For Colton Manley, anime and video games have always meant more than just entertainment.
Growing up between Illinois and Indiana, some of his favorite childhood memories came from his grandfather, who introduced him to everything from video games and anime to drawing, painting, and different forms of art.
But becoming a tattoo artist wasn't something Colton immediately pursued.
He spent years working different jobs, including nonprofit and behavioral support work, before realizing that something important was missing from his career: the freedom to create.
Then in 2020, his wife Carla bought him his first tattoo machine.
What started as three years of practicing on his own eventually turned into a full-time career built around the characters, stories, and fandoms he grew up loving.
We caught up with Colton to learn more about his journey, the people who helped him get here, and why connecting with the people he tattoos means so much to him.
How did tattooing start?
Believe it or not, my dad actually suggested I become a tattoo artist when I was about sixteen or seventeen.
He planted the idea in my head, but it wasn't until years later that I really started pursuing it.
The biggest turning point came in 2020 during COVID, when my wife, Carla, bought me my first tattoo machine.
I had my doubts, but she believed in me.
From there, I practiced on my own for about three years while working different jobs. I spent as much time as I could learning and developing my skills.
Having something creative that I could keep learning and improving at indefinitely was exciting.
And once I started, I didn't want to stop.
Where did your love for art begin?
My grandfather is probably my biggest artistic influence.
Growing up, I moved between Illinois and Indiana, spending time with my parents and grandparents. There was a period when I lived with my grandparents full-time, and those years changed my life.
My grandpa introduced me to so many things I might not have discovered otherwise.
Video games, anime, technology, different cultures and their artwork. Pretty much every creative outlet he could find, he wanted me to try.
When I started drawing, I was making cartoon characters from shows like SpongeBob SquarePants and The Fairly OddParents.
Eventually, I moved on to drawing Dragon Ball Z characters.
He encouraged that curiosity and gave me room to explore it.
A lot of what I love today started with the things he shared with me when I was a kid.
What made you go all in?
Before tattooing, I worked a little bit of everything.
Retail, food service, cleaning, delivery driving, warehouse work, sales, nonprofit work. You name it.
Some of my last jobs included working with the Domestic Violence Network and in autism behavioral analysis.
Those jobs were fulfilling in different ways, but I always felt like something was missing.
I wanted creativity to be part of what I did every day.
I'd already spent three years practicing tattooing when a shop I'd reached out to finally opened its doors to me.
They encouraged me to take the leap, quit my job, and commit to tattooing full-time.
That was terrifying!
I was leaving behind a stable paycheck, buying the equipment I needed, and worrying about how I was going to take care of my wife, our cats, and everything else.
But I took the chance.
And I haven't looked back.
Why do you love anime tattoos?
For me, anime and pop culture tattoos are a connection to my childhood.
I remember how exciting it was waiting until midnight to watch Toonami, getting completely invested in a big fight, and cheering for my favorite characters.
Those moments where you're sitting in front of the screen, smiling ear to ear because something incredible just happened.
That's the feeling I want to bring into my tattoos.
Some of my favorite anime are Hunter x Hunter, One Piece, and Death Note, but my love for anime goes all the way back to those early memories with my grandfather.
I especially enjoy working with color and creating tattoos that feel personal to the people wearing them.
When someone brings me a character they love, I want to understand what makes that character special to them.
Because I know what it's like to have a story or character mean that much to you.
What was your biggest challenge?
Early in my career, I had an experience at a tattoo shop that almost made me question whether the industry was right for me.
It wasn't an environment where I felt accepted, and because it was my first experience working in a shop, I worried that was simply how the tattoo world worked.
My wife helped me through that time, and with support, I started looking at things differently.
I realized that my experience in the industry didn't have to be defined by one place.
Eventually, I found a shop where I could grow and help create the kind of environment I wanted to be part of.
A place where people like me could belong.
That changed a lot for me.
I want the people who come to get tattooed to feel comfortable being themselves, because I know how important that can be.
What makes clients special?
The relationships I've built with my clients are honestly one of my favorite parts of tattooing.
There have been so many people who've supported me, watched me grow, and become real friends along the way.
One client who stands out is Mark.
He originally called looking to book with an artist, and after we talked, he told me he wanted to work with me because he liked how I carried myself, how professional and personable I was, and the artwork I created.
I've been doing his tattoos since 2023.
And dude, he gave me one of the coolest gifts I've ever received.
A modded Japanese PlayStation 2, loaded with my favorite games, with my artist name customized on the loader.
He gave it to me as a thank-you for all the tattoos I'd done for him.
That meant so much to me.
It reminded me that tattooing isn't always just about the artwork. Sometimes you build friendships with people you never would have met otherwise.
And those connections can be just as meaningful as the tattoos themselves.\
What project stands out most?
Oh dude, I've absolutely loved working on this Avatar: The Last Airbender project.
It originally started with an Iroh tattoo, but the client wanted to keep going with more Avatar artwork.
And that's one of my favorite things in the world!
She gave me so much creative freedom. She told me the characters she wanted and trusted me to build the designs around them.
That level of trust means a lot, especially when it's a series I personally love so much.
There's even a small hidden detail in the sleeve.
Underneath the Blue Spirit mask on the back of the forearm, I included a little panel of Iroh and Zuko hugging.
It's one of the most meaningful moments in Zuko's character development, and I loved being able to include that scene in the design.
Projects like that are exactly why I love working with fans who care deeply about these stories.
When did things feel real?
One of my first big moments was booking out for two months for the first time.
I remember realizing that people genuinely liked my artwork enough to want it permanently on their bodies.
That gave me so much confidence.
It was one of those moments where I could really see that all the hours I'd spent practicing were starting to pay off.
Another huge milestone was winning my first tattoo award at one of my favorite conventions.
That was an incredible feeling.
But honestly, even outside of awards and milestones, every client who comes back or recommends me to someone else reminds me why I do this.
What keeps you inspired?
I feel like I'm still climbing.
I've tattooed hundreds of people over the last few years, and it's been amazing seeing how much I've grown.
But I always want to keep a student's mindset.
There are so many artists I can learn from, new techniques I can explore, and things I haven't tried yet.
I have a great support system behind me, and I'm constantly finding new ways to challenge myself.
I'm proud of what I've accomplished, but I'm nowhere near finished.
I want to keep pushing past my limits and see how much better I can become.
Meet Colton in the Chair
Colton's love for anime began with the grandfather who encouraged his creativity, and his tattoo career took shape with the support of a wife who believed in him before he believed in himself.
Today, he brings those experiences into his colorful anime and pop culture tattoos, creating artwork inspired by the stories he loves while building genuine connections with the people who wear it.
For Colton, getting to share those passions with other fans is what makes the journey worthwhile.
Already Booked or Thinking About Booking with Colton?
If you've already booked a tattoo with Colton, hopefully you've gotten to know a little more about the artist behind the work and the passion he brings to every project.
And if you're still thinking about booking, whether it's your favorite anime character, a nostalgic childhood series, or an idea you've been holding onto for years, Colton loves bringing those stories to life.
Take a look at his portfolio and connect with him to explore your next tattoo idea.
