Anime tattoos have become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more people turn to their favorite anime characters for inspiration. From full-sleeve designs to subtle, smaller tattoos, there is a wide range of anime-inspired ink to choose from.
If you’re considering an anime tattoo, you’re in good company. Anime has a massive global following, and the passion for the art form has inspired countless tattoo designs.
In this guide, we’ll explore the world of anime tattoos, their meaning and significance, and some popular designs to consider. Whether you’re a die-hard anime fan or just appreciate the artistry of anime, read on for everything you need to know about anime tattoos.
Death Note Tattoos
“Death Note” is an anime series based on the manga of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The story follows Light Yagami, a high school student who discovers a mysterious notebook called the Death Note. The notebook allows him to kill anyone whose name he writes in it, as long as he knows their face.
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Light begins to use the Death Note to rid the world of criminals, believing that he can create a utopian society free from crime. However, his actions draw the attention of the police, who enlist the help of a mysterious detective known only as “L” to catch him.
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As the series progresses, Light and L engage in a battle of wits as they try to outsmart each other. The story is full of suspense, twists and turns, and moral dilemmas, as both Light and L grapple with the question of whether the ends justify the means.
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The Death Note anime makes for some pretty dark looking tattoos in both theme and design. The style of the art lends itself to bold outlines and lots of black ink, while the story of the anime isn’t for the faint of heart. Check out some more awesome Death Note inkwork down below.
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Naruto Tattoos
“Naruto” was created by Masashi Kishimoto. It tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja from the fictional village of Konohagakure, who dreams of being the strongest ninja and the leader of his village.
The series follows Naruto’s journey as he trains and grows stronger while facing various challenges and enemies. Along the way, he makes friends and allies, including Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, and learns important life lessons about friendship, teamwork, and perseverance.
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The Naruto anime makes for some really colorful tattoos. The animation lends itself well to body art and we’ve found some fantastic examples to include here. Make sure to visit the tattoo artists via the credited links and check out some more of their work.
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Sailor Moon Tattoos
“Sailor Moon” was created by Naoko Takeuchi. The series is about the escapades of a young girl called Usagi Tsukino, who transforms into a magical warrior called Sailor Moon to fight the evil forces that oppose all that’s good in the world.
As the series progresses, Usagi gathers a group of fellow Sailor Guardians, including Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Venus, each with their own unique powers and personalities. Together, they battle various villains and protect the world from destruction.
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Sailor Moon makes for some really creative and colourful tattoos that cover a variety of styles. We have a dedicated Sailor Moon tattoo guide if you want to see some more!
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One Piece Tattoos
“One Piece” is an anime and manga series created by Eiichiro Oda. It tells the story of Monkey D. Luffy, a young boy with rubber-like powers who sets out to become the Pirate King and find the legendary treasure known as One Piece.
Along the way, Luffy assembles a diverse and colorful crew of pirates, each with their own unique abilities and personalities, including swordsman Roronoa Zoro, navigator Nami, chef Sanji, and many others. Together, they face off against numerous enemies and rivals, including other pirate crews and the powerful Marines.
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I love the One Piece artwork and it makes for some of the most intricate anime tattoo designs I’ve come across. I think you’ll agree that each of these tattoo designs is pretty exceptional!
If you want to see more One Piece tattoos then don’t miss our dedicated guide!
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Princess Mononoke Tattoos
“Princess Mononoke” is an anime film directed by the renowned Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. It tells the story of Ashitaka, a young prince from a remote village, who becomes involved in a conflict between the forest spirits and humans who seek to destroy their home.
As Ashitaka journeys through the mystical forest, he encounters Princess Mononoke, a young girl raised by wolves who is determined to protect her home and the forest spirits. Together, they must navigate a complex web of alliances and conflicts to try to find a way to resolve the conflict between humans and the natural world.
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Spirited Away Tattoos
“Spirited Away” is an anime film directed by the renowned Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. The story follows a young girl named Chihiro, who gets lost in a mysterious world of spirits and monsters while moving to a new town with her parents.
