Learn to draw anime and manga with Anime Art Academy
Anime Art Academy brings you step-by-step lessons from real Japanese professionals, with practice files, live demos and expert feedback, so you stop guessing and start drawing characters you’re proud of.
Pick your path
Start free, build core skills with the lesson packs, or save with a bundle. Every course is taught by working Japanese artists.
Why so many aspiring artists get stuck
Most people who want to draw anime start the same way: they copy a favourite character, get something that almost works, and can’t figure out what’s wrong. Faces look flat, bodies feel stiff, and colours never quite match the artwork that inspired them. The problem is rarely talent. It is usually a lack of structure and a lack of feedback.
Random tutorials
Free videos teach isolated tricks without a path. You pick up techniques but never learn how they connect, so progress stalls after the first few weeks.
No one to correct you
Without an experienced eye, small mistakes in proportion, perspective or line weight become habits. Feedback from working artists catches them early.
Unclear next steps
It’s hard to know whether to practise faces, anatomy or colour first. A guided curriculum removes the guesswork and keeps you moving forward.
A clear learning path, from first sketch to polished art
Each stage builds on the last. Follow the full route in order, or jump to the skill you want to strengthen.
Foundations
Begin with the free trial course and the core How to Draw Anime and Manga lessons. You’ll learn the visual language of the style, basic shapes and how professionals approach a blank page.
Faces and expression
Premium Lesson Pack 1 covers eyes, proportions and expression. Pack 4 then moves into pro-level hairstyles and refined face design that give every character personality.
Bodies and posing
Pack 2 builds your understanding of the whole figure. Pack 5 advances into anatomy, clothing and dynamic poses so your characters look strong and believable.
Colour and finish
Pack 3 teaches fundamental anime colouring. The Pro Secrets and Practical Sessions lessons show how finishing touches turn a good drawing into a professional piece.
What you’ll be able to do
By working through the lessons, you’ll develop practical skills you can use in every drawing.
Draw expressive faces
Place eyes, nose and mouth with confidence and show emotion through subtle changes in shape.
Design hairstyles
Break hair into readable shapes and flow so it adds volume and character instead of looking messy.
Build believable bodies
Understand proportion and structure so your figures stand, move and balance naturally.
Pose with energy
Create dynamic gestures that give your characters movement and presence on the page.
Draw clothing
Show folds, layers and fit in a way that supports the pose and the personality of the character.
Colour with intention
Choose palettes and apply shading that bring depth and the polished anime look to your work.
Use pro workflows
Watch live demos to see how professionals sketch, refine and finish, then copy the process.
Develop your own style
With solid fundamentals and expert feedback, you can start making deliberate choices that feel like yours.
Learning with Anime Art Academy vs. learning alone
Here is how a guided course compares with piecing things together yourself.
| What you need | Learning alone | Anime Art Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Teachers | Mixed quality, unknown experience | Real Japanese professionals |
| Structure | Scattered videos and guesses | Organised packs from beginner to advanced |
| Practice material | Find your own references | Practice files included in premium packs |
| Seeing the process | Time-lapses with no explanation | Live demos with explanations |
| Feedback | Opinions from strangers online | Expert feedback on your art |
| Access | Videos disappear or change | Lifetime access with bundles |
Which course is right for you?
Not sure where to begin? Use this quick guide.
I’m brand new
Start with the Free Trial Course, then continue with the beginner lesson pack or Premium Lesson Pack 1 to learn faces from the ground up.
My faces look off
Choose Drawing Anime Faces, Premium Lesson Pack 1. When you’re comfortable, move to Pack 4 for advanced hairstyles and face design.
My bodies look stiff
Pick Drawing Anime Bodies, Premium Lesson Pack 2, then Pack 5 to take anatomy, clothing and posing to a pro level.
My art needs polish
Try Fundamental Anime Colouring in Pack 3, plus the Pro Secrets and Practical Sessions lessons for finishing techniques.
I want everything
Go for a bundle. You get lifetime access to every included lesson and unlimited advice from the lecturers, at a lower combined price.
Bundles that reward serious learners
If you already know you want to commit, bundles are the most efficient way to learn. You receive lifetime access to all included lessons and ongoing advice from the pro lecturers.
Lesson Pack 1-3 Bundle
$1,520 now $1,368.
You save $152
Lesson Pack 1-4 Bundle
$1,919 now $1,727.
You save $192
Premium Course Pack 1-3 Bundle
$1,503 now $1,352.
You save $151
Prefer to focus? The Premium Anime Faces bundle (Packs 1 and 4) saves $86, and the Premium Anime Bodies bundle (Packs 2 and 5) saves $105.
Why artists choose Anime Art Academy
Everything is designed to get you from “I can’t draw this” to confident, polished work.
Taught by Japanese pros
Learn the methods used in the industry, directly from artists who draw anime and manga for a living.
Live demos
Watch every stroke as lecturers draw faces, bodies, hair, clothing and colour in real time.
Practice files
Download worksheets and reference files so you can follow along and repeat each technique.
Real feedback
Premium packs include expert feedback so you can see what to fix and improve faster.
Learn at your pace
Bundles include lifetime access, so you can revisit any lesson whenever you need it.
Beginner to advanced
A clear progression from fundamentals to pro-level anatomy, hairstyles and colouring.
How it works
Three simple steps to start improving today.
Start with the free trial
Get a feel for the teaching style and learn your first techniques at no cost.
Choose a lesson pack
Pick faces, bodies or colouring, or grab a bundle to cover everything and save.
Draw, get feedback, level up
Follow the demos, practise with the files, and use expert advice to sharpen your style.
Who it’s for
No matter where you’re starting, there’s a lesson pack that fits.
Complete beginners
Never drawn manga? The free course and Lesson Pack 1 walk you through the basics gently.
Hobbyists
Fix wonky proportions, flat faces and stiff poses with targeted face and body packs.
Aspiring professionals
Advanced packs and the Pro Secrets lessons push you toward portfolio-ready work.
Digital colourists
Learn lighting, shading and colour choices that make your characters pop.
“Learn the way professionals do, one lesson at a time.”
Quick answers
Do I need drawing experience?
No. The free trial and beginner packs start from the basics, and advanced editions are there when you’re ready.
What’s included in a premium pack?
Premium tutorials, practice files, live demos and expert feedback, depending on the pack. Check each course page for full details.
Are bundles worth it?
Bundles give you several packs at a discount, with lifetime access and unlimited advice from the lecturers.
Can I try before I buy?
Yes. The free trial course lets you experience the lessons first.
Which pack should I buy first?
Beginners usually start with the free trial and Premium Lesson Pack 1 for faces, or the beginner lesson pack for general foundations. If you know your weak spot, pick the pack that targets it.
Will I get feedback on my drawings?
Premium packs highlight expert feedback, and bundles include unlimited advice from the pro lecturers. Check the course page for the details of each product.
Do I need expensive tools?
No. You can follow the lessons with whatever you already draw with, whether that is pencil and paper or a tablet and drawing software.
How long do I keep access?
Bundles include lifetime access to all included lessons, so you can revisit them whenever you want.
Who teaches the courses?
Anime Art Academy courses are taught by real Japanese professionals who work in anime and manga.
Is this suitable for advanced artists?
Yes. The Advanced Edition and Packs 4 and 5 are made for artists who already know the basics and want pro-level hairstyles, anatomy, clothing and posing.
Ready to draw anime that looks like anime?
Join Anime Art Academy and learn directly from Japanese professionals. Your free trial is one click away.
Get started free