As an anime enthusiast, there’s always that one series that truly resonates with me, standing head and shoulders above the rest. It might be due to its captivating plot, intricate world-building, or memorable characters that draw me in. Regardless of the reason, what matters most is the on-screen adaptation stays true to the original source material, flows seamlessly, and visually dazzles. A significant portion of this process relies heavily on the animation studio responsible for developing and producing each series. Lately, studios like Mappa and Ufotable have garnered immense popularity thanks to their exceptional work on acclaimed shows like “Attack on Titan” and “Demon Slayer.
Though large industry players often grab the spotlight, lesser-known studios such as CloverWorks also produce high-quality animation that doesn’t always receive recognition. One such studio is CloverWorks, which might not be a familiar name in animation discussions, but it has created an impressive array of series, including “Spy x Family,” “Horimiya,” “Wonder Egg Priority,” and “Ace Attorney.” This article will highlight some of CloverWorks’ standout anime productions and explain why you should consider giving them a try.
10) Persona 5: The Animation
The “Persona 5” video game series centers around a band of high school students who venture into an alternate dimension to alter the course of events in their actual world. This captivating tale was animated in 2018 as “Persona 5: The Animated Series“. In its initial run, it consists of 26 episodes, followed by three more episodes released at a later date. The anime delves into ideas such as transformation, defiance, and battling against wrongdoing.
In “Persona 5: The Animation,” we journey with Ren Amamiya, a student who finds himself transferred to Shujin Academy after being wrongfully accused of a crime. Upon arrival, he encounters a mysterious realm called the Metaverse, which materializes from people’s twisted emotions. Alongside a band of fellow teenagers, Ren forms the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, a group with a mission to penetrate imposing strongholds known as Palaces. These Palaces embody adults’ corrupt desires. Within these fortresses, they target and extract the essence called Treasure, the heart of each Palace, with the aim of causing transformation in their world and healing the troubled hearts of the grown-ups around them.
9) Wonder Egg Priority
The animated series “Wonder Egg Priority,” released in 2021, blends elements of the magical girl genre, fantasy, action, and psychological terror. With just 12 episodes in its first season and an extra special episode on its own, it tackles gritty themes like mental health issues, bullying, trauma repercussions, and grief. However, its vibrant colors and animation add a touch of lightness to the serious subject matter, making “Wonder Egg Priority” an engaging watch with its unique blend of darkness and levity.
The story revolves around Ai Ohto, a young girl dealing with the aftermath of her friend’s suicide. She acquires a mysterious egg called “Wonder Egg,” which when broken, shows a figurine representing someone in need of protection from sinister forces trying to annihilate them. Ai and other girls band together to battle the embodiments of trauma, aiming to rescue those who took their lives and possibly restore them to existence. Along the way, they confront their personal struggles and emotions, forming strong bonds with one another, eventually growing into a united team.
8) Wind Breaker
The Anime titled ‘Wind Breaker,’ which premiered in 2024, offers a fresh perspective within the action genre. To date, it has two seasons, with the latest one launched in April 2025. Unlike some action shows, ‘Wind Breaker’ doesn’t ignore character development or plot depth. Instead, it creatively incorporates action sequences into its storyline. The series thoughtfully explores themes such as protection, teamwork, and loyalty through its portrayal of violence.
In “Wind Breaker,” our main character, Sakura Haruka, is a young individual who enrolls at Furin High School. Sakura’s physical appearance often triggers criticism and stereotyping from others, leading him to choose Furin due to its formidable reputation as a challenging school with a high concentration of skilled fighters. Once there, he becomes part of the Bofurin gang, who are responsible for safeguarding the town. Initially aiming to climb the ranks through combat, Sakura soon realizes the value of looking after and shielding others, and relying on his new-found comradeship with his team members.
7) Darling In The Franxx
The anime titled “Darling In The Franxx” is a sci-fi styled production that blends elements from the mecha and romance genres, debuting in 2019 with a single season consisting of 24 episodes. Similar to other works within this genre, it explores themes related to humanity, dystopian ideas, and personal growth. The series raises intriguing questions about forming genuine connections in a society heavily influenced by a controlling government that has significant impact on everyday life.
In this anime, the story unfolds within a society that’s post-apocalyptic, dominated by creatures known as Klaxosaurs. Humans now dwell in walled cities called Plantations, which act both as sanctuaries from external threats and as control zones for human movement. Kids are conscripted to operate colossal machines known as Franxx, built for battling the menacing Klaxosaurs. The narrative revolves around Hiro, a struggling pilot, who teams up with Zero Two, an exceptionally capable pilot boasting exceptional strength in operating mechanical equipment. Together, they must form a bond and master their Franxx effectively to survive, uncover mysteries about their world, and learn the truth behind the Klaxosaurs lurking beyond their fortresses.
6) Horimiya
The animated series “Horimiya,” produced by CloverWorks, has become a notable title within the realm of romantic anime, airing its first two seasons in 2021. The sequel, titled “Horimiya: The Missing Pieces,” premiered in 2023 and showcased chapters from the manga that were omitted in the initial season. This series primarily focuses on romance but also incorporates themes such as self-discovery, personal acceptance, and social bonds.
In this series, we delve into the lives of two distinct characters: Hori Kyoko, a diligent girl who uses her spare time to care for her little brother and tidy up after her parents, and Miyamura Izumi, a reserved boy hiding his rebellious side at school but sporting secret tattoos. They cross paths unexpectedly, leading them to form a friendship that eventually deepens into love as they traverse the challenges of high school and discover more about themselves and each other.
5) Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai
The animated series “Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai” delves into the complexities of growing up and self-discovery. It originally aired in 2018 with a single season, but since then, it has spawned three spin-off films that dive deeper into themes like adolescence, peer pressure, social awkwardness, and personal identity. The standout film among these is probably “Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl”. This series is recognized for its sensitive approach to issues such as puberty, peer pressure, anxiety, and self-realization.
The story of “Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai” revolves around Sakuta Azusagawa, a high school student who encounters several female classmates afflicted by an unusual condition. Known as “Adolescence Syndrome” or “Puberty Syndrome,” this condition is believed to be caused by the turbulent emotions experienced during adolescence. Sakuta interacts with Mai Sakurajima, a popular actress who is his senior at school and who becomes invisible to everyone except him due to the syndrome. As they work together to understand and resolve her situation, their relationship deepens, allowing them both to learn more about each other and themselves along the way.
4) The Elusive Samurai
Spectators were not entirely anticipating the imminent anime adaptation of Yusei Matsui’s original works, namely “Assassination Classroom” and “Neuro: Spiritual Detective.” The series surprised everyone as it delved into the life of young eight-year-old Tokiyuki Hojo during a bloody coup in the Kamakura Shogunate. Despite the grim premise, the series showcased an unyielding spirit and humorously witty gags. Moreover, its animation was exceptional, capturing the essence of an anime hero whose extraordinary gift lies in evasion and escaping harm with remarkable skill and flair.
The series, titled “The Elusive Samurai“, stands out as exceptionally stunning, with its villains portrayed in a comical or terrifying manner to the utmost extent. Notably, this is one of CloverWorks’ most polished animations yet. It’s no wonder that the announcement of a second season has left fans eagerly anticipating more exceptional anime, given that Matsui’s series is now his longest-running work. This rendition beautifully balances fun and joy with profound intrigue as it portrays a period of real-life 14th-century Japan marked by violence, utilizing magical realism based on exaggerated accounts and Matsui’s creative imagination to make the story captivating for viewers.
3) Bocchi The Rock!
Bocchi the Rock!” – A Musical Anime About an All-Girl Band’s Journey to Success
“Bocchi the Rock!” is a captivating anime series that follows the tale of an all-female band, as they face life’s challenges and strive for success. The show first aired in 2022 and spawned additional movies titled “Bocchi The Rock!: Re” and “Bocchi The Rock!: Re: Re,” which essentially revisited the storyline of the anime. The series delves into themes of self-discovery and personal growth, subtly mirrored through the music used in each episode. It underscores the power of music to connect people and build strong relationships with others.
The anime titled “Bocchi The Rock!” revolves around Bocchi-chan, or Hitori Gotoh, a shy teenager who harbors a love for playing the guitar and aspires to be in a band that creates hit songs. However, her social life is lackluster, making friends and connecting with others being a challenge. This all shifts when she becomes part of the Kessoku Band, compelled to overcome her social anxiety during rehearsals and live shows. Throughout the series, Bocchi learns valuable lessons about forming deep friendships and gains confidence in her abilities. Simultaneously, her dreams of achieving fame as a skilled guitarist start to materialize.
2) My Dress-Up Darling
As a devoted anime fan, I can’t help but rave about “My Dress-Up Darling”! This modern romance masterpiece made its grand debut on our screens in 2022. The first season boasted just 12 episodes, leaving us all craving more – luckily, we didn’t have to wait too long! Season 2 launched in July of this year and can now be found streaming on Crunchyroll.
This series truly hits the mark with its blend of friendship, romance, and captivating themes like self-expression, the value of authentic connections, and creativity. The main characters’ shared passions serve not only to highlight these messages but also to deepen their connection with one another. In essence, “My Dress-Up Darling” is a heartwarming tale that will leave you cheering for love in all its forms!
In “My Dress-Up Darling,” we meet Wakana Gojo, a thoughtful and shy lad who passionately pursues an artisanal craft – the creation of Hina dolls, or as they’re also known, Hinamatsuri dolls. These traditional dolls symbolize wealth and joy. On the opposite spectrum, the vivacious Marin Kitagawa uses her spare time to design cosplay costumes. When Marin recognizes Wakana’s talent for fashioning clothes for his dolls, she invites him to assist her in creating costumes for herself. This collaboration marks the blossoming of a unique bond between these contrasting personalities, eventually leading to an unforeseen romance.
1) Spy x Family
The animated series known as “Spy x Family” has been making quite a splash in the community lately, gaining immense popularity. This show artfully blends themes such as forming unexpected families, the repercussions of concealment, and embracing diversity. The series was released in 2022 to wide acclaim, with Wit Studio and CloverWorks collaborating effectively to animate it, ensuring a balanced workload. While “Spy x Family” features numerous action sequences and fight scenes due to the professions of its main characters, there are also elements of humor and romance woven throughout the show’s treatment of more serious subject matter.
The story revolves around the character of Twilight, who assumes the identity of Loid Forger as a secret agent. His mission requires him to establish a sham family for authenticity in his undercover role. However, Loid is unaware that his wife Yor is an experienced assassin, and their daughter Anya, whom they’ve invented, has psychic abilities. This family must blend into a school setting to approach their objective without revealing their deception, all while concealing their true identities from one another.
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2025-08-21 04:42