Best Anime Drawing Courses Online (2025) – Learn Digital Anime Art
Did you know that over 60% of anime artists start their journey with online courses? Whether you're picking up a pencil for the first time or refining your digital techniques, choosing the right learning path can make all the difference.
From the epic battles in One Piece to the heartfelt moments in Naruto, anime has given us some of the most unforgettable visuals and characters in pop culture. Its bold style includes expressive eyes, exaggerated features, and dramatic movement. These traits have inspired artists worldwide to pick up a pencil or stylus.
In this guide, we’ve curated some of the best anime drawing courses online, perfect for beginners, self-taught artists, and even advanced illustrators looking to explore digital anime illustration. These classes cover everything from anatomy and inking to coloring, character design, and scene composition.
No fluff. No outdated tutorials. Just real, high-quality anime art classes that will help you build your skills and develop your own visual storytelling style.
What is Anime Drawing?
Anime drawing is a stylized form of art that originated in Japan and has become a global phenomenon. Known for its expressive characters, large eyes, and dynamic poses, anime art emphasizes emotion and storytelling in every stroke. Whether you’re a beginner looking to explore anime sketching or an experienced artist aiming to refine your digital illustration, anime drawing offers a rich blend of creativity and technique.
Popular anime styles include:
- Shonen – action-packed stories with bold lines and energetic characters (like Naruto or My Hero Academia).
- Shojo – softer, emotional styles focusing on romance and slice-of-life themes (Fruits Basket, Sailor Moon).
- Isekai – fantasy-driven narratives with magical or alternate-world elements (Re:Zero, No Game No Life).
- Seinen – darker and more realistic tones, often exploring mature themes (Tokyo Ghoul, Attack on Titan).
Today, many artists learn anime drawing online through platforms offering structured courses and tutorials. These online anime art classes cover everything from sketching and inking to digital anime illustration and color theory using tools like Clip Studio Paint, Procreate, or Photoshop.
A solid anime drawing foundation includes:
- Understanding anime character design and body proportions.
- Drawing expressive facial features and emotions.
- Mastering dynamic poses and scene composition.
- Learning how to color and shade in both 2D and digital formats.
Whether you’re planning to illustrate your own manga, animate scenes, or just express your creativity, anime drawing courses can be a valuable step. With the right guidance, practice, and digital anime art course, you can develop a unique style and tell your own stories visually.
Best Anime Drawing Courses List
- Manga Art School: Learn to Draw Anime & Manga Characters
- Anime Academy: Characters and Backgrounds
- Anime Academy: Characters and Illustrations
- Designing Kawaii Worlds: Spread Joy Through Illustration
- Digital Illustration: Create Manga Characters
- How to Draw Anime People and bodies
- Learn Anime Drawing: The Ultimate Beginners Course
Disclosure: We're supported by the learners and may earn from purchases through links.
1. Manga Art School: Learn to Draw Anime & Manga Characters
Instructor: Scott Harris (Art Director at DAS: School of Art and Design)
This course is a top pick for anime enthusiasts who want to learn professional character design techniques in anime and manga styles. It's ideal for beginners and intermediate artists who want to master body proportions, expressions, poses, and full character construction from scratch.
- Platform: Udemy
- Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0
- Students Enrolled: 34,712+
- Duration: 11 hours
- Certificate: Yes, on completion
What You’ll Learn:
- How to draw anime-style heads, eyes, faces, and expressions
- Full-body proportion and anatomy in anime and manga style
- Dynamic poses, character rotation, and advanced construction techniques
- Line work, inking, and stylistic choices used by professionals
- How to create original anime-style characters with visual storytelling
Pros:
- Covers everything from anime sketching techniques to professional manga-style art.
- Ideal for those new to anime drawing classes, offering structured lessons.
- Learn at your own pace with the best anime art tutorials.
- Covers character creation in detail, from initial sketching to full rendering.
- Once enrolled, you can revisit the lessons anytime.
Cons:
- The course is pre-recorded; there’s no one-on-one critique or active feedback unless students post in the Q&A section.
- Course examples are shown using digital tools, which may not be ideal for those strictly focused on traditional methods.
Whether you are a beginner looking for online anime drawing classes or an artist aiming to refine your anime drawing techniques, this course offers step-by-step guidance from sketching to detailed coloring and shading.
2. Anime Academy: Characters and Backgrounds
Instructor: Christina Wu/Dubell (Character artist)
This course is ideal for beginner artists who want to explore anime-style character design, illustration, and background creation. With a focus on core fundamentals and practical projects, it’s a comprehensive package for learners who want to develop well-rounded anime art skills.
