Hire the Best
Freelance Anime Artists

The world of anime art is vibrant and diverse, with talented artists bringing characters and stories to life through their unique style. This guide will help you understand the role of an anime artist, their importance, and how to hire the right professional for your project.

What is an anime artist?

An anime artist creates illustrations and designs in the distinctive Japanese anime style. 

These artists typically work on character designs, backgrounds, and storyboards for animated series, manga, graphic novels, and other media. Anime artists blend traditional techniques with digital tools to produce artwork that captures the essence of anime.

Anime artists often specialize in various aspects of the craft, such as character design, background art, or digital illustration. They may work on projects ranging from full-length animated features to children book illustrations, manga comics, fanart, or even promotional artwork for games and merchandise. 

Many anime artists are also proficient in graphic design, 2D animation, and even 3D animation, allowing them to create diverse content in the anime style.

Why are anime artists important?

You may want to hire an anime artist for projects that require authentic Japanese-style animation or illustration. Some key reasons anime artists are valuable include:

• Specialized expertise. Anime artists have in-depth knowledge of the unique stylistic elements that define anime and manga.
• Cultural understanding. They often have a deep appreciation for Japanese culture, which adds depth to their work.
• Versatility. Anime artists can adapt their skills to various media, from digital illustrations to animated sequences.
• Fan engagement. The popularity of anime means skilled anime artists can help attract and engage a dedicated fanbase.
• Quality and efficiency. Experienced anime artists can produce high-quality work efficiently thanks to their specialized skills.
• Artistic range. Many anime artists can work in various styles, from detailed manga-style illustrations to cute chibi characters.

How to hire an anime artist

Finding the right anime artist for your project involves several key steps. 

1. Define your project requirements. Determine the scope of your project, including the style of anime you want, the number of characters or scenes needed, and the intended use of the artwork.
2. Research portfolios. Look for anime artists whose style matches your vision. Upwork, ArtStation, DeviantArt, and social media can be great resources.
3. Check experience and specializations. Some anime artists excel in character design, while others may specialize in backgrounds or action scenes.
4. Discuss availability and timeline. Make sure the artist can commit to your project schedule and deadlines.
5. Agree on deliverables and pricing. Clearly outline what you expect to receive and establish a fair price based on the artist’s experience and the project’s complexity.
6. Set up a contract. Formalize the agreement with a clear contract that outlines all terms, including copyright and usage rights.

Writing an anime artist job post

A well-crafted job post can help attract the right anime artist for your project.

Job post title

Your job post title should be clear and specific. Here are some examples:

• Experienced anime character designer for original series
• Manga artist needed for shonen-style comic book
• Freelance anime artist wanted for digital illustration project
• Skilled anime illustrator for manga comic series

Project description

In your project description, include:

• The type of anime style you’re looking for (e.g., shonen, shoujo, seinen)
• The scope of the project (e.g., number of characters, scenes, or pages)
• The intended use of the artwork (e.g., animated series, manga, game assets)
• Any specific themes or elements important to your project

Example: “We’re seeking a talented anime artist to create character designs for an original fantasy manga series set in Japan. The project requires designing five main characters and 10 supporting characters, including full-body designs, facial expressions, and color palettes. The style should be dynamic and appeal to young adult readers. Experience with digital painting and manga-style illustration is essential.”

Job responsibilities

List the key tasks the anime artist will be expected to perform, such as:

• Conceptualizing and sketching original character designs
• Creating detailed character sheets with multiple poses and expressions
• Designing backgrounds and environments in anime style
• Collaborating with writers to bring story elements to life visually
• Producing high-quality digital illustrations suitable for print or digital media
• Adapting existing designs to maintain consistency across different scenes
• Creating line art and character illustrations for manga comics
• Developing storyboards for potential 2D animation sequences

Qualifications

Outline the skills and experience you’re looking for:

• Proven experience in anime-style illustration and character design
• Proficiency in digital art software, such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, or Clip Studio Paint
• Strong understanding of anime and manga art styles and conventions
• Ability to work within established style guides and adapt to feedback
• Excellent communication skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Portfolio demonstrating range and quality of anime artwork, including manga-style illustrations
• Knowledge of Japanese language and culture (optional but beneficial)
• Experience with cel animation techniques (a plus for animation projects)

Essential knowledge before hiring an anime artist

Before you begin your search for an anime artist, understand the nuances of their role and the value they bring to your project. This knowledge can help you make an informed decision and ensure a successful collaboration.

The role of an anime artist

Anime artists are visual storytellers who bring characters and worlds to life through their distinctive art style. They conceptualize and design characters, crafting their appearance, costumes, and expressions to bring personalities to life. These artists also create intricate background art and environmental designs that set the stage for the story.

An important part of their role involves developing storyboards to visualize scenes and action sequences, helping to plan out the flow of the narrative. For animated projects, they produce key frames that serve as the foundation for fluid motion. Throughout the creative process, anime artists collaborate closely with writers, directors, and other artists to maintain consistency in style and narrative across the project.

Hiring demand for anime artists in 2024

The demand for anime artists has been steadily increasing as the global anime market continues to expand. 

According to a report by Grand View Research, the global anime market size was valued at $31.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% from 2024 to 2030. 

This market growth directly translates to increased opportunities for anime artists.

Common anime artist projects

Anime artists work on a wide range of projects, including:

• Character design for animated series or films
• Manga illustration for comic books or web comics
• Concept art for video games
• Fan art and commission work
• Book cover and visual novel artwork
• Social media content and promotional materials

Industries seeking anime artists

Several industries frequently hire anime artists:

• Animation studios
• Comic book and manga publishers
• Video game developers
• Advertising and marketing agencies
• Entertainment and media companies
• Toy and merchandise manufacturers

Cost of hiring an anime artist in 2024

The cost of hiring an anime artist can vary widely based on their experience, the project’s complexity, and the deliverables required. 

On Upwork, you can expect to pay around $15 to $22 an hour for a manga artist and $20 to $38 an hour for an animator. 

Anime artist FAQ

We answer some frequently asked questions about anime artists.

What’s the difference between an anime artist and a manga artist?

While there’s often overlap, anime artists typically focus on creating art for animated projects, including character designs, backgrounds, and key frames. 

Manga artists specialize in creating sequential art for comic books or graphic novels in the Japanese style. Many artists are proficient in both anime illustration and manga comic creation, but some may specialize in one or the other.

How long does it take to complete an anime character design?

The time required can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the design and the artist’s experience. A basic character design might take four to eight hours, while a more detailed design with multiple poses and expressions could take 20 to 40 hours or longer.

Can anime artists work remotely?

Yes, many anime artists work remotely, using digital tools to create and share their work. This allows for collaboration with clients and teams from around the world, including those based in Japan, the birthplace of anime.

Get started with an anime artist on Upwork

Ready to bring your anime project to life? Upwork connects you with talented anime artists from around the world. 

Hire your chosen artist and begin collaborating on your anime vision.