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Discover the 8 best anime studios. Explore the best projects from every one of them and where they rank amongst each other.
The world of anime is filled with stellar adaptations featuring breathtaking animation, compelling storytelling, and unforgettable characters. At the heart of these are dedicated studios working in the background, tirelessly bringing original stories as well as tales from manga and novels to the screen. These teams have accrued a cult following of their own.
Hence, here are the eight best anime studios, ranked. The list has been curated not just based on animation but also on the variety of projects and reputations built over time.
8) Studio Wit
Founded in 2012, Studio Wit has rapidly become a household name among anime fans for its stellar visuals and dynamic storytelling. While originally a subsidiary of Production I.G., this studio has managed to stand on its own by adapting a healthy offering of popular manga, underrated works, and original material.
Studio Wit’s notable titles include Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga, Ranking of Kings, and Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song. When fans watch their projects, they expect a distinctive style and fluid animation.
7) Studio Pierrot
Studio Pierrot, founded in 1979, has been a giant in the anime industry ever since. They are renowned for creating many of the most popular long-running anime series, such as Bleach, Naruto, and Yu Yu Hakusho.
At the same time, the studio has not been without its controversies due to divisive adaptations. Anime projects such as Tokyo Ghoul and Black Clover have left a sour taste in the mouths of fans. Nevertheless, the studio has proven its talents time and time again, recently impressing fans with Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. Should they achieve more consistency in their offerings, they will undoubtedly be placed higher on this list.
6) Toei Animation
Unlike Studio Pierrot, which is known for several shonen titles, Toei has gained global recognition for a few grand anime. Having been established in 1948, Toei Animation is a name that needs no introduction.
While having several projects under their belt, they are mainly recognized for One Piece, Dragon Ball, Slam Dunk, and Sailor Moon. Some fans may criticize the lack of quality in the studio’s lesser-known adaptations, but their popular titles have smashed it out of the park.
They have lent a hand in creating iconic characters and using a variety of animation techniques. These range from hand-drawn animation to CGI and stellar impact frames in fights, allowing them to continue being a powerhouse in the industry.
5) Kyoto Animation
When talking about “quality over quantity,” Kyoto Animation is the first studio that pops into the minds of fans. Established in 1985, this group has gained a highly positive reputation for the respect with which they treat each project.
Anime such as Clannad, Violet Evergarden, and A Silent Voice each feature gorgeous visuals with a beautiful atmosphere and depth. The studio is widely considered to enhance its adapted source material, and its ability to evoke emotions from fans sets it apart from the rest.
4) Studio Ghibli
Created by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki in 1985, Studio Ghibli has consistently been delivering game-changing anime movies for multiple decades. The studio and its creators’ insistence on meticulously crafting every story is apparent through their projects, allowing fans to appreciate all their offerings.
Along with nostalgic masterpieces such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, there are titles with relevant social commentary like Princess Mononoke and Grave of the Fireflies. This makes them appeal not just to kids but to all age groups. Hence, Studio Ghibli continues inspiring new generations of fans, animators, and filmmakers worldwide.
3) Studio Ufotable
Studio Ufotable has gained global fame for its groundbreaking animation and for elevating the content of its source material, whether light novels, visual novels, or manga. Though established in 2000, the studio’s first hit was the Garden of Sinners movies.
They have been on a roll ever since, creating the Fate series and Demon Slayer. The stunning quality, seamless CGI integration, and ability to deliver movie-like visuals to the TV screen are unlike any other studio.
The studio also houses extremely talented animators, which is why their projects are not as expensive as most other “high-quality” anime. Hence, with every new adaptation, they set a higher bar for themselves.
2) Studio Mappa
Notwithstanding Studio Mappa’s controversial reputation for its work culture, it is arguably the biggest studio of the current generation. Founded in 2011, the studio has been taking constant risks by adapting stories from fan-favorite manga.
More impressively, they have delivered satisfactory results every time by matching the tone and animation style required for each series. Their major works include Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man. They also picked up Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga from where Studio Wit left off.
By continuously pushing animation limits and taking fan feedback to make necessary changes, their reputation as legends of the industry cannot be erased.
1) Studio Madhouse
At the top of our list is Studio Madhouse, a name synonymous with excellence in anime production. Established in 1972, Madhouse has been a pioneer in the industry, producing some of the most critically acclaimed anime ever made.
Rather than always focusing on groundbreaking animation, the studio delivers visuals that perfectly fit each storyline. This is best seen through projects such as Monster, Hunter x Hunter, Frieren, and Death Note. At the same time, they always push themselves out of their comfort zone, covering a wide variety of titles.
Ambitious anime such as Sonny Boy and Death Parade may not necessarily receive their due appreciation, but they display the studio’s passion for storytelling. Madhouse’s legacy, versatility, and artistic brilliance rightfully make it the best anime studio of all time.
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