Compared to a lot of other anime studios, such as Bones, Madhouse, and Production I.G, which were founded before the 2010s, Science SARU can be considered by some a relatively recent company. Of course, with a decade of animation projects under its belt, this studio has earned its worldwide popularity, creating an array of highly acclaimed anime films and series over the years.
Most recently, Science SARU announced an anime adaptation of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, in collaboration with Netflix, which is bound to make some waves in both the anime and film communities. Because of the studio’s reputation, expectations are high for this new take on the classic film, but it might be a while before it reaches our screens, leaving many with the urge to explore more of Science SARU’s works before the release. For that reason, we’ve gathered the very best anime the studio has to offer in one place.
10. Star Wars: Visions (2021)
This series features nine original stories set in the Star Wars universe animated by seven anime studios, one of them being Science SARU. This makes for a very different product than most folks are used to, as various art styles and tones mix together to create an enjoyable viewing experience. Because the episodes are self-contained, there’s something for everyone to like about Star Wars: Visions, with creative plots and taking the audience to both new and familiar parts of the galaxy.
9. Lu Over the Wall (2017)
Light and fun, Lu Over the Wall makes the best out of its simple premise. In a seaside village, tales of human-eating creatures living along the coast of Merfolk Island have been passed down for generations. When Kai takes a trip to the Island, he meets Lu, a mermaid with the power to manipulate water who is drawn to his music. As the two become friends, it becomes clear that Lu isn’t the monster others make her out to be, and the two begin a journey that promises to change the village forever.
8. Ping Pong the Animation (2014)
Sports anime tend to be hits among viewers, known and enjoyed primarily for their intensity. Ping Pong the Animation is no different, focusing on the hardships two students face to achieve their goal of winning an inter-high table tennis tournament. The road to glory is never easy, and this anime portrays that incredibly, roping the audience into appreciating the intricacies of the sport without being too over the top. The characters and their development are also compelling, each with believable inner conflicts and motivations that make Ping Pong a relatable watch.
7. DEVILMAN crybaby (2018)
Adapted from Go Nagai’s Devilman manga, this series focuses on Akira Fudou, an ordinary boy who merges with a demon known as Amon, but instead of becoming possessed, he acquires the creature’s power. Thus, a devilman is born, capable and willing to annihilate other demons for humanity’s safety. Themes of good and evil are abundant in this anime, accompanied by the contrasting design and personalities between Akira and his friend Ryou.
6. Ride Your Wave (2019)
Anime often works best when exploring outlandish concepts, and Ride Your Wave is a great example of such. The film introduces viewers to Hinako and Minato, two people happily in love until the sea takes Minato’s life. After the incident, Hinako discovers she can summon Minato to appear in the water, and the two spend time together this way, unable to let go of the past. Simple and beautiful, this movie centers around the struggle of coping with loss and lack of purpose, delivering a hopeful message to its audience.
5. The Heike Story (2022)
The Heike Story is a web anime series with 11 episodes set in 12th-century Japan. It tells the tale of Biwa, a child with the power to see the future, whose father was killed by the Taira clan. When she meets Shigemori, the heir to the clan, the boy takes her in, hoping that her foresight will help prevent the clan’s downfall; however, Biwa isn’t keen on forgetting whose hands her father’s blood is on. Through the child’s eyes, this anime offers an interesting retelling of Japanese history while exploring human emotion and the ups and downs of life.
4. Inu-Oh (2022)
With a screenplay by Akiko Nogi and direction by Masaaki Yuasa, Inu-Oh is a musical movie based on Hideo Furukawa’s novel Tales of the Heike: Inu-Oh. It centers around the quick friendship between Tomona, a blind musician, and Inu-Oh, a dancer ostracized by society due to his physical deformity. Together, the two develop an unorthodox style of performance that subverts the customs of 14th-century Japan, which, despite granting them popularity, also rattles those stuck in their ways. While examining history and tradition, Inu-Oh captures viewers’ attention in the most chaotic way possible.
3. Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! (2020)
This is a 12-episode anime series about three high school girls, brought together by their interests — animation, in Midori and Tsubame’s cases, and money in Sayaka’s. When the teens put their skills together and form an animation club at school, the journey to create the world they envision begins, as imagination runs rampant. Filled with fantastical dream sequences, this anime portrays a sense of childlike wonder while simultaneously introducing its audience to the basics of animation, as well as its struggles.
2. The Tatami Time Machine Blues (2022)
The Tatami Time Machine Blues is an anime series based on Tomohiko Morimi’s sequel novel to The Tatami Galaxy. The story focuses on a young man and his group of friends who are thrown into an incredible journey during an insufferably hot Summer day. When soda is spilled over the air conditioning remote, the group opts for time-traveling to the past to save the remote from its fate — and themselves from the heat. Across six episodes, viewers are treated to a lighthearted, comedic adventure that deals with the consequences of trying to change what’s past.
1. The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl (2017)
Directed by Masaaki Yuasa, this anime movie is based on Tomihiko Morimi’s novel of the same name. It’s a romantic comedy that follows two unnamed characters during a lively night out, as the man attempts to confess his feelings to the woman. However, circumstances keep pulling the two apart, as a myriad of new characters and subplots are introduced to the mix, making for an energetic rush of a film. With eccentric art, fast-paced dialogues, and surrealistic animation to tie it all together, The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl is the perfect adventure to escape routine.