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How to Write Anime

Anime refers to either a particular style of drawing or a particular type of story written to accompany anime drawings. The word is an abbreviated version of the Japanese word for animation and has become the official term for this type of entertainment. Anime stories, like anime artwork, are characterized by specific elements that make the genre immediately recognizable. Anime writers often format them as a comic script and give them to an artist, who then brings the story to life with artwork.

Things You'll Need

  • Word processor
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Instructions

    • 1

      Outline a story idea. Anime story ideas are often action orientated, using a quest or journey as the focal point. During the course of the quest, anime characters face increasingly difficult challenges they must overcome. There are often mystical overtones to anime stories, and they may also include elements of romance and humor.

    • 2

      Develop your cast of characters. A main character in anime can be male or female. Your main character is usually accompanied by a cast of oddball characters who add humor to the story. Your main character can be a normal person who gains strength and courage by tackling a challenging situation. He may also be a hero to begin with, sent to defend the common man.

    • 3

      Create villains who are either monsters or exceptional human opponents. The villain of your anime might even be something abstract, such as time. In those instances, a concrete villain should still represent the force challenging your anime hero. In anime, the villain is often much more powerful than your hero, threatening her with obstacles it seems she cannot overcome.

    • 4

      Write your anime using present tense to describe settings, action and dialogue. For description, type the word "description" in all capital letters, followed by a colon, and descriptive text an artist will work from to draw the story in panels. You need three or four lines of description that the artist can render visually.

    • 5

      Write "action" in all capitals, followed by a colon and a description of the action in the scene. Keep these action lines short--no more than two or three lines. Give artists enough to develop their artwork freely.

    • 6

      Write a character's name in capitals, follow it with a colon, and write dialogue. Anime dialogue is typically short. Avoid long speeches and use dialogue to reveal story elements or to further the action. Avoid friendly or idle chat. In anime, the dialogue plays as important a role in furthering the story as does the action.

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