Japanese animations have rapidly become more famous worldwide, and who has created the finest anime? There are a large number of small and huge anime studios worth noting now. A young and talented anime studio CloverWorks should be recognized by anyone with an interest in modern anime.
CloverWorks was established in 2018 as an individual branding given independence from the famous A-1 Pictures. CloverWorks has created and released lots of hit anime series and movies, which anime fans around the globe have become fascinated with since then.
Today, I’d like to give you an introduction to 15 best CloverWorks anime series and movies that you should watch right now.
(Photo on top: ©ダーリン・イン・ザ・フランキス製作委員会/©2018 鴨志田 一／ＫＡＤＯＫＡＷＡ アスキー・メディアワークス／青ブタ Project/©WEP PROJECT)
CloverWorks
CloverWorks is an anime production studio that was formerly known as the Koenji Studio under A-1 Pictures. On April 2018, the Koenji Studio rebranded itself as CloverWorks. Each of four leaves of the clover in its logo presents Aniplex, its parent company, A-1 Pictures, CloverWorks itself and the audience according to the official website.
Anime fans and experts should be familiar with anime studios. Knowing which studio produced your favorite anime can enha[…]
This studio has been responsible for the animation production of several renowned anime series including The Idolmaster series, Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend, Your Lie in April, Vividred Operation, Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, and The Anthem of the Heart. With its rebranding, CloverWorks has further established itself as a distinct brand within the anime industry.
15. Fate/Grand Order – Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia
Fate/Grand Order – Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia (Fate/Grand Order -絶対魔獣戦線バビロニア-) is the first anime series of the popular franchise Fate/Grand Order airing from 2019 to 2020, which followed two one-shot anime First Order (2016) and Moonlight/Lostroom (2017).
Fate/Grand Order – Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia is adapted from the role playing game Fate/Grand Order by CloverWorks, staring with the episode 0 at the end of 2019. After 21 episodes in the anime series, the sequel anime movie Fate/Grand Order Final Singularity – Grand Temple of Time: Solomon (Fate/Grand Order -終局特異点 冠位時間神殿ソロモン-) was released in 2021.
Recommendation: ★★★☆☆
Aired: 2019-2020
Episodes: 21
▽Check Fate/Grand Order – Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia Blu-ray Box Set on Amazon.com below!▽
14. Persona 5: The Animation
Persona 5: The Animation (ペルソナ5) is a recent part of Persona Series, which is also known as Shin Megami Tensei: Persona, adapted from the original video game Persona 5 by CloverWorks in 2018. It was preceded by the animation The Day Breakers in 2016, which was created by A-1 Pictures.
Persona 5: The Animation is set in a high school in Tokyo, centering on a second-grade high schooler named Ren Amamiya. The story proceeds when he is transported to an Iselai world and awakens his first Persona called Arsène.
Recommendation: ★★★☆☆
Aired: 2018
Episodes: 26
▽Check Persona 5: The Animation Blu-ray Box Set on Amazon.com below!▽
▽Check Persona 4: The Animation on Amazon.com below!▽
13. The Promised Neverland
The Promised Neverland (約束のネバーランド) is a popular dark-fantasy manga and anime series. The manga series was serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump between 2016 and 2020, made into the anime adaptation consisting of the two seasons in 2019 and 2021.
The Promised Neverland centers on three 11-year-old orphans Emma, Norman and Ray, who live in a orphan home called Grace Field House, set in 2045. They decide to get out of the house with other children for a astonishing reason.
Recommendation: ★★★☆☆
Aired: 2019 (Season 1)/2021 (Season 2)
Episodes: 12 (Season 1)/11 (Season 2)
▽Check The Promised Neverland Blu-ray on Amazon.com below!▽
12. Fairy Tail Final Series
Fairy Tail Final Series, the last part of the three seasons of the famous adventure series Fairy Tail, was created by CloverWorks following the first season with 175 episodes and the second season with 102 episodes.
Fairy Tail focuses on the adventure of the most powerful guild called Fairy Tail consisting of a young wizard Lucy Heartfilia, a Dragon Slayer wizard Natsu Dragneel amd his partner pet Happy. After Fairy Tail is dissolved, the three characters sets off on a trip in search of other guild members again in Fairy Tail Final Series.
