50 Of The Best Anime Tattoo Designs You Are Sure To Love (2024)

Photo credit: @diegotenoriotattoo

Starting off with one of the grandfathers of modern shonen manga and anime, the late great Akira Toriyama’s Dragonball franchise.

Dragon Ball is one of the most popular manga series of all time, with it continuing to have high readership to this day.

Dragon Ball is credited as the inspiration for many of the most popular animes ever created, from Eiichiro Oda (One Piece), Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto), and Tite Kubo (Bleach).

Dragonball follows the story of Goku, an alien from the planet Vegeta who saves the earth and the universe while always searching for stronger opponents to better himself. This Dragonball Tattoo shows Goku’s journey from boy to man.

Photo credit: @onepiecetattoos

One Piece is Eiichiro Oda’s over 25-year long-running manga epic.

One Piece is the highest-selling manga/comic of all time as of December 2023, when it stripped Superman of the title by selling over 500 million copies worldwide.

One Piece follows the adventures of Monkey.D.Luffy as he explores the Grandline in search of the One Piece treasure with his crew.

This One Piece Tattoo has Luffy’s Straw Hat sitting atop Zoro’s three swords.

Photo credit: @naruto.ink

Naruto is a Japanese manga by Masashi Kishimoto.

It tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who seeks recognition from his peers and dreams of becoming the leader of his village.

Naruto has 250 million copies in circulation worldwide, making it one of the best-selling manga series in history.

This Naruto Tattoo is of the red cloud, which represents the rain of blood that fell in Amegakure during its wars.

Photo credit: @angelldef

Attack on Titan, or Shingeki no Kyojin, is a Japanese manga series by Hajime Isayama.

Attack on Titan is set in a world where humanity is forced to live in cities surrounded by three enormous walls that protect them from gigantic man-eating humanoids referred to as Titans. This Attack on Titan Tattoo depicts

Photo credit: Reddit

Jujutsu Kaisen is a Japanese manga series by Gege Akutami.

Jujutsu Kaisen follows Yuji Itadori as he joins a secret organization of Jujutsu Sorcerers to eliminate a powerful Curse named Ryomen Sukuna, who Yuji has become the host of.

This Jujustu Kaisen Tattoo is of Yuji’s infected hand, where Sukuna talks through him to mock and belittle him, waiting for his moment to take over his host.

Photo credit: @pinzy.tattoos

My Hero Academia or Boku No Hero Akademia ss a Japanese manga series by Kōhei Horikoshi.

My Hero follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy who was born without a Quirk but still dreams of becoming a superhero.

My Hero Academia tells stories of how being born different can negatively affect individuals in society.

It explores how these individuals might become 'villains' due to their mistreatment, either because they have 'the wrong quirk' or because they suffer from mental health issues related to their quirks.

This My Hero Academia Tattoo makes great use of Lemillion’s quirk, which allows him to become intangible and permeate through matter.

Photo credit: @alicecandy

Death Note is a Japanese manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba. The story follows Light Yagami, who discovers a mysterious notebook called the "Death Note" that grants the user the supernatural ability to kill anyone whose name is written within its pages.

Death Note has a 37-episode anime television series adaptation produced by Madhouse and directed by Tetsurō Arak. This Death Note Anime Tattoo depicts Yagami being followed by Ryuk.

Photo credit: @brandochiesa

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a Japanese mecha anime television series directed by Hideaki Anno.

Evangelion is set fifteen years after a worldwide cataclysm called the Second Impact, with protagonist Shinji Ikari, a teenage boy recruited to pilot a giant biomechanical mecha called an Evangelion used to fight against beings known as Angels.

This Evangelion Tattoo has the Spear of Longinus, Adam, and Unit 1.

Photo credit: @sai_rgb

Fullmetal Alchemist is a Japanese manga series by Hiromu Arakawa.

Fullmetal Alchemist has had two anime adaptations, the first being a loose anime adaption titled Fullmetal Alchemist and the second being Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood that faithfully adapts the original manga.

This Fullmetal Alchemist Tattoo has a lot of detail done somewhat like an alchemy blueprint.

