Summary
- Violet Evergarden and Attack On Titan epitomize success by combining extraordinary plots with exceptional animation.
- Beautiful animation can set anime apart, like in Plastic Memories and Aldnoah Zero, adding depth and appeal.
- From 90s classics like Cowboy Bebop to modern hits like Fate/Stay Night, animation quality enhances storytelling and captivates viewers.
Series like Violet Evergarden and Attack On Titan keep gaining widespread popularity owing not only to their extraordinary plot and characters, but also to having some of the best animation in anime. With their success, it's apparent that the quality of animation and pleasant graphics are crucial factors in bringing an anime to the top. There are plenty of anime with beautiful animation that get lost in the shuffle, but others become model series with the right blend of plot, character development, and animation.
With entries from both categories, the anime series on this list have agreeable and visually appealing animation that is both clever and beautiful. Styles, target demographics, and genre can vary highly, but the one thing every one of these series shares is a beautiful animation style that absolutely makes the series.
15 Aldnoah Zero's Muddled Story is Saved By Incredible Animation
Original Anime Series By A-1 Pictures
Aldnoah.Zero
- Cast
- Max Mittelman , Erika Harlacher , Zach Aguilar , Erica Mendez , Cristina Vee , Bryce Papenbrook
- Release Date
- July 5, 2014
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Writers
- Olympus Knights
- Directors
- Ei Aoki
- Creator(s)
- Gen Urobuchi
Aldnoah Zero received mixed reactions from audiences for its story, but it did not lose any points in the animation. The plot is full of action sequences interwoven with science and technology. As A-1 Studio's first try at a mecha anime, the studio performed an incredible job with the plot execution. Depicting a civil war between Earth and a technologically advanced Mars, it combines 2D animation with attractive CGI robot models for the battles.
Aldnoah Zero's mecha battles are executed to a high standard, and the CGI is smooth. The aesthetics establish the fact that the scene is futuristic/alternative. The sci-fi themes are prominent, with beautiful details such as the mecha in use. The Martians' lost technology has distinct mecha designs, such as the six-armed Kataphract Hellas, making the animation thoughtful.
14 Yuri!!! On ICE Captures the Motion of Ice Skating Beautifully
Original Anime Series By Studio MAPPA
Yuri on Ice
- Cast
- Jessie James Grelle , Jerry Jewell , Evgeni Plushenko , Micah Solusod
- Release Date
- October 6, 2016
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll , Prime Video
- Writers
- Sayo Yamamoto , Mitsuro Kubo
- Directors
- Sayo Yamamoto , Jun Shishido
- Creator(s)
- Sayo Yamamoto , Mitsuro Kubo
One of the best anime directed by a woman, Yuri!!! on ICE focuses on reality and inventiveness. Because this is a sports anime, the sophisticated skate choreography and routines take up a lot of screen time. The animations of human body movements are highly intense. As a skater enters a rink and performs in Yuri!!! on ICE, the camera angles work smartly to record every move. The characters are well-animated with details even when they are not on the skating rink. The series also employs a variety of lighting techniques, relying heavily on contrasting cool and warm color palettes to convey the mood of a scene.
Yuri!!! on ICE is a series created with love and attention, as evidenced by the detailed capture of the trembling of a hand, the gentle shine on metals, and the faint pink tinge of lips in action.
13 Plastic Memories Revels in a Bright & Colorful Future
Original Anime Series By Studio Doga Kobo
Plastic Memories
- Cast
- Yasuaki Takumi , Sora Amamiya , Chinatsu Akasaki , Sayuri Yahagi , Megumi Toyoguchi , Satoshi Hino
- Release Date
- April 5, 2015
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll , Hulu
- Writers
- Naotaka Hayashi
- Directors
- Yoshiyuki Fujiwara
- Creator(s)
- Naotaka Hayashi
Plastic Memories maintains consistent and high-quality animation throughout its brief 13 episodes. The series has an experimental air because it takes its plot in a sci-fi direction, and is set in a utopia-like atmosphere. The environments in Plastic Memories are bright and use a wide range of color palettes, similar to a watercolor painting. The style portrays the sci-fi feel perfectly and successfully blends with the show's theme and characters.
