Photo to Anime

Your photo

Upload a photo

Selfies, portraits, friends

Or try

Anime style · Soft film

10 free tries a day with Auto · No sign-up

Example

The same photo turned into a soft, hand-painted anime film look with CreArt's free photo to anime converter

Sample photo of a young woman on a train platform before turning it into anime

Original photoSoft film

Anime styles to choose from: 6
Usually, from photo to anime: <20s
Upload, pick, convert, download: 4 steps
To try, no sign-up: Free

How it works

How to turn a photo into anime in 4 steps

No account, no editing skills — just upload, pick, and download.

Upload your photo
Drop in a selfie, portrait, pet photo or group shot, or try one of the sample photos. A clear, well-lit face gives the cleanest anime result.
Pick an anime style
Choose from six looks: Soft film, Shonen, Webtoon, Manga, 90s retro or Chibi, depending on the vibe you want.
Let the AI convert your photo to anime
The tool redraws your picture, usually in under 20 seconds, keeping the face, hair and pose recognizable while applying the anime style.
Download your anime version
Save the finished image and use it as an avatar, profile picture, sticker, or print.

Which studio look fits your photo?

Soft film, shonen, webtoon, manga: the same portrait through each anime lens. Tap one to convert yours.

Soft film
Shonen
Webtoon
Manga
90s retro
Chibi

How it works

What the Photo to Anime converter does

From a single upload to a finished anime portrait, here's what the tool actually does.

Photo to Anime is a CreArt tool that converts a regular photo into anime-style artwork. You upload a picture, like a selfie, a portrait, a pet or a group shot, pick one of six anime looks, and the AI redraws it with clean line work, expressive eyes and the flat shading typical of anime and manga.

It keeps the features that make the photo recognizable (face shape, hair, pose, clothing) while restyling the whole image. The result is a finished anime version you can download and use as an avatar, profile picture or print.

A photo of a young woman on a train platform and the same photo in the shonen anime style

How the AI redraws your photo as anime

The AI reads your photo before it redraws anything. It maps the face, hair, light and background, then rebuilds each element in the anime style you picked instead of laying a filter on top. That is why the result looks drawn rather than processed: shadows fall where they should, hair keeps its flow and the expression carries over.

Want an anime character from a description instead of a photo? The AI anime generator starts from words. To clean up the result, the background remover cuts out the subject.

The same photo as a black and white manga panel and as a webtoon illustration

Try every anime style on one photo

Drawing an anime portrait by hand takes real skill and hours of work. Here a photo becomes anime, usually in under 20 seconds, and you can try all six styles on the same picture without redrawing anything.

If your photo is small or soft, run it through the image upscaler first, or turn the same photo into a clean professional headshot, so one upload becomes several pieces.

The same photo in the soft film, 90s retro and chibi anime styles

Who it's for

Who uses the Photo to Anime converter

Social media users

Anyone who wants an anime avatar or profile picture that still looks like them, for Instagram, Discord, or a gaming handle.

Anime and manga fans

Fans who want to see themselves, a friend, or a pet drawn in Shonen, 90s retro, or other anime styles without commissioning an artist.

Gift makers

People turning a photo into a personalized anime portrait to print, frame, or send as a birthday or holiday gift.

Creators and streamers

Streamers and content creators building anime-style avatars, stickers, and channel art from their own photos.

Pet owners

Owners who want their cat or dog reimagined as an anime character for stickers, cards, or wall prints.

Pricing

Plans for the Photo to Anime converter

Start converting photos to anime for free, and move to a plan when you need more.

This tool works on the free plan

Free

100 credits every day
The Auto model, on our own servers
No card needed

Paid plans

Basic · Starter · Creator

1,600 to 10,000 credits a month
Every AI model, including premium ones
AI video, and no ads in the mobile app

Compare plans

Why CreArt

Why choose this photo to anime converter

Fast, flexible, and built to keep your photo recognizable.

Six distinct anime styles

Soft film, Shonen, Webtoon, Manga, 90s retro and Chibi each give a different feel. Run the same photo through all six to see which one fits.

Keeps you recognizable

The AI preserves face shape, hair, pose, and clothing, so the anime version still looks like the person or pet in the original photo.

Usually under 20 seconds

No manual drawing: the anime version of your photo is usually ready in under 20 seconds.

No drawing skills needed

You don't need to know how to animate a photo or draw a single line. Upload, pick a style, and the tool handles the rest.

Free to try, no sign-up

Works online with nothing to install. With Auto you get 10 free tries a day without registering.

Works with any photo

Selfies, portraits, pets, and group shots all convert. Clear lighting and a visible face give the best results.

FAQ

Photo to Anime: frequently asked questions

Still have a question? Visit the help center →

How do I turn a photo into anime?

Upload your photo, pick one of the six anime styles and download the result, usually in under 20 seconds. No drawing or editing skills are needed, and you can run the same photo through every style to compare.

How do I make anime photos with AI?

Use an AI photo to anime converter: you upload a picture and the model redraws it with anime line work, expressive eyes and flat shading. CreArt's tool offers Soft film, Shonen, Webtoon, Manga, 90s retro and Chibi looks from a single upload.

Can I turn my photo into black and white manga?

Yes. Pick Manga and the AI redraws your photo as a black and white manga panel, with ink lines and screentone shading, keeping the face and pose.

Is the photo to anime converter free?

Yes. With Auto you get 10 free tries a day without signing up or installing anything. Paid plans add more credits.

What kinds of photos work best?

Clear, well-lit photos with a visible face convert best into anime. Selfies, portraits, pets, and group shots all work, but blurry or dark images give the AI less to redraw.

Does it keep my face recognizable?

Yes, the AI preserves the features that identify the subject — face shape, hair, pose, and clothing — while restyling the whole image. The output looks drawn in anime style but still resembles the original photo.

How many anime styles can I choose from?

There are six anime styles: Soft film, Shonen, Webtoon, Manga, 90s retro and Chibi. Each redraws your photo with a different mood, and you can convert the same picture into all six.

Can I use the anime image as a profile picture?

Yes, the finished anime version downloads as a standard image you can use as an avatar, profile picture, sticker, or print. Many people convert a selfie specifically for social profiles.

Do I need to sign up to convert a photo to anime?

You can start converting a photo to anime without an account. Upload a picture, choose a style, and see the result — signing up is only needed for extended use.

CreArt is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Discord or Instagram. Discord is a trademark of Discord Inc. Instagram is a trademark of Meta Platforms, Inc.