Top 20 Greatest Japanese Animation Studios. Anime lovers, raise your hats because today we are embarking on a journey through the sacred halls of animation. We are paying tribute to the creators who have inspired our binge-watching nights and sparked our debates over subtitling vs. dubbing. Yes, that’s right, we’re paying tribute to the best anime studios ever.
Japanese Animation Studios
1. Toei Animation
Founder: Kenzō Masaoka
Headquarters: Nerima City, Tokyo, Japan
Toei Animation is an anime studio based in Tokyo, Japan. It is primarily controlled by the Toei Company, which owns the studio. Toei has produced many TV series and movies, as well as adapted Japanese comics into animated series, many of which have become popular worldwide. Toei Animation has worked with animators such as Hayao Miyazaki creator of The Sword Art Online, Isao Takahata, Yasuji Mori, and Yōichi Otabe.
Toei is also a shareholder of the Japanese anime satellite TV network Animax, along with other anime studios and production companies such as Sunrise creator of Dragon Ball, TMS Entertainment creator of Sailor Moon, Slam Dunk, Toriko, and Pretty Cure. Toei Animation is based in Tokyo and is headquartered at Ohizumi Studio. – Japanese Animation Studios
2. Bones
Founder: Masahiko Minami
Headquarters: Suginami City, Tokyo, Japan
Bones Inc. is a Japanese animation studio that has produced several series, including RahXephon Scrapped Princess Eureka Seven Angelic Layer Darker than Black Soul Eater High School Host Club Both Full metal Alchemist and Star Driver Go Sick Mob Psycho Space Dandy Origami Bingo Stray Dogs My Hero Academia Bones Inc. was founded by the staff of the anime series “Full Metal Alchemist” and the co-founder of the studio, “Masako Miami”, Hiroshi “Hiroshi” and “Yoshihide” Yamamoto.
Their first project was to collaborate with Sunrise on a feature film, “Cowardly Bebop”. After the studio’s co-founder passed away, two new directors were appointed to the board of directors, “Dakota Watanabe” and “Akihito Komodo”, both of whom are well-known for their work as character designers and animators, including “Angelic Layer” and “The Mars Day. – Japanese Animation Studios
3. Kyoto Animation
Founder: Hideaki, Yoko Hatta
Headquarters: Uji, Kyoto, Japan
The name of the company is often abbreviated to Kyoto Animation Co., Ltd. It was founded in 1985 by husband and wife Yoko Hatta and Yoko’s husband Hideaki Hatta. Yoko Hatta is the vice president of the company and Hideaki is the president. They moved to Uji, Kyoto Prefecture after Yoko Hatta married her husband, who is the president of the company. The company’s logo is derived from the Japanese character “KANJI KYOTO”.
The company has hosted the Kyoto Animation Awards since 1985, which is a competition for original novels, manga, and scenarios. The first and only novel to win the grand prize in either of the three categories was Violet Evergarden. Some of the winning submissions have gone on to be published under the company’s imprint, and have the potential to be adapted as anime. Other entries have been based on novels that were honorable mention in the competition. – Japanese Animation Studios
4. Madhouse, Inc.
Founders: Masao Maruyama, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Rintaro, Osamu Dezaki
Headquarters: Nakano City, Tokyo, Japan
The studio was founded in the early 2000s by ex-Sushi Pro staff such as Macao MARYAM, Osama DEAKIN, and TOSHIBA MAHAVIRA. Unlike other studios at the time, such as AIC or J.C.WORKS, Madhouse’s strength was and is mainly in TV shows and theater features. The studio expanded from the original Sushi Pro staff to include important directors like Mario ASAKU, Masaryk COLIMA, and Satoshi KONG. In the late 2000s, the studio expanded its staff to include Mamore HOSODA, Takashi KIKI, Missus IOWA, and many younger television directors, among others.
The studio was responsible for the first Bey Blade anime series, the Dragon Drive anime, and the anime adaptation Hunter × Hunter. The studio often works with well-known manga artists such as Naomi KUROSAWA and CLAMP. Madhouse has produced adaptations of KUROSAWA’s, Master Keaton, and Monster, the latter two of which were directed by Masayuki COLIMA. The studio has also animated many of CLAMP’S titles. – Japanese Animation Studios
5. MAPPA
Founder: Masao Maruyama
Headquarters: Suginami, Tokyo, Japan
Masao Maruyama is the founder and CEO of MAPPA Co., Ltd., a Japanese animation studio based in Tokyo’s Suginami area. MAPPA was founded by Masao co-founder of Madhouse. The studio has produced several anime works, such as “Terror in Resonance”, and “Yuri!!! on Ice,” “In this Corner of the World,” “Kakegurui,” “Banana Fish,” “Zombie Land Saga,” “Dororo,” “Dorohedoro,” “The God of High School,” “Jujutsu Kaisen,” “Attack on Titan: The Final Season,” “Vinland Saga Season,” “Chainsaw Man,” and “Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku.” The name “MAPPA” translates to “Maruyama Animation Production Project Association.” Maruyama first worked with Katabuchi on the film during the Madhouse era. He was the first representative director of the studio. – Japanese Animation Studios
6. Studio Ghibli
Founders: Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, Isao Takahata, Yasuyoshi Tokuma
Headquarters: Koganei, Tokyo, Japan
Ghibli, Inc., also known as Studio Ghibli, is a Japanese film and animation studio founded by Hayao Miyazaki in June of the same year, after the acquisition of Topcraft’s assets. The studio’s name “Ghibli” is derived from the Italian word “ghibli”, which translates to “hot desert wind,” which is also the Italian nickname of the Caproni aircraft. Ghibli’s work has been widely praised by audiences and has been nominated for numerous awards.
