CGI Done Right: Anime That Prove 3D Ain’t the Enemy

Let’s be real — anime fans have trust issues with CGI. We’ve all seen those awkward 3D walk cycles that look like PlayStation 2 cutscenes. But when done right, CGI can turn a show into a visual banger that hits harder than dad’s belt. So, here are some anime that use CGI/3D so damn well, they might just make you rethink your hatred for the style.

Anime List:

Land of the Lustrous (Houseki no Kuni)

Let’s start with the crown jewel of CGI anime. Every gem-person sparkles with unreal fluidity, and the 3D animation gives the whole world this glassy, dreamlike vibe. It’s proof that when CGI meets good direction and storytelling, magic happens. Studio Orange absolutely flexed here.

Kengan Ashura

Now this is how you turn CGI into a full-blown adrenaline rush. The 3D fights are bone-crunchingly smooth, with every punch, kick, and grapple feeling dope as hell. It’s like watching a hyper-stylized MMA match in anime form. The models might look a bit game-y, but when the action starts, you’ll forget all about it — pure testosterone-fueled chaos.

To Be Hero X

A wild blend of thrill and top-tier CGI flair — vibrant, slick, and absolutely unhinged. The show uses 3D not just for spectacle, but for expression, turning every scene into an exaggerated work of art. It’s stylish, self-aware, and refreshingly original — like if all studios went with a wild blend of 2D and 3D with zero chill.

Beastars

Another Studio Orange masterpiece. The animal characters are fully CGI, but instead of looking cranky, they move with precise fluidity. The facial animations are top-tier — you can literally feel Legoshi’s anxiety through his twitching ears. The CGI also nails the lighting, making every emotional scene pop.

Attack on Titan: The Final Season

Some fans cried foul when MAPPA leaned into 3D Titans — but guess what? It works. The colossal chaos of war scenes? Absolute carnage. The camera angles and seamless blend of 2D and 3D make it feel like you’re inside the fight. It’s gritty, cinematic, and wild.

Dorohedoro

This one’s got a dirty, grimy cyberpunk charm — and the CGI matches that perfectly. The way the characters and environments mesh together feels like a living comic book dipped in acid. Plus, the dark humor and weird world just fit the digital chaos.

Knights of Sidonia

Another Orange classic (yeah, they’re basically the gods of good CGI). Sidonia uses 3D to create vast space battles that make you feel the vastness of space. The mechs, the movement, the lighting — all meticulously designed to immerse you into the action.

Ajin: Demi-Human

This one’s a bit controversial, but hear me out — the CGI actually enhances the creepy, uncanny feeling of being an immortal outcast. The stiffness of the animation works in its favor, making Ajin and the “Black Ghosts” feel otherworldly and wrong in the best way possible.

Hi Score Girl

A nostalgic rom-com drenched in 90s arcade love? Hell yeah. The CGI gives the characters this quirky, toy-like charm that somehow works perfectly with the goofy humor and gaming theme. It’s unique, adorable, and full of pixel-hearted energy.

Lupin III: The First

This movie is like a mixture of Pixar and classic Lupin. The 3D captures every smirk, leaps, and hat-tosses with insane detail. It keeps the charm of old-school Lupin while bringing it into a new, sleek dimension.

Trigun Stampede

A modern reimagining of a legend — and boy, does it look gorgeous. The smooth, dynamic frame work makes shootouts feel alive, and Vash’s emotional depth comes through the 3D expressions like never before. It’s stylish, heartfelt, and undeniably slick.

Final Thoughts

Look, it is understandable that CGI in anime may look like that unwanted guest at the party — awkward, stiff, and always off-beat, which may cause some people to give it the narrow eyes. But these shows? They flipped the script. When studios treat 3D as a creative tool rather than a cheap budget cuts, it can make anime look straight-up breathtaking. So next time someone says “CGI ruins anime,” just share this list with them and say:
“Clearly, you haven’t seen one of these.” 😎

Image credit Orange, Larx Entertainment, LAN Studio, Pb Animation Co. Ltd., Paper Plane Animation Studio, MAPPA, Polygon Pictures,  J.C.Staff, TMS Entertainment, Marza Animation Planet