This is such a fun book! My daughter and I had a great time trying to replicate the drawings. It covers everything from art fundamentals, like color theory and proportions, to side-by-side comparisons of chibi and anime figures and tutorials on drawing different character types.

Nice book, with a lot of carachters and step-by-step guides for beginners.
Cute and helpful. I'm not that good in drawing but it was funny anyway.

Anime + Chibi Art Class is exactly what you’d expect from the name. A collection of simple step-by-step instructions for drawing anime and chibi-styled art. The instructions teach you how to draw specific ‘characters’, starting with a bust and moving on to full body, with each character growing more and more detailed.
The nice thing about this one is it has specific instructions for not just traditional but also digital art. As someone who does both (more traditional than digital), I found it really handy. It also tells you which supplies and tools they used. While that may not be too important when doing traditional art, it’s definitely nice to know that they used for digital. There’s also a collection of inspiration images in the back for things like hair and clothing as well.
The only downside is just how simplistic it really is. If you want a book that goes in depth on how to draw hair and eyes and maybe some basic anatomy, this book isn’t for you. However, if you don’t really care about that sort of thing and like figuring things out on your own, then it should be no problem. I will say that the instructions a little more detailed for the digital art, so I think the book kind of leans more toward that side.
Overall, Anime + Chibi Art Class is a nice edition to any art book collection, and is perfect for artists with a basic knowledge of art already or adventurous first-timers.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy from the author for review purposes only. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, this book has you covered. Yoai’s step-by-step tutorials demystify the art of drawing anime characters and their adorable chibi counterparts. From pencils to watercolors to digital tools, she covers it all. But what truly earns this book its 5 stars? It’s the way Yoai’s passion leaps off the pages, inspiring readers to pick up their own pens and create magic.

This book has a very interesting concept in my opinion.

It starts by talking about the tools and materials you'll need for traditional and digital art. After that it presents the basics for anime and chibi styles side by side, which I really liked. Next it focuses on sketching, shading and coloring, continuing with details for both traditional and digital art. This part is quite brief, but if you are not 100% clueless when it comes to drawing, it's enough to get you started.

After this introduction, there are the actual tutorials. There are many characters and for each character you learn how to draw the anime and chibi versions side by side, which for me was the part of the book that I liked the most, seeing clearly how to transform a character into a chibi while maintaining the characters. All tutorials are split into 2 parts: one for traditional drawing and one for digital.

At the end of the book you'll also find some ideas for hair/clothes/accessories as well as 2 coloring pages.

In conclusion, I think this book is quite innovative considering the side by side tutorials for both styles of drawing and could be great for a beginner.

Anime + Chibi Art Class is a good beginning art guide for drawing anime characters and their Chibi variations. While the techniques shown begin with drawing ovals, the vocabulary and suggested tools seem more oriented toward older readers. It is best suited for people used to drawing that want to learn specifics about the anime and Chibi art style.

Both traditional and digital art methods are included. There are ten lessons for each drawing method. Each lesson includes step-by-step fully illustrated instructions for making both the anime and Chibi version of specific characters.

Anime + Chibi Art Class will appeal to a particular group of people. If followed, the instructions will teach them how to draw anime and Chibi characters relatively quickly. Still, it doesn’t include the enthusiasm of the author’s earlier Art Class books. 4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Rock Point for providing me with a review copy.

Clear precise instructions and easy to follow drawings make this an excellent starter guide to drawing anime characters. The ability to turn those characters into chibis is a great selling point.
Recommend.

I really liked how this book represented both traditional and digital ways of drawing and coloring in art. The artist was very clear in their instructions, and I liked how they made sure to list the exact color shades that they used to color in the drawings. This book is very helpful for both novice artists and more advanced ones, and is a helpful reference for those trying out a different medium (classical or digital).

I've discovered the world of Chibis while looking for inspiration and tips and tricks for drawing faces. I fell in love with the cute little characters and I try to 'perfect' them in my own style. I love the detailed instructions and step-by-step drawings the book provides! I am looking forward to picking it up when it becomes available.

Thank you for the opportunity to review it beforehand.

