The anime universe is expansive and offers many different tales with compelling characters, engaging plots, and epic moments. While some anime come and go, many deliver outstanding and memorable experiences. P.A. Works is a great animation studio known for its fun original programs and great adaptations of stories like Angel Beats and Shirobako.
For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best anime, we’d like to highlight the best P.A. Works anime of all time. From enjoyable slice-of-life series to emotional dramas, P.A. Works is worth recognizing for its amazing effort over the years.
Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll add them when we can!
Buddy Daddies
Buddy Daddies was a charming and sweet anime that aired in early 2023. Despite fans being worried about it being a watered-down clone of Spy X Family, the series managed to craft a unique identity for itself and deliver something that’s memorable and cherished.
Our story follows two assassins named Kazuki and Rei. They murder a man and wind up looking after his daughter. Thus, we explore the trio’s lives together through subtle missions and funny slice-of-life-themed activities.
This anime offers an incredible tale with themes of family, love, and personal growth. Kazuki and Rei receive great development over the course of the story and have personal dilemmas they’ll need to contend with if they hope to become stronger people.
Miri can come off as a tad annoying since she perfectly captures the mannerisms you’d expect for a toddler. Nevertheless, other viewers will find her childish behavior lovely and refreshing compared to toddler protagonists from other anime.
This is a must-watch for those looking for an anime with great drama, beauty, and action.
You can read our thoughts on Buddy Daddies in our full-season review here!
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms is a great anime with incredible depth, stunning visuals, and a captivating narrative. The anime follows Maquia, a woman who belongs to a tribe of human-like beings called Iorphs. The story highlights her heartwarming journey together with an orphan boy named Ariel.
Viewers will be delighted to know that P.A. Works put in a lot of effort to make this anime look astonishing. It offers countless breathtaking scenes with gorgeous locales, vibrant colors, and complex character designs that bring the whole universe to life.
The characters grow significantly over the course of the anime. Maquia, for example, is a compassionate, brave, and caring individual that audiences will root for. Her relationship with Ariel will move people since their interactions make up some of the anime’s greatest moments.
With decent pacing and captivating plot points to grasp viewers’ attention. Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms is a must-watch for those who enjoy anime with outstanding imagery and emotional segments.
Shirobako
Ya Boy Kongming!
Ya Boy Kongming is a fairly new P.A. Works animation that received praise from fans during the summer of 2022. What fans loved about this anime most was its incredible music, fun characters, and delve into the music industry.
Our tale follows Kongming, a tactician from 3rd-century China who reincarnates in modern-day Tokyo with a young physique and his memories intact. After meeting the female performer Eiko and being captivated by her music, she teaches Kongming about modern society’s ways, leading to his interest in contemporary music. After becoming Eiko’s manager, Kongming vows to make the world recognize her talent even if he has to use his strategies from the previous era he was a part of.
Despite having a mundane start, the anime slightly shifts to having a serious angle on music. It gives viewers a taste of how petty and difficult it can be to get your name out there in the industry. The series contains some riveting twists that, while predictable, will play a significant part in helping our characters grow.
In addition to having gorgeous animation and solid visuals, Ya Boy Kongming is a fantastic comedy that’s a must-watch for music enthusiasts.
Angel Beats
Angel Beats is one of P.A. Works most recognizable series due to how it affects viewers toward the end of its runtime. The story centers around Otonashi, a boy who finds himself in a realm between life and death. After meeting two different factions who are at war with each other, Otonashi must find a way to establish peace between them.
Angel Beats spends a good amount of its plot expanding upon many of its cast’s backgrounds. This allows viewers to get to know the characters and why they ended up in this weird supernatural prison. Some tales won’t surprise you, but others will tear at your heartstrings and make you wish the characters received a better outcome.
Otonashi’s relationship with Angel, the Afterlife Battlefront’s sworn nemesis, will fill your heart with immense joy. Their companionship blossoms into something naturally romantic by the series’s conclusion.
If you’re looking for a P.A. Works classic with incredible drama, romance, and slight comedy, check out Angel Beats.
A Lull In The Sea
A Lull In The Sea is a fantastic anime viewers will love for its world-building, charming imagery, and dynamic story. It takes place in a world where all humans lived beneath the sea. Some humans preferred the surface, resulting in them losing their ability to breathe underwater. At the center of this story are Hikari, Manaka, Chisaki, and Kaname, a group of companions who leave the sea to attend school on the surface. Therefore, we examine our cast’s daily lives as they deal with many issues surrounding themselves and the society around them.
