The curtains have just closed on Key’s 25th Anniversary Grand Poll—a vibrant celebration of beloved characters, unforgettable music, iconic BGM, and legendary moments. While the campaign stirred up a lot of excitement, most fans could already predict the rankings with ease. After all, some of these characters and songs are simply too iconic to be dethroned.
If there’s one phrase that captures the essence of this company, it’s this: “A Key production is a guarantee of quality.”
For the uninitiated, Key is a renowned Japanese visual novel studio specializing in galgames—a genre of narrative-driven games where players make choices at pivotal moments, altering the story’s trajectory. This mechanic delivers not only immersion but also a strong sense of emotional investment, sometimes even control over the characters’ fates.
Due to this narrative intimacy, galgames have often been associated with provocative themes—thrillers, horror, and especially romance or erotic content. With alluring anime-style heroines, many of these games cater to a niche but loyal fanbase. This led to the term bishoujo visual novels, referring to games centered around beautiful young female characters.
Key, however, has always stood out as a breath of fresh air in this landscape. While many studios were cashing in with cheaply made, borderline content, Key remained committed to crafting powerful, emotional stories. They earned a reputation for quality, often leaving players in tears—especially after experiencing the heartbreaking masterpiece CLANNAD.
It’s impossible to forget the name Jun Maeda, the creative genius behind so many of Key’s moving stories, or the emotional gut punches delivered by titles like AIR, Kanon, Planetarian, Angel Beats!, Charlotte, and Rewrite.
Thanks to their strong narratives and deep emotional appeal, many of Key’s visual novels have been adapted into successful anime series, introducing their work to an even broader audience.
Here are just a few snapshots of those unforgettable moments and characters:
Under the cherry blossoms with Nagisa Furukawa…
The Taiyaki-loving Ayu Tsukimiya…
Nao Tomori with her ever-present camera…
“There’s only one place where you can cry—either in the bathroom, or in your dad’s arms.” —CLANNAD
“No matter where I meet you, I’ll always fall in love with you.” —Angel Beats!
…
Fast forward to today—it’s no secret that the anime and gaming industry is in a bit of a slump. The market is oversaturated with generic, uninspired titles, which makes us all the more eager to revisit those golden classics. Amid the nostalgia, there’s a shared hope that veteran studios like Key will weather the storm, evolve, and deliver yet another masterpiece.
Here’s a peek at the poll results:
Top Songs
(Most of these are already in my playlist. I personally love upbeat anime theme songs.)
Top Characters
