Think Demon Slayer’s Animation is Good? These 8 Anime Look Way Nicer

Demon Slayer had a huge impact on anime, especially after the exciting introduction of Hinokami Kagura went viral online. Ufotable set a new standard for weekly animated series by combining 3D backgrounds with stunning visual effects, making each action sequence feel like a blockbuster movie. However, experienced viewers know that a large budget doesn’t automatically equal a great story. While Tanjiro’s journey is visually impressive, many other anime have achieved similar or even better lighting, detail, and animation fluidity, potentially overshadowing even the impressive Breathing Styles.

The following list highlights animated series and movies that go beyond impressive visuals – they’re true works of art. These productions don’t rely on simply making things look shiny with digital effects. Instead, they use unique artistic styles, careful lighting, and painstakingly hand-drawn animation that takes years to perfect. From the realistic way light plays on wet surfaces to the wildly energetic and impossible action sequences, these titles show just how stunning animation can be. They represent the best of visual storytelling and are sure to captivate fans who appreciate artistry and detail.

8. Violet Evergarden

Kyoto Animation is known for its incredibly high visual quality, and this series is a perfect example. The show pays close attention to detail – from the intricate mechanics of a character’s hand to the delicate lace on a dress – creating a surprisingly realistic and textured feel. Viewers often find themselves pausing to admire small moments, like sunlight streaming through a window or petals falling in the breeze, giving the animation a beautiful, almost painterly quality, unlike many other animated shows.

The show’s artistry goes beyond just smooth animation; it focuses on creating a gentle, atmospheric world where colors shift to match the characters’ emotions. Unlike many modern shows that rely on bright, harsh visuals, this series uses a sophisticated and natural color scheme. Fans often point to the lake jump scene as a perfect example of its visual brilliance – the way the water and light interact creates a breathtakingly realistic moment.

7. Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel (Trilogy)

This movie trilogy delivers on fans’ hopes to see what happens when the studio behind Demon Slayer truly goes all out. It showcases the very best of Ufotable’s unique blend of digital and hand-drawn animation, with fight scenes so intricate that the TV series feel like practice. The stunning special effects and powerful impact of every blow make it a truly immersive experience best enjoyed on the biggest screen possible.

Watching the battles in this series is a really intense experience. The filmmakers use dramatic shadows and blinding light to make them feel truly brutal – something you don’t often see in more upbeat action shows. I’ve heard action fans debating which fight scene is the best, but what really stands out to me is the consistently high quality across all three movies. It’s a perfect example of how modern technology can elevate traditional animation, creating a visually stunning experience that feels like a non-stop showcase of incredible skill and a huge budget.

6. Redline

For viewers unfamiliar with the meticulous process of traditional animation, this film is a groundbreaking achievement. It took an incredible seven years to create, and every single frame bursts with unique character. The film features a striking, hand-drawn style that makes the world and its racers feel incredibly real. There are no digital shortcuts—everything is crafted by hand, using over 100,000 individual frames. This dedication results in a sense of speed so intense, it almost feels like the screen itself is dissolving.

I’m absolutely blown away by this film! It’s not just how well the story moves, but the wildly creative character and vehicle designs – seriously, everything looks amazing. It feels so raw and vibrant, like a jolt of neon. What really hits me is how it proves what animation can be when a studio prioritizes artistry over rushing to meet a deadline. Even after all these years, it still packs more of a punch than most of the stuff coming out now, and that’s saying something!

5. The Garden of Words

Makoto Shinkai is famous for creating incredibly realistic and beautiful backgrounds, and this short film showcases his skill perfectly. The stunning visuals, particularly the focus on rain, reflections, and lush greenery, create a captivating atmosphere. It’s so immersive, you’ll feel like you could reach out and touch the screen. By paying close attention to details like the ripples on water or how light hits a simple object, the animation transforms a quiet, wordless story into something grand and cinematic.

I’ve noticed fans jokingly call the movie a commercial for rain, but honestly, the way they animate the weather is incredibly impressive. What really stands out aren’t the big action sequences, but the little details – a subtle movement at someone’s feet, or a cloud drifting across the city. It creates a really peaceful feeling, and it proves that a simple scene of two people talking in a park can be just as beautiful and captivating as a massive battle between gods.

4. Land of the Lustrous

This show successfully overcame the usual dislike of 3D CGI animation, making it look fantastic and perfectly suited to its unique setting. The studio used 3D modeling to create realistic details like light reflecting inside objects, and incredibly delicate hair – effects that are difficult to achieve with traditional 2D animation. The result is a visually stunning and otherworldly environment, brought to life with fluid camera work that wouldn’t be possible with hand-drawn techniques.

At first, many fans were unsure about the 3D animation, but those doubts disappeared as soon as the first fight scene began. It was incredibly smooth and creatively directed, unlike anything seen before. The way gems shatter and reform adds a real sense of power and weight to the action, making it both impressive and a little scary. This could be a turning point for the industry, proving that the right technology can create truly beautiful visuals.

3. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

While Demon Slayer is a fantastic example of modern animation, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is equally deserving of recognition as one of the most visually stunning works in recent years. The show infused Night City with Studio Trigger’s signature energetic style, creating a vibrant world of neon lights, intense action, and fast-paced movement. Unlike the polished characters in Demon Slayer, Edgerunners deliberately uses imperfect animation to powerfully convey the raw and chaotic emotions of characters struggling with cyberpsychosis.

Fans overwhelmingly love how the ‘Sandevistan’ speed cyberware is shown on screen. Rather than just speeding up a character’s movements, the animation uses bright afterimages and colorful trails, transforming each run into a dynamic work of art. This creates a unique and stylish ‘aura’ that makes standard action sequences seem bland in comparison. The series delivers a visually intense, gritty, and energetic experience, prioritizing exciting chaos over polished perfection – it’s a neon-lit spectacle for viewers who want something with personality.

2. Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song

Studio Wit, known for the dynamic action in early seasons of Attack on Titan, brought that expertise to this sci-fi series, creating incredibly smooth character movements rarely seen in the genre. The fights are fast-paced and impactful, which makes the main character’s precise robotic movements appear both elegant and threatening. A bright, colorful blue palette and detailed close-ups on characters’ eyes give the series a polished, futuristic feel that consistently looks high-quality.

Fans consistently rave about the fight choreography in the series, praising how clear and easy to follow it is, even with its incredible speed. The show combines this exciting action with a perfectly synced soundtrack, creating a visually stunning experience reminiscent of a music video. It’s a stylish, modern achievement that proves a studio can deliver high-quality, cinematic animation for television without sacrificing artistic vision.

1. Monogatari Series

Shaft is a well-known animation studio famous for its unique visual approach, and this series truly showcases that style. Instead of aiming for realistic animation, it uses dreamlike backgrounds, fast-paced text, and its signature head tilts to create a surreal and captivating world. The visuals are so striking that even a single still image can be more impressive than entire action sequences in many other anime.

Fans adore this series for its bold use of color and its unconventional approach to filmmaking. The deliberately strange and simple architecture draws your attention to the characters and what they say. It’s a fantastic example of how strong directing can be just as important as the animation itself, creating a truly unique visual experience. If you want anime that feels like a work of art, this series is the pinnacle of visual storytelling.

2026-01-28 04:06