Latest in 2026] Kyoto Animation - List of Popular Anime by Age! Which anime is related to Kyoto?

Do you know "Kyoto Animation" which has produced many popular works?

Kyoto Animation is located in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, and is an animation production company known by the name Kyoani.

The area is also home to Nogi Shrine and Fushimi-Momoyama Castle, and many people make a pilgrimage to Kyoani after visiting the sacred sites of anime....

Therefore, we would like to introduce the history and details of Kyoto Animation, as well as a list of famous works and animations by decade.

 

What is Kyoto Animation (Kyo-ani)?

Kyoto Animation is located in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture.

Kyoto Animation is one of Japan's leading studios, producing works with a high level of visuals and stories, such as "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

The company produces Japanese animation, planning and producing animation for television and theater, as well as cooperating in the production of other companies' works.

With the spread of Internet distribution, the popularity of animation has spread around the world, and the name Kyoto Animation has become known around the world.

Since its establishment on July 12, 1985, the company has been involved in animation production, merchandise planning and sales, and has produced many animations.

 

■History of Kyoto Animation (Kyo-ani)

The founder of Kyoto Animation is Yoko Hatta.

She studied under Osamu Tezuka, an animator, through his brother, Taku Sugiyama.

He then moved to Kyoto Prefecture after gaining experience and knowledge at the former Insect Productions.

He later married Hideaki Hatta, a railroad worker, and they raised three children in Uji City, while also opening an animation production school.

And the origin of Kyoto Animation was the start of Tatsunoko Productions and Sunrise's finishing business as Kyoto Animation Studio.

In 1992, he produced the TV animation "Curse of One Piece" written by Shungiku Uchida, from direction to finishing.

It is already a quality offering, and its popularity is gradually spreading.

Since then, he has participated in the production of Studio Ghibli films such as The Witch's Delivery Service and Red Pig, and has been inundated with production requests.

In 2005, he worked on all the episodes of AIR, and his skillful direction and well-crafted content helped to brand Kyoto Animation to animation fans.

In 2006, "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya," known around the world as "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya," caused quite a stir when it was broadcast on a different time line.

In 2009, he made his first foray into theatrical animation with the theatrical version of "The Last Battle of Tenjojin to Akutojin.

And "K-ON!" that both ani-tas and high school girls were enthusiastic about. Enter the boom.

The anime has become a huge boom, with CDs reaching No. 1 on the Oricon charts and sales of musical instruments increasing.

In 2016, "The Form of Unamplified Film" will be released, and the number of animated films will continue to increase.

However, on July 18, 2019, the Kyoto Animation arson and murder case occurred and Studio 1 burned down.

Original drawings and other paper documents were destroyed by fire, and some people died.

Subsequent releases included "Violet Evergarden Gaiden -Eien to Jikotei Ningyo-" and "Free! the Movie -the Final Stroke-".

Then, in December 2023, "Kyoani Muse Labo" was announced as the new label.

■Kyoto Animation's Top 8 Popular Films

Many films and animations have been produced by Kyoto Animation in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture.

We would like to introduce a few of the films that have become particularly popular among them.

 

Unamplified" movie

The Shape of the Form was released on September 17, 2016.

The main character, Masaya Ishida, was in elementary school.

A transfer student with a hearing impairment named Nishimiya Glass arrives.

Until now, Masaya Ishida had been living a boring life, but those days are changing.

Then, one event led to isolation and closed-mindedness.

Five years later, when Masaya Ishida was a high school student, he was visited by Nishinomiya Glass.

The film became popular because of its sympathetic nature.

I have seen or heard of bullying at least once during my elementary school years.

The story unfolds in the wake of such bullying.

The film makes us feel the difficulty of communication and how to convey our feelings to others.

The title "聲" (聲) was also inspired by the fact that the word "koe" means a combination of voice, hands, and ears.

 

○Liz and the Blue Bird

Liz and the Blue Bird" was released on April 21, 2018.

Mizore Arumozuka and Nozomi Kasaragi are third-year high school students and members of the brass band club at Kita-Uji High School.

I play oboe and flute.

