Anime figure 3D printing has become a popular way for fans in the West to express their love for Japanese shows, movies, and manga. From classics like Akira and Dragon Ball to the expansive world of Pokémon, anime holds a special place in many hearts.
In this guide, I’ll show you where to find the best STL files for 3D printing your own anime figures, and spotlight my favorite designs to inspire your own creations.
Whether you’re an experienced 3D printer or just starting out, this guide will help you bring your favorite anime characters to life.
Best Sites to Download Anime Figures to 3D Print
- Thingiverse – Free models and community-driven designs.
- Cults 3D – Quality anime 3D prints at a low cost.
- MyMiniFactory – A wide range of free and premium prints for any project.
- Etsy – Unique and high-quality STL anime files from various designers.
- Gambody – Professional-quality statues and figurines for 3D printing.
Where Can I Find Anime STL Files?
Thingiverse
Thingiverse is an awesome site filled with free STL files to 3D print, so naturally it’s a great place to search for anime figures to download today. For free creations by fans who just want to share their anime figures with the world, Thingiverse is definitely one of the best sites around.
As one of the major community-driven websites, Thingiverse is host to a lot of unique creators eager to show off their printed anime figures and see others put their own spins on their designs.
If you’re a fan of Japanese production company Studio Ghibli, then you’ll love the iconic Totoro family, and the memorable Cat Bus that’s still influencing Japanese culture today like with Morgana’s bus transformation in the Persona 5 games, the process of which was indicated to be because of the Ghibli movie.
Speaking of cats, why not 3D print this anime figure of the often-overlooked Korrin from the overwhelmingly famous Dragon Ball franchise?
Of course, mentioning all the Dragon Ball 3D prints you can find on Thingiverse would be an article all its own. The long-running series has seen dozens of characters, many with dozens of different forms and transformations.
From quality models like SSGSS (later thankfully renamed SSJ Blue) Goku to Kid Buu, Freeza to Cell, and my personal favorite character Future Trunks, fans will have no problem finding whatever Dragon Ball models they want in striking poses like the ever-popular Kamehameha.
And yes, that’s how I spell Freeza.
Thingiverse is one of the better websites and models resource for 3D printing anime figures. If your fandom is a mixed bag like mine, then you’ll find some really cool things on the site to fit your eclectic tastes. Kakashi Pikachu, anyone?
Cults 3D
Cults is another site to search for excellent anime 3D prints. While many of them do come at a cost, the designers normally ask for very little, often less than $3 depending on the file.
The models range from Pokémon cookie cutters to add to any 3D printed cookie cutter collection, to awesome example models that look like they stepped straight out of the manga like this amazing Naruto statue.
Speaking of the eponymous ninja, remember when Orochimaru was a legitimate threat to him? Those were good times, before the stories got a little nuts. If you want to hark back to the days when the villain was actually scary, then this Orochimaru print complete with creepy pose is the perfect one for you.
If you prefer the more heroic Japanese figures, then you should check out this design for a decorative piece that, if painted carefully, honors the first five Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village. And you can always add to the design to feature the sixth and seventh too.
The absolute cutest anime 3D print I found on my Cults search is this adorable Calcifer chibi print. Fans of Howl’s Moving Castle will be happy to have this quality, smart-alecky sentient flame decorating their home.
Call me basic, but my favorite Studio Ghibli creation is Spirited Away, so I’d be remiss not to mention this collection of Spirited Away figures from the beloved anime film. If you want something a little more unique, however, then you might find these accurate models for Yubaba’s loyal and weirdly talented minion heads.
MyMiniFactory
MyMiniFactory is often my go-to for any project. Like Thingiverse, many of the options are free, but the main difference is you can opt to pay for premium prints too.
The 3D printed anime figure options are plentiful, and you should have no trouble finding your favorites with just a quick search.
This Metalgarurumon was the first to jump out at me. Don’t worry, though, it’s plastic!
