How Will Anime Change in the Coming Years?

Ever since shows like Lucky Star and Clannad aired, we have seen a more apparent shift into a “moe” art style throughout the years from 2006-2012. More noticeably since the 90s to 2010 you can see a dramatic shift in change. Since 2010, we’ve been seeing a steady stream of anime each season representing the moe artstyle. Just like the past decades, we’ll soon see another shift in art style now that 2020 is just a couple years away.

Here’s another good visual representation of the difference throughout the years:

Currently, the moe style sells as it is representative in most anime shows airing each season. Even shows like Highschool DxD have learned to adapt to the current trend as a new studio has picked up the series and tasked Makoto Uno to design the characters.

With the recent news about Highschool DxD Hero and its art style change – mature to moe – it really made me think about how moe has become really apparent in the industry. It’s been over a decade since moe art style has been the new modern animation style, the time for change is near. Perhaps we may see a shift from traditional animation to CGI. The way CGI is currently it’s far from ideal, but it doesn’t mean it won’t be popular. Kemono Friends, for instance, did amazing despite being entirely done in CGI. As the industry currently stands, it is quite possible for the shift to happen. It’s more cost efficient and seemingly less time consuming. CGI animation is rough at best, but with time it can become an amazing new standard for the industry. That’s what I speculate at least.

How will the industry change in the next few years? Do you like the current style or do you think there should be a change? Leave your thoughts below! I’d love to hear what you all think.