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Anime with surreal, colorful, "otherworldly" aesthetics

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Aug 25, 2023 1:42 PM
#1
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Mar 2018
303
My preferred aesthetic style for anime (and animation in general) is a bit hard to describe, but some characteristics of it is that it's flashy, uses lots of bright neon colors, and frequently has a general "otherworldly" vibe with surreal, almost psychedelic landscapes/backgrounds.

Some examples of what i'm talking about include Sailor Moon, Flip Flappers, and outside of anime, the two Spider-Verse movies (especially Across). Are there any other anime with that sort of style?
PokeFan2112Aug 25, 2023 1:50 PM
Aug 25, 2023 2:47 PM
#2
Aug 25, 2023 2:55 PM
#3
鋼鉄乙女

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Aug 2016
600
I also think you might enjoy Revolutionary Girl Utena and Mawaru Penguindrum and the other works by Kunihiko Ikuhara. I also would suggest giving Madoka Magica and Princess Tutu a try.
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Aug 25, 2023 3:41 PM
#4

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Jun 2020
263
I'm not 100% sure, but I feel like Kuuchu Buranko, Karneval, Muteking the Dancing Hero, Subarashiki Kono Sekai The Animation, and Gankutsuou might be good contenders for what you're looking for, although the latter has a more steampunk-ish colour palette rather than a neon one.

(As a general rule of thumb, though, I'd recommend primarily looking through pre-2010s anime, as a lot of them utilize more saturated, bright colour palettes in comparison to the more neutral, toned-down ones we see in present anime with the exception of ones I've already mentioned above. You might also find what you're looking for in experimental shorts and OVAs.)
Aug 25, 2023 3:43 PM
#5
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May 2023
484
Shaft has come with several shows that have a bold and unique style, often surreal. Madoka is one of them, so this is a +1 for Madoka and I also think you would enjoy it, because you mentioned Sailor Moon and into the Spider-Verse.

The Soultaker really goes all-in with the use of color, but I found it too boring to finish

And Sonny Boy - you already found it yourself
Aug 25, 2023 4:08 PM
#6

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Jan 2020
1350
Well, some recs that haven't been mentioned

https://myanimelist.net/anime/34537/Yoru_wa_Mijikashi_Arukeyo_Otome
https://myanimelist.net/anime/7785/Yojouhan_Shinwa_Taikei

They don't only look crazy, they ARE crazy and otherwordly overall.


MOKUSHI KUSHIMO SHIMOKU KUMOSHI MOSHIKU SHIKUMO.
Aug 25, 2023 5:58 PM
#7

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Dec 2022
5909
Yofukashi no Uta
Yumekui Merry
Akudama Drive
Hand Shakers
Pale Cocoon

All of these have very unconventional aesthetics and settings that make you feel like you're watching something ethereal at times. They all make use of heavily contrasting light and colour to bring some of their scenes to life too.


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Shaded Horizon


Aug 25, 2023 6:36 PM
#8

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Jan 2022
1568
One Piece

Madoka Magica

Land of the Lustrous

Made in Abyss

Jigokuraku

JoJo especially  Parts 3-6

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It’s time to ditch the text file.
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