P.A.WORKS is a renowned Japanese animation studio established in 2000. Over the years, the studio has created numerous popular anime series, including “Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water,” “CANAAN,” “Another,” and “Shirobako.”
In this post, we’ll List some of the standout anime produced by P.A.WORKS. Additionally, we’ll explore the studio’s distinctive animation style and what makes it stand out from other studios. So, let’s jump into the captivating world of P.A.WORKS!
Anime Made by P.A.WORKS
16. Tenrou: Sirius The Jager
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Rating MAL: 7.24
- Genre: Action, Historical, Supernatural, Vampire
In the 1930s Imperial Era, the world was plagued by the rampant existence of Vampires, posing a threat to human existence. At Tokyo Station, a group of enigmatic individuals gathers, carrying a box of musical instruments.
These individuals are known as the “Jaegers,” united in their mission to exterminate the vampires. Among them stands out Yuliy, a half-wolf man driven by revenge after vampires decimated his village.
Meanwhile, the vampires are hunting for a mysterious sacred object that holds the power to dominate the world. As Yuliy and the Jaegers brace themselves for a deadly battle against the vampires, what lies ahead for them remains uncertain.
15. Canaan
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Rating MAL: 7.34
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Super Power, Supernatural, His
Recently, there’s been talk of terrorism brewing a virus with a high fatality rate. Maria Oosawa, a survivor of the Virus UA thanks to her father’s antidote, now works as a reporter. She’s sent, along with her colleague Minoru Minorikawa, to cover an Anti-Terrorist conference in Shanghai.
Upon their arrival, Maria becomes the target of an assassination attempt by a mysterious masked assailant. Caught in the chaos, Maria is rescued by a childhood friend named Canaan, who is revealed to possess extraordinary abilities.
As they investigate, they discover the string of mysterious events surrounding the UA Virus in the city is linked to Canaan’s rival, Alphard. Canaan must confront her past to save her friend and uncover the truth about the UA Virus.
14. Glasslip
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Rating MAL: 5.53
- Genre: Romance, Slice of Life, Supernatural
Touko Fukami, a girl aspiring to become a glass artist, leads a peaceful life despite her peculiar ability. Occasionally, she glimpses fragments of the future when gazing into mirrors.
During a summer festival, Touko and her friends win 4D glasses as a prize. When Touko tries them on, she notices something odd but dismisses it. Reluctant to share her secret, she keeps it to herself.
However, her world changes when a new transfer student named Kakeru Okikura arrives. Kakeru, a lonely yet imaginative teenager, somehow knows Touko’s hidden secret.
Their unexpected encounter disrupts Touko and Kakeru’s lives, hinting at a summer with unforeseen events.
13. Hanasaku Iroha
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Rating MAL: 8.00
- Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Drama
Ohana Matsumae, a spirited girl from Tokyo, is abandoned by her mother, who flees with her boyfriend to escape debt collectors. Left with no choice, Ohana follows her mother’s address, leading her to her grandmother’s countryside inn, “Kissuisou.”
Upon arrival, Ohana is informed by her strict grandmother that she’ll be working at the inn like any other employee. Despite being her granddaughter, Ohana is expected to earn her keep through hard work.
As Ohana settles into her new role as an inn employee, she begins to forge connections with her coworkers and adapt to her new surroundings. This experience offers her a chance to grow and transform for the better.
12. HaruChika: Haruta to Chika wa Seishun suru
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Rating MAL: 6.43
- Genre: Music, Slice of Life, Mystery, Romance, School
When Chika Homura joins the wind instrument club, she reconnects with her childhood friend Haruta Kamijou after nine years. Despite Chika’s goal of becoming a charming and captivating girl, Haruta remains uninterested in her charm.
As they struggle to prevent the club from disbanding due to a lack of members, a sudden mystery arises, disrupting their school life and thwarting Chika’s plans. Now, they must work together to solve the school’s mysteries while recruiting new members to save the club and compete in a music competition.
11. Another
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Rating MAL: 7.75
- Genre: Mystery, Horror, Supernatural, Thriller, School
“Another” is a chilling anime that unfolds the eerie tale of a cursed school class, where a student meets a grim fate each year. Its masterful storytelling and spine-tingling atmosphere garnered widespread acclaim.
