Anime is an incredibly popular cartoon genre all over the world, and some hardcore fans choose to show off their love through body art.

If you’re getting an anime tattoo, you want to be sure that you’re getting the best artwork possible, as with any tattoo, so it’s important to look into different tattoo styles to see which ones fit best.

New School Anime Tattoo Style

The New School tattoo style is the best one suited for anime tattoos, and there’s a good reason why we say that. This style is known for its bold, vibrant colors, and use of detailing and shading to create depth and a 3D effect. Anime cartoons are also known for a use of bold colors and details to tell a story, so combining these two for a tattoo is the perfect match.

New School tattoos tend to feature cartoon-style designs anyway, so your beloved anime characters can easily be depicted in a tattoo using this tattoo style, without having to compromise color, detail or depth.

Japanese Anime Tattoo Style

Japanese style of tattooing is all about sharp angles and over-exaggerated features. This style lends itself really well to anime series that are geared more toward the horror genre, because of the effects such designs can create. The process is normally done by hand, using specialized tools, so it takes longer than those done using tattoo machines, but the experience is a unique one that you’re unlikely to forget. If you want a true Japanese tattoo featuring anime designs, consider going with a Japanese style.

Illustrative Anime Tattoo Style

As far as tattoo styles go, Illustrative works with almost any kind of cartoon-type of design. The only difference between choosing an Illustrative or New School anime tattoo is the level of depth you want – do you want it to have a 3D effect,or do you want a pattern that looks like a sketch or a painting? Both are great options, but with the Illustrative style, there tends to be more of a 2-dimensional appearance. If you’re looking for an anime tattoo that’s true to the original manga style, Illustrative may be the best style option for your ink.

1. Minimalist Anime Tattoo

 A minimalist tattoo is an excellent choice for those who prefer a simpler approach to tattooing. This anime piece can be created on a small or large scale and will focus on the basics, with limited shading and contrast and no fine details.

2. Anime Wrist Tattoo

The appeal of wrist tattoos is their visibility, and it is a placement where you can look at them daily. The wrist can also be painful because of the thin skin and lack of muscle and fat in the area. It should thus be reserved for meaningful designs, and an anime tattoo is just that; the storylines and characters often resonate with the audience.

3. Anime Sleeve Tattoo

For those who want their body art to tell a story, a sleeve tattoo is a great choice. The sleeve design will cover the entire arm and is an excellent way to get creative with your inking. It could combine several of your favorite anime characters or depict a scene from a series that is meaningful to you.

4. Anime Outline Tattoo

Outline tattoos focus on the most basic details of your design. They are often created in black ink without fine detail, contrast, or shading. This style works well with anime and is made with lines and a focus on precision. The outline tattoo appeals to those who prefer a minimalist approach to body art.

5. Roronoa Zoro Anime Tattoo

Roronoa Zoro, also known as the Pirate Hunter Zoro, is a popular anime character from the One Piece franchise. He is strong, intelligent, and has demonstrated his tactical abilities. His muscular appearance and bright green hair make him a striking design for a tattoo, and it will be best created in colored ink.

6. Colorful Anime Tattoo

7. Sailor Moon Anime Tattoo

Undoubtedly one of the most recognizable anime characters is Sailor Moon. The superheroine anime is an inspiring choice for body art and can be created in a delicate and simple design or something detailed and bold. The beauty of anime is there are multiple options to choose from, allowing you to adapt your piece to reflect your thoughts and feelings.

8. Attack on Titan Anime Tattoo

If you want a meaningful tattoo that reflects a subject you are passionate about, consider getting an anime design. There are multiple characters and series to choose from, including Attack on Titan, a manga series by Hajime Isayama. You can create a scene from the story or focus your artwork on a specific character like the protagonist, Eren Yeager.

