Animation in Japan: 15 Animation Schools in Japan

If you are thinking of a career in animation, then you should go to animation schools in the country where it originated. There is no better place to study Anime than Japan and we can agree on that. Learning animation in a Japanese school would be the best decision for anyone who foresees a successful career as an animator.

Most times it is not about what you studied, rather it is about the quality of education you received during the time of your study, and that is why you should choose the best schools that offer a degree in your course of choice.

With that being said, choosing any of these animation schools in Japan to obtain an animation degree will not only make you marketable after graduation but you can also even start an animation company that will stand the test of time.

What is Animation?

In the concept of animation, hand-drawn images are manipulated in a way that they would move precisely as the creator intended.

Before modern technology, everything about animation was first drawn with the hand before it was photographed to appear as moving images.

These animated drawings are made on celluloid sheets with the hand and then manipulated through a process where they will be photographed and exhibited on films. More of this is clearly explained in Japanese animation schools if you choose to study in one.

Due to the improvement in technology, most animations are no longer done with the hand but are generated with the computer by a concept called computer-generated imagery (CGI), which may be done in 2D or 3D animation.

Animation in Japan

Generally, a conversation about anime is incomplete if references are not given to Japan. Japanese Anime as this is where everything about animation started. That is why every other animation is anime-influenced.

The best place to study animation is still in Japan as they have the blueprint and host some of the best colleges and schools to study animation. The first characteristic of Japanese anime manifested in the 1960s while its earliest commercial anime date back to 1917.

There was a rapidly growing large audience due to the works of cartoonist Osamu Tezuka.

Animation in Japan has even seen new development due to the emergence of advanced technology and is now distributed over television broadcasts and the internet. Other production methods have been adopted as technology has helped to make production more distinctive and easier.

What are the Animation Schools in Japan?

Here is a list

#1. Tokyo Designer School (Toukyou Dezaina Gakuin)

Tokyo Designer School is one of Japan’s top institutions offering anime courses. Their official address is 2-11 Suragadai Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101

This animation college is one of the best animation in the world and provides high-quality animation courses. As a comprehensive design school, the Animation Academy covers all design types to meet talents’ needs in various industries. Highly concentrated and specialized courses train competent professionals.

Tokyo Designer School has a reputation throughout the design industry, and it continues to provide designers and creators to the frontline.

In addition to providing professional education through 11 departments covering all aspects of design, TDG also participates in collaborative activities outside of the classroom.

Animation 2
Game Creator 2
Character Desing 1
Computer Graphics 1
Manga/ Comics 1
Illustration 2

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#2. Yoyogi Animation School (Yoyogi Animation Gakuin)

Yoyogi Animation School is one of the animation schools in Japan. The official address of the school is 1-20-3-CS-4 Yoyogi Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001.

This Japanese school of animation is the largest when it comes to animation and arts in the country and is considered one of the best in the world. Their admission requirements demand the best academic results because of the school’s academic reputation. Intending applicants must be able to understand Japanese at a very good level.

YAI admits qualified personnel regardless of gender, race, nationality, or ethnic origin; however, the school mainly reserves the right to reject applications for persons with physical disabilities who may have occupational disabilities.

Yoyogi Animation School has campuses located in various locations in Japan including, Hachioji, Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo, Harajuku, Fukuoka, Sendai, Sapporo, Takamatsu, Miyazaki, Hiroshima, Shizuoka, Wakayama.

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

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#3. College of International Design (Kokusai Dezainkarejji)

College of International Design is located at 2-22 Asahi-Cho / Kouchi-shi, 780. The school offers robust coursework in design and related fields of study.

The College of International Design is known as one of the best anime colleges in Japan because it provides high-quality and standardized animation courses. However, this is one of the manga schools in Japan that offers 2-year courses and 3-year distance learning courses.

In addition to providing professional education through 11 departments covering all aspects of design, TDG also participates in collaborative activities outside of the classroom.

College of International Design -Animation Schools in Japan

Graphic Design 2
Interior Design 2
Architecture 1
Manga/ Comics 1

#4. Toei Animation Institute (Toei Animeshyon Kenkyuujyou)

Toei Animation Institute is one of the finest Japanese animation schools. Located in Surugadai Bldg. / 1-2-5 Surugadai Kanda Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101, the school can be contacted through the phone number: 03-5281-2730.

Toei is part of the beginning of Japanese animation (anime). They boost world-class production capabilities and unparalleled sales and development capabilities.

