The best anime about art

Key recommendations

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

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

Various anime display the sides 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 realization 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 The blue period

A passionate journey of self-discovery through art

• Japanese title: N/A
• Number of Episodes: 12
• Studio: Seven springs

The blue period centers around the life of Yatora Yaguchi, an unmotivated high school delinquent with excellent grades. While searching for his passions, he pours out his emotions on a canvas for the first time, and people's admiration for his work ignites in him, prompting him to attend a competitive art school and aim for the top – despite people's opinions about his lack of experience.

From a unique burst of emotions to the path of excellence, this anime explores the theme of self-discovery through art. It shows the journey of a talented but directionless mind in the art world and makes artists question what their art means to them, capturing the minds of artists and casual anime fans alike.

9 Honey and Clover

The emotional struggles of art students

Set in an art university, Honey and Clover follows the story of five college students navigating the tribulations of adulthood, love and friendship. Each of them struggles with their own challenges as they aim to achieve their dream, from finding meaning in life to expressing their emotions.

This anime displays the struggles art students and others face with such depth that fans of the series believe that anyone who watches it should see a piece of themselves in at least one of the main characters. She truly resonates with the anime art community, evoking strong emotions with bittersweet experiences.

8 Keep your hands off Eizouken!

A celebration of animation through anime

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

A mind full of countless ideas and imaginations, 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. This duo come across a model, Tsubame Mizusaki, who dreams of becoming an animator and decides to form an animation club to produce animation.

Keep your hands away from Eizouken highlights the team effort required to produce animations, with each of the three girls having their own look to focus on. It celebrates the art of collaborative animation, showcasing the passion that drives animators to do what they do, turning their imaginations into reality.

7 Shirobako

The realities of working in the anime industry

• Japanese title: N/A
• Number of Episodes: 24
• Studio: PA is working

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 depicted Shirobako the way to go for people who are genuinely curious about the processes involved in anime production. This anime tells the story of five female friends who choose to work in the anime industry after an animation project in high school, along with the challenges that come with landing their dream job.

Shirobakofocuses on the harsh reality that not everyone gets that lucky break in the industry and the difficulty of getting that one opportunity. It also shows the intense effort, teamwork, and deadlines of anime production, making it easier for the average viewer to grasp some concepts.

6 Arts

A Renaissance story about art and perseverance

• Japanese title: N/A
• Number of Episodes: 12
• Studio: Seven springs

In an era where nothing was expected of a woman except to marry into a good family and be a real housewife, Arte dreams of being an artist, an unheard of occupation for a woman. However, she doesn't give up even after her father's death, pursuing her dream and proving herself capable.

Arts is a Visually stunning anime with strong Renaissance vibes, featuring the journey of a woman trying to carve out a place for herself in an occupation that was considered predominantly male. It captures its resistance in an unwelcoming space, using art to challenge the stereotype.

5 Bakuman

The Art of Manga Creation

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

Bakuman is an anime that makes one really appreciate the art of creating manga and how the very plot of a manga is usually determined by its fans themselves. It explores the steps involved in creating a manga and the challenges 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, being a rural area full of neighbors who don't seem to leave him alone.

Barakamon beautifully blends comic and emotional themes, making fans laugh one moment and tear up the next. But more than that, it emphasizes that art is not just 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's

The simplicity of art

• Japanese title: Sketchbook: Full Color's
• Number of Episodes: 13
• Studio: Filmmaker HAL

An extremely relaxing anime, Sketchbook: Full Color's features the life of Sora Kajiwara, a shy high school student who loves to draw the cute and adorable sights she sees as she comes out of her shell with the help of members of her school's art club.

This is a slow-paced anime with an emphasis on observation, offering a unique view of how the creative mind works. It's a reminder that not all art has to be extremely grand or complex to be appreciated, and that ordinary moments can be the most inspiring for the most beautiful art.

2 Kakushigoto

The secrets behind the art of manga

Kakushigoto is about manga artist and single father Kakushi Gotou trying to raise his daughter as best he can. However, he has a secret: his works are known for their erotic content, which he tries to hide from his daughter as much as possible, going to extreme lengths to ensure that she does not find out.

Despite its comedic theme, Kakushigoto truly evokes emotion from the average viewer, delivering a heartfelt message about family and the personal side of being an artist. With a unique animation style and heart-warming scenes, it's an emotional rollercoaster that packs a powerful punch.

1 Nozaki-kun monthly for girls

Confession of feelings through Shoujo Manga

This comedy masterpiece tells the story of Chiyo Sakura, a high school girl in love with her schoolmate, who ends up being part of the team that creates shoujo manga for the boy she loves, hoping that he will finally notice her feelings .

Nozaki-kun monthly for girls is an anime that focuses on the behind-the-scenes of Shoujo manga creation with a unique blend of comedy and romance. The anime also expertly depicts the relationship between characters with strong character interactions, making viewers aware that it is as much about the creative process as it is about building relationships.