Anime With Performances That Overshadow The Story

Anime often excels in its visuals and voice acting, sometimes even when the story isn’t particularly strong. Many series have fairly common or complicated plots, but they still stand out due to their impressive production quality. Viewers are frequently drawn in by beautiful animation and exceptional voice performances. A weak script can be transformed into something special thanks to the hard work of the animators and actors, proving that technical skill is a crucial element of enjoying entertainment.

‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ (2019–Present)

Many consider this series to be a prime example of how incredible animation can enhance even a simple story. It follows a traditional shonen storyline, remaining easy to follow throughout. Ufotable’s animation is stunning, with exciting camera work and beautiful visual effects. Natsuki Hanae gives a particularly moving performance as the main character, Tanjiro Kamado. The show’s impressive visuals are often the biggest reason for its widespread popularity around the world.

‘Guilty Crown’ (2011–2012)

Production I.G made a truly stunning anime series that was ahead of its time visually. While the story sometimes feels rushed or gets complicated later on, the music by Hiroyuki Sawano is unforgettable and elevates every moment. The character designs, created by Redjuice, are also instantly recognizable and have become a fan favorite. Many viewers remember the incredible artwork and music far more vividly than the plot itself.

‘The God of High School’ (2020)

Okay, let me tell you about this series. While the story definitely felt rushed – they crammed a lot of the original webtoon into fewer episodes – what they lost in narrative depth, they absolutely made up for in action. Seriously, the fight choreography is some of the best I’ve ever seen in anime. They clearly invested in motion capture, and it shows. Every punch and kick feels weighty and impactful. Each episode is just a visual treat, with these incredibly fluid and dynamic action sequences. Honestly, even with the story feeling a bit thin at times, the sheer adrenaline of the tournament fights kept me hooked.

‘Aldnoah.Zero’ (2014–2015)

This mecha anime began with a promising idea, but opinions among fans later diverged. What really stands out is the powerful music by Hiroyuki Sawano. The computer-generated mecha fights are exciting and easy to follow, thanks to dynamic direction. Natsuki Hanae delivers a strong, understated performance as Inaho Kaizuka. Even when the reasons behind the characters’ actions become unclear, the show remains visually and aurally captivating.

‘K’ (2012)

GoHands studio has a distinctive look, using strong filters and dynamic camera work. This anime focuses on creating a strong mood and a visually striking experience, rather than telling a complex story. It boasts bright colors and incredibly detailed backgrounds, and features well-known voice actors like Daisuke Namikawa and Tomokazu Sugita. It’s a show best enjoyed through its visuals and atmosphere, rather than by trying to dissect its plot.

‘Sword Art Online’ (2012–Present)

Over the years, some fans have criticized the story’s speed and how its characters are developed. However, the show has always looked and sounded fantastic. Yoshitsugu Matsuoka is particularly well-known for his excellent portrayal of Kirito. The sound effects during sword fights are especially impactful and enjoyable, and the animation for big boss battles is often as good as something you’d see in a movie.

‘Violet Evergarden’ (2018)

Kyoto Animation created this series with incredibly detailed animation, comparable to a movie. The story unfolds in self-contained episodes and can feel quite slow at times. Yui Ishikawa delivers a nuanced and developing performance as the main character. The show’s lighting and water effects are technically stunning and raise the bar for anime on television. A lot of people tune in just to appreciate how beautifully it’s made.

‘Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress’ (2016)

Wit Studio, known for their work on ‘Attack on Titan’, brought their skills to this new steampunk adventure. The animation style is reminiscent of 1980s anime, but updated with modern visual effects. A special touch was added to the character’s coloring, giving them a unique appearance. The train-based action scenes are fast-paced and visually stunning. Even though the story has some slow moments, the show’s strong visual style keeps it engaging.

‘Fate/Apocrypha’ (2017)

The ‘Fate’ series is famous for its intricate backstory, but this installment prioritizes over-the-top action. The magical attacks are accompanied by incredibly powerful, booming sound effects. The animation also stands out, with several episodes incorporating unique styles from online animators. Battles are massive in scale, often filling the screen with dazzling light and destruction. Ultimately, this version of ‘Fate’ is more about the spectacle of its fights than the story of its main character.

‘Fire Force’ (2019–2020)

David Production really made this show stand out with its sound – especially the powerful bass during explosions, which makes the action feel incredibly impactful. The animation is also impressive, using clever lighting and smoke effects to create realistic and visually interesting fire. While the story itself is fairly typical for this type of show, the direction is fantastic, turning even regular fights into dazzling displays of light and color.

‘Wonder Egg Priority’ (2021)

This series stands out with its consistently smooth and emotive animation. Despite dealing with serious and complex topics, it uses bright, cheerful colors that create an interesting contrast. Kanata Aikawa’s performance feels realistic and helps make even the most bizarre events believable. While the ending proved divisive due to unresolved storylines, the show remains highly regarded for its bold artistic choices and impressive character animation.

‘Darling in the Franxx’ (2018)

This anime combines exciting mecha action with a romantic story, created by the studios Trigger and A-1 Pictures. While the animation and unique mecha designs are full of energy, and the voice actors have great chemistry, the plot takes an unexpected and confusing turn towards the end. Haruka Tomatsu shines with a lively and engaging performance as the character Zero Two.

