How to Convert Video to Anime with AI: 2026 Best Tools & Easy 3-Step Guide

Have you scrolled through TikTok, Reels, or YouTube Shorts and seen those stunning videos? You know the ones—where a real person spins around and seamlessly transforms into an anime character, or a boring street scene instantly turns into something straight out of a Makoto Shinkai movie?

In the past, turning live-action video into animation (a technique called Rotoscoping) required professional animators to draw over every single frame by hand. It took weeks and cost a fortune. But now, the game has changed.

Thanks to AI video-to-animation technology, you can now convert ordinary footage into anime-style animation in just minutes. Best of all? You don’t need any drawing skills, complex settings, or animation experience.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use today’s most popular AI tools to transform any video into a high-quality anime masterpiece.

 

Best AI Tools to Convert Video to Anime

There are now countless AI tools available to help you quickly turn ordinary videos into anime style. Options range from simple one-click style transfers to professional-grade tools with detailed controls.

Below, we’ve listed the best ones worth trying in 2024 and compared their features to help you find the perfect fit.

Comparison Table：

Tool	Price	Best For	Style Quality	Ease of Use
MindVideo AI	Free / Online	Social Media Creators & Beginners	Versatile styles + Text Prompts	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
DomoAI	Paid / Credits	High-quality Anime Seekers	Classic Anime & Cinematic looks	⭐⭐⭐
LensGo AI	Free Trial	Style Experimenters	Anime + Cartoon + 3D	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Runway Gen-1	Paid	Advanced Creators	Professional Video Control	⭐⭐
CapCut / TikTok	Free / Mobile	Quick Mobile Edits	Simple Style Filters	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Tool 1: MindVideo AI — Best Free Online Video to Anime Converter

If you want the simplest, fastest, and most hassle-free way to convert video into animation, MindVideo AI is the place to start.

This tool runs directly in your browser, allowing you to upload a video and transform it using simple text descriptions or style presets. There is no software to download and no complex settings to master.

It is designed for speed, making it perfect for creating content for TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts.

Pros:

● Web-based: No installation required.

● Versatile: Supports multiple anime styles and custom text prompts.

● Social Ready: Perfect for content creators needing quick results.

● Super Simple: Upload → Describe Style → Download.

Tool 2: DomoAI — Powerful Video to Video Transformation

If you are chasing higher quality and a more “artistic” finish, DomoAI is a community favorite.

DomoAI’s Video-to-Video feature acts like a professional animator. It repaints your footage into anime style while perfectly preserving the original motion and rhythm of your characters.

Key Features:

● Supports a wide range of Anime, 3D, and Cinematic styles.

● Excellent retention of original movements (highly stable).

● Includes style presets and parameter adjustments.

● Can generate high-definition output suitable for professional editing.

● Best for: Creators with specific design needs or those wanting pro-level results.

Tool 3: LensGo AI — Rich Style Selection & Free Entry

LensGo AI offers a massive library of preset anime and cartoon styles. It transforms your video with just one click, making it ideal for users who love to experiment with different “looks.”

Highlights:

● 100+ Styles: Includes Anime, Cartoon, 3D, Pixar-style, Ghibli-style, and more.

● Free to Start: Offers daily free credits to try it out.

● Customizable: Easy to use but allows for custom tweaks.

● If you enjoy variety, head over to LensGo AI and mix and match different style combinations to see what fits your video best.

Tool 4: Runway Gen-1 — The Pro Tool for Advanced Creators

Runway Gen-1 is a heavyweight in the AI video world. It is designed for users who want deep control over the final output.

While it has a steeper learning curve than the tools above, it offers significantly more power. You can use it for masking, layering, and fine-tuning specific parts of the video.

If you have some video editing experience and want to go beyond simple filters to create truly unique art, Runway is a solid choice.

Tool 5: CapCut / TikTok Filters — The Quickest Mobile Solution

Finally, if you just want to transform a video on your phone for a quick post, the built-in filters in CapCut or TikTok are your most intuitive option.

While these filters might not offer the refined detail of dedicated AI tools, they win on convenience. The process is instant: Upload Video → Select Filter → Export.

Best For:

● TikTok / Reels trends.

● Fast mobile editing on the go.

● Users who don’t want to deal with complex AI interfaces.

 

How to Convert Video to Anime: Step-by-Step Guide (Using MindVideo AI)

If you’re new to AI video tools, don’t worry! MindVideo makes the process of converting a video to anime simple and beginner-friendly. You don’t need any animation experience — just follow the 3 easy steps below.

Step 1: Upload Your Video

First, open MindVideo AI in your web browser (no downloads or installation required). Click the Upload button and select the footage you want to transform.

Supported Formats: MP4, MOV, WebM.

Pro Tip: For the best results, use a short clip (5–15 seconds) with good lighting and a clear subject (face). Avoid videos with messy or cluttered backgrounds, as they can confuse the AI.

Step 2: Describe the Anime Style You Prefer

This is where the magic happens.

In the text box, describe the specific anime style you want to see.

Examples of effective prompts:

“Japanese anime style, Studio Ghibli look, soft colors”

“Naruto-inspired anime style, clean lines, dramatic shading”

“Modern anime style, high contrast, cinematic lighting”

Step 3: Download Your Anime Video

Once you have your video and prompt ready, click Generate.

The AI will process your clip and transform it into an anime-style animation. While processing time depends on the video length, most short clips are ready within minutes.

After generation:

Preview the result to see the comparison.

Download your final anime video.

Share it on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts!

 

4 Pro Tips for Better AI Anime Conversions

Even with the best AI tools, small details can have a huge impact on the final result. Here are some practical tips to help you get cleaner, smoother, and more authentic anime-style videos.

1. Lighting is King

The AI needs to clearly see the outlines in your video to “trace” and redraw them properly.

Do: Choose footage with bright lighting and high contrast.

Don’t: Avoid filming in dim environments or messy locations. If the background is too cluttered, the AI might mistake background objects for part of your body.

2. Write Clear, Simple Prompts

When using text prompts, clarity beats complexity. Don’t just type “Anime style.” For stunning results, use specific style descriptors:

Ghibli Style: “Studio Ghibli style, Hayao Miyazaki, vivid colors, grassy meadow.”

Cyberpunk: “Cyberpunk Edgerunners style, neon lights, mechanical details.”

Aesthetic Anime: “Makoto Shinkai style, highly detailed, dramatic lighting, 8k resolution.”

Tip: Avoid overly long or contradictory descriptions. Start simple, then tweak as needed.

3. The Frame Rate Trick

Ever wonder why some AI videos feel more “animated”? It’s because traditional Japanese anime isn’t smooth 60fps.

Pro Tip: Try lowering your output video frame rate to 12fps or 15fps. This instantly adds a “stop-motion” or “hand-drawn” quality to the video, and it also helps hide small AI glitches.

4. Keep it Short

Current AI computing power struggles with very long videos.

Advice: Stick to clips between 3 to 10 seconds. Not only does this process much faster, but if you don’t like the result, it’s quick and easy to re-generate without wasting time.

 

Conclusion

In the past, turning video into animation was a complex and expensive process. Today, AI has made it simple, fast, and accessible to everyone.

With the right tools, you can transform ordinary footage into anime art in minutes—no drawing skills, animation software, or technical background required.

Whether you want a whimsical Studio Ghibli look, a high-energy Naruto-style transformation, or a modern anime aesthetic, tools like MindVideo AI make the conversion process effortless, even for complete beginners.

If you haven’t tried it yet, now is the perfect time to start. Upload a short clip, explore different styles, and see just how far AI animation can take your creativity.