Which anime studio do you love the most?
After all, when you add them up, there’s dozens of anime studios out there.
Some of which have produced only a handful of anime. While others have produced tons!
What determines a good anime studio?
We’ll leave that question for another day.
For now – here are 8 of my favorite anime studios who deserve some credit.
1. Kyoto Animation
Kyoto animation has been around since 1981. When it was first founded.
The CEO of the company – Hideaki Hata had his start in 1985 at Kyoto Animation.
What makes Kyoto Animation so great?
Here are some of the best anime shows created by Kyoto Animation…
Hyouka
Clannad
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
Kyoto Animation also produced:
- Kanon.
- Chuunibyou.
- Amagi Brilliant Park.
- Lucky Star.
- Full Metal Panic.
- A Silent Voice.
- K-ON.
Kyoto Animation is the king of
Similar to Madhouse, they have plenty of successful series and don’t tend to make an anime “for the sake of it”. But instead take time to make quality content.
My #1 studio in the anime industry.
2. J.C STAFF
J.C STAFF started out in 1986, when it was first founded.
The founder of the company is: Tomoyuki Miyata.
What makes J.C STAFF so great as an anime studio?
Anime shows like these:
Shakugan No Shana
Food Wars
Nodame Cantabile
They also produced shows like:
- Flying Witch.
- A Certain Scientific Railgun.
- Maid Sama.
- Ghost Hunt.
- Shimoneta.
- Alice To Zouroku.
- Golden Time.
What I like about J.C staff is they’re willing to experiment and try new things every now and then.
Food Wars is one recent example in recent years. There’s nothing like it.
Same thing with Railgun and the story behind it.
3. A-1 Pictures
A-1 Pictures was first founded in 2005.
The president of the company is: Tomonori Ochikoshi.
The parent company is Aniplex and Sony.
What’s so great about A-1 Pictures?
The following anime shows:
Sword Art Online
Fairy Tail
A-1 Pictures also produced shows like:
- Erased.
- Blue Exorcist.
- GATE.
- Magi: Labyrinth Of Magic.
- Magi: Kingdom of Magic.
- Working!!
- Asterisk War.
A1 pictures has “mixed feelings” in the anime industry. Some anime are controversial (SAO) or successful.
I personally love their catalog of shows, some of my favorites are made by A1 Pictures.
4. Madhouse
Madhouse was founded in 1972, making it one of the earliest Japanese anime studios.
Madhouse has some of the most impressive anime series ever made.
And that’s not just based on how I feel, but statistically it seems true as well.
What makes madhouse a worthy anime studio?
Shows like:
Death Parade
Cardcaptor Sakura
Black Lagoon
Madhouse is also behind anime shows like:
- No Game No Life.
- Death Note.
- Parasyte.
- Monster.
- Claymore.
- Hunter x Hunter.
- The Ambition Of Oda Nobuna.
- The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.
- Sunday Without God.
And many many anime shows you’ll be familiar with.
5. Bones
Bones studio was first founded in 1998. By founder: Masahiko Minami.
What makes Bones Studio worth mentioning?
Great anime shows like the following:
Full Metal Alchemist
Soul Eater
My Hero Academia
Bones also produced shows like:
- Noragami.
- Mob Psycho 100.
- Eureka Seven.
- Bungou Stray Dogs.
- GoSick.
- Darker Than Black.
- Ouran
High School Host Club. - Snow White With The Red Hair.
These are a few examples of what Bones is capable of.
Personally they’re one of my favorite studios, with an interesting catalog of anime from different genre’s.
6. Studio Deen
Studio Deen was first founded between 1972-1975.
What makes Studio Deen special when it comes to anime?
Quality shows like these:
Higurashi: When They Cry
Kono Subarashii
Fate Stay Night
Log Horizon
Studio Deen is also behind shows like:
- Sakamoto Desu Ga.
- Rurouni Kenshin.
- Hell Girl.
- Sakura Trick.
- Ranma 1/2.
- Vampire Knight.
- Fruits Basket.
- Nurarihyon No Mago.
And other anime shows that you may recognize, but aren’t as popular as other studios on this list.
7. White Fox
White Fox has their own unique style in the industry. With some of the most thought provoking (Steins Gate) and the most violent series ever made.
Usually with tons of depth and meaning.
They have shows like:
Akame Ga Kill
Jormungand
Re:Zero
And of course:
- Steins Gate.
- Goblin Slayer.
- The Devil Is A Part Timer.
8. Studio Trigger
They’re newer than most studios, and don’t really have a massive catalog of shows to their name.
But similar to Kyoto Animation, they don’t release dozens of shows for the sake of it. Choosing instead to take their time and work on some of my favorites like:
Little Witch Academia
Kill La Kill
Their animation style is unique.
9. MAPPA Studios
MAPPA studios doesn’t have as much anime as let’s say, Madhouse or Kyoani. But they do have a good set of shows under their belt.
A lot of the anime either have solid visuals, story, or a good mix of both.With unique concepts.
Here’s some MAPPA examples:
Kakegurui
Inuyashiki
Terror In Resonance
The God Of
Jujutsu Kaisen
Over the years, it seems MAPPA studios is only getting better. And managing to make great anime that gain attention.
Not bad.
10. Wit Studios
Wit Studios is like MAPPA. They don’t have 100’s of anime series like some bigger studios, but they do have GREAT anime.
One thing with Wit Studios I like is their visuals. Definitely one of the best in the industry.
Here’s some relevant shows from WIT:
Attack On Titan
The Great Pretender
Kabaneri Of The Iron Fortress
Owari No Seraph
Owari No Seraph is one of my favorite from WIT Studios. More than Attack On Titan, personally.
Either way, WIT has some of the best visuals. With AOT being a prime example (before season 4).
11. SHAFT Studios
Studio SHAFT has to be one of my favorites of all time. So unique, different, and their art is from another world.
The way they express emotions, facial expressions, and the quality is unlike any other studio.
Some examples:
Madoka Magica
Denpa Onna
Nisekoi
Monogatari
The #1 feature you’ll notice from SHAFT is the head tilt. It’s famous, literally.
Their animation, art, and visuals is on point as well.
Honorable Mentions:
- Lerche (Assassination Classroom).
- Sunrise (Code Geass).
- P.A Works (Charlotte).
- Production I.G (Psycho Pass).
- Doga Kobo (Plastic Memories).
Which anime studios do you love?
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Recommended:
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