Does CGI Have a Place in Anime, or Is It Ruining the Art Form?

Anime has always been in between art and innovation. From the painstakingly hand-drawn cells of classics like Akira and Neon Genesis Evangelion to the crisp digital animation of modern hits, the medium constantly evolves with technology. But one innovation keeps sparking heated debates across fandoms: CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery).

Some fans argue that CGI ruins anime’s unique, hand-crafted charm. Others insist it’s the only way for studios to keep up with growing demand and rising production costs. So, does CGI have a rightful place in anime—or is it slowly killing the art form we all love? Let’s dive deep, exploring the pros, cons, and future of CGI in anime.

When Did CGI Enter Anime?

CGI isn’t actually new to anime. Studios began experimenting with it as early as the 1980s. One of the most famous early uses was in Golgo 13: The Professional (1983), which featured some crude 3D helicopter and car sequences. At the time, it looked futuristic—but also very out of place. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, anime like Serial Experiments Lain, Blue Submarine No. 6, and Blood: The Last Vampire started incorporating 3D backgrounds and effects. Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004) and Appleseed pushed CGI even further, blending it with traditional 2D.

And today? Entire series are made using full CGI (Beastars, Land of the Lustrous, Ajin), while mainstream hits like Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, and One Piece use CGI selectively for monsters, environments, or dynamic camera angles.

Why Studios Love CGI

So why is CGI becoming more common, even though fans complain about it?

1. Time-Saving and Efficiency

Anime is notorious for brutal production schedules. Hand-drawing every single background, explosion, or crowd scene is exhausting and expensive. CGI can automate repetitive tasks and save animators countless hours.

2. Dynamic Action Sequences

Ever notice how mechas in Gundam or titans in Attack on Titan move with heavy realism? That’s thanks to CGI rigs. CGI allows for smoother, more complex camera movements that would be nearly impossible with 2D alone.

3. Cost-Effective in the Long Run

While CGI requires upfront investment (software, 3D modelers, etc.), it pays off when assets can be reused across episodes or even entire seasons. Studios can build a library of models—mechas, monsters, ships—and use them again and again.

4. Global Appeal

CGI-heavy anime like Beastars and Land of the Lustrous gained international recognition not just for their stories, but also for their striking visuals. CGI gives anime a modern, sleek look that resonates with younger audiences used to 3D animation from Pixar, DreamWorks, or video games.

Why Fans Hate CGI

Despite its advantages, CGI in anime often faces harsh criticism from fans. Here’s why:

1. The “Stiff and Awkward” Problem

CGI characters can look robotic if the animation lacks fluidity. Fans often cite Berserk (2016) as the ultimate example of bad CGI—the lifeless faces, stiff movements, and choppy frame rates killed the emotional impact of the story.

2. It Breaks Immersion

When CGI doesn’t blend well with 2D animation, it sticks out like a sore thumb. Imagine a beautifully hand-drawn scene suddenly interrupted by a plastic-looking CGI monster—it’s jarring.

3. Loss of Hand-Drawn Charm

Anime’s identity is rooted in the artistry of 2D hand-drawn frames. Many fans feel CGI strips away the personal touch of animators, replacing it with something that feels more corporate and less soulful.

4. Overuse Can Ruin Atmosphere

Subtle CGI—like crowds, background vehicles, or camera pans—often goes unnoticed. But when studios lean too heavily on 3D, it risks losing the warm, emotional connection that traditional anime brings.

Success Stories

• Land of the Lustrous (2017): Studio Orange perfected the use of CGI to bring gemstone-based characters to life. The fluid movement and lighting effects made it a visual masterpiece.
• Beastars (2019): Also by Studio Orange, Beastars used CGI to emphasize animal movements and facial expressions in ways 2D couldn’t.
• Attack on Titan (Final Season): Though some fans disliked the CGI Titans, the dynamic camera work and large-scale battles showcased what CGI can add to epic storytelling.
• Demon Slayer (Mugen Train): The CGI train monster blended seamlessly with 2D, creating a hauntingly immersive visual experience.

Infamous Flops

• Berserk (2016): Often cited as the worst use of CGI in anime history, the clunky models and poor animation alienated even loyal fans of the manga.
• Ex-Arm (2021): This series became infamous for laughably bad CGI, with characters looking like PS2-era models awkwardly dropped into scenes.
• Kingdom (First Season): Though later seasons improved, the initial reliance on weak CGI nearly killed the adaptation before it started.

Is CGI Ruining Anime?

The short : No—but it depends on how it’s used. Anime isn’t being “ruined” by CGI. Instead, CGI is simply another tool like digital coloring or rotoscoping that can enhance or harm a project depending on execution. Fans don’t hate CGI itself in my opinion they hate lazy CGI. When studios cut corners or rely on CGI as a crutch, it feels soulless. But when creators treat CGI as a complement to 2D artistry, it can unlock entirely new possibilities.

The Future of CGI in Anime

Given how anime production is becoming more global, CGI isn’t going anywhere. In fact, we can expect more hybrid projects where 2D and 3D blend seamlessly. Studios like Orange and MAPPA are already proving that CGI can work when done right. And with AI-assisted animation tools beginning to rise, the future might bring even smoother integrations of CGI and 2D—making it harder to tell where one ends and the other begins. The real question isn’t whether CGI belongs in anime—it’s whether studios will use it responsibly, as a creative enhancer instead of a cheap shortcut.

So, does CGI have a place in anime? Absolutely.

Is it ruining the art form? Not if it’s done with respect for what makes anime special in the first place.

At its best, CGI opens doors that traditional animation alone couldn’t. At its worst, it becomes the infamous Berserk (2016). But ultimately, the heart of anime—the stories, the emotions, the artistry—still shines through, whether it’s hand-drawn or computer-rendered.