9. Anime Arm Tattoo

Arm tattoos are an excellent location for body art because of their versatility. This placement is not considered high on the pain scale chart because of the thick skin, muscle, and fat which provide cushioning. The arm also gives you a large enough area to create a detailed anime tattoo, or you could opt for something smaller and more discreet.

10. Anime Quote Tattoo

It is not just the illustrations from anime that are an excellent choice for tattoos but also the dialogue. Anime has well-thought-out storylines that are inspiring and meaningful. For body art that makes a powerful statement, you can draw inspiration from something your favorite character has said for an anime quote tattoo.

11. Anime Watercolor Tattoo

Watercolor tattoos are one of the most striking styles you can choose. The technique blends colors to replicate the paint’s appearance on a canvas, hence the name. The result is brightly colored artwork devoid of detailing and often without thick outlines. The effect can also be used as the background for more detailed artwork, so work with your tattoo artist to adapt it to complement your anime design.

12. Anime Leg Tattoo

Leg tattoos are versatile and a favorite area for men and women to get inked because they are easy to cover up or show off. The area is also considered low to moderate on the pain scale because it has thick skin, fat, and muscle to provide cushioning. For a more detailed design, you can opt for a leg sleeve.

13. Small Anime Tattoo

You do not need a large and detailed anime tattoo for it to have meaning. Small tattoos are appealing because they can be inked anywhere on the body, making them a versatile and popular choice. They are also more affordable and quicker to complete, making them less painful.

14. Naruto Anime Tattoo

Naruto is a manga series by Masashi Kishimoto that has garnered a legion of loyal fans because of its detailed and creative narrative and well-thought-out characters. There are many different characters to choose from, whether you feel drawn to an antagonist or protagonist. Your ink can be created to be simple and minimalist, or you can opt for an intricate, colorful piece.

15. Anime Back Tattoo

Back tattoos are ideal for small and large designs but work exceptionally well with detailed pieces, giving you enough space to get creative. You can cover your entire back with an anime design and combine several different images. The appeal of a back tattoo is that you can show off your piece whenever you want but also cover it easily with clothing.

16. Dragon Ball Z Anime Tattoo

Dragon Ball Z is an excellent choice for anime tattoos because there are many different episodes and characters to draw inspiration from. This is also a perfect option for someone who wants to depict the concept of good versus evil, as Goku and the ​​Z Warriors are dedicated to protecting Earth and its inhabitants from those who wish to destroy it.

17. Alphonse Anime Tattoo

Alphonse Elric is a character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series. His interesting appearance —  his soul is bound to a suit of soul armor — and his large size makes for a striking tattoo. You can create your inking around Alphonse or include other characters from the series for a more detailed design.

18. Anime Eye Tattoo

19. Anime Foot Tattoo

20. Anime Rib Tattoo

A rib tattoo is not for the faint-hearted because this is an incredibly painful location. The proximity to bone, thin skin, and lack of muscle and fat make getting inked here high on the pain scale chart. This should therefore be a placement reserved for truly meaningful designs, letting you keep them close to your heart at all times.

21. Fullmetal Alchemist Anime Tattoo

One of the more well-known manga series is Fullmetal Alchemist, written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. When getting inked, you can choose a design around one of the main characters or opt for a symbol that features in the series, like the Ouroboros, which represents an eternal life cycle.

22. Cute Anime Tattoo

There are many anime series and characters to draw inspiration from, some of which are very cute in appearance. These cute tattoos can be meaningful, but they are also great to look at and will likely bring a smile to your face. To be reminded of why you got this design, choose somewhere visible that you can look at every day.

23. Anime Matching Couple Tattoos

If you and your loved one are fans of anime, especially the same series, a cute option would be getting a matching couple tattoo. This is a great way to show your dedication to each other and your commitment to your relationship. The images can be of lovers or could be two things that complement each other like symbols.

24. Bleach Anime Tattoo

Bleach is a manga series that follows the life of Ichigo Kurosaki, who has unique powers and can see ghosts. If you are a fan, this is a wonderful option for your next tattoo, and there are several creative ways to design your piece, depending on the meaning you wish to convey.

