Summary
3Hz Animation Studio will transfer animation production to A-1 Pictures. The future of their original IPs remains unclear as A-1 takes creative control. 3Hz's transition signal shifted to a studio support role later in the decade.
In a surprise announcement, anime studio 3Hz announced on both X and its website that it will be transferring animation planning and production to A-1 Pictures. This comes as a shock because 3Hz is currently in production on its highly anticipated second season Sword Art Online alternative: Gun Gale Online.
While 3Hz's message assured that Gun Gale Online's staff remained unchanged, the studio provided no explanation or advance notice regarding the transfer of creative control to the long-time veteran business. While not considered a merger or closure, letting A-1 take the reins is just an acknowledgment that 3Hz's future lies in being a supporting studio after more than a decade of independence.
The unexpected transition marks the end of an era
3Hz was founded in 2013 by former employees of Studio Kinema Citrus. Although its portfolio is not as extensive as others, it is still responsible for some famous anime, including The Devil is a Part-Timer!! from the second season onwards, the spy series Princess Principal and Gun Gale Online. The announcement so far has not specified what will happen to its original IPs, although it seems likely that A-1 will own them by proxy.
Source: Anime News Network, 3Hz (X account, website)