It’s not a bad concept to have a career in Animation. In reality, it’s one of the most well-paid jobs in the world. Apart from this, animation in Japan can be such a fascinating career that only comes with fun if you are good at it. Find the best animation schools in Japan that will help you develop your career.
Like some animation schools in Canada, the USA, and other nations, these schools in Japan for animation students offer high-quality and standard animation courses.
About Anime – Animation in Japan
Anime stands for animation in Japanese, which means all kinds of animated media. Anime refers primarily to animation from Japan outside of Japan or as a Japanese-disseminated form of animation mostly characterized by colorful visuals, vivid characters, and fantastic themes.
Anime is a complex art form with distinctive production methods and techniques that, in reaction to new technologies, have been adapted over time. In Japan, there are a number of anime schools. Anime incorporates visual art, characterization, cinematography, and other types of techniques of creativity and individualism.
Anime output focuses less on movement animation and more on establishing realism as well as the use of camera effects, including panning, zooming, and angle shots.
Being hand-drawn, anime is separated from reality by a critical fiction distance that offers a perfect escape route that viewers can reasonably easily immerse themselves in.
Various types of art are used and character proportions and features can be very different, including emotional or realistically sized eyes that are characteristically large.
Below are a complete list of Japan’s top animation schools that can give you what you really want. Interestingly, the tuition fees for these leading animation schools in Japan are very competitive.
List of Top Animation Schools in Japan
- Tokyo Designer School
- College of International Design
- Amusement Media School
- Toei Animation Institue
- Tokyo Animation School
- Manga Institue
- Kyoto Seika University
- Japan International School
- Tokyoanimeseiyusenmon School
- Multimedia Art School
- Tokyo Game Designer Institute
- Sapporo College of Anime
- Kodansha Culture Center
- Osaka animation fukuoka
- Fukuoka college of design
Note, Student visas will not be granted for the schools mentioned above, since they are all specialist, industrial and technical schools. It is likely that students interested in attending will be able to visit via Japanese language or other traditional visas.
1. Tokyo Designer School of Animation in Japan (Toukyou Dezaina Gakuin)
- Location: 2-11 Suragadai Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101
This anime college is regarded as one of the best animation schools in the world, offering high-quality animation programs. As a comprehensive design program, the anime academy encompasses all genres of design in order to satisfy the needs of the human resources of each industry. Capable professionals are developed through highly advanced courses.
Tokyo Designer Gakuin College is well-known throughout the design industry, where the front lines continue to be offered by designers and makers. We also provide extensive assistance to exchange students.
TDG is also involved in collaborative events that go beyond the classroom, in addition to delivering advanced education across 11 divisions that cover all facets of design.
Courses Offered
- Animation 2
- Game Creator 2
- Character Desing 1
- Computer Graphics 1
- Manga/ Comics 1
- Illustration 2
2. Yoyogi Animation School (Yoyogi Animeshon Gakuin)
- Location: 1-20-3-CS-4 Yoyogi Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
This Japanese school anime, considered to be one of the greatest in the world, is Japan’s largest animation and art institute.
Therefore, because of its high reputation, the criterion for admission into Yoyogi Animation School is high. Clearly, applicants need to be able to completely understand Japanese.
YAI accepts eligible individuals regardless of sex, race or national or ethnic origin; however, YAI primarily reserves the right to exclude applications from persons with physical disabilities which may be occupationally impeded.
Other locations include Tokyo, Harajuku, Hachioji, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sendai, Sapporo, Hiroshima, Shizuoka, Wakayama, Takamatsu, Miyazaki.
Note that the Yoyogi Academy has 12 campuses, with 860 students studying animation, in Japan’s major cities. Each campus has its own features and setting. Installed courses, too, are different.
Courses Offered
- Animation 2
- Digital Animation Artist (Digital Ink & Paint) 1
- Animation AV Operator 2
- Junior Novels 1
- Multimedia Creator 1
- Animation Camera 2
- Manga/ Comics 1
- Illustration 2
3. College of International Design (Kokusai Dezainkarejji)
- Location: 2-22 Asahi-cho / Kouchi-shi, 780. Phone: 0888-75-0099
College of International Design is an animated college well recognized as one of Japan’s best animation colleges, offering quality and standardizing animation courses.
This is, however, one of the Japanese manga schools offering 2 years courses and 3 years of distance learning programs.
TDG is also involved in collaborative events that go beyond the classroom, in addition to delivering advanced education across 11 divisions that cover all facets of design.
