How to create anime and cartoons books: top picks

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AI-generated summary · updated September 10, 2026 · verify details before purchase.

1. 

   1 Best overall Watson-Guptill

   Manga for the Beginner: Everything You Need to Start Drawing Manga!

   ★★★★★4.6/5 $15.99

   A comprehensive beginner's guide covering all basics of manga drawing, highly rated and popular among newcomers.

   • Step-by-step instructions
   • Covers anatomy and expressions
   • Includes practice exercises

   • Focuses only on manga style

   View on Amazon
2. 

   2 Best for character design Drawing with Christopher Hart

   The Master Guide to Drawing Anime: How to Draw Original Characters from Simple Templates

   ★★★★☆4.5/5 $12.43

   Teaches how to create original anime characters using templates, loved for its structured approach.

   • Template-based method
   • Great for character variety
   • Clear illustrations

   • Fewer full scene tutorials

   View on Amazon
3. 

   3 Best budget pick Majosta

   How to Draw Manga: A Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing Manga for Beginners

   ★★★★☆4.4/5 $15.64

   An inexpensive yet thorough beginner's book with many step-by-step examples and tips.

   • Affordable
   • Easy to follow
   • Good for all ages

   • Basic content
   • Limited advanced techniques

   View on Amazon
4. 

   4 Best comprehensive reference Del Rey

   Manga: The Complete Guide

   ★★★★☆4.3/5 $21.60 Only 1 left

   A massive directory of manga titles and genres, useful for understanding manga culture and finding recommendations.

   • Extensive coverage
   • Great for research
   • Includes history

   • Not a drawing tutorial
   • Outdated slightly

   View on Amazon
5. 

   5 Best for digital artists グラフィック社

   How to Draw Anime & Game Characters Vol. 1: Basics for Beginners and Beyond

   ★★★★☆4.5/5 $30.96 Only 2 left

   Focuses on digital drawing techniques for anime and game characters, with high-quality examples.

   • Digital focus
   • Professional tips
   • Variety of poses

   • Requires digital tools
   • Less on fundamentals

   View on Amazon
6. 

   6 Best for storytelling Walter Foster Publishing

   The Complete Guide to Drawing Comics: Learn to Draw Comic Characters and Create Your Own Stories

   ★★★★☆4.4/5 $10.25 Only 1 left

   Covers not just drawing but also comic creation, including storyboarding and panel layout.

   • Storytelling advice
   • Comprehensive panels
   • Suitable for beginners

   • Not anime-specific
   • Less detail on figures

   View on Amazon
7. 

   7 Best value pack Drawing with Christopher Hart

   Manga Drawing Books: How to Draw Manga for Beginners (Manga Drawing Books for Beginners)

   ★★★★☆4.2/5 $12.43

   Multiple books in one bundle covering different aspects of manga drawing at a low cost.

   • Great value
   • Covers many topics
   • Portable

   • Repetitive content
   • Lower paper quality

   View on Amazon

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