19 Best Japanese Anime Studios

Founded: October 17, 1972, Tokyo, Japan
Number of employees: 70 (including contractors)
Headquarters: Nakano City, Tokyo, Japan
President: Sanae Tashiro
Founders: Masao Maruyama, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Rintaro, Osamu Dezaki
Parent organizations: Sony Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan, The Yomiuri Shimbun Group Inc.

• madhouse.co.jp

In 1972, a talented group of animators departed from Mushi Production, Osamu Tezuka’s studio, to establish Madhouse.  Madhouse collaborated with top-tier directors like Satoshi Kon and built strong ties with manga creators such as Naoki Urasawa and CLAMP. This collaboration led to the creation of revered anime series ranging from Card Captor Sakura to Death Note.

In 2011, an ex-employee of Madhouse founded MAPPA Studio, officially known as Maruyama Animation Project Produce Association. The primary incentive behind establishing MAPPA was to pursue projects with greater creative latitude than what was available at Madhouse.

MAPPA has been responsible for numerous hits including Yuri on Ice, Kids on the Slope (mentioned twice previously), Attack on Titan’s finale, Banana Fish, and Jujutsu Kaisen. The studio’s remarkable success has propelled it to the forefront of the animation industry. Ironically, this popularity brought about the same creative pressures that Maruyama initially sought to escape from when he left Madhouse.

Notable Anime

• Death Note
• One Punch Man
• Hunter x Hunter (2011)
• No Game No Life
• Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu

Headquarters: Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
Number of employees: 158 (as of the end of November 2019)
Founded: May 1979
Founder: Hisayuki Toriumi
President: Michiyuki Honma
Subsidiary: Studio Signpost

Studio Pierrot, situated in Mitaka, Tokyo, was established by ex-members of Tatsunoko Production and Mushi Production, two renowned anime studios.

This studio, named after the iconic Japanese character Pierrot, has given birth to several celebrated anime series such as Naruto, Tokyo Ghoul, Bleach, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Black Clover.

Additionally, their series Saiyuki and Yu Yu Hakusho have been honored with the Animage Anime Grand Prix Award, signaling their mark of quality in the anime industry.

Founded: January 23, 1948
Headquarters: Nerima City, Tokyo, Japan
Founder: Kenzō Masaoka
Parent organization: Toei Company

Toei Animation, an esteemed anime studio responsible for iconic titles such as Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball, has cemented its place in the anime industry for over six decades. 

Yet, their legacy is not unblemished. The studio has been scrutinized for its treatment of animators, often burdening them with low wages and grueling workloads to meet tight deadlines.

While Toei persists in producing hit shows and films, it raises concerns about whether the success is worth the compromises made.

Know For:

• One Piece
• Dragon Ball Z
• Dragon Ball Super
• Digimon Adventure
• Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
• Yu☆Gi☆Oh!
• Hana yori Dango

Headquarters: Uji, Kyoto, Japan
CEO: Hideaki Hatta (Jul 12, 1985–)
Founded: July 12, 1985
Subsidiaries: Animation Do (2010–2020, absorbed)

Kyoto Animation, known for legendary anime titles like The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, CLANNAD, and Full Metal Panic, has a legacy dating back to 1981, making it one of the longstanding pillars in the anime industry. Throughout its evolution, the studio’s characters remain distinctly recognizable, a testament to its unique and consistent artistic flair.

This distinctiveness is maintained by employing a dedicated team of salaried animators, choosing to prioritize quality over quantity rather than depending on freelancers.

Nestled in Kyoto Prefecture, the studio’s name pays homage to its founders, the married couple Yoko and Hideaki Hatta.

Apart from other studios, Kyoto Animation embraces an ethos of producing exceptional work. Remarkably, the studio eschews the norms of the industry by neither offering in-house training nor job security, focusing purely on the artistry of their productions.

Number of employees: 130 (as of November 2021)
Founded: June 1, 2012
Founder: George Wada
Headquarters: Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
Parent organization: IG Port

Wit Studio, a subsidiary of Production I.G., made an explosive entrance into the anime world with its inaugural series, Attack on Titan, in 2013. This debut quickly ascended the ranks, becoming one of the most acclaimed anime series ever—a remarkable achievement for a newcomer.

Tetsuya Nakatake founded Wit Studio in 2012, and they promptly began their work on the adaptation of Hajime Isayama’s manga, Attack on Titan.

After its 2013 release, the series cemented its reputation as a classic. Wit Studio continued its momentum, producing two more seasons before MAPPA Studios took the reins for the fourth season.

However, Wit Studio’s brilliance isn’t confined to just one series. With standout anime like The Ancient Magus Bride, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, and Vinland Saga under its belt, the studio consistently showcases its unique and captivating art style.

Headquarters: Suginami City, Tokyo, Japan
Founded: May 9, 2005
President: Shinichiro Kashiwada
Owner: Sony Corporation
Parent organization: Aniplex

Founded in 2005 by Mikihiro Iwata, a former Sunrise employee, A-1 Pictures has rapidly made its mark in the anime industry. Operating under the umbrella of Aniplex, Sony Music Entertainment Japan’s anime production arm, A-1 Pictures initially focused on crafting family-friendly anime content but has broadened its horizons over time.

