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. Studio Deen is a known animation studio known for its comedies and horror.
For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best anime, we’d like to highlight the best Studio Deen anime of all time. From some entertaining romantic comedies to bone-chilling horror anime, Studio Deen 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!
Higurashi When They Cry
Higurashi When They Cry is a popular horror mystery series that’s still discussed today. It centers around Keiichi as he moves to a remote village called Hinamizawa and befriends most of its residents. After attending the village’s annual festival, Keiichi realizes there’s more to this village than meets the eye.
Higurashi’s known for having unique storytelling. Its first season is littered with multiple questions and circumstances that many will find confusing or jarring. However, its second season holds the answers to its peculiar first season. This makes the anime feel slightly interactive and thought-provoking.
Keiichi and the rest of the cast receive great characterization. You’ll grow attached to them and feel terrible about the horrible situations they’re placed in over the course of the show.
Studio Deen managed to make the anime a bit more horrifying than the visual novel due to giving the characters horrid facial expressions. The voice actors and actresses do a fabulous job of capturing each character’s shrieks, cries, and anger.
Give this a watch if you’re into anime with a great mix of horror, mystery, and suspense.
Konosuba
Konosuba delivers a comedic spin on the isekai genre. It’s adored for its likable characters, comical gags, and fabulous action sequences. In it, we follow Kazuma who speaks to a water goddess named Aqua after perishing from a pathetic death. Aqua gives Kazuma a shot at reincarnation and he chooses to bring Aqua along for the ride. We examine our duo’s journey as they recruit new party members and venture out to defeat a powerful deity.
This anime’s comedy is top-notch and often pokes fun at the genre it’s based on. It’s a show people will enjoy most if they don’t take its characters, its antics, or its world seriously.
The characters are flawed and lovable. From the charismatic Kazuma to the bumbling Aqua, you’ll adore what each character brings to the group in this anime.
While viewers shouldn’t take this one seriously, Konosuba tends to get serious occasionally. This often leads to epic and well-animated action sequences. If you’re looking for an anime with great humor, fun characters, and decent world-building, give Konosuba a shot.
Maison Ikkoku
Ranma 1/2
Ranma 1/2 is one of Rumiko Takahashi’s popular works. It has incredible action, great humor, and a nice romance to wrap everything up in a nice bow. This anime’s plot isn’t complex, but it offers enough varied content to keep you engaged.
Our story follows Ranma, who finds himself with the ability to transform into a girl and boy after falling into a cursed spring. To make matters worse, Ranma learns that his father set him up to marry the daughter of a famed martial arts master. Akane, the daughter in question, doesn’t like Ranma in the slightest. Therefore, we follow our duo as they fight numerous enemies and meet potential love interests. Ranma, Akane, and the rest of the cast have great backstories and personalities that help them stand out.
Ranma 1/2 blends numerous genres and has multiple subplots that’ll keep viewers interested. Like others on this list, it’s not a show people should go into expecting something intricate or groundbreaking. It’s best enjoyed if you don’t take its plot seriously. Nonetheless, if you love martial arts tales with a sprinkle of romance, then you’re bound to enjoy this one.
Hell Girl
Hell Girl is a creepy anime with a unique concept. It revolves around Ai Enma and her subordinates who run a supernatural service where they whisk people’s souls to hell.
This anime delves into the problems that arise from vengeance and the moral intricacies surrounding the notion. Each episode centers around a different client and their reasons for revenge. This identifies how revenge can shape people similarly despite their different circumstances.
The anime manages to maintain a dark and horrific tone that’ll leave viewers on the edge of their seats. The characters’ creepy character designs add to the world’s gloomy atmosphere from Ai’s straw doll to her companion’s bizarre appearances.
In addition to having an engaging soundtrack that elevates the suspense felt throughout each episode, Hell Girl is a great horror anime for those looking for something different and mind-numbing.
Initial D
Initial D is a great racing anime that’s similar to most sports anime. In it, the characters compete in intense competitions, overcoming obstacles, and completing challenges. While its story sounds bland, Initial D provides viewers with enough tension and fast-paced races to keep viewers engaged.
