Learning to play the guitar doesn’t always have to be boring or technical. If you’re a fan of manga and anime, you already know how powerful music can be in storytelling — especially when characters express their deepest emotions through instruments. In this guide, we’ll dive into the basics of chord gitar, explore anime characters who inspire us to pick up a guitar, and show you how to play like them in real life.
What is a Chord Gitar?
A chord gitar (guitar chord) is a combination of notes played at the same time by pressing specific strings on the fretboard and strumming them together. It’s the foundation of most songs across all genres — from rock and pop to anime soundtracks.
Basic Guitar Chords Every Beginner Should Know
To start playing songs, you don’t need to master hundreds of chords. Most beginner songs use just a handful. Here are the most common beginner chords:
C Major
G Major
D Major
E Minor
A Minor
Mastering these chords can unlock a huge number of songs — including many anime theme songs.
Manga Characters Who Play Guitar
The world of manga is full of characters who use music as a way to express themselves. Some of them are guitarists who’ve inspired thousands of fans to start playing. Let’s look at a few standout examples.
Yui Hirasawa – K-On!
Yui is one of the most iconic guitar-playing characters in anime and manga. In K-On!, she joins a high school light music club with no prior experience and ends up becoming the lead guitarist of the band Ho-kago Tea Time.
Why she inspires:
She starts from scratch, just like most beginners.
Her love for her guitar (“Gitah”) is adorable and relatable.
She makes learning guitar look fun and achievable.
Mafuyu Satou – Given
In the manga and anime Given, Mafuyu is a quiet boy who finds his voice through music. He plays an electric guitar and writes heartfelt songs that help him process his emotions.
What makes him special:
His emotional connection with music is deep and realistic.
The chord gitar progressions in his songs are simple yet powerful.
He proves that music can be healing.
Nana Osaki – NANA
A punk rocker and the frontwoman of the band Black Stones, Nana Osaki is the embodiment of raw emotion, rebellion, and freedom. Her guitar isn’t just an instrument — it’s her weapon of expression.
What we learn from Nana:
Guitar is a tool for self-identity.
You don’t need to be sweet or soft-spoken to express emotion.
Rock music and manga are a perfect match.
How to Learn Guitar Like an Anime or Manga Character
Watching anime or reading manga can make playing guitar look magical — but it still takes practice and patience. Here’s how you can start learning like your favorite characters.
Step 1: Get the Right Guitar
Do you want to be like Yui? Pick a cute, bright-colored electric guitar. Want to channel Nana? Go for a black or red punk-style guitar. Your gear doesn’t have to be expensive — it just has to make you feel excited to play.
Step 2: Start with Basic Chord Gitar
Learn open chords first, like C, G, D, Am, and Em. These are the building blocks of most songs — including anime openings.
Example: C Major Chord
Index finger: 1st fret, 2nd string (B)
Middle finger: 2nd fret, 4th string (D)
Ring finger: 3rd fret, 5th string (A)
Practice switching between chords slowly. Use chord charts (easily found online) and play along with slow songs.
Step 3: Strumming Like a Pro
Even if you know all the chords, you need rhythm. Start with simple strumming patterns:
Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up
Play it slowly while switching between two chords (like G and C). Repeat until it feels natural.
Step 4: Play Anime Songs
Once you know 3–5 chords, you can start playing easy anime songs! Some beginner-friendly options include:
“Fuwa Fuwa Time” – K-On! (Chords: G, C, D, Em)
“Fuyu no Hanashi” – Given (Chords: Em, D, C, G)
“A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” – Neon Genesis Evangelion (Chords: Am, G, C, D)
You can find chord gitar versions of anime songs on websites like Ultimate Guitar, Chordify, or even YouTube tutorials.
Manga’s Visual Approach to Music
One of the coolest things about music-based manga is how they visually represent sound. Even though you can’t hear it, you can feel the music through powerful panels, close-ups of finger placement, and emotional expressions.
Manga like:
Beck
Blue Giant
Shiori Experience
…go deep into the technical and emotional side of playing an instrument — and often include real chord gitar diagrams for readers to learn from.
Why Learn Guitar If You Love Manga?
If you’re a manga fan, learning guitar can feel like you’re becoming part of that world. Here’s why it’s such a good match:
1. Emotional Expression
Just like in manga, music is full of emotion. Whether you’re sad, happy, angry, or in love — there’s a chord progression for that.
2. Motivation Through Storytelling
Seeing your favorite character struggle and grow makes you want to push yourself, too. When Yui messes up and then succeeds, or Mafuyu finds his voice, you feel inspired to keep going.
3. You Build Real-Life Skills
Playing guitar improves your concentration, memory, coordination, and emotional intelligence. And who knows — you might even start your own band like in Beck or K-On!!
Practice Tips Inspired by Manga
Here are a few practice habits taken straight from the pages of manga:
Practice Daily (Even 10 Minutes Helps)
Like characters training for a performance, consistent daily practice beats irregular long sessions. Don’t aim for perfection — aim for progress.
Record Yourself
Use your phone to record your playing. Like how bands in anime record demos, this helps you track your improvement and fix mistakes.
Join a Community
There are many online forums and Discord servers where fans of anime music and guitar come together. Share your progress and get feedback, just like a real music club!
Final Thoughts
The world of manga is filled with passion, creativity, and personal growth — and learning chord gitar fits right into that universe. Whether you’re picking up a guitar for the first time or just looking for motivation, let your favorite anime characters guide you.
From Yui’s cheerful strumming to Nana’s emotional riffs and Mafuyu’s soul-touching ballads, manga offers endless inspiration to start your own guitar journey.
So grab your guitar, learn that first chord, and start telling your own story — one strum at a time.
Read More: MangaBuddy
