15. Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation is an animation studio—as well as a publisher of light novels—that was founded in 1985.
They began hosting the Kyoto Animation Awards for original works (manga, scenarios, and novels) in 2009, with winning entries earning the chance to get published or even get an anime adaptation.
FromClannadtoViolet Evergarden, Kyoto Animation has created many great anime series and movies across genres. The tearjerker filmA Silent Voiceis probably their best-known work, not just for its animation but also for its relatable coming-of-age theme.
Despite suffering a traumatic arson attack in 2019, the studio stood back up, endured several setbacks and delays in production, and kept making more series and films. Quite admirable.
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14. White Fox
White Fox is an animation studio that was founded back in 2007 by Gaku Iwasa, who formerly led Team Iwasa (which was a production unit of another animation studio called OLM).
This studio gave us well-known anime series and movies likeSteins;Gate(2011),Re:Zero(2016),The Devil Is a Part-Timer!(2013), andAkame ga Kill!(2014). They also worked on the anime series and movie adaptations for the dark fantasy light novel seriesGoblin Slayer.
13. CoMix Wave Films
The CoMix Wave Films anime studio may not ring a bell. After all, they aren’t as famous as entities like Studio Ghibli.
However, you’ve probably seen their animated works and you probably even recognize the name who gave life to those works: Makoto Shinkai.
He may not be the CEO or any other role of high standing, but Makoto Shinkai outshines the studio itself, which gave us many incredible anime movies that include5 Centimeters per Second(2007),Your Name(2016),Weathering With You(2019), andSuzume(2022).
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12. Production I.G
Production I.G has produced some of the best anime series, including sports animes likeHaikyu!!(2014),Prince of Tennis II(2012), andKuroko’s Basketball(2012). They also animated the fantasy seriesBlood-C(2011) and the filmBlood-C: The Last Dark(2012).
Production I.G became IG Port (a holding company) after merging with Mag Garden. IG Port then became the parent company of Production I.G and Wit Studio, along with a few other anime studios.
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11. Wit Studio
Wit Studio is a subsidiary of IG Port and was founded in 2012. Wit Studio’s first anime series was the first three seasons of the famousAttack on Titanadaptation of the manga by Hajime Isayama.
Wit Studio also animated the anime seriesSeraph of the End(2015),Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress(2016), andVinland Saga(2019).
10. Ufotable
Ufotable Inc. was founded in October 2000 and started work on anime series and films. Though it has only produced a handful of titles, notable ones includeFate/Zero(2011),God Eater(2015), and the popularDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba(2019).
Ufotable also produced the high-grossing filmDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Infinity Train(2020), a sequel toDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. The studio also produced the series' second season, which covers the Mugen Train Arc and beyond, which started airing on October 2021.
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9. A-1 Pictures
A-1 Pictures is a subsidiary of Aniplex and has produced the anime seriesFairy Tailin co-production with Satelight (1st series, 2009), Bridge (2nd and 3rd series, 2014), and Cloverworks (3rd series, 2018).
It also produced the anime seriesBlack Butlerand its sequels (2008),Blue Exorcist(2011),Sword Art Online(2012), and the first two seasons ofSeven Deadly Sins. A-1 Pictures also adapted theYour Lie in Aprilmanga series into a heartbreaking anime series.
8. Cloverworks
While many animation studios are founded by former animators from another studio, Cloverworks was a rebranding of A-1 Pictures' Koenji Studio. Four of their anime series changed credits to Cloverworks, includingDarling in the Franxx(2018).
The studio announced its separation from A-1 Pictures in October 2018 and started producing anime series likeThe Promised Neverland(2019), but Cloverworks still produced the last season ofFairy Tail(2018) in collaboration with A-1 Pictures.
7. Sunrise
Sunrise Inc. was founded in 1972 and is well-known for its famous mecha anime seriesGundamand theGundamfranchise. Other mecha anime series from Sunrise includeCross Ange(2014),Brave Express Might Gaine(1993),Matchless Raijin-Oh(1991), andCode Geass(2006).