The studio has expanded its portfolio of media formats to include short subjects and television commercials, as well as two television films. The most recognizable symbol of the studio is the giant spirit, Totoro, from the 1988 film “My Neighbor Totoro,” which was inspired by the raccoon dog and cats. The studio has worked with video game studios to visually develop several games. Ghibli has produced some of the highest-grossing Japanese films, including Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Ponyo. – Japanese Animation Studios
7. Pierrot
Founder: Yûji Nunokawa
Headquarters: Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
Pierrot Co. Ltd. is a Japan-based animation studio. Founded in May 1979 by animator and director Yuji Nunookawa, former animator and director of Tatsunoko production, the studio is based in Mitaka Tokyo. The studio has produced several world-renowned anime series, including Naruto, Bleach, Tokyo Ghoul, Yu Yu Hakusho, Black Clove, Ghost Stories, and Saiyuki. The company’s logo features a clown’s face. The name “Pierrot” is a loanword for clown in Japanese, taken from the company’s classic character, Pierrot. Two of the studio’s anime series have won the Animage anime Grand Prix Award. – Japanese Animation Studios
8. WIT Studio
Founder: George Wada
Headquarters: Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
WIT Studio, Inc. is a Japanese anime studio. It was founded in June of this year by the producers of IG Port’s subsidiary Production I.G. WIT Studio is based in Musashino in Tokyo. George Wada is the president of the studio and Tetsuro Nakatake, who is also a producer of Production I.G, is the director. The studio is well-known for producing Attack on Titan’s first three seasons.
It has also produced other popular series like Ranking of Kings and Spy × Family, as well as the first seasons of “The Ancient Magus’s Bride” and “Vinland Saga”. JOEN, a new company formed by Wit Studio in collaboration with Aniplex, CloverWorks, and Shueisha, aims to facilitate the development and production of TV anime series, anime films, and short clips. – Japanese Animation Studios
9. CloverWorks
Founder: Akira Shimizu
Headquarters: Umezato, Suginami, Tokyo, Japan
Clover Works is a Japanese anime studio that has recently changed its name from A- 1 Pictures’ Kenji studio to Clover Works. Clover Works is part of the anime production firm, Triplex, which is owned by S.M.G. Entertainment Japan. Clover Works has a distinct brand identity that is distinct from its main Alafaya studio. Clover Works is based in Tokyo’s Suriname area. Since the rebranding, CloverWorks has credited four anime productions to Clover Works instead of A-1.
These productions are Slow Start, Darling in the Franzxx the credited credited studio for the upcoming film version of the show, Persona 5:The Animation which was credited to CloverWorks until the end of the run of the original run, and Ace Attorney season 2. CloverWorks has announced that it has separated from Aniplex, but it will remain as a subsidiary. – Japanese Animation Studios
10. Production I.G
Founder: Mitsuhisa Ishikawa
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Production I.G., also known as Production I.G. or simply Production I.G., is a Japanese anime studio and production enterprise based in Musashino. It was founded in December of the same year as the Tatsunoko production branch studio, I.G. Tatsunoko, and changed its name in September of the same year to the current production I.G.
I.G. is a subsidiary of IG Port holding company, and the president and CEO of Production I.G. until August of this year was George Wada, with the president and CEO remaining. Production I.G has worked on theatrical films like Patlabor and Ghost in the Shell, as well as original video animations and net animations. It has also worked on the animated sequences of Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2. In the video game industry, it is known for developing intros and cutscenes, as well as artwork for games like Bandai Namco’s Tales series. – Japanese Animation Studios
11. Ufotable
Founder: Hikaru Kondō
Headquarters: Suginami, Tokyo, Japan
Ufotable is a Japanese studio that specializes in animation. Founded in October of the same year by Telecom Animation Film producer, Hikaru Kondo, the studio is based in Suginami Tokyo. One of the unique features of the studio is the claymation sequence that can be seen in many of its works.
