The Definitive Top 12 Of The Studio Pierrot Anime

Aaaah, Studio Pierrot. You’ve given us certain gems during your years of work, but also just as many things that we would love to sit down at a table and discuss with you.

You made gems like Beautiful Dreamer and Yu Yu Hakusho, only to then fill almost half of its episodes with filler in Bleach and deliver an animated adaptation more confusing than else in Tokyo Ghoul.

But this list we’ve created and this letter of hope to you should make you realize that despite everything, we appreciate you, because there’s no denying your incredible abilities.

And indeed it’s not incorrect to say that you’ve worked on some of the most important anime in recent years.

So let’s waste no more time and find out which are the best anime made by Studio Pierrot that you can’t miss.

12. Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo Ghoul is the animated adaptation of Sui Ishida’s popular horror manga of the same name, with the first season released in 2014 followed by 2 more.

The story focuses on Ken Kaneki, an ordinary college student who lives in a town plagued by strange and violent murders.

The agents suspect that the deaths are caused by Ghouls, mysterious creatures that feed on the bodies of their victims, but nobody has seen them yet.

We have expressed our opinion on Tokyo Ghoul multiple times: it’s a fantastic manga with a great story, but with an animated adaptation that is quite mediocre, cutting some parts and inventing others.

So it’s totally up to you to decide if you want to experience this work through the animated series, the manga or even both.

Given its importance, we couldn’t avoid including it in this list but consider yourself warned.

11. Black Clover

Black Clover

Black Clover is one of the most popular fighting anime of recent years, with an ongoing animated adaptation that continues to attract more fans.

This anime tells the story of Asta and Yuno, 2 orphans who have been abandoned at the same church on the same day so they grew up as brothers.

Since they were little they decided that they would compete for the title of Wizard King the strongest mage in the kingdom.

The only peculiarity is that Asta is born without powers in a world where magic is now everything.

What sets Black Clover apart is its approach of not introducing anything new or groundbreaking but rather incorporating the best elements from other anime within the fighting genre into one series.

Unfortunately, we have to admit that it is rather mediocre, but if you are looking for a bit of action and that’s all, you might still enjoy it.

Despite this, Pierrot still did a decent job with the animation and adaptation, and they’re known for their skill in handling long battle shonen series.

10. Baby Steps

Baby Steps

Baby Steps is the perfect anime on this list for those seeking a balance of sport and romance.

This 2014 hit anime follows Eiichiro Maruo, a non-athletic student who falls in love with tennis after joining the Southern Tennis Club for health reasons.

The show’s focus on Eiichiro’s growth, both as a player and a person, is mirrored by his relationship with Natsu Takasaki, a passionate tennis player with dreams of becoming a pro.

As Eiichiro develops his own unique playing style, the matches become both exciting and emotional.

The realistic and well-developed characters make Baby Steps a joy to watch, even for those not typically into sports anime.

The animation made by Pierrot during the matches is simply spectacular and realistic, making it a treat for tennis fans.

The series also handles romance well and the developing friendship between Eiichiro and Natsu is heartwarming to watch.

Just one thing: the series starts kinda slow, but the character development and thrilling matches make it worth the wait.

9. Naruto Series

Naruto

We don’t need elaborate introductions for Naruto either, do we? After all, we’re talking about one of the most iconic series ever, known even to people who don’t watch anime.

The story follows the journey of a young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki, who is burdened with the label of being the host of the Nine-tailed Fox, the cause of destruction in his village years ago.

As a result, he is treated with disdain and rejection by the villagers, making his past dark and difficult.

But Naruto’s goal is to become the Hokage, the leader of the village, and earn the respect of everyone.

There is not much to say about Naruto, actually. We’re talking about the best anime about ninjas ever, and a battle shonen icon that has managed to carve out its own slice of immortal popularity.

Even this time we can make a small note similar to that of Bleach, which is that it unfortunately contains a huge amount of filler. But again, you only need to look for a guide and skip them.

8. Kingdom

Kingdom

Set in the year 245 B.C., Kingdom tells the story of Xin and Piao, two war orphans. The two, now reduced to servants, spend their time dreaming of fighting.

One day Piao is noticed by Shobunkun, adviser to Crown Prince Ying Zhen, who takes him with him to become a servant in the capital city of Kanyou. Upon his return, nothing is as before.

The story of Kingdom is a fictional adaptation of the Chinese historical period known as the Warring States Period, which ended in 221 B.C.

This happened after Ying Zheng, King of Qin, completed the conquest of the other Chinese states by unifying them.

Some characters are inspired by real-life figures, although some names were changed to Japanese for adaptation.

Kingdom is possibly one of the best works you can find regarding large-scale war operations, tension on the battlefield and political intrigues in an ancient and traditional setting.

And this is further enhanced by Xin’s character growth, which will give him several benefits during battles, as showcased by his war finesse.

Pierrot has done a fantastic job animating this long and intricate series, resulting in an incredibly enjoyable product.

At the same time, we must say that in some aspects the manga likely surpasses it, so you might want to consider reading it alongside watching the anime.

7. Bleach

Bleach

Certainly, no great introductions are needed either for Bleach, the most famous work by Tite Kubo that has earned the title of one of the Big Three of shonen manga.

Indeed, we are unceremoniously talking about one of the most important battle shonen anime ever.

The protagonist is Ichigo, a boy like any other with all the classic characteristics of a protagonist in the genre. Generous, physically strong, and kind.

What sets him apart is his ability to be able to see spirits, reasoning that one evening like any other he will see Rukia, a Shinigami, grappling with a Hollow.

