Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!

Midori Asakusa is a first year high school student obsessed with anime, convinced that a story's concept can drive any animation. She sketches limitless worlds in her notebook but hesitates to bring them to life on screen, insisting she can't do it by herself. Her friend Sayaka Kanamori, who is sharp with money and ideas, spots her talent and pushes the duo forward. Then they meet Tsubame Mizusaki, a classmate who dreams of becoming an animator despite her glamorous image. Together they form an animation club and chase the 'ultimate world' in their minds, discovering how stories reshape who they are and how others see the world. Together they balance school clubs with late nights at crowded desks, learning to pitch ideas, storyboard episodes, and deal with occasional clashes, all while chasing the glow of a fully realized world born from their sketches.

Released in 2020 as an original series, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! was guided by Masaaki Yuasa and Sumito Oowara, with Science SARU delivering the vivid animation fans know. It aired on NHK and quickly became a favorite among creators.

Fans and educators alike praised the show for its meta approach to making visuals, turning studio life into a lively friendship saga. Its colorful design and freewheeling sequences sparked discussions about collaboration, the value of practice, and how imagination translates into shared art. Its influence shows in fan art.

Critics highlighted its brisk pacing and inventive visuals, and many notes emphasize how the show treats creativity as a collaborative act rather than a solo pursuit. Key themes include balancing ambition with craft, transforming ideas into tangible projects, and the social power of making together. Its appeal endures in classrooms.

Awards: The series drew attention within the animation community and earned nominations at notable industry ceremonies, recognizing its direction, design, and storytelling. Its reception cemented its standing as a standout example of creative teamwork in modern anime. Its impact in animation is clear.