25. Black and White Anime Tattoo

Black ink is one of the best options for body art because it ages well, is great for creating contrast, and complements a wide range of different styles. Anime tattoos can look incredible in black ink, and this option is often more affordable and can be less painful than colored tattoos.

26. Cowboy Bebop Tattoo

Sci-Fi anime Cowboy Bebop has a legion of loyal fans and is one of the most celebrated and recognizable series. It has also inspired body art, with each piece having significance for the wearer. This could be because you feel connected to the storyline or the qualities that the characters possess. The great thing about body art is that it reflects your interests, passions, thoughts, and feelings.

27. My Neighbor Totoro Tattoo

Undoubtedly one of the cutest and most inspiring anime series is My Neighbor Totoro. It has a cult following because of its story, set in post-war rural Japan. Deciding to get a tattoo from this series can symbolize childhood, optimism, and family. You can choose to focus on one character, like Totoro, or create a detailed scene that tells a story.

28. Tokyo Ghoul Anime Tattoo

Anime tattoos are the Japanese style of animation. Deciding to get an anime tattoo can have significant meaning to the wearer but also gives the world a glimpse into your interests and passions. Tokyo Ghoul is a dark fantasy manga series with a complicated main character, Ken Kaneki. The story revolves around his struggles with his transformation as he becomes a half-ghoul.

29. Anime Trash Polka Tattoo

Trash polka is a style that is made to stand out. It was created in Germany by tattoo artists Simone Pfaff and Volker Merschky and is done using black and red ink. The pieces feature realistic and abstract elements, making for a fantastic contrast and creating artwork that feels rebellious and chaotic. This is the technique to use for a unique approach to your anime tattoo.

30. Anime Hand Tattoo

Hand tattoos are controversial because they are so visible and have long been associated with tough guys and criminals. For some, this is part of the appeal, letting you show off a design that is meaningful to you and showing you’re not afraid to take risks. But it can also have a downside because body art still comes with a stigma, and being unable to cover your ink can affect job opportunities.

31. Geometric Anime Tattoo

Geometric tattoos are created by combining shapes and lines to form an interesting pattern. A geometric element can be added to most designs, including an anime tattoo, giving it a unique finish. These inkings are also associated with balance and symmetry and can be mesmerizing to look at.

32. Anime Symbol Tattoo

You do not have to opt for a detailed image of an anime character when getting your inking, and sometimes the simplest approach is the most appealing. You can achieve this by getting a tattoo of a symbol or a logo from your favorite anime series. This may also not be immediately recognizable to those who are not fans of the particular show, making the piece feel more mysterious.

33. Anime Chest Tattoo

A chest tattoo is one of the most painful locations for body art because of the thin skin and lack of muscle and fat. The proximity to bone also increases the level of pain. However, the chest is an excellent placement option for your anime design because it keeps a meaningful piece close to your heart.

34. Meaningful Anime Tattoos

Anime has a massive following because there are many series to choose from and because the stories have a lot of creativity and detail. The characters are well-thought-out and often have qualities and superpowers that are relatable or inspiring. There are definite pros to getting an anime tattoo, including the meaning associated with your design.

35. Death Note Anime Tattoo

Another popular and well-received anime is Death Note, following the story of a high school student and a supernatural notebook that grants them the ability to kill anyone. It is an interesting concept and fascinating storyline, which is why it is not surprising it has inspired tattoos.

Anime tattoos are the perfect way to show your love of the genre, and to rep your favorite characters. You can go the obvious route and have the characters largely featured, or you can take a more subtle approach using symbols and landscapes from your favorite animated series. Whatever option you go with, there’s a ton of room to be creative with your anime tattoo,just make sure you choose a pattern artist who’s skilled in whatever tattoo style you ultimately want your tattoos to be in.