As Chihiro tries to find her way back to the human world, she encounters a variety of strange and magical creatures, including the powerful witch Yubaba, who runs a bathhouse for the spirits. To save herself and her parents, Chihiro must navigate this unfamiliar world and confront the various challenges and obstacles that come her way.
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Probably the most famous anime ever, Spirited Away makes for great tattoos! The artwork looks awesome but in my opinion, especially when kept to lean black outlines. Some of these examples are just amazing!
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Berserk Tattoos
“Berserk” is an anime and manga series created by Kentaro Miura. The story follows the journey of a skilled swordsman named Guts, who wanders a medieval world filled with magic, demons, and political intrigue.
As Guts travels across the land, he confronts various challenges and enemies, including a group of deadly warriors known as the Band of the Hawk, led by the charismatic Griffith. Through his battles and experiences, Guts learns more about himself and the dark forces that threaten the world.
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Beserk isn’t an anime I’m too familiar with but it makes for great tattoos. It’s another one that’s thematically dark and makes for some sinister-looking tattoos.
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Dragon Ball Z Tattoo
“Dragon Ball Z” is an anime and manga series created by Akira Toriyama. It is the sequel to the original “Dragon Ball” series and follows the adventures of Goku, a powerful warrior with superhuman abilities, as he defends the Earth against a variety of villains and threats.
The series is known for its intense action sequences, epic battles, and larger-than-life characters, including Goku, his friends and allies, and numerous powerful villains such as Frieza, Cell, and Buu.
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Did someone say colorful tattoos? Cue Dragon Ball Z! This iconic anime looks great with popping bright colors just like it does on the screen.
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Pokemon Tattoos
The “Pokemon” anime is a long-running series based on the popular Pokemon video game franchise. The series follows the adventures of a young trainer named Ash Ketchum and his Pokemon partners as they travel through various regions of the Pokemon world, battling other trainers and capturing new Pokemon to add to their collection.
As the series progresses, Ash and his friends encounter various challenges and obstacles, such as battling powerful gym leaders and competing in regional Pokemon tournaments. Along the way, they learn about the bonds between trainers and their Pokemon, as well as the importance of friendship, determination, and perseverance.
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Pokemon is the ultimate anime powerhouse that everyone knows. You would probably run out of room getting tattoos of every Pokemon on your body but I’m sure somebody has tried!
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Fullmetal Alchemist Tattoos
“Fullmetal Alchemist” is an anime and manga series created by Hiromu Arakawa. The story is set in a world where alchemy, the practice of transmuting matter, is a widely accepted science. It’s about two brothers called Edward and Alphonse Elric, who use alchemy to try to give life back to their deceased mother.
However, their attempt goes awry and costs Edward an arm and a leg and Alphonse his entire body, forcing his soul to be bound to a suit of armor.
The two brothers set off on a journey to find the Philosopher’s Stone. This is a legendary artefact that is said to give immortality to those that possess it, so it can be used to restore their bodies. Along the way, they encounter a variety of allies and enemies, uncover dark secrets about the nature of alchemy and the government, and confront the sins of their past.
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Attack on Titan Tattoos
“Attack on Titan” is an anime and manga series created by Hajime Isayama. The story is set in a world where humanity lives in walled cities to protect themselves from giant humanoid creatures known as Titans, who hunt and eat humans for no apparent reason.
The series follows the story of Eren Yeager, his adoptive sister Mikasa Ackerman, and their childhood friend Armin Arlert, who witness the destruction of their home city by Titans and join the military to fight back against them.
As the story unfolds, Eren and his friends uncover dark secrets about the origins of the Titans and the true nature of their world, as well as confronting the complex political and military forces that govern their society.
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Attack on Titan’s heavy combat theme and gruesome-looking Titans make for some spectacular tattoos. The iconic swords and Omni-Directional Mobility Gear make for interesting tattoo ideas that are sure to attract questions.
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