Bento Box Entertainment Co-Founder Joel Kuwahara Steps Down

Joel Kuwahara, the co-founder and president of production of Bento Box Entertainment, is stepping down from his role at the Fox-owned animation studio.

Kuwahara and Fox/Bento Box are said to be parting on good terms, with both the exec and the company opting not to renew his contract. His last day is today, Sept. 12.

“As Bento Box Entertainment further integrates into Fox Entertainment Studios, the award-winning animation house enters a new chapter in its journey of creative excellence,” said Fernando Szew, president and head of Fox Entertainment Studios. “While Joel Kuwahara steps away from his role, his vision as one of the founders of Bento Box and his dedication greatly contributed to its success. We wish him well in his future pursuits.”

Kuwahara co-founded Bento Box in 2009 with Scott Greenberg and Mark McJimsey. With Kuwahara’s exit, Greenberg is the only one of the three still with the company following McJimsey’s exit in 2016. Fox acquired Bento Box in 2019 in the wake of the Disney-21st Century Fox merger.

Kuwahara and Bento Box have been at the forefront of animation in television for nearly two decades. Bento Box currently produces the breakout hit Fox series “Bob’s Burgers,” with Kuwahara serving as an executive producer. The show was recently renewed for four more seasons, which will bring it through Season 19.

Prior to Bento Box, Kuwahara worked as a producer for “The Simpsons” via Film Roman and also produced “The Simpsons Movie” in 2007. He has likewise held roles at Warner Brothers Animation, Sony Animation and Icebox.com.

In addition to “Bob’s Burgers,” Bento Box also currently provides animation for the Fox series “Krapopolis,” “Universal Basic Guys,” “Grimsburg,” and “The Great North” as well as the Prime Video series “Hazbin Hotel.” The studio’s other credits include “Central Park” for Apple TV+, “Duncanville” for Fox, and “Hoops” for Netflix.