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September 19, 2025
September 19, 2025
Anime studios power the stories we love, yet they rarely get the spotlight. Check out our list of the best of all time!
>Anime studios power the stories we love, yet they rarely get the spotlight. Check out our list of the best of all time!
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Behind every anime show is a studio pouring hours into perfecting every frame, transforming ideas into full-fledged worlds, unforgettable stories, and iconic moments.
Each studio carries its own creative fingerprint; some stand out for bold visuals, others for fluid animation, unconventional art style, and cinematic brilliance that pushes the boundaries of imagination. This list gives an overview into the world of anime studios, their history, style, and culture. Sit tight, and let’s dive in.
|
Rank |
Title |
|
20 |
J.C.Staff |
|
19 |
Shaft |
|
18 |
8bits |
|
17 |
Science Saru |
|
16 |
Orange |
|
15 |
Gainax |
|
14 |
CloverWorks |
|
13 |
Studio Pierrot |
|
12 |
Studio Trigger |
|
11 |
Bandai Namco Filmworks |
|
10 |
Bones Studio |
|
9 |
Production I.G |
|
8 |
Wit Studio |
|
7 |
Toei Animation |
|
6 |
A-1 Pictures |
|
5 |
MAPPA |
|
4 |
Madhouse |
|
3 |
Ufotable |
|
2 |
Studio Ghibli |
|
1 |
Kyoto Animation |

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
1986 |
Tomoyuki Miyata |
Toradora! | Food Wars! | The Disastrous Life of Saiki K |
For a studio that’s been around for over four decades, J.C.Staff hasn’t always chased the spotlight with massive blockbusters, but they’ve carved out a steady presence in the community. Their catalog speaks to consistency more than hype, from fan favorites like Toradora! and Food Wars! to long-running titles like A Certain Magical Index.
That said, consistency hasn’t always meant perfection. The studio has a reputation for spreading itself thin, often juggling more projects than its teams can handle; a gamble that evidently showed in the underwhelming production of One-Punch Man Season 2. Even so, J.C.Staff continues to adapt and push forward, bouncing back with recent titles that remind fans why they’ve stayed relevant for so long.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
Hiroshi Wakao |
1975 |
The Monogatari Series | Puella Magi Madoka Magica |
Any fan can immediately recognize a Shaft production, a testament to the visionary style cultivated by the creative team led by director Akiyuki Shinbo - “Team Shinbo”. The studio built its reputation on experimental techniques like sharp color contrasts, rapid jump cuts, and incorporating real-world photographs or objects into its animation to create a unique, surreal texture. Of course, they are also famous for the iconic “Shaft Head Tilt” seen across many of their shows.
Sadly, the studio experienced a major shift following a significant staff exodus, which effectively disbanded the legendary creative team. Since then, Shaft has been striving to maintain its legacy, but the original genius of Team Shinbo is widely seen as irreplaceable. The studio's more recent works, while still visually unique, have struggled to live up to the high standard set by its originals.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
2008 |
Tsutomu Kasai |
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime | Blue Lock | The Irregular at Magic High School |
8bit was founded in 2008 by former members of the studio Satelight, and has built its reputation through slow, deliberate growth. While 8bit produced several notable works in its early years, the studio's trajectory shifted significantly with the massive success of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, which first aired in 2018. The show's popularity solidified 8bit's position as a reliable studio and later led to a business partnership with Bandai Namco.
In April 2024, 8bit became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bandai Namco Filmworks, giving the studio the backing of a major corporation and access to larger resources. This new partnership enabled 8bit to take on ambitious projects like the second season of Blue Lock. While this season faced some production hiccups, we can say 8bit is still finding its footing in the big league. With Bandai Namco behind them, expectations are high, and the potential for great things is very real.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
2013 |
Eunyoung Choi and Masaaki Yuasa |
Devilman Crybaby | Dandadan |
Science Saru, which literally translates to “Science Monkey,” perfectly encapsulates the studio's unique blend of technology, creativity, and playful artistry. This philosophy has made them renowned for pushing boundaries and experimenting with absurd color palettes and unconventional art styles. While some earlier projects, like Ping Pong the Animation and Devilman Crybaby, garnered divisive reactions from some viewers upon release, they were widely celebrated by critics and art enthusiasts for their bold, experimental visuals.
