Ufotable has made a name for itself with their stellar adaptations of popular video games like Fate/Stay Night, God Eater, and several entries in the Tales series of JRPGs. They’re in a league of their own when it comes to fluid & flashy action scenes. So if you’re looking for a gorgeous-looking thrill, anything by Ufotable could fit the bill. Since their founding in 2000 they’ve worked on many fantastic shows – but some are better than others. As a fan of the studio I’ve put together a ranking of the very best ones right here.
10. Ninja Nonsense
Genre: Comedy Length: 12 Eps. Ufotable is better known for their high-intensity action shows full of clashing swords and flashy spell-casting. But they’re also pretty good with comedy. Ninja Nonsense follows Shinobu, an enthusiastic but unskilled ninja apprentice who befriends the regular high school student Kaede after unsuccessfully trying to steal her panties as a Ninja test. The anime shines for its absurdist comedy and great visual gags. It’s chaotic, but charming. And great for anyone looking to watch cute girls doing cute things and laugh a bit.
9. Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family
Genre: Comedy, Cooking, Slice of Life Length: 13 Eps. What do our favorite Fate characters do once the day is saved and Fuyuki City is peaceful? Enjoy dinner at the Emiya’s, of course. Cooking was always shown to be one of Shirou’s stronger traits. And finally, he gets to star in an anime where his real skills can shine through. This show is heartwarming, wholesome, and funny. You could even learn a couple of things about Japanese cuisine!
8. Tales of Zestiria the X
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure Length: 26 Eps. If you love the Tales RPG series as much as I do, you’ll love Tales of Zestiria the X. Sure, the story isn’t anything to write home about. But it stars some fantastic characters from Tales of Zestiria and its prequel, Tales of Berseria. Prominent personalities like the main character Sorey and the bad-ass Velvet carry the show forward with ease. The animation is also top-notch, and it features plenty of eye-candy including mesmerizing & detailed landscapes, and some truly jaw-dropping fight scenes.
7. Tales of Symphonia: The Animation
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Battle Shounen Length: 25 Eps. If you’re looking for a little more substance when it comes to story, Tales of Symphonia: The Animation is the way to go. Like the game it’s based on, it follows Lloyd Irving, Colette Brunel, and the rest of their friends on a quest to bring prosperity to the world. Which is a mission that keeps transforming the more they learn about the true nature of their universe. Ufotable did a great job of translating the original game’s charm into anime format. They managed to capture the chemistry between the main characters and showcase their nuanced relationships just right. Absolutely worth a watch if you’re a fan of the games.
6. Fate/Zero
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Battle Shounen Length: 25 Eps. Fate/Zero is the prequel to another fantastic Ufotable show, Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works, which is set several years before the original. Whereas UBW focuses on the exciting battles and personal stories of the main cast, Fate/Zero is a much darker show, where ruthless mages will do anything to get their hands on the Holy Grail. And I mean anything. This anime features giant squid-like Eldritch abominations, catacombs full of phallic magical worms, and ancient magical Sumerian jets. And these are only some of the tools these magi will unleash upon their rivals in the fight for ultimate power.
5. The Garden of Sinners: Future Gospel
Genre: Mystery, Supernatural, Thriller Length: 114 Min. The Garden of Sinners is Ufotable’s longest ongoing project. And Future Gospel is the movie series’ most well-rounded entry so far. The film asks a question we’ve all thought of before: What would you do if you could see the future? It showcases two very different characters with slightly different precognitive abilities, and explores the remarkably different ways they choose to deal with them. It’s an interesting exploration of how the human psyche manages information. And it reminds us there are always different perspectives to consider before giving up hope.
4. Fate/Stay Night: Heaven’s Feel
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Action, Drama Length: 3 Films The Heaven’s Feel trilogy is based on the third and darker route from the original Fate/Stay Night visual novel. In it, we see Shirou Emiya get dragged into the Fifth Holy Grail War once again – but this time, things get weird fast. He loses both his Servant and his beloved Sakura to a mysterious dark force emanating from the Grail, and must make some unusual alliances in his quest to save them. The first two films in the trilogy are some of Ufotable’s most impressive works, although the third (and final) one doesn’t quite keep up the pace. Still, it’s a fantastic story that every Fate fan should experience.
3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Adventure Length: 26 Eps. Demon Slayer is probably the best anime you can show somebody that you really want to get into anime. It tells the tragic but inspiring story of Tanjiro, the oldest son of a family that’s gruesomely murdered by demons. Upon finding his sister alive but cursed with demonhood, he sets out to become a Demon Slayer in hopes of turning his sister back to normal – and preventing further horrors. It may be the incredibly charming and wholesome main character that keeps you engaged. Or the blend of action, comedy, and horror that makes up the narrative. Regardless of what it is, Demon Slayer is a magnetic and addictive anime that’ll leave you hungry for more.
2. Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works
Genre: Fantasy, Battle Shounen Length: 26 Eps. Unlimited Blade Works is a must-watch, no matter who you are. It’s the perfect entry point to the massive Fate franchise. Ultimately it does a fantastic job of explaining the basic concepts of the series – such as mages, heroic spirits, the master-servant relationship, and the Holy Grail’s nature. Which is perfect for anyone just getting into this series. It’ll also open the doors to shows like Fate/Apocrypha, Fate/Grand Order, and more. That said, it’s a fantastic show in and of itself. And it’s one of the reasons we associate Ufotable with superb animation quality and flashy battles.
1. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Mugen Train
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Adventure Length: 117 Min. Ranking people’s favorite anime is a tough job. Sometimes I feel like I might get death threats for my unusual top choices – but this time, I know the world is backing me up (right?) This amazing movie follows the main cast from the Demon Slayer anime as they board a train to help the Flame Pillar, Kyōjurō Rengoku, fight a demon that controls sleep. It’s an exciting film with flashy combat sections all the way through, and an emotional punch we’ve come to expect from the anime. Mugen Train isn’t just Ufotable’s best product yet. It’s also the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, counting sales both inside and outside the Land of the Rising Sun.