As a beginner artist, I really enjoyed this introduction to Anime and Chibi art by artist Yoai. The opening pages introduce anime and chibi and describe basic art materials for both traditional and digital art. The author gives suggestions for the best resources and software. They also describe fundamental drawing techniques. I especially appreciated the explanations of digital art techniques. Then they demonstrate the fundamental artistic differences between anime and chibi, and a simple primer on color choices. I found all of this very helpful.

The bulk of the book is 20 step-by-step tutorials on drawing different characters, each with an anime and a chibi form. The characters are adorable and the tutorial is basic enough for anyone. I've never drawn anime before, much less chibi, and I found it both easy and fun to follow the author's directions. I particularly enjoyed practicing different techniques for clothing and body positions. Overall, this was a great art book that I would recommend to anyone interested in improving their drawing anime!

Special thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – Rock Point and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

‘Anime + Chibi Art Class’ by Yoai is an insightful guide designed for artists interested in mastering anime and chibi styles. The book offers a clear and straightforward approach to drawing these popular art forms, making it a valuable resource for both novices and those looking to enhance their skills.

Accuracy: ★★★★★

The book excels in accuracy, providing precise and reliable techniques for drawing anime and chibi characters. Yoai's instructions align well with established practices in anime art, ensuring that readers learn the correct methods and styles.

Perspective: ★★★★☆

Yoai presents a practical perspective, focusing on the core elements of anime and chibi art. The guide is informative and supportive, offering tips and insights that reflect an artist’s viewpoint. The book effectively balances foundational skills with advanced techniques, catering to various levels of experience.

Relevance: ★★★★☆

‘Anime + Chibi Art Class’ is highly relevant to contemporary art trends. Anime and chibi styles continue to be popular, and the book addresses current practices in these genres. It provides readers with the tools to create artwork that resonates with modern anime aesthetics.

Engagement: ★★★★☆

The book is engaging, with interactive exercises and step-by-step tutorials that maintain reader interest. Yoai’s approach encourages active participation, making the learning process enjoyable and motivating. The use of visual examples helps to sustain engagement throughout the guide.

Readability: ★★★★☆

The readability is excellent, with clear and concise instructions that are easy to follow. The language used is accessible, and the book’s layout supports effective learning. The combination of text and illustrations makes complex concepts easier to understand.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆

Readers are likely to find the book quite enjoyable, especially those with an interest in anime and chibi art. The enjoyable exercises and practical tips contribute to a satisfying learning experience. The book provides both entertainment and education, making it a pleasurable addition to any artist’s collection.


‘Anime + Chibi Art Class’ by Yoai is a comprehensive and accessible guide for anyone looking to master anime and chibi drawing styles. With its accurate techniques, engaging content, and clear instructions, the book offers a valuable and enjoyable learning experience. It’s an excellent resource for artists eager to develop their skills in these popular art forms.

As a girl who loves to draw but has been wanting to learn about different styles to practice with, I was very excited to grab this book. There is a ton of information in the beginning of this book that moves into tutorials and inspiration in the back of the book. I love that each tutorial character has their own little backstory and personality. It makes it all the more fun to practice with the character. I’m also happy that these tutorials take place with drawing the two styles side by side so you can see the major differences between them versus drawing anime then moving into chibi. Same characters, two styles.

A couple of notes that I think would be beneficial to add or consider for future editions are that
#1 I think there should be one more simple tutorial for the physical drawings, maybe a female since the first is a male. I know there's more with digital but not everyone has that platform. Yes, they could technically do those simple ones with pencil and paper, but it seems jarring that the first tutorial is simple then the second is intermediate.
#2 I do wish the tutorials were a little more in depth when it came to the hair and clothing sections. I even went back to the tips at the beginning and the inspiration panels at the end, but nothing really explains how to go about making the hair. Especially with some of the harder ones like the long braids, long curly ponytails, and intricate updos. When we get to the digital portion with Nebula, we start to get a bit more in depth with the hair which is helpful but for almost every other section we get vague instructions like, "Kitty needs some hair and clothes. Draw sweeping pigtails and tucked bangs.” Trinity gets a little in depth but not as much as Nebula and then no one else has it. It’s just a bit inconsistent with the instructions in this aspect.

