Summary
Animation Studios aren’t just specific to Japan, they can be found all over the world. However, there’s no doubt thatJapan is the hub of the anime world, filled to the brim with talent, people that love their craft, and animations that wow the viewer. The best anime are usually produced by the largest studios. Big names like I.G. Productions, MAPPA, Toei Animation, etc., are all well and good, but lesser known studios without a lot of backing sometimes end up producing the most authentic, heart-warming stories in the world of animation.
Finding up-and-coming studios that go on to produce incredible works is satisfying to say the least. However, with the language barrier and lack of credible information online, it can be hard to find whichstudio the viewer should keep their eye on.
6Nexus
High Quality Power Fantasy Animations
The main studio behindShadow in the Eminence, Nexus only has 7 anime to its name. Nexus is a Japanese studio that was established in 2012 and is going strong to this day. Despite its young age, the people working there are extremely talented, producing good anime that hold up to today’s standards. They’re nothing exceptional by any means, but the heart that the animators put into their work is undeniable.
Other than Shadow in the Eminence, Nexus has also made Chivalry of a Failed Knight, and even produced one episode for Darwin’s game. Most of their work is catered towards the fantasy community, with emphasis onpower fantasy and isekai tropes.
5Studio Ponoc
Ghibli-Inspired Movie Animators
With four movies to it’s name, Studio Ponoc is a new name in the industry that has made waves. It was established in 2015, butits unique art stylehas helped it standout from the crowd, garnering it a small but dedicated fanbase. It uses a mix of traditional hand animations and modern CGI, blending the two art forms seamlessly to create the best possible experience for fans.
Rather than pump out seasonal anime like many other studios, Ponoc focuses on its production, putting in all the more love and effort, creating masterpieces after long stretches of nothing new. It has ghibli-like esthetics, making this the perfect studio to keep up with forfans of the OG anime style.
4Studio CLAP
A Cinephile’s Guide to Animation
Another studio focused on producing high quality movies, Studio CLAP is worth checking out if you like avibrant, lively, and colorful art style. The movies produced by this studio are top-notch, getting nominated for multiple awards locally. The two most notable films by CLAP are The Tunnel to Summer, and Pompo: The Cinephile.
The Tunnel to Summer has a more “modern” anime art style featuring sharp faces and life-like proportions, whereas Pompo: The Cinephile shows a slightly more artistic and stylized depiction of its characters. It has over-exaggerated skin tones, larger than life hair, and cartoonish character proportions.
3Fortiche
Music Videos with a Tinge of Anime
One little known IP that Fortiche brought to life is Rocket & Groot, a 2017 animation series that they created for Marvel. They’ve also worked to create uniquely gorgeous animated videos for artists like the Gorillaz and Imagine Dragons.
2Studio Chizu
Artistic Depictions with Colorful Palletes
Created in 2011, Studio Chizu is the passion project oftwo former Madhouse employees. They’ve made four movies since they were first established, two of which have gotten animation of the year awards, with the other two receiving praise from critics and fans alike.
The standout feature of Studio Chizu is their intriguing art style that brings life to the characters on screen. Each movement feels real, each impact feels important, and the flawless animation helps viewers set aside their worries in favor of getting engrossed in the story.
1Bug Films
Colorful Animations with Life
Bug Films is a new and upcoming studio that was established in 2021, making the quality of its works astounding. Despite its relatively young age, there is no doubt about the incredible talent that this studio is showcasing. It’s one and only anime so far is Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, released in the summer of 2023. However, it is currentlyworking on Witch Hat Atelier.
The work of the art designers and animators at Bug Films speaks for itself. Nobody expected the animation in each episode to be as incredible as it was since Zom 100 was the first project of a young studio, but that’s precisely because it caught the attention of viewers. If this is how they started their journey, where will this incredible studio go in the future?
