The Japanese animated film industry is a reservoir of prime art and some of the most incredible productions ever made by human hands. As such, fans naturally wonder which are the best of the best among the anime studios that specialize in movies.
This list contains some of the best companies dedicated to producing animated movies with their base of operations in Nihon. From a titan and lighthouse for modern animators and artists toone of the best places to workin the Japanese Animation industry. These powerhouses in the animation trade are legendary for their passion and the quality of their work.
5Toei Animation
The Precursor Of Modern Japanese Animation And Heavyweight Champion
Historically speaking, Toei Animation is the oldest, and biggest production power nucleus in matters of Japanese animation, founded originally as Japan Animated Films, it was later purchased by Toei and renamed Tōei Dōga Kabushiki-gaisha (Toei Animation Corporation/Ltd.). Founded after WW2, it becamea refuge for several talented artistswho were desperately trying to lift their careers, on the verge of collapse due to the post-war crisis. Alongside Mushi Production, it became a lighthouse for all the flourishing talent that constituted the second generation of Japanese animation.
Throughout its history, many titans of the Japanese animation industry have landed and then spread their wings from this entertainment industry house, among them: Hayao Miyazaki, Yōichi Kotabe, Yasuji Mori, Isao Takahata, and the legendary Leiji Matsumoto, creator of Captain Harlock. The studios produced animated films for some of the most iconic IPs, which includeDragon Ball,Sailor Moon,Digimon, among others. In 2023, the studio was targeted by one of the most notorious cyberattacks in Japan’s history, resulting in the almost discontinuation of some of its major anime productions, includingOne Piece.
4Studio Ghibli
Their Style Is Legendary, Their Direction Is Unparalleled
Perhaps, one of the most iconic Japanese animation studios, Ghibli was founded with the purpose of bringing “freshness to the animated industry,” or at least, that iswhat the legend Hayao Miyazaki himself has said(and boy, they sure did accomplish that!). Its unique use of color and detailed backgrounds has set the standard for modern animation throughout the whole industry, and its characteristic art style is the result of years of strong direction by some of the most notorious animators and artists.
Up to this day, there’s no way one cannot recognize Studio Ghibli’s signature style (unless they live in a cave and haven’t touched a piece of modern tech in more than 50 years) and they wield that uniqueness proudly and loudly. Curiously, their first production (Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind) is also the reason why the studios were constituted, after a successful collaboration with the legendary Toei Animation. Its most iconic films up to this day, though, remain Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away, which are some of the top-rated animated films of all time, and two fine examples of Ghibli’s power as a creative collective.
3Pierrot
High Contrast And Cool VFX Are Their Signature Moves
Pierrot was constituted in Mitaka, the western metropolitan area of Tokyo, by former members of Tatsunoko Productionincluding Yuji Nunokawa himself, who had barely debuted with two stellar productions, Robotan and Time Bokan, when he decided it was time to found his own studios. Wasn’t too long until he discovered he had nailed it, since it was the best possible time to create an animation studio, with the industry flourishing and a high-sky demand, enough to spread its wings and fly.
From its founding date until today, it has created dozens of films, including the acclaimed Maroko, the memorable Osomatsu-kun, and of course, plenty of Naruto and Bleach movies, which have been their main source of income for the past decade. Currently, they have been diving into original web animations (ONAs) and rebranding their Osomatsu IP into a new target audience. They were also responsible for outsourcing animation for The Legend Of Korra series (2012-2014).
2Madhouse
AkA The Animation Powerhouse, With Dozens Of Great Titles
Madhouse Inc.is famous among anime fansfor its excellent work in the Overlord series, but the truth is, it is also an incredible film studio, founded with that particular purpose and was already part of the third generation of Japanese animation studios. Their Opus Magna up to date remains Perfect Blue, a controversial wake-up call for the horrors of the entertainment industry in 90’s Japan, which was greatly criticized for telling the shady truths nobody dared to speak. Its director, Satoshi Kon is known for dealing with violence while also presenting fast-paced and complex plots that generate a high impact on the audience.
They have also intervened in various productions of great caliber like Paprika (2006) also directed by Satoshi Kon, and the 1987 hit: Wicked City, the precursors of the neo-noir genre, and one hell of an animated piece that combines supernatural events with sleuthing, a trend that would become a signature genre in the years to come. So, in other words: Madhouse is one of the strongest animated studios with a great repertoire of films to watch.
1Kyoto Animation
Experts At Breaking Your Heart In Millions Of Pieces
Founded by one of the anime industry’s power couples, Hatta Hideaki and Yoko, Kyoto Animation was constituted to be an animated film production office, as well as a light novel publisher. Throughout almost four decades since they started production, they’ve been involved in some of the most notoriously romantic films in the animated industry, including the bittersweet and heartbreaking Clannad: After Story, and the most recent andgreatly appraised Violet Evergarden: The Movie.
Needless to say, Violet Evergarden is a masterpiece (the movie, the series, and the light novels as well), and since Netflix holds the rights to the streaming of the show, it often overshadows the fact that Kyoto Animation worked tooth and nail to manage this incredible piece of animation. Not only the art style is impeccable, but the lightning, the face animations, the draping, worldbuilding, and storytelling are marvelous. It is simply proof that Kyoto Animation holds the torch as one of the best in the industry. Plus, they’ve been recognized by several artists' associations as one of the safest and most diverse places to work. And in a precarious and often controversial industry such as the Japanese animation sector, that speaks louder than any award.