As one can tell, this story delves into ideas such as loss, love, and the struggle of holding onto one’s traditions. Our protagonists are fleshed out from their personalities to their backgrounds. Each episode of this anime has a great amount of humor, drama, and emotion.
The visuals are amazing, especially its underwater sequences. The soundtrack is compelling and enhances the emotions felt throughout the show’s several emotional scenes well.
If you’re on the look for an anime that will make you chuckle, tear up, or smile, A Lull In The Sea is a must-watch production from P.A. Works.
Skip and Loafer
Skip and Loafer was a sleeper hit during the Spring 2023 season of anime. It didn’t reach as massive levels of fame as Bocchi The Rock from Fall 2022, but it delivered an excellent narrative, fun cast, and delightful visual style to satisfy audiences.
Our tale follows Iwakura, a girl who leaves her countryside town to attend a high school in Japan. We examine her journey to establish harmonious bonds with her classmates. Considering the source material written and illustrated by Misaki Takamtasu is an award-winning work, many shouldn’t be surprised by how well-developed its characters and world turned out to be. This anime uses the “cute girls doing cute things” trope to full effect and features our cast taking part in many activities you’d expect from a slice-of-life story such as this.
Many chapters tackle real-world issues with great nuance and virtue. Others tend to be very wholesome and relaxing, which is perfect for those who need to unwind after engaging in media brimming with complex subjects.
In addition to having a colorful and cutesy visual style alongside a soothing melody that enhances the anime’s emotional aspects, Skip and Loafer is worth adding to your watchlist.
You can read our thoughts on Skip and Loafer in our full-season review here!
Canaan
Canaan is a fun 13-episode series with an action-packed plot, splendid animation, and a fun cast. In it, we examine two photographers named Maria and Mino who attend a nearby festival because they’re after a newsworthy story. They stumble upon a fight between people and before Maria’s caught in the crossfire, her former friend, Canaan, saves her. Maria’s not out of the woods yet, as she must help Canaan thwart an evildoer’s dastardly plans that involve a deadly virus.
Canaan’s animation and imagery are one of its defining traits. The fight scenes are beautifully choreographed and intense, with Canaan’s fighting style blending gunplay and hand-to-hand combat well. Canaan, Maria, and the rest of the cast have great personalities and backgrounds.
Canaan’s storyline is rich in action, drama, political intrigue, and espionage. This helps give its storyline some depth and makes it feel somewhat distinct from other tales in P.A. Works’s catalog.
For those who enjoy shows with great drama and action, Canaan should impress you.
Tari Tari
For those who seek a tale that captures the essence of youth and is all about a group’s passion for music, Tari Tari should entertain you. This anime features wonderful character development, a remarkable OST, and a charming story. The series’s five leads Wakana, Sawa, Kontasu, Atsuhiro, and Taichi are well-rounded, with their own unique personality and backstory. The anime explores each character’s set of struggles, dreams, and ambitions, making them all relatable and endearing to watch.
This anime features music from a variety of different genres from classical to pop. The music complements the anime’s emotional tone and adds depth to the cast’s emotions and the storyline. Visually, Tari Tari is a stunning work with gloriously-drawn backgrounds and a vibrant color palette.
Give this anime a shot if you adore heartwarming coming-of-age tales with a music theme.
The Aquatope on White Sand
Fans of aquatic organisms and locales will adore The Aquatope on White Sand. This is a great anime that delves into the beauty and problematic aspects of marine life. It centers around a female named Fuka, who starts her new life working at an aquarium in Okinawa. This anime contains enough drama, high-quality visuals, and touching segments to keep folks invested.
P.A. Works put in its best effort to bring this anime’s aquarium setting to life. From the well-designed sea creatures to the stunning underwater segments, you’ll be wishing you could visit this aquarium. The place’s aesthetic oozes with soothing vibes and adds to the anime’s overall visual appeal. Fuka and her co-workers will struggle to keep the aquarium afloat and many folks will empathize with them.
Furthermore, this anime delves into deep themes concerning loneliness, friendship, and personal growth. Through the anime’s setting, it shows how someone can find meaning and hope in their lives even when the odds are stacked against them.
Give this anime a shot if you love sea creatures and tales that don’t shy away from depicting the harsh realities of work life.
So, there we have it, our picks for the best P.A. Works anime through the years!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!