Science SARU, an animation studio founded in 2013, has created a number of distinctive anime films and series. While studios like Toei Animation have a long history and MAPPA gained fame with hits like *Jujutsu Kaisen* and *Attack on Titan*, Science SARU steadily produced visually impressive anime with compelling stories for over ten years. Though well-regarded within the industry, it wasn’t until 2024, with the release of *Dandadan*, that the studio began to attract a much larger international audience.
The second season of *Dandadan* came out this year, and a third season is already in the works. Many fans agree that *Dandadan* boasts some of the best animation in the Shonen genre, and the third season is expected to be just as impressive. Plus, the studio’s upcoming Fall 2025 anime, *Sanda*, is already generating a lot of excitement as another fantastic manga adaptation. While *Dandadan* is the studio’s biggest hit so far, they continue to impress anime fans with consistently high-quality animation.
7) Inu-Oh
This often-overlooked series comes from the talented Masaaki Yuasa of Science SARU, and it delivers another visually distinctive experience. Yuasa also directed other popular works like *Lu Over the Wall*, *Ride Your Wave*, *The Heike Story*, and *Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!*, demonstrating his significant impact on the studio. *Inu-Oh* takes place 300 years after the events of *The Tale of the Heike*, an important historical account of Japan.
This stunning film tells the story of Inu-Oh, a gifted dancer born with a disfigurement and rumored to be cursed, and Tomona, a blind musician who plays the biwa. Both outcasts because of their differences, they connect and form a dynamic duo, captivating audiences with their innovative performances. Through their art, they begin to reveal the hidden history of the Heike Clan.
6) Lu Over the Wall
This beautifully animated and often overlooked 2017 film is a must-see for Studio Ghibli enthusiasts. It tells the story of Kai Ashimoto, a reserved and somewhat gloomy 14-year-old boy living in a peaceful coastal town. He expresses himself through music, sharing his creations online.
Initially reserved, he starts to come out of his shell when two friends invite him to join their band and take him to the legendary Merfolk Island, said to be home to mermaids. His life transforms when he connects with Lu, a lively mermaid he meets there. However, he soon finds himself needing to shield her from the local villagers, who wrongly believe merfolk bring bad luck.
5) Ride Your Wave
Hinako Mukaimizu, a 19-year-old college student, returns to her peaceful seaside hometown after being away for years. Though she struggles with everyday life, she’s a natural when surfing. One night, a fire breaks out where she’s living, and she’s rescued by Minato Hinageshi, a 21-year-old firefighter known for his bravery and willingness to help others.
After meeting by chance, the two quickly become friends and eventually fall in love. But when a terrible event happens, Hinako becomes overwhelmed with sadness and embarks on a path to recovery, ultimately discovering what gives her life meaning.
4) The Colors Within
Released in 2024, The Colors Within is a visually stunning anime film directed by Naoko Yamada, known for her work on the popular film A Silent Voice. The film uses a gentle palette of pastel colors to tell the story of Tosuko, a high school student who can see people’s emotions as colors. Intrigued by the bright colors surrounding her classmate Kimi, Tosuko follows her to a bookstore and learns that Kimi plays the piano.
I’m so excited to tell you about Kimi and Rui! Kimi’s a guitarist, and Rui is this amazing guy who collects vintage musical gear and *plays the theremin* – seriously, it’s so cool! They’ve started jamming together, and it’s been awesome watching their friendship grow as they both deal with everything life throws at them. It’s a really heartwarming story about how music brings people together.
3) The Heike Story
Naoko Yamada’s 2022 work, *The Heike Story*, beautifully combines traditional Japanese art with a gentle color palette, reminiscent of classic paintings. The series is based on a modern Japanese retelling—published in 2016 by a famous novelist—of *The Tale of the Heike*, a tragic medieval epic detailing the fall of the Taira (Heike) Clan.
This group held significant power in Japan, and their influence led them to kill a young girl’s father simply because she showed them disrespect. Shortly after this event, the girl encounters the oldest son of the clan’s leader and forewarns him of a coming disaster that will affect his family.
2) Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken
This hidden gem of a series immediately draws you in with its charming, simple, and fluid animation. Despite winning awards and receiving critical praise after its 2020 release, it was sadly canceled after only one season. The show centers around Midori Asakusa, a gifted young artist with dreams of becoming an animator.
Sayaka Kanamori, Midori’s best friend, is very different – she’s practical and makes sensible decisions. The two of them meet Tsubame Misuzaki, a young model who quickly becomes friends with Midori because they both love art and animation. Kanamori sees this as a great chance and starts an animation club, and together, the three friends begin an exciting journey to create amazing animations.
1) The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl
The 2017 film is visually striking, using bright colors typical of Science SARU’s animation style. Its slightly unsteady animation and unusual transitions actually enhance the experience, making the film even more captivating and reinforcing its dreamlike atmosphere. The story takes place during a vibrant night in Kyoto and centers around two characters who are only known as Otome and Senpai.
Otome is a college student with dark hair who’s determined to enjoy her newfound independence – she’s been going to bars, participating in street performances, and generally having a good time. Meanwhile, Senpai, a fellow student and secret admirer, spends his nights following her, hoping for a chance to tell her how he feels. The film captures their unlikely and touching romance as their paths cross one night.
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2025-10-19 00:12