Believe it or not, AI-generated art dates back to the mid-20th century, when artists and computer scientists used computers to produce simple geometric shapes and patterns. As technology improved, it evolved into more complex forms. By the ‘60s and ‘70s, computer-aided design (CAD) tools rose, which allowed for the creation of intricate digital designs. It only continued to evolve from then, eventually reaching the point where it could autonomously generate artistic images.
At present, AI is capable of more than just generating high-quality artistic images; modern tools have grown adept at replicating specific art styles. Whether it’s abstract art, oil paintings, or photorealistic images, you can guarantee that there’s an AI art tool that specializes in that aesthetic.
In this article, we will focus on those that can generate art in the style of Japanese manga and anime, particularly in the latter. This should be useful for anime artists who need inspiration and/or references for work. Or for anyone who simply wants animated images to use for their hobbies and interests.
The 5 Best Anime Art Generators
Here, we’ve compiled a list of the five best anime art generators in the market using criteria that include factors such as accessibility, ease of use, uniqueness, and features. It’s important to note that these AI tools are presented in no specific order or ranking. It’s simply a compilation of the best generators for you to use. So, here they are:
DreamPhoto
DreamPhoto is a powerful AI anime drawing generator that offers multi-platform accessibility and user-friendly interface. Anyone with a smartphone, tablet, and/or desktop computer can access the app and generate an image of their liking using positive, negative, and suggested prompts. It then provides users options by producing two images that match the text description.
The app’s strength comes from the endless possibilities that it can present users. It is not limited to a specific style or theme, so users can create anything from digital art, logos, infographics, and even anime illustrations. Much more, its design makes it easy for even those with no prior graphic design experience to properly utilize the tool. The creators have even built a community where users can grow as artists through valuable resources, support, and a network.
DreamPhoto ticks almost all the boxes in our criteria; it just falls short on one – accessibility. While, yes, multi-platform access is a huge thing, the tool hides behind a paywall. There’s a free trial at the start, but after that, users will need to pay a premium to generate more images and unlock additional benefits and features. It’s all worth it, though, if you ask us.
SoulGen.ai
SoulGen.ai is a text-to-image anime character creator tool that is highly recommended for beginners. Using detailed text prompts, users can take part in the creative process and help the AI craft unique character images. It also supports prompt creation by adding preset tags to guide those who aren’t as verbose and can’t think of accurate descriptions.
Among its many great features, the recently added inpainting function is a clear standout. With it, you can select and edit specific parts of the generated image into whatever you like. For example, you can ask the AI to edit the character’s eye color or outfit. It’s an easy and convenient way to manipulate even the tiniest details of the image to your liking. Other editing tools include the AI mixer and AI extender; the former allowing users to combine two images, and the former allowing for the expansion of the image background.
The app is available for free trials, but the images come with blur masks and watermarks. If users want high-quality renders, they would have to pay for a subscription that costs $9.99/month or $69.99/year. So we suggest using the free trial to test out the app before getting the paid plan.
Waifu Labs
Waifu Labs is an AI anime drawing generator that specializes in creating character portraits. It’s best for those who want animated avatars for their social media profiles and other online accounts. These generated characters or waifus can also be imported and used in a game by the same developers called “Arrowmancer.”
The tool is easy and fun to use and doesn’t require any text or image prompts. All it takes is four simple steps to get the desired illustration. These steps involve choosing an initial portrait, selecting the color palette, fine tuning the details, and finally, finishing with a favorite pose. The process takes place instantaneously, so users can get results within seconds. There’s also the option to name their waifu and share it with others after.
All this is available for free; no sign ups, no logins, and no ads, even. Least to say that it’s one of the most accessible tools in this list. However, user options are limited to choices offered by the tool and there’s no option to change the image size or proportions. But we have to say that it is really tons of fun to use.
MidJourney
MidJourney is known as one of the best AI art generators available due to its ability to produce clear and compelling images in any and all art styles . Much like others, it’s a text-to-image generator, which means it’s important to master the art of prompt making to get the most out of it. That said, the results are captivating, truly bringing ideas to life.
In late 2023, a model dedicated to being an anime art generator was introduced – MidJourney Niji. It has vast knowledge of anime aesthetics and styles, allowing it to produce beautiful and intricate character and environment artwork, as if done by veteran anime artists. Users lacking inspiration for prompts or designs can also access the community showcase where they can see other people’s anime art for reference.
The only downside is the tool’s dependency on Discord, requiring users to navigate through the app to input prompts and instructions. It’s also not free. Well, it’s free up to the first 25 images, but beyond that users need to choose from three premium tiers: $10/month for 200 photos, $30/month for unlimited photos, and $600/year for commercial membership. We believe, however, that considering the quality of the images it generates, MidJourney’s pricing is fair.
Choose DreamPhoto for Your Anime Art Needs
We’ve now gotten familiar with four of the best anime art generators in the market: DreamPhoto, SoulGen, Waifu Labs, and MidJourney. While we did say that there’s no particular order in this list, we do believe that DreamPhoto stands out as a versatile and user-friendly option. It offers unparalleled possibilities for artists and enthusiasts alike. And although there’s a paywall to overcome, its premium features and vibrant community make it a valuable investment for those passionate about creating anime art.
