Few companies have grown to have the impact Studio Pierrot has had on the anime industry. Not only has it been a massive incubator of talent, but the last four decades have seen it create some of the most storied animated series made in Japan. It says a lot about Studio Pierrot’s body of work that most anime fans are likely to have seen one of its creations.
To truly appreciate the impact the studio has had on anime, it only makes sense to look back at its long-list of hit series and hidden gems.Romantic comedies, supernatural thrillers, delinquents with heart; no matter the genre or trope, there’s a good chance the studio did it better than most.
Adapted From
The Blue Dragon video game series by Mistwalker
Shu and his friends dream of leaving their small mountainous village for a life of adventure. Unbeknownst to them, an ancient power dwells nearby that will shatter their idyllic view of the world permanently. When the forces of the Grankingdom invade to secure the eponymous Blue Dragon for themselves, Shu’s cry for help leaves him the unlikely host of an ancient power.
Blue Dragon is a fun shonen tale full of cool fights, abilities, and great comic moments. Fans of Toriyama’s signature style will find a lot to love here, with every character design bursting with the kind of exuberance and energy that made Dragon Ball popular.
Kei Imabayashi (Director), Yukiyoshi Ohashi (Writer)
The manga Hikaru No Go by Yumi Hotta and Takeshi Obata
Hikaru No Go is a coming-of-age tale centered around the unique pairing of Hikaru and Sai. Hikaru Shindou awakens the ghost of Fujiwara no Sai after rubbing an abandoned go board. The Heian-era spirit remains passionate about the game even a thousand years after his death and together the two form a dynamic duo aiming to play a perfect game of go.
Hikaru No Go’s approach to drama and action focuses on the mental battles waged during go matches, instead of flashy moves and effects. It’s a real joy watching the story’s central cast grow over time, all the while learning the rules of go right alongside them.
The manga Bleach by Tite Kubo
The Thousand-Year Blood War adapts the last arc of the manga series Bleach. Less than a year after defeating Sosuke Aizen in Karakura Town, Soul Society is invaded when the quincies attack. Quincy King Yhawach, who vowed to destroy the Shinigami centuries ago, has finally made his move. Ichigo and his friends are once again caught in the middle of a massive conflict that threatens the very fabric of reality.
The anime does a lot to elevate material from the manga. Fights have been extended, off-screen events shown, and a lot of character moments have been fleshed out. The close collaboration between Studio Pierrot and Tite Kubo has made it a must-watch for any fan of Bleach.
The manga Yu Yu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi
Yusuke Urameshi is given a second chance at life when a selfless deed puts the Spirit Realm in a conundrum. The delinquent-turned-spirit detective soon becomes the last line of defense for the human world. To protect humanity, he and his friends will take on villains from both sides.
Yu Yu Hakusho begins as an episodic meditation on life, becomes a fun investigative series, before settling into a battle shonen par excellence. Improving on the genre’s tropes with grit and realism, the series is renowned for its sky-high stakes andmemorable villains. Since the series concluded, there have been plenty to follow in its footsteps. Few, however, have done it as well.
The manga Flame of Recca by Nobuyuki Anzai
Recca Hanabishi has been obsessed with ninjas his entire life. That obsession leads him to pledge his life to be fellow high-school student Yanagi’s shinobi. Both become targeted by mysterious forces hoping to harness their unique powers for their own ends.
Flame of Recca is a fun tale held together by characters with heart and a narrative that evolves into an epic, centuries-spanning yarn. The series is also hilarious, featuring some truly great recurring gags and banter between its main cast. The art direction and animation of the series does a great job translating Anzai’s manga and represent arguably the best way to enjoy Recca’s story.
The manga Polar Bear Cafe by Aloha Higa
The series follows the day-to-day experiences of Panda-kun and his friends as they navigate living as animals in a human-dominated world. Episode after episode explores the lives of its cast at work, home, and out-and-about. Viewers watch them grow through a number of relatable ordeals as they fish, watch Sakura blossom, and go shopping.
What makes this show special is how soothing, educational, and laugh-out-loud funny it is. Panda, Polar Bear, and the rest of their friends are highly relatable characters who keep the gags flowing. This refreshing spin on the slice of life subgenre remains a consistently educational romp throughout.
Based on the movie Yojimbo by Akira Kurosawa
Kaze No Yojimbo follows the arrival of a mysterious drifter to a rural Japanese town, which soon has the locals on edge. While only there to find a certain person, George K soon finds himself caught between two rival gangs, a police force out of their depth, and the target of a shooter.
As a slow burn thriller, the series does a great job layering its mysteries and adding to the drama. Each episode practically oozes tension as George K uses his charm and wit to navigate a hornet’s nest. Viewers will find this reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s classic Yojimbo familiar and different in the best way.
The manga Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto
Naruto is the coming-of-age story of a child on the fringes of society dreaming of becoming the great ninja in his village. The story’s titular hero must confront a society that rejected him, make friends, and stand up for his beliefs in a world that seems to challenge them at every turn.
Watching Naruto develop as a character and shinobi is a real joy thanks to well-thought-out battles and settings. Beyond Naruto, the show features astrong supporting castwith characters like Sasuke, Kakashi, and Orochimaru keeping things interesting. Naruto also features some incredible world-building and a magic system that seems to get boring.
The manga Saiyuki Reload Blast by Kazuya Minekura
The third installment in the long-running series, Saiyuki Reload Blast is loosely based on the 16th century novel Journey to the West. It picks up the story of main character Genjo and his friends as they arrive in India and prepare to face the demon king Gyomah.
Saiyuki Reload Blast distinguishes itself from its prequels in a number of ways, namely in its high-quality animation and action sequences. It does so without sacrificing the series’ focus on character development and conflict. The quantum leap in quality and the dedication shown to fleshing out long-running plotlines make it mandatory viewing for fans of adventure fantasy anime.
The manga Beelzebub by Ryuhei Tamura
Tatsumi Oga, a student of Japan’s most infamous high-school, is proud of his reputation as the school’s most fearsome delinquent. His life takes a turn, however, when he is left to take care of a strange baby. The child turns out to be the offspring of the devil and Oga finds out that he has been chosen to raise the baby himself.
The series remains true to its action-comedy origins, staying funny and action-packed from beginning to end. Oga is joined by a memorable cast of fellow delinquents and other demons such as Hilda, Furuichi, and Alaindelon. Over-the-top, Beelzebub is a strange and wild ride that includes some of the best recurring gags in anime.
