Studio Ufotable has been a prominent figure in the anime world since its inception in 2000. Ufotable stands out among Japanese anime studios, gaining recognition for its series with dark themes and impressive visuals over the past decade.
Thanks to its breathtaking animation, Ufotable is often considered a well-off studio. However, some time ago, it faced criticism following reports of a corporate tax evasion scheme coming to light.
As the title suggests, I’m here to present some of Ufotable’s top anime works. I’ve organized them chronologically to showcase how Ufotable has evolved and made its mark in the anime industry.
Best Anime From Ufotable Studio
1. Knight Hunters Eternity
- Episode 13
- Genre Action, Drama, Crime
- Release Fall 2002
Knight Hunters Eternity, also known as WeiB Kreuz Gluhen, is the third installment in the Knight Hunters series.
Set in a world plagued by constant terrorist threats and the tragic suicides of numerous Koua Academy students, a dedicated team is determined to unravel the mysteries behind these events.
To fully enjoy this Ufotable anime, it’s advisable to watch the preceding series in the franchise. I assure you that delving into Knight Hunter’s Eternity will be a worthwhile experience, offering a blend of drama and darkness.
2. Futokai Alternative (Twin Love: Alternative)
- Episode 13
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Release Spring 2005
Twin Love: Alternative is a manga spin-off of Twin Love, but it takes a unique approach with its storyline and characters.
In terms of animation, it might not reach the high expectations of some viewers. However, if you focus on the story and characters, Twin Love: Alternative is enjoyable.
The narrative follows a detective named Rentarou, who lives in a town where twins are common. Rentarou has two twin assistants called Shiragane.
As the story unfolds, we witness the strong connection between these three characters, leading to a humorous love triangle. The love triangle involving Rentarou and his assistants provides continuous laughs.
Despite being produced by Flag and Feel studios, Twin Love: Alternative still deserves recognition as one of the top anime from Ufotable.
3. Ninja Nonsense
- Episode 12
- Genre Comedy, Parody
- Release Summer 2004
Ninja Nonsense stands out as one of the top comedic anime in the history of anime. It’s a delightful watch that you won’t regret investing your time in.
The story follows Shinobu, a ninja student determined to pass her ninja exam. On the other hand, there’s Kaede, another girl also gearing up for the same exam.
One of the exam challenges for Shinobu is to sneak into Kaede’s room and swipe her panties. However, Shinobu fails at this task. Surprisingly, instead of becoming enemies, Kaede and Shinobu forge a strong friendship, and their adventure together begins.
With the innocent Shinobu and the clever Kaede, this series keeps us entertained endlessly. It’s a must-watch if you’re a fan of top-notch comedy anime brought to you by the talented Ufotable Studio.
4. Kara no Kyoukai (Garden of Sinner)
- Episode 7 Film
- Genre: Action, Mystery, Supernatural, Thriller
- Release 2007~2013
Kara no Kyoukai was a significant stepping stone for Ufotable’s journey to becoming the renowned studio it is today.
This series has a dark tone in both its story and visuals. What makes it even more exciting is that it’s set in the same universe as the Fate series.
If you’re starting with Kara no Kyoukai, the beginning might be a bit slow. However, as you watch more episodes, you’ll discover the true beauty of the series.
The story revolves around the main characters, Shiki and Mikiya. They have contrasting personalities but complement each other well. Together, they work as a private detective team. Mikiya relies on his deductive skills, while Shiki possesses combat skills and unique eyes.
The series consists of several different films, and you can find more details in the Kara no Kyoukai Watching Guide.
5. Fate/Zero
- Episode 25
- Genre Action, Drama, Fantasy, Supernatural
- Release Fall 2011-Spring 2012
Fate/Zero, created by Ufotable, is a prequel to Fate/Stay Night. You don’t need to be familiar with the Fate series to enjoy this anime.
What shines in Fate/Zero is the incredible animation by Ufotable. The battles in this anime are visually spectacular and will keep you entertained. Many even consider it the best part of the Fate series.
The story is set in the Fourth Holy Grail War, a competition between a wizard and their servant to obtain a powerful Grail that can grant any wish.
The protagonist, Emiya Kiritsugu, is a cool character who guides us through Fate/Zero. He’s one of my personal favorite anime characters.
6. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works
- Episode 13 (S01), 13 (S02)
- Genre Action, Drama, Fantasy, Supernatural
- Release 2014~2015
Fate/Stay Night originally started as a visual novel, like an interactive book where the story changes based on your choices, leading to different storylines called “routes.”
There are three main routes in Fate/Stay Night. Ufotable, the studio behind the anime, adapted two: Unlimited Blade Works and Heaven’s Feel. If you’re unsure where to start with this anime series, check out the Order Guide and How to Watch the Fate Series.
Unlimited Blade Works was highly anticipated when it came out in late 2014. It followed the success of the Fate franchise and Ufotable’s previous adaptation of Fate/Zero.
