Best CGI Anime

There is still a stigma attached to CGI or 3D imagery in anime. Because even now, it still doesn't quite measure up to the gracefulness and emotion of 2D or hand-drawn animation. Even for the most popular anime like Attack on Titan, CGI sticks out like a sore thumb. That's why some anime prefer only one way or the other. And just as there are 2D-only anime, there are also 3D-only titles (or mostly 3D).

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By  Sid Natividad

While these CGI-only anime aren't as prominent or as well-recognized as 2D anime, that doesn't mean they're not good. In fact, the opposite is true for some titles. These CGI anime not only raise the flag for their own sub-genre and animation style but also prove that there needn't be too extreme a stigma for such a visual approach.

Updated December 7, 2024, by Hamza Haq: CGI-rendering is traditionally not a staple of anime art style, with most studios preferring the tried-and-true 2D art style that has become instantly recognizable over the years. Additionally, since most anime are adaptations of manga, which in itself is a 2D medium, it’s not hard to see why 3D-rendered CGI has not become a mainstream part of the culture. Luckily, there are enough exceptions to the rule that fans of CGI art in anime can find a lot to sate their appetite, especially in recent years when animation has become a lot more competitive and studios are eager to experiment.

25 Appleseed: Ex Machina

Two Special Force Agents' Partnership Is Tested

Deunan Knute and Briareos Hecatonchires are partners who are members of E.S.W.A.T., an elite special force. Briareos is recovering and Deunan is assigned a new partner until he does. However, her new partner greatly resembles Briareos’ human form and finds out he’s a prototype of new Bioroids that were created without negative emotions. Deunan and Briareos find their partnership tested in ways they didn’t imagine and dark truths about the new Bioroids.

The sequel to the 2004 movie Appleseed. Both movies are great choices for anime fans who love a blend of sci-fi and action. Even though the CGI looks a little outdated, Appleseed Ex Machina still holds up even when compared to modern-day CGI anime.

24 Arpeggio of Blue Steel

A Crew Must Deliver A Deadly Weapon To Give Humanity An Advantage

• Release year: 2013
• Studio: Sanzigen
• Genre: Sci-fi, action
• Number of episodes: 13
• My AnimeList Score: 7.35

Sea levels are at an all-time high and have swallowed most of the land due to global warming. Mysterious sentient warships (known as the Fleet of Fog) appeared and devastated the world’s naval and air forces, preventing humanity from traveling and putting a blockade up. Almost two decades after the blockade was put up, Gunzou Chihaya, a former student of the Japanese National Marine Academy now captain of his own Fog submarine, and his crew are given a mission to deliver a weapon that could give humanity the edge they need to fight back.

Arpeggio of Blue Steel is an excellent choice if fans are looking for a sci-fi show dealing with naval ships with some adventure and action in it. Even though it came out in 2013, the CGI effects still hold up pretty well compared to modern anime.

23 God Eater

A Young Man With A Godly Weapon Becomes The Key To Saving The World

In the year 2071, humanity is at the edge of extinction after monsters known as the Aragami appeared who can’t be killed by conventional weapons. The only ones that can kill them are divine weapons known as God Arcs that can be wielded by those with Oracle Cells known as God Eaters. Lenka Utsugi is a New-Type God Eater whose unique weapon might be the key to wiping out the Aragami once and for all.

The show starts a little slow but when it picks up, fans are in for a treat. Once the action starts, it doesn’t slow down and has a great blend of fantasy and action to keep viewers entertained.

22 Hi Score Girl

Two Rivals Game Against Each Other And Their Relationship Becomes More

Haruo Yaguchi wants to be a professional gamer, but there’s a problem: it’s 1991, the gaming industry is still relatively new, and no such job exists. But this doesn’t deter Haruo, and he’s a well-respected gamer in the local arcades. However, his confidence is shattered when his female classmate, Akira Oono, defeats him and finds him in a hilarious rivalry with her that might bloom into something more.

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By  Emedo Destiny

This show is a nice simple watch for romantic comedy fans that’s a nice enemies-to-lovers. Some viewers might even get nostalgic from seeing the arcades and remembering life back in the 90s. If anime fans are looking for a sweet comedy, this show is worth checking out.