The research institute is owned by Toei, which has produced many series, including Galaxy Express 999, Dr Slump, Witch Sally, Kitaro, Majin Z, Dragon Ball, Saint Seiya, One Piece, Precure series, Sailor Moon, Slam Dunk and Digimon,

Animation 2
Planning
Producer
Director
Digital Animation Artist (Digital Ink & Paint)
Writer

Background Artist

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#5. Amusement Media School (Amyu-zumentomedia Soukou Gakuin)

The Amusement Media School is part of the AMG Entertainment Group. The school is located at 2-29-8 Higashi / Shibuya-ku 150-0011, Tokyo. Tel: 0120-41-4600 Fax: 03-3406-5070

Amusement Media Sougou Gakuin was established in 1993 in Shibuya, Tokyo. It is a multimedia school that provides curriculum systems in various entertainment fields, such as game creators, cartoonists, writers and essayists, animators, computer and graphic designers, and voice actors.

Voice Acting 2
Game Creator 2
CG Animation Creator 1
Multimedia Creator
Novels 2
Animator 2
Manga/ Comics 1
Comics 2

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#6. Tokyo Animation School

The Tokyo Animation School is one of the best in the country. It is located at 1-1-8 Shimoochiai Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 161-0033 Japan.

The anime college is suitable for students who want to become animators, voice-over actors, or cartoonists, This anime school has more than 850 hours/year-course, and all that is required to get into the school is an academic result.

The Tokyo Animation School has opened a 2-3 year course plan at a very affordable cost to help students who are keen to pursue an animation career.

In addition, the school also provides scholarships for domestic and international students.

CG Games
Game Creator 2
Illustration
Animation Character Designer
Novels 2
Junior Novels
Manga/ Comics 1
Airbrush Illustration
Writer

#7. Kyoto Seika University

Kyoto Seika University is located at 137 Iwakura Kinocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8588, Japan

Kyoto Seika University is a private university offering anime courses. The school is located in Iwakura City, Kyoto, Japan. The Anime College is known as one of the best animation schools in Japan. The school’s predecessor was founded in 1968 and was chartered as a university in 1979.

This school is famous for its manga and animation academy and for participating in the teaching and training of future manga artists. SEIKA is composed of five reputable faculties: Faculty of Art, Faculty of Design, Faculty of Comics, Faculty of Popular Culture, Faculty of Humanities, and related graduate schools

This school is recognized among the best animation schools in the world. The undergraduate tuition fee is 1.75 million yen, and the total number of students enrolled each year is 3,425.

Voice Acting 2
Game Creator 2
CG Animation Creator 1
Multimedia Creator
Novels 2
Animator 2
Manga/ Comics 1
Comics 2

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#8. Aoba-Japan International School

Aoba Japan International School is an international institution and one of the best schools in Japan. They have campuses in 7-5-1 Hikarigaoka, Nerima-ku (Hikarigaoka Campus) 2-11-5 Aobadai, Meguro-ku (Meguro Campus).

At Aoba Japan International School (A-JIS), global leaders who can lead positive changes in the world are trained.

A-JIS is an Anime college that welcomes international students from the first day of school to graduation from high school and beyond. With the support of the education partners, the school encourages entrepreneurship, innovation, and social responsibility. There are 408 animation students in this school, and the tuition fee is ¥2,773,500.

In addition, Aoba Japan International School believes that students should give full play to their potential as international citizens. They are committed to learning and are inspired to succeed in a changing world

Aoba-Japan International School - Animation Schools In Japan

Voice Acting 2
Game Creator 2
CG Animation Creator 1

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#9. Tokyo Media Academy (Tokyo Anime Seiyuu Senmon School)

Tokyo Media Academy is one of the most reputable animation Japanese schools. It is located at 3-1-5, Ebisu South, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.

The schools use love to support students and make everyone’s dream a reality. Tokyo Media Academy offers a 2-year sound artist course. The Anime College tuition fee ranges from 50,000 yen to 300,000 yen, which can be deducted from the tuition when enrolled.

Tokyo Media Academy will help you realize your dream of becoming an animation voice actor.

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

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#10. Amusement Media School

Amusement Media School is part of the AMG Entertainment Group. The school is located at 2-29-8 Higashi / Shibuya-ku 150-0011, Tokyo Tel: 0120-41-4600 Fax: 03-3406-5070

Amusement Media Sougou Gakuin was established in 1993 in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. It is a multimedia school that provides anime courses and other entertainment fields, such as game creators, cartoonists, writers and essayists, animators, computer and graphic designers, and voice actors.

