Best Anime Studios That Have Been Around For More Than 50 Years

Key Takeaways

• Toei Animation is a historical studio known for magical girl and mecha anime genres.
• Madhouse is a visually stunning studio collaborating with iconic manga artists.
• TMS Entertainment created enduring classics like Anpanman and Detective Conan.

Japan is known around the globe for its world-class animation industry, and even some of the most famous western cartoons have been created in the country. While not every anime studio is able to make money and sustain themselves, some of the oldest studios have managed to keep themselves afloat for long enough to enter the annals of history and still stick around to this day.

The medium’s style has changed significantly over the years, even just from the ’90s to the present, but the dedication and passion that go into creating these beloved cartoons have stood the test of time.

6 Toei Animation

The Beginnings of Shoujo

• Debut title: Wolf Boy Ken
• Famous for: Sailor moon, Dragon Ball, One Piece
• Founded: January 23, 1948; 76 years ago

Originally founded under the name Japan Animated Films, Toei Animation is one of the most influential studios in anime history. With headquarters in Nakano, Tokyo, and over 800 employees, Toei has helped define the magical girl and mecha genres. One of its most notable contributions is Sally the Witch, widely regarded as the first magical girl anime and possibly the first shojo anime overall.

Over the years, Toei has become a household name for its adaptations of Dragon Ball and One Piece, cementing its status as a leader in the anime industry. Notably, the studio employed legendary creators such as Hayao Miyazaki early in their careers.

5 Madhouse

Collaboration With The Greats

• Debut Title: Aim for the Ace!
• Famous For: Hunter x Hunter, Death Note, One Punch Man, Paprika, Cardcaptor Sakura
• Founded: October 17, 1972; 52 years ago

Madhouse was established by former animators from Mushi Production, and their collective experience quickly made the studio a trailblazer in the anime industry. Known for its visually stunning works, Madhouse is often praised for collaborating with iconic manga artists like CLAMP and creating unforgettable titles such as Death Note and Cardcaptor Sakura.

Beyond anime, Madhouse worked on the animation for The Jetsons and The Boondocks, showcasing its versatility and ability to reach beyond Eastern audiences into the West. With connections to Disney and Studio Ghibli and directors like Satoshi Kon in its ranks, Madhouse continues to influence animation globally. One of its co-founders, Masao Maruyama, went on to establish MAPPA, another animation powerhouse.

4 TMS Entertainment

Oldest and Most Renowned

• Debut Title: Big X
• Famous For: Anpanman, Detective Conan, Sonic X
• Founded: October 22, 1946; 78 years ago

Initially established as a glove company called Asahi Gloves, TMS Entertainment has a long history of evolution. The studio’s name, Tokyo Movie Shinsha, now TMS, highlights its early focus on animated storytelling. Now owned by Sega, TMS has created some of Japan’s most enduring classics, including Anpanman, beloved by children, and the globally recognized detective series Detective Conan.

With over seven decades of experience, TMS Entertainment is a leading force in the anime industry and has even contributed to major Western projects like Animaniacs and Ducktales. The studio continues to be a cornerstone of the anime industry, balancing nostalgia with modern techniques.

3 Bandai Namco Filmworks

Better Known As Sunrise

• Debut Title: Hazedon
• Famous For: Gundam, Cowboy Bebop, Inuyasha, Gintama
• Founded: September 1972; 52 years ago (as Sunrise)

Originally founded as Sunrise Animation, Bandai Namco Filmworks has undergone numerous transformations, eventually merging with Bandai Namco in 2022. Known for its focus on producers rather than individual creators, the studio carved out a niche in mecha anime, delivering iconic titles like Gundam, focusing on creating robot-centric shows to stand out in a market dominated by mainstream anime (and sell toys).

Their headquarters, aptly named “White Base,” is a nod to the studio’s dedication to mecha storytelling. Sunrise’s approach to fluid animation and dynamic action scenes has earned the nickname “Sunrise Smooth” among fans, showcasing their commitment to quality.

2 Tezuka Productions

The God Of Manga

• Debut Title: Once Upon a Time
• Famous For: Astro Boy
• Founded: January 23, 1968; 56 years ago

Tezuka Productions was founded by Osamu Tezuka, the “God of Manga” and creator of Astro Boy. This studio was born from Tezuka’s desire to continue pushing creative boundaries after founding Mushi Productions in 1961. While the other studio founded by Tezuka, Mushi Productions, faced financial struggles and eventually went defunct, Tezuka Productions carried on his vision, producing works that celebrate his inventive storytelling.

Though Mushi was revived in 1977 under new leadership, it now primarily focuses on contract work and is not run by the same people. Tezuka Productions, however, with the help of his son Makoto, remains a creative force, ensuring that the legacy of Osamu Tezuka continues to inspire new generations.

1 Tatsunoko Production

Seahorse And Clowns

• Debut Title: Space Ace
• Famous For: Speed Racer, Gatchaman, The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee, Evangelion
• Founded: October 19, 1962; 62 years ago

Tatsunoko Production, founded by the Yoshida brothers, is one of Japan’s most iconic studios, with a name that carries a double meaning: “Tatsu’s child” and “seahorse,” which explains the studio’s unique logo. Known for its vibrant, action-packed animation, Tatsunoko set the stage for superhero team shows with Gatchaman and brought anime to international audiences with Speed Racer, and even worked on Evangelion.

The studio’s innovative style and focus on storytelling influenced a generation of animators, including those who went on to establish Pierrot in 1979. Pierrot was founded by former Tatsunoko employees and gained fame for its long-running shonen series like Naruto and Bleach, continuing the legacy of boundary-pushing animation established by Tatsunoko.