Recommendation: ★★★★☆
Aired: 2018-2019
Episodes: 51
▽Check Fairy Tail Final Series on Amazon.com below!▽
11. Horimiya
One of the most popular recent high school romantic comedy anime produced by CloverWorks is Horimiya (ホリミヤ). Originally, Horimiya was a manga with Hero as the writer and Daisuke Hagiwara as the illustrator, serialized from 2011 to 2021. Going even further back, Hero published a manga titled Hori-san to Miyamura-kun (堀さんと宮村くん) between 2007 and 2008. This Hori-san to Miyamura-kun was first adapted into an OVA in 2012, but CloverWorks wasn’t involved in its production. The anime adaptation released in 2021 was produced by CloverWorks, and it garnered significant attention. While the story concluded in its initial 13 episodes, the second season, Horimiya: The Missing Pieces (ホリミヤ -piece-), aired in 2023, covering manga episodes that the first season didn’t fully address.
Horimiya revolves around the unlikely friendship and blossoming romance between Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura. Outside of school, the ever-popular Hori is a family-oriented girl who looks after her younger brother, while Miyamura, perceived as gloomy and bookish, hides multiple piercings and tattoos, signifying a rebellious past. Their chance outside-of-school encounter breaks their preconceived notions of each other, leading to a deep, shared secret bond. As they grow closer, their relationship takes them through various high school experiences, shedding light on themes of identity, friendship, and love.
Recommendation: ★★★★☆
Aired: 2021 (Season 1)/2023 (Season 2)
Episodes: 13 (Season 1)/TBA (Season 2)
▽Check Horimiya on Amazon.com below!▽
10. Slow Start
Slow Start (スロウスタート) is a modern slice-of-life anime series, airing with 12 episodes in 2018. This early fine work by CloverWorks was made, based on the original manga written by Yuiko Tokumi since 2013.
Slow Start is set in a Japanese countryside Karuizawa, following a 17-year-old girl Hana Ichinose, who starts her high school life after repeating the third grade in the middle school. It depicts the peaceful relationships between her and her classmates Eiko Tokura, Tamate Momochi and Kamuri Sengoku.
Recommendation: ★★★★☆
Aired: 2018
Episodes: 12
9. Saekano the Movie: Finale
Saekano the Movie: Finale (冴えない彼女の育てかた Fine) is a romantic comedy anime movie released in 2019, following the anime series Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend airing in 2015 and 2017. The anime film and series are based on the same-titled light novel, written by Fumiaki Maruto and illustrated by Kurehito Misaki, published between 2012 and 2019.
Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend focuses on an Otaku (geeky) high school boy Aki Tomoya Aki, who forms a game developing named team Blessing Software with his classmate Megumi Kato, a designer Eriri Spencer Sawamura and a writer Utaha Kasumigaoka. Saekano the Movie: Finale depicts the process of making their new game and their changing relationships.
Recommendation: ★★★★☆
Aired: 2019
Episodes: 1
▽Check Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend Season 1 on Amazon.com below!▽
▽Check Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend Season 2 on Amazon.com below!▽
8. Darling in the Franxx
Darling in the Franxx (ダーリン・イン・ザ・フランキス) is one of the most popular CloverWorks anime series, partly made under the name of its predecessor A-1 Pictures. It’s also cooperated with a Japanese anime studio Studio Trigger, which is famous for the classic mecha action anime Kill la Kill.
Darling in the Franxx is set in a deserted world which is threatened by enormous monsters called klaxosaurs. Human beings counter the klaxosaurs with newly developed humanoid robots called Franxxm, which is piloted by artificially-controlled children called parasites. Darling in the Franxx centers on a young boy named Hiro with the Code:016, a heroine Zero Two with the Code:002 and other parasites that battle against the klaxosaurs piloting the two-seated giant mecha.
Recommendation: ★★★★☆
Aired: 2018
Episodes: 24
▽Check Darling in the Franxx on Amazon.com below!▽
7. My Dress-Up Darling
Amidst a plethora of romantic comedy anime released in recent years, My Dress-Up Darling (その着せ替え人形は恋をする), abbreviated as Kisekoi in Japanese, stands out as one of the most acclaimed titles of the early 2020s. The series intriguingly juxtaposes the traditional art of doll-making with modern pop culture’s cosplay, presenting two diametrically opposed facets of Japanese culture. Based on Shinichi Fukuda’s manga, which has been serialized in Young Gangan since 2018, the anime adaptation was masterfully crafted by CloverWorks. Owing to its widespread popularity and acclaim, a second season of the series is already in the works.