Courses Offered
- Graphic Design 2
- Interior Design 2
- Architecture 1
- Manga/ Comics 1
4. Toei Animation Institute (Toei Animeshyon Kenkyuujyou)
- Location: Surugadai Bldg. / 1-2-5 Surugadai Kanda Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101 Phone: 03-5281-2730
The Toei Animation Institute is one of the top animation schools in Japan. Toei Animation is the Japanese animation pioneer. The animation school, however, has the ability to generate world-class, unparalleled sales and development power.
The company is owned by Toei and has produced numerous series, including Sally the Witch, Gegege no Kitaro, Mazinger Z, Galaxy Express 999, Dr. Slump, Dragon Ball, Saint Seiya, Sailor Moon, Slam Dunk, Digimon, One Piece and Precure.
Courses Offered
- Animation 2
- Planning
- Producer
- Director
- Digital Animation Artist (Digital Ink & Paint)
- Writer
- Background Artist
5. Amusement Media School (Amyu-zumentomedia Soukou Gakuin)
- Location: 2-29-8 Higashi / Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0011, Phone: 0120-41-4600 Fax: 03-3406-5070
In Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, Amusement Media Sougou Gakuin was founded in 1993. It is a multimedia school that provides training programs for different fields of fun, such as game makers, mangaka, author and essayists, animators, graphic designers and computer, but also voice actors. It belongs to the AMG Group of Entertainment.
Courses Offered
- Voice Acting 2
- Game Creator 2
- CG Animation Creator 1
- Multimedia Creator
- Novels 2
- Animator 2
- Manga/ Comics 1
- Comics 2
6. Tokyo Animation School (Toukyou Animeta Gakuin)
- Location: 1-1-8 Shimoochiai Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 161-0033 Japan
Toyko Animation School is one of Japan’s best animation schools for students who want to become a cartoonist, an animator or a voiceover. This anima school in Japan, however, has over 850 hrs per year, and high school graduation is the academic prerequisite.
Interestingly enough, this Japanese animation school offers 2-3 years of courses for students passionating about a career in animation at a reasonably affordable rate.
The school also provides national and foreign students scholarships. Foreign Student Bursary Eligibility (you must meet at least 2 or more requirements below).
Five divisions include animation and illustration departments in school of anime, take note.
Courses Offered
- CG Games
- Game Creator 2
- Illustration
- Animation Character Designer
- Novels 2
- Junior Novels
- Manga/ Comics 1
- Airbrush Illustration
- Writer
7. Kyoto Seika University of Animation in Japan
- Location: 137 Iwakura Kinocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8588, Japan
Kyoto Seika is one of the most famous animation schools in Japan. Kyoto Seika University is a private university in Iwakura, Kyoto. The predecessor of the school, which was founded in 1968, was chartered in 1979.
The School is renowned for its manga and animation facilities and for its role in the education and training of future manga artists. SEIKA has five faculties: architecture, craft, manga, popular culture and science, and the related schools of doctoral education.
This school is regarded as one of the best animation schools in the world. The college tuition fees are JPY 1,75 million and the average number of students is JPY 3,425 per year.
Take note that in Japan the school ranks 165 and 4264. (KSU) offers courses and programmes, from Bachelor degrees, master’s degrees, Doctorates in many fields of study, to officially recognised higher education degrees.
Courses Offered
- Voice Acting 2
- Game Creator 2
- CG Animation Creator 1
- Multimedia Creator
- Novels 2
- Animator 2
- Manga/ Comics 1
- Comics 2
8. Aoba-Japan International School
- Location: 7-5-1 Hikarigaoka, Nerima-ku (Hikarigaoka Campus)
2-11-5 Aobadai, Meguro-ku (Meguro Campus)
Aoba-Japan International School, with branches in Nerima and Meguro, is an international school in Tokyo.
We are thus developing global leaders capable of leading positive changes in the world at the Aoba-Japan International School (A-JIS). Two Tokyo campuses (one in Meguro and one in Hikarigaoka).
However, since its earliest days in school, A-JIS welcomes international students through high school education, and beyond. We foster entrepreneurship and creativity, and social responsibility with the help of our educational partners.
The students in this school are 408, with a tuition charge of 2,773,500 Yen.
In addition, the Aoba-Japan International School claims that students who devote themselves to learning and are motivated to excel in an ever-changing world should achieve their full potential as international citizens.
The school aims to grow potential world leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators, effective communicators, intelligent risk-takers, and efficient problem solvers through its international curriculum.