Photo credit: @carlota.tattoo

Solo Leveling is one of the most recent popular animes, thanks to it airing on Netflix.

Solo Leveling is a South Korean web novel written by Chugong with an anime television series adaptation produced by A-1 Pictures. Solo leveling follows Sung Jinwoo, who, after surviving a powerful double dungeon that nearly wipes out his entire party, is chosen by a program called The System as its sole player, which, in turn, gives him the unique ability to level up in strength.

This Solo Leveling Anime Tattoo is of the Statue of God, a giant stone statue that is the main antagonist and boss of the Double Dungeon.

Photo credit: @echo.tattoos

Sword Art Online is a Japanese light novel series written by Reki Kawahara with an anime television series airing between July and December 2012.

Sword Art Online focuses on protagonists Kazuto "Kirito" Kirigaya and Asuna Yuuki as they play through various virtual reality MMORPG worlds and later their involvement in the matters of a simulated civilization. This Sword Art Online Tattoo is of Kirito’s two swords.

Photo credit: @animemasterink

Bleach is a Japanese manga series by Tite Kubo. Bleach follows Ichigo Kurosaki, who obtains the powers of a Soul Reaper and, with his new powers, allows him to take on the duties of defending humans from evil spirits and guiding departed souls to the afterlife.

This Bleach Tattoo has Ichigos Hollow Mask, a type of Japanese Mask that allows him to harness his inner hollow's power, along with his sword.

Photo credit: @mikeshine_tattoos

Fairy Tail is a Japanese manga series by Hiro Mashima with it being adapted into an anime series that was broadcast in Japan from October 2009 to March 2013.

Fairy Tail follows the adventures of Natsu Dragneel, a member of a wizard guild named Fairy Tail, as he searches the fictional world of Earth-land for the dragon Igneel. This Fairy Tail Tattoo is of Happy, the anthropomorphic cat, as he tucks into fish.

Photo credit: @venomouspython

Tokyo Ghoul is a Japanese dark fantasy manga series written and illustrated by Sui Ishida.

Tokyo Ghoul is set in an alternate version of Tokyo, where humans coexist with ghouls. Ghouls are beings who look like humans but can only survive by eating human flesh.

Ken Kaneki, a student transformed into a half-ghoul, must navigate the complex dynamics between humans and ghouls while struggling to maintain his humanity.

This Tokyo Ghoul Anime Tattoo is of the red spider lily, which symbolizes death, reincarnation, and lost memories, and the centipede, which represents balance, strength, and forward movement.

Photo credit: @otaku.tattoo

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a Japanese anime television series based on the manga series of the same name by Koyoharu Gotouge.

Demon Slayer follows Tanjiro Kamado, who strives to return his sister back into a human after she was transformed into a demon and his family was slaughtered.

This Demon Slayer Tattoo is of the eyes of Upper Moon 1 Kokushibo.

Photo credit: @dasiek.tattoo

Black Clover is a Japanese manga series by Yūki Tabata. Black Clover follows Asta, a young boy born without any magic power who is given a rare grimoire that grants him anti-magic abilities.

Asta plans to become the next Wizard King with his fellow mages from the Black Bulls.

This Black Clover Tattoo depicts Asta wielding a giant sword taken straight from a panel in chapter 230.

Photo credit: @hwaraktattoos

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is a long-running Japanese manga series by Hirohiko Araki.

The Jojo series is divided into a total of nine story arcs, each following a new protagonist bearing the "JoJo" nickname.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is well-known for its art style and poses, with frequent references to Western popular music and fashion.

This Jojo Bizarre Adventure Tattoo is of the Joestar family birthmark, which all Jojo's main protagonists have had up to part 8. As of this article, it is still undetermined if Jodio from part 9 has it.

Photo credit: @jennytranart

Cowboy Bebop is a Japanese anime television series which aired from 1998 to 1999. Set in the year 2071, Cowboy Bebop follows the lives of a traveling bounty-hunting crew aboard a spaceship, the Bebop.

The series is inspired by science fiction, Western, and noir films and follows themes of existential boredom, loneliness, and the inability to escape one's past.

This Cowboy Bebop Tattoo has the Ship Bebop along with the final words of the series: ‘You’re gonna carry that weight.’

