Marta
Anime and fine line
@yummytattoo
Tattoos by theme
Disney, Ghibli and cartoon tattoos in Barcelona
The characters we grew up with, or the ones we discovered as adults on a lazy afternoon on the sofa, say a lot about us. At Minka Tattoo we tattoo characters from Disney, Pixar, Studio Ghibli and animated series in a clean, colourful style with a kawaii touch that makes them even more endearing. You'll find us in Barcelona, near the Sagrada Familia.
Every piece in this gallery is by Marta, the studio's anime and cartoon specialist: Haku in dragon form from Spirited Away, Stitch reading with a group of ducklings, Appa among pink clouds, BMO in a yellow raincoat, Scar from The Lion King and Heihei from Moana. Each one starts from a well-known character and ends up as a design of our own.
Disney, Ghibli and cartoon tattoos: work by our artists
Turning a scene into a tattoo
Plenty of ideas begin with a single frame: that moment in the film that gets you every time. You're welcome to bring the screenshot, but we won't copy it line for line. A scene made for the screen has backgrounds, lighting and detail that get lost on skin, so we simplify it, choosing the character, the pose and one or two elements that tell the story.
Appa from Avatar is a good example: rather than recreating a whole landscape, Marta surrounded him with pink clouds across the upper back, and the result is instantly recognisable. The same goes for Haku in dragon form from Spirited Away: a long, winding body calls for an area that follows its movement, such as the back, the arm or the leg.
Kawaii versions with your own twist
One of our favourite things is reimagining familiar characters. Jake from Adventure Time as pancakes, Finn turned into an ice cream and BMO in a yellow raincoat are all in the gallery: the character is still unmistakably itself, but with a twist that makes it yours. The rounded shapes, big eyes and soft colours of kawaii style work especially well for this.
You can also add lettering, like the Dory from Finding Nemo we paired with a quote, or blend the character with something from your everyday life: Stitch reading with ducklings, Lisa Simpson in a cap, or Anger from Inside Out for anyone who wears their temper with a sense of humour. If you've only got half an idea, tell us and we'll shape it together.
Matching tattoos and colour care
Cartoons are perfect for tattoos shared with friends, partners or siblings: each person gets a character from the same film, or the same character with a different detail. Lilo and Stitch, Finn and Jake or a Ghibli duo are classics that always work. If there are a few of you, let us know on WhatsApp so we can plan the designs and timing properly.
Since nearly all of these pieces are in colour, they're worth looking after. Follow the aftercare advice we give you at the studio and keep the tattoo out of the sun while it heals. After that, high-factor sun cream whenever you're out in the sun helps keep the colours bright. Clear linework and good contrast in the design also help it read well for years to come.
Styles we do it in
Who tattoos it at the studio
FAQ: disney, ghibli and cartoon tattoos
Can I bring a screenshot from the film?
Yes, it's the best place to start. Send us one or more screenshots on WhatsApp and tell us what you love about that scene. From there we'll draw our own version to tattoo, simplifying backgrounds and details so the character reads clearly on skin and suits the placement you choose.
Do you do matching tattoos for friends or couples?
Absolutely. We can design pieces that work as a set, like two characters from the same film, or the same drawing in two versions. If you want to get tattooed on the same day, message us on WhatsApp in advance so we can book you in and have the designs ready.
Can you tattoo characters that aren't from Disney?
Yes. As well as Disney and Pixar, we tattoo characters from Studio Ghibli, series like Adventure Time, Avatar or The Simpsons, and pretty much any cartoon or anime. Tell us which character you'd like and how you picture it, and we'll come back with an original design made for you.
Can I get tattooed without an appointment?
We're open every day from 11:30 to 20:00 and can often take walk-ins. For a custom character design, though, it's best to book via WhatsApp so we can prepare the drawing in advance and you arrive knowing exactly what you're getting.
Sagrada Familia · Barcelona
Got an idea in mind?
Send it over on WhatsApp with a reference, the placement and an approximate size. We will reply with a quote and availability.