Their most recent release, Dandadan, is breaking the internet all thanks to their style, and let's not forget the electrifying opening song "Otonoke" from the duo Creepy Nuts. Science Saru is now in the spotlight, and fans are eagerly anticipating what new artistic heights they will reach next.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
2004 |
Eiji Inomoto |
Beasters | Land of the Lustrous | Trigun Stampede |
Orange is a studio that has established itself as a leader in high-quality 3D computer-generated (3DCG) animation. While CG animation isn't new to anime, Orange has earned a reputation for mastering a dynamic, expressive style that sets it apart.
With a long history of contributing 3D work to other studios, Orange truly proved its authority with its own full-length projects. Their latest project, Trigun Stampede, was a major talking point for its seamless 3D visuals and impressive action. Fans have high hopes for the studio and eagerly await what's next.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
1984 |
Hideaki Anno, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, Hiroyuki Yamaga, Takami Akai, Toshio Okada, Yasuhiro Takeda, and Shinji Higuchi. |
Neon Genesis Evangelion | Gurren Lagann | FLCL |
Gainax was a studio with a lot of potential. It took the anime world by storm with its masterpiece, Neon Genesis Evangelion. However, following this early success, the studio had a steady decline that culminated in its bankruptcy in 2024. Not only did they go bankrupt, but they also lost the rights to Neon Genesis Evangelion to its creator, Hideaki Anno.
Despite the studio's sad ending, it had a remarkable run and produced many groundbreaking titles. It was also popular for the "Gainax Ending," a fan-coined term for the unique and often unconventional or confusing way their series ended.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
2018 |
A-1 Pictures' Kōenji Studio |
Spy × Family | Horimiya | Bocchi the Rock! |
CloverWorks was founded in 2018 as a rebrand of A-1 Pictures' Kōenji Studio. Later that year, it separated from A-1 Pictures to become its own company while remaining a subsidiary of the Sony-owned Aniplex.
While still a young studio with a relatively small portfolio, CloverWorks' reputation has been a rollercoaster. They took a significant hit with the widely criticized adaptation of The Promised Neverland Season 2 and the production issues that plagued the original series, Wonder Egg Priority. However, the studio has continued to steadily rebuild its reputation with recent releases like My Dress-Up Darling, Bochi the Rock! and the co-produced Spy × Family. If they keep this up, they may surpass A-1 Pictures at some point.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
1979 |
Yuji Nunokawa, Hisayuki Toriumi, Mitsuo Kaminashi, and Masami Annou. |
Naruto | Bleach | Black Clover |
Studio Pierrot was founded in 1979. While they did get some recognition in the '90s with the classic shonen Yu Yu Hakusho, they didn't truly achieve massive commercial success until the 2000s. That's when they began adapting hit Shonen manga, including two titles from the "Big Three" - Naruto and Bleach. They’ve also continued to dominate the Shonen space by producing more recent hits like Tokyo Ghoul and Black Clover.
The studio is famous for its long-running shows, but its reputation for consistency has been a mixed bag, particularly in shows like Naruto, which suffered from inconsistent animation and extensive filler arcs. However, the times are changing, and with the rise of new-gen anime, Studio Pierrot has to go back to the drawing board and re-strategize.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
2011 |
Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Ōtsuka |
Kill la Kill | Cyberpunk: Edgerunners | Little Witch Academia |
Studio Trigger stands out for its bold, vibrant, and often cartoony animation style, as seen in Kill la Kill and Little Witch Academia, but its versatility also shines in more recent and varied projects like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. This distinctive approach, which is a blend of Western and Japanese animation aesthetics, makes their work colorful and unique.
The studio was founded in 2011 by former Gainax artists Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Ōtsuka. They carried the signature energy of Gainax's Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann into Studio Trigger, refining and elevating it into something uniquely spectacular.
While every project isn't a mainstream blockbuster, Studio Trigger's creative philosophy guarantees a fresh and unconventional experience. The studio embraces taking risks and focuses on creating what the team finds fun, resulting in a diverse and artistically daring portfolio that consistently surpasses expectations and keeps fans engaged.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
1972 |
Former Mushi Production Staff |
Mobile Suit Gundam | Cowboy Bebop | Inuyasha |
If you've ever seen Mobile Suit Gundam, you already know the legacy Sunrise built. They didn’t just make mecha cool, they redefined the genre, infusing rich world-building, philosophical themes, and robots that felt real.