If you want something wearable, then why not try this Tobi mask? It may not do any favors for your depth perception, but it will hide your identity for your nefarious schemes (though let’s be honest, who here didn’t figure out who Tobi really was?)
There are also cool relief designs of 3D printed anime characters by designer Bonnet Sébastien, including Monkey D. Luffy, Gaara, Street Fighter’s Sagat, and even Aang. While the last one isn’t from Japan, The Last Airbender is a cool account of how much of an influence Japanese media has had on Western audiences.
If you have clear or translucent filaments, then I definitely recommend this Soul Eater moon lamp . It’s as awesome as it is creepy, and will be immediately recognizable to any fan of the action-packed madness of the anime.
Even if you don’t have the clear filaments the model requires to act as a lamp, it still makes for a really cool 3D printed statue!
Etsy
Etsy may not be the first place you’d look for STL anime files, but you’d be surprised at just how many designers have uploaded their anime figures for sale on the site, ready to 3D print and add to your collection.
Luffy on the throne is particularly eye-catching, but there are also a lot more anime figures out there from dedicated creators, making Etsy one of the top sites for finding new anime models to 3D print. No matter what anime figure you’re looking for, you can find all your favorites from shows and games like Pokemon, One Piece, Bleach, Attack on Titan, and more.
The myth of the nine-tailed fox has influenced many anime over the years, from Pokémon’s Ninetails to Naruto’s Kurama. Any anime fan will immediately recognize the image of this mysterious kitsune, so why not download and 3D print your own?
While not technically an anime figure, at least not from any specific IP, the quality figure is familiar to anyone who enjoys the more mythical details and influences of Japanese media.
But let’s not only focus on models of our male heroes. Fan service aside, plenty of anime and manga stories feature very strong and commanding female leads and characters that abandon the stereotype of a typical housewife still seen in plenty of western cartoons and shows even today.
To celebrate these characters, users have created 3D printable anime figures of such heroines as Naruto’s legendarily strong Tsunade Senju and Bleach’s former Espada Tres Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. If these powerful women aren’t enough, then I highly recommend you check out this amazing 3D print of San from the classic Ghibli film Princess Mononoke.
Gambody
The best sites we’ve discussed so far are all excellent places to find anime pieces to 3D print, but they aren’t specifically aimed at satisfying all our nerdy needs. Fortunately, that’s why our search has led us to Gambody, which offers access to some of the coolest 3D printed anime characters and models online.
Gambody is one of the most ideal websites for statues and figurines to 3D print, and the details on many are professional quality and look amazing! You have to pay a little more, but one look at this Pikachu vs. Charizard tableau or this chilling Neferpitou statue from Hunter x Hunter and you’ll agree that they’re worth the price.
My personal favorite is this Sage Naruto and Kurama scene, which looks amazing and makes for a great 3D printing project for any anime fan.
If you have a specific anime figure in mind, you may search around for a while to find the exact model you want on Gambody, but I guarantee you’ll have a whale of a time looking at their top-quality figurines.
To get the best results when you 3D print anime figures from Gambody, I highly recommend printing them in resin and taking great care when both printing and painting. With a careful watch on what you’re doing, you can reach the almost impossible level of detail and quality found in the example models.
Honorable Mentions: Best 3D Printed Anime Figure Files
Now I did say I wouldn’t be able to cover all my favorite 3D printed anime toys and statues in one place, and that’s true. But here I’ll share some of my favorite prints from all over that cover some of my favorite anime in the coolest ways.
Naruto Keychain
- Download: Cults3D
- Designer: 3DLITO
- Price: Free
Naruto became so huge that it practically redefined the genre and is such a key player that it’s one of the legendary ‘Big Three’ along with One Piece and Bleach.
Because of this, you can find Naruto memorabilia anywhere. But I personally love this 3D printed Naruto keychain. It’s a simple and fun way to carry a piece of this groundbreaking anime with you. And hey, why not check out some other cool 3D printed keychains while you’re at it?
