Anime Studio Gonzo is handing out pink slips this week, part of a layoff plan involving Gonzo’s parent company GDH/Gonzo. Gonzo is known for producing a number of well-regarded anime series including Samurai 7, Burst Angel, Full Metal Panic!, and Last Exile.

On Friday, November 28, GDH announced that it was asking 50 employees of the GDH and Gonzo divisions — about 25% of the GDH workforce — to retire voluntarily, effective January 31, 2009. Those who choose to go along with this request, and agree to it between December 1 and 12 of this year, will be given a one-time bonus, equivalent to one month’s salary. While this staff reduction applies to the Gonzo anime studio as well as to its parent company, GDH, it is not going to affect the Gonzo Rosso online gaming division.