The Ufotable version of Fate/Stay Night received great reviews, especially for the character development of Shirou and others and the stunning animation.
7. God Eater
- Episode 13
- Genre Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
- Release Summer 2015
In the 2010s, Bandai Namco, the video game company, partnered with Ufotable to handle their anime adaptations of the various video games they release.
When you dive into God Eater, the first thing that catches your eye is the impressive use of CGI. It’s transformed into elegant animation that’s truly stunning. The action scenes in the anime are incredibly fast and visually striking, often taking you by surprise.
The story is set in 2050, and things aren’t going well for the world then. Humanity is on the brink of extinction due to monstrous creatures called Aragami. These creatures are so tough that even our most advanced weapons can’t take them down.
But there’s a glimmer of hope. Somehow, they’ve created weapons from the cells of these Aragami creatures. A group of special weapon users called God Eaters steps in to combat these monsters. Their mission is to free the world from the Aragami’s grip.
8. Tales of Zestiria the X
- Episode 13 (S01), 13 (S02)
- Genre Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Release Summer 2016, Winter 2017
Tales is a popular JRPG franchise from Bandai Namco, often compared to iconic series like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.
This anime adaptation brings the excitement of the game to life. The visuals are impressive, and the characters are intricately designed. The setting is a medieval fantasy world brimming with adventure.
Tales of Zestiria, one of the JRPGs I’ve played, follows the journey of Sorey, who coexists with Seraphim, spiritual beings invisible to humans. The classic premise is to save the world.
In the first season, they closely mirrored the game, blurring the lines between anime and video games. However, the second season took a different path, adding darker elements, a signature of Ufotable.
As a player of Tales of Zestiria, I find the anime version of the story more to my liking.
Interestingly, there are two promotional episodes related to Tales of Berseria. I’m hoping that Berseria will also get its anime adaptation.
9. Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu
- Episode 13
- Genre Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Historical, Supernatural
- Release Summer 2017
Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu is a modern anime that skillfully blends CGI and traditional animation.
The characters are intricately designed, showing a lot of creativity in both the story and the characters themselves. This seems to be a trademark of Ufotable’s anime productions.
In terms of action, the visuals shine, especially during intense clashes between weapons. These moments are visually striking and memorable.
Ufotable is known for pushing boundaries, and this anime is no exception. While it received lower ratings due to an unconventional plot, it’s clear they weren’t afraid to try something different.
The story is set in 1863, during a pivotal time in Japanese history when the nation was split into two factions: one supporting the shogun and the other opposing him. This marked the end of the “Era of the Sword.”
Our protagonist, Horikawa Kunihiro, becomes a swordsman aligned with the pro-shogunate group. What’s fascinating is that their swords are brought to life by their strong will.
They encounter various allies and foes as they progress, adding depth and excitement to the storyline. If you enjoy historical action series, Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu is worth checking out.
10. Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family
- Episode 13
- Genre Comedy, Slice of Life, Supernatural
- Release 2018-2019
This story shows Shiro Emiya in a different world than Fate/Stay Night. Here, he’s leading a calm life with his family and friends in Fuyuki City.
The anime centers around Shiro, who cooks various Japanese dishes for his loved ones across all four seasons of the year. Unlike the typical action-packed Fate series, this anime falls more into the slice-of-life category.
This cooking-themed anime was released as an Original Net Animation, and each episode is relatively short, running for about 15 minutes.
11. Fate/Stay Night: Heaven’s Feel
- Episode 3 Film
- Genre Action, Fantasy, Psychological, Supernatural
- Release 2017, 2018, 2020
This trilogy is an adaptation of Heaven’s Feel, the third and final story path in the Fate/Stay Night visual novel. It mainly revolves around Shirou Emiya and Sakura Matou as they get caught up in a conflict among wizards during the Holy Grail War.
Originally, Sakura was Rin’s sister, but she was given to the Matou family because magi families could only have one heir. However, Sakura’s fate turns dark when Zōken transforms her into an artificial Grail Vessel, part of a plan to manipulate the Heaven’s Feel system.
As the story unfolds, Sakura and Shirou’s relationship deepens, but her mental state deteriorates, and she decides to distance herself from Shirou to protect him.
12. Kimetsu no Yaiba: Demon Slayer
- Episode 26, 1 Film, 11
- Genre Action, Adventure, Historical, Shounen, Supernatural
- Release 2019-On Going
There’s no wonder why Ufotable’s top-rated anime series is Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. It boasts fantastic animation and an engaging story.
The show revolves around Tanjiro Kamado’s journey to cure his sister Nezuko, who turned into a demon after a brutal attack that wiped out their family.
In a harsh and unforgiving world, Tanjiro is a kind-hearted character. Surprisingly, he even feels compassion for the demons he’s destined to eliminate. He joins the Demon Slayer Corps with companions like Zenitsu and Inosuke.
That wraps up the list of the finest anime from Ufotable. Do you have a favorite among them, or have you yet to give them a watch?
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