I love that there were QR codes for the color palettes however they weren’t working on my end. I just utilized colors that were close or messed around with them as I went. All of the digital characters have one, however only one traditional has it (Jasmine) and I don’t think it's necessary for her since none of the others don’t. Something that could be nice to add would be if the QR code linked to a color palette to download AND a video tutorial as well. This could help with detail questions like the hair and clothing I mentioned before.

I believe that this book is easy enough to teach readers of all artistic abilities how to draw the anime and chibi characters. The only thing I’m a bit disappointed on was that I was hoping it would also teach more on how you can digitally design them.

What a fun resource for learning to draw in the anime style, with 20 easy-to-follow step-by-step tutorials. I've never drawn in this style but this fabulous book will change that. Highly recommended!

I've used a number of these how to draw books over the years. As someone that is a self-taught artist, I learnt a lot of what I know from them.
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There are a number of aspects of this that I particularly liked, it goes over the normal equipment and materials that you see in a lot of these books, but it also introduces the learner to colour theory which is something I would have loved to see more of. Throughout the book there are additional notes on things that may go wrong and how these can be fixed later one. Each Character is broken down nicely and in both traditional Anime style and the Chibi Style which is a lot of fun.
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The digital section is brilliant and even recommends a free program for newbies to get in there and have a go. Along with the software suggestions the book has QR codes that a learner can scan to get the colour palette for the particular project.
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There is also a section on markers in particular alcohol and how to colour and blend with them which is a brilliant addition to any artists knowledge.
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A great introduction for both new and old artists.

I received my first "how to draw manga" book 20 years ago, and it is so refreshing to see how Yoai has evolved the genre. The organization is very methodical: they begin by outlining the different materials needed, followed by some basic theory to get the novice mangaka started. As you get into the tutorials, each character is an evolution in skill from the one before, as you slowly build on your skills as you progress through the book. I also love that each character you draw has a mini-bio, so the young artist can find inspiration no only for the art, but for stories they could tell. I can't wait to have this in my library.

This was a really neat how-to guide and I liked that it gave directions for beginners in the front with some tips and tricks. Then, the back half was like a traditional drawing book where you were encouraged to try and practice given their examples.

This art book is perfect for beginners like me! I thought it might be too complicated, but it's actually easy to follow and understand. It covers everything from the basics of art, like color theory and proportions, to step-by-step tutorials on drawing different characters, including chibi and anime styles. I especially love the inspiration pages with different features and outfits to spark ideas for my own drawings, plus there's even a coloring page included. Overall, it's a fantastic resource for learning how to draw both regular and chibi characters side by side.

I admit that's the first time I heard of chibi art, so I wanted to see the difference from anime. As I see anime is essentially a teenager figure while chibi is a child. I liked to see similarities and differences, the book is well illustrated with step-by-step instructions. In the digital section as the author suggests a special software (never heard of) it would be useful some basic info and screenshot about its use.

Love the world of anime and chibi art? Join renowned artist Yoai as you enter the world of anime and chibi art! With instructions on how to create both digital and traditionally-drawn anime protagonists and their chibi counterparts, this guide has tons of unique characters to inspire as you continue your artistic journey.

            Anime + Chibi Art Class by Yoai is an intermediate-level art guide showcasing anime and chibi characters. There are lots of characters to draw inspiration from, and step-by-step instructions on how to draw the same individuals in both anime and chibi style. There are bonus pages with additional clothing and accessory ideas, and both traditional artists and digital pioneers can greatly benefit from this compact guidebook.

            However, this is not a great launching point for beginning artists. While there are a few pages that briefly introduce the basics of anime and chibi art, this guidebook does not contain a comprehensive tutorial on the fundamentals needed to achieve the intended style. For an intermediate-level artist that is already comfortable drawing people and figures with an anime aesthetic, this guidebook can open up many new frontiers. But for someone new to the style, even artists with some basic drawing knowledge may struggle if using this guidebook by itself. However, for artists with some anime experience that want to up their game, this book is full of great ideas and techniques certain to inspire. And hey, you just can’t help but be inspired by Yoai’s incredible art!

            Earning four out of five stars for its wide array of unique characters and inspirational ideas, Anime + Chibi Art Class would be a great gift for a friend who’s passionate about art. Suitable for all ages, this guidebook is the perfect choice to up your skill level and find new ideas for creating your very own unique anime and chibi characters.