Character designs are reminiscent of those seen in the Evangelion series, and the facial expressions look extremely human without being uncanny. The series exhibits credible artwork and concepts behind animation with future buildings, machines, and the Giftias.
12 Hyouka Uses Animation to Make Dreams Reality
Animated By Kyoto Animation & Based on the Novel By Honobu Yonezawa
Hyouka
- Cast
- Adam Gibbs , Madeleine Morris , Jill Harris , Dallas Reid , Caitlin Glass , Alexis Tipton , Linda Young
- Release Date
- April 22, 2012
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Franchise(s)
- Hyouka
- Writers
- Shoji Gatoh
- Directors
- Yasuhiro Takemoto
Hyouka is an extremely visually appealing anime series by Kyoto Animation. It follows the Kamiyama High School Classic Literature Club having fun solving mysteries and passing the time in their mundane lives. The dominant lighting, heavily stylized and startlingly abstract events, and monologues set the mood and ambiance. It transports viewers to a fantastical world far removed from reality.
The wordplay illustrated in Oreki's imagination has a distinct visual element, with the layers of each enigma mapped out carefully to the audience. Some scenes have a dreamy air, and this contrast between the mundane and the abstract makes Hyouka a unique experience.
11 Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works Features Fates' Greatest Animation
Animated By Studio DEEN & Based on the Visual Novel By Type-Moon
Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works
- Cast
- Bryce Papenbrook , Mela Lee , Kari Wahlgren , Kaiji Tang , Kyle McCarley , David Vincent , Tony Oliver
- Release Date
- October 4, 2014
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll , Hulu
- Franchise(s)
- Fate/Stay Night
- Writers
- Akira Hiyama , Kazuharu Sato , Tatsuki Ichinose
- Directors
- Takahiro Miura
The premise of Unlimited Blade Works is generic as a battle royale for the holy grail, but the animation is the greatest of the Fate/Stay Night series. Unlimited Blade Works' animation aesthetic is extravagant, from the scenery to the character designs to the jaw-dropping action scenes. Cities in motion, sweeping bridge panoramas, crowded parks, and gloomy cemeteries are just a few examples of the anime's stunning artwork.
With quick movement and excellent camera angles, the action is well-coordinated. The conflicts between the master and servants are well-choreographed and well-detailed. Characters move naturally, and features like water reflections, intricate hair movements, and 3D opponents add to the animation that has made Ufotable studio popular.
10 Attack On Titan's Distinctive Art Direction Makes it Visually Stunning
Animated By Wit Studio & MAPPA, Based on the Manga By Hajime Isayama
Attack On Titan
- Cast
- Matthew Mercer , Josh Grelle , Hiroshi Kamiya , Shiori Mikami , Jerry Jewell , Kishô Taniyama , Jessica Calvello , Masahiko Tanaka , Yui Ishikawa , Romi Park , Robert McCollum , Tomohisa Hashizume , Hiro Shimono , Trina Nishimura
- Release Date
- April 7, 2013
- Seasons
- 4
- Franchise
- Attack on Titan
- Production Company
- Wit Studio, MAPPA
Attack on Titan features one of the most captivating survival stories ever, paired with magnificent characters, music, and of course beautiful animation. For people new to anime, it can serve as one of the best anime for beginners to get an enthralling taste of the incredible things the medium is capable of. Attack on Titan's art is incredible, and it leaves spectators in awe of how far animation has progressed.
Many were startled by the 3D maneuver gear action, which quickly became a highlight of the show's distinct animation. Soldiers bolt off of buildings and into the air above them, breaking free from traditional ground battle and entering the world of high-flying intensity. Characters are extensively drawn in varied thicknesses of black to make them stick out from the background, which is the animation's characteristic aesthetic.