They met in junior high school when Nozomi Urasagi, who was lonely, approached them.

They are in their senior year of high school and are in their last competition, and their free piece is "Liz and the Blue Bird".

This song consists of a story about a lonely girl and a mysterious girl who comes to meet her.

It is a coming-of-age story in which the students practice daily, overlapping the world of the song and their own relationship with it.

The movie here, "Liz and the Blue Bird," was directed by Naoko Yamada and became famous because it was a spin-off of the brass band Hibikake! It became famous because it was a spin-off of Euphonium.

 

AIR the Movie

AIR the Movie" was released on February 5, 2005.

A romance adventure game for personal computers released by Key Visual Arts has been adapted into a film by Toei Animation.

A new story was also added to the game version, and its uniqueness and storytelling made it popular.

When the movie was released, a TV animation produced by Kyoto Animation was also broadcast.

A young girl living in a town where tales of tragic love are told is afflicted with an incurable disease.

One day, a young man appears traveling with a puppet show.

This is a coming-of-age animation about love with him.

 

The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya

The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya" was released on February 6, 2010.

Excellent episodes were popular, weren't they?

The work is by Hiroshi Yamamoto, the creator of Lucky Star and other works, and the casual foreshadowing is a story of great depth and international popularity.

In the theater version, there are annual screenings and there was one at the end of 2023.

The main character, Kyon, is a member of the SOS group.

I was preparing for the Christmas party, but I noticed that Haruhi Suzumiya, who was supposed to be in the classroom, was not there.

Instead, Ryoko Asakura, who once tried to kill him, is sitting in his seat.

When he visits the department room where Nagato is located to ask for advice, he finds himself in a different state of mind and is not sure what has happened.

Will Kyon be able to return to his original world?

 

○Tenjojin and the Last Battle of the Actojin

The Last Battle of the Heavenly Hosts and the Actoans, which was released in 2009.

This work is a reconstruction of "The World Reflected in the Eyes of a Girl Looking Up at the Sky" with the addition of new cuts.

New scenes are therefore a highlight.

Another highlight is the worldview that tours two worlds: the heavenly and the earthly.

The Last Battle of the Heavenly Hosts and the Actes is the story of a heavenly world in the future.

There, Yumemi Hidaka, who has the power to see the world, goes with Mundt, the king of the magical lands of the Heavenly Realm, to the Heavenly Realm, where a crisis is looming.

Will they be able to save the heavenly world and earth?

 

Tsurune the Movie: The First Shot

Tsurune the Movie - The First Shot" was released on August 19, 2022.

An anime compilation film of the anime "Tourne" released in 2022, written and directed by Takuya Yamamura.

The story describes the main character who left Kyudo after a traumatic failure in a tournament, and his encounter and conflict with a young man who tries to return to the path of Kyudo.

The highlights of the film are the beautiful drawings typical of Kyoto Animation and the subtlety of the archer's movements.

 

I'll Be Here" series

Kyoto Animation's "Beyond the Boundary" aired as a TV anime from October to December 2013.

About two years later,

Beyond the Boundary -I'LL BE HERE- Future Arc

Beyond the Borderlands -I'LL BE HERE- Past Arc

The two-part theatrical version of the film was released in the United States.

The first part, "Past Arc," is a compilation of the TV anime.

The "Future Arc" takes place one year later.

The main character is Mirai Kuriyama, an Akito Kanbara who is inhabited by the most evil youmu.

This is a new film about the new and the events that take place around it.

The battle is over, and we thought that a peaceful life would begin, but Mirai loses her memory and the new semester begins without any change.

Akito avoided her in order to wish her well as she moved on to her senior year of high school....

 

Special Edition Free! Series

This is a passionate coming-of-age story of high school boys who devote themselves to competitive swimming.

The anime "Free!" has several special and theatrical editions,

Special Edition Free!

Road to the World Dream

Free! The Movie -Timeless Medley- Kizuna

Free! The Movie -Timeless Medley- Promise

The Final Stroke Part 1

The Final Stroke Part 2

and others.

The last second part was published on January 27, 2023.

