10 Best Anime Art Styles That You Should Watching Update 03/2024

Best Anime Art Styles

These ten anime series, ranging from Shiki to Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, defy convention with their striking visuals and distinct characters.

There aren’t many occasions in which anime is praised for its originality. There are several programs that are merely reruns of each other, even in terms of the appearance of the major characters. The main character, for example, must have brown or black hair and eyes and have little to no individuality if the anime is a generic harem.

In spite of this, fans are occasionally treated to previously unseen art styles. They may be beautiful or ugly, but it doesn’t diminish the fact that these styles are completely unique. The following are ten examples of this type of style in various anime:

1. Shiki

Shiki

There was a lot of criticism of Shiki’s work, but it wasn’t as bad as the first half of the series. No wonder fans were so put off by the figures’ appearances – a black hole for eyes and hair that seemed as if most of them charged it up with electricity every morning.

As a result, many anime viewers were put off by the series’ aesthetic because of the frequent use of the terms “hideous” and “ugly.”

2. Grimgar Of Fantasy And Ash

With Sword Art Online, they have established themselves as one of the best anime studios in the business. In Ashes of Grimgar, it’s evident that they’re experimenting with a new aesthetic approach.

There is a distinct hand-painted quality to the entire anime. Character designs and backdrops with an air of ethereality stand out more than they would in a traditional anime style.

3. Flowers Of Evil

Flowers Of Evil

The series was panned by manga lovers from the start due to its “ugly” artwork. While the manga’s art was nothing short of spectacular, the anime seems to have “uglified” its own characters.

This choice of imagery made fans feel disconnected from the characters, making it difficult for them to form a relationship with them. Anime devotees, on the other hand, thought that the show’s more unusual heroes gave it a more realistic feel.

4. Toilet Bound Hanako-Kun

Fans fell in love with Toilet Bound Hanako-art kun’s because of the bright colors and dense, precise edges. Attack on Titan’s usage of browns in both its characters and backdrops has been compared to this work, as well.

It goes without saying that the studio deserves all of the credit for the comic-book style animation that was achieved by adhering strictly to the manga’s original art.

5. Afro Samurai

Afro Samurai

The show’s art style is highly distinct. An mix of Japanese and American cartoon art techniques is the best way to explain it.

There is a clear Japanese influence on the backgrounds and sceneries, which contrasts sharply with the Western style used to depict the African-American characters.

6. xxxHOLiC

The characters in xxHOLic have lengthy legs and torsos, but that doesn’t take away from the mangaka CLAMP’s distinctive visual style. Anime isn’t recognized for being realistic or according to Physics’ norms.

If you’re looking for an example of how the anime influenced character design in a positive way, look no further than Code Geass’ magical flair.

7. Gatchaman Crowds

Gatchaman Crowds

Gatchaman Crowds’ art is characterized by its use of vibrant colors and geometric designs. CGI and animation combine almost flawlessly as the show’s main characters morph into their superhero selves, making the animation clean, crisp, and smooth.

This superhero show’s art is its unique selling point, with many viewers tuning in for the full run solely to enjoy the show’s visually spectacular production value.

8. Promare

Despite the fact that this is another another program with a stunningly vibrant color palette, it can be a little too pastel. There is a lot of emphasis on geometric shapes in the show’s characters and items, notably in the machinery and vehicles, much like in Gatchaman Crowds.

Fans won’t be able to detect that CGI was employed because the integration is so perfect.

9. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure

The shade lines, which are literally black lines, are an homage to the art style of 90s anime. As a whole, the visuals are vibrant and highly styled.

Men in the program, in particular, are absurdly muscular, and the show has been hailed as one of the most aesthetically pleasant for fans to watch. Constantly changing color palettes are used, typically to match wonderfully rendered abstract backgrounds. All of the characters’ absurdly difficult stances, as well as their catchphrases, have become memes in Japan and the United States, and their distinctive visual style has a lot to do with it.

10. Tatami Galaxy

This anime’s art is simple, clean, and not at all symmetrical, but it’s still beautiful. Characters drawn in Tatami Galaxy’s cartoonish style are much more exaggerated than those produced in standard anime, despite the fact that anime characters aren’t always the most accurately depicted.

It is common for them to be depicted in one-tone hues, which makes their movements appear a little stiff. While some find its art repulsive, others are drawn to its originality.