Studio Bones, a prominent anime studio in Japan, has significantly impacted the anime scene with its impressive lineup of series.
Established in 1998 by Masahiko Minami, Hiroshi Osaka, and Toshihiro Kawamoto, Studio Bones has earned recognition and praise for producing some of the finest anime series.
Over the years, Studio Bones has created anime that resonates with a broad audience, earning both fan and critical acclaim. To showcase the studio’s evolution, here’s a list of some of the best anime produced by Studio Bones, organized by the year of their release:
1. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
Do you know that super popular Cowboy Bebop anime series from the 1990s? The one about a group of quirky bounty hunters traveling around space?
Well, it was made by an animation studio called Sunrise – where some people who later started Studio Bones came from originally.
But here’s an interesting bit of trivia – while Sunrise did the original Cowboy Bebop show, Bones worked on a Cowboy Bebop movie that came out in 2001.
This film, called Cowboy Bebop: Heaven’s Door, follows Spike, Jet, Faye, and the rest of the crew during one of their adventures. It takes place in the middle of the storyline from the original anime series.
There’s an explosion on an oil tanker ship, and a bounty gets put on the main suspect behind it. So the Bebop team heads out to try and capture this guy for money. But of course, they get way more than they bargained for – which tends to happen with that danger-prone group!
So, in summary, Sunrise may have kicked off the whole franchise, but Bones specifically had a hand in the Cowboy Bebop movie. Just a fun film fact for any fans of the series out there!
2. Wolf’s Rain
Wolf’s Rain is a dramatic adventure anime that Studio Bones put out in the winter of 2003. It’s set in a sort of post-apocalyptic world that’s ending.
The belief is that when this dying world finally bites the dust, the gates to some wolf paradise will appear. Wolves are supposedly the only ones who can enter this “heaven” place and leave the crumbling world behind.
The story revolves around a wolf named Kiba who disguises himself as a human and lives among people. Eventually, Kiba meets up with other wolves posing as humans, forming a little pack. Together, they set out on a journey to try and find the gateway to the wolf heaven so they can escape.
But they discover other wolves blended into human civilization with that same idea.
It’s a one-season show that ran for 26 episodes. So it’s a fairly short binge if you’re into post-apocalyptic stuff, wolves, or weird fantasy premises! It’s a one-of-a-kind anime thanks to the studio Bones touch. Let me know if you have any other questions!
3. Fullmetal Alchemist
The first anime that the studio Bones ever produced was an adaptation of the popular manga Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa in the fall of 2003.
It follows these two brothers named Edward and Alphonse Elric. They try to bring their dead mom back to life using alchemy – which is a big supernatural no-no. Things go wrong. Ed loses two limbs while Al’s whole body gets yanked into some armor suit. Not great!
But Ed picks up these amazing alchemical powers from the whole mess. He joins the military, hoping to use their resources to locate the “Philosopher’s Stones” that could restore his and his brother’s bodies. The only problem is, they aren’t the only ones with their eyes on that powerful prize.
This first adaptation was a one-season show with 51 episodes total. It differs slightly from the manga’s storyline – Bones put their spin on things here and there. But overall, it captured many fans with its cool magic system and deeper themes about life, death, sacrifice, and all that jazz. And the animation style is so signature, Studio Bones!
4. Ouran High School Host Club
Ouran High School Host Club is considered one of the classic romantic “shoujo” anime shows. It came out in the spring of 2006 from the animation studio Bones.
The story follows a girl named Haruhi Fujioka who goes to the mega-fancy Ouran Academy on scholarship. She wanders into the school’s Host Club room, looking for a quiet place to study one day.
This club is a group of handsome guys with too much time on their hands who entertain girls. But when Haruhi accidentally knocks over and breaks this super expensive vase, she becomes indebted to the club members.
Lacking money to pay them back, Haruhi starts working for the Host Club as their “errand boy.” But here’s the fun twist – since Haruhi dresses so much like a dude already, they give her a male uniform, and she pretends to be a boy. She becomes a popular host with the ladies who visit the club.
It’s a playful, tongue-in-cheek romantic comedy with the signature Studio Bones animation style. The show was a one-season series spanning 26 episodes. If you’re into lighthearted relationship stories, this one is an absolute classic!
5. Eureka Seven
Eureka Seven takes place way in the future – we’re talking 10,000 years from now. Humans have spread out and colonized other parts of space at that point.
The story follows this bored teenager named Renton who dreams of joining a rebel group called Gekkostate, which he thinks of as heroic. Then, one day, crazy enough, this pilot named Eureka crashes a giant robot mecha straight into Renton’s bedroom! Wild.
She’s part of Gekkostate and offers Renton the chance to join up finally. He’s pumped and ships out with Eureka to start his adventure.
Over time, though, Renton starts uncovering secrets about Gekkostate and realizes these rebels he idolized aren’t as glamorous and perfect as he imagined. But the bonds he forms, especially his relationship with Eureka, make it a coming-of-age story he’ll never forget.
Fans and critics agree Eureka Seven is one of the best mecha anime out there in terms of romance and character growth. The plot keeps you hooked as Renton’s world gets turned upside down across thrilling adventures in space. A must-see series!
6. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Considered by many fans and critics as the best anime ever made, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a rebooted version of Bones Studio’s original Fullmetal adaptation. The premise follows the same brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, on their quest to regain their bodies after a failed human transmutation spell. It covers a lot of the same story beats initially.
But Brotherhood eventually diverges into a more faithful ending based on the completed manga by Hiromu Arakawa. So, this version is true to her full vision. Brotherhood is packed with heartbreaking moments, including one of the saddest character deaths in anime history. It cementing itself as an all-time classic anime series.
Spanning 64 episodes in a single season, Brotherhood perfectly balances action, drama, and humor. The animation quality from Studio Bones holds up beautifully even now, over a decade later since its original release.
Many consider Brotherhood Bones’ magnum opus – the pinnacle of the iconic studio’s creative storytelling and animation mastery. If you’re an anime fan, it belongs on your must-watch list!
7. Noragami
Noragami is an action-packed supernatural anime series that came out in winter 2014. The well-known Studio Bones did the animation.
It revolves around this minor god named Yato, who dreams of gaining devoted followers and a lavish shrine dedicated to him. But since no one respects or worships Yato, he’s doing odd jobs to get by.
Eventually, he transforms a boy named Yukine into a “shinki” – Yukine turns into a badass katana weapon when needed. Yato also meets a schoolgirl named Hiyori, who gets roped into becoming Yato’s partner and helper.
Together, they go on adventures battling evil spirits and demons in magical and real-world settings. It mixes comedy and drama nicely amidst all the action.
So far, there’s been two 12-episode seasons of Noragami. The anime and its awesome characters quickly built up a big fanbase. I hope rumors of a possible third season come true soon! An official continuation would be amazing.
But for now, the first two seasons still tell a pretty satisfying story arc. Check Noragami out if you like supernatural action comedies! Studio Bones nailed the vibe.
8. Bungo Stray Dogs
Bungo Stray Dogs focuses on an orphan named Atsushi Nakajima, who has the supernatural power to transform into a tiger. He had nowhere to go, so he joined this special detective agency that handled cases too weird for regular cops – like ones involving magic or monsters.
Atsushi finds a new home and a sense of purpose, helping this ragtag crew of ability users solve mysteries and fight crime in ways the police can’t. The show also looks at the rival mafia group and their own adventures. One member, Osamu Dazai, has a mysterious connection to the Armed Detective Agency.
Bungo Stray Dogs is based on the popular manga series. For the anime adaptation, Studio Bones brought on director Takuya Igarashi, known for his previous collaborations with them on shows like Captain Earth and Ouran High School Host Club.
9. Space Dandy
Debuting in the winter of 2014, Space Dandy is a comedic space anime brought to life by the talented team at Bones Studio.
The narrative centers around Dandy, a bounty hunter navigating the cosmos to pursue extraterrestrial beings. However, Dandy’s adventures extend beyond the standard job description, involving encounters with zombies and various supernatural entities.
QT, a cat robot serving as his trusty sidekick, is Accompanying Dandy on his escapades. Each episode unfolds as a new journey, challenging Dandy to overcome hurdles and earn his hard-earned paycheck. Space Dandy boasts two seasons, comprising a total of 13 episodes.
10. My Hero Academia
Regarded as the top action shonen anime in circulation, My Hero Academia debuted in the spring of 2016.
This shounen anime, centered around superheroes, unfolds the story of Izuku Midoriya, affectionately known as Deku, a young boy born without a quirk.
In this universe, a quirk refers to a superpower-like trait individuals possess from birth. Despite lacking a quirk, Deku nurtures a dream to emulate his idol, All Might, and become the ultimate hero.
Deku’s aspirations are pivotal when he encounters All Might, who recognizes his potential. In an extraordinary gesture, All Might pass on his powerful “One for All” quirk to Deku, setting the stage for a remarkable journey.
11. Carole & Tuesday
In a future where Mars is colonized, a well-off girl named Tuesday Simmons decides to chase her dream of becoming a singer and guitarist, breaking away from her affluent family. Little did she know that her musical journey would intertwine with that of Carole Stanley, an orphaned refugee from Earth who’s a keyboard maestro.
This anime, released to commemorate Bones’ 20th anniversary, gained acclaim for its heartwarming narrative, stellar voice acting, and diverse and appealing soundtrack.
At its core, Carole & Tuesday pays homage to musicals and classic rock ‘n’ roll. It even incorporates classic pop/rock song titles into each episode, starting with “With Or Without You” and going all the way to “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
12. Mob Psycho 100
Mobs Psycho 100 stands out as a must-watch anime from Bones Studio.
Debuting in the winter of 2019, Mobs Psycho 100 combines action, supernatural elements, and comedy.
The narrative revolves around Shigeo Kageyama, also known as Mob, who possesses psychic powers. Hoping to impress his crush, Tsubomi Takane, Mob struggles to control his abilities, leading him into the snares of an imposter. Unaware of his true potential, Mob edges closer to his limits.
These anime series from Bones offer great entertainment. Enjoy watching!
