My favorite pixiv illustrations


フライヤー by ながれぼし

Anime fan art is not hard to come by. However, exceptional fan art could be if you don’t know where to look. I first heard about the Japanese fan art site, pixiv, in late ’08. It is indeed the number one site to find incredible anime fan art from many different series…

I browse through the top rated illustrations on pixiv every now and then, and I’ve since accumulated quite a bit of good ones. I wanted to share them here on the blog eventually but, to avoid an overwhelmingly large post, I would have to pick just a few out of the many I’ve bookmarked. Finally I’ve managed to narrow down my favorites to the 17 you’ll find below (in no particular order).

Just note that in order to view full size images on pixiv, you need to have an account. But for the 17 pieces below, I’ve uploaded larger sizes onto my own server so you can view them even without a pixiv account. However, the full sizes on pixiv are larger and better quality than the ones I’m providing.


*Click the image for a larger version*
うみねこのなく頃に散る物語 by シヨカ

I should probably mention that I’m a sucker for anime pictures with a ton of characters in them – the more characters in any one picture, the better the chances that I’ll love it. This Umineko illustration is absolutely amazing.

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君のいる世界 by そよき

I’m not big on Gurren Lagann, but something about this piece is just so darn pleasant.

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まるかいて by とこ

The amount of good Hetalia fan art on pixiv is staggering. I decided to just pick two and this would be one of them. I love the circle effect and how it goes along with the ending song.

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【ヘタリア】ウォーリーを探せ!的な何か【オールスターズ】 by kusayura

Another fantastic Hetalia art. Like I said, the more characters the better when it comes to my taste XD

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笹の葉ラプソディ by みつい

“Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody” is one of the most important Haruhi stories, and I love the colors and the artist’s cute style in this picture.

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デジモンアニメに愛を込めて by 藤花@すらんぷ

Lots of good Digimon art sprang up during the Digimon anime’s 10 anniversary last summer, but this one is my favorite. Every single important character from all five Digimon series is in it and they’re drawn just as good as official art. Amazing.

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*Click the image for a larger version*
四人揃って!! by 暗猫(イラスト整理中)

Like Hetalia, stunning K-ON! fan art is everywhere on pixiv. This one in particular has always stood out to me; looks just as good as official art and their outfits are great.

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*Click the image for a larger version*
After fuwafuwa by はっちぽっちらんち

I don’t know why out of all the K-ON! fan art, I like this one so much. It’s just so cute (the background is nice, too).

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*Click the image for a larger version*
スレイヤーズ 20周年 乾杯 by 小黑Ly

Slayers will always hold a special place in my heart for being one of my first anime. This amazing fan art, which showcases all the characters, celebrates the 20th anniversary of the light novels!

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*Click the image for a larger version*
大神にありがとう by みにまる

Okami is one of my favorite games and I love its unique art style. The Okami fan art on pixiv is much better than the official art XD

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太陽は昇った by 七井友一

Another incredible Okami piece.

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銀髪白髪は美形揃い by てつくず

Lots of anime characters with white hair! Funny idea…I wish they made more for different color hair XD (though I think Rei’s hair is supposed to be blue).

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*Click the image for a larger version*
駆け落ちのおやつで大人っぽいこと by こく

Just a cute Toradora! picture XD

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*Click the image for a larger version*
14周年だよ全員集合 by イーブイ松本

Pokemon is right along with Vocaloid and Touhou for having the most numerous good fan art on pixiv. But this one is by far the most incredible – an image with all 493+2 pokemon posed to take a picture! This may even be my favorite pixiv art thus far.

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*Click the image for a larger version*
1999年から2009年への冒険! by 狛ヨイチ

Lots of great Heat Gold & Soul Silver fan art has come out, but this one remains my favorite. Very well drawn, all the Johto pokemon, and I love the “Game Boy to DS” effect.

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*Click the image for a larger version*
すまぶらえーっくす by はのかげ

The most gorgeous fan art for another of my favorite games, Super Smash Bros. Brawl!

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*Click the image for a larger version*
Angel Beats!でデュラララ!!EDパロ by Z

And lastly, one of my newest favorites, an Angel Beats! picture that’s parodying the first ending of Durarara!!.

No Comments… read them or add your own.

  1. Skh says:
  2. Yumeka says:

    @ Skh

    Thanks so much! I just updated the post with the links =D

  3. Myna says:

    I prefer THIS Durarara! ED parody xD

    http://myna5194.deviantart.com/favourites/#/d2na4af

  4. Yumeka says:

    @ Myna

    That’s a great one too! ^.^

  5. Yi says:

    I’m the exact opposite. I hate pictures featuring too many pictures.

    Anyways, love that K-On! pixiv illustration. So cute!

  6. Yumeka says:

    @ Yi

    I noticed a lack of large group pictures on your blog :3

    There’s so much good K-ON! fan art on pixiv…especially when the first season was airing, literally half of all the top rated illustrations were K-ON! ones.

  7. Sami says:

    The SSBB art is by Hano, who is also one of my favorite Umineko artists~
    http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=3732379

  8. Yumeka says:

    @ Sami

    Thanks! I added the link =)

  9. kome says:

    I don’t think you are allowed to upload those pictures without the artists’ permissions.

  10. Yumeka says:

    @ kome

    I have given the artists credit and linked back to both their profiles on pixiv as well as a link to each individual illustration on pixiv (I did not upload the full sizes). So in a sense, I’m advertising their talent, not stealing. I’ve seen lots of pixiv fan art on other blogs. I don’t think there should be a problem as long as you give them credit and don’t hotlink. But I will take them down if I get a request from the artist.

  11. itsubun says:

    The TTGL one is really striking because of its poignancy considering all of the characters’ interpersonal relationships.

    I also like the details on the Okami ones, still my favorite Wii game.

    How has summer been going for you? Are you currently working now? I just graduated. Gonna move back to NorCal at the end of the month and try to find a job.

  12. Yumeka says:

    @ itsubun

    Hey, nice to see ya =)

    I still haven’t finished Okami. I’m on the last boss but I’m trying to collect all the beads first (just need one more but it’s so hard to get). I’m actually thinking of restarting the game one of these days because I want to play through it again.

    Summer’s been okay. I’ve been working since Sept. of last year but I have a feeling my job is going to sizzle out at the end of the summer, so I need to start the hunt again. Good luck to you too!

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