- Platform: Udemy
- Course Rating: 4.7 out of 5.0
- Students Enrolled: 38,657+
- Duration: 69 hours
- Certificate: Certificate on completion
What You’ll Learn:
- Basics of anime body construction and character design
- How to draw different anime faces, expressions, and hairstyles
- Understanding of line art, storytelling, and perspective
- How to create backgrounds and illustrations for your characters
- Techniques in digital painting using Photoshop (or any preferred tool)
Pros:
- Covers both character design and environmental background drawing
- Includes 4 structured anime illustration projects
- Step-by-step tutorials supported with over 60 hours of content
- Great balance between drawing fundamentals and storytelling
- Lifetime access with downloadable resources and mobile compatibility
Cons:
- Strong emphasis on Photoshop may be limiting for learners using alternative tools
- Due to the course length (69+ hours), beginners may need more time to finish all modules
Whether you're just starting your anime art journey or looking to build storytelling through visuals, this course offers a strong foundation. From designing magical girl characters to learning how to illustrate full backgrounds, it guides you through the process of developing a complete anime scene. The instructor also provides real-time commentary, bonus assignments, and in-depth guidance on topics like digital painting and character posing.
3. Anime Academy: Characters and Illustrations
Instructor: Christina Wu/Dubell (Character artist)
This course is perfect for beginners who want to learn anime character design, illustration basics, and step-by-step workflows for drawing and coloring. It emphasizes developing a personal art style while learning the core foundations of anatomy, posing, and design.
- Platform: Udemy
- Course Rating: 4.7 out of 5.0
- Students Enrolled: 34,203+
- Duration: 40 hours
- Certificate: Certificate on completion
What You’ll Learn:
- How to draw male and female anime-style bodies
- Techniques for line art, facial features, and stylized anatomy
- Drawing poses, clothing, accessories, and hairstyles
- Exploring multiple art styles: Shoujo, Shounen, Chibi
- Designing original characters and creating professional-looking illustrations
Pros:
- Balanced focus on both anatomy and final illustration
- Ideal for artists aiming to develop their personal anime style
- Includes three major art projects to apply all concepts learned
- Great for students who prefer structured learning over time
- Downloadable resources and lifetime access included
Cons:
- Strong emphasis on digital tools like Photoshop may not suit traditional-only learners
- No real-time instructor feedback, only support via Q&A or direct message
Whether you're a beginner artist looking to create anime characters or illustrations, this course offers over 40 hours of in-depth content. You'll walk away with character design fundamentals, the ability to color and pose your creations, and the tools to bring your anime art ideas to life—complete with both portrait and action-style illustration projects.
4. Designing Kawaii Worlds: Spread Joy Through Illustration
Instructor: Becky Cas (Freelance Illustrator)
This course is perfect for aspiring illustrators who love the charm of kawaii culture and want to bring adorable characters and worlds to life using Procreate. Taught by Becky Cas, a freelance illustrator who’s collaborated with brands like Snapchat and built a 140K+ Instagram following, this course helps you tap into joy-driven storytelling through art.
- Platform: Domestika
- Course Rating: 99% positive reviews
- Students Enrolled: 21,957+
- Duration: 3 hours 4 minutes (18 lessons)
- Certificate: Certificate upon completion
What You’ll Learn:
- Create kawaii characters with proper proportions and expressions
- Design magical environments and color palettes
- Use Procreate to sketch, refine, and finalize your artwork
- Export your work for merchandise and print use
- Build a cohesive illustration featuring your character in their own world
Pros:
- Great for beginners—no prior experience required
- Focused specifically on kawaii-style design, a niche within anime aesthetics
- Taught by an experienced artist with commercial success
- Includes downloadable resources and project-based learning
- Course projects featured on the platform for inspiration
Cons:
- Procreate-focused, which may limit learners using other tools
- Shorter in length compared to other anime art courses
This Domestika bestseller is a wonderful choice for creative minds who enjoy vibrant colors, cute characters, and storytelling through joyful illustration. Whether you're new to drawing or just want to explore a whimsical side of anime-inspired art, this course is a fun and productive place to start. If you're also looking to master the tool used in this course, check out our guide on the Best Procreate Classes to level up your digital illustration skills.
5. Digital Illustration: Create Manga Characters
Instructor: Catalina Carlesi (Cartoonist and Illustrator)
This course is great for artists who want to create expressive manga-style characters with digital tools. Catalina Carlesi walks you through everything from basic anatomy to storytelling through clothing and environments. It’s ideal for beginners and intermediate learners who want to improve their manga character design and illustration process.
- Platform: Domestika
- Course rating: 4.9 out of 5.0
- Students Enrolled: 23,859+
- Duration: 2h 52m
- Certificate: Certificate on completion
What You'll Learn:
- Draw human figures and facial expressions for manga-style characters.
- Master digital inking, coloring, and adding light/shadow.
- Design fantasy characters and build narrative context through environments.
- Use tools like Photoshop and Procreate to bring illustrations to life.
- Tell a visual story through composition and detail.
Pros:
- Focuses on both character design and environmental storytelling.
