For many people, anime is an escape from reality. Even anime that take place in our world allow viewers to picture what the people and places around them might look like in a beautiful, stylized parallel dimension. Many people have probably wondered what they themselves might look like as an anime character.
We’ve put together a collection of images from around the internet that show what it looks like when real people, just like you and men (but more beautiful), are given the pen and brush treatment.
Check the gallery below!
▼ And on the more comical side…
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How do they make those amazing life-size anime statues? We find out (and snap tons of pictures)
Anime’s impossible in real-life glasses now possible in real life, thanks to Japanese designers
Freakishly muscular life-size statues of Grappler Baki anime/manga cast intimidate and amaze【Pics】
Things that often happen in manga that don’t happen in real life
The surprising and little-known Japanese art of gyotaku: culinary prints made with real fish
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
Japan named most sleep-deprived country for fourth year in a row, according to survey
Sailor Moon’s Artemis is part of the Artemis II NASA mission control team[Video]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Sakura season arrives at McDonald’s Japan with new range of exclusive menu items
Totoro sequel anime Mei and the Baby Catbus will screen at Ghibli Park this winter
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro 2026 Corn Gift to its anime store for Mother’s Day
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Real-life Rurouni Kenshin reverse-blade sword to be displayed in Tokyo
What would the cast of Japan’s longest-running anime look like in real life? Kind of terrifying
Life saved in Tottori, Japan by same skin transplant treatment used for Kyoto Animation arsonist
Tokyo company offers foot massages from cute VR anime girls, but given by real-life men【Photos】
Real-life high school from Kyoto Animation’s Sound! Euphonium wins gold medal at band competition
Do Japanese men like it when real women speak in anime-style voices? Survey investigates
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Visiting Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 anime locations in real-life Hakone【Photos】
Breathtaking Japanese moss garden cafe is like a real-life setting for a Studio Ghibli anime film
Female anime fans reveal the Studio Ghibli character they most want to date in real life
Studio Ghibli meals from the world of Japanese anime look absolutely delicious in real-life【Pics】
French artist brings the world of Studio Ghibli to life with vibrant series of watercolour prints
Figure skating, shogi prove real life can beat anime feats
Fans take love of a certain anime character to creepy heights with real life birthday cakes, etc.