Character Design Bootcamp: Learn from a Pro in Niigata, the Heart of Manga & Anime

Program Overview

Character Design Bootcamp is a hands-on program in Niigata—the city of manga and anime—that offers deep insight into character creation for Japanese anime, manga, and games.

At Character Design Bootcamp, you will be immersed in anime and manga culture: participate in workshops on character creation with professional artists and university faculty, explore Niigata—the City of Manga and Anime—on guided tours, and enjoy many more unique experiences.

Features

  • Character Design Course
    This course welcomes beginners in digital illustration. Participants will be guided step by step through techniques including background design, character development, and drawing. By the end of the course, each participant will have created an original character to take home—for example, as a personalized smartphone wallpaper. Instruction is provided by professional character designers and university faculty, ensuring an engaging and practical learning experience.

  1. Lectures by Manga Creators
    Participants will have the opportunity to meet manga artists in person through lectures and networking events, and to explore a wide collection of original manga manuscripts and autographs at the Niigata Manga Animation Museum.

  • Guided Tour of Niigata
    Enjoy a guided tour exploring Japanese culture as depicted in manga, including visits to a traditional Japanese house and garden on Furumachi Street. You will also explore the Niigata Manga Animation Museum and experience a unique XR adventure in Furumachi.

Meeting point

Meeting Point: Shinkansen West Gate, Niigata Station
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/e1137.html

Tour Schedule

Day 1

  • 10:00　Meet at Niigata Station (arrival at Niigata Station 9:51)
  • 10:20–11:00　Niigata Manga & Anime Museum
  • 11:15–11:45　Motivation Workshop at Kaishi Professional University
  • 11:50–13:50　Photo shooting & free lunch in Furumachi area (on foot)
  • 14:00–18:00　Workshop

How to use a pen display tablet & save data (hands-on practice)
Processing background art using photos taken earlier (fun Photoshop techniques)
Tips for character creation – sketching characters on paper & combining rough images with backgrounds

  • 18:30–20:30　Dinner (2 min walk from venue; transfer to hotel by taxi)

Day 2

  • 8:30　Depart from hotel
  • 9:00–12:00　Character Creation Workshop

Placing characters into backgrounds and coloring
Considering poses and character settings (backstory, self-modeling or not, etc.)
Character brainstorming: faces (5–10 variations), bodies (weapons/features), proportions (8-heads tall to mini characters), posing

  • 12:00–13:00　Free lunch
  • 13:00–17:00　Finishing & Presentation

Adding effects, text, and poster-like elements
Detailing characters (shading, lighting, etc.)
Review session: sharing and feedback on artworks
Converting final works into wallpapers as a gift

  • 17:30　Return to Niigata Station

Tour Details

Tour Conductor: Not included
Guide: English-speaking guide included
Minimum Number of Participants: 5
Meals: 1 breakfast, 0 lunches, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Italia Ken or equivalent hotel
Taxi Companies: Sakura Kotsu, Bandai Taxi, Hinode Taxi
Bus Companies: Niigata Kotsu Kanko Bus, Joshin Kanko Bus, Niigata Daiichi Kanko Bus, Takasago Kanko Bus

Tour Dates

  • October 4 (Sat) – October 5 (Sun), 2025
  • October 25 (Sat) – October 26 (Sun), 2025
  • November 8 (Sat) – November 9 (Sun), 2025
  • December 26 (Fri) – December 27 (Sat), 2025
  • January 17 (Sat) – January 18 (Sun), 2026

Included in the Tour Price

・Character creation workshop
・Special guided tour of the Niigata Manga and Anime Museum led by the museum director
・XR experience projecting characters onto the Furumachi intersection using the 3D city model platform PLATEAU
・Dinner on Day 1 (traditional Niigata-style Japanese cuisine & sake pairing)
・Accommodation with breakfast
・Secondary transportation from Niigata Station as specified in the itinerary, and transportation within the city
・Guide and interpreter fees

Tour Process

Confirmation of the tour will be decided 20 days before the departure date, and we will contact you via email or phone.

Once the tour is confirmed, we will send you the itinerary, a consent form (required only if participants are minors traveling without guardians), and the invoice by email. Please review the documents and complete the payment by the specified due date.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation charges will be applied based on the travel fee as follows:

Cancellation Date 20-8 Days Before 7-2 Days Before Day Before Departure Day After Departure or No-show
Charge 20% 30% 40% 50% 100%

[Terms and Conditions PDF]

Character Design Bootcamp Management

HUMONY Co., Ltd.

Representative Director: Heihachi Narita
CAMPLIFIRE Program Manager: Yoshirou Nabeta

Travel Planning and Management

ATAGO CORPORATION – Travel Business Division

Address: 494-3 Higashibori-dori, 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, 951-8065, Japan
Comprehensive Travel Service Manager: Kazunori Oshima
Registered with Japan Tourism Agency No. 2120
Member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)

 

 

Tour Information

Reservation
  • Availability
    (details inside)
  • Duration
    1N2D
  • Capacity
    30 people
  • Age limit
    Junior high school students and older
  • Fee
    150,000 JPY / person
  • Area
    Shinkansen West Gate, Niigata Station

Inquiry form

    Reservation / Inquiry Form
    Tour Name Character Design Bootcamp: Learn from a Pro in Niigata, the Heart of Manga & Anime
    Please note that your preferred date may not be available.
    Full Name*
    Email Address*
    Phone Number*
    Number of Participants*
    Preferred Date*
    Country of Origin*
    Have you ever been to Niigata*
    Participant Information
    Participant ① Name*
    Katakana*
    Grade*
    Gender*
    Allergies* ※(If any, please specify the food items. If none, please write "None.")
    ※For more than one participant, please fill in the following
    Participant ② Name
    Katakana
    Grade
    Gender
    Allergies ※(If any, please specify the food items. If none, please write "None.")
    ※For more than one participant, please fill in the following
    Participant ③ Name
    Katakana
    Grade
    Gender
    Allergies ※(If any, please specify the food items. If none, please write "None.")

    ※If there are more participants, please provide their details here (Name, Katakana, Grade, Gender, Allergies). If none, please write "None."

    Terms and Conditions

    Please review the Terms and Conditions of the tour.*
    [View Terms and Conditions (PDF)]

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