When you see a Studio Bones anime, it’s instantly recognizable. Whether it’s their signature fluid animation, expressive character work, or vibrant aesthetic, there’s an undeniable style and identity to everything they create. Even when adapting manga, Bones puts their stamp on the series—always respectfully—while choosing titles that naturally align with their strengths.
From wildly expressive, colorful worlds like Mob Psycho 100 to the grimy, noir tones of Darker than Black, Bones anime are visually distinct and emotionally impactful. Their character designs stand out, their movement is dynamic, and their direction always enhances the core themes of the story. They in every sense of the word bring these series to life.
Bones is equally respected for their faithful, stylish adaptations—like My Hero Academia and Bungo Stray Dogs—as they are for their bold original projects, such as SK8 the Infinity. They continue to be one of the premier anime studios, with high-quality releases like Gachiakuta, one of the standout titles of the 2025 anime season.
What sets Bones apart isn’t just the genres they tackle—though their range is impressive. They’ve delivered top-tier works across shonen, seinen, shojo, sci-fi, romance, slice of life, action, horror, and more. What truly elevates their work is their understanding of motion, impact, and emotion. Their fight scenes are fluid and thrilling, but they also know how to land the quiet, emotional moments that make a story unforgettable.
Stylish, faithful, thrilling, and iconic—these are the best Studio Bones anime you won’t forget.
Top Studio Bones Anime You Shouldn’t Miss
Darker than Black
In Darker than Black, everything changes after the appearance of Hell’s Gate. People known as Contractors start showing up—cold, powerful, and dangerous. Each one has some strange ability, and most of them are used as tools: assassins, spies, weapons for hire. In the middle of it all is Hei, a masked figure known as BK201, who’s way deadlier than the rest. No one really knows what he wants—but once he shows up, everything gets messier.
Darker than Black is a noir thriller, and it fits Studio Bones perfectly. It’s got action, mystery, and suspense, but what Bones really nails here is the mood. It’s sharp, cold, and heavy—but not emotionless. There’s style and weight to how everything moves, and the fight scenes are just straight-up cool. The tension builds, the animation hits at the right moments, and the characters—especially Hei—bring a kind of quiet intensity that sticks with you. Where Mob Psycho 100 and My Hero Academia show their vividness and more comedic side, Darker than Black shows Bones’ edge—and just how sharp they can be.
Bungo Stray Dogs
Bungo Stray Dogs takes literary legends and reimagines them as superpowered detectives, gang leaders, and assassins in a world full of chaos, eccentric personalities, and supernatural crime. The story centers around Atsushi, who finds himself caught between warring factions after being thrown out of the orphanage. What follows is a dive into a city ruled by yakuza, criminal organizations, and mysterious detective agencies—each with members whose abilities tie back to their namesakes.
There’s everything here from organized crime and the yakuza to full-on supernatural battles, and Bones choreographed it all perfectly. Bungo Stray Dogs has some of the studio’s best action scenes to date. While the series might look like one thing on the surface, it’s something else entirely. The cast is massive and full of strange, eccentric characters—literary references turned up to the extreme. Bones even improved on the character designs in some ways, bringing the manga to life with respect and style. The source material is already great, but this adaptation takes it to another level.
The Case Study of Vanitas
The Case Study of Vanitas is a great example of Bones handling a series with a really specific tone. The gothic setting, layered worldbuilding, and dramatic vibe all carry over perfectly from Jun Mochizuki’s manga. The Paris backdrop looks incredible, and the animation leans into the mood with glowing blues, shadowy interiors, and detailed character designs that stay true to the source.
There’s a lot going on—curses, vampire politics, messed-up backstories—but it never feels rushed or messy. The show takes its time when it needs to and ramps things up when the story calls for it. The music and voice acting help sell the drama without overdoing it. It’s the kind of series where the atmosphere does a lot of the heavy lifting, and Bones just gets that. They made Vanitas feel and look exactly how it should on screen.
