A-1 Pictures is a Japanese animation studio that started in 2005. It has made many anime series, OVAs, and movies. While it may not be as well-known as Mappa, Toei, and Ufotable, A-1 Pictures has built a good reputation for making quality anime.
Some of their anime are targeted at younger audiences, while others are darker and more mature. Most of their anime are based on manga or other source material, but a few are original works. The studio does a great job of bringing anime to life, whether it’s a shonen, a mech series, or a romance story.
Fairy Tail
Fairy Tail is an anime that Harry Potter fans will enjoy. It’s set in a world with magic, evil mages, and magical creatures. The series follows Natsu Dragneel and other members of the Fairy Tail Guild. They have to deal with Zeref, an evil immortal mage, and a powerful dragon named Acnologia.
Fairy Tail is full of action and fun moments. Some fans think the characters could be developed better, but it features strong, well-developed female characters like Lucy Heartfilia and Erza Scarlet. The action scenes are well animated, and there are emotional pay-offs too.
Darling in the Franxx
Darling in the Franxx was created by A-1 Pictures. The story takes place in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to large creatures called klaxosaurs. Adult humans live in high-tech cities, while children, known as parasites, are artificially created. They are trained to pilot mechas called Franxx.
The series is known for its romantic elements, and early mech combat scenes are enjoyable. Overall, Darling in the Franxx is a decent coming-of-age story with some good twists in the second half. The pacing can be quick at times, but it’s not too disruptive. It is one of the anime by A-1 Pictures.
The Seven Deadly Sins
The Seven Deadly Sins is a medieval fantasy series with lots of action. It starts a bit slow but picks up in the second half. The animation is a bit cartoonish, and there’s graphic violence. The story is about love and friendship and has a heartwarming ending.
It follows a group of Holy Knights called the Seven Deadly Sins, led by Meliodas, the son of the Demon King. Each Sin has a unique personality and special powers, and they belong to different races. Together with Princess Elizabeth, they battle the forces of the Demon and Goddess Clans to save the land of Britannia. It is one of the anime by A-1 Pictures.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War
Are you looking for the best anime by A-1 Pictures? Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya are the main characters in the show Kaguya-sama: Love is War. They attend Shuchiin Academy and are both well-respected students. Both Miyuki and Kaguya have feelings for each other but neither wants to admit it first.
So, they try to make the other person confess their true feelings. The series focuses on this love and pride battle, and unlike most modern romantic comedies, Kaguya-sama: Love is War leaves a lasting impression. The supporting characters are all memorable, and the animation and music fit the romance genre perfectly.
Sword Art Online
The Sword Art Online series includes 100 episodes, produced by A-1 Pictures. The first season tells the story of thousands of people trapped in a virtual reality game where dying in the game means dying in real life. The main character, Kirito, becomes one of the best swordsmen in anime history and saves all the survivors after an intense battle.
He also rescues Asuna, who becomes his love interest, from her depraved fiancée. The series has been praised for its exploration of psychological and social themes, and later seasons delve into more serious topics like mortality and trauma. Alongside the emotional moments and character development, the series features well-animated action scenes.
Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling is a popular series created by A-1 Pictures. It’s known for its stunning animation and exciting fight scenes, making it a great choice for fans of power fantasy stories. The series follows the original story closely and features strong character development.
Set in a world where magical dungeons and dangerous creatures appear, Solo Leveling follows the story of Jin-Woo Sung, the weakest of the hunters. After facing a tragic death, Jin-Woo is given a second chance and gains incredible potential. His simple goal of providing for his sister turns into a journey of celestial conflict.
Erased
“Erased” is a story about Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling manga artist who can go back in time a few minutes before a dangerous event happens. He has used this ability to save many people. One day, Satoru is accused of killing his mother, and his consciousness is sent back 18 years.
While there, he tries to prevent a serial killer from harming three of his childhood friends. “Erased” deals with serious topics like abuse, but it’s an engaging story with surprising twists and excellent storytelling. It’s no wonder that “Erased” is considered one of the best thriller anime of the past decade.
Fate/Apocrypha
The Holy Grail War is the main conflict in the Fate franchise. In Fate/Apocrypha, the story takes place in an alternate timeline where two mage clans battle for the Grail. Unlike normal Holy Grail Wars, both factions can summon seven Servants. These Servants are legendary figures from human history.
The fights are well choreographed, and each Servant has their own personality and dream. The human characters also have their own side story that focuses on the meaning of life. This anime is unique because it features Dracula fighting historical figures like Achilles, Atalanta, Karna, the Sun God, and Joan of Arc. It is one of the anime by A-1 Pictures.
Aldnoah.Zero
In an alternate timeline, humanity found an ancient relic on the moon in 1972 that could transport individuals to and from Mars instantly. After Mars is colonized, the Martians discover alien mechs called Aldnoah and declare independence from Earth.
This leads to a war that destroys the moon. A decade-long ceasefire ends when the Martian princess is presumably assassinated, and Mars attacks Earth with the intent of conquering it. Aldnoah.Zero is one of the first mecha anime to incorporate animation and CGI into battle sequences. The story tackles themes such as liberation, oppression, and imperialism. Its premise may not be groundbreaking, but it is certainly an intriguing Sci-Fi series. It is one of the anime by A-1 Pictures.
