I watch anime because it interests me, not because “So and So wrote it” or “Studio XYZ did the animation”. I will, however, watch anything from Hayao Miyazaki (and usually anything Ghibli); no exceptions. But when it comes to studios in general, I have a blasé, “meh” attitude towards the matter. To be quasi-scientific and to see if I actually do prefer one studio over another, I look at my favorite, or at least, memorable, anime and come up with:
- Production I.G.: Six great anime
- GONZO: Five great anime, one so-so
- Studio Ghibili: Ten excellent anime movies
- Madhouse: One good movie and I can’t wait to see their Devil May Cry anime this year!
- Gainax: Two good anime
- Sunrise: Five great anime
- Satelight: Three good anime
- BONES: Two great anime
- J.C. Staff: One great anime
- Manglobe: One good anime
Those are the studios who’ve made some memorable anime over the years but I have no preference of one over the other. I suppose if you had to point out that “Hey Rachel, Studio Ghibli has the highest number of anime you like! They must be your fave studio!!” Well, OK, but they’ve never made anime series and I would judge a studio for their series rather than their movies. So, yes Studio Ghibli is my preferred studio that makes anime movies. Aside from that, I have NO preference for studios.
Are most people like me or do you find that one studio tends to crank out the anime you prefer and therefore is your fave? Will you watch anything that Studio What’s-it’s-Name produces or does an anime need to pass muster with you, no matter who made it, before you pop it in the DVD player? Are there any studios I’ve left out that people have a preference for?