9 Paranoia Agent Takes Anime Realism to a Dark Place
Animated By Madhouse & Created By Satoshi Kon
Paranoia Agent
- Cast
- Liam O'Brien , Michelle Ruff , Michael McConnohie , William Frederick Knight , Doug Stone , Carrie Savage , Erica Shaffer , Sam Riegel
- Release Date
- April 14, 2011
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Franchise(s)
- Paranoia Agent
- Writers
- Seishi Minakami
- Directors
- Satoshi Kon
- Creator(s)
- Satoshi Kon
Coming from acclaimed director Satoshi Kon, Paranoia Agent is about a group of people in Japan all claiming to be attacked with a golden bat by a young boy in roller skates dubbed Lil' Slugger. Though that might sound like a straightforward mystery, the people attacked are anything but average. As the series dives deep into the psychology of each victim, a greater picture of Lil' Slugger's identity emerges.
While all of Satoshi Kon's anime are great, fans looking for great animation, in particular, should watch the surreal Paprika, a movie that went on to inspire Christopher Nolan's Inception.
Kon's style as a director is distinct, and it's fully evident in Paranoia Agent. Characters are often given far more realistic designs than typical anime characters, making the series feel grounded even when the animation swings for the fences and engages in full-on surrealism. The deeper psychology of Paranoia Agent's characters is made abundantly clear from the animation. Few anime convey character complexity through animation as well as Paranoia Agent.
8 My Dress-Up Darling Makes Cosplay Compelling With Great Animation
Animated By Cloverworks & Based on the Manga By Shinichi Fukuda
My Dress-Up Darling
- Cast
- Paul Dateh , AmaLee , Risa Mei , Jad Saxton , Brianna Roberts
- Release Date
- January 8, 2022
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll , Hulu
- Franchise(s)
- My Dress-Up Darling
- Writers
- Shinichi Fukuda , Yoriko Tomita
- Directors
- Keisuke Shinohara
- Creator(s)
- Shinichi Fukuda
My Dress-up Darling was the hottest new anime of the winter 2022 season. It defeated Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer in multiple top anime of the season surveys while it was aired, demonstrating how popular and well-liked it is among viewers. My Dress Up Darling's animation quality and character designs are top-notch since it is an anime about cosplay and features Japanese Hina dolls and doll-like characters.
10 Cutest Moments in My Dress-Up Darling
A list of the most adorable scenes from the first season of My Dress-Up Darling that doesn't only feature moments with Marin Kitagawa.There is a contrast between 2D characters and 3D photographic backdrops in the art, which incorporates far more photography than hand-drawn artwork. The cosplay outfits are stunning and vibrant. With designing the clothes or gathering the materials needed, CloverWorks went above and beyond. The shading is likewise colorful and gorgeous, and there isn't a single component of animation that detracts from the series' overall appeal.
7 Pluto is a Modern Day Science Fiction Classic
Animated By Studio M2 and Based on the Manga By Naoki Urasawa
Pluto (2023)
- Cast
- Laura Megan Stahl , Mike Pollock , Jason Vande Brake , Keythe Farley , Romi Park , Kirk Thornton , Erica Shroeder , Rachel Slotky
- Release Date
- October 26, 2023
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
- Writers
- Tatsuro Inamoto , Heisuke Yamashita
- Directors
- Toshio Kawaguchi
- Creator(s)
- Naoki Urasawa
Ostensibly an adaptation of a famous Astro Boy storyline, Pluto takes place in a future where humans and robots coexist. Unfortunately, the murder of an incredibly powerful robot kicks off a series of events that sees the robot detective Gesicht uncover a conspiracy that could threaten the life of the world's strongest robots. Given his own strength, Gesicht himself is at risk of termination at the hands of the mysterious robot known only as Pluto.
What's notable right out of the gate about Pluto is its format. There might only be eight episodes, but each episode is an hour or more long, giving the series a cinematic quality. That cinematic quality is felt in the animation, as any given scene feels like it could have come straight out of a high-budget anime movie. What Pluto captures best are its expressions. Each twitch of the mouth or sidelong glance after a difficult question is made clear in a way that makes Pluto's characters always interesting to watch, even when they're just talking.
