# Anime tattoos in Seattle

> Anime tattoos bring characters, scenes and symbols from Japanese animation and manga onto skin, in styles from clean cel-shaded color to black and grey manga panels and painterly, Studio Ghibli-inspired scenes. Clean outlines and flat color fills translate best, and the key is an artist who knows the source material and draws faces accurately.

- Also called: anime tattoo, manga tattoo, Studio Ghibli tattoo, otaku tattoo, cartoon tattoo, kawaii tattoo
- Typical Seattle cost (palm-sized): $350–$850 (A color character piece usually takes 2–3.5 hours at palm size.)
- How well it ages (1–5): 3
- Best placements: Outer forearm, Upper arm, Calf, Thigh, Shoulder blade
- Page: https://seattle-tattoo.org/styles/anime

Anime and manga have had a large Western fan base since the 1980s, and anime tattoos have grown from niche fan art into a recognized specialty. Artists who focus on anime translate a 2D drawing style, with large expressive eyes, clean lines and flat or cel-shaded color, into a design that works on curved skin.

Popular approaches include bright cel-shaded characters, black and grey manga panels with screentone-style dotwork, and soft, painterly scenes inspired by Studio Ghibli films. Character likeness is everything: a slightly off eye or mouth shape makes a famous face look wrong. Seattle hosts Sakura-Con, the largest anime convention in the Northwest, every spring, so the local fan community is large.

Anime tattoos get an aging score of 3 out of 5. Pieces with solid black outlines and saturated flat color age well. Pastel palettes, thin outlines and tiny facial details soften fastest, and character faces are where blur is most noticeable. Choose a size where the eyes have room.

## Defining traits

- Clean, uniform outlines
- Flat or cel-shaded color
- Large, expressive character eyes
- Black and grey manga panels with dot screentones
- Accurate likeness of the source material

## Studios listing anime work

- [Not Occult Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/not-occult-tattoo) — 2018 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122 · (206) 457-3002 · https://www.notocculttattoo.com
- [Sorry Mom Ink Tattoos and Piercings](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/sorry-mom-ink-tattoos-and-piercings) — 8120 Freedom Ln NE #102, Lacey, WA 98516 · (360) 522-7740 · https://www.sorrymomink.com
- [The Roost](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/the-roost) — 315 N Main St #3311, Ellensburg, WA 98926 · (509) 201-1044 · https://www.theroosttattoostudio.com
- [TygerWolf Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/tygerwolf-tattoo) — 539 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402 · (206) 713-2006 · https://www.tygerwolf.com
- [Golden Skull Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/golden-skull-tattoo) — 13 S Cascade St, Kennewick, WA 99336 · (509) 491-3885 · https://golden-skull.com
- [Local Roots Ink Studio](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/local-roots-ink-studio) — 721 S 219th St, Des Moines, WA 98198 · (206) 212-6126 · https://localrootsink.com
- [Tattoo Asylum](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/tattoo-asylum) — 5225 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409 · (253) 503-1058 · https://www.tattooasylum253.com
- [Bakers Dozen](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/bakers-dozen) — 307 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98501 · (360) 972-3868 · https://www.bakersdozentattoo.com
- [Paradox Tattoo Gallery](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/paradox-tattoo-gallery) — 19106 Wa-410, Bonney Lake, WA 98391 · (253) 750-4485 · https://www.paradoxtattoogallery.com
- [Rum Thai Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/rum-thai-tattoo) — 476 Field Pl NE, Renton, WA 98059 · (425) 518-7661 · https://www.rumthaitattoo.com
- [Walla Walla Tattoo Co.](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/walla-walla-tattoo-co) — 420 W Main St Suite 1, Walla Walla, WA 99362 · (509) 240-5820 · https://wallawallatattooco.com
- [Strictly Irezumi](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/raijin-tattoo) — 8544 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 · (206) 782-0801 · https://strictlyirezumi.com
- [Gold Scarab](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/gold-scarab) — 8212 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 · (206) 702-1202 · https://www.goldscarabtattoo.com
- [Ivy Ink Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/ivy-ink-tattoo) — 134 Washington Ave N, Kent, WA 98032 · (206) 714-0069 · https://ivyinktattoo.com
- [Octopi Ink](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/octopi-ink) — 1911 Main St Suite 104, Washougal, WA 98671 · (360) 210-4832 · https://www.octopiink.com
- [Arboretum Studios](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/arboretum-studios) — 401 W 13th St, Vancouver, WA 98660 · (360) 207-0435 · https://arboretumstudios.net
- [Monsters In Ink Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/monsters-in-ink-tattoo) — 3231 Broadway #B, Everett, WA 98201 · (425) 512-0273 · https://www.monstersinink.com
- [Strawbunni Ink Tattoo & Art Studio](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/strawbunni-ink-tattoo-art-studio) — 3001 S Mt Vernon St Suite 201, Spokane, WA 99203 · https://www.strawbunni.com/all-links