- Taught using two popular tools: Photoshop and Procreate.
- Includes downloadable resources and student projects for inspiration.
- Beginner-friendly with simple digital workflows.
Cons:
- Not ideal if you’re looking for traditional (pen-and-paper) manga drawing courses.
- Prior familiarity with drawing tools may help.
If your goal is to create your own manga world and build a character within it, this Domestika course is a great fit. It emphasizes digital techniques while staying true to manga expression and charm.
6. How to Draw Anime People and bodies
Instructor: Neil Fontaine (Art Instructor, Professional Painter, Writer)
- Platform: Udemy
- Course rating: 4.5 out of 5.0
- Students Enrolled: 5,104+
- Duration: 6 Hours
- Certificate: Certificate on completion
What You'll Learn:
- Learn to draw anime/manga body proportions from scratch
- Understand anatomy basics in a simplified, stylized way
- Practice posing characters for dynamic illustrations
- Draw characters across all ages: kids to adults
- Create male and female body types with clarity
- Bonus: draw a bikini anime girl and a buff anime guy
Pros:
- Offers a quick crash course on anime anatomy
- The step-by-step structure makes it easy for beginners
- Includes bonus sections for stylized character types
- Supports both digital and traditional drawing methods
Cons:
- Limited course length compared to others on this list
- Fewer downloadable resources or assignments than other courses
If you're looking for a no-frills, anatomy-focused anime art class that teaches the essentials fast, this Udemy course is a solid pick. The instructor breaks down what makes anime style different from realistic drawing and helps you build skill through repetition and clarity.
7. Learn Anime Drawing: The Ultimate Beginners Course
Instructor: Pluvias (Webtoon Artist)
- Platform: Udemy
- Course rating: 4.6 out of 5.0
- Students Enrolled: 11,000+
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Certificate: Certificate on completion
What You'll Learn:
- Draw anime facial features, expressions, and hairstyles
- Sketch heads from multiple angles
- Understand male and female body types and poses
- Design clothing, shoes, and accessories
- Explore basic Chibi proportions and style
- Learn beginner tips to improve faster with consistent practice
Pros:
- Designed specifically for absolute beginners
- Focuses purely on drawing fundamentals—no software needed
- Covers both male and female characters in detail
- Includes drawing advice that helps build daily sketching habits
Cons:
- No coloring, rendering, or digital painting is included
- Very basic—may not suit intermediate learners
If you're just starting your anime art journey and want a course that breaks everything down simply using pencil and paper, this is your go-to. It’s one of the most beginner-friendly anime drawing courses online and makes learning feel approachable and achievable.
How to Choose the Best Anime Drawing Courses
Picking the right anime drawing course depends on your goals, skill level, and preferred tools. Here are some key things to look for:
- Instructor Expertise: Look for courses led by artists with a strong background in anime or manga illustration.
- Curriculum Depth: Choose classes that cover the full process—anatomy, proportions, posing, backgrounds, coloring, and tools.
- Student Reviews: High ratings and consistent feedback usually mean the course delivers on its promise.
- Practice-Based Learning: Courses with step-by-step assignments, real-time demos, or illustration projects help you learn faster.
- Digital Tools Covered: If you're planning to draw digitally, check if the course uses tools like Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or Procreate.
Whether you want to draw anime characters for games, comics, or just as a hobby, learning online gives you the flexibility to build skills at your own pace. The right course will not only teach you how to draw but also help you develop your own unique anime art style.
Conclusion
Whether you’re starting your anime art journey or looking to level up your skills, the right course can make all the difference. Each course listed here has something unique to offer—be it professional guidance, structured lessons, or portfolio-building exercises.
Don’t just watch your favorite anime—start drawing it. Pick a course, grab your tablet or sketchbook, and begin bringing your imagination to life!
FAQs
What is an Anime Drawing Course?
An anime drawing course teaches the fundamentals of anime-style illustrations, including character design, expressions, poses, and digital tools.
How do Online Anime Drawing Classes Help Improve Skills?
These courses provide structured learning, step-by-step tutorials, and hands-on exercises that refine drawing techniques and enhance creativity.
Which Online Anime Drawing Course is Best for Beginners?
“Learn Anime Drawing: The Ultimate Beginners Course” and “Anime Academy: Characters and Backgrounds” are great choices for beginners.
Can I Learn Anime Drawing Without Prior Experience?
Yes! Many courses cater to complete beginners and provide all necessary foundational knowledge.
What Tools Do I Need for Digital Anime Drawing?
Software like Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, Procreate, or free tools like Krita are commonly used.
Do These Courses Include Certification?
Many Udemy courses offer certificates upon completion, while platforms like Skillshare and Domestika may not.
Are Free Anime Drawing Courses Available?
Yes! Some platforms provide free courses, but premium courses often offer more in-depth training.
Related Readings:
To continue your learning, you might want to explore these helpful resources: