The best animation studios and their most iconic works

January 10 2024

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The Japanese anime industry is supported by numerous popular and established animation studios, whose works have helped shape the industry as we know it today. Here is an overview of the most renowned animation studios and their most iconic works.

15. Bandai Namco Filmworks (Sunrise)

Iconic Work: Cowboy Bebop (1998)
Bandai Namco Filmworks, formerly known as Sunrise Studios, is famous for titles like “Code Geass” and “Love Live!”, but their most iconic work is “Cowboy Bebop,” a 90s action-mixed sci-fi series , humor, drama and jazz music.

14. A-1 Pictures

Iconic Work: Kaguya-Sama: Love is War
A-1 Pictures is known for hit series like “Mashle: Magic and Muscles” and “Wotakoi,” but “Kaguya-Sama: Love is War” remains their most emblematic work, a romantic comedy set in a high school elite.

13. Production IG

Iconic Work: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Known for “Haikyuu!!” and “Moriarty the Patriot,” Production I.G. reached its pinnacle with “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex,” a cyberpunk series that explores profound themes about humanity.

12. PA Works

Iconic Work: Angel Beats
P.A. Works has produced titles like “Skip and Loafer” and “Buddy Daddies,” but “Angel Beats” is their most famous work, a series that mixes elements of isekai, mystery and school drama.

11. JC Staff

Iconic Work: Toradora
J.C. Staff has an extensive catalog that includes “Food Wars!” and “A Certain Magical Index”, but “Toradora” is considered their most representative work, a love story between two teenagers.

10. MAP

Iconic Work: Jujutsu Kaisen
MAPPA gained fame with “Jujutsu Kaisen,” a dark fantasy series that became an iconic shonen title.

9. Studio Bones

Iconic Work: My Hero Academia
Studio Bones, known for “Fullmetal Alchemist” and “Soul Eater,” achieved mainstream success with “My Hero Academia,” a superhero anime set in a future where supernatural Quirks have redefined society.

8. Studio Ghibli

Iconic Work: Spirited Away
Studio Ghibli is world-famous for its imaginative animated films such as My Neighbor Totoro and Princess Mononoke, but Spirited Away remains their best-known masterpiece.

7. Toei Animation

Iconic Work: Dragon Ball Z
Toei Animation has a long history of producing anime, with “Dragon Ball Z” standing out as their most beloved and iconic series.

6. WitStudio

Iconic Work: Spy
Wit Studio has produced titles like “Attack on Titan” and “Vinland Saga,” but “Spy x Family” is their most recent and successful series, a shonen comedy about an atypical family.

5. Studio Pierrot

Iconic Work: Naruto
Studio Pierrot is famous for producing “Bleach” and “Yu Yu Hakusho,” but “Naruto” remains their most iconic series, a story of growth and recognition in a world of ninja violence.

4. Ufotable

Iconic Work: Demon Slayer
Ufotable is known for its high-quality animation in series such as “Fate/Zero”. “Demon Slayer” is their most famous work, showing the true potential of Japanese animation.

3. Study Triggers

Iconic Work: Little Witch Academia
Studio Trigger is known for its distinctive art style and series like “Kill La Kill.” “Little Witch Academia” is their most accessible and appreciated work.

2. Kyoto Animation

Iconic Work: Violet Evergarden
Kyoto Animation told a moving story with “Violet Evergarden,” distinguishing itself with the quality of its animation and emotional depth.

These studios have contributed significantly to the anime industry, creating works that have left an indelible mark on popular culture and the hearts of fans everywhere.