Studio Trigger is a Japanese animation studio that was founded in 2011 by Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Ōtsuka; Both individuals were veterans in the anime community who had a lengthy history with the Gainax animation studio responsible for working on Neon Genesis Evangelion. After the success of Gurren Lagann, Hiroyuki founded Studio Trigger to create more series with styles similar to the series and more comical series.
Since its creation, Studio Trigger has been responsible for some of the most beloved anime in the community that are celebrated by fans all over the world. Highly considered as a spiritual successor to Gainax before the company changed management, for over a decade, Studio Trigger has developed a successful catalog of works and even worked on third-party intellectual properties such as Star Wars: Visions and Inferno Cop. Here are some of the best anime by Studio Trigger.
10 Space Patrol Luluco
Space Patrol Luluco is a whacky and exciting series that mixes sci-fi elements with the magical girl troupe. Luluco was just starting her new school year when her father becomes frozen, and she accidentally freezes him.
Luluco obtains the help of the Space Patrol, whom her father works for, to fix him; this thrusts Luluco on a journey to become a secret agent of the Space Patrol to catch criminal acts inside her school. Aliens, monsters, and diabolical villains become an everyday occurrence for Luluco, who just wants to be a normal girl.
9 When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace
Andou Kurai is a simple school student who is a member of the literature club with a small, tight-knit friend group. Things become complicated when the entire club is bestowed with supernatural powers.
While his classmates seem to have been gifted with more useful abilities, such as time control and healing, Andou considers his newfound power to be lacking in versatility. Andou possesses the ability to summon black flames; he finds it difficult to find a use for his new ability, but as the days go on, the adventures of the literature club grow stranger and stranger.
8 SSS. Dynazenon
Set as a direct sequel to SSS. Gridman, SSS. Dynazenon introduces a new cast of characters and a new impending threat to the world where Kajiju has begun rampaging once again. Yomogi Asanaka has spent most of his life as an average school student until he encounters a man who calls himself a Kaiju user.
This chance encounter sets Yomogi on a new path where he and four other strangers are pulled into the war against the Kaiju and must work together and form the fighting robot, Dynazenon.
7 SSS.Gridman
Yuuta wakes up without his memories in a place he doesn't recognize. Before he can get his bearings, he is drawn out by something calling his name; to Yuuta's surprise, he's introduced to a robot built for the purpose of fending off the monsters that now inhabit the city.
Yuuta learns to join with Gridman and take on the monsters and is joined by his classmates Rikka and Shou, who help him gain better control of Gridman. Yuuta hopes to regain his lost memories and put an end to the monster's invasion, one victory at a time.
6 Kiznaiver
Agata Katsushira is an average high school student with one underlining issue; he can't feel pain. Falling, being struck, and being harassed by bullies barely make Agata feel anything, making him a very melancholy and indifferent individual.
Things get interesting when Agata, his best friend, and several other teenagers are inducted into a special experiment by the Kizuna System. The Kiznaiver test links the test subjects to each other, allowing them to feel each other's pain; in hopes of securing world peace, this experiment uses pain to earn compassion through experience. Agata must adapt or become a soulless shell of a human being.
5 Darling In The Franxx
One of the most controversial anime from Studio Trigger, Darling in the Franxx is set on a post-apocalyptic earth where giant monsters called Klaxosaurs have forced humankind to live in domed cities. Out of fear of their power, teenagers are drafted and trained to become Franxx pilots, giant robots that need two partners in order to operate.
Hiro is on the verge of washing out of pilot training as he is incompatible with all of his female pilots. But to his surprise, Zero Two appears and upsets his sense of balance. Zero Two is known for killing all her partners in battle, which foreshadows a dire fate for Hiro as, for the first time, he can pilot a Franxx as long as he rides with Zero Two. Hiro must risk his life to be of use to the world and must prepare himself for the consequences quickly approaching.
4 BNA
The world has been split in two since Beastmen appeared; humans immediately rejected living among human-animal hybrids, and now the Beastmen reside in their own community called Anima City. Michiru finds herself in a precarious situation when she goes to bed as a human but wakes up with a fluffy tail and cute tanuki ears.
In a panic, Michiru flees her home and seeks refuge in Anima City in hopes of figuring out what has happened to her. Along the way, Michiru becomes involved in a dangerous plot against the Beastmen and accompanies Shirou, the protector of the Beastmen, on an investigation that may aid both of them in their goals.
3 Cyberpunk Edgerunners
Cyberpunk Edrunners takes place in the massive world of the popular videogame, Cyberpunk 2077. The story follows David Martinez, an out-of-luck teen who loses everything after his mother's death in a tragic car accident. But David's story is a dime a dozen in Night City, and no one is going to pity him.
David decides to take his fate into his own hands and modifies his body with a special type of Cyberware that gives him an edge. David's decision forever changes his path as he ends up as a member of a mercenary team and takes on Night City head-on; unfortunately, Night City is unforgiving, and David has some hard truths he must accept.
2 Little Witch Academia
Atsuko is dedicated to becoming a witch and joins the most prestigious magical academy in the world, Luna Nova, in hopes of living up to her idol, Shiny Chariot. Unfortunately for Atsuko, she does not come from a magical family and possesses no magical properties herself, and she immediately struggles in her education.
Atsuko's journey does not take off the way she thought; she must show fearsome dedication or quickly be left behind by the rest of her classmates unless she finds a way to advance herself and promptly.
1 Kill La Kill
Kill La Kill is one of Studio Trigger's most successful and most popular anime. Ryuuko Matoi is on a mission of vengeance, searching for the person responsible for murdering her father. She carries with her half of the scissor blade, created by her father, and knows that when she finds the other half, she will also find his killer.
Ryuuko's travels find her enrolled in Honnouji Academy, a harsh and tension-filled high school ruled by the pretentious School Council, who rule with strength and power. Ryuuko must fight her way to the top and reach the Council's president in hopes of finding answers and claiming her revenge.