Anime Tattoos in Cork

Anime tattoos: your favourite characters, made to last

Anime and manga have shaped the imagination of a whole generation, so it is no surprise that anime tattoos are a style people ask us about. A good anime tattoo captures more than a character: it captures the moment, the expression and the feeling of the story that stayed with you.

At Smiley Dogg Tattoo Studio in Cork, our artists work with anime in different ways, from clean, colourful designs that look straight off the screen to black and grey pieces with more depth and drama.

Styles of anime tattoo

• Colour anime: bold outlines and flat or cel-shaded colour, true to the original artwork.
• Black and grey: softer shading that turns a character into something more cinematic.
• Fine line and minimal: small symbols, silhouettes or iconic objects for a subtle nod to the series.
• Mixed with other styles: anime characters combined with Japanese, illustrative or realism elements.

Ideas and references

Bring screenshots, panels or fan art you love, and tell us what the character or scene means to you. The artist will redraw it so it fits your body and reads well as a tattoo, rather than copying a single frame.

Our anime tattoo artists in Cork

Elaine loves gaming and anime and explores them through her work. Michael has a fascination with comic books and video games and brings beloved characters to life in his own style. Regular guest Daniel Sangil combines black and grey realism with anime. You can see everyone who tattoos anime on this page.

Size and placement

Faces and expressions need enough size to keep their detail. Forearms, calves, thighs and upper arms work well for single characters, while bigger scenes suit a sleeve, leg or back piece.

Anime flash

Check our anime flash designs, ready to tattoo.

Aftercare

Colour work needs extra care in the sun. Follow our tattoo aftercare guide and use sunscreen once healed so the colours stay bright.

Book your anime tattoo in Cork

Tell us your idea, the character, size and placement through our booking form. Not sure who to ask for? We'll match you with the right artist.