In many ways, P.A. Works is still a relatively new anime studio, forming in the year 2000 after its still-current president, Kenji Horikawa, founded his own company following his work at Tatsunoko Production, Production I.G and Bee Train Production. However, it wasn’t until 2008 that P.A. Works released its first own title. Since then, the studio has consistently released at least one (but frequently more) anime series each year.
From its early days to what’s currently airing in 2021, here are five of P.A. Works’ top titles so far and what exactly makes them stand out from the rest of the studio’s productions.
Angel Beats (2010)
Although a rather divisive show, Angel Beats is without a doubt an extremely iconic one. The story begins when Yuzuru Otonashi wakes up in the afterlife, unable to remember his life before that point, and is approached by Yuri Nakamura, a girl who invites him to become part of the Afterlife Battlefront. This organization exists to rebel against an unseen God and to fight Angel, the supernaturally-powered student council president and supposedly God’s associate.
While some viewers have labeled the series as being uneven or rushed in terms of pacing, overly melodramatic in delivery and perhaps worst of all, fanservice-laden and pandering, Angel Beats also feels incredibly heartfelt. Its frequent comedic moments mask the fact that behind every wacky persona is someone who went through a life of pain and suffering for one reason or another, and is now taking this opportunity to live in a way they were unable to previously. As a result, it’s one of those rare titles that has viewers laughing hysterically one minute and reaching for the tissue box the next. Complete with a fantastic soundtrack, Angel Beats will likely be remembered for many more years to come.
Another (2012)
While these days, anime based on light novels are a dime a dozen, anime based on full-length novels are much fewer and further between. One for the horror fans, Another is about a student, Kouichi Sakakibara, who transfers into a new school. In his class is the mysterious Mei Misaki, who is being shunned by not only the rest of their classmates but even the teacher. However, the class is soon struck by one gruesome death after another, as it turns out they’re under some kind of curse that has befallen class 3-3 every year since 1972.
Where this series truly excels is in its suspenseful, slow-burn buildup that encourages viewers to openly speculate on which character will die next and in what grisly way. In Final Destination-like manner, the cast is picked off one by one, with Kouichi and Mei attempting to discover how to break the curse. Not a show for the faint of heart, and wonderfully complemented by its dramatic art style and eerie soundtrack, Another is a highly atmospheric piece that’s still one of the best horror/mystery anime titles to date.
The Eccentric Family (2013)
Almost the polar opposite of Another despite likewise being based on a literary novel, The Eccentric Family/Uchouten Kazoku is practically bursting at the seams with life and energy. A comedy-drama with a heavy dose of magical realism, the series is set in modern-day Kyoto, where a family of shape-shifting tanuki navigate a life between the realm of the humans as well as that of the sky-ruling tengu.
The show certainly hints at some dark themes -- after all, main character Yasaburou Shimogamo and his fellow tanuki live in fear of literally being made into an annual hotpot like Yasaburou’s father. However, on the whole, Eccentric Family sets a mood of upbeat exuberance, aided by its many larger-than-life characters and imaginatively detailed setting. For anime fans who are after something extremely creative and with a sense of lively nostalgia -- to say nothing of its truly excellent OP -- Eccentric Family is an absolute must-watch.
Shirobako (2014)
While the majority of P.A. Works shows contain some form of magic or at least a touch of the supernatural, Shirobako stands out as a slice-of-life comedy/drama about a group of young women doing their best to make a living, while also keeping their high school dream of creating their own mainstream anime alive. Now, they’re learning that the path to success is incredibly difficult and at times disappointing even when they do ‘make it’ within their chosen industry.
If this all sounds a bit cynical and depressing, worry not -- Shirobako has the capacity to become a pessimistic look at the dreams of youth being crushed callously underfoot, but above all, it’s an anime that celebrates tenacity and inspiration. After all, the journey to success is only really satisfying when there are obstacles to overcome along the way. While at times disheartening, Shirobako is no tragedy, and its conclusion is sure to satisfy viewers who likewise have a passion for creating art, no matter what form that might take.
The Aquatope on White Sand (2021)
Given that The Aquatope on White Sand/Shiroi Suna no Aquatope is, as of this writing, not yet finished airing, it may seem odd to include on this list, especially for viewers who are of the mindset that an anime is only ever as good as its conclusion. However, the series has certainly proven that it has what it takes to be one of the best P.A. Works titles thus far, in particular thanks to its mid-season twist.
The show is about two young women -- one an ex-idol, the other a high school student and interim director of an aging rural aquarium on Okinawa -- who serendipitously meet and work to try and save said aquarium from financial doom. Incorporating a mysterious local deity and special visions granted seemingly by the aquarium itself, Aquatope could be said to take a number of tropes and themes from previous P.A. Works productions and tie them together into a highly polished whole. What the series may lack in originality, it more than makes up for in its almost effortless storytelling, laudable human realism and strong production values -- and so far at least, the anime shows no sign of foundering.
