This step by step tutorial shows how to draw male anime and manga characters. It includes a total eight examples of some of the more popular graphic symbol archetypes with three variations of each.

Anime male characters drawing
Anime male characters drawing

The chief focus of this tutorial is on personality. It shows how you lot tin accept the same anime style male face and transform it into dissimilar characters past tweaking the facial features and hairstyle. It also shows how to describe some of the facial expressions these characters are likely to have.

The character types covered in this tutorial are:

  • Boilerplate Guy
  • Antagonist/Villain
  • Delinquent
  • Henchman
  • Friendly Guy
  • Wealthy Guy
  • Loner
  • Intellectual

For drawing female characters see:

How to Draw Anime Characters Tutorial

Male Anime Face Shape Breakdown

Before going into cartoon specific character archetypes it's a proficient idea to first clarify the characteristic features of male person anime faces. While there is quite a flake of variation in the anime and manga style more often than not all anime characters tend to accept large eyes, small noses amd simplified mouths with no lips.

Younger anime and manga male characters are often fatigued with most the exact same faces as females. Older male characters are more than likely to have longer faces, wider chins, and smaller/narrower optics (though still larger than normal). For this tutorial we will use a very generic male face that can exist either a loftier school pupil or a younger adult.

Shape of male anime face breakdown
Shape of male anime face breakdown

The generic shape of this type of male person anime face can basically exist broken down into the three simple shapes in the example above.

Anime Male Character Face Proportions

Anime male character face proportions
Anime male person graphic symbol face proportions

These are the "default" proportions that the characters in this tutorial volition refer to. So when you read something like "draw the eyebrows lower downwardly" or "make the eyes narrower" it volition usually mean in relation to this case.

Please keep in mind that they are just a guideline for getting male anime mode looking characters. As already mentioned there is a lot of variation in the anime/manga style so this drawing template may not always apply.

For a detailed guide on cartoon a male anime face run across:

How to Depict Anime and Manga Male Caput and Face

If you lot just desire a quick breakup of the placement of the facial features and drawing steps y'all can read below:

  • Eyes – make a horizontal line through the middle of the head and describe the eyes below that
  • Ears – make some other horizontal line between the outset line and the bottom of the chin and describe the ears between these two lines
  • Nose – position the nose with its bottom at the line used for the bottom of the ears
  • Mouth – draw the mouth with the lesser lip between the bottom of the nose and the lesser of the chin and the oral cavity itself slightly above it

Draw the eyebrows slightly in a higher place the eyes.

Anime Male Character Footstep by Step Cartoon

Male anime character face drawing step by step
Male person anime character face drawing step past step
  1. Draw the basic shape of the head starting with a vertical line to help you make sure both halves are even
  2. Position the facial features as described earlier
  3. Draw the hair after placing all of the facial features
  4. Erase the parts of the face and head hidden by the hair and apply some shading

For more details on drawing anime male facial features also see:

How to Draw Male person Anime & Manga Eyes

For drawing the hair for these characters see:

How to Draw Anime Male Hair Footstep by Step

Drawing an "Average Guy" Anime Male Graphic symbol

Anime guy face drawing
Anime guy face drawing

The "average guy" character is usually meant to exist someone the viewer tin relate to or cheer for. These are often the protagonists of anime shows and manga or the lead male character if the protagonist is a female person.

Somewhat messy medium length hair is very mutual for these types of characters.

Anime male character face drawing
Anime male graphic symbol face up drawing

To draw a male "protagonist" character with their normal expressions describe the eyebrows in their natural position and draw the eyes with fairly large pupils/irises.

If yous want a friendly looking character draw the mouth with a light smile.

Drawing a Happy "Average Guy" Anime Male person Grapheme

Anime guy happy face drawing
Anime guy happy face drawing

A happy grin can be 1 of the expressions this type of character is likely to have. Unremarkably this is a await the main male character can requite to a character they like such equally the female protagonist.