On the other hand, “Nagi no Asukara” whisks viewers away to a fantastical realm where land and sea are divided. Following a group of friends, the series follows their quest to bridge the gap between these two worlds, offering a blend of fantasy and drama.
P.A.WORKS, the studio behind these stories, is renowned for its impeccable animation and distinct visual flair. Its stellar work has earned it numerous accolades, including the prestigious Animation of the Year at the Tokyo Anime Awards.
10. Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms
- Number of Episodes: 1 (Movie)
- Rating MAL: 8.57
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy
The Iorph race is known for its timeless beauty and longevity, living centuries without aging. Among them is Maquia, a girl who was orphaned and living peacefully with her friends in an oasis.
However, Maquia feels lonely, gnawing at her despite their eternal lives. Their tranquil existence is shattered when Mezarte troops attack, seeking the secret to their immortality. Many are taken, but Maquia manages to escape.
Alone and adrift, Maquia encounters a baby named Ariel, abandoned like her. Determined to care for him, Maquia’s journey transforms as their bond grows, changing their lives forever.
9. Irozuku Sekai no Ashita Kara
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Rating MAL: 7.77
- Genre: Drama, Magic, Romance
The story follows Hitomi Tsukishiro, a 17-year-old wizard living in Nagasaki City in 2078. In a world where magic is fading, Hitomi struggles with a condition that renders her unable to see colors, leaving her emotionally numb.
Concerned for her granddaughter’s well-being, Hitomi’s grandmother, Kohaku Tsukishiro, also a magician, devises a plan to help her. She sends Hitomi back in time to 2018, where she will live with her grandmother at the same age.
In this journey to the past, Hitomi encounters new friends and experiences life in a different era, hoping to find the colors missing from her world and rediscover the joy of living.
8. Tari Tari
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Rating MAL: 7.39
- Genre: Music, Slice of Life, School
This is the story of a group of teenagers brought together by their love for music. At Shirahamazaka School, students can showcase their musical abilities at an annual talent show.
Konatsu Miyamoto, a cheerful and passionate third-year student, dreams of singing at the school show as a memorable finale to her high school years. However, she’s barred from performing after a mishap the previous year.
Determined to make her dream a reality, Konatsu starts her music club. She’s joined by Wakana Sakai, who once loved music but distanced herself after a tragic event; Sawa Okita, who dreams of becoming an equestrian; Atsuhiro Maeda, a transfer student with a background in music from Austria; and Taichi Tanaka, a badminton club member with a beautiful voice.
Together, they embark on a journey to create an unforgettable experience for their final year at school through the power of music.
7. True Tears
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Rating MAL: 7.47
- Genre: Drama, Romance, School
Living under the same roof with loved ones sounds like a dream come true for high school student Shinichirou Nakagami, who has a knack for art. However, when this dream becomes a reality, it turns into a nightmare.
Hiromi Yuasa, a fellow student of Shinichirou’s, is forced to move in with his family after her father passes away. The reason for Hiromi’s stay with the Nakagami family lies in the close friendship between her father and Shinichirou.
Despite her cheerful demeanor at school, Hiromi doesn’t show any positive feelings while staying with them. Meanwhile, she’s known as an intelligent, athletic, and famous girl at school.
At school, Shinichirou encounters a peculiar girl named Noe Isurugi, who takes an interest in him. As their relationship deepens alongside Shinichirou’s other friends, a complicated web of emotions unravels, leading to a tale of love and sorrow.
6. Kuromukuro
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Rating MAL: 7.33
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Mecha
During the construction of the Kurobe Dam, workers stumbled upon a massive, enigmatic object. Dubbed “The Giant,” its complexity baffles scientists worldwide. Meanwhile, the United Nations enrolls their children at Tateyama International High School to maintain a semblance of normalcy.
Yukina Shirahane, daughter of a prominent scientist, makes a breakthrough in deciphering The Giant’s secrets. Inadvertently, she triggers part of its cockpit, summoning a naked samurai named Kennosuke Tokisada Ouma. Kennosuke pilots Kuromukuro, a robot stolen from alien invaders, to combat the threat.
