On this page
Big shiny eyes, a tiny nose and hair that goes on forever. This anime girl coloring page features an original character we drew ourselves, not anyone from a show. She waves hello with one hand and hugs a sketchbook with the other. Two long twin tails hang from red bows, and cherry blossom branches reach in from the top corners.
Older kids and tweens get the most out of this one, so we suggest ages 7 to 14. The eyes have several layers and reward a sharp pencil. Plan on 40 minutes or more if your artist wants to shade the hair.
What makes this style look like anime
Anime is the name for animation from Japan, and it comes in many looks. One feature shows up again and again: large eyes that show feeling. Ours have a thick upper lash line with a flick at the corner, a tall iris and three white highlights.
The rest of the face stays very simple. There is a small tick for the nose, a little open smile and a few short lines on each cheek for a blush. Her chin narrows to a soft point. Pointed locks of hair fall across her forehead, and one thin strand curls up from the top of her head.
Anime girl coloring page color ideas
Hair is where this style has the most fun, because it does not need to look natural. Purple with lavender strands is what we picked for our sample. Pink, teal or silver blue all work. Use a deeper shade for the main tails and a lighter one for the narrow locks beside them.
The sailor collar looks crisp in navy with a red bow. White sleeves keep the outfit clean and let the hair stand out. For the eyes, try two related colors, such as teal on top and light aqua in the curved band near the bottom.
- Pale pink blossoms with a darker pink center
- Brown branches with a soft gray edge
- Light blue sky and a mint hill below
Tips for a clean anime look
Anime art often uses flat color with one shadow, and you can copy that easily. Fill the hair in a light shade. Then add one darker band under the bows and along the edge of each lock. Sharp shadow shapes look more like the real style than soft blending does.
Color the iris from the top down, with the darkest part near the lash line. Leave every white highlight empty. If you color over one by mistake, a white gel pen can bring it back.
Keep skin shading light. A touch of peach under the chin and along the bangs is enough to lift the face off the page.
Cherry trees in America
Those blossoms in the corners have a real story. In 1912, a gift of 3,020 cherry trees from Japan reached Washington, D.C., after sailing from Yokohama to Seattle. An earlier shipment of 2,000 trees had arrived with pests and disease, so it had to be destroyed. The second gift took its place.
Give her a story
Since she has no show of her own, your artist gets to invent one. What is her name? What does she draw in that sketchbook? Have your child design a character sheet on a blank page, with her favorite food, her pet and one special skill.
Drawing fans can also try copying just the eyes on a separate sheet. Start with the upper lash line, add the tall oval and finish with the highlights. A few tries will teach more about the style than any long lesson. Art clubs might swap finished pages and write a short comic scene for each other's version.
More pages to try
For a rounder, simpler take on big eyes, print the kawaii girl coloring page. If flowers were the best part, see the butterfly coloring page too.
Questions
Is she a character from a show?
No. We drew this girl from scratch in a general anime style, so she does not come from any show, comic or game. You can give her any name and story.
What supplies work best?
Colored pencils are the best match, since they let you layer the hair and the eyes. Fine markers work too if you put a spare sheet underneath.
Can a younger child color this?
Yes, with some help. A child of 5 or 6 can fill the hair and the uniform with crayons, but the eyes have small parts that suit older kids.