## Artists listing anime work

- [Alec aka LoLo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/alec-aka-lolo) — Tattoo artist · Local Roots Ink Studio (Des Moines, WA) · Blackwork, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkbylolo
- [Brandi](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/brandi-bakers-dozen) — Tattoo artist · Bakers Dozen (Olympia, WA) · Anime, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bdavistattoos
- [Chris](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/chris-gold-scarab) — Tattoo artist · Gold Scarab (Greenwood, Seattle) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Realism, Script and Lettering, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jajachris
- [Dawn](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/dawn-octopi-ink) — Tattoo artist · Octopi Ink (Washougal, WA) · Neo-Traditional, Geometric, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawn.huli.ink
- [Derrick](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/derrick-dying-wish-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Dying Wish Tattoo (SoDo, Seattle) · Black and Grey, Anime, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tattoosbyderrick
- [Em Alderks](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/em-alderks) — Tattoo artist · Rabid Hands Tattoo (Ballard, Seattle) · Neo-Traditional, Black and Grey, Realism, Illustrative, Anime, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emalderkstattoos
- [Jessie Gutz](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jessie-gutz) — Tattoo artist · Dying Wish Tattoo (SoDo, Seattle) · Neo-Traditional, Blackwork, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silverie_inks
- [Laik](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/laik-tygerwolf-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · TygerWolf Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Illustrative, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lou_eye_designs
- [Mel](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/mel-skye-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Skye Tattoo (Arlington, WA) · Blackwork, Illustrative, Anime, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkodama
- [Mike](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/mike-absolute-ink) — Tattoo artist · Absolute Ink (Burien, WA) · Anime, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obscure521
- [Milly](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/milly-sorry-mom-ink-tattoos-and-piercings) — Tattoo artist · Sorry Mom Ink Tattoos and Piercings (Lacey, WA) · Fine Line, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millymillwood
- [Neil Mydske](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/neil-mydske) — Tattoo artist · Stanwood Tattoo Company (Stanwood, WA) · American Traditional, Black and Grey, Realism, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombie_nun
- [Reilley](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/reilley-tygerwolf-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · TygerWolf Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Illustrative, Anime, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyreilley
- [Richard Urra](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/richard-urra) — Owner and tattoo artist · Pronoia Ink Studio (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Realism, Script and Lettering, Anime, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rcd.ink.tattoo
- [Ricky](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/ricky-lux-studios-va) — Tattoo artist · Lux Studios VA (Vancouver, WA) · Fine Line, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickyinkpdx
- [Spidey](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/spidey-tattoo-asylum) — Owner and tattoo artist · Tattoo Asylum (Tacoma, WA) · Japanese (Irezumi), Blackwork, Black and Grey, Chicano, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_spidey92
- [Tai](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/tai-bakers-dozen) — Tattoo artist · Bakers Dozen (Olympia, WA) · Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyranttattoos
- [Naomi Burdick](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/naomi-burdick) — Tattoo artist · With Love Tattoo (Bellingham, WA) · Anime, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modiphromantium
- [Samara Clay](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/samara-clay) — Tattoo artist · Walla Walla Tattoo Co. (Walla Walla, WA) · Anime
- [Tayler](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/tayler-ivy-ink-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Ivy Ink Tattoo (Kent, WA) · American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Black and Grey, Dotwork, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectnimkii.jpg
- [Torin Dekay](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/torin-dekay) — Tattoo artist · Steadfast Art Collective (Kirkland, WA) · Fine Line, Illustrative, Anime, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tattorii
- [Alec](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/alec-cleopatra-ink) — Tattoo artist · Cleopatra Ink (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Black and Grey, Realism, Anime, Color
- [Mr. Vick Phan](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/mr-vick-phan) — Tattoo artist · Mom's Custom Tattoo & Body Piercing (Spokane, WA) · American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Watercolor, Anime, Ornamental, Color
- [Pae](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/pae-rum-thai-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Rum Thai Tattoo (Renton, WA) · Black and Grey, Anime
- [Ben Ochoa](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/ben-ochoa) — Tattoo artist · Unknown Tattoo Co. (Snohomish, WA) · Realism, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_ochoa

## FAQ

**How do I find a good anime tattoo artist?**
Look for an artist whose portfolio includes several healed anime pieces with accurate character faces, especially the eyes, which are the hardest part to get right. Artists who are fans of the series you love tend to nail details like color palettes and expressions. Ask how they'd adapt the character to your placement.

**Will a colorful anime tattoo fade?**
Bright colors fade somewhat over the years, especially in the sun, and pastels fade fastest. Anime pieces with strong black outlines and saturated color hold up well. Sunscreen on healed tattoos and an occasional touch-up keep them vivid.

## Sources

- [19 of the Best Anime Tattoos to Feed Your Dweeb Heart](https://www.allure.com/story/anime-tattoo-designs)
- [Sakura-Con](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakura-Con)
- [Caring for tattooed skin](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/tattoos/caring-for-tattooed-skin)