As alien incursions resurface, Tokisada, aided by Yukina, must confront them again, ensuring humanity’s survival.
5. Sakura Quest
- Number of Episodes: 25
- Rating MAL: 7.46
- Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy
Manoyama, once a thriving tourist destination, now lies abandoned. To revitalize the town’s tourism, the Tourism Office seeks individuals to serve as royal court members.
Yoshino Koharu, a young woman struggling to find employment, is unexpectedly offered to become the Queen of the Chupabakura Kingdom near Manoyama.
Upon arriving, Yoshino realizes her role was misunderstood, expecting celebrity status and a one-day commitment. However, she discovered that it was a year-long contract and that her duties differed from anticipated.
Despite initial reluctance, Yoshino embraces the challenge. As time passes, she grows fond of the small town and finds fulfillment in her role.
4. Shirobako
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Rating MAL: 8.42
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
At Kaminoyama High School, five anime-loving friends create their anime for a cultural festival. Inspired by their success, they pledge to pursue careers in the animation industry together.
Two years later, Aoi Miyamori and Ema Yasuhara secured positions at Musashino Animation, an anime company. However, they quickly discover that producing anime is far more challenging than they anticipated.
Aoi faces numerous obstacles in her work, including adapting manga into anime, managing different projects, and overcoming various hurdles.
3. Charlotte
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Rating MAL: 7.9
- Genre: Drama, School, Super Power
Behind Yuu Otsaka’s remarkable intelligence and high academic achievements lies a significant secret: he possesses a supernatural ability to have others for five seconds.
Yuu misuses this power to temporarily possess smart students during exams, altering their answers to ensure top grades and secure admission to the prestigious Hinomori High School. His goal? To get closer to the beautiful and popular Yumi Shirayagani.
However, suspicions arise among the Hinomori High School student council, leading them to suspect Yuu of cheating. Forced to retake the exam, Yuu’s secret is exposed when student council president Nao Tomori, who also possesses supernatural abilities, uncovers the truth.
In light of this revelation, Nao urges Yuu and his sister Ayumi to transfer to Hoshinoumi Academy, a school that safeguards students with supernatural powers from exploitation by researchers.
2. Nagi no Asukara
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Rating MAL: 8.23
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, School
The story unfolds in a fantasy world where two distinct groups coexist: those who reside beneath the sea and dwell along the ocean’s shores on land.
Individuals living underwater possess a unique ability to breathe underwater thanks to a specialized skin layer called “Ena.” However, this adaptation renders them vulnerable when out of water, as they struggle to breathe without it.
Over time, the underwater population has migrated to the surface, expanding their numbers and enhancing their quality of life. Yet, discrimination against underwater inhabitants persists due to their differences.
Among them are Manaka Mukaido, Hikari Sakashima, Kaname Isaki, and Chisaki Hiradaira. Their lives are marked by the closure of their original underwater school, compelling them to adjust to life on land while continuing their activities there.
Their routine is disrupted when a newcomer arrives at their Tokyo school. Over time, he befriends the group, learning to navigate life on land and eventually becoming a student. As they adapt to their new environment, their lives take another turn when trouble arrives from their underwater home.
This is a tale of teenage love, maturation, and the challenges of adapting to unfamiliar surroundings.
1. Angel Beats
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Rating MAL: 8.30
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama, School, Supernatural
“Angel Beats!” is one of P.A.WORKS’ standout anime creations. It follows into the afterlife, where a group of deceased teenagers grapple with their pasts while navigating the complexities of their current existence. Led by the determined Otonashi, they seek answers to the mysteries of death.
The “Angel Beats!” animation showcases well-designed characters and thrilling action sequences. The music further enhances the emotional depth of the series, offering both poignant melodies and uplifting tracks that complement the narrative perfectly.
In summary, “Angel Beats!” is a standout anime that captivates viewers with its compelling story, impressive animation, and memorable music. P.A.WORKS has genuinely excelled in bringing this anime to life, solidifying its place as one of its finest works.
