How to Upscale Anime to 4K – Easy Methods for You

Remember those classic anime series? The stories were great, but the visuals were not so good. But guess what? We can change all that. Upscale video to 4K and bring a newness to your favorite oldies.

This guide will give you two main ways to upscale anime to 4K. One is AI-based tools, and the other is manual techniques. We will compare both methods so that you can decide which one is best for your needs.

So, let’s get going!

Is There a Way to Watch Anime in 4K?

Yes, you can indeed watch anime in 4K. But most anime available is in 720p and 1080p. It’s like watching a nice picture. However, 4K is a whole different level. It’s like stepping into some vivid universe. In 4K, everything is sharp and super detailed, which makes it fantastic for bigger screens.

So, even though you might not find many 4k anime videos, you can create them by yourself. Let us show you how to enhance anime videos.

Upscaling Anime to 4K Using AI-Based Tools

We’ve got two awesome methods to bring your favorite anime up to 4K resolution. You can either harness the power of AI or just stick with the manual techniques. Either way, you can upscale anime videos to 4K in no time!

The first method we’re going to introduce is the AI-based scaling tools. These tools used advanced algorithms to analyze each scene, fill in the missing details, and enhance the overall quality.

Below, we are brief you on four of the most popular options:

AnyEnhancer

AnyEnhancer is an AI-powered video enhancer that uses advanced technology to improve video quality and deliver a stunning viewing experience. It effortlessly transforms your videos with just a few clicks, enhancing resolution, color, smoothness, and overall appeal.

Key Features & Benefits

Here are some of the key features and benefits of AnyEnhancer.

• AI Enhancement: Upscale video resolution up to 4K for sharper, clearer visuals.
• Video Denoising: Effectively remove noise and grain from videos, enhancing clarity.
• Colorization: Intelligently adds natural colors to black and white videos.
• Frame Interpolation: Improves video smoothness by increasing frame rate, and reducing stuttering.

Pricing

AnyEnhancer offers a free trial for limited use. Various plans are available, including monthly and yearly subscriptions. Prices vary depending on features and usage.

Pros and Cons

Ideal User/User Case

AnyEnhancer is perfect for content creators, YouTubers, vloggers, and social media influencers. It’s also great for home videos and old footage. Filmmakers and videographers can use it to improve their work. Anyone with low-quality videos can benefit from AnyEnhancer’s AI-powered enhancements.

How to Upscale Anime to 4K

Now to upscale anime to 4K with AnyEnhancer, here is what you need to do:

Step 1: Free Download AnyEnhancer and install it on your computer. Upload the anime video you want to upscale.

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Step 2: Choose the “Resolution Enhancement” AI Model. Choose the desired resolution as “4K.”

Step 2: Click on the “Preview” button to process the video.

Step 3: You will see a comparison of the original video and the upscaled video in the preview.

Step 4: If you like the upscaled result, click on “Export.” The following dialog box will appear. Adjust the settings as you see fit. Once done, click on “Export” again.

Waifu2x

Waifu2x is a famous open-source upscaling tool made particularly for anime and illustrations. It uses convolutional neural networks to generate upscaled images and denoising.

Key Features & Benefits

The key features and benefits of Waifu2x are:

• Various noise reduction options.
• Can upscale images to 2x their original size.
• Simple to use.
• Available as a web interface, command-line tool, and GUI application.

Pricing

The best thing about Waifu2x is that it comes for free!

Pros and Cons

Ideal User/User Case

Waifu2x is an excellent option for beginners or those with tight pockets. The ease of use and lack of installation make it very suitable for casual users. Besides, Waifu2x is good at scaling up individual anime images, such as character illustrations or fan art. Even if it cannot upscale videos, it still serves as a great way to improve the quality of static anime images.

Topaz Video Enhance AI

Topaz Video Enhance AI is anything but just another upscaling tool. It’s like hiring a professional film restoration team for your anime collection. It uses advanced AI models to give your videos a fresh appearance. Within no time, you can convert low-resolution, grainy anime into breathtaking 4K masterworks.

