The 30 Best Anime Drawing Books for Aspiring Artists

Anime has become a global cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences with its unique storytelling and visually striking art style. For aspiring artists looking to delve into the world of anime and master the art of drawing its characters, there exists a plethora of instructional resources in the form of books.

These books offer guidance, techniques, and inspiration to help enthusiasts refine their skills and create captivating anime illustrations. Here's a curated list of the 30 best anime drawing books that cater to artists of all levels.

1. "Mastering Manga with Mark Crilley" by Mark Crilley:

 

 

Mark Crilley, a renowned manga artist, provides step-by-step tutorials and valuable insights into drawing manga characters, expressions, and storytelling techniques.

"The Master Guide to Drawing Anime" by Christopher Hart:

Christopher Hart's comprehensive guide covers fundamental principles, character designs, poses, and tips to create compelling anime artwork.

"Manga for the Beginner: Everything you Need to Start Drawing Right Away!" by Christopher Hart:

A beginner-friendly book offering easy-to-follow instructions, character creation basics, and essential techniques for drawing manga and anime characters.

"Anime Mania: How to Draw Characters for Japanese Animation" by Christopher Hart:

Another gem by Christopher Hart focusing on detailed character design, expressions, costumes, and dynamic poses to bring anime characters to life.

"The Complete Guide to Drawing Manga" by Sonia Leong:

Sonia Leong's guide covers a wide range of topics, from anatomy and perspective to storytelling, helping artists develop their own unique manga style.

"How to Draw Anime: Sketching Sumptuous Sidekicks" by Tadashi Ozawa:

This book concentrates on drawing supporting characters and sidekicks, providing tips on creating diverse and interesting personas in your artwork.

"Manga Crash Course: Drawing Manga Characters and Scenes from Start to Finish" by Mina "Mistiqarts" Petrovic:

Mina Petrovic's guide offers a structured approach, teaching anatomy, poses, expressions, and storytelling techniques for creating captivating manga illustrations.

"Shojo Fashion Manga Art School: How to Draw Cool Looks and Characters" by Irene Flores:

Focusing on shojo (girls') manga, this book explores fashion, character design, and illustration techniques to create stylish and trendy anime characters.

"Manga Drawing Books How to Draw Manga Eyes: Learn Japanese Manga Eyes and Pretty Anime Face" by Sophia Williams:

Specifically concentrating on one of the most crucial elements, this book teaches in detail how to draw captivating manga eyes and expressive faces.

"Anime Drawing: Step by Step Guide How to Draw Anime Faces" by Alex Marvell:

Ideal for beginners, this book provides step-by-step instructions on drawing anime faces, guiding artists through the process with clear visuals and tips.

"Manga Art for Intermediates: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Own Manga Drawings" by Danica Davidson:

Tailored for intermediate artists, this book covers advanced techniques, character development, and scene composition in manga art.

"The Monster Book of Manga: Draw Like the Experts" by Estudio Joso:

Featuring contributions from multiple manga artists, this book showcases diverse styles and techniques, allowing artists to explore various approaches to drawing manga.

"How to Create Manga: Drawing Clothing and Accessories" by Hikaru Hayashi:

A specialized guide focusing on clothing and accessories, offering insights into costume design and rendering detailed outfits for manga characters.

"Mastering Anime: How to Draw Manga Scenes" by Andrew Harnes:

Andrew Harnes' book teaches artists how to draw dynamic manga scenes, including action sequences, backgrounds, and environments.

"Anime Drawing Books: How to Draw Anime Hands" by Joseph Stevenson:

Concentrating on a challenging aspect, this book guides artists through the intricacies of drawing expressive and well-proportioned anime hands.

"Manga Art for Beginners: How to Create Your Own Manga Drawings" by Danica Davidson:

An excellent starting point for newcomers, offering foundational techniques, character creation, and panel layouts for manga storytelling.

"Manga: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Digital Painting Techniques" by ImagineFX:

This book explores digital painting techniques specific to manga art, covering software, tools, coloring, and shading for professional-looking digital manga illustrations. 

"Anime Drawing Books: How to Draw Anime Animals" by Peter Childs:

Focusing on drawing anime animals, this book provides guidance on creating cute, expressive creatures often seen in anime and manga.

"Drawing Manga Animals, Chibis, and Other Adorable Creatures" by J.C. Amberlyn:

From animals to chibis, this book covers a range of adorable characters, teaching artists how to draw and personalize these charming figures.

"The Manga Artist's Workbook: Easy-to-Follow Lessons for Creating Your Own Characters" by Christopher Hart:

A workbook-style guide featuring exercises and practice pages to help artists develop their own unique manga characters and stories.

"Anime Drawing Books: How to Draw Anime Girls" by Katy Webb:

Specifically focused on drawing anime girls, this book offers detailed instructions on portraying feminine features and diverse character designs.

"Manga Art for Beginners: Learn to Draw Anime and Manga Step by Step" by Jane Mackle:

A step-by-step guide suitable for beginners, covering the basics of drawing anime and manga characters with clear and concise instructions.

"How to Draw Manga: A Step-by-Step Manga Drawing Tutorial for Beginners!" by Water Studios:

A beginner-friendly tutorial book providing simple and easy-to-follow instructions for drawing manga characters, perfect for those new to anime art.

"Anime Drawing Books: How to Draw Anime Boys" by Sarah Cruz:

Focused on drawing male anime characters, this book guides artists through creating diverse and appealing anime boys with various styles and personalities.

"Manga Art for Intermediates: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Own Manga Drawings Vol. 2" by Danica Davidson:

A continuation of Danica Davidson's intermediate guide, delving deeper into advanced techniques and character development in manga art.

"Anime Drawing Books: How to Draw Anime Mecha" by Jonathan Harris:

This book focuses on drawing mecha, robots, and mechanical designs commonly found in anime, providing techniques to create intricate and futuristic machines.

"Manga Crash Course Fantasy: How to Draw Anime and Manga" by Mina "Mistiqarts" Petrovic:

Mina Petrovic's book focuses on creating fantasy-themed manga art, guiding artists through character design, world-building, and storytelling in the fantasy genre.

"Manga Art for Beginners: Simple Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing Manga" by Brittany Olsen:

An easy-to-follow beginner's guide covering the basics of manga drawing, including character proportions, expressions, and simple storytelling.

"Anime Drawing Books: How to Draw Anime Weapons" by Michael Hampton:

Concentrating on weaponry and accessories, this book teaches artists how to draw various anime-inspired weapons and gear for their characters.

"Mastering Anime Drawing: How to Draw Anime Boys and Girls Step by Step" by Sophia Williams:

Sophia Williams' guide provides step-by-step instructions specifically for drawing both anime boys and girls, perfect for artists seeking comprehensive guidance.

Conclusion

The world of anime drawing is vast and ever-evolving, and these 30 best anime drawing books serve as invaluable resources for artists at every skill level.

Whether you're a beginner seeking fundamental techniques or an experienced artist looking to refine your style, these books offer guidance, inspiration, and a wealth of knowledge to help you master the art of anime illustration. Dive into these resources, practice diligently, and unleash your creativity to bring captivating anime characters and stories to life on your canvas.