Bleach is a series that is worth watching or reading for its breathtaking fights, a great cast of characters, and especially for its villain, Aizen, regarded as one of the best villains ever.

As fans of the work will already know, we have to address a sore point regarding the animated adaptation of Bleach. Bleach has an embarrassing number of filler episodes, making up almost 45% of the series. That’s right, almost half.

Unfortunately, this is not entirely Studio Pierrot’s fault since the anime was being produced almost simultaneously with the manga, but still it’s not a favorable aspect.

On the bright side, you can skip these filler episodes, so we recommend seeking guidance on how to do so.

6. Yona of the Dawn

Yona of the Dawn

Yona of the Dawn is a 2014 anime consisting of 24 episodes that deserves more recognition, adapted from a well-regarded shojo manga.

The story revolves around Princess Yona, who is betrayed and forced to flee her kingdom. Determined to reclaim her rightful place as ruler, she embarks on a journey filled with adventure and self-discovery.

Throughout the series, you’ll witness Yona’s transformation from a pampered princess to a skilled fighter, guided by her loyal bodyguard and love interest, Hak.

This anime tells the inspiring story of a perfect female protagonist who transforms from a weak princess into a formidable leader over the course of the story.

All of this comes with a lot of political intrigues, romantic moments, and a fantastic ancient Korea setting infused with fantasy elements, making the entire experience nothing short of magical.

And Studio Pierrot certainly contributes to this, providing animations that perfectly align with the world-building of the series, complete with vivid and memorable colors.

5. The Twelve Kingdoms

12 Kingdoms

12 Kingdoms is a 2002 anime released in 45 episodes from the light novel of the same name.

The main character, Yoko Nakajima, is a high school student who is highly bored with her life.

But this changes when a mysterious man named Keiki enters her classroom, claiming to be her servant and guardian as she is the future queen of his kingdom.

The two are forced to flee from dangerous monsters, and Yoko begins a new life in a world unlike her own.

12 Kingdoms stands out as a great isekai that delves into political themes and complex entanglements, boasting a more mature tone compared to the genre’s norm.

We highly recommend it if you are a fan of the isekai genre and are seeking a series that deviates from the typical themes and twists of the genre, coupled with excellent animation typical of the 2000s.

4. Yuu☆Yuu☆Hakusho

Yu Yu Hakusho

Yu Yu Hakusho is a fighting anime released in the 1990s in 112 episodes adapted from a manga by the same author of Hunter x Hunter.

The story centers around Yusuke Urameshi, a young delinquent with a compassionate heart, who sacrifices himself to save a child during an accident.

Impressed by his selfless act, the Spirit King offers him a chance to return to life as the detective of the spiritual world.

Yu Yu Hakusho is undeniably one of the most iconic and exceptional vintage fighting anime ever made, and it’s not even a debate.

This anime has undoubtedly made history in this subgenre, and credit also goes to Pierrot for creating an excellent series with outstanding animations for the time it was released.

3. Great Teacher Onizuka

Great Teacher Onizuka

GTO is an iconinc shonen manga of the 1990s, later adapted into an excellent animated version released in 43 episodes.

Onizuka is a 22-year-old boy in a desperate search for work, which seems to yield poor results, probably because of his thuggish appearance.

After countless attempts, he manages to get a job at a private school, as a teacher in a class from which all the teachers run away.

GTO is a legendary series, a must if you are a fan of vintage comedies, with a great school setting and a character design that has made history.

But what truly distinguishes GTO is its profound critique of Japanese society, subtly hidden behind its comedy, yet profoundly evident.

By watching or reading GTO you’ll gain insight into a view of Japanese society, with both its good and bad aspects.

2. Urusei Yatsura Movie 2: Beautiful Dreamer

Urusei Yatsura

Beautiful Dreamer is a cult romance-comedy movie directed by the legendary director Mamoru Oshii.

The movie is set in the fictional world of Urusei Yatsura, but it’s entirely disconnected from the main series both for themes and plot.

Ataru and Lum are preparing for the student festival, but things start to feel strange as the days repeat and time seems to be frozen. They soon realize they are trapped in a dream, and although they are aware of it, they don’t know how to break free.

Beautiful Dreamer is a unique and atypical movie, shifting the focus from the classic romance and comedic themes of the main series to more psychological and dream-like elements.

But this is what makes it a timeless gem in Japanese animation. Mamoru Oshii once again delivers with this movie, as he always creates gold with everything he touches.

You can watch this movie without having watched the main series, but we still recommend you do so to gain a deeper understanding of the characters and their relationship.

Thank you, Pierrot for this little gem, really.

1. Kimagure Orange Road

Kimagure Orange Road

Kimagure Orange Road is another ’80s masterpiece of the romance genre that brought significant changes with its fantastic plot that merges romance and supernatural.

Kyosuke Kasuga is not an average 16-year-old boy, as he possesses unique ESP powers inherited from his family, which he has promised never to use in public.

Upon moving to a new town, he meets the beautiful Madoka Ayukawa, with whom he develops a special relationship.

But this relationship soon becomes complicated when Hikaru, Madoka’s best friend, falls in love with Kyosuke too.

Kimagure Orange Road combines one of the best love triangles ever with an incredibly unique storyline featuring superpowers and supernatural themes.

The idea behind this series is simple yet so effective and its City Pop soundtrack is among the best ever created.

We are confident in saying that this series is innovative and continues to be inspirational even today, leaving a lasting impact on the romance genre.

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Yorozuya

Passionate about Japanese culture for years, serial devourer of manga, anime, and videogames that have now become part of my routine. My favorite series? Goodnight Punpun and One Piece.

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