Our tale centers around Takumi, a high school student with a hidden talent for drifting, a type of racing sport. With assistance from his friends and the Toyota AE86, Takumi takes on rival drivers and becomes the best racer in the area.
This anime’s known for fusing multiple genres to create an immersive experience. It combines elements of sports, comedy, drama, and action in exciting and engaging ways. This anime also gives viewers an idea of Japan’s fascination with cars.
With the diverse selection of cars in this anime, Initial D hopes to inform viewers about the ins and outs of the car scene in Japan. The high-stakes battles in the anime push our characters to their limits and viewers will adore the incredible music that coincides with these scenes.
If you’re looking for a simple and fun racing anime to watch, check out Initial D.
Sankarea: Undying Love
Sankarea: Undying Love is a fantastic anime. It follows the high school boy, Chihiro, who must help Rea adjust to her new lifestyle as a zombie. The anime explores themes such as love, death, and family dynamics in a distinct, exciting way.
Chihiro is a well-rounded character who must overcome multiple issues surrounding Rea’s zombie status. Rea is also a fascinating character to follow, as she struggles to navigate her new existence as an undead creature in a world that doesn’t understand her.
Although the storyline’s compelling, the pacing can feel slow at the start. Fortunately, the anime picks up steam near the middle half of its season.
Sankarea: Undying Love delivers incredible visuals and an eerie soundtrack, making it a must-see anime for those who adore romantic horror works.
Hetalia Axis Powers
Hetalia Axis Powers (Hetalia) is a bite-sized anime with a comedic spin on politics. It centers its narrative around anthropomorphic countries during World War II and other historical events. The anime’s humor is one of its best features since it mostly stems from viewers’ knowledge that the countries are being personified by good-looking humanoids.
Furthermore, this anime offers an episodic structure. Each episode features self-contained and is filled with many hilarious scenarios, witty one-liners, and references to historical events. This will provide history buffs and comedy fans enough silliness to help them get through a rough day.
Although the anime isn’t afraid to tackle controversial subjects, it does so in a pleasant manner. Therefore, there’s no need to worry about it offending you. While it’s mostly comical, Hetalia can naturally opt for a serious tone when it chooses to do so. It manages to convey important messages about global unity, understanding, and human connection.
Whether you’re a history fan or just looking for a fun anime to watch, Hetalia Axis Power should entertain you.
Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto
A comedy with less history and more absurdity is what you’ll find with Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto. In it, we follow Sakamoto, who is built up to be the perfect human being. Although he’ll endure challenges from jealous classmates, Sakamoto always finds a way to come out on top in the most stylish and unconventional ways possible.,
This anime delivers a unique plot structure. Each episode features a variety of mini-tales that showcase Sakamoto’s uncanny ability to navigate any scenario with ease and grace, leaving many people in shock. The anime is full of hilarious moments. Sakamoto always finds a way to solve his issues in the most unexpected and amusing ways.
Studio Deen animates this series with great integrity. Every detail of Sakamoto’s character design, from his hair to his impeccable fashion sense, demonstrates his effortless charm and style. The soundtrack also adds to the show’s humor and captures Sakamoto’s flair superbly.
This is worth adding to your watchlist if you’re a fan of high school comedies.
You’re Under Arrest
You’re Under Arrest is an old anime that got a subtle boost in popularity due to one of its characters becoming a meme for her bizarre reaction. It delivers a wacky take on police officers and centers its narrative around two policewomen rivals named Natsumi and Miyuki. Despite their bad blood for each other, they’ll develop a wholesome bond that fans shouldn’t miss out on.
This anime’s jam-packed with incredible action, comedy, and dramatic moments. It contains a diverse cast of lovable characters who will keep viewers entertained throughout all the episodes. Viewers will adore seeing Miyuki and Natsumi grow after completing several of their missions. The supporting cast receives substantial development too, but you’ll be more interested in following our main duo.
In addition to having fluid animation and some thought-provoking themes, You’re Under Arrest is a must-watch for crime lovers.
So, there we have it, our picks for the best Studio Deen 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!