It's not just the story or characters that make anime great. The visual aesthetic aspect can be just as important and can have a huge impact on how you perceive the story. Now you too can indulge in visual luxury with some of our recommendations.
1. Akebi's Sailor Uniform
Komuchi Akebi has always dreamed of wearing a sailor's uniform. She even went so far as to choose the perfect middle school that would allow her to do so — the prestigious Roubai Academy. However, on the first day of school, she finds out that everyone is following a different dress code, which makes her stand out. Still, she goes through a lot of meaningful encounters and makes friends while enjoying her youth to the fullest. This anime is basically a “cute girls doing cute stuff” type of show. It’s simple in its story and provides nostalgic memories of being a kid. Fans praised it for the stunning visuals of outdoor nature and the countryside, which were realistic and simple at the same time.
Violet Evergarden is a hit series that raised the bar for anime visuals in 2018. It’s no wonder that it keeps appearing on lists of the most beautiful anime shows, with each episode having the quality of a feature-length movie. The main story revolves around Violet, a girl who was raised as a soldier and followed commands with steely resolve and no emotions. After the war finally ends, she struggles to find her purpose in life. She eventually becomes an “automata doll”, someone who transcribes people's thoughts and experiences onto paper and delivers them as letters. This job will set Violet on a path of self-discovery and adventures.
3. The Garden of Words
Just looking at this movie's poster art is enough to see its stunning visuals. Makoto Shinkai's name has already become synonymous with amazing visuals in animation. His films take on more mature themes and show impeccable attention to detail. The Garden of Words is the story of two characters escaping daily pressures in a beautiful garden. Takao Akizuki, a young school student, and Yukari Yukino, a mysterious young woman, continue to meet each other in the garden during the rainy season, while gradually opening up about their struggles.
4. Birthday Wonderland
This fantasy-themed movie follows Akane, a young girl who is somehow given the task of saving the other world. While it doesn’t offer much in terms of thematic depth, it makes up for it with charming, magical scenes reminiscent of the story of Alice in Wonderland. It’s definitely more of a fairy tale-type of story that relies on its scenic beauty.
5. Akudama Drive
Akudawa Drive is a hidden gem by Kazutaka Kodaka, famous for Danganronpa. It has a great cyberpunk aesthetic with the setting taking place in a dystopian future. It follows a group of criminals who are being pursued by the government. The unique combination of retro and futuristic designs, along with elements of the 70-80s Showa era, definitely makes this anime stand out from the rest of the cyberpunk shows.
Get ready for a dose of eye candy.
It's not just the story or characters that make anime great. The visual aesthetic aspect can be just as important and can have a huge impact on how you perceive the story. Now you too can indulge in visual luxury with some of our recommendations.
1. Akebi's Sailor Uniform
Komuchi Akebi has always dreamed of wearing a sailor's uniform. She even went so far as to choose the perfect middle school that would allow her to do so — the prestigious Roubai Academy. However, on the first day of school, she finds out that everyone is following a different dress code, which makes her stand out. Still, she goes through a lot of meaningful encounters and makes friends while enjoying her youth to the fullest. This anime is basically a “cute girls doing cute stuff” type of show. It’s simple in its story and provides nostalgic memories of being a kid. Fans praised it for the stunning visuals of outdoor nature and the countryside, which were realistic and simple at the same time.
Violet Evergarden is a hit series that raised the bar for anime visuals in 2018. It’s no wonder that it keeps appearing on lists of the most beautiful anime shows, with each episode having the quality of a feature-length movie. The main story revolves around Violet, a girl who was raised as a soldier and followed commands with steely resolve and no emotions. After the war finally ends, she struggles to find her purpose in life. She eventually becomes an “automata doll”, someone who transcribes people's thoughts and experiences onto paper and delivers them as letters. This job will set Violet on a path of self-discovery and adventures.
3. The Garden of Words
Just looking at this movie's poster art is enough to see its stunning visuals. Makoto Shinkai's name has already become synonymous with amazing visuals in animation. His films take on more mature themes and show impeccable attention to detail. The Garden of Words is the story of two characters escaping daily pressures in a beautiful garden. Takao Akizuki, a young school student, and Yukari Yukino, a mysterious young woman, continue to meet each other in the garden during the rainy season, while gradually opening up about their struggles.
4. Birthday Wonderland
This fantasy-themed movie follows Akane, a young girl who is somehow given the task of saving the other world. While it doesn’t offer much in terms of thematic depth, it makes up for it with charming, magical scenes reminiscent of the story of Alice in Wonderland. It’s definitely more of a fairy tale-type of story that relies on its scenic beauty.
5. Akudama Drive
Akudawa Drive is a hidden gem by Kazutaka Kodaka, famous for Danganronpa. It has a great cyberpunk aesthetic with the setting taking place in a dystopian future. It follows a group of criminals who are being pursued by the government. The unique combination of retro and futuristic designs, along with elements of the 70-80s Showa era, definitely makes this anime stand out from the rest of the cyberpunk shows.