Anime male character happy face drawing
Anime male graphic symbol happy face drawing

For the happy expression of the "average guy" draw the eyebrows slightly raised and the eyes slightly squinted. Draw the oral cavity with a grinning. Exit the inside of the mouth white to indicate that its the teeth that are showing but don't actually draw whatsoever hint of them, this will make the character look more than friendly.

Drawing a Relaxed "Boilerplate Guy" Anime Male Character

Anime guy realaxed face drawing
Anime guy relaxed face cartoon

This is another expression that this type of character tin can have. A sort of relaxed/wondering expression like "What am I gonna have for dinner this night?".

Anime male character relaxed face drawing
Anime male person character relaxed confront drawing

For relaxed and slightly puzzled expression draw the eyebrows with their inner ends slightly raised and draw pupils higher up (to make the eyes appear rolled up).

Add together the oral cavity in an "O" like shape. Since the rima oris is open y'all can draw the jaw lower downward but this is optional. Oft the jaws of anime characters are fatigued in the same place even with the rima oris open.

Drawing an Antagonist/Villain Anime Male Character

Anime villain guy face drawing
Anime villain guy face up drawing

The type of look shown in this example is common to the "main villains" of fantasy and sci-fi shows and manga. They are usually intelligent and strong and thus too ordinarily at-home and confident.

These guys frequently tend to have long hair.

Anime villain male character face drawing
Anime villain male character face drawing

For the villain'southward normal look describe the inner ends of the eyebrows slightly lowered (for a more than aggressive look). Make the irises of the eyes slightly smaller than those of the "protagonist" character with the pupils even smaller in relation to them.

Draw the mouth and the hint of the bottom lip in light upside down curves.

The combined consequence of the facial features drawn in such a manner will requite the "villain" a slightly confident nevertheless unfriendly/stuck up look.

Drawing an Angry Antagonist/Villain Anime Male Character

Anime villain guy angry face drawing
Anime villain guy angry face cartoon

This is an expression the villain tends to make when they are ticked off/angry/upset.

Anime villain male character angry face drawing
Anime villain male character angry face up drawing

For an angry look draw the eyebrows closer together and very low down on the confront (especially the inner ends). Give a hint of wrinkles between the eyebrows to further indicate they are existence squeezed together. Draw the eyes squinted and describe the irises of the eyes smaller then normal with tiny pupils and no reflections.

Not cartoon reflections will make the eyes appear more than cold and uncaring.

Draw the rima oris open up and shaped similar to the number "viii" that's been flipped on its side with the teeth showing. You can also make the oral fissure slightly wider on i side and give a hint of the split between the acme and bottom rows of teeth with curved lines on each side.

For more on drawing anime teeth come across:

How to Draw Anime & Manga Teeth Tutorial

Cartoon a Scheming Antagonist/Villain Male Anime Character

Anime villain guy scheming face drawing
Anime villain guy scheming confront cartoon

A scheming/plotting type expression is another one a negative anime/manga character is likely to have. This is a face they can make when anticipating the success of their plans.

Anime villain male character scheming face drawing
Anime villain male character scheming face cartoon

To describe a scheming expression position the inner ends of the eyebrows to be very slightly raised, draw the eyes looking down with the tiptop eyelids lowered. Depict the mouth with a smile (teeth showing) and again add a hint of the split between the acme and lesser rows of teeth. These will brand the smile wait less friendly and more than like a grin.

Cartoon a Runaway/Thug Male Anime Graphic symbol

Anime thug guy face drawing
Anime thug guy face up drawing

The "runaway" character tends to be a bully or a thug. Usually these are negative characters that give other characters in the anime or manga a difficult time.

Spiky and messy pilus forth with a goatee can be a adept fit for the runaway.

For a tutorial on drawing anime facial pilus see:

How to Draw Anime Facial Hair – Beards & Mustaches

Anime thug male character face drawing
Anime thug male character face drawing

For the runaway'south normal look describe the eyebrows in their natural position. Describe the optics with the bottom eyelids curving much further down then normal and draw the pupils much smaller then normal. There should be a good amount of space between the irises and the lesser eyelids. You can also requite a hint of bags under the eyes with a pair of pocket-size curved lines.

