Sakuga / Animator's Case Study
Anime
This is a collection of anime that I think is important/useful, or just awe inspiring in terms of its animation. If you are looking to study animation or even just want to appreciate the craft, this stack is for you.
Animator's names of note to pay attention to regarding specific pieces.
Animator's names of note to pay attention to regarding specific pieces.
Down Load: Namu Amida Butsu wa Ai no Uta
Download: Devil's Circuit

OVA, 1992,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:6
character animation is actually off the fkin charts.
Tatsuyuki Tanaka
Kanada
Tatsuyuki Tanaka
Kanada

TV, 2014,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:7
a look inside the world of producing anime. Insightful if you know nothing, but still enjoyable enough if you do.
This entry is not for the animation itself, even though there is some subtle character animation that adds a lot, but rather because it's about animation.
This entry is not for the animation itself, even though there is some subtle character animation that adds a lot, but rather because it's about animation.

Movie, 1984,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
first person pov jumping, it's better than you'd expect.
Tezuka
Tezuka

OVA, 1984,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:6
don't let anyone say older titles can't be animated well. Some insane moments.
Yoshinori Kanada
Yoshinori Kanada

TV, 2016,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:10
Arguably even better than OPM. Hand animation is excellent. Painting on glass parts are genuinely unique.(S2 keeps pushing boundaries, S3 great too). Characters go off model. It's probably the most creative shonen I've seen.
Kameda
Nakamura
Miyo Sato
Kameda
Nakamura
Miyo Sato
Kaguya-hime no Monogatari
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Movie, 2013,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:10
Some of the most striking animated scenes in anime history.

TV, 2014,
11 eps
Me:-
Author:9
Yuasa shows why he got his own studio. The manga panels to flowchart action is very cool and works.
Masaaki Yuasa
Masaaki Yuasa
Little Witch Academia (TV)
Little Witch Academia

TV, 2017,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Bursting with life. Episode 8 in particular is a tour de force. Not only the action though, character animation throughout the series is charming. Watch the movies too.

Movie, 1988,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:6
This movie must've been an absolute nightmare to animate. Forever amazing.

TV, 2015,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:9
god tier work done. Yutaka Nakamura went off in the last ep. (only S1)
Nakamura
Kameda
Nakamura
Kameda
Cowboy Bebop: Tengoku no Tobira
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie

Movie, 2001,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
if you can believe it, cowboy bebop, with even better animation.
Nakamura
Nakamura

Movie, 1995,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
oof, this was great (except the few instance jarring 3D)
Ouritsu Uchuugun: Honneamise no Tsubasa
Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise

Movie, 1987,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:6
Gainax's 1987 flex
Anno
Anno

TV, 2013,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:7
honestly Imaishi (and his crew) are just better. Animation shortcuts used meaningfully and 3D is impactful in all the right ways.
Imaishi
Imaishi
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Gurren Lagann

TV, 2007,
27 eps
Me:-
Author:9
Imaishi really deserved his own studio.
Gake no Ue no Ponyo
Ponyo

Movie, 2008,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
the water fish by themselves deserve a spot.
Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc

TV, 2021,
11 eps
Me:-
Author:7
flashiest fights in the business.
Space☆Dandy
Space Dandy

TV, 2014,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:7
an anthology from awesome animators (S2 is the same if not better).
Bahi JD
Ohira
Bahi JD
Ohira

Movie, 2004,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Imaishi unchained. Preview as to why he got his own studio.
Jiyi Guanli Ju
False Memory

ONA, 2020,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
rough around the edges and absolutely amazing.
Shinseiki Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion

TV, 1995,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:2
explosions and weighty, visceral mechanics, as well as some trippy stuff.
Anno
Mitsuo
Anno
Mitsuo
Stranger: Mukou Hadan
Sword of the Stranger

Movie, 2007,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
Nakamura is why you're here.

Movie, 2007,
7 eps
Me:-
Author:7
an anthology that has some eclectic pieces.
Misaki Yuasa
Tatsuyuki Tanaka
Misaki Yuasa
Tatsuyuki Tanaka
Kanashimi no Belladonna
Belladonna of Sadness

Movie, 1973,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
The animation for the most part is rather static, with a choice on background pans rather than true movement. But when they do get their hands dirty and animate some of their abstract representations in movement will haunt you.

OVA, 2000,
6 eps
Me:-
Author:6
More Imaishi being wild, since my list isn't full, why not have it.