For several years now we have realized how impressive the disparity of judgment between Japanese and overseas fans is as regards the appreciation or not of the anime produced in the land of the Rising Sun. There are many works that in the motherland are incredibly successful, but that are little considered in the West and vice versa. Consequently, even the appreciation of the animation studios, and therefore indirectly of the staff themselves, behind the aforementioned works varies a lot between our point of view and theirs.
On the site Ranking.Netwhich deals with drawing up rankings of the most varied genres and topics, a survey was recently proposed in which all participating members were asked to express their opinion on their favorite animation studios, according to their opinion. The survey was carried out by 9357 people who were given the opportunity to vote three times, thus obtaining 28071 applications.
Some of these positions might be really out of place for us overseas fans of Japanese animation. However, despite the not particularly large pool of voters, these types of polls are often indicative of a trend or general approval that, as the votes increase, would see its hierarchy consolidate rather than be overwhelmed.
So, no more chatter, let’s start from the bottom and then climb the whole ranking:
20. GAINAX
The legendary and now disbanded GAINAX studio finds itself at the bottom of this ranking. The father of Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and many more apparently remained only a distant memory for Japanese fans.
19. Pine Jam
Even more surprising than GAINAX’s latest position, there is Pine Jam’s 19 ‘, a not very famous studio that in recent years has not churned out works that have particularly hit the hearts of Western audiences. Among their repertoire we have Just Because!, Gamers! And Gleipnir; the recent success of the latter in the homeland could be one of the primary reasons why Pine Jam has managed to make its way into this ranking.
18. JC STAFF
Here is the first real Japanese animation giant still in business. To be honest, with works of the caliber of Toradora!, Food Wars, Prison School, A Certain Magical Index And To Certain ScientificRailgun it would have been logical to expect a higher position for JC STAFF. It may be that even the Japanese fans were burned by the disappointment caused by the second season of One Punch Man.
17. Pierrot
At 17 ‘we find Pierrotone of the most fluctuating studies regarding the approval of the Western public. Father of pillars of Japanese animation such as Naruto, Lum And Great Teacher Onizuka, Pierrot however, he also distinguished himself for having “ruined” with his adaptations works loved by fans such as Bleach, TokyoGhoul And YuuYuu Hakusho. In short, a controversial position for a controversial study.
16. SILVER LINK
Strange to say, finding this study so low on the chart is something unexpected. SILVER LINK is one of the biggest names when it comes to anime production slice-of-life moe which Japan is crazy about. From the studio father of works such as Non Non Biyori, Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry, Baka to Test And Kokoro Connect (all of which are successful souls in the motherland) it was reasonable to expect a higher position.
15. Khara
Study Kharafounded by Hideaki Year after his separation with Gainaxwins the 15th place. This position in the ranking probably goes to contextualize the yardstick used by Japanese fans; Khara is the studio that took charge of Evangelion and its rebuilds, which are certainly fresher in the memory of fans and which, possibly, the Japanese liked more than the original product.
14. TRIGGER
Although the souls of this studio often leave a bad taste in the mouth due to some stances at the narrative level, it is undeniable that Trigger as far as the technical side is concerned, it is a guarantee. Show how Promare, Little Witch Academia, Kill la Kill And SSSS.Gridman they are able to excite the viewer through his eyes and his heart even before his brain. The eccentricity of his designs and the “tamarraggine” of his action scenes are iconic within Japanese animation, so Trigger he deserves by right to be in this ranking.
13. White Fox
At 13 ‘we find White Foxone of the groups that in recent years has been more able to consistently bring high quality products. Father of souls loved by the public like Steins; Gate, Re: Zero, Katanagatari And The Devil is a Part-Timer, White Fox it amazes for not being able to win the highest positions.
12. Madhouse
Only at the 12th position do we find one of the most loved studies ever in the West. Madhouse stands for guarantee and has provided us, over the years, with legendary souls like death Note, Hunter x Hunter (2011), One Punch Man, Parasite, Monster and many more. Seeing him so far down this chart is a shock to overseas audiences.
11. Shaft
The same speech made for White Fox And Madhouse also applies to study Shaft. The father of historical works such as Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Monogatari, March Comes in like a Lion And SayonaraZetsubo Sensei is one of the most renowned studios of Japanese animated production, albeit not at its peak in the last few years. Perhaps it will be for this reason that he failed to enter the top 10.
