In the vibrant world of music in "Your Lie in April" - one of the best anime by A-1 Pictures - Kousei Arima was a child prodigy who danced flawlessly on the piano keys, earning him the nickname "Human Metronome." Guided by his mother, he dazzled audiences and outshone his competitors in every musical contest he participated in.

However, with the sudden loss of his mother, Kousei's world turned monochrome, devoid of the once-harmonious melodies he cherished. The piano, once a source of joy and expression, became a haunting reminder of his past. Nevertheless, his love for music never waned; it remained an ever-present echo in his heart and ignited once again when he stumbled upon a whimsical violinist named Kaori Miyazono.

Kaori's spirited and carefree personality breathed new life into Kousei's world. With her vibrant presence, she pulled him back into the spotlight, coaxing him to once again embrace the piano and play as her accompanist. A little white lie sealed their bond (hence the name "Your Lie in April") and the journey of these two young musicians intertwined to create a symphony of friendship.

Release: 2014

MyAnimeList Score: 8.65/10

"Uchuu Kyoudai," one of the best anime by A-1 Pictures, takes audiences back to the summer of 2006,when something wild and out-of-this-world happened to Mutta Nanba and his little bro Hibito: they spotted what they were convinced was a UFO zipping toward the Moon. This incredible encounter sparked a fire in their hearts, and they made a pact right then and there: they were gonna be astronauts, no less.

Fast forward to adulthood, and things didn't quite pan out as Mutta had hoped. He's grinding away at a car company job while his bro Hibito is all set to be the first Japanese dude to moonwalk. But life takes an unexpected twist when Mutta loses his job; out of the blue, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) throws him a curveball by accepting his application to join the next astronaut selection.

Viewers of "Uchuu Kyoudai" might think Mutta would have doubts about taking on this cosmic challenge, but he's not gonna let this once-in-a-lifetime shot slip through his fingers. He's determined to fulfill the promise he made 19 years ago and chase after his dreams, even if it means heading to Mars to catch up with his little bro's lunar journey.

Release: 2012

MyAnimeList Score: 8.49/10

"Kaguya-sama: Love is War" is set in Shuchiin Academy, where we are introduced to Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya. Miyuki is the nation's top student, and Kaguya, the vice president, is a force to be reckoned with. They're practically the "it" couple of the school, making everyone else a bit envious.

But here's the juicy part: despite their smarts and obvious crush on each other, they're playing the ol' silent game, almost like a romantic standoff. They're both too proud to confess their feelings first, since that means losing the upper hand and getting teased by their pals. And they will not let that happen at all costs.

So, long story short: "Kaguya-sama: Love is War" is all about the love battlefield. With hearts on the line, Miyuki and Kaguya are gonna duke it out in this crazy game of love, each determined to come out on top. It's a rollercoaster ride of emotions and tactics as they try to figure out this whole romance thing while keeping their pride intact. Will they break the ice and spill the beans, or will they keep circling each other in a never-ending dance? Only time will tell.

Release: 2019

MyAnimeList Score: 8.41/10

"Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day" brings together the same crew that worked on the awesome Toradora! back in 2008. The hype started building in December 2010, with Aniplex, Fuji Television, and A-1 Pictures teaming up to create the AnoHana Project.

Set in the city of Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day" introduces viewers to Jinta Yadomi, a chill guy who prefers the cozy life, gaming away at home instead of dealing with school drama. But then, things take a turn when his childhood pal, Meiko "Menma" Honma, shows up out of the blue, bugging him to fulfill a forgotten wish. Jinta is nott really paying attention, brushing it off like it's no big deal; after alI, Menma passed away ages ago.Or did she?

As the summer heat intensifies, Jinta starts to wonder if he's just seeing things. But the more he tries to ignore it, the more he's convinced that Menma's ghost is haunting him. And that's not all -Jinta and his old gang of friends, who drifted apart after Menma's death, find themselves back together, trying to help her find peace in the afterlife. It's not going to be easy, though: they'll have to confront their own pain and guilt, and maybe - just maybe - find a way to move on together.

Release: 2011

MyAnimeList Score: 8.31/10

"Boku dake ga Inai Machi" centers on a named Satoru Fujinuma, a distant 29-year-old manga artist that has got a mind-blowing power called "Revival." It lets him jump back a few minutes before accidents happen and save people's lives. Things start to get dicey when he's falsely accused of a murder. Revival takes him back to the past again, but this time, it's not just a few minutes - it's a whole leap to the year 1988, a whopping 18 years ago.

Satoru soon figures out that this murder may have something to do with the disappearance of one of his classmates, Kayo Hinazuki. Back when they were kids, Kayo just vanished into thin air. But now Satoru has a chance to make things right and uncover the truth.

Time travel, twists, and lots of heart - "Boku dake ga Inai Machi" has got it all, promising a thrilling ride full of suspense and emotion.

Release: 2016

MyAnimeList Score: 8.31

In the story of "Doukyuusei," there is Hikaru Kusakabe - your typical carefree man that rocks out in a band and lives in the moment. Summer rolls around, and his whole class gets roped into some chorus festival thing; not exactly his idea of fun, but he decides to go with the flow.

Things take a turn when Hikaru stumbles upon Rihito Sajou, the go-to honor student with all the A+ grades. To Hikaru's suprise, the Mr. Perfect Sajou is currently struggling with the class song for the festival. Seeing this unexpected side of Sajou, Hikaru is all pumped up and offers to help him out.

It is like a total opposites-attract situation: Hikaru and Sajou couldn't be more different, but somehow, they start getting closer. As they spend more time together, sparks fly, warming all viewers of "Doukyuusei" with a tender story of love and friendship.

Release: 2016

MyAnimeList Score: 8.29/10