Not only the detailed drawings of the swimming scenes, but the story is both interesting and moving, and many people became addicted to it.

 

■Kyoto appears in Kyoto Animation's anime "Violet Evergarden!

Violet Evergarden" is a popular work that has been adapted into an animated TV series and a movie based on a novel by Kana Ake.

In 2020, the movie "Violet Evergarden" won the grand prize at the Kyoto Animation Awards and is also one of the most talked about movies.

Synopsis

One girl "Violet" has no feelings.

Violet lived as a "tool" for fighting. When the war was over and a new era was about to begin, Violet, wounded in battle, woke up in bed.

Both white, smooth arms have become silvery, shiny prosthetic hands as a result of combat.

All that remained of Violet were the last words of her superior officer, "Major Gilbert Bougainvillea," and her memories of the war.

I spent a lot of time not knowing what it meant.

Then Claudia Hodgins, a former lieutenant colonel in the army, shows up.

He seems to have come for her and is headed to Leiden, a beautiful and vibrant place.

In such a place, Violet learns of an automatic writing doll, a job that allows her to write down her clients' feelings in the form of letters instead of words.

For the first time, Violet felt a desire to know the meaning of Gilbert's remaining words, "I love you.

Highlights

The main character, Violet, has no feelings, but the depth of the story is a highlight as she tries to learn the word "I love you" through encounters with many.

After being released in 2018 as "Violet Evergarden" with 13 episodes, it continued over the next two years with a special extra episode and a movie.

If you look at them in order, you will be able to understand the development more easily and get to know the characters to the fullest.

○This is the place to go on a pilgrimage to a holy place.

The Museum of Kyoto

Kyoto appears as a sacred place in "Violet Evergarden."

That is the Museum of Kyoto.

The Kyoto Culture Museum is a museum located in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.

Known as Bunpaku, it is a cultural facility that introduces the culture and history of Kyoto.

Originally the former Bank of Japan, Kyoto Branch, the Kyoto Culture Museum was built to commemorate the 1200th anniversary of the establishment of the Heian Capital.

The Kyoto Culture Museum is featured in "Violet Evergarden.

It is said to be modeled on the C.H postal company where Violet worked, in a country that appeared in the world in the cartoon called Leidenschaftliche.

By the way, this Leidenschaftliche means "with passion" in German....

The building of the Kyoto Culture Museum is designed in the Tatsuno style, with red bricks and white lines on the exterior walls, and is depicted exactly as in the anime.

The highlight is that not only the shape of the building, but also the position of the entrance and windows, and even the color of the curtains match.

The annex hall of the Kyoto Culture Museum also appears in "Violet Evergarden," and the construction and color of the pillars and floors, and even the interior walls are painted exactly as they appear in "Violet Evergarden," so please compare the two.

Address︰623-1 Higashikatamachi, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access︰3 min. walk from Karasuma-Oike Subway Station

Telephone number︰075-222-0888

Official website︰https://www.bunpaku.or.jp

■Kyoto Animation's anime "Hibike! Euphonium" features Kyoto!

Hibike! Euphonium is based on a novel by Ayano Takeda.

Kyoto Animation took up the work and made it into a hit anime and film.

Since the TV anime "Hibike! Euphonium" since its first season and is still very popular as of 2024.

Synopsis

The main character, Kumiko Kiomae, is a euphonium player in the brass band of Kita-Uji High School.

Kumiko Kiomae, a first-year high school student at Kita-Uji High School, practices daily with her classmates Hazuki Kato, Midori Kawashima, and other members of the brass band.

This story depicts such youth and friendship devoted to music.

 

Highlights

The highlight of "Hibike! Euphonium" is a highlight of the show, and the beautiful artwork is typical of Kyoto Animation.

The most noteworthy attraction is that even though it is an animation, the perfection of the film is as if you are watching a movie.

Another point that attracts people of all ages is that it is a "coming-of-age club activity anime" in which high school students grow up with their friends through their brass band club.

You will be drawn into the tear-jerking story not only in the theatrical version but also in the animated version.

