20 Anime Shows With the Best Art Styles, Ranked

Following the character of a medicine seller, Mononoke is an episodic journey through the expulsion of ghosts and evil spirits known as mononoke in the Edo and Meiji periods of Japan (making it a mythology-inspired anime, too).

Mononoke definitely has an odd art style, one that will either attract viewers or repel them. For those intrigued by the art style, plenty of viewers will be interested in knowing that this 2D animation resembles that of ink paintings, placing viewers properly in its historical setting. The most unique of anime art styles, Mononoke is definitely worth watching if just to experience the beautiful and intriguing art style alone.

Famous doctor Gorou Amamiya is in charge of delivering popular pop star AI Hoshino’s twins. He has great admiration for her, but during the night of Ai’s labor, he is murdered by an obsessive fan. Simultaneously, 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 by the name of Sarina Tendōji. Then, four years later, Ai is murdered, and Aqua and Ruby set out to hunt down their father, whom they assume was an accomplice in Ai’s murder.

Similarly to plenty of other anime with beautiful and eye-catching art styles, Oshi no Ko is another anime whose art does not match the tone of the story. Sure, it matches the star-eyed life of a pop star, but when it comes to the deeper lore, such as the murder of a beloved pop star, it definitely feels too cheery. Still, nonetheless, the art style is one of the anime’s main bragging points; it’s hard not to love Oshi no Ko for that alone.

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is a unique anime on every front, from its art style to its characters to its narrative. Each part follows a new protagonist in the Joestar lineage. However, the one thing in common is that fans know it will be a weird journey across the designated country.

The art style is the first thing fans judge about a series, and because of its unorthodox appearance, many fans had trouble getting into Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. However, its originality and elegance have gotten recognition from the Louvre itself, proving to be a legendary art style. Jojo's Bizarre Adventure's art style is weird, over-the-top, charming, elegant, and unique, highlighting every other aspect in the show and making it a modern classic anime series.

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

Land of the Lustrous is often considered the Steven Universe of anime due to their similarities: in this case, gem people with differing powers relating to their gemstone. However, undoubtedly, Land of the Lustrous is an anime with a beautiful art style. Like Phos, the animation, colors, and art style all make the anime look rather fragile and glamorous, despite its rather dismal story. No other art style of anime can compete with the Land of Lustrous in terms of beauty.

Denji is an ordinary human trying to pay off his deceased father’s debt. Alongside him is his companion devil, Pochita. However, one day Denji is sold out, and he is ambushed by the zombie devil. As he faces death, Pochita and Denji enter a contract together. In exchange for giving Denji his heart, he is to live his life to the fullest, as an ordinary person. This merger allows Denji to transform into the Chainsaw Devil, and devil hunter Makima has her sights set on him as she invites him to help her team defeat devils and fiends.

Chainsaw Man was released as an anime with CGI. Upon first look, Chainsaw Man’s CGI is a little weird, but that is simply because most anime relies on 2D animation. However, Chainsaw Man’s polished CGI and art style are where it stands out the most. Though many won’t give Chainsaw Man a chance due to its odd art style, Chainsaw Man is definitely worth the watch—and its art style and CGI tell a better story than its manga counterpart.

Violet is a young, war-afflicted soldier who is recovering from her injuries. Though she is not like any other person, as she continuously viewers and refers to herself as a tool for the enigmatic Major she speaks so fondly of. This ultimately leaves her very little room to adjust to her new life as a free woman.

Violet Evergarden is another visually stunning anime with a beautiful art style that seems to tell a story on its own. It makes sense that the art style matches the tone of the story, which is a tale of growth and finding beauty in the smallest things. It’s hard not to watch Violet’s story unfold in complete and utter awe.

After returning home one day, Tanjiro finds his entire family slaughtered, with the exception of his sister, Nezuko, who has seemingly been turned into a vicious demon. However, after encountering a demon slayer in the woods, Tanjiro quickly learns that Nezuko still has a bit of humanity left in her. Determined to turn his sister back into a human, Tanjiro trains to become a demon slayer and slays demons as he tries to find a cure to Nezuko’s transformation, even if that means taking down Muzan.

It’s no surprise that Demon Slayer is an anime with some of the best art styles. Though it hails from its popular manga counterpart, the art style—though similar—is not as pretty or aesthetically pleasing as the visuals the animation has provided, especially with the bright, vibrant colors and well-choreographed scenes that seem to take Demon Slayer to the next level above other anime. The art style, though relatively simple, is simply one of the best.

Toilet-Bound-Hanako-Kun is a weird title, but it is based on the popular Japanese myth. This anime follows a high school girl summoning the legend in order to gain a wish. However, all she gets is an introduction to the spooky and wacky supernatural world of the school myths which reside and control the building.

Halloween is one of the best holidays of the year, and Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun gives off the greatest Halloween vibes in anime. It has one of the best and most original art styles in anime, with its distinct colors, unique character designs, and creepy aesthetic. Toilet-Bound Hanako's charm comes from its blend of cuteness and spookiness.

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

Another short yet beautiful anime, Beyond the Boundary is one of those shows that viewers will find themselves drawn to and captivated by. It’s hard not to fall in love with the art style, and the plot is so simply sweet that viewers will find themselves unable to forget the beautiful experience that is Beyond the Boundary.

Sung Jin-woo is a hunter in a world where humans must battle against dangerous and deadly monsters. Though he is the weakest of the hunters, one day he uses his observation skills and intellect to save his comrades from being wiped out by a powerful monster. Following this deadly encounter, a magical system called Program selects him and gives him the power to grow stronger.

