The definition of fringe and mainstream is always open to a lot of debate, and certainly many of the companies below have experienced some success in terms of awards and even stagings at major theatres. That being said, the following companies (gekidan) are those that may be said to operate still within the very broad spectrum of the Japanese shogekijo, which is the “small theatre” scene functioning somewhat like fringe theatre between the public and commercial theatre worlds.
Akumanoshirushi
Bird Park
Busukai
chelfitsch
Chiten
C/Ompany
Company Derashinera
Dainana Geikijo
dracom
faifai
France_pan
Gekidan
Gekidan Kaitaisha
Gotanndadan
GRINDER-MAN
Gring
Haegiwa
Horidashimono
hmp
Hyottoko Ranby
Ikiume
Kaden Theater Company
Kaimaku Penanto Race
Kinoshita-Kabuki
KUNIO
lolo
Marebito no Kai
MONO
mum & gypsy
Niwa Gekidan Penino
Peachum Company
Potudo-ru
OKAZAKI ARTS THEATRE
OM-2
Port B
Pure BANANA girl class
Reset-N
Salad Ball
Sample
Shelf
Shigeki Nakano + Frankens
Store House Company
toi present
Tetsuwari Albatrossket
Tokyo Stages 