Animation on steroids! 5 anime shows that have visually stunning art styles
This list highlights five anime celebrated for breathtaking animation and unique art styles, from Violet Evergarden's lush detail to JoJo's bold flair, Madoka Magica's surreal darkness, Made in Abyss's haunting beauty, and Death Parade's elegant neon atmosphere and emotional impact.
New Delhi: No matter how good or bad a story is, what truly makes an anime enjoyable is its animation and art style. That’s right, there always comes a time in a weeb’s life when they do not watch shows that have an off-putting art style.
Such fans turn towards the source material of these stories, manga, to consume the story in the way it was intended. Similarly, many dull anime plots have gained worldwide recognition solely for their stunning art style.
But, why not choose both? In this list we will be presenting you with 5 anime shows that have been heavily praised for their animation and unique art styles, helping them stand out among the rest. Not only this, the animes on this list are not only visually pleasing but are also good stories with interesting characters and unique artistic choices. From mesmerizing colors to intricate details, these shows elevate animation to an art form. Here are five anime series that have been praised for their stunning visual styles.
Anime shows with stunning art styles
Violet Evergarden
Animation Studio: Kyoto Animation
Art style: Lush, hyper-detailed, emotionally expressive.
One of the only anime that has united weebs of all kinds to agree - the animation is stunning. Violet Evergarden follows the life of Violet, a former soldier who attempts to navigate her life after the war. She takes up a job as an Auto Memory Doll, someone who writes letters for others. The animation for this show has been praised for its fluid character movements and dream-like use of lighting, making it extremely pleasing to the eye.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures
Animation Studio: David Production
Art Style: Bold, exaggerated, highly stylised.
Famous for its comic book-like aesthetic art style, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is known for its distinctive look, dramatic expressions and striking colours. Inspired by mangaka Hirohiko Araki’s style, the anime has perfected Araki’s vision and made the show the most visually unique anime show ever created.
Madoka Magica
Animation Studio: Shaft
Art Style: Surreal, dreamlike, and unsettlingly beautiful.
Many avoid Madoka Magica for its ‘girly’ character designs and use of soft pastel colours. If you are one of them, you are missing out! As the story unfolds, the anime and its avant-garde art style get progressively darker and twisted in nature. Studio Shaft’s use of intricate paper-cutout animation alongside abstract backgrounds makes Madoka Magica worth watching!
Made in Abyss
Animation Studio: Kinema Citrus
Art Style: Storybook-like and contrasting with dark themes
Another anime that is dismissed for its ‘childish-looking’ character designs, Made in Abyss is an emotionally devastating and visually haunting anime. Following the story of a young girl and her robotic friend as they descend into a mysterious chasm, the Abyss. The anime has beautifully used watercolour-like backgrounds with unsettling creature designs, making it worth your while.
Death Parade
Animation Studio: Madhouse
Art Style: Elegant, neon-lit, detailed character animation
Last, but definitely not least, Death Parade is a psychological drama anime set inside a bar where the dead are judged through high-stakes games. With clean character designs, a glowing aesthetic and sleek animation, this anime is visually striking and emotionally engaging.