10 Anime Series With The Best Art Styles, Ranked

In the ever-expanding world of anime, many anime come and go. During certain periods, some anime boast almost the same art style: Cowboy Bebop AND Samurai Champloo, death Note AND Code GeassAND Ouran High School Host Club AND Fruit basketWhile this isn’t necessarily a problem and does prove that certain anime art styles work better than others, it can sometimes be exhausting to see the same art reworked and reused over and over again, over and over again.

So, the question arises: well, what anime art styles are different? More importantly, is this difference a good thing or are these anime bad? Don’t worry, many anime have unique art styles that are also awesome. This includes anime from the early 2000s to the current tandem of releases. Here are the anime with the best art styles that are worth watching just for that.

10 ‘Godless Sunday’ (2013)

Directed by Yuji Kumazawa

Ai is a young girl who lives in a world abandoned by God. Because of this, for fifteen years, people have been unable to give birth or die properly. Instead, they have turned into undead, although these undead have a consciousness of their own. The only thing God left behind were the guardians of the tombs who could lay people to rest on their own. Ai is one of these people and she travels the world to put her power to good use after an encounter with the enigmatic Hampnie Hambart, an immortal who massacred her village.

Just like other anime with a deep and philosophical narrative, Sunday without God It has a beautiful and somewhat cute art style, which is a total shock since its art style doesn’t seem to match the tone of the content (e.g., massacred villages, torture, death). Despite this, the message of the story, what is the purpose of life, is well shown in the beauty of the art style. It reminds viewers that even in dark times, life, and death, can be beautiful.

9 “Gurren Lagann” (2007)

Directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi

In a dystopian future where humans live in underground villages, Simon is a young digger living in the village of Giha. His only friend is Kamina, who acts like an older brother to young Simon. Then one day, Simon discovers the Core Drill and the Lagann Gunmen. After this discovery, Kamina and Simon set out to check out Gurren Lagann and discover the truth about their world above ground.

Gurren Lagann This is a must-watch for any anime fan and definitely for mecha fans. Not only is the story sound and interesting, but the art style is gorgeous; it goes from dull browns and grays to much more vibrant colors as Simon and Kamina surface. Not to mention, the art style is clean and polished, allowing for some great fight scenes between the gunmen and introducing new viewers to mecha anime.

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8 ‘Solo Leveling’ (2024)

Directed by Shunsuke Nakashige

Sung Jin-woo is a hunter in a world where humans must fight against dangerous and deadly monsters. Although he is the weakest of the hunters, one day he uses his observation skills and intellect to save his companions from being annihilated by a powerful monster. After this deadly encounter, a magical system called Program selects him and gives him the power to become stronger.

Leveling up solo art style cannot be replicated. It’s flashy, it’s clean, and most importantly, it’s the kind of style that works best in action-oriented anime. While the dark, cold colors provide a sense of monotony, these colors fit the tone of the story, which is dark and representative of its heavy content.

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7 ‘Beyond the Border’ (2013)

Directed by Taichi Ishidate

Spirit world warrior Mirai Kuriyama is saved one day by half-youmu Akihito. After he saves her, she stabs him and discovers that he is immortal. The two work together to help Mirai gain enough confidence to kill youmu so she can protect humans, just like her clan did.

Another short and beautiful anime, Beyond the border, It is one of those shows that viewers will feel drawn in and fascinated by. It is hard not to fall in love with the art style and the storyline is so simply sweet that viewers will find themselves unable to forget the beautiful experience that is Beyond the border.

Watch on Amazon Prime

6 ‘Demon Hunter’ (2019)

Directed by Haruo Sotozaki

After returning home one day, Tanjiro finds his entire family massacred, except for his sister, Nezuko, who has seemingly been transformed into a vicious demon. However, after encountering a demon hunter in the woods, Tanjiro quickly discovers that Nezuko still has some humanity left in her. Determined to turn his sister back into a human, Tanjiro trains to become a demon hunter and kills demons while trying to find a cure for Nezuko’s transformation, even if it means taking down Muzan.

It is not surprising that Demon Hunter is an anime with some of the best art styles. While it is derived from its popular manga counterpart, the art style, while similar, is not as beautiful or aesthetically pleasing as the visuals provided by the animation, especially with the bright, vibrant colors and well-choreographed scenes that seem to take Demon Hunter to the next level compared to other anime. The art style, while relatively simple, is simply one of the best.

