Draw your own anime-style cat step by step, practicing basic shapes, facial expressions, and simple shading to create a unique character.



Step-by-step guide to draw an anime-style cat
How to Draw Anime Cat | Easy Tutorial step by step
Step 1
Place a sheet of paper and your pencil on a flat surface.
Step 2
Lightly draw a large circle in the middle of the paper for the cat's head.
Step 3
Lightly draw a vertical center line and a horizontal eye line across the circle to map the face.
Step 4
Draw two triangular ears on top of the head and add small inner triangles for ear detail.
Step 5
Draw two large anime-style oval eyes on the horizontal eye line.
Step 6
Add pupils and at least one white highlight in each eye to make them sparkle.
Step 7
Draw a small triangle nose on the center line and a tiny curved mouth just below it.
Step 8
Draw three whisker lines on each cheek starting near the nose.
Step 9
Draw a small oval body below the head to give your cat a simple torso.
Step 10
Add two rounded front paws and two rounded back paws to the body.
Step 11
Draw a long curved tail and a few fluffy fur tufts for personality.
Step 12
Erase the light guidelines carefully so only your final lines remain.
Step 13
Trace your final drawing lines carefully with a black pen or fine marker.
Step 14
Colour or shade your anime cat using your colouring materials to add depth and fun.
Step 15
Share a photo of your finished anime cat on DIY.org.
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have a black pen or fine marker or fancy colouring materials?
Use a sharpened pencil or dark crayon to 'trace your final drawing lines' instead of a black pen or fine marker, and substitute coloured pencils, washable markers, or watercolours for the 'Colour or shade' step.
My eyes look uneven and my guidelines won't erase cleanly—what should I do?
Align and measure the two large anime-style oval eyes against the 'vertical center line' and 'horizontal eye line' before inking, then 'erase the light guidelines carefully' and use a kneaded eraser to lift stubborn pencil without smudging the traced lines.
How can I adapt this Draw An Anime Cat Challenge for younger or older kids?
For younger children, pre-draw the 'large circle' head and the 'horizontal eye line' and let them add ears, whiskers, and colour, while older kids can add extra fur tufts, more detailed 'anime-style' eye highlights, and advanced shading during the 'Colour or shade' step.
What are simple ways to enhance or personalise my finished anime cat?
Add clothing, patterns, a background scene or extra fur details when you 'Colour or shade', experiment with different tail shapes and eye highlights, and then 'Share a photo of your finished anime cat on DIY.org' to show your custom design.
Watch videos on how to draw an anime-style cat
How to Draw Anime Cat | easy Anime Tutorial for Beginners
Facts about anime and character drawing for kids
🐱 Anime cats often have big eyes and round heads to look extra cute—this is a key part of kawaii style.
✏️ Many artists build characters from simple shapes like circles, ovals, and triangles before adding details.
🎨 Chibi characters are tiny and adorable—many chibi figures are just 2–4 heads tall!
🇯🇵 The Maneki-neko (beckoning cat) is a famous Japanese figurine believed to bring good luck.
🖌️ Using one darker tone for simple shading (called cell shading) can make a flat drawing pop with depth.