For an anime, the plot and characters are not the only important aspects. Visuals play a huge role in making an anime memorable too. Anime is famous for its beautiful aesthetic imageries and distinct art style, which differentiate it from western animation. So, we must talk about such an essential part of an anime, like the visuals and imagery. That is why we’re bringing you a ranking of 30+ best visually aesthetic anime with beautiful styles, according to the IMDb ratings.
For this list, we’ll be taking both anime series and anime movies into consideration but leaving out manga and light novels. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at our ranking of visually aesthetic anime.
Table of Contents
30+ Best Visually Aesthetic Anime with Beautiful Style
31) The Garden Of Sinners (Film Series)
- IMDb Ratings: 7
- Number of Films: 8
- Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy, Supernatural, Mystery, Suspense
- Studio: ufotable
Unlike the other anime on this list of best visually aesthetic anime, The Garden Of Sinners is a series of movies. The movies are set in Japan in the late 1990s and focus on Shiki Ryougi, a mysterious girl who possesses a special ability and lives alone.
Shiki investigates various strange and supernatural incidents along with Touko Aozaki and Mikiya Kokutou. The movie series is dark fantasies with some intricate visuals that reflect well the moody vibe of the films.
30) The Demon Girl Next Door
- IMDb Ratings: 7
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
- Studio: J.C.Staff
The second last spot in the ranking of best visually aesthetic anime belongs to The Demon Girl Next Door. The comedy series is about a high schooler, Yuko Yoshida, who suddenly finds herself with horns and a tail after having a strange dream of her ancestor.Â
With that begins Yuko’s journey of trying to defeat Momo Chiyoda, who somehow becomes her mentor, to regain her family’s spot out of poverty. The Demon Girl Next Door is a fun watch with plenty of laughs and beautiful visuals.
29) Kino’s Journey: The Beautiful World: The Animated Series
- IMDb Ratings: 7.2
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Slice of Life
- Studio: Lerche
Kino’s Journey has been presented to the viewers a number of times, with multiple anime films and series, and light novels. The latest addition to this is Kino’s Journey: The Beautiful World: The Animated Series.
The series focuses on Kino, a teenage girl with wanderlust who travels around the world on her beloved motorcycle. The newest version of Kino’s Journey provides jaw-dropping visuals and an adventure-filled experience.
28) Akebi’s Sailor Uniform
- IMDb Ratings: 7.3
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Genre: Slice of Life
- Studio: CloverWorks
Sometimes it’s the slice-of-life anime that has the most visually aesthetic styles. Akebi’s Sailor Uniform is a prime example of this. The story of the series is very simple, focusing on Akebi, who loves sailor uniforms and finds herself in one in a school where everyone wears blazers.
The series then follows her as she lives her teenage years, makes new friends, and struggles as youths usually do. It’s pretty fun and has amazingly beautiful visuals. Just give it a go only to see how gorgeous it looks.
27) Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4
- Year: 2018
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy
- Studio: P.A. Works
Maquia: When The Promised Flower Blooms is a heartbreaking story of the eponymous character, Maquia, one of the humanoids with a much longer lifespan, and her emotional journey of love and loss. The anime movie portrays the emotions of a mother and the inevitability of death beautifully.
Maquia has some of the most outstanding visual aesthetics in anime, and the beautiful imagery takes you to a place of fantasy. The anime movie’s soulful story and its beautiful art combine perfectly to create a memorable viewing experience.
26) A Lull In The Sea
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
- Studio: P.A. Works
No matter how thoughtful and philosophical you are, there is a charm to the teenage romantic drama that no one can deny. A Lull In The Sea brings exactly that to the table. Filled with a good looking cast, the show has its characters tangled in a complex romantic mesh.
A Lull In The Sea not only has teenage drama to offer, but it also has plenty of beautiful visuals to impress you with. From the glittering sea to the softness of the breeze, the scene from the anime is so beautiful that we had to include it in our best visually aesthetic anime list.
25) The Garden Of Words
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4
- Year: 2013
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
When Makoto Shinkai touches a project, magic happens. Every one of the eminent director’s films is so beautiful that it makes a place for itself inside our hearts from the very first scene. The Garden Of Words is one such example of man’s genius.
The movie is comparatively short, spanning only 46 minutes. It tells the unusual but poignant story of Takao Akizuki, a high-school student aspiring to be a shoe-maker, and Yukari Yukino, a young woman struggling in her career which happens to be a high school teacher, and how a bond forms between them in a secluded garden.
24) Wonder Egg Priority
- IMDb Ratings: 7.5
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Psychological
- Studio: CloverWorks
Wonder Egg Priority gained a lot of popularity when it was first released in 2011. The show not only shows the emotional complexity of preteen girls but also has jaw-droppingly beautiful visuals.