Finally draw the oral cavity in a adequately sharp upside down curve and draw the bottom lip in a similar manner.

This combination of facial characteristic adjustments will give the runaway an unfriend, slightly crazy and impaired await.

Drawing a Grinning Delinquent/Thug Male Anime Character

Anime thug guy bullying face drawing
Anime thug guy bullying face drawing

A smile is one expression that the delinquent/thug is likely to make when they spot someone they want to option on.

Anime thug male character grinning face drawing
Anime thug male person character grin face up drawing

For grinning expression for the runaway grapheme draw the eyebrows with their inner ends lowered, describe the eyes slightly squinted merely still exit some space between the bottom eyelids and the irises.

Depict the mouth grinning but with a hint of the teeth (aforementioned every bit for the villain).

Drawing a Bullying Delinquent/Thug Male Anime Character

Anime thug guy grinning face drawing
Anime thug guy grin confront drawing

The "bullying face up" is some other expression the delinquent/thug is probable to make particularly when they corner their target.

Anime thug male character bullying face drawing
Anime thug male character bullying face drawing

For the delinquent's/thug's "bullying face" draw i countenance lowered and one raised. The eye under the lowered eyebrow should exist squinted and the one under the raised eyebrow opened slightly wider than normal.

Draw the with a grin/smile tilted to one side and describe the top portion of the rima oris in an upside downwardly curve (compared to previous example).

Drawing a "Henchman" Male Anime Graphic symbol

Anime henchman face drawing
Anime henchman face cartoon

The "henchman" is pretty much the virtually generic looking character type in anime and manga. If there is more than one of them they all tend to look almost the aforementioned. These are unremarkably not-important characters that tend to be something like security guards or a villains minor minions.

A "buzz cut" may be appropriate for these types of characters.

Anime henchman character face drawing
Anime henchman character face drawing

For the normal look depict the "henchman" character with the eyebrows in their normal state. Draw the eyes with the bottom lids slightly lower downwardly and the irises much smaller than normal. Y'all can make the optics expect less "caring" by only drawing one tiny reflection in each. Give a hint of bags under the eyes with a pair of curved lines.

Finally draw the oral fissure in an upside down curve.

These combined features volition give this character a adequately not-caring unfriendly and slightly tired look. For example like a guard that's been on a long shift.

Drawing an Alarmed "Henchman" Male Anime Character

Anime henchman alarmed face drawing
Anime henchman alarmed face cartoon

The "alarmed" look is ane that the "henchman" type characters are especially likely to become when they are guarding something and notices a break in.

Anime henchman character alarmed face drawing
Anime henchman character alarmed confront drawing

For an "alarmed" looking face draw the eyebrows low down on the head and closer together merely with one slightly higher than the other. You lot can too draw some wrinkles between the eyebrow to bear witness that they are squeezed together. Draw the eyes looking slightly to ane side with one centre squinted and one opened wider.

Draw the oral fissure with even more of an upside down bend than normal.

Cartoon a Scared "Henchman" Male Anime Character

Anime henchman scared face drawing
Anime henchman scared face up cartoon

The scared face is 1 the "henchman" tin can get post-obit the previous "alarmed face" subsequently they see that whoever/whatsoever broke in is too much for them to handle.

Anime henchman character scared face drawing
Anime henchman character scared face drawing

For the scared face draw the "henchman" with their eyes wide open and the eyebrows raised. Depict the irises smaller than normal with some white infinite betwixt the them and the pinnacle and lesser eyelids.

Draw the mouth similar to an "8" flipped on its side with the teeth showing and the bottom lip in an upside down curve.

Cartoon a Friendly Male Anime Graphic symbol

Anime friendly guy face drawing
Anime friendly guy face drawing

The "friendly guy" is usually a positive supporting character such equally the protagonists all-time friend.

A curt and messy hair can be a good fit for the "friendly guy" every bit it can reinforce a down to earth and slightly carefree personality type.

Anime friendly male character face drawing
Anime friendly male grapheme face drawing

For the "friendly guy's" normal look depict the eyebrows in their natural state. Draw the eyes wider (taller) and make the irises and everything inside them larger than the base case at the kickoff of the tutorial.

