I love this Anime not just for its animation but also for its captivating storylines. I chose these series to ensure no one gets bored. Sometimes, we find good storylines but bad animation, and sometimes, we find stunning animation but a weak story. But, on this list, you’ll find Anime with both outstanding animation and engaging storylines.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Ufotable
The animation in demon slayer is insane. I was impressed by the fight scenes – the fluid movements and vibrant colors really bring the battles to life. (Spoiler Alert!) In Hashira training arc the animation of muzan body regenarate and the fire blast and every little details is so good.
Ufotable’s attention to detail is evident in every frame. Also, the storyline and Each character are so good. That’s one of my favorite Anime.
Attack on Titan – WIT Studio (Seasons 1-3), MAPPA (Season 4)
Both studios did excellent animation in this series. The scale of the battles is epic, and the character designs are highly detailed. I found the transition between studios to be smooth, with MAPPA maintaining the high standard set by WIT. The fight between levi and zeke was insane. And if I talk about the storyline, it’s a masterpiece. This Anime is my another favorite anime.
Violet Evergarden – Kyoto Animation
This series is a visual masterpiece. Kyoto Animation’s attention to detail is evident in every scene. The way they animate emotions, especially through subtle facial expressions, is incredibly powerful. The storyline of this Anime is so emotional. Every single episode has deep meaning, thoughts and emotions.
Jujutsu Kaisen – MAPPA
MAPPA really outdid themselves with this one. The animation during the supernatural confrontations is dynamic and creative. I was particularly impressed by how they maintain quality even in less action-packed scenes. In Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, the fight between Choso and Yuji was so cool. The animation perfects every fight scene. The storyline is good for those who like action anime series. There isn’t a single boring episode. And there are so many good characters; even many side characters are good in this series.
Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) – CoMix Wave Films
This film is visually stunning. The backgrounds are incredibly detailed, and the character animations are fluid. The way they depicted the blend of fantasy and reality was visually captivating. The plot of this story was good and emotional also.
One Punch Man – Madhouse
Madhouse nailed the animation for this series. The contrast between the over-the-top action scenes and the more mundane moments really enhances the humour. The fight sequences are particularly impressive. This Anime have action and comedy also. I think this anime series is good for those who are interested in superhero and action anime series.
Studio Ghibli Films
Studio Ghibli’s hand-drawn animation is in a league of its own. Each film has a distinct visual style that perfectly complements its story. The level of detail in both characters and backgrounds is astounding. Spirited Away is so popular for its good animation and storyline. But my favorite is Howl’s Moving Castle. And My Neighbor Totoro is wholesome, too.
The Garden of Words – CoMix Wave Films
The attention to detail in this film is remarkable, especially in the depiction of rain and nature. The animation creates a serene atmosphere that really enhances the storytelling.
A Silent Voice – Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation’s work here is subtle but powerful. The way they use animation to convey complex emotions and character growth is truly impressive. The visual storytelling adds significant depth to the narrative. Some think that silent voice is a romance anime, but in my opinion it’s not a a romantic anime. The story of this Anime is something much more deeper and meaningful of our life.
Your Lie in April – A-1 Pictures
The animation in Your Lie in April is beautiful, especially during the musical performances. A-1 Pictures really captured the emotion of the music visually. I remember being struck by how the colors seemed to flow with the music during Kousei’s performances. The character expressions were so detailed you could really feel what they were going through. The way they animated Kaori playing the violin was particularly impressive – you could almost hear the music just from the visuals.
Vinland Saga – WIT Studio
WIT Studio did an amazing job with Vinland Saga. The battle scenes were intense and fluid, really capturing the brutality of Viking warfare. What stood out to me was the attention to historical detail in the backgrounds and character designs. The animation of Thorfinn’s acrobatic fighting style was especially well done. I was also impressed by how they animated the ocean scenes – you could almost feel the cold and the spray of the sea.
My Hero Academia – Bones
Bones really knows how to animate superpowers, and it shows in My Hero Academia. The fight scenes are vibrant and dynamic. I particularly enjoyed how they animated Deku’s One For All – you can really see and feel the power coursing through him. The Sports Festival arc had some of the most impressive animations, especially All Might vs. Nomu and Deku vs. Todoroki.
Mob Psycho 100 – Bones
This is another Bones production that blew me away. The psychic battles were unlike anything I’d seen before, with this surreal, almost abstract quality. The way they animated Mob’s emotions building up to 100% was so creative. The fight between Mob and Koyama in season 2 was a standout – the way they animated the psychic powers clashing was mind-bending.
Made in Abyss – Kinema Citrus
Kinema Citrus did an excellent job bringing the world of the Abyss to life. The backgrounds are stunning, with a level of detail that makes the setting feel real and dangerous. The contrast between the cute character designs and the often dark tone of the story is particularly effective. The scene where Riko and Reg descend to the second layer for the first time is insane.
Hyouka – Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation’s attention to detail really shines in Hyouka. What impressed me was how they made everyday scenes visually interesting. The subtle character animations, like Oreki’s changes in expression, add so much to the story. The way they animated Chitanda’s curiosity was particularly charming – you could almost see the sparkle in her eyes.
Cowboy Bebop – Sunrise
Cowboy Bebop’s animation has aged remarkably well. The action scenes are fluid and well-choreographed, and the space scenes still look impressive today. The episode “Ballad of Fallen Angels” stands out in my memory for its stunning animation, especially the church scene. The blend of different animation styles to match the mood of each episode was really innovative for its time.
Hunter x Hunter (2011) – Madhouse
Madhouse maintained a high level of quality throughout this long-running series. The character designs are consistent, and the fight scenes are well-animated. I was particularly impressed by how they visualized the more complex Nen abilities in later arcs. The Chimera Ant arc had some of the most intense and well-animated fights, especially Netero vs. Meruem.
The Eminence in Shadow – Nexus
Nexus did a solid job with The Eminence in Shadow. The action scenes are smooth and dynamic, which is crucial for a show that blends action and comedy. I particularly enjoyed how they animated Shadow’s over-the-top moves and the contrast with his normal persona. The fight scenes in the later episodes, especially against the cult members, were really well done.
Each of these series demonstrates excellence in animation, albeit in different ways. They’ve all contributed to raising the bar for what we can expect from anime visuals. These anime series showcase a range of animation styles and techniques, each offering a unique visual experience that complements their stories.