Ufotable has been working with Type-Moon for many years, producing adaptations of their works like Fate/Zero, Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works, and Garden of Sinners. They have also worked with Bandai Namco for many of their titles, producing an opening animation as well as cutscenes for most of their games, especially in Tales and God Eater. – Japanese Animation Studios
12. Arvo Animation
Founder: Taishi Kawaguchi
Headquarters: Igusa, Suginami, Tokyo, Japan
Arvo Animation Inc., also known as Arvo Studio, is a Japanese studio specializing in animation. Founded in July of the same year, the studio is based in the Suginami area of Tokyo. – Japanese Animation Studios
13. J.C.Staff
Founder: Tomoyuki Miyata
Headquarters: Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
J.C. Staff is a Japanese studio specializing in Original Video Animation. Founded by former Tatsunoko production producer Tomoyuki Miyata, J.C. staff moved into television production with the release of Metal Fighter Miku in the summer. Since then, the studio has independently produced or co-produced or co-contributed to more animated works than any other studio in Japan. The studio is based in Musashino, Tokyo, and is a member of the Association of Japanese Animations. – Japanese Animation Studios
14. Bandai Namco Pictures
Founder: Hiroyuki Satou
Headquarters: Nerima City, Tokyo, Japan
BN Pictures Inc. is a Japanese anime studio and production company that was created as a result of the mid-term management plan for restructuring itself. It was created as a spin-off of Sunrise, which is a subsidiary of BN Filmworks, which is owned by BN Holdings. All of Sunrise’s anime IP and production divisions that focus on children and families were transferred to BN Pictures. BN Pictures started operations in April. – Japanese Animation Studios
15. Bibury Animation Studios
Founder: Tensho
Headquarters: Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
Bibury animation studio G.K. was established in May. The studio was founded by Motoki “Tensho” Tanaka, the animation director and creator of Kin-iro, Grisaia, and Rewrite. He had previously worked on the animation component of a visual novel for White Fox, and later on an anime for 8-Bit. For the first two years, Bibury Animation Studios operated as a subcontracting studio, mainly providing in-between animation services.
During this time, the studio produced its first main project, Grisaia, directed by Tensho, and its first television series Azur Lane in the same year. Bibury also has a sister studio Bibury Animation CG. Bibury Animation CG is a DCG animation and design outsourcing company that works for other studios, such as Bibury itself. – Japanese Animation Studios
16. Sunrise
Headquarters: Ogikubo, Suginami, Tokyo, Japan
Sunrise Inc., formerly known as Mushi Production, is a Japanese anime production, planning, and management company that is owned and operated by the Japanese company Bandai NAMCO Holdings. In an interview with the members of the studio, it was revealed that the studio was established by the former members of the Mushi Production, also known as “Sunrise Studio, Limited,” to focus on the production of anime rather than a single creator, as was the case with Mushi, which was led by the same creator as Mushi.
Since the market for “mainstream anime” had already been taken over by the existing companies, Sunrise decided to specialize in robot anime, which is known to be harder to animate, but which can be used for toy sales. Sunrise Inc. has worked on many well-known and well-received anime television series such as “Mobile Suit Gundam,” “Magic God Hero Legend Wataru,” “Brave”, “Eldran”, “Takara Tomy,” and “Crest of the Stars”. they produced the apocalyptic space runaway video series. – Japanese Animation Studios
17. Arms
Founder: Yūgen-gaisha Āmusu
Headquarters: Suginami, Tokyo, Japan
Arms Corp. Ltd. is a Japanese studio that specializes in animation. It was founded in November of the same year as its parent company, Dandelion. Following the merger, Dandelion and Triple X continued to assign some of their work to ARMS, and the studio also worked on some minor projects under the name of Garyū Studio. Rin Shin is the main animation director for many of the productions by ARMS.
Many of these productions have an above-average level of fan service. For example, the Ikki Tousen and queen’s Blade series. Rin also designed the characters for I’m Pure. After the merger, ARMS initially produced hentai but eventually stopped producing erotica due to the increasing popularity of their TV works in Tokyo. – Japanese Animation Studios
18. Artmic
Founder: Yūgen-gaisha Ātomikku
Headquarters: Japan
Artmic Co. Ltd. was a Japanese design studio specializing in animation. After filing for bankruptcy, the company was liquidated and the intellectual property rights of most of its titles are now owned by AIC Rights. Toshimichi Suzuki founded the studio after leaving the production company “Tatsunoko Production”. – Japanese Animation Studios
19. Asahi Production
Founder: Kabushiki-gaisha Asahi Purodakushon
Headquarters: Nerima, Tokyo, Japan
Asahi Production was established as a full-service shooting studio and public relations movie company. The first affiliates of Asahi Production were Sunrise Inc. and Tokio Movie Shinsha. The main activity of the studio was the production of promotional videos for big companies and industry organizations like the Japan Insurance Association and Asahi Chemical. – Japanese Animation Studios
20. Bee Train
Founder: Kōichi Mashimo
Headquarters: Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
Bee Train Production is a Japanese anime studio founded in June of the same year. It has had a long-standing presence in the Yuri and Yaoi/heterosexual fandom for its involvement in series with strong female leads and speculatively ambiguous relationship dynamics. The studio was initially part of the Production I.G alongside Xebec but ended its relationship in February of the same year and became independent.
The founder of Bee Train, Kōichi MASHIMOTO, is a director and founder of the small freelance staff known as ‘Mashimo Jimusho’, which works for other studios. MASHIMOTO’s goal when founding Bee Train was to establish an animation studio that would focus on nurturing young talents and the artistic quality of production, rather than corporate strategies and profit, which is said to have been invented by him during his extended stay in the intensive care unit. – Japanese Animation Studios