Aside from mecha-themed anime, Sunrise has produced many other solid creations, includingGintama(2006),Cowboy Bebop(1998),Outlaw Star(1996), andInuyasha(2000).
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6. Bones
Bones Inc. is an animation studio founded in 1998 by former Sunrise Inc. staff. Most of their anime series became hits, includingFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood(2009),Darker Than Black(2009),Noragami(2014),My Hero Academia(2016), andBungo Stray Dogs(2016).
The studio also produced the seriesHeroman(2010) in collaboration with Marvel’s Stan Lee, as well as animated movies like the dark fantasy filmEscaflowne(2000) andCowboy Bebop: The Movie(2001), the latter of which they worked in collaboration with Sunrise.
5. Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli is the animation studio that has produced more award-winning anime movies than any other studio.
It was founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki, who are all well-known directors, writers, and producers.
One thing you’ll notice about Studio Ghibli’s works is that they aren’t as flashy as other anime works, yet they’re so compelling and able to pull you in with magic and wonder alone.
The simplicity of their animation adds a classic touch that complements their frequent use of fantastical and otherworldly elements.
Some of their best-known works includeSpirited Away(2001),My Neighbor Totoro(1988),Howl’s Moving Castle(2004), andTales from Earthsea(2006). These alone qualify Studio Ghibli as one of the best anime studios of all time.
4. MAPPA
MAPPA (Maruyama Animation Project Produce Association) produced many fan-favorite anime series and movies since its founding in 2011 by Masao Maruyama (a founder of Madhouse Studio).
MAPPA’s creations include adaptations of manga series likeHajime no Ippo: Rising(2013),Ushio and Tora(2015),Yuri!! on ICE(2016), andDororo(2019). They’re also behind the anime seriesJujutsu Kaisen(2020) and the final season ofAttack on Titan(2020).
MAPPA also created the war-themed anime movieIn This Corner of the Worldand the movieJujutsu Kaisen 0, a prequel to the anime series.
3. Pierrot
Pierrot Co., Ltd. was established in May 1979 and founded by former employees of other animation studios.
The Pierrot animation studio is famous for its long list of well-known anime series, includingYu Yu Hakusho(1992),Flame of Recca(1997),Naruto(2002) andNaruto Shippuden(2007),Bleach(2004),Tokyo Ghoul(2014), andBlack Clover(2017).
Studio Pierrot was behind all of theNarutomovies aired from 2004 to 2015. And apart from Japanese anime series and films, Pierrot also did the animations for the second season of Nickelodeon’sAvatar: The Legend of Korraalong with Studio Mir from South Korea.
2. Toei Animation
Toei Animation’s theatrical anime filmPanda and the Magic Serpent(1958) gave life to the Japanese animation industry. The animation studio was founded in 1948 with the name Japan Animated Films, which was later bought by Toei Company and named Toei Animation.
Toei Animation has created some of the best anime series and movies of all time, includingDaimos(1978),Dr. Slump(1981),Dragon Ball(1986) andDragon Ball Z(1989),Slam Dunk(1993), Sailor Moon (1992), andWorld Trigger(2014).
Toei Animation also animated theOne Pieceanime series and its movies.One Pieceis one of the longest-running anime series, starting in 1999 and still airing to this date. Marvel also worked with Toei Animation to produce the animated seriesMarvel Disk Wars: The Avengers(2014).
1. Madhouse
Madhouse is an animation studio founded by several animators, including Masao Maruyama (who later left to start MAPPA). Madhouse is known to collaborate with other animation studios in and outside Japan.
Since its founding in 1972, Madhouse has produced excellent anime series likeTrigun(1998),Tenjo Tenge(2004),Death Note(2006),Claymore(2007),Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger(2009), and the all-time favorite magical girlCardcaptor Sakura(1998).
Madhouse also produced the 2011 version ofHunter X Hunterand its moviesPhantom Rouge(2013) andThe Last Mission(2013).
They also worked with Marvel Entertainment to produce Marvel Anime, comprised the animated series ofIronman,X-Men,Wolverine, andBlade. Madhouse also produced the anime filmsIronman: Rise of TechnovoreandAvengers Confidential: Black Widow and Punisher.
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