Best Anime Upscaler: Top AI Tools for Stunning Anime Quality [2025]

Looking for the best anime upscaler to turn your favorite series into stunning quality? Whether you're restoring old episodes or enhancing new ones, AI anime upscalers can boost resolution and clarity while keeping the original style intact. In this guide, we'll cover the top tools for upscaling anime videos—on Windows, Mac, and online.
best anime upscaler

Why Do You Need an Anime Upscaler?

Anime has a unique art style—sharp outlines, vibrant colors, and detailed backgrounds. However, older anime often exists only in low resolution (480p or 720p), and even new episodes can look blurry on large 4K/8K screens due to compression.

That’s where an AI anime upscaler comes in. Unlike traditional upscaling, these tools use deep learning to restore fine details, reduce noise, and enhance lines and colors—all while preserving the authentic anime style. If you’re searching for the best anime upscaler in 2025, this guide will help you find the right solution.

How Does an AI Anime Upscaler Work?

AI anime upscalers are trained on thousands of anime frames to recognize patterns, line art, and textures. Here’s what they typically do:

  • Resolution Upscaling – Convert 480p or 720p anime into 1080p, 4K, 8K, or even 16K, predicting missing details.
  • Noise & Artifact Reduction – Eliminate compression blocks and grain without blurring lines.
  • Line & Color Restoration – Sharpen outlines and make colors more vibrant.
  • Detail Recovery – Rebuild background details and textures that usually get lost.

These improvements make anime smoother, sharper, and closer to its original artistic intent.

Top 5 Best Anime Upscaler Tools: Quick Comparison Table

Here’s a quick comparison table to help you decide:

ToolPlatformsMax OutputAI ModelBest For
UniFab Video Upscaler AIWindows, MacUp to 16K4 AI Models (Anime Optimized, Texture, Speed, Quality) Collectors & Editors
Waifu2xOnline (Web)Up to 4KDeep CNNCasual Users
ESRGANWindowsFlexible (custom models)GAN-basedDevelopers
Video2xWindows, Mac, LinuxUp to 4KMulti-engine (Waifu2x, Anime4K)Users who want flexibility
Anime4KWindows, Mac, LinuxReal-time (1080p–4K)Non-AIFans wanting speed & lightweight solution

4 Best AI-Powered Anime Upscaler

Below, we've rounded up 4 of the best AI-powered anime upscaler tools available for Windows, Mac, and even online. Whether you're looking for desktop performance or browser-based convenience, these tools can help you breathe new life into your favorite anime scenes.

1. UniFab Video Upscaler AI – Editor's Choice

Best for: Anime collectors, editors, and fans who want top-tier video quality with minimal effort.

Platforms: Windows & macOS

UniFab Video Upscaler AI is a powerful desktop anime upscaler tool that uses advanced AI to upgrade anime videos from SD to 720p, 1080p, 4K, 8K, or even 16K. Its dedicated Anime-Optimized Model ensures sharp lines, rich colors, and original style preservation. It also removes noise, artifacts, jagged edges, and blur—restoring clear, vibrant visuals in just a few clicks. 

Performance on Anime Upscaling

unifab video upscaler - animation model effect

Professional AI-Powered Anime Upscaler

  • Anime Optimized model tailored for anime-style content
  • Retains original anime style while enhancing detail and color
  • 30-day free trial with full features, no watermark!
Free Download

2. Waifu2x 

Best For: Casual users who want to quickly upscale anime without installing software.

Platforms: Web-based

Waifu2x Anime Upscaler.png


Waifu2x is a free online anime open source video upscaler and noise reduction tool for anime-style art and various photo types.Users can effortlessly upload their images to the official website and select upscaling options of up to 4x. Powered by deep convolutional neural networks, it enhances and enlarges anime photos effectively and offers customizable noise reduction levels.

Pros

  • A simple interface makes this tool well-suited for users of all skill levels.

  • You can choose among nineteen supported languages while using this tool.

  • Users can upscale both photos and artwork using Waifu2x.

  • It is possible to select the output image format between PNG & WebP.

Cons

  • You need to possess some technical skills to use this tool.

3. ESRGAN – Best for Developers

Best For: Developers and advanced users who want full control over anime video upscaling.

Platforms: Windows

ESRGAN upscaling effect on animation video

ESRGAN is a cutting-edge AI-based anime upscaler renowned for producing highly detailed and sharp anime videos. Harnessing the capabilities of generative adversarial networks elevates resolution while preserving the essence of anime art styles. ESRGAN eliminates low-resolution artifacts, strengthens lines, and enhances colors, ensuring exceptional visual quality.

Pros

  • It generates incredibly sharp and detailed videos.

  • Compatible with a variety of anime art styles.

  • Users can customize the settings for better results.

  • Banks on AI algorithms to deliver superb results.

Cons

  • The processing time is longer compared to peer anime upscaler tools.

4. Video2x – Most Flexible Solution 

Best For: Users who want flexibility and engine options in one package.

