Industry Icons
This legendary director, animator, and scriptwriter is behind the first and only anime film to win an Oscar
Hayao Miyazaki
One of the most well-known and prolific studios, having created a massive range of iconic works including Barefoot Gen, Record of Lodoss War, Perfect Blue, Monster, Death Note, and Frieren to name a few
MADHOUSE
This volleyball anime remains one of the most well-known sports anime today, having began in 2014 and receiving a movie entry in early 2024
Haikyuu!!
School class hierarchy is defined by one's gambling skill in this anime
Kakegurui
The adaptation of one of the most popular VNs of all time, this mystery thriller anime's main setting is Akihabara
Steins;Gate
His newest work Lazarus is airing this season, but this famed director is more commonly known for Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo
Watanabe Shin'ichiro
Unlimited Budget Works
ufotable
This show featuring horse girl track and field idols is surprisingly good (it's a gacha game too)
Uma Musume Pretty Derby
In the popular death game anime Death Parade, this character runs the bar that serves as the primary setting of the series
Decim
Set in rural Hinamizawa, this thriller series is known for its horror and gore, relatively rare to see in anime
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
When They Cry
Famed for her mind-bogglingly wide voice range, this Japanese seiyuu provides the voice of Maomao
Yuuki Aoi
The infamous head tilt
Shaft
One of the most well-known Josei anime, this romance sports series features the traditional Japanese card game karuta
Chihayafuru
This WIT Studio series is all about crnime, swindling, conning, and gambling and has a uniquely western feel
Great Pretender
This Kyoto Animation produced romance series features characters with very large eyes in their design
CLANNAD
This prolific animator and director worked at Kyoto Animation until 2020, where she directed iconic hits such as the K-On series, A Silent Voice, and Liz and the Blue Bird. In 2024, she collaborated with renowed studio Science SARU to create her newest work The Colors Within
Yamada Naoko
This studio is well-known to be the best in the industry at creating 3D CGI animation
Orange
A raw depiction of depression, this anime uses shogi as the setting to tell a moving coming of age story
March Comes in Like a Lion
The world of No Game No Life features a world entirely defined by games. The rules of this world are governed by "The Ten Covenants", originally created by this character
Tet, The One True God
This adaptation of one of the top-rated visual novels ever, this anime features a love triangle situation in the days leading up to a cultural festival
WHITE ALBUM 2
Having started publishing his magnum opus in 1989 at the age of 23, this esteemed mangaka died unexpectedly and was mourned by fans around the globe
Miura Kentarou
Known as one of the only studios with good working conditions including livable wage and good hours. Has an in-house training system designed to nurture new talented animators
Kyoto Animation
This cult classic sports anime directed by auteur director Masaaki Yuasa features peculiar character designs and rotoscoped animation
Ping Pong the Animation
This anime features the Espoir, or "The Ship of Hope", a vessel serving as a high-stakes gambling location. Players either pay off their debt in a single night or fall even further into it
Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor
This mecha visual novel adaptation is said to have heavily inspired Attack on Titan
Muv-Luv Alternative