21 Blame!

Humanity Fights Back Against The AI That Has Taken Over The World

• Release year: 2017
• Studio: Polygon Pictures
• Genre: Sci-fi, action, drama
• Number of episodes: 1 (movie)
• My AnimeList Score: 7.03

Living in a post-apocalyptic world run by machines, Zuru is a young girl who finds herself being hunted by them after she and a group of friends try to find some food. The only survivors are herself and her friend Tae, having been saved by a mysterious man named Killy. Killy reveals that he lives thousands of levels below the city and searches for humans with the Net Terminal Gene. This gene would allow the humans to take back control of the cities and the AI defense programs. Zuru and Tae agree to help him in his mission in hopes of stopping the machines.

Though quite different from the original manga, Blame! Still managed to impress fans with its story, characters, and music. It has just about everything sci-fi fans could want in a movie with plenty of action and drama.

20 Gantz: O

The Deceased Must Win A Game To Come Back To Life

Masaru Kato is a high student that dies on the way home after saving someone from getting stabbed by an attacker. He finds himself in a strange afterlife and is told that he and other people must participate in a “game” by killing monsters all around Osaka. Should they fail, there’s no chance of them coming back to life.

The movie doesn’t exactly follow the manga and puts the spotlight on Masaru, who is usually playing second fiddle to his best friend, Kei Kurono (the main character of the series). The changes to the original story are a bit drastic, but the movie’s animation and overall storyline make up for it. Plus, it’s nice to see Masaru get some attention as he is a pretty cool character that many Gantz fans love.

19 Expelled From Paradise

An Agent Must A Find A Deadly Hacker

• Release year: 2014
• Studio: Graphinica
• Genre: Sci-fi, Action, Mecha
• Number of episodes: 1 (movie)
• My AnimeList Score: 7.30

The funny thing about CGI is that it fits so much better in sci-fi anime since it's a relatively "new" technique and tends to produce a futuristic atmosphere. Such is the case for Expelled from Paradise as it combines the big two genres fit for CGI: sci-fi and mecha.

As is the usual case with sci-fi anime that have mechs in them, Expelled from Paradise tells a post-apocalyptic story of Earth. It's a setting where humanity has left behind their fragile shells and lived as consciousness stored off-planet until some hacker decides to disturb everyone's peace.

18 Lupin III: The First

Join Lupin And The Gang On Another Heist

• Release year: 2019
• Studio: TMS Entertainment, Marza Animation Planet
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
• Number of episodes: 1 (movie)
• My AnimeList Score: 7.81

“Gentleman Thief” Lupin III returns with his comrades for another action-packed heist. Lupin sets his sights on a rare diary that has the location of a treasure, known as Eclipse, that his grandfather failed to steal. However, Lupin is not the only one after it and finds himself in the middle of a treasure hunt and a group trying to revive the Third Reich.

This movie is a treat for longtime fans of the series and a great introduction for new fans. Fans can expect Daisuke and Goemon to be there to help Lupin out when he’s in a pinch, femme fatale, Fujiko Mine, to be around to cause a little trouble for them, and everyone’s favorite overzealous detective, Inspector Zenigata, trying his best to arrest Lupin and his friends.

17 Kengan Ashura

Fighters Compete For Large Companies

In a world where business owners and merchants hire fighters or “gladiators” to fight for their businesses. Fighter, Tokita “Ashura” Ohma is recruited by Nogi Hideki, CEO of the Nogi Group, after defeating the group’s previous fighter. With the meek-mannered Kazuo Yamashita as his manager, Ohma fights his way to the number one spot in the Kengan Annihilation Tournament.

Bloody fantastic fights with smooth CGI, Kengan Ashura is everything fans would want in a boxing-esque anime. Sometimes CGI can be a little distracting and take away from what’s happening, but that’s not the case here. It just enhances the violence, blood splatters, and hits and makes it all the better to watch.

16 Trigun Stampede

Vash The Stampede Is Back In A New Style

In Noman’s Land, reporters Meryl and Roberto are on a journey to find the legendary outlaw, Vash the Stampede. Expecting a violent man, they are surprised to see that this “outlaw” is a passive and goofy young man who gets along with almost everyone around him. Sadly, his horrible reputation is thanks to his brother, Millions Knives, who has been causing chaos. With a huge bounty on his head and destruction following, Vash and the reporters set out to stop Knives.

Some fans were a little concerned about this anime being CGI and had mixed feelings about Vash’s new look, but this anime has received positive reviews. Fans of the original anime should give it a chance as Vash is still the same goofy pacifist they all know and love.