Since being founded in 1987, Production I.G. has become known as one of the anime industry's most notable production companies. They first really made a name for themselves in 1995, when they produced the all-time cyberpunk classic Ghost in the Shell, and since then have found success making everything from hot-blooded sports shows to soothing slice-of-life series.
They are particularly well-known for working with other studios, notably collaborating with Gainax for the incredible Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion, as well as creating the spin-off Studio Wit, who they worked with on Attack on Titan. Their solo work is, however, just as impressive. Here are the 10 series they made that fans love the most.
10 Moribito: Guardian Of The Spirit (8.16)
For anime fans who love fantasy but aren't interested in isekai, it can be hard to find the perfect anime. Luckily, Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit is a true high-fantasy adventure, featuring a journey across a richly realized world as bodyguard Balsa tries to protect a young, banished prince.
It's also notable that Balsa is one of the best female characters that anime has to offer. Over the course of the series, she faces down unimaginable trials with incredible resolve, and is never portrayed as anything other than one of the best warriors in the land.
9 Welcome To The Ballroom (8.20)
When it comes to sports, Welcome to the Ballroom is possibly Production I.G.'s most unusual offering. Ballroom dancing wouldn't immediately seem to lend itself to hype in the way basketball or volleyball might, but, feeding off some of the enormous success of ice-skating show Yuri!!! on Ice, Welcome to the Ballroom proves that elegance and excitement can go hand in hand. No doubt many viewers felt inspired to pick up something they had never considered before -- and, in the end, that's the biggest praise you can give a sports show.
8 Moriarty The Patriot (8.22)
The Sherlock Holmes novels have been adapted many, many times over the years, so it's impressive when a show comes along that offers a fresh take on the familiar story. And Moriarty the Patriot certainly does, flipping the storyline so that the audience follows Holmes' iconic adversary, Moriarty, forcing the audience to question who -- if anyone -- is really morally in the right.
Add in a whole lot of pretty men in suits, and it's not hard to see why fans have been loving one of Production I.G.'s most recent shows.
7 xxxHolic (8.23)
Adapted from a manga by the legendary group CLAMP, xxxHolic drips with an atmosphere of elegance and mystery. It follows Watanuki, a young man who is able to see supernatural creatures, and Yuuko, an enigmatic woman who claims to grant people's wishes.
The incredibly detailed artwork, particularly in regard to fashion, is CLAMP's signature, and although not every frill makes it into the anime adaption, this is still the perfect series for fans of more stylistically experimental anime -- although the noodly limbs might be a bit much for some.
6 Kuroko's Basketball (8.31)
Kuroko's Basketball might not have the realism of Haikyuu!! or the emotional core of Run with the Wind, but what it does have is episode after episode stacked with hype basketball moments and characters the viewers will either be cheering at their screens for or praying to lose.
Let's face it, Kuroko's Basketball can definitely be silly -- are audiences really supposed to believe that Kuroko is invisible on the court? Did the Generation of Miracles really have to be color-coded? -- but that's exactly why it has such a big place in so many fans' hearts.
5 Psycho-Pass (8.36)
The absorbing action thriller Psycho-Pass was a triumphant return to Production I.G.'s cyberpunk routes. Like Ghost in the Shell, this series delights in exploring what advanced technology might do to human society. In this case, the ability to scan people's minds for the slightest sign of disobedience has transformed the meaning of guilt and innocence.
It also proved that Gen Urobuchi, fresh off the smash success of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, was unmatched when it came to crafting dark stories that were anything but kind to their characters.
4 Usagi Drop (8.40)
There are few anime out there that can melt viewers' hearts quite like Usagi Drop, which tells the story of an immature bachelor who suddenly finds himself the guardian of a six-year-old girl. Dealing with themes of grief and family, this series' gentle tone makes it one of the best slice-of-life anime ever.
It's also notable for being one of the few anime that audiences were glad made drastic changes to the manga. Let's just say that the original ending was...creepy, to put it mildly.
3 Run With The Wind (8.42)
Run with the Wind is a sports anime about, well, running. But it's also so much more than that. In this show, the characters and their relationships with each other are the most important thing; their growing bond as a family is as precious as the chance to run in the Hakone Ekiden.
It helps that these characters are truly misfits; rather than immediately becoming a threat, it takes more than half of the series for the team to even get into the qualifiers. This means that even the smallest of victories -- like Prince running a sub-30 minute time -- will have viewers as excited as any winning point.
2 Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex (8.53)
As a follow-up to 1995's classic Ghost in the Shell, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex had a lot to live up to. But fans of the original had nothing to worry about. Stand Alone Complex keeps the fascinating details of the film's cyberpunk dystopia intact while being able to use its length as a series to create a truly compelling plot. There are plenty of twists and turns as Section 9 attempts to track down the mysterious and dangerous hacker known as the Laughing man -- one of anime's most iconic villains.
1 Haikyuu!! (8.81)
Is it any surprise that Haikyuu!! would be the fans' favorite Production I.G. anime? The story of Karasuno's rise to volleyball glory might just be the most popular sports anime in recent years.
The series strikes the perfect balance between incredibly exciting matches and character growth; it's inspiring to watch Hinata achieve his dreams, of course, but just about every character, including players on opposing teams, get an arc and a unique backstory. With moments that will have viewers laughing hysterically, jumping up and down in their seats, and even shedding a tear or two, Haikyuu!! really does have something for everyone.