Anime With Performances That Overshadow The Story

Anime is a medium where visual splendor and vocal talent can sometimes outshine the narrative itself. There are many series where the plot may be generic or confusing but the production values are simply undeniable. Viewers often find themselves captivated by the stunning animation or the incredible range of the voice actors. A lackluster script can be elevated to high art through the sheer effort of the animators and the cast. These shows prove that technical execution is a vital part of the entertainment experience.

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

This series is frequently cited as the ultimate example of animation elevating a straightforward story. The narrative follows a classic shonen structure that remains very simple throughout the runtime. Ufotable provides animation that features dynamic camera movements and breathtaking particle effects. Natsuki Hanae delivers a heartbreaking performance as the protagonist Tanjiro Kamado. The visual spectacle often becomes the primary reason for the show’s massive global popularity.

‘Guilty Crown’ (2011–2012)

Production I.G created one of the most visually polished anime of its time with this original series. The plot often suffers from pacing issues and a confusing second half. Hiroyuki Sawano composed a legendary soundtrack that makes every scene feel epic. The character designs by Redjuice remain iconic within the anime community. Viewers remember the music and the beautiful art direction long after they forget the details of the story.

‘The God of High School’ (2020)

The plot of this series was condensed significantly from the original webtoon source material. MAPPA compensated for the rushed pacing with some of the best martial arts choreography in the medium. The use of motion capture technology gave the fights a realistic sense of weight and impact. Each episode features fluid action sequences that are a feast for the eyes. The adrenaline of the tournaments keeps audiences watching despite the narrative gaps.

‘Aldnoah.Zero’ (2014–2015)

This mecha series started with a strong premise that eventually divided the fanbase. The true star of the show is the bombastic score by composer Hiroyuki Sawano. The CGI mecha battles are directed with intensity and clear spatial awareness. Natsuki Hanae provides a stoic and compelling vocal performance as Inaho Kaizuka. The audiovisual experience is thrilling even when the character motivations become murky.

‘K’ (2012)

GoHands studio is known for a very specific visual style that utilizes heavy filters and complex camera angles. This anime prioritizes atmosphere and aesthetic coolness over a deep narrative. The color palette is vibrant and the background art is incredibly detailed. The voice cast features industry heavyweights like Daisuke Namikawa and Tomokazu Sugita. It is a show that is meant to be felt and seen rather than deeply analyzed.

‘Sword Art Online’ (2012–Present)

The narrative of this franchise has faced criticism for its pacing and character writing over the years. However, the production value has remained consistently high across all seasons. Yoshitsugu Matsuoka defines his career with his dedicated performance as Kirito. The sound design during sword fights creates a distinct and satisfying audio experience. The animation during major boss battles is often movie quality.

‘Violet Evergarden’ (2018)

Kyoto Animation produced this series with a level of detail that rivals theatrical feature films. The story is episodic and sometimes moves at a very slow pace. Yui Ishikawa gives a subtle and evolving performance as the titular character. The lighting and water effects are technical marvels that set a new standard for television anime. Many viewers watch simply to admire the artistry of the composition.

‘Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress’ (2016)

Wit Studio brought their experience from ‘Attack on Titan’ to this original steampunk survival story. The art style mimics 1980s anime character designs with modern compositing techniques. The makeup artists added a unique flush to the characters that gave them a distinct look. The train action sequences are frantic and beautifully animated. The visual identity of the show is strong enough to carry the weaker story beats.

‘Fate/Apocrypha’ (2017)

The ‘Fate’ franchise is known for complex lore but this entry focuses heavily on chaotic spectacle. The sound effects for the noble phantasms are incredibly loud and bass-heavy. Several episodes feature experimental animation from web generation animators. The sheer scale of the magical attacks often fills the entire screen with light and debris. It is a series defined by its explosive battles rather than its protagonist.

‘Fire Force’ (2019–2020)

David Production utilized distinct sound design to give this show a unique auditory identity. The bass drops during explosions add a physical weight to the action. The animation involves creative use of lighting and soot effects to depict fire. The plot is a standard shonen affair but the directing elevates the material. The visual flair turns standard battles into psychedelic light shows.

‘Wonder Egg Priority’ (2021)

The animation quality in this series is consistently fluid and expressive. The show tackles heavy themes with a vibrant and deceptive color palette. Kanata Aikawa delivers a naturalistic performance that grounds the surreal events. The ending of the series was controversial for leaving many plot threads untied. Fans still praise the show for its daring artistic vision and character animation.

‘Darling in the Franxx’ (2018)

Trigger and A-1 Pictures combined forces to create this mecha romance. The story takes a bizarre turn in the final act that confused many viewers. Haruka Tomatsu delivers a charismatic and energetic performance as Zero Two. The mecha designs are unique and the action is animated with great energy. The character interactions are elevated by the strong chemistry of the voice cast.