From the bright and soothing settings that complement the sweetness of youth to the darker shades that come along with young minds, Wonder Egg Priority captures all with its aesthetic visuals. That makes the journey of Ai Ooto all the more intriguing for viewers.
23) The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl
- IMDb Ratings: 7.5
- Year: 2017
- Genre: Comedy, Romance
- Studio: Science SARU
With unique and unconventional titles such as The Night Is Short and Walk On Girl, the movie promises to deliver a fun experience, and according to the viewers, it certainly does. The anime movie is filled with good characters, witty plotlines, and stunning imagery.
It follows two university students, a girl, and a boy, on a party night out. As the girl meets new people in a variety of scenarios and lives at the moment, the boy is planning to confess his feelings to her. The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl provides a charming yet uncomplicated fun comedy.
22) No Game No Life
- IMDb Ratings: 7.7
- Number of Episodes: 12 + 1 movie
- Genre: Isekai, Fantasy, Comedy, Ecchi
- Studio: Madhouse
No Game No Life caught the viewer’s attention with its liberal use of colors and bright visuals. While some felt uncomfortable with the sheer colorfulness of the show, most liked its brilliant usage of light and hues. But whatever your verdict may be, there’s no denying that the show is one of the best visually aesthetic anime out there.
No Game No Life is centered on a pair of step-siblings, Sora and Shiro, who are orphaned and have an addiction to video games. They are very codependent and very smart, which they use when they are offered to live in another world that is entirely focused on video games. The show has some brilliant moments but left fans disappointed when there was no announcement of a season 2.
21) The Ancient Magus’ Wife
- IMDb Ratings: 7.7
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Genre: Fantasy, Supernatural, Mystery, Mythology, Romance, Slice of Life
- Studio: Wit Studio
At first glance, The Ancient Magus’ Wife might look like a Beauty and the Beast story, and to some degree, it is. But the show also has plenty to offer. The protagonist of the anime is Chise, who is sold to Elias, a humanoid man with a demonic face, in an auction.
While predicting a life of pain and misery, Chise is surprised to find tutelage, care, friendship, and ultimately love in her new life. The Ancient Magus’ Wife is a beautiful and mellow love story with plenty of magic and aesthetically pleasing visuals.
20) Katanagatari
- IMDb Ratings: 7.8
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance, Historical, Martial Arts
- Studio: White Fox
Katanagatari means the story of swords, and that’s exactly what the show is. Centered on a pair, Shichika and Togame, the story follows their journey across Japan of the Edo period looking for the Deviant Swords. On their journey, they meet some enemies and some allies, all the while falling in love.
The visuals of the series are one of its USPs, as it is unique, fun-looking, and absolutely gorgeous. From the designs of the characters to the jaw-dropping backgrounds, the show provides some of the best aesthetics. Too bad the show didn’t get to have a second season but never say never.
19) Hyouka
- IMDb Ratings: 7.8
- Number of Episodes: 22
- Genre: Mystery, Slice of Life
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
Hyouka gained massive popularity among teenage fans because of its very relatable protagonist. Oreki is a smart guy with no motivation to do anything but the bare minimum.Â
He’s a loner but not particularly bothered by it. When instructed to join a club, Oreki finds himself in a group with three people, all with their strangeness.
Hyouka’s slice-of-life storyline is paired with mysteries as the teenagers live their high school life. The characters and the imagery of the show both received huge love from fans. It’s another of those beloved shows which stayed with fans even after not getting renewed for another season.
18) Carole & Tuesday
- IMDb Ratings: 7.8
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Music
- Studio: Bones
Carole & Tuesday mixes two genres of sci-fi and music into an interesting amalgamation. The story is set in a world where Mars is habitable and revolves around two teenage girls, Carole and Tuesday. Tuesday is a wealthy girl dreaming of her singing career, while Carole is an orphan who has big dreams of her music all on her own.
The art of the show is marvelous, playing well in the different settings, from the flashy scenes on stage to the mellower, more private moments. The beautiful aesthetic the show provides is hinted at even from the brilliantly beautiful poster.
17) Sound! Euphonium
- IMDb Ratings: 7.9
- Number of Episodes: 26 + 4 movies
- Genre: Drama, Music
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
Another musical show with a beautiful style which makes it another visually aesthetic anime. Like most high school anime, Sound! Euphonium also focuses on a certain club – this time, the Concert Band Club. The famous and national competition-level Kitauji High School has lost its greatness after changing the club advisor.
However, the new advisor of Kitauji is determined to return the concert band club to its former glory. But things are not so easy when one is dealing with teenagers. The visuals of Sound! Euphonium is absolutely breathtaking and paired with the relatable teenage drama, and it’s a fan favorite.