Ouran High School Host Club
Ouran High School Host Club is a quirky romantic comedy that follows Haruhi, a scholarship student at an elite school for the ultra-wealthy, who accidentally breaks an $80,000 vase and ends up working for the school’s most exclusive club—while masquerading as a boy. As she gets to know the eccentric members, she starts learning more about herself and the people around her. The characters are all so unique and lovable, and the humor in this series really holds up. It’s fun, sharp, and surprisingly heartfelt as the bonds between them grow.
Studio Bones animated the series beautifully. The color palette pops, the compositions are stylish, and the character designs by Kumiko Takahashi (Cardcaptor Sakura, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn) are fantastic. Even the backgrounds and settings feel thoughtful and detailed. It’s not the kind of show people usually think of when they talk about Bones, but Ouran proves just how versatile the studio really is. It’s easily one of their best when it comes to character-driven storytelling and visual charm.
SK8 the Infinity
SK8 the Infinity is a Studio Bones original anime that first aired in 2021, and it quickly became a cult favorite for its electric energy and style. Directed by Hiroko Utsumi (Banana Fish, Free!) with series composition by Ichiro Ohkouchi (Code Geass, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress) and character designs by Michinori Chiba (Iron-Blooded Orphans, Basilisk), this series had a stacked creative team from the start—and it delivered on every front.
Set against the backdrop of a secret, high-stakes downhill skateboarding race in an abandoned mine, the series dives deep into skate culture with a tone that’s over-the-top, character-driven, and full of heart. It’s bold, a little chaotic, and endlessly fun—exactly the kind of unique original anime that Studio Bones excels at. From its expressive animation to its emotional character arcs and wild sense of momentum, SK8 the Infinity is one of Bones’ most stylish and addictive originals.
Eureka Seven
Eureka Seven is one of the most innovative mecha anime ever released, and the animation is easily one of its strongest points. The story follows Renton Thurston, a boy who wants to trade his boring life at home for something exciting. His dream is to join Gekkostate, a mercenary group he looks up to. One day, a mech crashes into his house, and with it, a mysterious girl who sets everything in motion.
It’s a mecha anime, but it’s also a coming-of-age story at its core. You really get to watch these characters grow—especially Renton—as they try to figure out who they are and where they stand in a world shaped by war and loss. The mech battles and designs are cool, but what really makes this series so impactful is how much heart it has. It’s still one of the most unique sci-fi anime Bones has ever done. (You can also find it on our Best Sci-Fi Anime list.)
Noragami
Noragami is one of the most underrated anime Studio Bones has ever worked on. It introduces Yato, a lesser-known god who’s desperate for recognition. Without worshippers or even a shrine to his name, he takes on odd jobs for five yen apiece in hopes of building a name for himself. Things shift when he meets Hiyori Iki, a girl caught between life and death, setting the story in motion with a strange new bond between them.
The characters in Noragami are all dealing with something—regret, loss, purpose—and the way their relationships evolve over time is what makes the series so good. There are moments of humor, warmth, and heartbreak, and Bones handles the balance really well.
The tone in Noragami shifts between comedy, action, and drama in a way that feels natural, never forced. It can be funny and warm one moment, then hit you with something heavy the next. The fights are clean and snappy, but it’s the emotional moments that leave the biggest impact. Bones nails the pacing and the mood, especially in the more intense supernatural scenes. It’s a grounded, stylish fantasy series with characters you’ll feel invested in.
My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia doesn’t need much of an introduction. It’s one of the most well-known anime in recent years, and easily Studio Bones’ most popular series to date. But its place on this list isn’t just about popularity—it’s here because MHA is a standout example of Bones’ dynamic animation, strong character work, and sharp direction.
While it’s often dismissed by some for being “too mainstream,” that’s a surface-level take that overlooks what the series does well. At its core, My Hero Academia is a shonen anime that embraces its superhero premise but isn’t afraid to dive into darker territory—like human experimentation and moral gray areas. The story continues to evolve, and by Season 5, even the villains are getting fleshed-out backstories that add emotional weight and nuance.
