22 Popular Anime Poses for Reference Drawing & Cosplay

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Anime expert Grant Cunningham shares some of the most popular anime poses

Co-authored by Grant Cunningham and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: March 17, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Top 22 Anime Poses
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• Drawing Tips for Anime Poses
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Whether you’re a super fan of anime or want to learn how to draw anime poses, we’ve got you covered. An anime expert partnered with wikiHow to cover some of the most iconic anime poses of all time. Keep scrolling for the ultimate anime pose guide, including why certain poses are so popular and reference drawing tips you can use to recreate your favorite anime poses.

Top Anime Poses

Anime expert Grant Cunningham says that two iconic anime poses come from Franky and Luffy in One Piece. Other top anime poses include:

• Dragon Ball (Goku): Instant transmission pose
• Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Dio’s stance
• Sailor Moon: Makeup transformation pose

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Section 1 of 2:

Top 22 Anime Poses

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1. 
   1
   Kon The Fox Devil (Chainsaw Man) The gesture includes Aki shaping his hand to resemble a fox's face. Specifically, the character of Aki Hayakawa brings his middle and ring fingers together to touch his thumb, while extending his index finger and pinky finger straight up. To summon Kon the fox devil, Aki says his name (“Kon”) and makes the hand gesture, which causes Kon to appear and destroy whatever target Aki decides on.

   • Why it’s iconic: In the film Deadpool, the title character is asked if he's seen Chainsaw Man before performing Aki's hand sign and summoning Princess, who appears as Kon does in the series.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Grant Cunningham is an online gaming & anime expert based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Known as @essgeecie (SGC) online, he has an audience of over 270k followers across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
2. 
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   Dio’s Stance (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure) Dio performs this stance by leaning backward while howling at the sky. Also known as the "WRRRYYY pose," the stance became a viral TikTok trend known as the “JoJo pose.” Before that, it originally appeared in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders (Part 3).

   • Why it’s iconic: Dio’s stance is better known from the video game JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Heritage for the Future. It has also appeared in Pokémon and Street Fighter 5, but is most recognized as the viral Jojo pose.
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   All Might's Fist Pump (My Hero Academia) This single fist bump punches the ground and smashes All Might’s target. It symbolizes All Might’s power, as well as hope and security. He uses the fist bump to let people know that he’ll be there to help them. He performed this pose most famously during his final battle with All For One.

   • Why it’s iconic: The pose has appeared on TikTok many times, usually with the phrase “me at the lowest point in my life” to represent having a positive outlook on life.
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   4
   Gojo's Domain Expansion (Jujutsu Kaisen) This hand sign involves curling the thumb, pinky, and middle finger together. Called Taishakuten-In, the character of Goo Satoru curls his 3 fingers together while also holding his index finger up. Gojo’s domain expansion hand sign (used to activate his domain) pulls his target into a void where endless information is pushed into their brain, usually destroying them.

   • Why it’s iconic: The pose is straightforward, yet has a powerful result. It’s relatively easy for fans to draw or imitate when cosplaying.
   • The gesture is said to symbolize a powerful Buddhist protector deity.
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   The Survey Corps Salute (Attack on Titan) The Survey Corps stand with one hand behind their back and a closed fist on their hearts. While the characters perform this pose, they repeat the accompanying slogan "dedicate your heart" to show that they’re willing to fight and sacrifice their lives for a greater cause.

   • Why it’s iconic: The salute is a memorable symbol of the Attack on Titan series and has been referenced in other anime, including Dropkick on My Devil, where Jashin dresses up as a Survey Corps member and performs the salute.
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   Naruto Run (Naruto) The Naruto run includes a forward-facing torso, flat back, and extended arms. Naruto sprints with his head and torso bent forward, his arms reaching straight back and his fingers pointed, resembling the wings of an airplane. This efficient pose is meant to reduce wind resistance and conserve energy for the fastest run possible. It has also appeared in Dragon Ball Z and Dr. Slump.

   • Why it’s iconic: It became a global meme that represented anime fandom and speed.
   • Cunningham adds that the Naruto hand signs are also well-known and iconic.
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   Ginyu Force Pose (Dragon Ball Z) The Ginyu Force group pose is a group stance involving different stylized movements. The full five-member squad (Captain Ginyu, Recoome, Burter, Jeice, Guldo) performs the Ginyu Force team pose in unison to psyche up the group for battle as they shout, "together we are the Ginyu Force!” It also includes individual character intros and individual poses:

   • Ginyu’s Body Change Pose: Spreading his limbs and firing a beam from his mouth while shouting "change!”
   • Recoome’s Special Fighting Pose: Leaning forward with one leg back, sometimes preceded by a spin.
   • Burter’s Fastest in the Universe Pose: Balancing on his right foot with his left knee up and his arms extended to the sides.
   • Guldo’s Fighting Pose: Standing with wide, spread legs, his left knee bent, and his arms held in front of his body with his fingers spread or pointing.
   • Why it’s iconic: The pose is seen as a humorous parody of Japanese Super Sentai (like Power Rangers) and Japanese live-action (Tokusatsu) heroes.
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   Sailor Moon's Make-Up Pose (Sailor Moon Crystal) Sailor Moon poses in front of a background of pink flowers or a crescent moon. In the pose, she stands with her body slightly angled, usually with one leg extended or angled slightly forward. She also sweeps her arms wide, holds them gracefully in front of her body, or extends them outwards, with one hand near her face or head. There is also a close-up of her face as her tiara and hair accessories appear. As one of the most iconic anime girl poses, it signals Sailor Moon’s transformation sequence.

