The best anime about art

Key conclusions

• Art through animation expresses emotions that are often difficult to convey in words, and this resonates with artists and viewers alike.
• These anime explore themes of self-discovery, collaborative efforts in animation, and the challenges artists face as they pursue their dreams.
• From creating manga to inspiring everyday life, each anime showcases the beauty and depth of art in various forms.

Art is generally a physical object creatively created through the imagination. It is a means of relaxation, communication 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 the parts of art that we don't often see, the constant effort to develop the skill, the desire to create art for emotions that cannot be expressed in words, and the realization of dreams through this very medium. Although there aren't many anime that explore this beautiful and soothing theme, there are still plenty of anime about art that are worthy of attention.

10 Blue period

A passionate journey of self-discovery through art

• Japanese name: N/A
• Number of series: 12
• Studio: Seven arcs

Blue period focuses on the life of Yatori Yaguchi, an unmotivated school delinquent with excellent grades. Searching for 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 strive for the top – despite what people think of his inexperience.

From a one-time burst of emotion to a journey to perfection, 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 ordinary anime fans alike.

9 Honey and clover

The emotional struggle of art students

Works at the University of the Arts, Honey and clover tells the story of five students who experience the adversities of adulthood, love and friendship. They each struggle with their own challenges as they strive to achieve their dreams, from finding meaning in life to expressing their emotions.

This anime shows the hardships faced by art students and others in such a profound way that fans of the series believe that everyone who sees it should see a part of themselves in at least one of the main characters. It really resonates with the anime art community, evoking strong emotions with a bittersweet experience.

8 Keep your hands off Eizouken!

A celebration of animation through anime

• Japanese name: Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!
• Number of series: 12
• Studio: of Sciences of SARU

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 accidentally meets model Tsubame Mizusaki, who dreams of becoming an animator, and decides to start an animation club to create animations.

Keep your hands away from Eizouken highlights the team effort required to create an animation, with each of the three girls having their own aspect 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 Shirobaka

The realities of working in the anime industry

• Japanese name: N/A
• Number of series: 24
• Studio: Works of P.A

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 reflected by creating Shirobaka a path for people who are genuinely interested in anime production processes. This anime tells the story of five female friends who decide to work in the anime industry after an animation project in high school and the challenges of landing their dream job.

Shirobakafocus on the harsh reality that not everyone is lucky in this field and the difficulty of getting one opportunity. It also shows the intense effort, teamwork, and timelines required to produce anime, making it easy for the average viewer to grasp several concepts.

6 Arte

A Renaissance tale of art and perseverance

• Japanese name: N/A
• Number of series: 12
• Studio: Seven arcs

In an era when nothing more was expected of a woman than to marry into a good family and be a good housewife, Arte dreams of being an artist, a profession unheard of for a woman. However, she does not give up even after the death of her father, striving for her dream and proving her qualifications.

Arte is a a visually stunning anime with a strong renaissance vibe that showcases the journey of a woman trying to find her place in a profession that was considered predominantly male. It depicts her resilience in an unwelcoming space, using art to challenge stereotypes.

5 Bakuman

The art of creating manga

This anime tells the story of Maritaka Mashiro and Taro Kawaguchi, two high school students with ambitions to become the greatest mangaka the world has ever seen. It details the journey of these two as they struggle to overcome various competitions and crazy deadlines while balancing the demands of the fans with their creativity.

Bakuman it's an anime that makes you truly appreciate the art of manga creation and how the plot of a manga itself is usually defined by its fans themselves. It explores the stages of manga creation 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 Seishu Handa is exiled by his parents to the Goth 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 filled with neighbors who can't seem to leave him alone.

Barakamon beautifully blends comedic and emotional themes, making fans laugh one moment and cry the next. But above all, 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 the environment.

3 Sketchbook: full color

Simplicity of art

• Japanese name: Sketchbook: full color
• Number of series: 13
• Studio: Directed by HAL

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

It's a slow-paced anime with an emphasis on observation, giving a unique look at 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 Kakushigota

Secrets of the art of manga

Kakushigota 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 for containing erotic content, which he tries to hide from his daughter as much as possible, making sure that she does not find out.

Despite its comedic nature, Kakushigota really evokes emotions in the average viewer, conveying a heartfelt message about the family and the personal side of the artist. With a unique animation style and heart-warming scenes, it's an emotional roller coaster with a powerful punch.

1 Nozaki-kun for girls monthly

Confessing your feelings through Shoujo manga

This comedy masterpiece tells the story of Chiyo Sakura, a high school girl with a crush on her classmate, who ends up being part of a team creating a shojo manga for the boy she loves, hoping that he will eventually notice her feelings.

Nozaki-kun for girls monthly is an anime that focuses on the behind-the-scenes of the creation of Shoujo manga, with a unique blend of comedy and romance. The anime also skillfully portrays the relationships between the characters with strong character interactions, letting the audience know that it is as much a creative process as it is a relationship building.