Requite the mouth a light smile.

Larger eyes volition brand for a friendlier looking character and a light smile volition further reinforce this look.

Drawing a Content Friendly Male Anime Character

Anime friendly guy content face drawing
Anime friendly guy content face up drawing

A content smiling is something that a friendly graphic symbol is likely to have, often after they help someone.

Anime friendly male character content face drawing
Anime friendly male person character content face up drawing

For a content/happy look draw the "friendly guy" with the eyebrows raised and the center airtight. Depict the closed eyes every bit pretty much just a hair of dark curves similar to the eyebrows.

Draw the mouth in a wider grin than the previous case.

For cartoon anime eyes in unlike states run into:

How to Describe Closed, Closing & Squinted Anime Eyes

Drawing a Surprised Male Anime Character

Anime friendly guy surprised face drawing
Anime friendly guy surprised confront drawing

This is a lightly surprised face like them meeting their friend somewhere unexpectedly.

Anime friendly male character friendly face drawing
Anime friendly male person character friendly face cartoon

For the "lightly surprised" expect draw the eyebrows raised with the eyes open a tiny bit wider than normal.

Draw the mouth open with the jaw position the chin slightly lower down and only the summit row of teeth showing.

This volition give the character a kind of a "happy to bump into yous" expression.

Cartoon a "Wealthy Guy" Anime Male Grapheme

Anime wealthy guy face drawing
Anime wealthy guy confront drawing

The "wealthy guy" characters tend to be rich and successful. They can often look down on those around them of lower condition.

Anime wealthy male character face drawing
Anime wealthy male grapheme face up drawing

For the "wealthy guy's" normal face depict the eyebrows slightly lower downwards. Draw the optics with the inner ends of the tiptop eyelids slightly lowered and draw the irises a little bit smaller than normal.

Describe the mouth with a hint of a smile but instead of cartoon the smile with 1 curve draw information technology as a set of to curves (one for each side of the oral cavity).

These features combined will give this graphic symbol a confident and slightly sly wait.

Cartoon a Disgusted "Wealthy Guy" Anime Male Grapheme

Anime wealthy guy disgusted face drawing
Anime wealthy guy disgusted face cartoon

The disgusted look is one the "wealthy" character classic tends to make when they await at someone or something they consider beneath them.

Anime wealthy male character disgusted face drawing
Anime wealthy male character disgusted face drawing

For a disgusted look depict the "wealthy guy's" face up with the eyebrows in opposite of their normal curves. Brand the inner ends of the eyebrows raised and draw them merely slightly closer together. Make the eyes themselves slightly squinted.

Describe the oral fissure like an upside downwards grin, narrower at the superlative and wider at the bottom with the teeth showing. Flip the bottom lip upside downwards as well.

Drawing a Smiling "Wealthy Guy" Anime Male Character

Anime wealthy guy smiling face drawing
Anime wealthy guy smiling confront drawing

A faux grinning is some other expression this character type tends to make. For example if the character is famous they tend to do it in front end of their fans.

Anime wealthy male character smiling face drawing
Anime wealthy male grapheme smiling face drawing

For this expression describe the eyebrows raised and the eyes closed (similar to the friendly guys content look). Describe the closed eyes with a pair of curves like to the eyebrows.

Draw the mouth with a smile but to make the information technology seem slightly less friend add together a hint of teeth on each side.

Drawing a "Loner" Anime Male Graphic symbol

Anime loner guy face drawing
Anime loner guy face cartoon

The male person loner character can either be shy or socially awkward or may just evidently dislike people. These types of characters tin be both positive and negative depending on the story.

Anime loner male character face drawing
Anime loner male character face drawing

For the "loner's" normal look depict the eyebrows with their ends slightly raised. Draw the top eyelids slightly lowered and draw the lesser eyelids with wider curves. Brand the irises fairly pocket-sized. Underneath the eyes add together a few curved lines to show bags under the eyes (like the character has no slept in a while).