   • Why it’s iconic: The pose quickly became a symbol of femininity as power and has appeared in many other series, including Steven Universe and She-Ra, as well as in fashion, cosplay, and beauty trends.
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   Luffy (One Piece) Cunningham says that Luffy has a really well-known battle pose in One Piece. Right before or in the middle of a fight, he squats down with one arm on his leg and the other fist touching the ground. Cunningham adds that Luffy usually looks down while he’s doing it.

   • Why it’s iconic: Luffy debuts his Gear 2 pose during a fight against Blueno. His red, steaming skin shows how serious in the fight, and it represents an important shift in the series.
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    Franky (One Piece) Cunningham says that Franky’s Super pose is another well-known pose from One Piece. Any time he says his catchphrase “Super,” he does his trademark pose, where he rolls his arms and connects his fists above him.”

    • Why it’s iconic: Franky singing “Right, Left, Right, Left, Super!” is about as catchy as it gets.
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    The Fusion Dance (Dragon Ball Z) The fusion dance consists of 2 characters leaning together with their fingertips touching. It was first used by Dragon Ball Z’s Goten and Trunks to combine forces and fuse into one powerful being. The Fusion Dance symbolizes unity between 2 fighters.

    • Why it’s iconic: It has appeared in Western animation, including Avatar: The Last Airbender, as well as in professional wrestling.
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    The Akira Slide (Akira) The Akira slide includes Kaneda sliding his bike to a sudden stop. In the 1988 dystopian horror film, which is set in the near future, the main character (Kaneda) uses his red motorcycle to perform a sharp, sideways skid to stop himself. The move produces sparks while Kaneda leans dramatically. The pose exudes effortless cool and rebellion to become one of the most remembered parts of the opening sequence.

    • Why it’s iconic: The pose is an example of technically groundbreaking animation from 1988 that combined cool visuals and dynamic camera angles, while providing a "badass" vibe that has reappeared in anime, Western animation, video games, and live-action films.
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    Armstrong Flexing His Muscles (Fullmetal Alchemist) This pose consists of Armstrong performing a classic bodybuilder’s pose. The character of Major Alex Louis Armstrong starts by ripping his shirt off to expose his bare chest and arms, before he gets into the bodybuilder position by standing with his feet shoulder-width apart, bending his arms to form fists, and engaging every muscle in a double biceps flex.

    • Why it’s iconic: The bodybuilding stance is incredibly comedic and has become a memorable visual gag that makes anime fans everywhere laugh.
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    14
    Tsubasa’s Drive Shot (Captain Tsubasa) The drive shot pose involves Tsubasa bending his body to put a topspin on the ball. The character of Tsubasa Ozora bends his upper body forward and over the soccer ball as he strikes it with his foot, so the ball flies up high into the air over the heads of opponents, only to suddenly drop towards the goal just before reaching the goalkeeper.

    • Why it’s iconic: The pose is iconic because Captain Tsubasa popularized football in Japan and inspired a generation of soccer (football) players, including Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta.
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    Ken Kaneki Cracking His Knuckles (Tokyo Ghoul) Ken Kaneki bends his fingers backward, which creates a cracking sound. He performs the hand gesture so his fingers bend back at an extreme, almost unnatural angle. The pose symbolizes his shift from a weak to a ruthless character (inspired by his torturer Yamori) while representing his ghoulish power. Ken Kaneki performs the pose right before any intense combat or torture occurs.

    • Why it’s iconic: Tokyo Ghoul fans often mimic the iconic pose; it’s also a popular meme and appears in art made by fans.
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    Josuke's Flamboyant Pose (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure) Josuke angles his upper and lower body in opposite directions to create an S curve. By taking this dramatic stance, the character creates sharp angles at his waist and shoulders, while sticking one hip to form the S curve. He usually places his right arm flat on his hip at a 90-degree angle, while pulling his other arm back and tucking his fist under his chin.

    • Why it’s iconic: Like other Jojo poses, this pose appears in online memes and hashtags, as well as in TikTok challenges among anime fans and cosplayers.
    • Along with Josuke’s dramatic stare, the pose is known as the "hip-check vogue" and is inspired by high fashion photography.
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    17
    Goku Instant Transmission (Dragon Ball Z) This pose includes placing the index and middle fingers on the forehead. The eyes are also closed to focus on a target's ki signature before instantly teleporting. Once the target ki is locked, the user teleports only to rematerialize at the desired destination. Goku made the pose famous, but it’s also performed by the villain Cell, and by the Yardrats (like Soba), Gogeta, Vegito, and Meta-Cooler.

