Among the plethora of anime, some shows talk only about art and design, inviting viewers to reflect on their own passions and the boundless possibilities that come with embracing the artist within. These anime explores the challenges, triumphs, and passion that come with pursuing one’s creative vision.

“Blue Period”, “Shirobako”, “Honey and Clover,” “The Garden of Words”, and “Sarusuberi” showcase the diverse facets of artistic expression and the personal journeys of those who dare to create. In this article, we’ll unravel some of the best anime that beautifully weave the narrative threads of art and design. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

10. GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class

As far as the plot is concerned, Geijutsuka Art Design Class doesn’t particularly have a solid story but instead, it tries to impart knowledge – something that is laudable and remarkably absent from anime as a medium. Simply it tells the viewers about the activities of an art class attended by five distinct characters.

The story follows a group of five friends who attend a specialist design school, where they learn about various aspects of art and design, art history, and various other art-related subjects. Not too much of an exciting show but worth trying for arts and crafts fans.

9. Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai

One of the immersively crafted anime about art, Sarusuberi is made up of a handful of shorter stories that are loosely held together by the film’s central character. The film focuses on Oei as she comes of age in the Edo period, a time of great change and upheaval in Japan.

Oei is a talented ukiyoe artist in her own right, but she is often overshadowed by her father’s fame. Despite this, she is determined to make her own mark on the world. Not only is it a beautiful film overall, but the experience it provides in both its characters and its setting is poignant and thought-provoking.

8. Sketchbook: Full Color’s

Sketchbook is a fairly simple slice-of-life comedy anime that takes quite a relaxing and humorous approach to the world of art. Full of personality and charm, the series is weaved into an episodic and ultimately insignificant plot with each new episode bringing about an event unrelated to what happened in earlier acts.

The story begins with the shy and childish Sora Kajiwara who’s a member of the art club at her high school. There are things she can draw and things she can’t, and with the help of her friends in the art club, Sora is determined to break out of her shell and sketch whatever is on her mind.

7. Honey And Clover

Honey and Clover explores the complexities of love amidst the pressurized and demanding world of art college. The series is about five fledgling artists and their memorable journey through the exciting and simultaneously terrifying world that we know as college.

Through the eyes of these five students, the story witnesses the years of challenging experiences, cherished friendships, and the agonies of unrequited love. Honey and Clover is like a fanciful escape made purposely for the students pursuing their careers in art.

6. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun

Through its creative process of depicting a manga writer’s life, Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun presents a story that gives an insight into how clueless real-life boys are in understanding a girl’s intention. The story follows Chiyo Sakura who’s in love with her schoolmate Umetaro Nozaki.

When Chiyo tries to confess her feelings to Umetaro, he misinterprets her and asks her to be his assistant instead. Amid the romantic tension and lots of misunderstandings between the pair, Chiyo works together with Umetaro on a shojo manga in hopes of getting closer to him.

5. Shirobako

Shirobako is a love letter to the anime industry as it teaches viewers about the ins and outs of the business while giving an amusing exposition of the process of creating anime. The series tells the story of a group of friends who move to Tokyo and work in different fields of industry, from voice acting to production assistant.

Through these five young women, the series explores the challenges and rewards of working in the anime industry as they learn that the path to success is one with many diversions, but dreams can still be achieved through perseverance and a touch of eccentric creativity.

4. Blue Period

Netflix’s Blue Period is a coming-of-age seinen anime that tracks the artistic journey of Yatora Yaguchi who wishes to join the prestigious Tokyo University of the Arts. Through the eyes of Yatora, the series delves into the technical aspects of making art as he tries to find a way of painting that reflects who he is.

However, it’s recommended to pick the manga of Blue Period as the anime doesn’t quite pack the same punch. The bigger aspects of the series – art-making and characterization – are downplayed in the anime, eventually removing a level of depth for an incredibly important part of Yatora’s journey as an artist.

3. Cossette no Shouzou

A disturbing but fascinating anime that poses questions about the very nature of art itself, Cossette no Shouzou is a gothic fantasy OVA known for its visuals and dark tone. The story revolves around Eiri Kurahashi, an art student who discovers a living painting of a beautiful girl inside an antique store.

This causes a change in Eiri, who cannot help but think about the mysterious girl living her life inside this little glass and can’t stop drawing her in his sketchbook. Cossette no Shouzou is a story about the love of the artist for his art, a love that is profound enough to accept the necessity of loss.

2. Bakuman

Created by the authors of “Death Note”, Bakuman does a great job of showing the experiences of being a manga artist. In a certain way, the show is a replica of its creators’ life and follows the aspiring journey of two middle school boys who dream of becoming the greatest mangaka in Japan.

With Akito Takagi writing and Moritaka Masahiro drawing, the pair begins creating manga under the pen name Muto Ashirogi, hoping to succeed in the industry and get their manga serialized. Through lots of references, Bakuman highlights the setbacks and perils of making a manga in a competitive and exhausting environment.

1. The Garden Of Words

“Love has no age” – as a reader you might have come across this quote many times and our next romantic anime movie capitalizes on the same idea through its mesmerizing storyboard. Directed by Makoto Shinkai, the film follows Takao Akizuki, an aspiring teenager, and Yukari Yukino, a lonely woman.

Despite their age difference of twelve years, the two souls begin to develop feelings for each other following an encounter in a garden on a rainy morning! As they strive to keep alive a forbidden relationship, the film evokes a profound sense of longing and beauty.

Which one of the following anime about art & design is your favorite? Feel free to comment down your thoughts and make sure to recommend some other anime like the ones listed above, also don’t forget to share this article with your fellow otaku friends.

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