Manga Studio software assists both professional and beginning anime artists. Included is a Beginner's Assistant interface that groups together the most commonly used tools along with a dynamic help option to guide the beginner. Drag and drop features like the word balloon and more than 160 preset templates make it easy to build an anime comic strip. Additional features are the 2,300+ screen tones and integrated color tool set. Users create anime by scanning their own sketches, through the use of a tablet and pen or by importing images and photos into the program.
manga.smithmicro.com
Put anime characters in motion with Synfig animation software, a vector-based, 2-D program. Synfig is designed to create animation with no need for outside programs or assistance---no tweening (the making of individual animation cells used to convey motion) involved. Scan character drawing or photos into Synfig and create a full-motion 2-D anime story using Synfig's compositing tools, which allow the anime artist to manipulate figures to appear natural when in motion. Synfig is designed to create professional-quality animation; and the best part is it's free. Synfig can also be used to create still anime images for print or web use.
synfig.org
Micro Smith, the makers of Manga Studio, have a less expensive choice for anime artists called Anime Studio. Using Anime Studio's simplified process, artists get started quickly by choosing ready-to-use props, sounds, characters and video. Anime Studio also contains tutorials to assist the user in creating cartoons and videos. Characters can also be scanned from drawings, photos or drawn by hand using a mouse or Pen Tablet. Objects and images can be imported from Photoshop, Shade, Poser or Amapi. Anime Studio is designed to produce both 2-D and 3-D anime.
anime.microsmith.com