The 12 Best Japanese Anime Studios
Since there are now countless animation companies in the Japan, it can be difficult to keep up with the best of the best in the anime genre.
Each studio has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, thus it's interesting to compare and contrast the top studios as a whole.
Finding the best studios requires looking at a wide range of factors. The following are some of the top Japanese animation studios, and they're responsible for some of the most famous animes ever made.
1. Sunrise
Based in Tokyo, Sunrise is a major player in both the anime and video game industries in Japan. Gundam, Cowboy Bebop, and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya are just a few of Sunrise's wildly successful anime productions.
Since its founding in 1972 by former employees of Mushi Productions, who themselves were veterans of the prolific Japanese animation company of the 1960s, the studio has a rich legacy in the field of animated filmmaking.
In 1981, when Magic Bus and Tatsunoko Production united to focus on television production and distribution, Sunrise was born as a separate company.
2. Madhouse
The Madhouse Studio of Animation was established in 1972 and is a prominent player in the Japanese animation industry.
Numerous well-known and critically praised anime have come from their studio, including Death Note, One Punch Man, Chihayafuru, Hunter x Hunter (2011), Cardcaptor Sakura, Paprika, Perfect Blue, and Ninja Scroll.
Madhouse is well-known for its excellent animation, and it has worked with many famous anime directors like Satoshi Kon and Mamoru Hosoda. The studio's works are renowned for their depth of detail and dedication to storytelling, as well as the sophisticated topics they cover.
3. Production I.G
An other well-known Japanese animation house, Production I.G. was established in 1987. As one of Japan's top animation studios, they're responsible for a slew of fan-favorite and critically acclaimed anime shows and movies.
Ghost in the Shell, Attack on Titan, Psycho-Pass, K-On!, Berserk, Blood: The Last Vampire, Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade, The End of Evangelion, and a slew of other titles are just a few of the many significant works produced by Production I.G.
The studio's output generally delves into sci-fi, cyberpunk, and existentialism, and it is well-lauded for its high production standards, complex animation, and original storyline.
4. Bones
Japanese animation house Bones has been around since 1998. They have a reputation for generating a wide range of anime, from action and sci-fi to comedy and romance, and for the high-quality animation, detailed character designs, and complicated plots commonly found in their works.
Fullmetal Alchemist, Soul Eater, Eureka Seven, Ouran High School Host Club, Star Driver, Mob Psycho 100, Fire Force, and a plethora of other anime are just a few of Bones' most well-known and critically acclaimed works.
The studio is also well-known for the great filmmakers and writers it employs; together, they produce films that are both sophisticated and accessible to a large audience.
5. Studio Trigger
In 2011, Japan's Studio Trigger began producing animated media. Fast-paced action sequences, striking visuals, and a lighthearted sense of humor are hallmarks of the studio's signature style.
Studio Trigger is responsible for many critically acclaimed and widely watched anime series, such as Kill la Kill, Little Witch Academia, Kimi no Na Wa (Your Name.), Promare, and BNA: Brand New Animal, among many others.
The studio is well-known for its willingness to experiment creatively and expand the boundaries of what is possible in anime; as a result, their works are frequently praised for their compelling storytelling, memorable characters, and exciting action and themes.
Studio Trigger is a key player in the animation industry, having developed not only anime but also video games and other forms of media.
6. Manglobe
Established in 2002, Manglobe was a hub for Japanese animation. In spite of its brief history, the studio became well-known for creating several groundbreaking anime shows.
Samurai Champloo, The Big O, Ergo Proxy, Deadman Wonderland, and Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo are just a few of the popular anime titles created by Manglobe.
The studio's reputation rested on its innovative style and its boldness in tackling serious subject matter in its animated productions. Although Manglobe declared bankruptcy in 2015, the company's legacy lives on in the form of influential works that continue to be enjoyed by fans and held in high esteem within the anime industry.
7. Studio Deen
The Japanese animation studio Studio Deen has been around since 1975. The studio has created many different types of anime, ranging from long-running classics to recent fan favorites, and is one of the most prestigious in Japan.