The fights are big, explosive, and beautifully animated—exactly the kind of fast-paced action Studio Bones is known for. And while the series has its bubbly moments, there’s real emotion behind it too. My Hero Academia might be everywhere, but that doesn’t make it any less deserving of a spot on this list. It’s one of Bones’ strongest works, and still going strong.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the most acclaimed anime series of all time and has been adapted twice: the original 2003 version and the 2009 retelling, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. While both have their merits, Brotherhood is the more complete version, with tighter pacing, stronger storytelling, and animation by Studio Bones that still holds up today. Bones also worked on the 2003 adaptation, but Brotherhood sticks closer to the manga and brings the full story to life.
The series follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, two alchemists who suffer a huge loss after trying to bring their mother back using human transmutation. Their search for the Philosopher’s Stone pulls them into something much bigger, as they uncover a string of dark conspiracies that stretch across the world they thought they understood.
Brotherhood mixes in lighthearted moments, but it doesn’t shy away from heavier themes like war, loss, and sacrifice. And Bones nailed the tone completely. The fights are sharp, the world feels alive, and the emotional moments land exactly how they should. There’s a reason people still talk about this one—it’s one of the best anime Studio Bones has ever worked on.
Mob Psycho 100
Mob Psycho 100 is the vibrant and striking adaptation of ONE’s manga—ONE being the creator of One Punch Man. The story follows Shigeo, an awkward but kind-hearted kid with overwhelming psychic powers, and his mentor Reigen, a self-proclaimed “Greatest Psychic of the 21st Century” who is a complete fraud. Their dynamic adds a constant layer of humor that evolves as Shigeo’s real abilities clash with Reigen’s nonsense.
The comedy really hits when Shigeo reaches his emotional breaking points—unleashing uncontrollable psychic energy that Bones animates in wild, creative ways. His personality, his absurd power-ups, the Body Improvement Club—it’s all over-the-top in the best way. And the animation? Studio Bones goes all in here. The color palette is intense, the action is fluid and chaotic, and the character designs are expressive and weird in a way that completely fits the tone of the series. Mob Psycho 100 is Bones at their best—stylistically fearless and full of personality.
Gachiakuta
Gachiakuta is gritty, fast, and full of chaos in the best way—and Bones was the right choice to bring it to life. The series follows Rudo, a kid from the slums who gets framed for a murder he didn’t commit and thrown into the abyss, a massive dump where society tosses its trash and its people. Down there, monsters made from garbage roam, and the only ones fighting back are the Janitors—people who turn scraps into weapons. The worldbuilding here is incredible. Trash beasts, a floating city, underground systems of survival—every part of it feels complex and unique. And Rudo’s story keeps it grounded. He’s angry, hurt, and out for answers, and this drive pushes the whole series forward.
Bones does a great job adapting the energy and feel of the original. The animation is dirty and gritty where it needs to be, with dynamic fights and a heavy atmosphere. The character designs have a sketchy edge to them that works so well here, and the visuals are on point. The emotions hit hard too—there’s always a sense of tension and pain under the surface. Gachiakuta is a perfect fit for the studio’s style, and it’s one of the top anime of 2025.
Learn more about why Gachiakuta is a breakout anime.
Final Thoughts
While we focused on anime series here, there are two films by Bones that absolutely deserve a mention. Sword of the Stranger is a fast, brutal samurai film that still holds up as one of the best original anime movies out there. And Josee, the Tiger and the Fish is a quiet, emotional drama that hits in a totally different way—but just as hard. Both show how much range Bones really has.
Bones is still out here delivering, too. With releases like Gachiakuta, they’ve proven they’re not slowing down anytime soon. Whether it’s an original series or a big adaptation, they know how to bring out the best in every story and give it that signature Bones feel.
If there’s one thing that ties all of these together, it’s that the studio can be felt in every frame. The movement, the style, the emotion—it’s in every single one. Bones knows how to make anime that are unforgettable. From the loud and chaotic to the quiet and emotional, they bring it all to life in a way no one else does.
And if you’re keeping an eye on what Bones is doing right now, Gachiakuta is one of the best new series to debut in recent years. You can find it—and more like it—on our Best Anime of 2025 list.