Cosplay
- Example Download: Thingiverse
- Designers: Various
- Price: Variable
3D printing for cosplay is a really fun way to dress up as your favorite character for conventions, parties, or just for the heck of it! It won’t break the bank and lets you have your own take on the way you step into your anime hero’s shoes.
Tite Kubo’s popular series Bleach is finally making an anime comeback this year with the long-awaited adaptation of the Thousand Year Blood War arc, so there’s never been a better time to celebrate its hero in all his forms. That’s why this rendition of Ichigo’s terrifying hollow mask is one of my favorites.
I also love this hand mouth if you want to make a big bang as the Uchiha-hating Akatsuki artist Deidara (that wasn’t the inspiration for it, it’s just the first thing I thought of!) Or you could live the Disastrous Life of Saiki K, in which case these simple antennae prints are an absolute must!
These are just a few of my personal favorites, but don’t think the buck stops there. There are tons of 3D printed cosplay options to give your next outfit a real kick and take fan art to a whole new level!
Phantomhive Heirloom Ring
- Download: Thingiverse
- Designer: ligglo
- Price: Free
I debated simply mentioning this under cosplay, but then I realized you can wear this wherever you want!
My fellow fans of the dark and compelling series Black Butler will easily recognize the Earl Ciel Phantomhive’s heirloom ring, which you can 3D print here and cherish as carefully as Ciel stoically does.
Togepi Egg Cup
- Download: Thingiverse
- Designer: KickAss3DPrints
- Price: Free
While the honor of the first ever Gen II Pokémon in the anime goes to Ho-Oh, Togepi made waves back in the day as an introduction to the franchise’s future. And it was just really cute.
I love this 3D printed Togepi egg cup that uses the half-hatched design in a fun and clever way! It’s a free, fun 3D print for your kitchen. Just don’t think too hard about the fact that you’re eating Togepi…
How to 3D Print Anime Figures
There’s little difference between 3D printing anime figures and toys and other figurine projects, assuming you’re used to the process. Though naturally there are some things you should keep in mind for top results.
When printing anime characters and pieces, you’re likely looking for something that looks as accurate as possible, especially in smaller features, you’re better off using a resin printer as they’re known for their higher-resolution prints that make each of your figures look just like they do in their respective anime or games.
To avoid disappointment, make sure you’re using the highest quality materials and the best resolution possible. Unlike regular prints or parts, you’ll want a nice finish and professional-quality detail. This is why we recommend resin.
They may be Japanese cartoon characters, but few things are worse to the average anime fan than models that don’t quite match the source material.
Why 3D Print Your Own Anime Things?
While there are online marketplaces for any weeb to find their favorite anime, there are a lot of reasons to 3D print anime figures yourself. It’s cheaper for one, as plenty of users have made their anime models for download at a low (or no) price. Not to mention it’s a fun process.
Can’t find one particular character anywhere? Or maybe your favorite anime is too shadowed by the bigger shows to be easy to find? Or perhaps the lack of reasonable pricing for a lot of collectibles is just getting you down?
In any case, there are way more options if you choose to instead 3D print anime figures and models, all without having to spend too much money.
One of the best reasons to 3D print anime figures is to put your own spins on already existing characters from any corner of Japan, from manga to games, like 3D fan art. Want a Pikachu dressed like Deadpool for example? Or maybe you want a super swole version of the electric mouse? 3D printing has got you covered regardless of genre or category.
Or why not print out Sasuke Uchiha as an Among Us character? You won’t find that in online stores, and even if you do, it would probably cost an arm and a leg (insert Fullmetal Alchemist joke here).
With the right editing software, you can add your own touches on any anime 3D print for free. Give Krillin SSJ hair, reunite the Elrics, have Luffy wield Zangetsu, or turn your favorite villains into pop idols. You can’t go wrong if you’re only limited by your own imagination!
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