Art & Design:
* Drawing/Illustration: Fundamental skills are essential. Learn perspective, anatomy (human and potentially animal/fantasy), shading, and different art styles. Experiment with various mediums (pencil, digital, paint).
* Painting: Develop a strong understanding of color theory, composition, and different painting techniques. This will help with backgrounds and character designs.
* Digital Art/Graphic Design: Essential for modern anime production. Learn software like Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or Procreate. Explore digital painting, vector graphics, and image manipulation.
* Animation: If offered, this is a huge plus! Even basic animation classes will give you a foundation. Learn about principles of animation (timing, spacing, squash and stretch).
* Photography: Understanding composition, lighting, and visual storytelling translates directly to anime production.
* Film/Video Production: Learn about cinematography, editing, directing, and storytelling through a visual medium. Even if you're focusing on 2D animation, understanding filmmaking principles is invaluable.
* 3D Modeling/Animation (if offered): While not strictly necessary for 2D anime, 3D skills can be beneficial for certain aspects or if you want to explore 3D animation.
Technical & Academic:
* Computer Science: Programming skills can be useful for creating animation software, game engines (which can be adapted for animation), or managing large animation projects.
* Storytelling/Creative Writing: Develop strong narrative skills. Learn about plot structure, character development, world-building, and different genres.
* Scriptwriting: Learn how to write engaging and effective screenplays, understanding the nuances of dialogue, pacing, and visual storytelling within the context of a screenplay.
* Digital Filmmaking: Covers aspects of pre-production, production, and post-production, including shooting, editing, sound design, and color correction.
Other Helpful Classes:
* History: Studying different cultures can inspire your stories and character designs.
* Music: Music is a crucial component of anime, and understanding composition and sound design enhances your projects.
* Japanese (optional): While not required, knowing Japanese can help you access more resources and potentially work with Japanese studios in the future.
Most Importantly:
* Independent Projects: Don't rely solely on classes. Start working on your own animation projects, even if they are short and simple. This is where you'll truly develop your skills and build your portfolio.
* Networking: Join clubs related to art, animation, or filmmaking. Meet other people with similar interests and collaborate on projects.
* Online Resources: Utilize online tutorials, courses, and communities to expand your knowledge and practice your skills. YouTube is a treasure trove of animation tutorials.
Remember that making a full anime series is a massive undertaking. Focus on building a strong foundation in art, storytelling, and technology, and gradually work your way up to more ambitious projects. Persistence and passion are key!