35 Famous Anime and Manga Characters Easy Step-by-Step Tutorials

Young Goku from Dragon Ball was many a Millennial's first introduction to anime. Master his fighting stance, and don't forget his monkey-like tail. But don't make him mad - he'll go ape!

Blonde-haired, blue-eyed Naruto is a manga and anime favorite. His story first appeared in print in the 1990s, followed by his namesake television cartoon series.

You can master this classic anime boy in profile - then, with a few adjustments, you can turn him into nearly any male character you'd like, or create your own!

Goku's rival Vegeta is a powerful Super Saiyan. Can you withstand the power of his muscular physique and his flowing Super Saiyan hair?

If you were an anime girl in the 1990s or 2000s, Sailor Moon was likely on your daily cartoon roster. Serena thought she was an ordinary girl, but then she became so much more.

The moe anthropomorph vocaloid Hatsune Miku was once "the first sound of the future," and she remains an animated pop star sensation.

Natsu has the heart and abilities of a dragon. Will you be able to keep your cool when he uses a dragon flame attack?

A vengeful ninja with a troubled past. Naruto's rival and best friend. Discover the depths of this conflicted character's fiercely loyal personality.

This easygoing ninja is the leader of Team 7. His name means "scarecrow," and he does have an intimidating appearance - a masked face and a scarred eye, replaced by a Sharingan.

Even mighty fighting mecha suits can be cute! Equipped with a shield and a sword, this battle-ready fighter has cute, childlike proportions.

With the large eyes and unruly hair that are hallmarks of anime animation style, Deku dreams of being a hero but lacks any natural superpower Quirks. Help him inherit the power he so desires!

One side is fire, the other is ice. Shoto must learn to master these contradictory superpowers and overcome his tragic childhood.

With the superpower Quirk of Explosion, Katsuki is an ace at blowing things up. Can you help him get his quick temper and villainous, bullying tendencies under control?

With kaleidoscopic eyes that see all truth, Itachi must deal with the guilt of his past actions. With Naruto's help, he tries to keep his younger brother on the right path.

Legendary Super Saiyans like Broly only appear once every 1,000 years. With a grudge against Goku, he is a powerful force to be reckoned with!

This fearsome fox from Japanese mythology may remind you of Ninetails the Pokémon. This shape-shifting spirit plays a role in many anime and manga stories.

Doraemon is a classic anime and manga character. He is a robotic cat from the future, and one of the most popular Japanese characters.

What happens when dark thoughts grow within the heart of your favorite powerful character? In a universe with multiple timelines, the result is Goku Black.

Founder of the Straw Hat Pirates, this small, childlike pirate is no stranger to a fight. Can you help him reach his dreams of finding treasure and becoming the Pirate King?

Do you love Naruto? So does Hinata. In fact, her dream of marrying him and raising a family became a reality.

Killua is Rookie Hunter instantly recognizable by his blue hoodie and shock of white hair. Can you help him prepare for the rigorous Hunter Examination to become an elite member of humanity and hunter of treasure?

The enigmatic Jiji cat is an iconic character from Kiki's Delivery Service. He'll be ready to cheer you on just as he did for Kiki.

Reconnect with your 5-year-old self when you sketch Shin, the silly, stubborn, and curious protagonist of Crayon Shin-Chan.

Don't get pixelated! Your mission is to help Link rescue Princess Zelda in this video game classic.

Ken was an ordinary college student before becoming a half-human one-eyed ghoul. Help him use his ghoulish powers to protect those he cares about.

Totoro, a forest spirit, is one of the most iconic of Hayao Miyazaki's characters. This big-hearted forest friend is always there for you.

If you thought Broly and Vegeta, pictured above, were intense, prepare yourself to meet Goku Ultra Instinct. Your favorite Super Saiyan has mastered the technique of letting his instincts take over, unhindered by thoughts or emotions.

Goku, prince of Planet Vegeta, is one of the most famous anime characters. This portrait depicts Goku in his normal form.

The Haku dragon is a companion to Chihiro. He can be your companion, too, if you learn to draw him. You won't regret that he has forgotten his name.

Mechas - giant robots or similar machines controlled by humans - are common elements in futuristic anime. From Code Geass to Attack on Titan, you can draw this mecha.

Many anime characters can transform into something else. Here, Ben is in his natural human form, but if he disappears, he might just be disguised as an alien!

Avatar is a popular and long-running anime. Aang, the protagonist, is easily recognized by his bald head marked with a large arrow.

Anime art styles often overflow into the realm of video games. Can you see anime influence in this avatar's large eyes and spiky hair?

Tanjiro is a study in opposites - a bright character in a dark narrative, a battle scar on his face contrasting with his whimsical earrings, and a fierce fighter with a kind heart.

With birdlike wings, Hawks lives up to his name. Goggles provide protection from his weaponized feathers, and a sherpa coat keeps him warm in the upper atmosphere.