10. Sunrise
Kicking off the top 10 of the Japanese favorite animation studios is one of the studios that most influenced the 90s and 00s. Sunrisewith its big hits like Code Geass, Gintama, Cowboy Bebop, Inuyasha And Gundam is one of the untouchable milestones in the history of the Japanese entertainment industry. Finding it only at the 10 ‘position is really strange, but it may be followed by the same reasoning as GAINAX
9. Production IG
This is a particular entry: father of beloved souls like Haikyuu !!, Psycho-Pass And Ghost in the Shell, Production IG is very well known for having participated as a support to many other projects such as The attack of the Giants, Vinland Saga, Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion, FLCL and many others. It can be said that Production IG do not stand out in the spotlight, but its importance and contribution should not be taken lightly.
8. MAP
MAP is a studio born a few years ago but which, in just as short time, has immediately become one of the modern giants of Japanese animation. Over the past few years this studio has always been a protagonist in the world of anime with works of the caliber of Banana Fish, The Attack of the Giants, Jujutsu Kaisen, Dorohedoro and many more. MAP in short, it is consolidating itself as a cornerstone of the industry and its presence in the top ten can be considered more than deserved.
7. Bones
At 7 ‘position we find Bonesanother cornerstone of Japanese animation. With his great pieces such as FullMetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, My Hero Academia, Mob Psycho 100, Soul Eater and many others it is in fact one of the most prolific and most loved animation studios by the public. Considering the popularity of the manga’s animated adaptation of superheroes by Kouhei Horikoshi it is peculiar not to see him higher in this ranking.
6. Wit Studio
The same speech as Bones it can also be proposed again for study Wit. The latter, father of beloved works such as The attack of the Giants (up to the 3rd season), Vinland Saga,OusamaRanking And Owari no Seraphis one of the most renowned studios especially for the excellent staff at its disposal and for being commonly recognized as one of the most honest and sustainable working environments within the world of Japanese animation. Also for Witgiven the popularity of some franchises he has covered, his presence in this ranking is well deserved.
5. A-1 Pictures
In 5 ‘position we find A-1 Picturesone of the most prolific studies of the past two decades. With hugely popular works of the caliber of Black Butler, Kaguya-Sama: Love is War, Fairy Tail, Blue Exorcist And Sword ArtOnlineit was impossible to imagine this study further down this Japanese audience performance chart. In this case, the last one listed is one of the most profitable and most successful multimedia franchises in the history of Japan and therefore it is normal that it acts as a magnet for fan voting.
4. Kobo stave
In 4 ′ position instead we find a study that no one would have ever expected to find close to the top 3. Kobo stave follows the same production trend as Silver Link but it was unlikely to assume that he was so high up. The most “famous” works of this study are Plastic Memories And Himouto! Umaru-Chan that yes, they have their own niche in the West, but we are still talking about a niche. Apparently in Japan the typical slice-of-life of Kobo stave they are considered unmissable, to the point of making them gain such a high position in the standings.
3. PA Works
On the lowest step of the podium we find PA Worksanother very prolific and beloved study both in the West and in the land of the Rising Sun. Father of highly appreciated works such as Angel Beats, Shirobako And Maquia, PA Works is a guarantee of strong emotions with his souls. Also, the touch of Jun Maeda in many of the studio’s products it is a plus that sends many Japanese fans into raptures.
2. Ufotable
The silver medal in the ranking of the Japanese favorite animation studios wins it Ufotable and it could not be otherwise. Father of the media and commercial phenomenon of Demon Slayer and the franchise ofYou do which remains one of the most profitable of the last 20 years, it was impossible to imagine Ufotable off the podium. Taking action-packed works with breathtaking scenes and sublimating them with excellent animation quality is the name of the game at home Ufotable and this makes it one of the most universally loved studies.
1. Kyoto Animation
The top, the gold medal, the top of the ranking wins it Kyoto Animation. Father of beloved works such asAirKanon, Clannad (also children of Jun Maeda)K-On, A Silent Voice, Violet Evergarden, Haruhi Suzumiya’s Melancholy and many more, Kyoto Animation is a guarantee of technical excellence and strong emotions. After the terrible events of the fire that took place a few years ago we risked losing one of the most precious gems in the world of Japanese animation, but fortunately Kyoto Animation he seems to be able to rise from his ashes to continue to amaze us with his wonderful souls. A first position at the top of the ranking of the Japanese favorite animation studios that we feel like sharing.
In short, what do you think of this list? Would you have preferred to see some animation studios in other locations? Let us know!
