Sunrise
[ranking: 6]
Sunrise is one of the largest and most renowned anime studios in history. Comprised of over 10 separate studios that all work on different projects, Sunrise is responsible for hundreds of anime in countless genres.
When ex-employees of Osamu Tezuka's Mushi Production formed the studio in 1972, the goal was to not prioritize the vision of any particular director (the way that Mushi had with Tezuka). Instead, they envisioned a group effort driven by the leadership of multiple producers.
Eager to distinguish themselves by specializing in a specific genre, Sunrise chose to focus on mecha anime and began developing the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise. Later works like Cowboy Bebop and Code Geass still focus on futuristic machinery, though Sunrise has also developed shows like Yakitake! Japan which focuses on bread-baking rather than robots.
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#7 of 41 on The 30+ Best Animation Companies in the World #197 of 234 on The Top Animation Studios
Wit Studio
[ranking: 3]
Wit Studio is a subsidiary of Production IG. Its debut anime, Attack on Titan, aired in 2013, and quickly earned a spot among the best anime of all time. Not too shabby for a first effort.
Since then, Wit Studio has continued to astonish viewers with amazing anime like Hozuki's Coolheadedness, After The Rain, and The Ancient Magus' Bride.
Kyoto Animation
[ranking: 4]
Kyoto Animation is responsible for some of the most renowned anime in history, including The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, CLANNAD, and Full Metal Panic.
Though their style has evolved over time, Kyoto Animation characters are always easily recognizable. The studio maintains a distinct, high-quality style by keeping a team of salaried animators on staff (as opposed to relying on freelancers).
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#2 of 41 on The 30+ Best Animation Companies in the World #114 of 234 on The Top Animation Studios
Production IG
[ranking: 8]
Studio Bones
[ranking: 1]
Studio Bones has been around since 1998. They're responsible for amazing anime like both iterations of Fullmetal Alchemist, My Hero Academia, Mob Psycho 100, Ouran High School Host Club, and Wolf's Rain. The studio was founded by former members of Studio Sunrise, Masahiko Minami, Hiroshi ??saka and Toshihiro Kawamoto.
After ??saka tragically died from cancer in 2007, Makoto Watanabe and Takahiro Komori joined the board of directors. Komori's artistic sensibilities even informed some shows' character design. His previous projects includes Angelic Layer, Scrapped Princess, and Darker than Black.
Studio Pierrot
[ranking: 10]
Like many successful anime studios, Studio Pierrot was founded by former members of Tatsunoko Production and Mushi Production.
This studio, which is located in Mitaka, Tokyo, is responsbile for some of the most popular anime ever created, including Naruto, Tokyo Ghoul, Bleach, and Yu Yu Hakusho.
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#14 of 41 on The 30+ Best Animation Companies in the World #193 of 234 on The Top Animation Studios
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