A creative anime drawing experience celebrates Chainsaw Man: The Movie — Reze Arc ahead of its theatrical debut.
Japanese Animation, or Anime for short, has existed for over a century but has only truly captured the hearts of U.S. audiences over the past two decades. From Dragon Ball Z to Demon Slayer, anime fandom continues to thrive across generations. But have you ever wondered what it’s like to actually draw anime? Thanks to Sony Pictures, I had the opportunity to find out firsthand through a crash course in anime artistry. The event, held at the Super Anime Store in Sunrise, Florida, was led by talented artist Santiago Venegas (known online as @Santovdraws), who guided 15 aspiring artists—including myself—through the fundamentals of anime character design. The one-time event celebrated the upcoming release of Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, arriving in theaters on .
Santiago began the session by sharing an insightful mantra:
“You need to know the rules in order to break the rules.”
While it’s great life advice, he was referring specifically to Andrew Loomis’ rule of thirds, a foundational guideline for drawing facial proportions. The concept divides the head into three equal sections—hairline to brow, brow to nose, and nose to chin. With that framework in mind, we dove into our sketchpads, pencils in hand, ready to learn.
Of course, anime art often bends those traditional rules. As Santiago explained, Anime style embraces simplicity and exaggeration. For example, noses may consist of just a few strokes, mouths are often represented with two lines or fewer, while eyes are drawn disproportionately large and expressive. “They’re the hardest part of the face to draw,” he admitted—and after a few attempts, I couldn’t agree more. But capturing that emotion and intensity is what makes anime so captivating as an art form.
During the event, participants enjoyed light snacks and received a bundle of themed goodies, including a drawing pad, pencils, erasers (which were definitely put to good use), stickers, a Chainsaw Man headband, and a plush Pochita to take home. Between sketching sessions, attendees discussed their favorite anime series and speculated about what Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc might bring to the big screen. The sense of community among anime fans was palpable, with laughter, encouragement, and shared excitement filling the room.
Over the course of two hours, what began as a simple drawing class transformed into an inspiring creative experience. Whether attendees were longtime anime enthusiasts or first-time artists, everyone left with newfound appreciation for the artistry behind the medium—and an eagerness to see the next chapter of Chainsaw Man unfold in theaters.
As the event wrapped up, Santiago encouraged everyone to continue sketching beyond the class. “Every great artist started with a single line,” he reminded us. It was a fitting conclusion for a workshop that celebrated creativity, community, and the storytelling power that makes anime one of the world’s most beloved art forms.
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc opens in theaters on , from Sony Pictures. For more information on the film and future events, visit SonyPictures.com.
Tags: chainsaw man reze arc, sony pictures, anime workshop, santiago venegas