If you enjoy anime, it is worthwhile to examine which are the best anime studios to watch. Anime companies come and go, however, the greatest studios have been in business for decades. Continue reading with Campione Anime to see how many of them you have already known.
Top 10 Best Anime Studios Ever In The World
1. Madhouse (Japan, 1972)
Madhouse studio fans may argue that it’s the best anime making studio.
In 1972, Mushi Pro animators, including Yoshiaki Kakwajiri, Masao Maruyama, and Osamu Dezaki, created this studio. Since then, Madhouse has churned out one successful anime after another. The studio is well-known for its outstanding animation works.
The production studio has collaborated with well-known manga artists like Naoki Urasawa & Clamp in Yawara and Monster and enlisted the services of world-class directors such as Satoshi Kon. In 2011, Index Corporation was replaced by Nippon TV as the principal shareholder after the latter bought 3rd-party’s fresh shares.
Some popular titles produced by Madhouse are Death Note (2006 – 2007), Claymore (2007), Sunday Without God (2013), Hunter x Hunter (2011 – 2014), Parasyte (2014 – 2015), One-Punch Man (2015), etc.
2. Ufotable (Japan, 2000)
Ufotable was established in 2000 by former employees from Telecom Animation Film (a TMS Entertainment division). Despite the fact that their debut anime was launched in 2002, Ufotable’s breakthrough came in 2007 when The Garden of Sinners was released. What distinguishes them from other animation companies is their usage of claymation.
The most famous works of the studio include the Fate series, particularly Fate/Zero & Fate/Stay Night along with God Eater & Tales of Zestiria the X. However, Ufotable has reached the top 10 popular anime studios thanks to the astounding popularity that Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has.
3. Wit Studio (Japan, 2012)
The anime studio became the new Production IG subdivision in 2012 with its headquarters placed in Musashino, Tokyo. Tetsuya Nakatake was appointed as Wit studio’s representative director soon after it was founded. Later, many former Production IG employees joined the new studio such as Kyji Asano & Satoshi and Tetsuro Araki.
Attack on Titan, its first anime, was released in 2013 and swiftly established itself as one of the greatest all-time anime. Not bad for Wit Studio’s first attempt.
Their subsequent works have also amazed audiences, including Hal (2013), Seraph of the End (2015), The Ancient Magus’ Bride (2017 – 2018), and Vinland Saga (2019).
4. MAPPA Studio (Japan, 2011)
The MAPPA studio was founded in 2011 by Masao Maruyama, who used to work for Madhouse. Since then, the studio has been producing successful anime. Kids on the Slope (2012) is MAPPA’s debut work, portraying a coming-of-age tale through jazz.
The studio tackles subjects that other anime studios don’t, which allows it to become distinguished after such a short amount of time. Terror in Resonance (2014), produced by MAPPA, is among rare anime series that clearly addressed the problem of terrorism.
Moreover, MAPPA’s Yuri on Ice (2016) is an original anime revolving around 2 men who fall in love via the magic of ice skating.
Check more: Best Yuri Anime: Top 10 Recommendations To Watch
5. Kyoto Animation (Japan, 1981)
Kyoto Animation was established in Kyoto Prefecture in 1981 with Yoko & Hideaki as their original founders. Full Metal Panic (2003 – 2005), CLANNAD (2007), Free! (2013), and K-ON (2009 – 2010) are just a few of the most well-known anime produced by this animation studio.
Their characters are instantly identifiable, despite the fact that their aesthetic has developed throughout time. The studio keeps a group of full-time animators to preserve a unique, high-quality style, instead of the reliance on freelancers.
6. Studio Ghibli (Japan, 1985)
Studio Ghibli Inc., based in Koganei, Tokyo, is an internationally well-known Japanese animation film studio. After the success of Topcraft’s Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the studio was created on June 15, 1985, by filmmakers Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, as well as producer Toshio Suzuki (1984).
Tokuma Shoten Co., Ltd. established the firm in June 1985 with the goal of creating animated movies directed by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. In August 1992, they relocated from Kichijji to Kajino-cho, Koganei.
The studio joined with Tokuma Shoten Co., Ltd. in June 1997 to become Tokuma Shoten Co., Ltd./Studio Ghibli Company. Studio Ghibli Co., Ltd. broke apart from Tokuma Shoten in April 2005.
Totoro, a huge forest spirit from the 1988 film My Neighbor Totoro, is the company’s mascot and most famous emblem.
Ghibli has received the Animage Anime Grand Prix Award for several other anime films. Some of them are Castle in the Sky (1986), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), and Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989). The other one is Spirited Away (2001), which was also the first movie to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2002.
7. Studio Pierrot (Japan, 1979)
Similar to several renowned anime studios, founders of Studio Pierrot (1979) are also former employees of Tatsunoko Production & Mushi Production. This studio was established in Mitaka, Tokyo in 1979. Today, it is still regarded as among the top prestigious animation studios, comparable to Toei Animation.
Some of the most famous works produced by Studio Pierrot are Naruto (2002 -2007), Bleach (2004 – 2012), Tokyo Ghoul (2014) & Yu Yu Hakusho (1992 – 1994). Without doubts, Studio Pierrot, one of the best action anime studios, has created many among the most unforgettable characters and tales surrounding them.
8. Studio Bones (Japan, 1998)
Studio Bones is well-known for its stunning designs. Masahiko Minami, Toshihiro Kawamoto & Hiroshi Osaka, who were all Sunrise employees, established the studio in 1998. Studio Bones are creators of fantastic anime like Fullmetal Alchemist (2003 -2004, 2009 – 2010), My Hero Academia (2016 – 2022), and so on.
Makoto Watanabe and Takahiro Komori became new members on Bones’ board of directors following Osaka’s death in 2007. Komori’s creative tastes even influenced the character design in several series. Some of his past works are Darker than Black, Angelic Layer, and Scrapped Princess.
Read more: Top 10 Best Harem Anime
9. Toei Animation (Japan, 1948)
Toei Animation has produced many titles that have turned many global Millenials into anime fans such as Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, Sailor Moon, and Digimon. Nevertheless, Toei has a much longer history since it was among the earliest anime studios that have ever existed.
The studio was established by Kenzo Masaoka and Zenjiro Yamamoto, who are both animators, in 1948 under the name Japan Animated Films before being purchased by Toei and renamed Toei Animation in 1998. Their debut television series was Wolf Boy Ken (1963).
10. Sunrise (Japan, 1972)
Sunrise has been among the biggest and most renowned anime studios of all time since 1972. They have been the masterminds behind hundreds of animation titles across various genres, as they are made up of more than 10 different studios working simultaneously on several projects.
The purpose of Sunrise’s founders and Mushi Production’s former members when they founded the studio was not to focus on any anime director’s vision like their former company. By contrast, Sunrise envisioned a collaborative endeavor led by numerous producers.
Sunrise’s focus is placed on mecha animation and started developing the brand ò Mobile Suit Gundam. Subsequent works including Cowboy Bebop and Code Geass continue to include futuristic equipment. Besides robots, Sunrise has also produced many series focusing on other topics like bread preparation in Yakitake! Japan.
Bottom Lines
Best Animation studios have long been an important element of anime production. Those mentioned in our list have carved out a niche for themselves with sophisticated and out-of-this-world animation. Their anime are an integral part of many children’s childhood, and each show has inspired lots of young animators. Therefore, they are also the best anime studios to work for.