Fight from samurai films

• 1). When working on anime, bare in mind that if you want to show a fight you have to follow very specific pictorial rules which are rooted in life-action samurai epics. It takes a bit choreography on your part. Draw your opponents separated by some distance. They can run full-tilt at each other and pass by each other. Don't show an impact of the fight right away. Show your characters standing still in a dramatic pose only then reveal the damage.
  
  
• 2). Study "manga" (comic books) in order to learn conventions and cues for "anime". They need to match your sound design. For example, you must show the background of a house and match this image with the sound of the horn blown (the horn traditionally blown by tofu-maker when he closes the business for the day). The viewers never see the tofu-maker they hear the horn and see his house. This is the shorthand of anime.
  
  
• 3). Follow the most important convention of anime; the tendency for the background to vanish entirely in the moments of action or high emotion. Draw broad sweeping lines to show speed and power. It'll give the viewers the idea that character is engaged in struggle or pursuit of some sort.
  
  
• 4). Make sure that there is a stylized nature in the movement of a speaking character's mouth, when drawing dialogues. The mouth of your character should move only up and down.
  
  
• 5). Know all the codes and conventions of anime body language. For example, scratching the back of your head means embarrassment. The appearance of giant drop of sweat on the character temple means stress. Blood gushing from the nose means that the character is sexually aroused.