8 Anime Themes of Art and Creative Industry that Inspire, A Window to the World of Japanese Creativity

SHIROBAKO (2014-2015) Following Aoi Miyamori and her four friends who work in various production roles in anime, Shirobako showcases the intricate process from pre-production to airing, while exploring the challenges and joys of the Japanese animation industry. As an authentic representation of the anime production world, it is a perfect example of an anime themed around art and the creative industry that provides a detailed portrayal with relatable and passionate characters. Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix (in some regions), HiDive

BAKUMAN (2010-2013) Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi dream of becoming a famous mangaka duo on their journey from the first manga concept to facing the fierce competition of the publishing industry. The anime BAKUMAN presents an anime themed around art and the creative industry with a realistic portrayal of the manga world, the creative process, and the detailed Japanese publishing system, while balancing professional aspirations and personal life. Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu

BLUE PERIOD (2021) Yatora Yaguchi, a popular student who discovers a passion for painting and struggles to get into art university, depicts the struggle of finding artistic identity in the competitive art world. The anime BLUE PERIOD takes the audience into an emotional exploration of self-discovery through art with a realistic representation of the learning process, making it a profound anime themed around art and the creative industry. Streaming: Netflix

HONEY AND CLOVER (2005-2006) Combining romance, comedy, and drama in the lives of five students at the Hamabi Institute of Arts, the anime HONEY AND CLOVER takes a mature and reflective approach to personal growth in the creative world with a balance of humor and drama. Their struggles to find artistic identity while facing life changes make it a heartfelt anime about art and the creative industry. Streaming: Crunchyroll, HiDive, Amazon Prime (some regions)

SAKURASOU NO PET NA KANOJO (2012-2013) Set in the "Sakura Hall" dormitory, this anime follows Sorata Kanda who meets Mashiro Shiina, an art genius with minimal social skills. This inspiring story about finding passion, facing failure, and supporting each other presents an anime themed around art and the creative industry that depicts the struggle to develop talent in various fields of art. Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix (some regions)

BARAKAMON (2014) Young calligrapher Seishuu Handa is exiled to a remote island after an incident, where his interactions with the local residents help him find his personal style and the true meaning of art. In this anime themed around art and the creative industry, a touching story about artistic growth in a new environment is presented with warm, captivating humor. Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll, Hulu

EIZOUKEN NI WA TE WO DASU NA! (2020) It tells the story of three high school girls named Midori (the writer), Tsubame (the animator), and Kanamori (the producer) who establish a club to create their own anime, facing creative and logistical challenges. The anime EIZOUKEN NI WA TE WO DASU NA! presents an inspiring celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the power of imagination in animation production. Streaming: Crunchyroll, HBO Max

GEKKAN SHOUJO NOZAKI-KUN (2014) Tells the story of Umetarou Nozaki, a popular shojo mangaka who turns out to be a high school boy, working with Chiyo Sakura and various eccentric characters that inspire his manga. This entertaining romantic comedy offers a unique perspective on the creation of shojo manga, presenting an anime themed around art and the creative industry with a fresh humorous approach. Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix (in some regions), Hulu That’s the list of art and creative industry themed anime that you can watch. There are still many anime recommendations that KLovers can discover by reading articles on kapanlagi.com. Because, if not now, when?