Anime and manga are popular forms of entertainment in the 21st century. These are animated mediums and comics that come from Japan, and they reflect all kinds of unique stories that resonate with people all over the world. With how prolific these animations and comics are, they inspire people from different cultures to also participate in making manga.
Manga and anime are formatted and created in specific ways. In order to create quality art and stories, artists also need to use quality programs to bring their visions to life. However, it might be challenging to find the right and accessible applications for you.
In this article, we’ll talk about the 15 best anime and manga drawing software available to the public.
How to make a manga on the computer – Best Drawing Programs for Windows and MacOS
Clip Studio Paint Pro
Clip Studio Paint Pro is highly regarded as the top-rated and go-to illustrating platform for creators. This application is best suited for experienced artists and those who are comfortable with drawing but want to take their work to the next level.
Clip Studio Paint Pro features an extensive brush library and advanced drawing and painting characteristics, such as pen-pressure detection. In drawing different lines and editing different image layers, the image quality won’t lessen or become affected, unlike other platforms. Other features such as precision rulers, fill tools, and tool-specific settings can also be used to translate the creator’s vision onto their screen.
You can buy CSP Pro for $49.99. You can also opt for a monthly subscription instead, priced at $0.99 a month. Clip Studio Paint Pro is available on Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Android phones and tablets.
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is known to be one of the more popular, and therefore accessible, software that can be used for drawing. The most appealing aspect of Photoshop is that it features other tools that are useful outside of illustration, such as photo editing and retouching and graphic design. If you want to bring these elements into your illustrations, definitely consider Photoshop as your go-to platform.
When it comes to drawing, Photoshop features the essential toolsets for brushes, pens, paint, and erasers. Moreover, there are other features that can be used to fine-tune and ease the drawing process. Photoshop is not necessarily beginner-friendly for its interface, but overcoming the learning curve is worth it if you want to experiment with all of its features.
Compared to CSP Pro, Photoshop is more expensive because it is a subscription-based platform. Photoshop costs $20.99/month, and it is only available on Windows and macOS.
Krita
It’s difficult to find a good, quality drawing program that has everything you need for the cheap price of 0 dollars. Luckily for you, Krita is free and available for you!
Krita is an open-source drawing software that features advanced tools that are customizable: making it perfect for creating manga and anime illustrations. Its interface is clean and customizable, making it very beginner friendly. With its versatile brush sets and filters, it makes it suitable for all kinds of art: line art, concept art, and more.
For its downsides, there are some issues when it comes to its touch controls and compatibility with equipment such as WACOM tablets. Krita is available on Windows and MacOS.
Corel Painter
Corel Painter is another suitable platform for illustrators who want an extensive set of tools. It is exceptional for its brush sets and color selections, and it also features a media library and video tutorials to ease users into using the platform. Corel Painter is also updated regularly to ensure the user experience is optimal.
There are also all kinds of platform-exclusive features such as patterns, nozzles, textures, and gradients to make any illustration unique. Corel Painter costs $429 for lifetime access to the platform. It’s available on Windows and MacOS.
Affinity Designer
As an Apple Design Award winner, Affinity Designer is a versatile illustration platform that is used by creative professionals all over the world. Affinity Designer features extensive illustration kits and brush sets. You can even import brushes from other sources into the platform, making it incredibly convenient for creators.
It even supports 1,000,000% zoom, real-time adjustment settings, and all kinds of effects that you can use on your illustrations. Affinity Designer costs $54.99 on Windows and Mac, and $21.99 on the iPad.
Medibang Paint
Another platform that is regarded as one of the best software for drawing manga is Medibang Paint. Its premium features make it suitable for making manga. These include pre-programmed backgrounds, text options, and other creative tools for making comics.
This is another free platform that is greatly accessible. Medibang Paint is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Rebelle
If you’re leaning towards a platform that focuses more on watercolor-based and inspired tools, Rebelle is the software for you. Rebelle makes use of color and paint blending, drying, and wet diffusion, which are real-life techniques that are translated into a digital application. Its canvases are also based on textures found in high-quality papers.
Rebelle is a software that makes its mark on the art industry by making traditional art techniques and tools accessible on a digital platform. Rebelle costs $10.00.
Paint Tool SAI
Paint Tool SAI is one of the oldest drawing software available to artists and manga creators. For those who are starting out in the drawing community, this is one of the best software to try out. Overlooking its outdated and simple interface, Paint Tool SAI is a greatly accessible platform because of how easily it runs, even on lightweight laptops and PCs.
The software features a wide color spectrum and an essential set of brushes that artists can easily become comfortable with. Its features are not as advanced compared to other modern drawing software, but it goes through needed updates and fixes.
Paint Tool SAI is only available on Windows, and it is priced at 5500 JPY (Japanese Yen).
Artrage
Artrage 6 is a software that is unique for making use of tools and features that make art highly realistic and detailed. It manages to be a beginner-friendly platform with advanced and customizable features, making it a suitable software for creatives.
This software is best for digital paintings and illustrations that seem like they were made on real canvases. Though it sounds like these tools and features aren’t suitable for manga creation, they can actually be beneficial in making your works unique. Artrage costs $80.
Artweaver
Artweaver prides itself on having an advanced and extensive variety of brushes for users to use. Besides this, it is also beginner-friendly and has a collaborative interface, where artists can share and work on artwork together. The user interface can also be adjusted depending on how you want your workspace to look. Artweaveer costs 34€.
Paintstorm Studio
This software is another intuitive and easy-to-use alternative to complicated programs. Paintstorm Studio features customizable brushes and an editable user interface, which makes it suitable for beginners.
Paintstorm Studio costs $19.00 for one lifetime license. It’s available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and iPad.
Adobe Fresco
Another drawing platform from Adobe is Adobe Fresco. This application aims to make illustration easier for those who enjoy using styluses, WACOM tablets, and iPads. It features a variety of brushes and blending tools. Moreover, this is a convenient application to have because of how compatible it is with Adobe Photoshop.
Adobe Fresco costs $9.99/month, for a non-Creative Cloud subscription.
iPad or Tablet Exclusive Drawing Softwares
ProCreate
As another winner of the Apple Design Award, ProCreate is a popular drawing software for iPad users. Its sleek design and variety in its brushes make it ideal for both beginners and professionals in the creative field. Its layering options and effects are also greatly convenient in making illustrations and manga.
ProCreate is an iPad-exclusive application and can be bought for $9.99.
Autodesk Sketchbook
For a free alternative, Autodesk Sketchbook is a high-quality software that extends all of its features at no added price. With being available on iPads and tablets, Sketchbook provides comfortability to its users, as it makes it feel like simply drawing on paper.
Sketchbook features over 200 brushes and styles that you can use, as well as helpful precision and blending tools.
ibisPaint
Another popular drawing software for non-laptop or PC users is ibisPaint. It boasts all kinds of brushes, fonts, and filters that you can use in creating your art. It’s another affordable platform: it’s free! However, you can also purchase an ad-free version for $7.99/month, or get a prime subscription for $2.99/month.