Studio Deen has produced a number of critically acclaimed and widely watched anime series, including Rurouni Kenshin, Fate/stay night, K-On!, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Higurashi When They Cry, and Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl, to name a few.
The studio has a reputation for producing a wide range of genres within anime, from action and adventure to drama and romance. Studio Deen has been a key player in the anime business and is continually producing new and fascinating works.
8. J.C.Staff
A Japanese animation studio, J.C.Staff opened its doors in 1986. The studio has a strong reputation for generating high-quality animation, well-developed characters, and compelling plots across a wide variety of anime, from comedies to complicated dramas.
Toradora!, A Certain Magical Index, Food Wars! : Shokugeki no Soma, Golden Time, Honey and Clover, and Azumanga Daioh are just a few of J.C.Staff's many critically acclaimed and widely watched anime productions.
The studio's works frequently feature a mix between amusing narrative and thought-provoking topics, and they are noted for their ability to adapt a wide variety of source materials, from manga and light novels to original works.
The anime industry has long recognized J.C.Staff as a key force due to the studio's reputation for producing only the best and most fun shows.
9. SynergySP
In 2006, the Japanese government funded the creation of SynergySP, an animation company. SynergySP is an up-and-coming animation studio that has already created several successful anime shows and movies.
SynergySP is responsible for some of the most beloved and critically acclaimed anime of all time, including Squid Girl, Kissis, Kanamemo, and Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches.
The studio's works are typically praised for their high-quality animation and well-developed characters, and they are known for producing a wide variety of anime, from comedies to dramatic works.
A major actor in the anime business, SynergySP has worked with other prominent studios and production houses in recent years to create innovative new works.
10. Ufotable
The Japanese company Ufotable has been making animation since the year 2000. The studio's reputation rests on the excellent caliber of the anime it has produced in the past, with specific accolades going to the studio's attention to detail in graphic design, animation, and story.
Fate/Zero, Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, Tales of Zestiria the X, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and Garden of Sinners are just a few of Ufotable's numerous critically acclaimed and widely watched anime series.
The studio is well-known for its animated adaptations of video games and light novels, which are noted for their high-octane action, complex worlds, and multidimensional characters.
The works of Ufotable, one of Japan's most prominent animation studios, never fail to captivate viewers and push the medium to new heights.
11. Toei Animation
Japanese animation company Toei Animation has been around since 1948. Since its founding in the 1930s, it has grown to become one of Japan's largest and most successful animation studios, responsible for hundreds of episodes of anime ranging from the timeless to the cutting-edge.
Toei Animation is responsible for some of the most famous and widely-watched anime of all time, such as Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, One Piece, Digimon, and Saint Seiya. The studio's output ranges from action and adventure to humor and romance, and is often praised for its breadth and variety.
Toei Animation has always been at the forefront of the animation business, always expanding the boundaries of what is possible in the medium and introducing innovative new techniques and technology.
Toei Animation is one of the most prominent Japanese animation studios even now, and its productions continue to be beloved by fans all over the world.
12. Studio Ghibli
The Japanese animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli has been making waves since its inception in 1985. Cinematic fans all over the world recognize the company for its lavish, innovative, and frequently touching films.
Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle, and Grave of the Fireflies are some of the best-known Studio Ghibli films.
The company is well-known for its beautiful hand-drawn animation, fascinating storytelling, and thoughtful examinations of universal subjects like family, nature, and the human condition.
Movies from Studio Ghibli are enjoyed by people of all ages and have won a slew of awards. Many people consider the studio's films to be among the best in the history of animation, and the company itself is still widely regarded as one of the best in the world.
In Conclusion
There are many different animation studios that produce anime, from the long-running Studio Ghibli and Toei Animation to the more recent Ufotable and Trigger.
These companies consistently provide the best and most memorable anime experiences to viewers all over the world, impressing them with breathtaking visuals, fascinating stories, and well-developed characters.
The future of anime is secure, as there are numerous skilled studios and innovative minds working in the field.