But they didn’t stop at Gundam. Over the decades, Sunrise has gifted us timeless classics like Cowboy Bebop, Code Geass, and Inuyasha, proving their versatility beyond giant robots. Each project carries that Sunrise touch: grand world-building, layered storytelling, and striking visuals. Now a part of Bandai Namco, Sunrise continues to keep the Gundam empire alive while exploring new horizons. Decades in, and they’re still shaping anime culture like few others can.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
1998 |
Masahiko Minami, Hiroshi Ōsaka, and Toshihiro Kawamoto. |
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | My Hero Academia | Mob Psycho 100 |
Bones Studio was formed by three ex-Sunrise studio staff members: producer Masahiko Minami and animators Hiroshi Ōsaka and Toshihiro Kawamoto. They united with a vision to build a studio where creativity and freedom could thrive. Among their most celebrated achievements is the beloved Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (FMAB), which boasts one of the most passionate fanbases in anime history.
While most of their work leans into action and adventure, Bones refuses to lock itself into a single art style. Instead, they adapt their visuals to suit the specific needs of each project, as seen in shows like Space Dandy, Mob Psycho 100, My Hero Academia, and their latest project, Gachiakuta.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
1987 |
Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and Takayuki Goto |
Haikyu!! | Kuroku’s Basketball | Ghost in the Shell |
Production I.G. is celebrated for its mastery of the sports genre, delivering hit titles like Haikyu!!, Kuroko's Basketball, and Aoashi. Beyond sports, the studio has also forged a name for itself with masterpieces across other genres, including the iconic Ghost in the Shell series, Attack on Titan (through subsidiary Wit Studio), and the cyberpunk thriller Psycho-Pass.
On the bright side, their talents aren't confined to anime alone. The studio regularly collaborates with video game companies to create stunning animated cutscenes and opening animations that elevate a game's storytelling and visual appeal. This ability to excel across different media showcases Production I.G.'s versatility, proving that they are the quiet kid in the class who happens to be a genius.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
2012 |
George Wada, Tetsuya Nakatake, and Kyoji Asano |
Attack on Titan (Seasons 1–3) | Ranking of Kings | Vinland Saga (Season 1) |
Wit Studio is one of the new kids on the block, founded in 2012 by producers from Production I.G. Just a year later, they dropped their first TV series, Attack on Titan, and instantly earned a spot among the big leagues.
Attack on Titan was more than a phenomenon, celebrated for its intense action sequences and cinematic camera work. But Wit Studio isn’t just about action; they’ve proven their versatility with hits like the stylish heist comedy, Great Pretender, and the eccentric fairytale, Ranking of Kings.
Recently, the studio made headlines with its announcement to partner with Netflix on an anime remake of the popular manga One Piece, titled The One Piece. This project is easily the most anticipated in the industry right now.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
1948 |
Kenzō Masaoka and Zenjirō Yamamoto |
Dragon Ball | Sailor Moon | One Piece |
Founded in 1948, Toei Animation is the oldest anime studio still making waves today. They played a huge role in popularizing anime worldwide with early hits like Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and One Piece.
Toei is an OG in the game, but that doesn’t automatically make them the best in animation quality. They often prioritize quantity over quality, juggling multiple projects at once, leaving them with a portfolio mixed of highs and lows. That said, they’re still holding strong, with One Piece showing a noticeable boost in quality in recent years.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
2005 |
Mikihiro Iwata |
Sword Art Online | Your Lie in April | Fairy Tale | Solo Leveling |
If you haven’t heard of A-1 Pictures before, you’ve surely heard of Solo Leveling. The studio started pretty average, adapting almost anything they could get. Over time, they leveled up with standout hits like 86, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, Your Lie in April, and now, Solo Leveling.
The studio was originally founded as a subsidiary of Aniplex (which itself is under Sony Music Entertainment Japan), and has grown into a full-fledged powerhouse and even launched its own sub-studio, CloverWorks. The sky’s the limit for A1-pictures if they keep delivering at their current level.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
2011 |
Masao Maruyama |
Jujutsu Kaisen | Chainsaw Man | Attack on Titan: The Final Season |
Initially, MAPPA was a respected but smaller studio, not yet the international powerhouse it is today. The pivotal change occurred in 2016 when Manabu Otsuka, a founding member and producer, took over as CEO from Masao Maruyama. Otsuka's strategic pivot towards high-profile projects is what truly transformed MAPPA. With blockbusters like Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Attack on Titan: The Final Season, the studio no longer needs an introduction.