Photo credit: @pinzy.tattoos

One-Punch Man is a Japanese superhero manga series created by One.

One wrote the original webcomic manga version in early 2009 with a digital manga remake, illustrated by Yusuke Murata beginning in 2012.

One Punch Man follows the story of Saitama, a relatively unknown self-proclaimed hero who has grown bored due to a lack of challenge because he can beat any opponent in one punch.

Saitama joins the hero association in the hopes of gaining a reputation as having beaten so many monsters easily that no one actually knows who he is.

This One Punch Man Tattoo has Garou folded over himself, making the shape of a monster's face reflecting his ambition to become the ultimate monster.

Photo credit: Reddit

Yu-Gi-Oh is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kazuki Takahashi.

The series follows Yugi Mutou, a boy who solves the ancient Millennium Puzzle.

Yugi awakens a gambling alter-ego or spirit within his body that solves his conflicts using various games.

The Yu-Gi-Oh series has spawned a media franchise that includes multiple spin-off manga and anime series, a trading card game, and numerous video games.

This Yu-Gi-Oh Tattoo is of the magic card ‘Monster Reborn’ that allows resurrecting a monster from the opponent's Graveyard and placing it on the player's side of the field.

Photo credit: @zzang.ga_tattoo

Digimon is a Japanese media franchise that includes virtual pet toys, anime, manga, video games, films, and a trading card game.

While most people think Digimon was a competitor to Pokemon, The franchise was actually created as a series of virtual pets, that was intended as the masculine counterpart to Tamagotchi. This Digimon Tattoo is of Agumon next to his Digivice.

Photo credit: @jjmottotattoo

Cyberpunk Edgerunners is an anime tie-in to the video game Cyberpunk 2077. Edgerunners is a prequel to the game that takes place about a year before the events of Cyberpunk 2077.

Edgerunners follows David Martinez, who, after losing everything he has in a drive-by shooting, makes a choice to survive on the wrong side of the law as an "edgerunner." This Cuberpunk Edgerunners Anime Tattoo is of the Edgerunners symbol.

Photo credit: Ranker

Pokemon is a Japanese media franchise consisting of video games, animated series and films, a trading card game, and other related media.

The Pokemon anime follows Ash Ketchum, a young trainer joined by his partner Pokémon Pikachu, who had a rotating cast of human characters during its run.

Ash goes on a journey to become a "Pokémon Master," This Pokemon Tattoo is of the Squirtle Squad a group of Squirtle who were abandoned by their trainers who wear sunglasses.

Photo credit: @tamagothchick

Sailor Moon is a Japanese manga series by Naoko Takeuchi.

Sailor Moon follows the adventures of Usagi Tsukino as she transforms into the Sailor Moon character to search for a magical artifact, the "Legendary Silver Crystal." This Sailor Moon Tattoo is of Sailor Moon’s Crescent Moon Wand.

Photo credit: @rikkineko

Baki The Grappler is a Japanese manga series by Keisuke Itagaki.

Baki follows Baki Hanma as he trains and tests his fighting skills against a variety of different opponents in deadly, no-rules hand-to-hand combat.

This Baki Tattoo is of the now famous ‘Baki Pose,’ which has been recreated in reality by people trying to show their strength.

Photo credit: @hemi_tattoo

Zoids is a Japanese science fiction media franchise created by Tomythat features giant robots called Technozoidaryans.

Zoids started as a plamo kit line but now includes five main anime TV series and several video games and mangas.

This Zoids Tattoo is of the Geno Breaker. The Geno Breaker was built as a response to the Blade Liger but would be replaced by its successor, the Berserk Fury.

Photo credit: @y.o.u_tattoo

Berserk is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura, who sadly passed away on May 6, 2021.

Berserk is set in a dark fantasy world where it follows the journey of Guts who seeks revenge on his former comrade Griffith, a man who betrayed him and sacrificed his comrades to become a powerful demonic being.

This Berserk Tattoo is of Guts’s Sword, the Dragon Slayer with the souls of the dead reflected in it.

Photo credit: @animemasterink

Akira is a 1988 Japanese animated cyberpunk action film based on Otomo's 1982 manga of the same name.

