The best anime about art

Key things

• Art through animation expresses emotions that are often difficult to put into words and resonates with artists and viewers alike.
• These anime explore themes of self-discovery, collaborative efforts in animation, and the challenges artists face in pursuing their dreams.
• From manga creation to everyday inspiration, each anime showcases the beauty and depth of art in various forms.

Art is typically a physical object created creatively through one's imagination. It is a means of relaxation, connection and expression of emotions, sometimes without the use of words. What better way to express art than through the art of animation itself?

Different anime show parts of art that we don't often see, the constant effort to develop one's skills, the desire to create art for emotions that cannot be easily expressed in words, and the fulfillment of dreams through this very medium. While there aren't many anime that explore this beautiful and soothing theme, there are still a number of anime about art that are worth watching.

10 Blue period

A passionate journey of self-discovery through art

• Japanese name: ON
• Number of Episodes: 12
• Studio: Seven arches

Blue period centers on the life of Yatora Yaguchi, an unmotivated high school delinquent with excellent grades. In search of his passions, he pours out his emotions on canvas for the first time, and people's admiration for his work ignites a fire in him, prompting him to go to a competitive art school and aim for the top – despite people's opinions of his inexperience.

From a one-off burst of emotion to a journey of perfection, this anime explores the theme of self-discovery through art. It shows the journey of a talented but aimless mind in the art world and makes artists question what their art means to them, capturing the minds of artists and ordinary anime fans alike.

9 Honey And Clover

Emotional struggles of art students

Set in an art university, Honey and clover follows the story of five students navigating the issues of adulthood, love and friendship. They each face their own challenges as they seek to achieve their dream, from finding meaning in life to expressing their emotions.

This anime portrays the problems faced by art students and others with such depth that fans of the series believe that everyone who sees it should see a piece of themselves in at least one of the main characters. It really resonates with the anime art community, evoking strong emotions with bittersweet experiences.

8 Hands off Eizouken!

Celebrating animation through anime

• Japanese name: Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!
• Number of Episodes: 12
• Studio: SAR Science

A mind full of countless ideas and visions, Midori Asakusa is constantly illustrating her thoughts and drowning in her creativity, an endless sea from which only her friend, Sayaka Kanamori, can pull her out. The duo come across model Tsubame Mizusaki, who dreams of becoming an animator, and decide to start an animation club to produce animation.

Hands off Eizouken highlights the team effort that goes into producing animations, with each of the three girls having their own aspect to focus on. It celebrates the art of collaborative animation and shows the passion that drives animators to do what they do and turn their imaginations into reality.

7 Shirobako

The reality of working in the anime industry

• Japanese name: ON
• Number of Episodes: 24
• Studio: PA works

This anime series does not focus on traditional art such as paintings or drawings; however, the collaborative art form that is the anime industry is shown to do Shirobako a path for people who are genuinely curious about the processes involved in making anime. This anime tells the story of five female friends who decide to work in the anime industry after an animation project in high school, along with the challenges of achieving their dream job.

Shirobakofocuses on the harsh reality that not everyone is lucky in this industry and the difficulty of getting that one opportunity. It also shows the intense effort, teamwork, and deadlines that go into anime production, making it easy for the average viewer to grasp several concepts.

6 Art

A Renaissance story of art and perseverance

• Japanese name: ON
• Number of Episodes: 12
• Studio: Seven arches

At a time when nothing was expected of a woman other than to marry into a good family and be a proper housewife, Arte dreams of being an artist, an unheard of profession for a woman. However, even after the death of his father, he does not give up, pursues his dream and proves his qualifications.

Art is a a visually stunning anime with strong renaissance era vibes, showcasing the journey of a woman trying to carve out a place in a profession that was considered predominantly male. It captures her resilience in an unfriendly space, using art to challenge the stereotype.

5 Bakuman

The art of creating manga

This anime follows the story of Moritaka Mashiro and Taro Kawaguchi, two high school students with ambitions to become the greatest mangaka the world has ever seen. It details the two's journey as they try to overcome various competitions and crazy deadlines, balancing the demands of the fans with their own creativity.

Bakuman is an anime that makes one truly appreciate the art of manga creation and how the plot of a manga itself is usually determined by the fans themselves. It explores the steps involved in creating manga and the challenges that mangakas go through, making fans of the series appreciate this wonderful art.

4 Barakamon

Finding inspiration in everyday life

After a disappointing failure in a calligraphy competition, professional calligrapher Seishuu Handa is exiled by his father to the Goto Islands to rediscover his passion and redefine his art. However, he realizes that life there is not like Tokyo, as it is a rural area full of neighbors who cannot leave him alone.

Barakamon beautifully blends comedic and emotional themes, making fans laugh one moment and tear up the next. However, he emphasizes that art is not only about talent. It is also about emotional growth and the ability to perceive the beauty of everyday life – and to appreciate our environment.

3 Sketchbook: Full color

The simplicity of art

• Japanese name: Sketchbook: Full color
• Number of Episodes: 13
• Studio: HAL Film Producer

An extremely relaxing slice-of-life anime, Sketchbook: Full color depicts the life of Sora Kajiwara, a shy high school student who likes to draw the cute and adorable sights she sees when she breaks out of her shell with the help of her school's art club members.

This is an anime that progresses slowly with an emphasis on observation and provides a unique insight into how the creative mind works. It's a reminder that not all art has to be extremely large or complex to be appreciated, and that ordinary moments can be the most beautiful and inspiring art.

2 Kakushigoto

The secret behind the art of manga

Kakushigoto is about manga artist and single father Kakushi Gotou, who tries to raise his daughter as best he can. However, he has a secret: his works are known to contain erotic content, which he tries to hide from his daughter as much as possible, going to great lengths to make sure she doesn't find out.

Despite its comedic theme Kakushigoto it truly evokes the emotions of the average viewer and conveys a heartfelt message about family and the personal side of the artist. With a unique animation style and heart-warming scenes, it's an emotional roller coaster that packs a punch.

1 Moon Girl Nozaki-kun

Confession of one's feelings through Shoujo Manga

This comedy masterpiece depicts the story of Chiyo Sakura, a high school girl in love with her classmate who ends up being part of a team creating a shoujo manga for the boy she loves in hopes that he will eventually notice her feelings.

Moon Girl Nozaki-kun is an anime that focuses on the behind-the-scenes of Shoujo manga creation with a very unique blend of comedy and romance. The anime also expertly portrays the relationship between the characters with strong interactions between the characters, making the audience realize that it is as much a creative process as it is a relationship building.