HighTech Lab. Japan because of Japan's bubble economy. However, the bubble eventually burst and in the 1990s, the company shifted its focus to video game production. [https://twitter.com/Dream_Library_/status/1442062124553949189]

HighTech Lab. Japan shut down in 1997. The company's last game was ''Deep Sea Adventure: Kaiteiguu Panthalassa no Nazo'' for the PlayStation, released in March 1997; much of the team behind that title, with the backing of publisher Takara, started developer [[Barnhouse Effect]] that same month.

'''[[About:Research Methods|Research Methods]]:''' Actual mentions, interviews, online resources, shared staff

===3DO===
*''Pyramid Intruder'' (JP Publisher: Taito)
*''Starblade'' (JP Publisher: Namco; US/CA Publisher: Panasonic)

===Arcade===
*''Bouken-Ou Topple'' (CG production) (Taito) [http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm23772874]
*''Pyramid Patrol'' (CG production) (Taito)

===FM Towns===
*''Lupin Sansei: Hong Kong no Mashu'' (planning) (JP Publisher: CRI)
:<small>Some Programming?: [[Wizard]]</small>

===LaserActive===
*''The Great Pyramid'' (some CG production) (JP/NA Publisher: Pioneer)
:<small>Programming: [[CRC Research Institute]]; Video Production: Japan Academic Documentation; Translation: GK Associates; Music Selection: Vancl; Some CG Production: Plus One, A&L, Fuji TV; Package Design: FIS Incorporated</small>
*''Hyperion'' (JP/NA Publisher: Taito)
*''Pyramid Patrol'' (JP/NA Publisher: Taito)
:<small>[Some?] Programming, [Some?] Graphics: [[C-lab.]]</small>
*''Rocket Coaster'' (JP/NA Publisher: Taito)
*''Time Gal'' (JP Publisher: Taito)

===Macintosh===
<small>This section is sketchy due to lack of information on these titles.</small>

*''Derby Analyst'' (JP Publisher: HighTech Lab. Japan)
*''Digital Gallery: Rocket Coaster'' (JP Publisher: Taito)
*''Europe Vol. 1'' (?)
*''Sekai no Kessaku Sentouki Vol. 1'' (JP Publisher: HighTech Lab. Japan)
*''Time Gal'' (JP Publisher: Taito)

===PC Engine CD/TurboGrafx-CD===
*''Let's Be Friends: Shougakusei no Eigo Gekan'' (unreleased) (HighTech Lab. Japan) [http://nekofan.online.fr/kidsstationtest.html]
:<small>Supervision: Linguaphone Japan; Development Cooperation: CSK Research Institute</small>
*''Let's Be Friends: Shougakusei no Eigo Joukan'' (unreleased) (HighTech Lab. Japan)
:<small>Supervision: Linguaphone Japan; Development Cooperation: CSK Research Institute</small>

===PlayStation===
*''Ao no 6-gou'' (unreleased) [https://twitter.com/Dream_Library_/status/1393553098627375104] [https://twitter.com/Dream_Library_/status/1393561483561160707] [https://twitter.com/Dream_Library_/status/1393565058341298178] [https://twitter.com/Dream_Library_/status/1393592096527769602]
:<small>A "submarine simulation game" based on the manga, this was eventually "abandoned in favor of a 'marine adventure game' that would be popular with the general public" (''Deep Sea Adventure: Kaiteiguu Panthalassa no Nazo'').</small>
*''Deep Sea Adventure: Kaiteiguu Panthalassa no Nazo'' (JP Publisher: Takara)
:<small>Some CG Support: [[Act Japan]]; Sound: Reeb</small>
*''Galaxian³'' (JP Publisher: Namco; EU Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment)
*''Starblade α'' (JP/US Publisher: Namco; EU Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment)
*''Tokyo Shadow'' (co-developer) (JP Publisher: Taito)
*''Toshinden 2'' / ''Battle Arena Toshinden 2'' (opening movie - production management, computer graphics) (JP Publisher: Takara; US Publisher: Playmates Interactive Entertainment; EU Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment)
*''Zeitgeist'' / ''Jupiter Strike'' (co-developer) (JP Publisher: Taito; US/EU Publisher: Acclaim)

===Saturn===
*''Tokyo Shadow'' (co-developer) (JP Publisher: Taito)

===Windows===
*''Europe Vol. 1: Virtual Tour via Windows'' (JP Publisher: HighTech Lab. Japan)
*''Sekai no Kessaku Sentouki Vol. 1'' (JP Publisher: HighTech Lab. Japan)

==See also==
*Transpegasus Limited - Appears to be an adult brand used by High-Tech Lab. Japan or perhaps Digital Production (see below). High-Tech Lab. Japan registered the trademarks. (Example: [https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/TR/JP-1992-155609/AD84B1F4DF150AEB606103F37007A2CB9F66FBE236C6705B44F32440D0968618/40/en])
*Digital Production (有限会社ディジタルプロダクション; later 株式会社ディジタルプロダクション) - Likely a subsidiary or affiliate of High-Tech Lab. Japan as it was located at the same address. Name is seen on some Transpegasus Limited products.
*Digital Studio - HighTech Lab. Japan's recording and computer graphics studio. Appears to have been spun off into its own company (株式会社デジタルスタジオ [https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/Zds2AQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22%E3%83%87%E3%82%B8%E3%82%BF%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%82%B8%E3%82%AA%22]; Digital Studio Inc. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/Zds2AQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22digital%20studio%20inc%22]).
*[[Denno Shokai]] - Company started by former employee Toshiharu Nishizawa
*[https://www.gijyutu-shounen.co.jp/ Gijyutu Shounen Publishing] - Company currently run by Yoshizaki. Involved with computer kits and technical books and operates [https://www.dream-library.org/ the Dream Library computer museum].

==Links==
*[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/吉崎武 Japanese Wikipedia article on Takeshi Yoshizaki]

[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Companies based in Shibuya]]