Neon Genesis Evangelion, created by Hideaki Anno in 1995, is a popular anime series that explores themes of psychology, philosophy, and spirituality, and has become a cult classic.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, created by Nagaru Tanigawa in 2003, is a popular light novel series and anime that explores themes of existentialism, time travel, and alternate realities.

Studio Trigger, founded in 2011 by former Gainax employees, is a prominent anime studio known for producing visually stunning and creatively innovative anime such as Kill la Kill and Promare.