Wakana Gojo, a high school student with a passion for traditional hina doll craftsmanship, dreams of following in his grandfather’s footsteps in the craft. However, his solitary life takes a turn when the popular Marin Kitagawa discovers his doll-making skills and enlists his help in creating intricate cosplay costumes. As Gojo delves into the world of cosplay with Marin, the two form an unlikely bond, navigating the challenges of their contrasting passions. Their growing relationship and shared experiences offer a heartfelt exploration of identity, self-expression, and the meeting of traditional and modern cultures.
Recommendation: ★★★★☆
Aired: 2022 (Season 1)/TBA (Season 2)
Episodes: 12 (Season 1)/TBA (Season 2)
The hottest rom-com anime My Dress-Up Darling (その着せ替え人形は恋をする) just finished with the first season in March, 2022. This m[…]
▽Check My Dress-Up Darling on Amazon.com below!▽
6. Akebi’s Sailor Uniform
Set against the backdrop of idyllic rural landscapes, Akebi’s Sailor Uniform (明日ちゃんのセーラー服) delicately portrays the emotions and daily life of young girls. While it might not boast global acclaim, it is a series I’d personally champion. Interestingly, this anime aired in the Winter 2022 season, coinciding with My Dress-Up Darling. Though Akebi’s Sailor Uniform falls under slice-of-life, and My Dress-Up Darling is more of a rom-com, the two shows share notable similarities. Both feature clothing as a significant theme and are anchored by compelling female characters. The series is based on Hiro’s manga, which has been serialized on the Tonari no Young Jump website since 2016.
Akebi’s Sailor Uniform centers around Komichi Akebi, a young girl entering her first year at a rural middle school. Unlike her peers, Akebi dons a sailor uniform, inspired by her mother’s past stories. The anime beautifully captures the nuances of everyday life in the countryside, emphasizing Akebi’s journey of forming friendships and navigating adolescence. As she meets diverse classmates, each with unique backgrounds and stories, the series delves into the themes of self-expression, the significance of uniforms, and the bittersweet moments of growing up.
Recommendation: ★★★★★
Aired: 2022 (Season 1)
Episodes: 12 (Season 1)
▶︎▷▶︎▷Watch Akebi’s Sailor Uniform on Amazon Prime Video https://amzn.to/3PpxczF
5. Wonder Egg Priority
Wonder Egg Priority (ワンダーエッグ・プライオリティ) is a modern fantasy and psychological thriller anime series, originally produced by CloverWorks with a famous writer Shinji Nojima. The anime series aired with 12 episodes, followed by another episode in 2021. Wonder Egg Priority contains some serious social problems, especially school bullying of teenagers.
A middle school girl named Ai Ohto, who is not attending school for the suicide of her friend Koito Nagase, finds a strange egg called Wonder Egg. She is transported to another world by the Wonder Egg and fights against Wonder Killers. In addition to her, Wonder Egg Priority also focuses on other 14-year-old girls including Neiru Aonuma, Rika Kawai and Momoe Sawaki, who hold serious personal problems.
Recommendation: ★★★★★
Aired: 2021
Episodes: 13
4. Her Blue Sky
Her Blue Sky (空の青さを知る人よ) is one of the masterpiece anime movies created by CloverWorks with a renowned director Tatsuyuki Nagai and other creators of Super Peace Busters, who are also famous for the popular anime series Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day in 2011.
The fantasy and drama anime is set in Chichibu, a Japanese countryside near Tokyo, revolving around a high school girl Aoi Aioi and her older sister Akane Aioi. One day, Aoi meets a high schooler named Shinnosuke Kanamuro, who is the ex-boyfriend of Akane over 10 years ago and is supposed to be 31 years old.