6 Demon Slayer is Beautiful & Violent in Equal Measure
Animated By Ufotable & Based on the Manga By Koyoharu Gotouge
Demon Slayer
- Cast
- Zach Aguilar , Abby Trott , Aleks Le , Bryce Papenbrook , Brianna Knickerbocker , Zeno Robinson , Johnny Yong Bosch , Erika Harlacher , Ray Chase , Kira Buckland
- Release Date
- April 6, 2019
- Seasons
- 3
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Franchise(s)
- Demon Slayer
- Writers
- Ufotable
- Directors
- Haruo Sotozaki
- Creator(s)
- Ufotable
Demon Slayer is one of the best action anime out there, featuring vivid art paired with an intriguing plot. In terms of animation, the series went above and beyond what anime fans have come to expect. Demon Slayer's usage of CGI is flawless and seamless, giving the impression of seeing a 3D anime. The backgrounds depict the harsh conditions of surviving in the wilderness through realistic environments of snow and mountains.
The beautiful depictions of Demon Slayer's distinctive Nichirin swords in combat, which include extravagant details such as water streaming from the sword, prove the animation to be clever as well. It adapts battle scenarios with cinematic choreography, and character movements are employed to highlight the varied fighting methods of the series.
5 Cowboy Bebop is the Peak of 90s Animation
Animated By Studio Sunrise & Created By Shinichiro Watanabe
Cowboy Bebop (1998)
- Cast
- Koichi Yamadera , Steve Blum , Megumi Hayashibara , Wendee Lee , Unshô Ishizuka , Beau Billingslea , Aoi Tada , Melissa Fahn
- Release Date
- April 3, 1998
- Seasons
- 2
- Network
- Adult Swim
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Franchise(s)
- Cowboy Bebop
- Writers
- Keiko Nobumoto , Shinichirô Watanabe
- Directors
- Shinichirô Watanabe
- Showrunner
- Shinichirô Watanabe
An absolute classic anime series, few '90s anime look better than Cowboy Bebop. The series is about a man named Spike Spiegel and the group of mercenaries he works with in a future that feels both far away and achingly close. Though humanity in Bebop has spread beyond Earth, they only call a handful of planets in the solar system their home, and even those planets they have colonized are ravaged by crime and gang warfare.
Many members of the team who worked on Cowboy Bebop would go on to found Studio Bones.
Though there are many reasons for Bebop's critical acclaim, it's undeniable that the animation is a key part of its appeal. From its fight scenes, to its spaceship combat, to its environmental work, every part of Bebop is a visual feast. If there's one area Cowboy Bebop particularly shines in though, it's in its character work. Bebop's main characters are all incredibly distinctive in terms of animation, with expressive faces and unique movements. All of this makes Bebop one of the best-animated '90s anime.
4 Violet Evergarden is Visually Breathtaking on Every Level
Animated By Kyoto Animation & Based on the Light Novel By Kana Akatsuki & Akiko Takase
Violet Evergarden
- Cast
- Erika Harlacher , Tony Azzolino , Kyle McCarley , Reba Buhr , Ben Pronsky , Christine Marie Cabanos
- Release Date
- January 11, 2018
- Seasons
- 1
- Franchise(s)
- Violet Evergarden
- Writers
- Reiko Yoshida , Tatsuhiko Urahata , Taaki Suzuki
- Directors
- Taichi Ishidate , Haruka Fujita
- Creator(s)
- Kana Akatsuki
Violet Evergarden, an anime series based on a light novel, appears both aesthetically pleasing and emotionally fulfilling to the audience. Set in world similar to post-World War I Europe, the series is about a former soldier named Violet as she tries to readjust to society by transcribing peoples' letters. The series is praised for its emotional richness and engaging plot. The setting of the Violet Evergarden world has natural and beautiful landscapes, with European-style architecture and vibrant hues.
The starry night scenery, as well as the city of Leiden, appear to be creative wonders. Flowers feature prominently throughout the series, which adds an emotional undertone to the events. The environment, objects, and camera perspectives add great details to every scene. The visuals in Violet Evergarden are unrivaled in quality and held with high regard among critics.