Their maiden venture was Big Windup!, a baseball-themed anime celebrated for its intricate character dynamics. As the studio matured, they diversified, venturing into popular shonen titles like Sword Art Online and Fairy Tail.

Simultaneously, they adeptly delved into heart-wrenching romantic tales like Your Lie in April and grounded narratives such as Silver Spoon.

Founded: October 2000
Headquarters: Suginami, Tokyo, Japan
Key people: Hikaru Kondo, President
Number of employees: 219 (as of April 2022)
Subsidiaries: Ufotable Tokushima

Ufotable was established in 2000 by alumni from Telecom Animation Film, a branch of TMS Entertainment. Although they launched their inaugural anime series in 2002, it was not until 2007 with The Garden of Sinners that the studio truly made a splash in the industry.

Despite its relatively recent inception, Ufotable has an impressive portfolio, including standout series like God Eater and Fate/Zero.

Yet, Demon Slayer catapulted the studio to widespread acclaim, firmly establishing Ufotable as a prominent name in the anime world.

Founder: Masahiko Minami
Founded: October 1998
Headquarters: Suginami City, Tokyo, Japan
Divisions: Animation Department; Photography Department;

In anime animation studios, it’s not uncommon to see a legacy of talent branching out. Studio Bones, featured on this list, stands as a prime example. Founded by former members of another notable studio on this list, Sunrise Inc., the trio behind the establishment were Masahiko Minami, Hiroshi Osaka, and Toshihiro Kawamoto.

Since its inception in 1998, Studio Bones has graced the anime world with several acclaimed series like Full Metal Alchemist, Mob Psycho 100, and My Hero Academia.

While Studio Bones emerged from Sunrise Inc., there’s no animosity between the two. The studios united their creative forces to collaborate on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie in 2001.

Number of employees: 293 (as of April 2021)
Founded: September 1972
Headquarters: Suginami City, Tokyo, Japan
CEO: Yasuo Miyagawa (2014–)
Parent organization: Bandai Namco Holdings

As one of the largest anime studios of all time, Sunrise was founded in 1972 by former Mushi Production employees. As a result of Sunrise’s expansion, it now has more than a dozen separate sub-studios that work on various anime projects.

Known for its mecha-anime productions as well as Gundam and its offshoots, the studio also produces Gundam. In addition to mecha-anime, the studio has produced other renowned series, including Cowboy Bebop and Outlaw Star.

The fact that many Sunrise employees have started their studios is interesting. Six former Sunrise employees have taken this path. Sunrise knows how to spot and nurture some of the best anime talents, which shouldn’t be considered a failure.

Founded: June 15, 1985, Tokyo, Japan
Headquarters: Koganei, Tokyo, Japan
Founders: Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, Isao Takahata, Yasuyoshi Tokuma
Parent organizations: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Tokuma Shoten

Studio Ghibli, undeniably one of the best animation studios in Japan, has a legacy of producing not just outstanding anime films but exceptional films across genres. Beyond the realm of anime, this studio has churned out some of the most impactful movies.

Co-founded by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli boasts eight of the top 15 highest-grossing Japanese anime films under its belt.

Their accolades include a plethora of awards, with one of the crowning achievements being the Animated Feature Film award they clinched in 2003.

Their unique blend of enchanting storytelling, breathtaking animation, and adept treatment of profound themes sets Studio Ghibli apart in the world of animation. Titles like Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, and Grave of the Fireflies stand as testaments to their unparalleled artistry. Truly, Studio Ghibli is a gem in the world of animation.

Founded: December 15, 1987, Kokubunji, Tokyo, Japan
Founder: Mitsuhisa Ishikawa
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Parent organization: IG Port
Subsidiaries: Tatsunoko Production, Mag Garden, Bee Train Production

Production I.G., one of the renowned anime animation studios, owes its name to the initials of its founders, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and Takayuki Goto, who established the company in 1987. Beyond creating anime series and films, the studio also ventures into video game designs.

While they have a plethora of popular titles under their belt such as Kuroko’s Basketball, Psycho-Pass, and Eden of the East, Ghost in the Shell stands as their magnum opus. This particular anime series, alongside its live-action film adaptation, garnered international acclaim.

Furthermore, Production I.G. was instrumental in pioneering C.G. within the anime realm, which has since evolved to become an industry standard.

Headquarters location: Tokyo, Japan
Founders: Hiroyuki Imaishi, Masahiko Otsuka
Parent organization: Ultra Super Pictures

Despite being in operation for just over a decade, Studio Trigger, an esteemed anime studio, has carved a niche for itself, delivering anime bursting with distinctive style and flair. Established in 2011 by Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Otsuka, both of whom previously worked at Gainax, their expertise is evident in the animation quality.