Solo Leveling’s art style cannot be replicated. It’s flashy, it’s clean, and most importantly, it’s the sort of style that works best in action-oriented anime. Though the dark and cool colors provide a sense of dullness, these colors cater to the tone of the story, which is dark and representative of its heavy content.

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

Gurren Lagann is a must-watch for all anime fans and definitely for mecha fans. Not only is the story both wholesome and interesting, but the art style is magnificent; it goes from dull browns and grays to much more vibrant colors as soon as Simon and Kamina climb the surface. Not to mention, the art style is clean and polished, allowing for beautiful fight scenes between the gunmen and for new viewers to get into mecha anime.

Ai is a young girl who lives in a world abandoned by God. As such, for fifteen years, people could no longer give birth nor die properly. Instead, they turn into the undead, though these undead have a conscience of their own. The only thing God left behind were gravekeepers who could put people to rest on their own. Ai is one such person, and she travels the world to put her power to use after an encounter with the enigmatic Hampnie Hambart, an immortal who massacred her village.

Much like other anime with deep and philosophical storytelling, Sunday Without God has a beautiful and somewhat cute art style, which is a total shocker as its art style does not seemingly 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 showcased well in the beauty of the art style. It reminds viewers that even in dark times, life—and death—can be beautiful.

Tomihiko Morimi has written some of the most imaginative stories adapted to anime, with their light novels always providing a unique story and a distinct view of Kyoto. The Tatami Galaxy follows a college student trying to land his dream girl. To do so, he enlists in a different club for each episode, with every show having the same lackluster result.

Since The Tatami Galaxy was originally a light novel, there was no set art style until the genius Masaaki Yuasa gave it one. He is known for delivering some of the best avant-garde anime with a creative visual style, unconventional animation, and narrative. It provides a relaxing atmosphere and a distinct vibe, making The Tatami Galaxy one of the most visually appealing anime.

With thousands of episodes, One Piece has undergone many changes in its art style, but it is always fresh air compared to most anime. Monkey D. Luffy embarks on a quest to find the titular treasure and become king of the pirates, but first, he must build a crew and find the road poneglyphs, all while bumping into dangerous pirates, corrupt marines, and the notorious world government.

One Piece has an art style, unlike any battle shōnen, with bizarre designs and varying degrees of weirdness. The expressive characters and vibrant colors match the themes of fun, freedom, and emotion, highlighting story elements through the art style. One Piece has excellent character designs, making the art pop out creatively and weirdly.

While fans await City The Animation later in 2025, they can remember Nichijou for its glorious gags and unforgettable jokes. The series follows three high school friends, a child scientist with her robot friend, and a talking cat. These eccentric characters cause chaos and mayhem everywhere they go, matching the equally ridiculous residents of the town.

While it may be cutesy and wholesome, this dynamic art style shows its true colors through its chaotic nature. Nichijou excels in delivering the unexpected, and its art style emphasizes that point through its expressive characters and dramatic style shifts. Nichijou is one of the funniest comedy anime shows, and its art style is a big part of what makes this series so appealing.

Anime is known for being action and entertainment-focused, but Katanagatari is one of the few dialogue-heavy shows. Two adventurers set out on a quest to find the twelve unique swords and deliver them to the shogun, hoping for political change in the dangerous world.

Unlike detailed or typical art styles, Katanagatari uses a minimalist style inspired by Ukiyo-e, as seen in its flat designs. The simple style creates a mesmerizing aesthetic and a daring art style that resonated with many fans, standing out as one of the best.

Modern anime doesn’t experiment with its art styles as much as it used to, but there is still one new series that dares to be different. Great Pretender follows a group of con artists as they get roped into new jobs. The stakes keep rising, but the thrill and reward are too good to pass up.

Great Pretender’s art style isn’t too different or weird, but it still stands out with its pop-art aesthetic that favors colors, energy, and a 1970s heist vibe. Each location features a new style, from bright neon lights to warm colors, creating a mix of vibes that all nail their purpose. Great Pretender has a vacation-like, sophisticated energy that makes it visually striking.

This list features a handful of avant-garde series, as this genre aims to be different and unique. FLCL is a 2000s masterpiece that follows Naota, a kid who carries too much burden for his age. However, an eccentric woman flips his world upside down when she uses him to summon her interdimensional lover.

FLCL doesn’t have the most unique or one-of-a-kind art style, but it is different and striking enough to earn a spot on this list. This anime is a wonder for the senses, from its sensational music to astounding visuals. It achieved this through its nostalgic, engaging, crisp, and goofy art style that is a staple of its decade, making FLCL a short but sweet anime.

Anime shows are usually adapted from their respective manga, but a handful follow Western novels, and one of the best is Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo. Albert wants a more exciting life, and he finds this when he introduces the titular count to modern life, but he may get more than he bargained for.

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo has one of the most distinct art styles in anime, and it uses many factors to achieve this. From working with a fashion designer to its digital tapestry look to its intentional clash of colors and distracting backgrounds, this anime is a sensory overload that fans can’t help but marvel at.

One of the most unexpected hits of 2022 was Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, a spin-off of the popular Cyberpunk 2077 board game and video game. When David loses his mother, he joins a gang with his advanced cybernetic spine, looking to get revenge on the system that took his mother away from him.

There are a lot of good things about Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, from its tragic story to over-the-top action, both of which will return in the recently announced second season, which has quickly become one of the most anticipated anime series. However, its flashy, vibrant, and in-your-face art style and animation elevate this show to greater heights.