‘Charlotte’ (2015)

P.A. Works is famous for their realistic backgrounds and expressive character acting. The story suffers from a very rushed final act that condenses too much information. Koki Uchiyama portrays the protagonist’s shift from arrogance to despair perfectly. The emotional beats land largely due to the crying animation and vocal performances. The show looks beautiful from start to finish.

‘Diabolik Lovers’ (2013)

This series is based on a drama CD franchise and focuses almost entirely on the voice actors. The plot is thin and revolves around a girl trapped in a house of vampires. The show utilizes dummy head microphone techniques to make the voices sound closer to the viewer. The animation captures the gothic aesthetic of the original games. It succeeds as an audio experience for fans of the voice cast.

‘Deadman Wonderland’ (2011)

The anime adaptation covers only a portion of the manga and leaves the story incomplete. Kana Hanazawa plays against type as the disturbed albino girl Shiro. The rock-inspired soundtrack fits the gritty prison setting perfectly. The blood-manipulation powers are animated with creative fluidity. The atmosphere and acting remain strong despite the abrupt ending.

‘Tales of Zestiria the X’ (2016–2017)

Ufotable adapted this video game with their signature digital integration techniques. The story is a very standard fantasy hero’s journey. The environmental effects like water and fire are rendered beautifully. The action choreography far exceeds what was present in the original game. It is a visual treat that improves upon the source material’s presentation.

‘Glasslip’ (2014)

P.A. Works created a show that is often criticized for having almost no plot progression. However, the visuals of the glass-working and the seaside town are stunning. Classical music and ambient sounds create a relaxing atmosphere. The light refractions in the animation are technically impressive. It stands as a prime example of a series that is purely a visual mood piece.

‘Nisekoi’ (2014–2015)

Shaft studio applied their avant-garde directing style to a standard harem romantic comedy. The plot is full of clichés and stalled romantic progression. The unique head tilts and colorful background art make every conversation interesting to watch. The voice cast features top-tier talent who elevate the comedic timing. The visual creativity makes the generic scenarios feel fresh.

‘Domestic Girlfriend’ (2019)

The premise of this soap opera is intentionally messy and controversial. Maaya Uchida and Yoko Hikasa sell the drama with intense vocal performances. The opening theme song by Minami became a massive viral hit. The show leans into the melodrama with committed acting from the entire cast. The production captures the emotional turbulence effectively.

‘Rent-a-Girlfriend’ (2020–Present)

The protagonist of this series is often cited as one of the most frustrating in anime. However, the female voice cast delivers stellar performances that bring the heroines to life. Aoi Yuuki creates a terrifying yet captivating presence as the antagonist Mami. The character designs are polished and the fashion is detailed. The seiyuu carry the emotional weight of the series.

‘The Detective Is Already Dead’ (2021)

The first episode of this series featured a forty-minute special with movie-quality production. The timeline of the story becomes disjointed and confusing for many viewers. The character design for Siesta became instantly popular among fans. The fight scenes in the early episodes are fluid and well-choreographed. The visuals hook the audience even as the mystery becomes muddled.

‘Visual Prison’ (2021)

This original series was created by the composer of ‘Symphogear’ and focuses on vampire visual kei bands. The plot is campy and prioritizes aesthetics over logic. The musical numbers are produced with the quality of real music videos. The costumes and makeup designs are elaborate and colorful. It is a show designed entirely around the music and the look of the characters.

‘Hand Shakers’ (2017)

This series is infamous for its overwhelming visual style. The camera is constantly moving and the colors are hyper-saturated. The story is often lost behind the sheer amount of visual noise. It is a unique example of production techniques being pushed to an experimental extreme. The animation tries to do everything at once regardless of the narrative clarity.

‘Big Order’ (2016)

The story is often described as a chaotic mess that tries to be too many things. Masakazu Morita gives a shouting performance that matches the high energy of the show. The powers are destructive and result in large-scale animated destruction. The show commits fully to its edgy tone without hesitation. The sheer loudness of the delivery keeps it entertaining.

‘Taboo Tattoo’ (2016)

J.C. Staff produced this action series with some surprisingly well-choreographed hand-to-hand combat. The plot involves ancient weapons and convoluted conspiracies. The martial arts sequences are fluid and use interesting camera angles. The sound design punches hard during the impacts. The action team clearly put more effort into the fights than the writers did for the script.

‘Vatican Miracle Examiner’ (2017)

The mystery plot in this series often descends into unintentional comedy. The voice actors deliver the absurd lines with complete seriousness. The gothic atmosphere is established well through the art direction. Nobuhiko Okamoto and Junichi Suwabe have great chemistry as the leads. The committed performances make the ridiculous twists entertaining to watch.

Which anime do you think has the best production values despite a weak plot? Share your thoughts in the comments.