While the visuals and sensations of an anime series are primarily defined by the direction, screenplay, character design, and various other components of the production team, it’s impossible to overlook the distinct marks left by each anime studio. According to Gakumado, a Japanese site, student polls from my university years have highlighted the most beloved anime companies. Below are the results of the top 5 studios with the highest rankings:
5. Shaft (Monogatari, Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
Japanese students’ comments: “I love the creative design style of Shaft,” “Madoka Magica is an excellent anime.”
4. Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell, Kuroko’s Basketball)
Japanese students’ comments: “I am a fan of Ghost in the Shell,” “I love Haikyuu!.”
3. Sunrise (Gundam, Cowboy Bebop)
Japanese students’ comments: “Love Live! is a divine anime,” “The entire cast of voice actors is outstanding.”
2. Kyoto Animation (Anohana, K-On!)
Japanese students’ comments: “The animation has very smooth movements and expressions,” “The scenery and emotional portrayal are very beautiful.”
1. Toei Animation (Pretty Cure, One Piece)
Japanese students’ comments: “They consistently produce excellent products,” “Their anime is very engaging and classic.”
Several other notable studios were also highly rated but did not make the top 5, including P.A.Works, Doga Kobo, and Pierrot.
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