Amidst the stunning animation and blockbuster titles, there’s been controversy. The studio’s rapid growth and relentless deadlines sparked criticism over harsh working conditions and overworked animators. It’s the price of greatness, or so it seems. At some point, MAPPA will need to find the balance between ambition and sustainability to maintain its position.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
1972 |
Masao Maruyama, Osamu Dezaki, Rintaro, and Yoshiaki Kawajiri |
Death Note | Hunter x Hunter (2011) | Parastye |
Madhouse has long been a powerhouse in anime, known for masterpieces like Death Note, Parasyte, and One-Punch Man Season 1. However, the 2010s brought serious setbacks - a major talent exodus, the death of visionary director Satoshi Kon, and Founder Masao Maruyama’s departure to create MAPPA.
Despite these setbacks, Madhouse proved its resilience. They delivered hits like the Hunter x Hunter remake, collaborated with Marvel and Sony, and most recently wowed fans with Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, a critical and commercial success, proving that Madhouse still can deliver top-tier anime. While the studio's golden age may have ended, its resilience and continued excellence suggest that its legacy is far from over.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
2000 |
Hikaru Kondō |
Demon Slayer | Fate Series | The Garden of Sinners |
Ufotable is the undisputed king of crisp, vivid animation and jaw-dropping fight sequences, as seen in the Fate series and Demon Slayer. The studio prioritizes quality over quantity, which explains its lean portfolio compared to other big names.
Ufotable maintains a consistent style and an exceptionally high standard across every project, all thanks to their strong in-house production system. Beyond anime production, they’ve built a unique fan experience through Ufotable Cafés, Dining, and Cinemas in Japan; blending themed food, exclusive merchandise, and events tied to their iconic series.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
1985 |
Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki |
Spirited Away | My Neighbor Totoro | Grave of the Fireflies |
Studio Ghibli was founded by Hayao Miyazaki, a former Toei Animation artist who left in 1971 to create a studio focused on quality over quantity; a philosophy he couldn’t fully pursue at Toei. In 1985, Ghibli was born.
Their early works, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Laputa: Castle in the Sky, put them on the map; however, timeless classics like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro cemented their legacy. Despite its relatively slow and deliberate pace of production, Ghibli remains iconic for its distinct art style, a true example of how originality stands the test of time. Recently, the studio saw a resurgence in pop culture thanks to AI models inspired by its signature aesthetic, allowing fans to transform their photos into Ghibli-style art.

|
Year Founded |
Founder(s) |
Popular Titles |
|
1981 |
Yoko Hatta and Hideaki Hatta |
Violet Evergarden | A Silent Voice | Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid |
Kyoto Animation was established in 1981 by a married couple, Hideaki and Yoko Hatta, with a vision to change anime studio culture. Unlike most studios that rely heavily on freelancers, KyoAni employed staff on a salary basis, providing stability, good working conditions, and benefits that set a new standard in the industry.
This supportive culture, combined with their in-house training program for young talent, has earned KyoAni a reputation for exceptional consistency. They're celebrated for their vivid animation, detailed backgrounds, and their mastery of capturing subtle, realistic human emotions. These all come together to make their projects special, relatable, and genuine.
Gainax went bankrupt in 2024 due to years of financial trouble and mismanagement. They also lost the rights to Neon Genesis Evangelion to its creator, Hideaki Anno.
There isn’t a single best anime studio. However, popular names include Kyoani, Ufotable, Ghibli, and MAPPA.
No. It’s Tonari Animation, the studio that collaborated with them on Blue Lock, that shut down in early 2025.
MAPPA is considered one of the top studios, but calling it the best is subjective. Other major contenders include Ufotable and Kyoto Animation.
Not necessarily. Ufotable is known for its slower, quality-focused approach, which prioritizes perfection, while MAPPA operates at a faster pace to meet high demand and deadlines.
Toei Animation, established in 1948, is the longest-running anime studio. They created iconic titles like Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and One Piece.
Not entirely. Wit Studio handled the first three seasons, while MAPPA took over for the fourth and final season.
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