16) Land Of The Lustrous
- IMDb Ratings: 7.9
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
- Studio: Orange
Unlike most anime which are hand-drawn, Land Of The Lustrous is computer animated, and it shows on the screen. The animation is fluent, and the aesthetic of the anime is an absolute vision.
The staff behind the anime were very meticulous about each detail, and the resultant product is an eye-popping visually aesthetic anime. The anime is about immortal beings known as Lustrous.
15) Monogatari
- IMDb Ratings: 8.2
- Number of Episodes: 100
- Genre: Mystery, Romance, Psychological, Paranormal, Supernatural
- Studio: Shaft
Monogatari has the fandom divided in two. There are those who adore the unique art style, direction, and composition of the anime, while some seem to dislike it. But no matter the opinion, it’s undeniable that Monogatari is a memorable piece of entertainment.
The anime revolves around Araragi, a vampire attack survivor, and the various supernatural girls he meets along the way. Monogatari has multiple seasons, each named differently, in a non-chronological order.
14) A Silent Voice
- IMDb Ratings: 8.1
- Year: 2016
- Genre: Drama
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
A Silent Voice is such a beautiful, poignant story that it touches your heart. The soulful story of Shoya Ishida and how incredibly lonely someone can be in the middle of a crowd. It’s a story of guilt, loneliness, and redemption, and how it’s never too late to rectify your wrongs.
When Shoya bullies a deaf and mute girl along with his peers in elementary school, the girl is traumatized, and all the blame is thrust upon Shoya by his fellow bullies. But unlike the bullies, Shoya rights his wrong, and the anime movie shows you the power of apologies and forgiveness with picturesque visuals.
13) Re: Zero, Starting Life in Another World
- IMDb Ratings: 8.1
- Number of Episodes: 50
- Genre: Isekai, Fantasy, Action, Drama, Romance
- Studio: White Fox
Re: Zero is Isekai done right. It takes every important component of the subgenre and makes it better while stepping away from some of the more immature stuff. The story is centered around Subaru, a teenage boy who had nothing to live for in his real life and came into a magical world with a special power.
But unlike the overpowered and sometimes ridiculous Isekai protagonists, Subaru’s strength lies in his suffering. His pain is such a contrast to the beautiful and multilayered magical world he’s found himself.
12) A Place Further Than The Universe
- IMDb Ratings: 8.2
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
- Studio: Madhouse
Madhouse has made plenty of amazing anime over the years, and A Place Further Than The Universe is another addition to it. The show was released in 2018 and had some of the best visuals in anime.Â
The series is all about youthful adventure as two high school girls, Mari Tamaki and Shirase Kobuchizawa, make plans to go to Antarctica, where Shirase’s mother had disappeared three years prior. The story moves as they meet more girls interested in adventure.
11) Yuri!!! On Ice
- IMDb Ratings: 8.3
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Genre: Sports, Drama, Romance
- Studio: MAPPA
Yuri!!! On Ice gained a shattering success at its release; fans became enamored with the main characters and their chemistry very quickly. The show focuses on male figure skating, a sport often ignored in anime in favor of more popular sports like baseball and soccer.
The blossoming romance between Yuri and Victor is as beautiful as the picturesque settings in the background. With effortless animation and soulful music, Yuri!!! On Ice rightfully captures its spot as one of the most visually aesthetic anime.
10) March Comes In Like A Lion
- IMDb Ratings: 8.3
- Number of Episodes: 44
- Genre: Drama, Slice of Life, Coming of Age
- Studio: Shaft
March Comes In Like A Lion is such an experience that it stays with you even after the screen darkens. It’s a heartfelt story about Rei, a teenage shogi player left alone in the world after his whole family died. Feeling incredibly lonely in life, Rei makes acquaintances with the Kawamoto sisters and slowly begins to mature.
The series is very emotional, portraying a realistic depiction of the emotional turmoil faced by teenagers. The imagery of it is extremely beautiful, making the already powerful story all the more impactful.
9) Your Name
- IMDb Ratings: 8.4
- Year: 2016
- Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
After Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, no anime movie has been as big and prominent as Makoto Shinkai’s masterpiece, Your Name. The movie is so beautifully done that even non-anime fans couldn’t stop themselves from watching it, and if that isn’t a victory, we don’t know what is.
Your Name has a touching story of two teenagers from different corners of the country: Mitsuha in the countryside and Taki in the city. It’s when they mysteriously find themselves swapping bodies, does the story come to life. We won’t say anything more except it’s a must-watch.
8) Violet Evergarden
- IMDb Ratings: 8.4
- Number of Episodes: 13 + 2 films
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
Violet Evergarden is KyoAni’s masterpiece. Every single frame of the anime is breathtaking. Coupled with that is the beautifully humane story of Violet, an Auto Memories Doll who writes letters for people even though she cannot fully comprehend the emotions behind them.