By the way, "Hibike! Euphonium" has several series,

Euphonium (1st season) Euphonium (1st season)

Euphonium (2nd season) Euphonium (2nd season)

Euphonium the Movie: Welcome to Kita-Uji High School Brass Band! Euphonium - Welcome to Kita-Uji High School Brass Band

Euphonium the Movie -Deliver It Melody- (Japanese text only) Euphonium -Delivering Melody

Liz and the Blue Bird

Euphonium the Movie: The Oath Finale Euphonium ~Oath Finale

Special Edition - Sound it! Euphonium - Ensemble Contest

Euphonium 3 Euphonium 3

You can get a good understanding of the contents by looking at them in the following order.

○This is the place to go on a pilgrimage to a holy place.

JR Kyoto Station Building

The JR Kyoto Station Building is the starting point for sightseeing in Kyoto.

Kyoto Tower, souvenir shops, aerial pathways, restaurants, and various other stores and famous places are located here, and many people use it as the gateway to Kyoto.

In episode 7 of "Hibike! Euphonium 2" featured a concert at the Kyoto Station Building in episode 7.

At that time, the Kyoto station was painted exactly like it, including the ticket gates and the area around the grand staircase that served as the stage.

Like Azusa, you can listen to the performance at the top of the grand staircase.

Other locations such as in front of the JR Central Gate, the South Walkway, and Muromachi Koji Plaza will also make appearances, so please be sure to compare and contrast.

Address︰901 Higashishioji-cho, Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access︰Direct connection from JR Kyoto Station

Telephone number︰075-351-7151

Official website︰https://www.jr-odekake.net/eki/premises?id=0610116

Related Articles︰https://kyotreat.jp/post-708/

 

Keihan Uji Station

Keihan Uji Station was the closest station to the home of the main character, Kumiko Koumae.

Within walking distance, there are many sightseeing spots in Kyoto, such as Ujigami Shrine and Byodoin Temple, which can be visited by Keihan train.

Uji Station often appears in "Hibike! Euphonium" often features this Uji station, and the Keihan trains, tracks, buildings, and station interior have been faithfully reproduced.

Address︰18-5 Uji-Otsukata, Uji-shi, Kyoto, Japan

Access︰Direct connection from Keihan "Uji" station

Phone Number︰06-6945-4560

Official website︰https://www.keihan.co.jp/traffic/station/stationinfo/310.html

 

Kyoto Prefectural Yudo High School

In "Hibike! Euphonium," the main characters, Kumiko Komae, Rena Kosaka, Midoriteru Kawashima, Hazuki Kato, and others attend "Kita-Uji High School.

Kita-Uji High School is modeled after Kyoto Prefectural Yudo High School, located in Gokesho Gounomine, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture.

Kyoto Prefectural Yudo High School, opened in 1985, is a coeducational public high school.

Although it is an animation sanctuary, many students usually attend the school, so please try to see it from a distance.

Address︰4-1 Gokesho Gounmine, Uji-shi, Kyoto, Japan

Telephone number︰0774-33-1691

Official website︰https://www.kyoto-be.ne.jp/todou-hs/mt/

■Kyoto appears in Kyoto Animation's anime "Tamako Market!

The Kyoto Animation work "Tamako Market" has been broadcast as a TV anime since January 2013.

It consisted of 12 episodes, including a sequel, the completely new movie version "Tamako Love Story".

Synopsis

Kitashirakawa Tamako is the main character and the signature daughter of the rice cake shop "Tamaya.

The store is located in the Usagiyama shopping district and always acts cheerful.

Such is the case with Kitashirakawa Tamako, now in her third year of high school.

Even though we were talking about career paths because it was an important time, Tamako's head was full of rice cakes.

During the busy year-end season, a high-flying bird who speaks Japanese arrives and takes up residence...

Highlights

The highlight of Tamako Market is the cuteness of the main character, Kitashirakawa Tamako.

There are also many highlights, such as beautiful drawings typical of Kyoto Animation and high school life that makes you want to reminisce about the old days.

○This is the place to go on a pilgrimage to a holy place.

Demachi Futaba

Demachi Futaba is located in Seiryu-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.