Watch on Netflix

5 ‘Violet Evergarden’ (2018)

Directed by Taichi Ishidate and Haruka Fujita

Violet is a young soldier, afflicted by war, recovering from her wounds. Although she is unlike anyone else, she continually sees and defines herself as a tool for the enigmatic Major she speaks so fondly of. This ultimately leaves her with little room to adapt to her new life as a free woman.

Violent Evergarden is another visually stunning anime with a gorgeous art style that seems to tell a story of its own. It makes sense that the art style would match the tone of the story, which is a tale of growing up and finding beauty in the smallest things. It’s hard not to watch Violet’s story unfold in complete and utter amazement.

Watch on Apple TV+

4 ‘The Man Who Can’t Get By’ (2022)

Directed by Ryu Nakayama and Makoto Nakazono

Denji is an ordinary human who is trying to pay off his deceased father’s debt. Alongside him is his devil companion, Pochita. However, one day Denji is sold and attacked by the zombie devil. As he faces death, Pochita and Denji make a contract together. In exchange for giving his heart to Denji, he must live his life to the fullest, as an ordinary person. This fusion allows Denji to transform into the Chainsaw Devil, and the demon hunter Makima has her eye on him, inviting him to help her team defeat demons and demons.

The man with the chainsaw was released as a CGI anime. At first glance, Chainsaw Man’s CGI is a bit strange, but that’s simply because most anime rely on 2D animation. However, The Chainsaw Man Sleek CGI and art style are where it stands out the most. While many won’t give The man with the chainsaw a possibility due to his strange artistic style, The man with the chainsaw It’s definitely worth a watch, and its art style and CGI tell a better story than its manga counterpart.

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3 Land of the Shining (2017)

Directed by Takahiko Kyōgoku

Phosphophyllite, otherwise known as Phos, is a fragile gem in the world of the Jewel People, immortal jewels that have taken the form of humans. Because of their fragility, Phos is tasked with creating an encyclopedia of information. Cinnabar, another gem isolated from the others due to its dangerous powers, aids Phos in their journey.

Land of the Shining It is often considered the Steven Universe of anime for their similarities: in this case, gem people with different powers in relation to their gemstone. However, without a doubt, Land of the Shining It’s an anime with a wonderful art style. Like Phos, the animation, colors and art style make the anime quite fragile and charming, despite its rather sad story. No other anime art style can compete with it. Land of Brightness in terms of beauty.

Watch on Amazon Prime

2 Oshi no Ko (2020)

Directed by Daisuke Hiramaki

The famous doctor Gorou Amamiya is in charge of delivering twins to popular pop star A.I. Hoshino. He has great admiration for her, but on the night of Ai’s birth, he is murdered by an obsessive fan. At the same time, he is reincarnated as Ai’s son, named Aquamarine Hoshina, otherwise known as Aqua. His twin sister is Ruby Hoshino, a reincarnation of one of Gorou’s patients and another fan of Ai’s named Sarina Tendōji. Then, four years later, Ai is murdered, and Aqua and Ruby set out to hunt down her father, who they assume was an accomplice to Ai’s murder.

Similar to many other anime with beautiful and captivating art styles, Oshi no Ko is another anime whose art doesn’t fit the tone of the story. Sure, it fits the life of a pop star, but when it comes to deeper lore, like the murder of a beloved pop star, it feels far too cheerful. However, the art style is one of the anime’s main strengths; it’s hard not to love it Oshi no Ko just for this.

Watch on Amazon Prime

1 Mononoke (2007)

Directed by Kenji Nakamura

Following the character of a medicine salesman, Mononoke It is an episodic journey through the expulsion of ghosts and evil spirits known as mononoke in the Edo and Meiji periods of Japan.

Mononoke It definitely has a bizarre art style, which can either attract or repel viewers. For those who are curious about the art style, many viewers will be interested to know that this 2D animation resembles that of ink paintings, fittingly placing viewers in its historical context. The most unique of anime art styles, Mononoke It’s definitely worth watching just to appreciate the beautiful and intriguing art style.

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