The story is about Violet’s journey as she meets several people along the way and tries to learn feelings so she can understand the emotion behind the “I love you” Gilbert said to her as his last words.
7) The Tatami Galaxy
- IMDb Ratings: 8.4
- Number of Episodes: 11 + 1 film
- Genre: Comedy, Psychological, Romance, Mystery
- Studio: Madhouse
If someone writes about visually aesthetic anime, The Tatami Galaxy can’t help but be mentioned. The series’ quirky art style captures the attention of the viewers from the get-go. And with the intriguing plot, the show becomes worth every minute spent with eyes glued to the screen.
The plot of The Tatami Galaxy is about a university student who lives every day through parallel universes by meeting a new friend and falling for a girl. The series has some deep, deep-provoking symbolism that promises an engaging time.
6) Made In Abyss
- IMDb Ratings: 8.4
- Number of Episodes: 25 + 3 films
- Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Mystery, Drama
- Studio: Kinema Citrus
It’s the beautiful and attractive art of Made In Abyss that makes the twist in the story so shocking. Imagining something so dark and twisted in a setting, so aesthetically pleasing is hard, but the series manages it commendably.
Made In Abyss centers around a girl, Riko, and the amnesiac half-robot boy, Reg, she finds. The new friends then embark on a journey into the Abyss to find Riko’s mother but something horrible waits for them. Offering some of the best mystery and sci-fi, Made In Abyss is a must-watch.
5) Mushishi
- IMDb Ratings: 8.5
- Number of Episodes: 46
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Slice of Life, Supernatural, Historical, Iyashikei
- Studio: Artland
Mushishi is an Iyashikei story, meaning that it shows a peaceful and calming everyday life story of its characters. In Mushishi, the character we follow through the length of the series is Ginko, a man on a solitary journey who interacts with Mushi in various forms in various people’s lives.
The core component of Mushishi is the existence of Mushi, which is life’s most basic form. The show delves into the concept but has no complex or sartorial chains of events. Mushishi’s simplicity is its most charming point, but the beautiful visuals don’t hurt either.
4) Spirited Away
- IMDb Ratings: 8.6
- Year: 2001
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural, Mythology
- Studio: Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli doesn’t just show you a movie or tell you a story; it gives you an experience. And Spirited Away is the best among the other treasures of the famous studio and Hayao Miyazaki, the genius behind it. The story is so magical and adventurous and yet has so many subtexts of Japanese culture and society that it’s mind-boggling.
Not to mention the gorgeous visuals that make that magic come true in our eyes. Each shot is so detailed and thorough that we find our eyes glued to it and only wanting more.
3) Samurai Champloo
- IMDb Ratings: 8.6
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Historical
- Studio: Manglobe
While some anime is beautiful in the classic picturesque way, and some are more modern-looking and sparkling, Samurai Champloo stands out because of its uniqueness. The art of anime is very stylish, and the animation is really smooth. Its unconventional looks of it make it one of the best visually aesthetic anime out there.
Samurai Champloo is about three people, all coming from different ways of life, who are unlikely to become friends, yet find themselves on a quest together. Traveling the road with Mugen, Fuu and Shun is really a fun journey.
2) Clannad: After Story
- IMDb Ratings: 8.6
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Supernatural
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
Clannad After Story is the sequel of its predecessor, Clannad, and continues in the future along with the story of Tomoyo and Nagisa. The happy couple’s life, however, is shattered when Nagisa dies, leaving an infant who Tomoyo cannot face in his grief. It’s a story of grief and love and the pain of loss.
Clannad After Story is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. KyoAni is known for its beautiful visuals and aesthetic appeals, and Clannad After Story is no exception. And that is why it is on the 2nd spot of our visually aesthetic anime list.
1) Cowboy Bebop
- IMDb Ratings: 8.9
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
- Studio: Sunrise
No list of the best visually aesthetic anime can be complete without mentioning Cowboy Bebop. The classic anime series focuses on Spike Spiegel and Jet Black, two bounty hunters who travel across space in search of mischief. They are joined by a group of rag-tags, starting a journey worth remembering for ages.
The legacy of Cowboy Bebop leaves little to explain. The show’s huge popularity and influence make it abundantly clear what a masterpiece it is. And that is why the iconic show stands at the top spot of the best visually aesthetic anime list.
This is where we’ll conclude our ranking of 30+ best visually aesthetic anime with beautiful style. Stay tuned, and we’ll be back with more exciting content. Until then, visit our website to soothe the itch for some anime-related goodness.
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Anamika loves words and stories and putting them to pages. She also loves anime, manga, books, movies and everything fantasy. She has been a fan of anime since childhood and her admiration for it only grew with years. Her passion for writing is even more elevated by writing about the things she loves.