Imaishi’s brilliance in blending vibrant, audacious animation with keen visual wit was showcased in Gurren Lagann for Gainax. This signature animation style has become one of Studio Trigger’s hallmarks. Kill la Kill stands as one of the studio’s premier works, being their debut anime series. Other remarkable creations from their repertoire include Little Witch Academia and Space Patrol Luluco.

For anime enthusiasts seeking top-tier visuals, Studio Trigger is the destination to explore.

Headquarters: Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
Key people: Tomoyuki Miyata; Michihisa Abe; Masakazu Watanabe; Yuuji Matsukura

In 1986, former Tatsunoko Production director Tomoyuki Miyata founded J.C. This studio is one of the oldest on this list. Japan Creative stands for Japan Creative, a Japanese animation studio that can be described as creative.

The studio has produced a steady stream of anime series and films since its first feature release in 1987. There are several highlights, including Toradora!, Bakuman, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., and the second season of One-Punch Man.

Founded: October 1, 2018
Owner: Sony Corporation
President: Akira Shimizu
Parent organization: Aniplex

In the world of renowned anime studios, CloverWorks emerged as a standout name after its rebranding from Koenji Studio by A-1 Pictures in 2018. Initially a part of A-1 Pictures, CloverWorks now operates as a subsidiary of Aniplex and has been behind some of the most captivating anime in recent years, such as Darling in the FranXX and The Promised Neverland.

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, with its innovative take on romance and drama, garnered a substantial fan base and became a monumental success.

Another noteworthy contribution from the studio is their recent anime, Wonder Egg Priority, which revolves around a young girl’s quest to revive her deceased friend using magic.

CEO: Mitsutoshi Kubota (2004–)
Number of employees: 90
Headquarters: Suginami City, Tokyo, Japan
Founded: September 1, 1975, in Japan

Under the leadership of director Akiyuki Shinbo in 2005, Shaft, one of the popular anime studios, witnessed a transformative shift towards avant-garde storytelling.

Before this change, Shinbo was known for action-centric series like Cyborg 009: The Cyborg Soldier and Mahoromatic: Automatic Maiden.

Following this, the studio ventured into groundbreaking narratives such as Puella Magi Madoka Magica, a dark reinterpretation of the magical girl genre, the metaphor-rich Monogatari series, and March Comes In Like A Lion, a deep dive into the psyche of a despondent shogi player.

Founded: July 1996; 26 years ago
Founder: Jūkō Ozawa
Headquarters: Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan

Brain’s Base, a prominent Japanese anime studio, has been crafting remarkable anime since its establishment in 1996 by former members of Tokyo Movie Shinsha.

Their diverse portfolio ranges from the heartwarming narrative of School Babysitters, showcasing toddlers in daycare, to the abstract musings of Mawaru Penguindrum.

Moreover, with shows like My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU that dive deep into psychological explorations, Brain’s Base ensures they cater to the varied preferences of anime fans.

Founded: December 24, 1984
Headquarters: Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
Number of employees: 18
Founders: Hideaki Anno, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, Toshio Okada, Hiroyuki Yamaga, Takami Akai, Shinji Higuchi, Yasuhiro Takeda

Despite only being around for over a decade, Studio Trigger has already made a name for itself as a studio that produces anime with style and panache.

As a result of former Gainay employees Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Otsuka, Trigger picked a direction and ran with it.

He had demonstrated his talent on the Gainax series Gurren Lagann, combining bold and vibrant animation with sharp visual humor. A trademark of the studio is its animation style.

Possibly Trigger’s best-known work is Kill la Kill, the studio’s first anime series.

Space Patrol Luluco and Little Witch Academia are two other great series it has created. You need Trigger if you want your anime to look cool.

Founder: Kenji Horikawa
Headquarters: Nanto, Toyama, Japan
Key people: Kenji Horikawa (president), Nobuhiro Kikuchi

Kenji Horikawa, who once worked at renowned anime studios such as Production IG, Bee Train, and Tatsunoko Production, established P.A.Works in 2010. Their journey began with the romantic anime titled True Tears, and over the years, the studio has expanded its horizons into various genres including supernatural tales, thrilling narratives, and slice-of-life stories.

In addition to anime production, P.A.Works ventured into video game animation and even initiated an ebook venture, PA Books, which focuses on creating novel adaptations of their anime series. Among their most celebrated works are Angel Beats, Hanasaku Iroha, Charlotte, The Eccentric Family, and Shirobako.

On June 14, 2011, at the age of 70, Masao Maruyama, co-founder and former producer of Madhouse, founded the studio. Maruyama took on the role of the company’s inaugural representative director.

The primary ambition behind the studio’s establishment was to produce Sunao Katabuchi’s “In This Corner of the World.” Financial challenges at Madhouse led Maruyama and Katabuchi to create MAPPA as a platform to bring their film to life.

However, even after the shift in studios, the movie faced numerous production hurdles and saw its release only five years later.

The collaboration between Maruyama and Katabuchi for this film began in 2010 during their time at Madhouse, but fundraising difficulties delayed the start of production for three years.