Anime often goes underappreciated for its originality and diversity of its art styles. Many series rehash each other, even down to the protagonists' appearance. Shonen protagonists are expected to have wild-colored hair, while harem leads almost always have brown hair and black eyes to match their bland personalities.

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However, people tend to forget about all of the unique, innovative art styles found throughout the medium. Some of these styles make for beautiful characters and aesthetically pleasing settings, while others might be considered ugly by the average viewer. However, there's no denying that all of these art styles are totally unique.

Updated on July 13th, 2022 by Sarah Martin: Since this list was published back in 2021, we've added some more information about the series already included and added five more anime with unique art styles. Most anime tends to share a style, but these series push the envelope with their eye-catching design choices that entice the fans to watch and keep them coming back for more.

15 One Piece Is Full Of Unique Character Designs

One Piece cast cheering and celebrating

As one-third of shonen anime's "big three," One Piece has cemented itself as a classic. The series has a distinct art style and instantly recognizable characters.

Luffy has become one of the most iconic mascots for the medium with his classic smile and infamous straw hat, while characters like Zoro and Nami are recognizable because of their vivid color palettes and unique outfits. One Piece is so much different from other mainstream titles, and its art style is one of the elements that sets it apart from the rest.

14 Ping Pong: The Animation's Art Style Is Instantly Recognizable

A dynamic pose in Ping Pong The Animation.

Ping Pong: The Animation is a classic sports anime with an endearingly hideous art style that's instantly recognizable. Many fans complain about the art style and argue that it's too low quality, while others enjoy its uniqueness.

Though the art style wasn't necessarily suited for some of the Ping Pong's more action-packed and exciting moments, it produced some pretty hilarious facial expressions from the characters. Many fans chose to look past the art style and appreciate the story.

13 Gankutsuou's Art Is A Blend Impressionisiom With Ukiyo-e

Gankutsuou The Count Of Monte Cristo

Gankutsuo is an underrated series that every anime fan should check out. Many fans are drawn to it because of its beautiful, unique art style that's never really been seen before in the medium.

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Mahiro Maeda, the mangaka, stated that he wanted to combine Western impressionist art with Ukiyo-e, a Japanese practice of printing art on a woodblock. Ukiyo-e went on to influence the development of impressionism in Western art. Gankutsuo is full of intricate, intriguing art that makes fans want to immerse themselves in its world.

12 Kill La Kill's Art Is Rough Around The Edges

Kill La Kill's main cast standing together.

Kill La Kill's art style isn't heavily polished like so many other anime series' are. Instead, it opts for messier linework and rough-around-the-edges character designs that enhance the series' unique identity compared to the rest.

Its roughness gives all of the characters in Kill La Kill another level of expressiveness and personality that the more cleaned-up series just don't offer. The series is also known for its abrasive color schemes, with heavy shading and vivid lights popping up when the viewers least expect it.

11 Nana's Art Style Adapts To Both Halves Of The Story

Nana Osaki in Nana.

Nana is the tale of two girls with the same name. One rocks pastel clothing on her journey to Tokyo with her boyfriend, while the more famous of the two is a punk rock queen who wants to start her own band.

Nana's art style reflects the series' duality, adjusting its color palette and tones depending on which protagonist is in the spotlight. The art style is heavily influenced by fashion models and magazines, primarily because Ai Yazawa, the mangaka, has a deep appreciation for fashion.

10 Fans Heavily Criticized Shiki's Art

Shiki promotional art.

Many potential fans gave Shiki a hard pass because of its offputting art style. The anime is meant to be creepy, but some felt that more thought could have been given to the characters' designs.

Many of Shiki's characters have pitch-black holes for their eyes and hairstyles that are so ridiculous that it looks like they got caught up in some electrical currents. People called the art style hideous and ugly, and many others chose to avoid the series as a whole because of its disturbing art style.

9 Grimgar Of Fantasy And Ash Looks Like It Was Painted With Watercolors

The cast of Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash.

A-1 Pictures has some spectacular anime under its belt, but it's most known for producing Sword Art Online. However, Grimgar Of Fantasy And Ash deserves just as much attention because of its beautifully unique art style. A-1 really stepped up to the plate and experimented a bit with how they wanted the series to look.

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The studio's willingness to experiment paid off because the entire anime looks like it's been hand-painted with watercolors. Grimgar is full of ethereal backgrounds and character designs, making it stand out from other generic anime art styles.