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Ubuntu

Video2x 4k upscaling effect on animation video

Video2x is a user-friendly anime upscaler that merges the capabilities of various upscaling engines like Waifu2x and Anime4K. It features an intuitive interface for effortless anime video upscaling with customization options for refining results. Written in Python, Video2X can enhance resolution and frame rate with state-of-the-art algorithms.

Pros

  • Intuitive interface designed for effortless upscaling, 1080p to 4K.

  • It offers a range of upscaling engines, such as Waifu2x and Anime4K.

  • Batch processing capability to handle multiple videos concurrently.

  • Adjustable settings for precise customization of output.

Cons

  • It may lack some advanced features found in dedicated upscaling software

1 Best Anime Upscaler (Non-AI Powered)

While AI-powered anime upscaler tools offer stunning visual upgrades, they may not be ideal for everyone due to system requirements or processing time. If you prefer a lightweight, fast, and non-AI solution, the following anime upscaler might be a better fit.

1. Anime4k – Lightweight, Real-Time Option

Best For: Real-time anime upscaling with minimal system impact.

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac & Linux

Anime4k upscaling on animation video

Anime4K is a lightweight and efficient anime upscaler designed specifically for anime videos, using a blend of algorithms to enhance resolution while preserving details and the authentic anime appearance. It's an open-source set of high-quality, real-time upscaling and denoising algorithms that can be integrated into any programming language. Anime4K prioritizes simplicity and speed, advocating for original content preservation and freedom of choice for anime fans. It offers various settings and parameters and supports multiple formats, making it an ideal choice for anime enthusiasts.

Pros

  • Lightweight tool that will not weigh down your system while delivering super fast processing.

  • Delivers optimal results in upscaling anime videos by using a combination of algorithms.

  • The software is bug-free & doesn't crash while operating.

  • Compatible with most codecs & formats.

Cons

  • You need to possess technical know-how for launching & configuring this program.

How to Choose the Right Anime Upscaler?

Not every anime upscaler is designed for the same audience. Your choice depends on your budget, technical skills, and desired output quality. Here’s a breakdown to help you pick the best anime upscaler for your needs:

1. Collectors & Editors – Go for UniFab

If you want to restore old anime series or edit high-quality AMVs, UniFab Video Upscaler AI is the most reliable choice.

  • Offers the best detail recovery and color restoration.
  • Handles full-length episodes or movies with batch processing.
  • Ideal for anyone seeking professional results without technical hassle.

2. Developers & Advanced Users – ESRGAN

If you want full control over the upscaling process, ESRGAN is the way to go.

  • Customizable AI models for different anime styles.
  • Produces incredibly sharp details when fine-tuned.
  • Requires technical skills and patience, as processing can be slow.

3. Fans Who Want Speed – Anime4K

For viewers who just want to watch anime in real-time at higher quality, Anime4K is perfect.

  • Lightweight, fast, and works directly in media players like VLC.
  • Doesn’t require a powerful GPU.
  • Best for real-time playback, though it won’t match the detail recovery of AI upscalers.

Conclusion

With anime's global popularity skyrocketing, fans always look for ways to enhance their viewing experience. If you're eager to take your anime-watching to the next level by upscaling your favorite movies to crystal-clear resolutions, you've landed in the perfect spot. Discover our range of anime upscaler software to enjoy your cherished shows in stunning ultra-high quality. While each tool listed above offers exceptional results, UniFab's Video Enhancer is the clear winner. It balances power, ease of use, and quality, making it the go-to solution for anime enthusiasts.

FAQs about Best Anime Upscaler

What is the best anime upscaler?


One of the best anime upscalers available is UniFab Video Upscaler, which uses advanced AI to upscale anime to 4K or higher resolution while preserving fine details, vibrant colors, and line clarity. It's especially effective for old or low-resolution anime, making them look sharp and cinematic without introducing artifacts or distortion.

What is the best AI anime upscaler free online?

If you’re looking for an AI anime upscaler free online for videos, Video2X is a great option. It’s an open-source tool that uses engines like Waifu2x and Anime4K to upscale anime by splitting videos into frames, enhancing each frame, and then recombining them. While it can be slow and requires some setup, it’s completely free and ideal for anyone who wants to try AI-powered anime upscaler without paying for premium software.

What are the advantages of using an AI anime upscaler?

An AI anime video upscaler offers hassle-free usage and quick results without the need for any editing skills. It efficiently upscales your anime videos in seconds or minutes!

What is the best video enhancer for anime?

If you're looking for an anime enhancer that delivers sharp details and vibrant visuals, I highly recommend UniFab Video Enhancer AI. It offers specialized Anime Optimized model tailored for anime, upscaling resolution, enhaning details, and restoring original clarity—all without compromising the unique art style.

As an avid enthusiast of software testing, AI, and tech, I bring a fervent zeal for precision and innovation to my editorials. With a love for ping pong and badminton, and a passion for exploring new horizons through travel, I live by the maxim "Done is good." My articles aim to serve as your trusty compass in the fast-evolving tech landscape.