Recommendation: ★★★★★
Aired: 2019
Episodes: 1
▽Check Her Blue Sky Blu-ray on Amazon.com below!▽
3. Spy × Family
Every year, an anime emerges that becomes emblematic of that year. Spy × Family, which began in 2022, achieved this distinction by becoming a massive hit. The highly popular original manga series, penned by Tatsuya Endo, has been serialized in Shonen Jump+ since 2019. The genre blends the thrilling world of spies with comedic elements, offering an action-comedy experience. The first season aired in 2022, spanning 25 episodes, and is set to be followed by a second season in 2023. Furthermore, December 2023 will see the release of an anime film titled Spy × Family Code: White, featuring an entirely new story. CloverWorks is responsible for producing all the animation for the series.
Spy × Family follows Twilight, a top spy who undertakes a challenging mission: to infiltrate an elite school to get close to a target. The catch? He needs a family to do so. Quickly, he adopts a telepathic girl named Anya and marries an assassin named Yor, without any of them knowing the others’ true professions. As they play-act their roles, the trio ends up forming genuine bonds, navigating both covert operations and the challenges of family life, all while comedic misunderstandings ensue. Could any studio other than CloverWorks have recreated such a lovely Anya?
Recommendation: ★★★★☆
Aired: 2022 (Season 1)/2023 (Season 2)
Episodes: 25 (Season 1)/TBA (Season 2)
Released: 2023 (Spy × Family Code: White)
What is the best anime of 2022 for you so far? Many anime fans will say Spy x Family, the new iconic anime following the[…]
▽Check Spy × Family on Amazon.com below!▽
2. Bocchi the Rock!
Bocchi the Rock! (ぼっち・ざ・ろっく!) could arguably be considered one of CloverWorks’ greatest masterpieces. This slice-of-life comedy anime focuses on high school girls forming a band. The protagonist, Bocchi, ignited a trend where fans began purchasing and learning to play the guitar she uses in the series. Originally, the story was a 4-panel manga by Aki Hamaji, serialized in Manga Time Kirara Max since 2018. The anime aired from October to December in 2022 for 12 episodes, rapidly gaining popularity. A compilation film is scheduled for release in the spring of 2024.
The protagonist, Hitori Goto, is a severely shy girl with communication issues. In the online world, she’s a bit renowned as the guitarist Guitar Hero, but in reality, throughout middle and high school, she hasn’t managed to make even one friend. She’s lovingly nicknamed Bocchi, which mocks her loner status (but in this anime, it’s used as an endearing title). About a month into her high school life, she’s approached by Nijika Ijichi, who was searching for a guitarist for her high school band called Kessoku Band. Somewhat forcibly, Hitori becomes a band member. Through the band, she befriends other members, Ryo Yamada and Ikuyo Kita, and they grow closer. A highlight of the anime is the reserved Hitori displaying her extraordinary guitar skills during critical live performances, making viewers’ hearts race.
Each episode offers laughs and heartwarming moments, with in-show music that deeply resonates with viewers. Above all, the anime skillfully portrays Bocchi’s struggle to fit into society, her journey to find her place, and the nuanced reality that people don’t change easily.
Recommendation: ★★★★★
Aired: 2022
Episodes: 12
1. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (青春ブタ野郎はバニーガール先輩の夢を見ない) is the best anime series created by CloverWorks, adapted from the original light novel series written by Hajime Kamoshida, illustrated by Keiji Mizoguchi and published since 2014. The anime series began with 13 episodes in 2018 and the sequel anime movie Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl (青春ブタ野郎はゆめみる少女の夢を見ない) was released in 2019.
In 2023, two anime movies released as further sequels. They are Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out (青春ブタ野郎はおでかけシスターの夢を見ない) and Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid (青春ブタ野郎はランドセルガールの夢を見ない). Each film is an adaptation of the 8th and 9th volumes of the original light novel series, respectively.
The fantasy drama anime series is set in a seaside town in Shonan, inspired by many real-life locations in Kanagawa Prefecture. The story begins when a second-grade high schooler Sakuta Azusagawa sees a third-grade high school girl Mai Sakurajima, who is invisible to others. He comes to meet several girls who have personal problems called Adolescence Syndrome.
Recommendation: ★★★★★
Aired: 2018
Episodes: 13
Released: 2019 (Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl)/2023 (Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid)
▽Check Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai Blu-ray on Amazon.com below!▽
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