Key Features & Benefits

Topaz is the best way to upscale anime videos to 4k for the following reasons:

• Multiple AI models optimized for different types of videos, including anime.
• Can upscale videos up to 8K.
• Noise reduction.
• Can restore details in older videos.

Pricing

Topaz Video Enhance AI is an expensive product. It costs $299 per perpetual license, but this license includes twelve months’ worth of free updates.

Pros and Cons

Ideal User/User Case

For video editors and animators or those who want their anime collections upscaled, this is a fine choice. This program uses multiple AI models and offers great advanced features that deliver output that is not distinguishable from indigenous 4K content.

If you’re serious about getting the best out of your collection of videos and don’t mind spending a little more than usual, Topaz Video Enhance AI could be worth considering.

Video2X

Another really cool AI tool for upscaling anime is Video2X. It is a software written in Python that you can easily use to increase the quality of your anime videos. It has a simple interface and offers customization options.

Key Features & Benefits

• Supports multiple video formats.
• Various upscaling options.
• Upscale videos up to 4K.
• Real-time upscaling for some GPUs.

Pricing: Video2X is a free, open-source tool.

Pros and Cons

Ideal User/User Case

It is great for users who need a free and versatile video upscaling tool. Moreover, users with powerful GPUs can use it for real-time upscaling.

Now, let’s move on to the manual upscaling techniques.

Upscaling Anime to 4K Using Manual Upscaling Techniques

Manual upscaling techniques involve using image and video editing software to increase the resolution. While not as powerful as AI-based tools, they offer more control over the upscaling process.

Bicubic Interpolation

Bicubic interpolation is a simple way to upscale anime to 4K. It works by looking at nearby colored dots (pixels). Then, it guesses the color of the new, bigger dot. Use this method on your anime, and it will look smooth on a 4K screen. You won’t see as many blocky pixels.

However, bicubic interpolation can make pictures a little blurry. It blends colors, which can cause some details to get lost. Your anime might not be as crisp as the original.

To use bicubic interpolation, open your anime image in Photoshop or GIMP. These programs let you change the image size. Choose bicubic interpolation as the method. Some programs even have tools to sharpen the image and reduce fuzziness.

Lanczos Resampling

Lanczos resampling is another method to upscale anime to 4K. It’s better than bicubic because it’s more complex. Lanczos looks at many more colored dots (pixels) to guess the color of new, bigger dots. This results in sharper pictures with more details. Upscaling anime to 4K with Lanczos keeps the fine lines and details. The final picture looks better than using bicubic interpolation.

You can use Lanczos in Photoshop or GIMP. Choose Lanczos when you change the size of your anime image. It may take a bit longer, but the improved image is worth it. This is especially true for detailed anime. You can even make the picture sharper with extra tools in the program.

Comparison of AI-based and Manual Upscaling Methods

Now we’ve got an idea about both methods, let us make a fair comparison between them as we make our decision.

FAQ on Upscale Anime to 4K

Can upscaling improve the overall quality of older anime?

Yes, upscaling can improve the overall quality of older anime. It makes them look sharper and more detailed. However, it can’t fix issues with the original source material, like animation errors or low-quality drawings.

Is it possible to upscale anime to 8K resolution?

Yes, it’s possible. You just need to use the right tool, such as AnyEnhancer. Plus, upscaling to 8K requires a lot more computer power than 4K.

How long does it take to upscale an anime episode to 4K?

That depends! There are several factors that influence this: which tool you’re using, how strong your PC is, and how long the episode lasts. Some tools are faster than others, while better computers will be quicker at finishing tasks.

Are there any downsides to upscaling anime to 4K?

There can be a few drawbacks. Some methods might make the image look a bit too sharp or introduce weird artifacts. Plus, the upscaled videos will take up more space on your hard drive.

Final Words

Upscaling anime should no longer be an issue for you. With our guide, you can easily upscale anime to 4K.

AI and manual methods both have their pros and cons. But everything boils down to what you want. Manual methods are good choices when considering inexpensive ways of improving video quality. On the other hand, if you need crisp results, go for AI tools such as AnyEnhancer.

So, pick and choose the method that you like more and get started!