Courses Offered
- Voice Acting 2
- Game Creator 2
- CG Animation Creator 1
9. Tokyo Media Academy (Tokyo anime seiyu senmon School)
- Location: 3-1-5, Ebisu-minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
A homey school is the Tokyo Media Academy. With their love they help and back all students to fulfill the dream of all. This anima school however includes a 2-year Voice Artist Course. And 155 students a year are enrolled at the school.
The fee ranges from 50,000 to 300,000 yen tuition and can be transferred from the classroom upon registration.
The Tokyo Media Academy helps you realize your dream of becoming an animation voice actor.
Courses Offered
- Vocalization, pronunciation, breathing techniques, and syntony. Voice Acting: performance, character
- Expression: emotionally rich-acting and dynamic expression Game Creator 2
- CG Animation Creator 1
- Multimedia Creator
- Novels 2
- Animator 2
- Manga/ Comics 1
- Comics 2
10. Kodansha Culture Center (Kodansha Karucha Senta-)
- Location: 1-15-12 Toranomon Minato-ku, Tokyo 105
In Kodansha, Tokyo, Japan, the Kodansha Culture Center was set up as a corporation in 1993. It is a digital school and provides courses in various fields of entertainment, such as game designers, mangaka, authors and essayists, animators, computer and graphic designers, as well as voice actors. It is part of the Entertainment Community of AMG.
Courses Offered
- Illustration 24
- Manga/ Comics 1
- Comics Illustration
11. Osaka School of Animation in Japan
- Location: 3 Chome-29-18 Tarumicho, Suita, Osaka 564-0062, Japan
Osaka Animation School is one of the best animation schools in Japan as well. The school provides courses that help develop workers who can work in the Animation industry’s front line, such as an middleman who enters original drawings to create smooth movements or an Animation Supervisor who takes overall care of the creation of images.
The school, however, runs more than 850 hours / year and high school graduation is the prerequisite for application.
Courses Offered
- Voice Acting 2
- Multimedia Creator
- Novels
- Animator
- Manga/ Comics 1
- Comics 2
12. Fukuoka Design College of Animation in Japan
- Location: 2-29-8 Higashi / Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0011, Phone: 0120-41-4600 Fax: 03-3406-5070
The Kyushu Institute of Design in Fukuoka, Japan, was established in April 1968 and is one of Japan’s prestigious national universities. The departments of architecture, industrial design, visual communication design, acoustic design and art and information design are merged at the university.
The Kyushu Institute of Design became the Graduate School of Design of Kyushu University in October 2003. However, until 2005, Kyushu Institute of Design diplomas were given to all KID graduates.
This animation school in Japan provides programs of 3-4 years.
Courses Offered
- Shop Design
- CG Animation
- Illustration and Character Design
- Shop Design
- Graphic Design
- Furniture Design
- Editing Design
13. Sapporo College of Animation in Japan
- Location: 2-75 Kita 1 West 8 Chome Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0001
Sapporo College of Anime is one of Japan’s best animation colleges, providing both national and foreign students with quality programs.
- Read also; study abroad in Japan in English
Nevertheless, the tuition fees for this anime school in Japan differ by department and course.
Remember that you must have a high school degree to be eligible to apply for any course at this school. In addition, the school has 3 divisions, including the Digital Technology Department, the Creative Design Course, and the General Entertainment Department.
Courses Offered
- Manga Major
- Comic Illustration
- Major voice actor
- Anime Song
- Animator
14. Japan Manga Institute (Nihon Manga Gakuin)
- Location: 1-3-98 Nishinakanobe Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142
One of the top animation, design and CG vocational colleges in Japan is Nihon Kougakuin. A student has many options when it comes to what they are most interested in, with 7 faculty with over 35 departments of studies.
This is a medium school intensity, which means the school provides students with a great balance between the speed of learning and free time. This means you’ll be able to enjoy your life in Japan, while also being able to advance your studies effectively.
The tuition at the Japan Manga Institute ranges from 450,000 yen to 1,500,000 yen.
Remember, the first entry deadline for student visas for all cities is October 4th. In seven schools, namely Creators College, Architecture College, Music College, IT College, Technology College, Medical Care College, and Sports College, the school comprises 35 departments.
Courses Offered
- Animation
- Manga/ Comics 1
In Conclusion
Exactly what makes a best animation school is the balance between standard and affordability. It is also not a bad thing to have a career in animation in Japan, because it is one of Japan’s best-paying work.
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