Exquisite animation, well-developed characters and deep plots are the hallmarks of Kyoto Animation Studio.
Kyoto Animation is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and beloved anime studios of the past twenty years.
With an unrivaled talent for telling touching stories through stunning visuals and direction, nearly every anime they have created has received critical and popular acclaim.
1. A Silent Voice, 2016
The story follows Shoya, a school bully who tries to liven up his boring life. Into his life comes Shoko, a deaf girl who is being bullied by her classmates. When the principal intervenes, all the blame falls on Shoya and he is rejected by his classmates, including his friends.
Some years later, Shoya is a high school student. He seeks out Shoko and apologizes for his actions, but will she accept his apology?
2. Beyond the Boundary, 2013-2014
The story of Mirai, a descendant of a long line of spirit world warriors with a cursed sword, and Akihito, an immortal youmu, is full of unexpected twists and powerful emotions. Their destinies intertwine in a dance of life and death, where love and loss go hand in hand.
Lost in the depths of loneliness and despair, Mirai finds a ray of light in Akihito, just as he finds one in her, but their fragile bond is constantly tested by forces lurking in the shadows. Their meeting sets off a turbulent series of events that will force them to rethink everything they believe in.
3. Violet Evergarden, 2018
Filled with emotion from the first minute to the last, Violet Evergarden is a story of love and loss. Raised to be a weapon of war, Violet knows nothing but destroying enemies.
But when her dying commander, Gilbert, gives her his final message and confesses his love, she decides to embark on a journey to decipher the meaning of his words.
After accepting a job as an Auto Memory Doll, Violet writes letters for clients who are unable to express their feelings, and for the first time in her life begins to learn about the complexities of human emotion.
4. Clannad, 2007-2009
The anime follows a high school student named Tomoya Okazaki. Like most of his peers, Tomoya has to deal with various hardships in life. Luckily for Tomoya, he meets a girl named Nagisa who dramatically changes his life.
With the inevitable changes that come with growing up, feelings of loss and other heartbreaks that the characters go through, the anime gets realistically dark at times, so get your tissues ready.
5. Hyouka, 2012
Hyouka is an anime that crosses the line between detective and everyday life. It is a light detective series that tells the story of four young students with completely different personalities.
The eternally bored Oreki is forced to solve various mysteries thanks to his energetic classmate Chitanda, who never gives up. This is certainly the pinnacle of the everyday genre and an outstanding series that is a testament to the studio's mastery of creating great animation and atmosphere.