Voice Acting 2
Game Creator 2
CG Animation Creator 1
Multimedia Creator
Novels 2
Animator 2
Manga/ Comics 1
Comics 2

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#11. Kodansha Culture Center (Kodansha Karucha Senta-)

Kodansha Culture Center is located at 1-15-12, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105.

Established in 1993 in Shibuya, Tokyo, the school is part of the AMG Entertainment Group and an Anime College that provides courses in various entertainment fields, such as game creators, cartoonists, writers and essayists, animators, computer and graphic designers, and voice actors.

Illustration 24
Manga/ Comics 1
Comics Illustration

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#12. Osaka Animation School

Osaka Animation School is located at 3 Chome-29-18 Tarumicho, Suita, Osaka 564-0062, Japan

Osaka Animation School is also one of the top animation schools in Japan. The courses offered by the school help to train students who can work in the front line of the animation industry, such as middlemen who join the original image to make smooth motions, or animation supervisors who have full control of image production.

Interestingly, the anime college runs more than 850 hours/year, the application requirement is high school graduation.

Voice Acting 2
Multimedia Creator
Novels
Animator
Manga/ Comics 1
Comics 2

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#13. Fukuoka Design College

Fukuoka Design College is one of the animation schools in Japan. It is located at 2-29-8 Higashi / Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0011, Phone: 0120-41-4600 Fax: 03-3406-5070

Kyushu Institute of Design, Fukuoka, is a well-known national Japanese university, established in April 1968. The university combines the disciplines of architecture, industrial design, visual communication design, acoustic design, and art and information design.

Kyushu School of Design became Kyushu University’s Graduate School of Design in October 2003. Graduates of KID received diplomas from the Kyushu Institute of Design until 2005.

Shop Design
CG Animation
Illustration and Character Design
Shop Design
Graphic Design
Furniture Design
Editing Design

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#14. Sapporo College of Anime

Sapporo College of Anime is located at 2-75 Kita 1 West 8 Chome Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-000. Committed to providing high-quality courses for domestic and international students, the tuition fees of this animation school vary by department and course.

Please note that to apply for any program at this school, you must have a high school degree. In addition, the school has three departments, including the Department of Digital Technology, the Department of Creative Design, and the Department of Entertainment.

Manga Major
Comic Illustration
Major voice actor
Anime Song
Animator

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#15. Japan Manga Institute (Nihon Manga Gakuin)

Japan Manga Institute is one of the best animation schools and colleges in Japan. The school is located at 1-3-98 Nishinakanobe Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo 142

Nihon Kougakuin is one of the top animation, design, and CG vocational colleges. With more than 35 research departments in 7 faculties, students have many choices when choosing the majors they are most interested in.

This is a medium-intensity school, which means that the school provides students with a perfect balance between learning speed and free time. This means that you will be able to enjoy life in Japan while still being able to effectively advance your studies.

Animation
Manga/ Comics 1

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Frequently Asked Questions about Animation Schools in Japan

How much does it cost to study animation in Japan?

Tuition fees to study animation in a Japanese institution vary –private universities and specialized schools offer animation courses at higher tuition fees ranging from 800,000 JPY to 1,500,000 JPY per year.

Is Japan good for studying animation?

There is no better destination to study anime than the home of animation itself. The Japanese made anime, so the best place to study for a career in the animation industry is Japan.

Where do Japanese animators go to school?

The Japanese have the best animation schools and they study in places like the Tokyo University of Arts, Osaka Animation School, Tokyo Design School, College of International Design, and Fukuoka College of Design Animation Schools.

Why study animation in Japan?

Anime originated in Japan, so it’s only wise that it’s the preferred destination for learning. Japan is anime and vice versa. Studying anime in Japan guarantees access to top-quality animation techniques and the opportunity to learn from the industry’s professionals.

Do I need to know Japanese to study animation in Japan?

As an international student, you may be required to learn the language as most programs are taught in Japanese. Learning Japanese is important for coursework and communication.

Animation in Japan: 15 Animation Schools in Japan

What is Animation?

Animation in Japan

What are the Animation Schools in Japan?

#1. Tokyo Designer School (Toukyou Dezaina Gakuin)

#2. Yoyogi Animation School (Yoyogi Animation Gakuin)

#3. College of International Design (Kokusai Dezainkarejji)

#4. Toei Animation Institute (Toei Animeshyon Kenkyuujyou)