Draw Anime Characters Anywhere with This DIY Manga Set

If your kid has taken a liking to anime, manga, or drawing, you can easily satisfy all three interests while teaching them about perspective and how to follow instructions — and it doesn’t involve screen time! 

Made by Me’s Anime Manga Artist Set includes several drawing utensils and instructions in a convenient container, so your kid can learn how to draw manga characters in the house or on the go. Made by Me is a line by Horizon Group USA that focuses on independent play, different play patterns, and expressing creativity. 

The kit comes with eight colored pencils, two sticker sheets, a pencil sharpener, a right-angle ruler, and five dual-ended markers, so your kid will have all of the coloring tools they need to draw a masterpiece. If they have a favorite marker pack or color not included in the kit, there is a lot of space in the storage container for extra art utensils. The colored pencils are strong, so the tip won’t break if your kid has an iron grip, and the double-sided markers are coded so they know which one they’re using before removing the cap (the grey line indicated the fine-point side). 

It also includes a drawing guide and two soft-cover comic books. The comic books include blank pages with comic style outlines, creating panels and frames for their story. There are also word bubbles so kids can fill in whatever expression matches their storyline. Kids are free to take creative liberty and color outside of the lines, as the comic books are full of the blank pages. If the books are not enough space for their creative mind, the storage container can fit several sheets of paper and other drawing pads. 

The clear storage container comes with a handle, so kids can bring it in the car or throughout the house (without losing their drawings or markers). It also doubles as a table; kids can easily lay the container flat and draw on top of it. Don’t worry, the case is sturdy and can handle some tumbles. 

The drawing guide provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions on how to draw characters (a male fighter and a female hero) in anime and manga style. The drawing guide discusses perspective and form, teaching kids about one-, two-, and three-point perspective as well as depth. If your kid has never used a right-angle ruler, or hates the idea of math, this could be an easy and fun way to introduce math to their everyday life.

The guide also shows different hairstyles and facial expressions, so kids can use basic designs to create various characters, encouraging young artists to get creative and make different drawings while still feeling comfortable in their work. Kids could also place printer paper on top of the guide and work on their tracing skills! 

In addition to drawing specific characteristics, the kit teaches young artists how to follow instructions and apply numbered steps to their own work. It also encourages kids to pay attention to details, as they can change the outcome of drawings and other things in life. 

If the hero and warrior forms are too difficult to draw, young artists are also given instructions for chibi drawings. These manga characters have more of a cartoon design, so they might be easier for an artist that’s just starting out. Try to encourage your aspiring artist to draw in the comic book with a light hand while using the markers or you might see some of the color on the following page. 

The packaging states that the kit is for ages 4 and up, but younger kids can utilize the markers, stickers, and colored pencils as well. 

If your kid is an inspiring artist — or recently got into anime like Dragon Ball Z or Naruto — this kit is a great way to keep them entertained while simultaneously supporting their interests and teaching valuable skills.