3 Mob Psycho 100 Animation is Gorgeous & Weird in Equal Measure
Animated By Studio Bones & Based on the Manga By ONE
Mob Psycho 100
- Cast
- Kyle McCarley , Jason Liebrecht , Chris Niosi , Michael Sorich , Max Mittelman , Erik Scott , Kimerer , Casey Mongillo , Cherami Leigh
- Release Date
- July 12, 2016
- Seasons
- 3
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Franchise(s)
- Mob Psycho 100
- Writers
- Hiroshi Seko
- Directors
- Yuzuru Tachikawa , Takahiro Hasui
- Creator(s)
- ONE
Mob Psycho 100 follows a boy named Shigeo (better known as Mob) who is gifted with such tremendous psychic energy that he is forced to constantly suppress his emotions for fear of unleashing his terrible power. Together with his fake exorcist mentor Reigen, Mob works to use his psychic powers for good by exorcising spirits and fighting against psychics who intend to use their powers to harm others.
Mob Psycho 100 creator ONE is also responsible for creating One-Punch Man.
Faithfully adapting ONE's unique art style in Mob Psycho 100 couldn't have been an easy task, but Studio Bones hit a home run. The series has a unique look that somehow goes from goofy to heartwarming to downright horrific at a moment's notice. Few anime series use their animation to juggle as many different tones as well as Mob Psycho 100 does. The intros alone are all masterclasses in absurdist animation that never fail to get viewers hyped up for the series.
2 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is Studio Trigger at Their Peak
Animated By Studio Trigger & Based on the RPG Series Created By Mike Pondsmith
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Cast
- Aoi Yuki , Kenichiro Ohashi , Kenjiro Tsuda , Kazuhiko Inoue , Tomoyo Kurosawa
- Release Date
- September 13, 2022
- Seasons
- 1
- Network
- Netflix
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
- Franchise(s)
- Cyberpunk
- Writers
- Mike Pondsmith , Yoshiki Usa , Masahiko Otsuka
Taking place before the divisive Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners follows a young man named David trying to find his place in a dystopian future. After a horrible tragedy leaves David directionless, he decides to become an Edgerunner, essentially a mercenary with enhanced abilities due to cybernetic upgrades. Though David starts off inexperienced, he risks losing himself as he gets increasingly involved in a dark world of crime.
Fans of anime may know Trigger best for their work on Kill La Kill, though they're also the studio behind the recent Netflix hit Delicious in Dungeon.
Trigger has one of the most recognizable styles in the anime industry, and that is on full display in Edgerunners. Night City has never looked better, with Trigger's fluid and expressive animation adding a great deal of character to one of the most famous locations in the cyberpunk genre's history. More than just great-looking environments though, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' animation does an incredible job of pulling viewers tight into David's perspective to really convey how he's feeling at any given moment.
1 Jujutsu Kaisen is the Best Animated Anime Series Ever
Animated By Studio MAPPA & Based on the Manga By Gege Akutami
Jujutsu Kaisen
- Cast
- Junya Enoki , Yuma Uchida , Yuichi Nakamura , Adam McArthur , Asami Seto
- Release Date
- October 2, 2020
- Seasons
- 3
- Franchise(s)
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- Writers
- Hiroshi Seko
- Directors
- Sunghoo Park , Shōta Goshozono
Jujutsu Kaisen is a story about a young man named Yuji who becomes involved in a world of sorcerers and curses after he's forced to swallow a cursed finger and host the incredibly powerful (and evil) spirit Sukuna. Alongside his teacher, Gojo, and his classmates Megumi and Nobara, Yuji fights cursed spirits and other sorcerers who may be a danger to Japan. Naturally, the show becomes increasingly violent and horrific, with plenty of action and gore. The fights are animated smoothly and show interesting tactics.
One of Jujutsu Kaisen’s Most Popular Heroes Was Originally Supposed to Be a Big Villain
Gege Akutami has revealed that one of Jujutsu Kaisen's most beloved and heroic characters could have had a drastically different personality.The scene-setting animation in cursed domains is fantastic, and individual actions have a lot of vitality because of the distinctive way aura is depicted, with its aquamarine tint and pseudo-3D contour. The series also has a lot of inventive and unusual designs, making it a true animation marvel. All of this adds up to making Jujutsu Kaisen the anime series with the best animation.