Akira follows Shōtarō Kaneda, whose childhood friend, Tetsuo Shima, acquires incredible telekinetic abilities that eventually leads him to threatening an entire military complex in the sprawling futuristic metropolis of Neo-Tokyo.

This Akira Anime Tattoo depicts the nuclear explosion caused to Neo Tokyo by telekentic powers.

Photo credit: @gracetattooart

My Neighbor Totoro is a 1988 Japanese animated fantasy film by Studio Ghibli that focuses on two young sisters and their interactions with friendly wood spirits in postwar rural Japan.

My Neighbour Totoro explores themes such as animism, Shinto symbology, and environmentalism.

This My Neighbour Totoro Tattoo has Totoro followed by Chu and Cibi Totoro, as well as some soot sprites.

Photo credit: @e.nal.tattoo

Princess Mononoke is another Studio Ghibli animated film that follows the Emishi prince named Ash*taka and his struggle between the gods of a forest and the humans who consume its resources.

This Studio Ghibli Tattoo is of the Kodama, the tree spirits that are a sign of a healthy forest within the Princess Mononoke film.

Photo credit: @nawa_tattooer

Ghost in the Shell is a Japanese media franchise based on the manga series of the same name by Masamune Shirow.

Ghost in the Shell follows the members of Public Security Section 9, a task force consisting of various professionals skilled at solving and preventing crime.

This Ghost in the Shell Tattoo comes from the opening of the 1995 film.

Photo credit: @azoy.ink

Yu Yu Hakusho is a Japanese manga series by Yoshihiro Togashi.

Yu Yu Hakusho is the story of Yusuke Urameshi, a delinquent who is struck and killed by a car while attempting to save a child's life, only to be reincarnated as an ‘Underworld Detective’ now needing to investigate various cases involving demons and apparitions in the Human World.

This Yu Yu Hakusho Dragon Tattoo is of the Dragon of Darkness Flame, a powerful technique used by Hiei.

Photo credit: @fantattoo531

Gintama is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hideaki Sorachi.

Gintama follows the exploits of samurai Gintoki Sakata, who works as a freelancer in his self-established store, "Yorozuya," offering a wide range of services to handle various tasks and odd jobs.

This Gintama Tattoo has the protagonist, Sakata, sitting beneath a cherry blossom tree.

Photo credit: @passionetattoostudio

Haikyu!! is a Japanese manga series by Haruichi Furudate.

Haikyu follows the story of Shoyo Hinata, a boy determined to become a great volleyball player despite his small stature.

This Haikyu!! Tattoo shows the volleyball about to hot the water bottle, a test of a player's accuracy.

Photo credit: @screaminktattoos_

Doraemon is a Japanese manga series by Fujiko F. Fujio dating back to 1969.

Doraemon’s story revolves around an earless robotic cat named Doraemon, who travels back in time from the 22nd century to aid a boy named Nobita Nobi.

This minimalist Doraemon Tattoo has Doraemon and Nobita on each leg, both holding balloons.

Photo credit: @pinzy.tattoos

Chainsaw Man is a Japanese manga series by Tatsuki Fujimoto. Chainsaw Man follows the adventures of Denji, a boy who makes a contract with a dog-like Devil named Pochita, fusing their bodies.

Denji gains the ability to transform parts of his body into chainsaws and joins the Public Safety Devil Hunters, a government agency focused on fighting against Devils.

This Chainsaw Man Tattoo is of Pochita tucking into some bread given to him by Denji.

Photo credit: @al_tattooer

Gundam is a Japanese military science fiction media franchise. Created by Yoshiyuki Tomino.

Gundam has spawned a franchise that includes 50 TV series, films, and OVAs, as well as manga, novels, and video games, along with a whole industry of plastic model kits known as Gunpla.

This Gundam Anime Tattoo depicts two of the main Gundams, possibly being XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero and Mobile Suit ZGMF-X10 Freedom Gundam.

Photo credit: @maurovillagratattoo

Hajime no Ippo is a Japanese manga series by George Morikawa. Hajime no Ippo follows the story of Ippo Makunouchi’s career in boxing as he obtains titles and defeats various opponents.

