How to Draw Anime (Beginner's Guide)

In learning how to draw anime, you may find it helpful to learn some of the history about this art form.

Anime is a term that has been derived from the word animation and refers specifically to Japanese animation. Strictly speaking, in Japan, all non-animated, comic-style drawings, such as printed comics or interactive games, are referred to as manga. Among the Japanese, manga, which arose in Japan in 1917, typically means a Japanese-style comic book.

In Japan, anime, however, technically refers to animated manga (or animated cartoons) and would never be used in reference to a Japanese comic book. Outside of Japan, anime is often used, incorrectly, to mean any Japanese-style drawings.

So, read on if you would like to learn how to draw anime!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• good drawing paper
• pencil
• eraser

1. As we learn how to draw anime, you will want to start with an oval or round-shaped head.
   
   Draw the oval or circle in the center of the page, being sure to bring the oval or circle to a point at the bottom. The pointed chin in Japanese-style animation is representative of the receding, Oriental chin. This face shape is typically designed for the Japanese, particularly male heroes, females, and children.
   
   In contrast, a wide-chinned, broad-jawed, and muscular character in anime would be representative of the Caucasian and is typically reserved for a large side-kick.

2. After drawing your oval or circle and defining the chin based on the character’s role in the story, divide the head into thirds, horizontally, and then in half, vertically.
   
   This graph of sorts will give you the structure you need to correctly position the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth on your character. These lines can later be erased.

3. When drawing the facial features, you will want to make very large oval eyes. The Japanese and Korean consider large eyes to be a sign of beauty, and this taste is carried directly from Japanese culture into the drawing of anime.

4. Next, draw lines coming out from your character’s eyes as this brings life and personality to your character. A female character in anime will typically receive long, curled eyelashes. Scythe-blade-shaped eyebrows in anime are reserved for the story’s hero.
   
   The hero’s side-kick will typically be given large, full eyebrows. Females, on the other hand, will typically receive dainty, curved brows. Villainous persons, typically females, can be recognized by their eyebrows: an upward stroke, rising toward their temples.

5. When drawing the mouth and nose, remember that they both are de-emphasized in anime. The more serious a character is the smaller his or her mouth is, and the nose is nearly non-existent.

6. In drawing your character’s hair feel free to be creative for it is open to competition!

7. One more step in knowing how to draw anime is learning how to draw the body. Starting at your character’s chin, draw two short, vertical lines to represent the neck, and then use circles and ovals to complete the, usually slender, torso and limbs of the character.

8. Next, you will add clothing to your figure, being sure to design a costume appropriate to the character’s role and personality.

9. Of course, do not forget to enliven your drawing with color. Congratulations! You have learned how to draw anime.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice, practice, practice!

Resources

• Create Your Own Anime Site!