Fewanime studioshave shaped the industry like Production I.G.. Whether it’s breathtaking sci-fi, intensepsychological thrillers, or pulse-pounding sports anime, this studio has delivered some of the most unforgettable experiences in anime history.
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Founded in 1987, Production I.G. has built a legacy on technical brilliance and storytelling that stays with you long after the credits roll. Their projects aren’t just visually stunning, they challenge ideas, break genre conventions, and capture the raw emotion behind every story. This list highlights the 6 best anime by Production I.G.
6Moriarty The Patriot
Sherlock Isn’t the Only Genius in Town
Moriarty the Patriot
Instead of presenting Moriarty as a one-note villain, this series flips the lens, what if he wasn’t just a criminal mastermind, but a manfightingagainst systemic injustice?
Aired in two parts between 2020 and 2021, Moriarty the Patriot delivers an alternate take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s legacy. The story follows William James Moriarty, a mathematics professor with a dark secret, he’s leading a campaign to tear down the corrupt British aristocracy from within.
What makes this anime a standout among Production I.G.’s catalogue is its atmosphere. With rich, gaslit visuals and tension-driven storytelling, the show leans heavily into psychological duels. Sherlock Holmes arrives mid-season, not as the lead, but as a wildcard whose intelligence both threatens and fascinates Moriarty.
The anime covers the key arcs from the manga, including the “Noahtic” and “Jack the Ripper” cases, but with a slower, more methodical pacing. Every move Moriarty makes feels deliberate, like a chess piece placed on a rigged board.
An English dub is available, produced by Funimation, which makes it accessible for a wider audience.
5Kuroko’s Basketball
The Phantom Sixth Man With No Presence, And All the Skill
Kuroko’s Basketball
Back in 2012, when sports anime were still fighting for global attention, Kuroko’s Basketball showed up and changed the court.
Instead of focusing on one ace protagonist, this anime introduced us to Tetsuya Kuroko, a player so unnoticeable, he weaponizes it. Paired with Kagami Taiga, a power forward with raw potential, the duo sets out to challenge the legendary “Generation of Miracles,” Kuroko’s former teammates from Teiko Middle School.
Production I.G. poured energy into the animation. Fast cuts, precision movement, and exaggerated physics turn every match into a spectacle. The series spans three seasons (2012–2015), culminating in Kuroko’s Basketball: Last Game, a movie that adapts the Extra Game arc where Team Vorpal Swords goes up against the American streetball team, Jabberwock.
There’s a full English dub produced by Bang Zoom! Entertainment, and Netflix hosts both subbed and dubbed versions globally, giving new fans an easy entry point into this beloved franchise.
Unlike other sports anime that center on tournaments alone, Kuroko’s Basketball also dives into personal rivalries, past trauma, and the philosophy of teamwork versus individuality.
4Psycho-Pass
The Future Is Watching You
Psycho-Pass
Set in a dystopian Japan where a person’s potential for criminality can be measured and acted upon before they commit a crime, Psycho-Pass isn’t just sci-fi, it’s a conversation about free will, surveillance, and justice.
Premiering in 2012, the original season was directed by Death Note’s Naoyoshi Shiotani and written by Gen Urobuchi (Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Fate/Zero), and it shows. The story follows Akane Tsunemori, a rookie Inspector learning to navigate a system that labels people by their “Psycho-Pass,” a number that determines how dangerous they are to society.
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Kogami Shinya, a former Inspector turned Enforcer, quickly becomes her focal point. Their dynamic becomes the heart of the show, especially as they deal with the philosophical threat posed by Shogo Makishima, a villain immune to the system.
The series has multiple sequels, Psycho-Pass 2, Psycho-Pass: Sinners of the System (a movie trilogy), and Psycho-Pass 3, all expanding the world and introducing new Inspectors. The 2019 film Psycho-Pass 3: First Inspector concludes the third season’s storyline.
The dub, produced by Funimation, was praised for solid performances, especially Robert McCollum as Kogami and Kate Oxley as Akane.
3Haikyuu!!
Little Giant Dreams
Few anime capture the pure adrenaline of competition like Haikyuu!!. But what keeps fans coming back isn’t just the volleyball, it’s the heart behind every jump, dive, and spike.
Debuting in 2014, this series follows Shoyo Hinata, a short but passionate player who idolizes the legendary “Little Giant.” After losing his first real match to setter Tobio Kageyama, fate places them on the same team at Karasuno High. What starts as rivalry turns into one of the most compelling duos in sports anime history.
Production I.G. took care to animate not just the action, but the emotion behind it.Matches are visually fluid, but more importantly, each character, even those from rivalschools, gets fleshed out. Whether it’s Nekoma’s strategic playstyle or Aoba Johsai’s overwhelming pressure, no team feels like a narrative afterthought.
The anime spans four seasons, with the latest titled Haikyuu!! To the Top, split across 2020. As of 2024, the anime’s final arc is being adapted into a two-part film: Haikyuu!! The Dumpster Battle released first in Japan to rave reviews.
It’s Not Just Football, It’s a Career Path
You don’t often see anime that accurately depict the grind behind becoming a pro athlete. Ao Ashi does exactly that, and does it without sugarcoating a thing.
Released in 2022, this newer addition to Production I.G.’s sports lineup follows Ashito Aoi, a talented but raw forward from a small coastal town in Ehime. After a chance encounter with a scout from Tokyo City Esperion, Ashito earns a shot at joining their youth academy.
But Ao Ashi isn’t about flashy moves or over-the-top rivalries. It’s about tactics, formations, positional awareness, and the reality that talent means nothing if you can’t adapt. Coach Fukuda, himself a former national-level player, serves as both mentor and mirror, pushing Ashito to transform from a selfish attacker into a visionary fullback.
The anime adapts the manga by Yugo Kobayashi, which has earned critical acclaim in Japan for its realism and attention to detail. Fans of Blue Lock might find this series more grounded, focusing less on ego and more on development.
1Ghost in the Shell
She’s More Than Just a Shell
Ghost in the Shell
Before anime was mainstream in the West, before streaming platforms existed, Ghost in the Shell was already rewriting what people thought anime could be.
Released in 1995, this film directed by Mamoru Oshii became a global phenomenon. It tells the story of Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cybernetic officer working for Section 9, as she hunts down a hacker known as the Puppet Master. But the real story isn’t about the chase, it’s about identity, consciousness, and what it means to be alive when your body is a machine.
Production I.G. crafted this world with haunting beauty. Neon cityscapes, solemn quiet moments, and philosophical dialogue define the film. It went on to influence everything from The Matrix to Ex Machina. The film even got a full English dub just a year later, long before most anime saw global release.
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