Depict the mouth in an upside down curve.

Thee combined features will give the "loner" a somewhat uncaring and unfriendly wait.

Drawing a Tired "Loner" Anime Male Character

Anime loner guy tired face drawing
Anime loner guy tired face drawing

The tired face is another expression that tin be quite common to loner characters. For example they may spend the night playing online games and be tired in the morn.

Anime loner male character tired face drawing
Anime loner male person grapheme tired face drawing

For a tired look for the "loner" depict the eyebrows in upside down curves with their inner ends raised. Describe the top eyelids in reverse of their normal curves lower downwards on the eyes.

Keep the rima oris the aforementioned as the normal expression.

Drawing a Scared/Nervous "Loner" Anime Male Character

Anime loner guy scared face drawing
Anime loner guy scared confront drawing

This is a scared/nervous expression anime/manga loners tend to make. This tin can be when they are being bullied or only when they are in an uncomfortable situation (like having to socialize with others).

Anime loner male character scared face drawing
Anime loner male grapheme scared face drawing

For a scared/nervous look for the loner draw the eyebrows raised (especially the inner ends) and in reverse of their normal curves. Draw the eyes fairly wide open with smaller than normal irises. Exit the top of the irises covered by the eyebrows merely only barely.

Describe the mouth with the teeth showing an a number "8 on its side kind of shape" (similar to previous example). Add a hint of the bottom lip in an upside down curve

Drawing an "Intellectual" Male person Anime Character

Anime intellectual guy face drawing
Anime intellectual guy face up cartoon

The "intellectual" character type in anime and manga does not necessarily hateful a shy or weak male character. On the reverse quite frequently these characters can exist both physically though and intelligent. Often these tend to exist the schoolhouse council president or some blazon of leader.

Anime intellectual male character face drawing
Anime intellectual male graphic symbol confront drawing

For the "intellectual's" normal wait draw the eyebrows in their natural state with the eyes slightly narrower than the default character example at the starting time of the tutorial. Make the irises slightly smaller every bit well. Smaller/narrower eyes volition both brand the character await more serious and hint that they may have impaired vision.

Describe the mouth in a light upside downwards curve to again make the character await more than serious.

Drawing a Concerned "Intellectual" Male person Anime Character

Anime intellectual guy concerned face drawing
Anime intellectual guy concerned face drawing

The concerned or "thinking" expression is one that the "intellectual" character is likely to brand.

Anime intellectual male character concerned face drawing
Anime intellectual male graphic symbol concerned confront cartoon

For the concerned expression draw the eyebrows lower downward and closer together with some wrinkles in between them. Describe the irises slightly rolled up and slightly closer together.

Depict the mouth in an upside down curve simply slightly higher up than the normal expression.

Drawing a Surprised "Intellectual" Male Anime Character

Anime intellectual guy surprised face drawing
Anime intellectual guy surprised confront drawing

The "intellectual" may make a surprised confront like the i in the example when they brand some sort of a discovery.

Anime intellectual male character surprised face drawing
Anime intellectual male character surprised face cartoon

To draw the surprised wait for the "intellectual" graphic symbol draw the eyebrows raised (especially their inner ens) and draw the optics wide open with small pupils. Draw the mouth open up in an "O" type shape. Since the rima oris is open you can also optionally draw the jaw slightly lower down.

Decision

This tutorial covers drawing some of the more popular male anime and manga character archetypes past showing examples the of facial features, expressions, and hairstyles they are probable to have. While there is a lot more diversity out at that place it's very difficult to encompass besides much in a unmarried tutorial. For more examples y'all tin can always look at your favorite anime and manga and see how the characters are most interested are fatigued. You can as well experiment with the personalities in this tutorial by combining the facial features of i graphic symbol with some other and seeing what you go.

For more tutorials on male anime character see:

  • How to Describe Male Anime Face iii/four View Pace by Stride
  • 12 Anime Male person Facial Expressions Chart & Drawing Tutorial
  • How to Draw an Anime Boy Full Trunk Step past Step
  • 10 Step Anime Man's Confront Drawing Tutorial