‘Charlotte’ (2015)

P.A. Works is known for its stunningly realistic settings and how well its characters show emotion. While the story feels a bit hurried at the end, trying to fit too much in, the performance by Koki Uchiyama as the main character – especially his journey from confidence to hopelessness – is excellent. The show’s emotional moments truly resonate thanks to the detailed animation of tears and the powerful voice acting. Overall, it’s a visually beautiful series from beginning to end.

‘Diabolik Lovers’ (2013)

This anime is adapted from a series of audio dramas and heavily features the original voice actors. The story is simple—a girl finds herself trapped in a vampire’s house—but the show really shines through its immersive sound design, using special microphone techniques to make you feel like the voices are right next to you. The visuals capture the dark, gothic style of the source material. Ultimately, it’s a great listening experience, especially if you already enjoy the work of the voice actors.

‘Deadman Wonderland’ (2011)

The anime adapts only part of the original manga, leaving the story unfinished. Kana Hanazawa delivers a surprising performance as the troubled albino character, Shiro. The rock music complements the harsh prison environment well. The animation of the characters’ blood-controlling abilities is imaginative and smooth. Even with the sudden ending, the show maintains a strong mood and features excellent voice acting.

‘Tales of Zestiria the X’ (2016–2017)

Ufotable brought this video game to life with their stunning visual style. While the story follows a familiar fantasy hero’s path, the animation is a major upgrade, especially the incredibly detailed water and fire effects. The action sequences are far more impressive than in the original game, making it a visually captivating experience that enhances the source material.

‘Glasslip’ (2014)

You know, I recently watched a show by P.A. Works, and while some people complain it doesn’t really go anywhere story-wise, I was completely captivated. It’s less about a driving plot and more about the experience. The animation is just gorgeous – especially the scenes of glassblowing and the beautiful seaside town. They really nailed the atmosphere with a mix of classical music and ambient sounds, and the way they play with light and reflections is seriously impressive. Honestly, it’s one of those shows you watch for the visuals and the mood it creates, not for a complex storyline.

‘Nisekoi’ (2014–2015)

Okay, so Shaft took a pretty standard harem rom-com and just… Shaft-ified it. Honestly, the story itself is full of tropes we’ve all seen before, and the romance feels like it’s constantly hitting the brakes. But here’s the thing: the direction is amazing. Those quirky head tilts and vibrant backgrounds make even the most predictable dialogue scenes captivating. Plus, the voice actors are phenomenal – they really nail the comedic beats. It’s a surprisingly fresh take on a familiar formula, largely thanks to the incredible visual style and top-notch performances. It’s not groundbreaking storytelling, but it looks and sounds fantastic.

‘Domestic Girlfriend’ (2019)

This soap opera thrives on drama and isn’t afraid to be controversial. The voice actors, Maaya Uchida and Yoko Hikasa, deliver powerful performances that really bring the story to life. The opening theme, sung by Minami, quickly became incredibly popular online. The show fully embraces its over-the-top nature, with the entire cast giving committed and believable performances, and the production team skillfully portrays the characters’ emotional struggles.

‘Rent-a-Girlfriend’ (2020–Present)

This anime’s main character can be quite frustrating to watch, but the voice actresses are fantastic and really make the female characters shine. Aoi Yuuki is particularly impressive as the villain, creating a character who is both scary and fascinating. The animation is visually appealing, with well-designed characters and detailed clothing. Ultimately, the voice actors are what truly carry the emotional impact of the story.

‘The Detective Is Already Dead’ (2021)

The series began with a stunning, forty-minute premiere that looked like a movie. However, the story’s timeline jumps around, which can be confusing. The character Siesta quickly became a fan favorite, and the early fight scenes were beautifully animated and exciting. While the central mystery gets a bit complicated, the show’s visuals immediately grab your attention.

‘Visual Prison’ (2021)

This unique series, from the creator of ‘Symphogear’, centers around vampire bands that perform visual kei music. It’s a visually striking show with a deliberately over-the-top plot that favors style over strict realism. The musical performances are high-quality, resembling professional music videos, and the characters boast incredibly detailed and vibrant costumes and makeup. Essentially, the show is built around the music and the characters’ appearance.

‘Hand Shakers’ (2017)

This series is well-known for its incredibly busy and visually striking style. The camera work is always in motion, and the colors are extremely vibrant. Sometimes, the fast pace and intense visuals overshadow the story itself. It’s a standout example of animation pushing boundaries and experimenting with technique, even if it means sacrificing some clarity in the storytelling. The animation often attempts too much at once, prioritizing spectacle over a clear narrative.

‘Big Order’ (2016)

This story is often a wild ride, attempting to juggle too many ideas at once. Masakazu Morita’s energetic performance fits the show’s frantic pace. The characters’ powers lead to spectacular, large-scale destruction. The show doesn’t hold back with its bold and edgy style, and its over-the-top delivery keeps things exciting.

‘Taboo Tattoo’ (2016)

This action series, created by J.C. Staff, features impressively choreographed fight scenes. While the story centers around ancient weapons and a complicated plot, the real standout is the fluid and dynamic martial arts. The fight choreography is visually engaging, and the sound effects really pack a punch. It’s clear the action team focused more on delivering exciting fights than the writers did on the overall story.

‘Vatican Miracle Examiner’ (2017)

This series’ mystery plots frequently become unintentionally funny. The voice actors play even the most ridiculous lines with a straight face, which adds to the effect. The artwork creates a strong, gothic mood, and the two lead actors, Nobuhiko Okamoto and Junichi Suwabe, have excellent on-screen chemistry. Despite the story’s wild turns, the actors’ dedication makes it surprisingly enjoyable to watch.

2026-02-01 02:17