Experience an intensive summer immersion in Tokyo, Japan's vibrant anime and manga hub, where you'll develop professional-level illustration and animation skills while discovering Japanese culture firsthand. Over 20 days, you'll attend classes at a reputable Tokyo-based anime school taught by industry professionals, learning everything from character creation to full anime production. You'll master technical skills including digital animation using industry-standard software like Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, and Clip Studio, while practicing traditional techniques such as color blending, inking, and watercolor painting with professional-grade materials including Copic markers and watercolors.

Beyond the classroom, you'll explore Tokyo's iconic neighborhoods—from the tech-saturated arcades of Akihabara (the anime and manga district) to the cutting-edge fashion scene of Harajuku and the Pokémon Center in Ikebukuro. You'll navigate the city on foot and by public transit, immersing yourself in one of the world's safest and largest metropolitan areas. The program includes a 3-day homestay with a Japanese family, giving you authentic cultural exchange and the chance to participate in local high school activities, visit traditional shrines and museums, and engage with Japanese history and customs directly.

This is a cohort-based program designed around experiential learning, meaning your peer group becomes a major source of learning throughout the journey. Trained Experiment group leaders—selected for their extensive youth education experience, local expertise, language abilities, and knowledge of anime and manga culture—guide you through pre-departure orientation, in-country navigation, and reflection activities. The program structure emphasizes building both technical skills (Japanese language, digital animation, anime techniques) and essential interpersonal skills like resourcefulness, intercultural communication, problem-solving, and adaptability.

The program runs mid-July through early August, with all lodging, meals, program activities, in-country transportation, and health insurance included in the fee. You'll stay in hotels near Tokyo during intensive study weeks and experience homestay accommodations during your community visit. Whether you're a serious anime enthusiast, aspiring animator, or manga artist, this program puts you directly in the professional world where these art forms are created, taught by the people who make them, while you build independence and cultural understanding in a supportive, structured environment.