In recent years, anime has become increasingly popular due to its captivating battles and intricate storylines. However, it's not just the talented voice actors and writers who deserve recognition for their contributions to the medium. Animation studios like OLM, Gonzo, and Brain's Base play a crucial role in bringing these stories to life. Brain's Base, which was founded in 1996, is particularly known for producing exceptional series like Durarara!! and Baccano!. Their shows boast well-crafted narratives and characters, all brought to life with stunning design work.
10 Penguindrum
Twin brothers Kanba and Shouma have taken on the responsibility of caring for their unwell sister, Himari, in the absence of their parents. During a visit to the Aquarium, Himari takes a fall and is only revived thanks to a penguin hat she had just bought. However, this miraculous recovery comes with a catch: an unknown object has entered her body, and the brothers must find the elusive Penguin Drum and fulfill their assigned tasks in order to keep their sister healthy.
9 The Kawai Complex Guide To Manors And Hostel Behavior
Upon moving into his new apartment, Usa was disappointed to learn that sharing a bedroom with a perverted roommate was inevitable. However, his spirits were lifted when he discovered that his crush, Ritsu, resided in the same building as him. This anime beautifully showcases character growth and provides plenty of comedic relief.
8 Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple Ova
The OVA set, which accompanies the manga volumes, was produced by Studio Brain's Base instead of the main series' TMS Entertainment. It serves as a continuation of the storyline from the first season of Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple, featuring protagonist Kenichi Shirahama as he trains in various fighting styles to become a master. While his initial training was inspired by the criminal organization Ragnarok, his latest opponents pose a new and challenging threat. The setup allows for intense and high-stakes fights to occur quickly.
7 School Babysitters
Ryuichi Kashima was left to provide for himself and his younger brother Kotaro after their parents died in an airplane accident. Fortunately, the headmaster of Morinomiya Academy offered Ryuichi a proposal that could help him out. Ryuichi felt a sense of obligation to join the school's Daycare club as they needed volunteers, and in exchange, he would receive free housing and food. If he accepts the job, he would have to take care of not only his brother but also other toddlers. This opportunity would allow Ryuichi to appreciate a previously overlooked part of life and become familiar with the different personalities of toddlers.
6 My Teen Romantic Comedy Snafu
Hachiman Hikigaya, a male high school student with a reclusive personality, has come to the realization that happiness is nothing but an illusion. His homeroom teacher, Hiratsuka-sensei, sees potential in Hikigaya's critical outlook on life, especially among his peers. To challenge his beliefs, she urges him to join the school's Volunteer's Club, whose objective is to assist fellow students in dealing with their personal issues.
During his involvement with the club, Hikigaya meets two classmates, Yukino Yukinoshita and Yui Yuigahama, both struggling with their respective problems. However, Hikigaya's unorthodox approach to problem-solving clashes with their perspectives, potentially causing more harm than good.
5 Princess Jellyfish
Kuragehime was awarded the Kodansha Manga Award for Best Shoujo Manga in 2010, and was later adapted into a film released in Japan on December 27, 2014. The story centers around Tsukimi Kurashita, a passionate jellyfish aficionado with artistic aspirations, who shares a residence with five other unemployed women who share her interests. Everything changes for Tsukimi when she meets a stylish and beautiful woman, and as the characters grow closer to one another, they navigate life's obstacles with the support of thoughtful character development and stunning animation.
4 Spice And Wolf
In Spice and Wolf, Kraft Lawrence, a 25-year-old merchant, crosses paths with Holo, a wolf spirit and once a revered harvest goddess who now appears as a young girl with wolf-like features. Together, they form an unlikely partnership in navigating the changing tides of society and securing their livelihood. However, as their journey progresses, Lawrence begins to question his own aspirations and motives.
3 Durarara!!
In Durarara!!, we follow Mikado Rygamine, a boy who fulfills his dream of living in the big city when he moves to Ikebukuro at the invitation of a childhood friend. Upon arriving, he is intrigued by the mysterious black rider and soon finds himself caught up in a series of unexplained events happening throughout the city. The story is told from multiple perspectives, as each character's experiences with these events gradually connect and reveal a larger, overarching plot.
2 Baccano!
The anime tells a captivating tale of a fountain of youth, immortal alchemists, crooks, and outlaws, adapted from three novellas set in the years 1930 and 1932. While the scenes occurring during the same timeframe may be disordered at times, they intersect in a way that is both visually appealing and entertaining. The characters and storylines in each tale are connected by the immortality formula and the people who have utilized it, creating a cohesive and intriguing narrative.
1 Natsume's Book Of Friends
Natsume, the protagonist of Natsume's Book of Friends, possesses a rare ability to communicate with spirits, setting him apart from his peers. However, he soon learns that his grandmother, Reiko, also had this gift. When Natsume inherits the "Book of Friends," which contains the names of spirits that Reiko had defeated and controlled, he realizes the danger it poses. In order to protect it from those who seek to exploit its power, Natsume summons a spirit in the form of a "cat" charm to rescue him and keep the Book safe.