You are an artist.
As a child, you watched anime – yes, you loved anime. Heck, my dude, you still might love it to this very day. There, there, my friend. You aren’t alone. One of my most vivid memories is, at the tender age of six, sneaking out to my living room while Toonami was on in order to press record on our VCR for an episode of Full Metal Alchemist. I lost my front teeth watching Zatch Bell with my brother. I pretended to be a ninja with my classmates during elementary school recess. I cycled through a dizzying array of Death Note messenger bags through my three years of middle school. You know how when some people approach a situation they think “what would Jesus do”? Well, that was me from ages 8 through 12… just… replace “Jesus” with “Inuyasha”.
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Anime was an extremely integral portion of my childhood and now, as an artist, has left some definite marks on my personal style.
While I maintain that I still watch anime from time to time, read manga, and cosplay, I’m nowhere near the level of childlike indulgence I immersed myself in during my pre-teen years.
(I feel like I should mention that I'm typing this from Japan. Greetings from Tokyo?)
Here’s the top ten things I’m sure y’all and your art feel as repercussion of our anime-centric youth:
1. You live in fear of drawing overly large eyes
2. What the hell are noses?
3. “Yeah, they draw really cool anime!” / "Didn't you draw anime?"
You could legitimately create something that would look at home on the Sistine Chapel, and everyone who's seen you draw.
4. Proportions. Oh boy.
5. “I have no clue what anime is.” – You, thinking about your three Kaworu Nagisa figures at home.
6. Plotlines.
7. “Anime isn’t real art.” - a jackass
Even if your style is overtly anime-esque, guess what it is? Art. All jokes aside, people tend to be obscenely dismissive of any art that comes from Japan nowadays, or things that have similar stylization to anime/manga. Some of the absolute best works I've seen in the past year or so have been, very blatantly, in an anime style - and they were amazing. Due to the stigma that a lot of the population in America specifically has against anime art styles, these works often get over looked for more western looking art - even if that work isn't nearly as good.
All in all - whether you grew up on things from Pokemon to Code Geass, or just started watching JoJo's Bizarre Adventure this week, anime is one of the most accessible art forms and harbors a community of people from all walks of life. As much as I'll deny it, hem and haw, anime and manga have shaped me into the person, and artist, I am today. I can't even begin to imagine what life would be like without the fond memories I have because of it.
So draw the eyes a little too big, and leave 'em that way. Make your characters lanky, and draw noses however you like.
It's art.
Do what makes you happy.