8 Flowers Of Evil's Anime Art Didn't Live Up To Manga Readers' Expectations

Aku No Hana

From the get-go, Flowers of Evil received a lot of hate from manga readers because of its art style. Many fans thought it was ugly and made a mockery of the manga's stunning art. It seems like the anime managed to make its own characters less visually appealing.

Fans pointed out that this art style, though unique, made them feel apathetic towards the characters because their expressions weren't the same as in the manga. Anime fans argued that the characters didn't look like typical anime protagonists, lending a certain air of realism to the show.

7 Toilet Bound Hanako-Kun Stayed True To The Manga's Art Style

The cast of Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun.

Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun has a unique art style, primarily consisting of warm color palettes and thick, crisp linework. The series is also recognized for its keen attention to detail since all of the characters have intricately planned designs that set them apart from each other.

Manga readers were delighted when the anime adaptation was released since it remained faithful to the original art style. Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun has one of the most recognizable art styles in the medium and Hanako-kun has become iconic for his signature smirk and edgy take on a traditional school uniform.

6 Afro Samurai Is An Amalgamation Of Japanese & Western Cartoon Styles

Afro Samurai

Afro Samurai has a very distinct art style best described as an amalgamation of Japanese and Western cartoon art styles. Animated by Studio Gonzo, the series is a total gorefest full of epic action scenes set in a world where people prove that they're the strongest by winning numbered headbands.

The characters are drawn in a very Western art style, while the classic style of Japanese anime influences the backgrounds and sceneries. Afro Samurai isn't only praised for its art style; its inclusion of disperate culture and impressive fight scenes make this series unforgettable.

5 xxxHOLiC's Art Style Is Just Unrealistic

xxxholic

Anime isn't exactly recognized for its realism or adherence to the laws of physics, but xxxHOLiC's art style takes unrealistic proportions and defying gravity to the next level. However, this is all part of CLAMP's unique art style, making the series stand out from the rest.

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xxxHOLiC has a mystical art style that makes fans want to keep coming back to the series. The series is recognized for its dark imagery and compelling facial expressions that make fans want to learn more about all of the characters.

4 Gatchaman Crowds Is Defined By Bright Colors & Geometric Shapes

Gatchaman Crowds

Gatchaman Crowds is defined by an art style consisting of bright colors and geometric shapes. The animation is clean, crisp, and smooth. When the characters transform into their superhero alter egos, CGI is used for a seamless blend.

CGI in anime is normally a taboo subject among fans, and arguments about it prove it to be a polarizing subject. But Gatchaman Crowds gets it right. The art happens to be the USP of this superhero show and many people watched it solely because of its stunning animation.

3 Promare Has A Pastel Color Palette

Promare's Galo and Lio staring face to face

While some anime use interesting line art and anatomy choices to create an interesting style, Promare! opts for a distinct color palette to flesh out its storyline. The show has a gorgeous color palette, mainly consisting of pastel colors.

Promare also places emphasis on the geometric shapes of the characters and objects in the show, especially machinery and vehicles. The anime also utilizes CGI in many of its action scenes, but it's hard to tell that it was even used because its execution was subtle and seamless.

2 Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Always Reinvents Itself

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Stardust Crusaders OVA Promotional Art

Hirohiko Araki's art style at the beginning of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure differs greatly from his current art style. When Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency came out in the '80s, Araki opted for more of a bulkier, Western-style silhouette for his characters. This theme continued in Stardust Crusaders, but he made more references to famous pop culture icons such as Clint Eastwood and Indiana Jones with how he designed their outfits and posed them.

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In Diamond Is Unbreakable, Vento Aureo, and Stone Ocean, Araki opted for a lankier style and started referencing more fashion magazines. This trend continued into Steel Ball Run and Jojolion. Just like how the series constantly reinvents itself with each new part, Araki's art style evolves with the series.

1 Tatami Galaxy's Art Is Clean & Simple

Tatami Galaxy

Tatami Galaxy's art is clean, simple, and doesn't pay too much mind to symmetry. Anime is known for unrealistic character designs, but this series opts for an exaggerated, cartoonish style but blends it on the cusp of traditional anime art. It utilizes monochromatic color schemes and contrasting colors to present the characters.

The backgrounds are intricate, but the characters in Tatami Galaxy are minimalistic with almost no distinct color palette. Some people find this art style messy and would rather watch another series, but others are charmed by its uniqueness.

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