This Hajime No Ippo Anime Tattoo depicts Ippo showing off his speed in the ring.

Photo credit: @otaku.tattoo

Mob Psycho 100 is a Japanese web manga series written by One Punch Man creator One.

Mob Psycho revolves around Shigeo Kageyama, nicknamed Mob, who has strong psychic powers as he struggles to find happiness.

This Mob Psycho Anime Tattoo depicts Mob after his suppressed emotions explode, making him unleash his dormant powers.

Photo credit: @_dark.view_tattoo

The Seven Deadly Sins is a Japanese fantasy manga series written and illustrated by Nakaba Suzuki.

The series story follows a group of knights, each representing the seven deadly sins, who had disbanded ten years earlier after being framed for plotting a coup of the Liones Kingdom.

This Seven Deadly Sins Anime Tattoo is the emblem of Ban, also known as the Fox Sin of Greed.

Photo credit: Reddit

Beastars is a Japanese manga series by Paru Itagaki.

Beastars is set in a modern world of civilized, anthropomorphic animals with a cultural divide between carnivores and herbivores.

This Beastars tattoo depicts Legoshi and Haru, two lovers whom Legoshi must suppress his instinctual urge to devour.

Photo credit: @immy_tattoo

Spy X Family is a Japanese manga series by Tatsuya Endo following a spy who has to "build a family" to complete a mission while being unaware his adopted daughter is actually a telepath and the woman he agrees to marry is a skilled assassin.

This Spy X Family Tattoo is of Yor Forger, the Garden assassin under the code name "Thorn Princess."

Photo credit: @_aconimi

Vinland Saga is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Makoto Yukimura.

Vinland Saga is a dramatization of the story of Thorfinn Karlsefni’s expedition to find Vinland and his transition from a bloodthirsty, revenge-filled teenager into a pacifistic young man.

This Vinland Saga Tattoo is of a Sword and Snake, possibly symbolizing the temptation of violence.

Photo credit: @sai_rgb

Astroboy is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka, serialized from 1952 to 1968.

The series follows Astro Boy, an android young boy with human emotions who was created by Umataro Tenma after the death of his son.

This Astro Boy Tattoo shows the interior and exterior of Astroboy yet depicts a heart within, symbolizing his true human emotions.

Photo credit: @benforrester_tattoo

Persona is a video game franchise developed and published by Atlus that also has animes based on the video games.

The Persona series follows a group of students who harness supernatural powers to combat dark forces while navigating their daily lives and relationships.

This Persona Tattoo is of Joker's Mask and Blade from Persona 5.

Photo credit: Cuded

The arm is the perfect place if you want to show off your new ink as often as possible.

The arm tattoo might not offer a huge amount of space, but because it is one of the few places on your body that doesn’t need to be covered at all times, it allows you to present it as often as possible, like this Hunter X Hunter Tattoo of the Spider Troupe symbol.

Photo credit: Reddit

The leg is another part of the body that will permit you to show off your new leg tattoo design as often as possible, particularly if you live in a warm climate.

Chrono Trigger is a video game with characters designed by legendary Dragonball creator Akira Toriyama with this design of the Chrono Trigger Logo.

Photo credit: Reddit

For those who want to show off their Tattoo Design with pride, get your Anime Tattoo on the chest.

The chest offers a lot of space on the pectoral muscles for men so you can have a decent sized chest tattoo design.

This Dragon Quest Tattoo serves as both a Video Game Tattoo and an Anime Tattoo and pays homage to Akira Toriyama and both his ‘Dragon’ series.

Photo credit: Pinterest

The Back offers a lot of space for you to go wild with your anime Tattoo Design.

With so much space, you can go as large or as detailed as you like, but if you prefer something a little smaller, you can also choose something like this Vagabond Tattoo of series protagonist Musashi Miyamoto.

Photo credit: Reddit

While not offering a huge amount of space, a hand tattoo is another great idea if you’re looking to show off your new ink as much as possible.

If you’re also looking to have a lore-accurate tattoo, consider getting something similar to this Black Butler Tattoo of the Contract Seal Pentagram, which also appears on the character’s hands in the series.