Mame Daifuku (bean-stuffed rice cake) and Yomogi Mochi (mugwort rice cake) are popular at this Japanese sweets shop.

This store was the model for the wagashi shop "Tamaya" that appears in Tamako Market, and is a popular store that usually has a long line of customers.

You should actually visit and try the sweet wagashi.

Address︰236 Seiryu-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access︰About 6 minutes walk from Demachiyanagi Station

Telephone number︰075-231-1658

 

Seibo Jogakuin

The main character, Tamako, is a high school student.

The school he attends is called Usagiyama High School, and the model for this school is Seibo Jogakuin, located in Fukakusadani-machi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.

This has become a Catholic mission school founded by the Christian Catholic Nouvelle Aitok, Congregation for Christian Education (France).

Address︰1 Fukakusadani-machi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access︰About 3 minutes walk from Fujimori Station of Keihan Railway

Telephone number︰075-641-0507

Official website︰https://www.seibo.ed.jp/access/kyoto

 

Dezumachi Masugata Shopping Street

The "Usagiyama Shopping Street" is the setting in which the anime takes place.

This area is modeled after the Demachi Masugata shopping district.

The arcade at the entrance and the rows of stores are painted exactly alike, so please compare them.

Address︰229 Seiryu-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access︰5 min. walk from Demachiyanagi Sta. on the Keihan Railway Kamoto Line.

Telephone number︰075-241-1571

Official website︰https://masugata.demachi.jp/

Related Articles︰https://kyotreat.jp/post-1520/

■Kyoto Animation's anime "K-ON! features Kyoto!

Keiyo! is a Japanese four-frame manga work by Kakifly.

An anime adaptation began airing in 2009 and became a popular work that took the world by storm.

Synopsis

Hirasawa Yui, Akiyama Mio, Tainaka Ritsu, Kotobuki Tsumugi, and others at Sakuragaoka Girls High School are members of the Light Music Club.

The K-ON club to which these girls belong is on the verge of being discontinued....

It is a coming-of-age story that depicts school life through such club activities, operating as an after-school tea time.

Highlights

Keion! is, after all, a "heartwarming story of youth.

The characters are unique and the comedic elements are the reason why I get hooked on watching them.

The popularity of the anime led to sales of musical instruments and a nationwide increase in activities by high school light music clubs, making it a social phenomenon.

○This is the place to go on a pilgrimage to a holy place.

Nanzenji Temple

The Nanzenji Temple is the scene where Yui, Mio, Rikkchan, and Tsugi-chan appear in the opening of the first season of "K-ON! Nanzenji Temple is the scene where Yui, Mio, Ricchan, and Tsugi-chan appear together in the opening of the first season of "K-ON!

The brick building is very impressive and has become a sacred place.

The temple is located in Nanzenji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, and has national treasures and important cultural properties on its grounds.

Address︰Nanzenji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access︰About 10 minutes on foot from Keage Station on the Subway Tozai Line

Telephone number︰075-771-0365

Official website︰https://www.nanzenji.or.jp/

Related Articles︰https://kyotreat.jp/post-2267/

 

JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store

JEUGIA Sanjo Honten appeared in the scene where they came to buy musical instruments in the second season of K-ON!

The store is actually located in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, and sells saxophones, trumpets, clarinets, violins, and pianos.

If you are inspired by the anime to start playing a musical instrument, you may purchase it here.

Address︰1F, 11 Ishibashi-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access︰About 5 minutes on foot from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station on the Subway Tozai Line

Telephone number︰075-254-3700

Official website︰https://www.jeugia.co.jp/hall_4.html

■ Summary

How was it?

In this issue, we have introduced a list of popular animations created by Kyoto Animation by age, as well as animations related to Kyoto.

At Kyoto Animation, we have produced K-ON, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Hibiki! The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Hibike! Euphonium, Free!

Some of these anime are set in Kyoto, so it is a good idea to actually watch them on TV and then make a pilgrimage to Kyoto as a sacred place.

We encourage you to view Kyoto Animation works and make a pilgrimage to the sacred places!