This article is part of a directory: Best Anime of All Time || Game Rant’s Official Best Anime Ranking
Table of contents

When it comes to animation, Studio Shaft is a household name. It's one of the more renowned studios, and its signature visual style is widely recognized as a key factor in the success of the series and movies it produces. The studio has delivered a wide variety of fantastic anime to viewers, many of which include their signature "Shaft Head Tilt" finishing technique.

RELATED: When The Villain Becomes The Hero: Monogatari Series' Best Arc

The Monogatari and Madoka Magica interpretations are Shaft's most well-known works. Only the anime adaptations of the Monogatari light novel series will be considered for this ranking; the manga, OVAs, and movies will not. It is worth noting that MyAnimeList.net's rating system was used to determine the order of these shows.

7 Nisemonogatari

Nisemonogatari toothbrush scene (1)

The first on this list is Nisemonogatari, with a score of 8.20 on MyAnimeList.net. Two of Koyomi's siblings, Karen Bee and Tsukihi Phoenix, have storylines that Nisemonogatari explores. Because both names include the character of fire, the two are sometimes referred to as the "Fire Sisters." In this, Kaiki attempts to swindle Karen and Tsukihi out of money.

Using a Flame-Wreathe Bee, he kills her and then steals her cash. Further, Kaiki warns Koyomi that Yotsugi is pursuing Tsukihi before he and his family leave the city. The Nisemonogatari adaptation was released in the fall of 2012. The anime airs for 11 episodes.

6 Bakemonogatari

Koyomi and Shinobu Bakemonogatari Anime vampires

The next on this list is Bakemonogatari, with a score of 8.35. The original series that started it all; in Bakemonogatari, fans watch as the series' protagonists visit Koyomi in the form of ghosts. Hitagi trips and falls down the steps, and Koyomi rescues her just in time to see that everything is not as it seems. As it was, Koyomi had been the victim of a vampire assault, which bestowed upon him magical abilities like rapid recovery and heightened perception.

Now that he's seen the other side of his world, he wants to provide a hand to the protagonists who are struggling. A new version of Bakemonogatari premiered in 2009. The first season of this anime has a total of 15 episodes.

5 Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Madoka, Homura, Mami, and Sayaka and Kyubey from Puella Magi Madoka Magica

With an 8.41 score on MyAnimeList.net, this anime is the most well-known exception to the "watch three episodes before deciding" norm and a game-changer in the Magical Girl genre. Despite Homura's warnings, Madoka makes a pact with a mystical entity called Kyuubey to transform into a magical girl.

RELATED: Best Magical Girl Anime, Ranked

Being a magical girl may seem like the perfect way for Madoka to fulfill her destiny and make a difference in the world, but it has its drawbacks. An adaptation of this anime was released during the 2011–2012 winter season. Further, there are a ton of spinoffs and films in addition to the anime's 12 main episodes.

4 March Comes in Like a Lion

Rei & the Kawamoto sisters - Akari, Hinata, and Momo with a city background

March Comes in Like a Lion has a score of 8.45. The shogi prodigy Rei Kiriyama is the focus of this animated series. Since this gives him a great deal of anxiety, he has resorted to spending his time alone in a small flat. While on her own, Rei encounters Akari, Hinata, and Momo, who quickly become her closest friends.

Rei is able to relate to the females since they have all had difficulties in the past. The 2016-2017 season premiered an adapted version of March Comes in Like a Lion. Anime fans may enjoy all 22 episodes throughout two seasons.

3 Owarimonogatari

Monogatari Owarimonogatari promotional art featuring Ougi Oshino

Owarimonogatari has a score of 8.46. This anime is the comeback of the Monogatari series, and it brings a new character, Ougi Oshino, a new student. At the beginning of the series, Ougi is presented as a female protagonist. Although they are not connected, she presents herself as Meme's niece.

RELATED: Anime That Are Better Than The Manga

There are several plot arcs in Owarimonogatari. The story picks off where Koyomimonogatari left off, with Ougi introduced and the events of the next volume explored. Furthermore, the series provides background information about Koyomi's history prior to Ougi. Their bond severs, and he runs across a strange entity named Kiss-shot, who is also on the hunt for the real Shinobu. For the 2015–16 TV season, the Owarimonogatari adaptation premiered in the autumn. Owarimonogatari is the second and last season and has 12 episodes.

2 Owarimonogatari Second Season

Two perfectly identical women stand apart from one another.

The next on the ranking is owarimonogatari’s second season, with a score of 8.93. Koyomi is featured in the second season of Owarimonogatari after he encountered Izuko. Koyomi and Hitagi, now lost in space and time, visit Ougi and Mayoi in their youth. Mayoi purports to have been to Hell, and Koyomi has to figure out what the heck is going on with a phantom he knows very nothing about.

The Mayoi Hell storyline serves as the series' conclusion. This adaptation of Owarimonogatari: Season 2 premiered in the summertime of 2017. This is the seventh and final season of Owarimonogatari, and it runs for a total of seven episodes.

1 March Comes in Like a Lion Second Season

March Comes In Like A Lion Rei Kiriyama in a shogi match

Finally, season 2 of March Comes in Like a Lion rounds out the lineup. The anime is not only the top-rated in the Shaft franchise but also ranks in the top ten of all anime on MyAnimeList, with a score of 9.04. There has been some improvement in Rei's interpersonal skills since his debut season, but he still has a ways to go.

The Kawamoto sisters have welcomed Rei into their family with open arms and do all they can to help him. Whenever he is not busy with competitions, Rei does his best to repay their kindness. Right now, Rei is trying to improve his shoji playing and find his life's ambition. The second season of this anime premiered in the autumn of 2017. This last season of March Comes in Like a Lion has a total of 22 episodes.

MORE: Best Anime On Crunchyroll