    • Why it’s iconic: It’s appeared in memes and on social media, but most notably in soccer and American football, where players have performed the pose as a goal or touchdown celebration.
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    L's Thinking Stance (Death Note) L slouches over, pulls up his knees, perches on his feet, and bites his thumb. He performs this pose whenever he has something he needs to think deeply about. The character of L believes that the pose improves his brain power and thinking skills. Some have speculated that the pose is a form of meditation that helps L to stay awake (as does his dependence on sugar).

    • Why it’s iconic: The thinking stance pose became a favorite for fans to imitate at anime conventions in the mid-2000s.
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    Yusuke’s Spirit Gun (Yu Yu Hakusho) The pose includes Yusuke extending one arm forward to form a pistol shape. Yusuke Urameshi performs the pose with his index finger pointed straight out, and his thumb raised to mimic his spirit gun, while the other fingers are curled into his palm. He focuses his energy at the tip of his extended index finger, which usually appears as a glowing blue orb or beam of light.

    • Why it’s iconic: It’s one of the coolest, yet simple anime poses that doesn’t require a finishing move, and is relatively easy to draw.
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    Guts Crouched In Berserker Armor (Berserk) Guts crouches low to the ground with his head angled down or forward. The pose also includes his sword, the Dragonslayer, which is driven into the ground beside him. He wears his skull-shaped helmet while performing the pose, which partially obscures his face. Guts is holding his muscles super tight to express that he has both strength and resilience.

    • Why it’s iconic: The pose appeared on TikTok as a way for fans to communicate that they were being verbally attacked.
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    21
    Gendo Pose (Neon Genesis Evangelion) Gendo interlaces his fingers in front of his face to obscure his mouth. The Gendo pose includes the main character, Gendo Ikari, resting his elbows on a surface (like a desk), tenting his fingers in front of his face, while staring out from behind his glasses. Gendo uses this pose when he is deep in thought or speaking about a particular issue. When performing the pose, his eyes are also obscured by a glare, which adds to the intense mood.

    • Why it’s iconic: It has been used in other anime, including Pokémon, Himouto! Umaru-chan, and Attack on Titan. It has also appeared as both a meme and in fan art.
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    The Super Saiyan Power-up Pose (Dragon Ball Z) The Saiyan’s muscles increase alongside a golden aura. The golden light indicates a surge of power, also mirrored in their hair spiking and turning golden, their eyes turning green/blue, their enlarged muscles, and their yelling. The pose symbolizes a transformation for the Super Saiyan that culminates in raw power.

    • Why it’s iconic: It’s a visual symbol of anime’s obsession with transformations, and has appeared in fan art, cosplay, and other anime, like Naruto, One-Punch Man, and My Hero Academia.
    • The Super Saiyan is a powerful warrior race from the Dragon Ball franchise, known for their strength.
    • Figure out what anime character you are with our fun quiz!
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Section 2 of 2:

Tips for Drawing Popular Anime Poses

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1. 1
   Practice drawing different types of lines. Before you set out to draw an anime character, work on drawing straight and curved lines of varying lengths and thicknesses. When drawing anime as a beginner, it’s important to focus on how well you draw a steady, smooth line as a foundation for your anime poses. Once you have practiced enough, you’ll feel more confident and ready to start drawing anime poses!
2. 2
   Plan out the character’s pose one section at a time. If you’re basing your drawing on a famous anime pose, first look at the image. What direction is the torso facing, and is it bending from side to side or forward to backward? The same holds for the head, which may be angled or appear tilted. With legs, there is usually one weighted leg for support, and another more focused on movement. Arms are easier to add last, once you’ve figured out the main structure of the pose.

   • While working out your character’s pose, consider what they’re doing and how they’re feeling, which can help create a story through your drawing.
3. 3
   Focus on drawing basic shapes first. When using anime poses as a reference drawing, start to build your character with shapes that include circles, cylinders, and ovals for the limbs and/or torso. Use stick figures when initially drawing your poses to establish balance and movement.

   • Circles: Use for the head and joints.
   • Cylinders: Use for the limbs and neck.
   • Ovals/boxes: Use for the torso and pelvis.
   • Add a central line of action (C, S, or 3-curve) to express movement and flow.
4. 4
   Use light lines initially. Doing this will make erasing easier for you when you need to while drawing anime bodies. Vary your line thickness by using thicker lines for outlines and shadows, and thinner lines to draw details. Generally, try to draw your anime figures in the following order:

   • Begin with the upper body, starting with the torso and then the head.
   • Work on the legs while paying attention to the movement of the pose.
   • Draw in the details, like facial features, after you've completed the overall body design.
5. 5
   Study and break down drawing references, instead of just copying them. Practice drawing by examining characters from a photograph, a still frame from a movie or series, or from more than one source. Breaking down the character’s form will help you better understand why certain elements appear as they do, and make for a better overall drawing of your favorite iconic anime poses.
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