EIMA Ecole Internationale du Manga et de l'Animation

What EIMA Ecole Internationale du Manga et de l'Animation does

EIMA (École Internationale du Manga et de l'Animation) is a private artistic training institution founded around 2012 in Toulouse, France, by Claire Pélier. The school delivers specialized, multi-year professional programs in manga, illustration, and 2D animation, anchored by a three-year Illustrateur Narratif foundational curriculum and three two-year specializations (Mangaka, Lead Artist, Concepteur Animation 2D), plus a separate two-year Scénariste track for writers. Beyond formal programs, EIMA operates leisure courses, weekend workshops, life drawing sessions, an intensive preparatory course, and mobile outreach workshops deployed to libraries, schools, and cultural associations.

The business model is B2C tuition-driven, with annual fees ranging from €2,800 (Scénariste) to €7,870 (Illustrateur Narratif year 3), collected upfront or via four-installment plans that carry a small surcharge. Ancillary revenue comes from weekly leisure courses (€495-€520/year), weekend workshops (€195), life drawing packs (€20-€180), a three-week preparatory course (€1,400), and a paid selection stage (€150 in-person, €50 online) that gates admission. Student financing is supported by partnerships with Banque Populaire Occitane and CIC at sub-2% interest rates, and the institution holds Qualiopi certification from the French Ministry of Labour.

EIMA differentiates through a network of approximately 20 national and international publishing and industry partners (Glenat, Kana, Dupuis, Akata, VIZ Media, Webtoon, Ankama, Kioon, and others) that provide portfolio review, editorial feedback, and direct publication pathways for graduates. The school markets itself as a benchmark institution for manga education outside Japan, with documented alumni placements at Webtoon Factory, major French manga publishers, and video game concept art studios. All primary programs are delivered in-person at the Toulouse headquarters, with selection stages and orientation available online for international candidates.

Name

EIMA Ecole Internationale du Manga et de l'Animation

Legal name

EIMA - École Internationale du Manga et de l'Animation

Website

https://eima.school

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EIMA is a private art school in Toulouse, France, founded around 2012, offering multi-year professional programs in manga, illustration, and 2D animation. It serves aspiring creative professionals aged 16+ through a 3-year foundational track plus specializations, with direct publishing pathways via a 20-partner publisher ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational arts education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Domain-Specific Curriculum (Literacy, Numeracy, Science, SEL, Motor, Arts) (EDACAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

In-Service Professional Development (Workshops/Institutes/Short Courses) (EDACAIAB)

Keywords

• Manga art education
• 2D animation training
• Illustration programs
• Vocational arts school
• Creative arts training

Headquarters

HQ city

Toulouse

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Long-form vocational training programs: EIMA's primary revenue comes from multi-year professional training programs (Illustrateur Narratif: 3 years; Scénariste: 2 years; specializations: 2 years), charged annually with installment payment options. An upfront deposit is required at enrollment.
2. Recurring leisure courses: Weekly manga courses for youth and adults run from September to June. Revenue is collected annually or via a 10-session pack.
3. Intensive weekend workshops: Two-day manga workshops (12 hours) for beginners and advanced students, charged at a fixed per-session rate of 195€.
4. Life drawing sessions: Single-session or multi-pack life drawing courses (1 session/week) charged per session or via 5- or 10-session packs.
5. Preparatory course: A 3-week intensive preparatory course (spread across October, February, and April school holidays) is charged as a single 1,400€ package.
6. Selection stage fees: Candidates pay a selection stage fee: 150€ for in-person (3 days) or 50€ for online examination. This is a prerequisite gate before program enrollment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

EIMA is a private artistic training school in Toulouse delivering multi-year professional programs in manga, illustration, and 2D animation, anchored by a 3-year Illustrateur Narratif foundation followed by three 2-year specializations (Mangaka, Lead Artist, Concepteur Animation 2D) and a 2-year Scénariste program. Alongside these paid curricula, the school operates weekly leisure manga and life-drawing courses, intensive weekend workshops, a paid preparatory course, and mobile outreach workshops for external venues. All core instruction is delivered in-person at the Toulouse campus, with online options limited to selection stages and orientation.

Product overview

EIMA is a private art school in Toulouse, France, offering a structured portfolio of educational programs centered on manga, illustration, and 2D animation. The core offering is the 3-year Illustrateur Narratif (Narrative Illustrator) foundational program, which can be followed by three 2-year specializations: Mangaka, Lead Artist, and Concepteur Animation 2D. A separate 2-year Scénariste (Screenwriter) program trains writers for manga, comics, animation, and related formats. Beyond formal curricula, EIMA operates leisure courses (weekly manga drawing and life drawing classes), intensive manga workshops, a preparatory course spanning three holiday periods, and mobile outreach workshops for external organizations. All programs are delivered in-person at the Toulouse campus, with the selection process available in-person or online.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Illustrateur Narratif Three-year foundational program building solid bases in drawing, visual narration, manga, illustration, and 2D animation for aspiring professional artists; serves as the core curriculum and prerequisite for EIMA's specializations. Year 1 €6,295 (or €6,542 installment), Year 2 €7,790 (or €8,094), Year 3 €7,870 (or €8,177), with €1,800 deposit.
• Scénariste Two-year program teaching writing for manga, comics, and animation, focusing on dramaturgy, dialogue, narrative psychology, worldbuilding, and constructing solid, memorable stories. Each year €2,800 (or €2,912 installment), with €900 deposit.
• Spécialisation Mangaka Two-year specialization focused on developing a long-form editorial project, mastering manga codes, and preparing a solid publishing dossier for professional manga or webtoon creation. Each year €5,250 (or €5,460 installment), with €1,800 deposit.
• Spécialisation Lead Artist Two-year specialization in advanced illustration, visual development, universe creation, and artistic leadership for professional illustration and concept art careers. Each year €5,365 (or €5,575 installment), with €1,800 deposit.
• Spécialisation Concepteur Animation 2D Two-year specialization in storyboard, 2D animation, direction, production pipeline, and studio logic for careers in animation production. Each year €5,365 (or €5,575 installment), with €1,800 deposit.
• Stage Préparatoire Intensive 3-week preparatory course spread across October, February, and April school holidays, designed to build foundational drawing skills and prepare prospective students for EIMA's selection stage. Charged as a single €1,400 package.
• Stage de Sélection Three-day selection process (in-person or online) evaluating candidates' potential through immersion, drawing exercises, and interview for admission to EIMA's professional programs. Priced at €150 for in-person (Toulouse) or €50 for online examination; results returned within 15 days.
• Cours de Manga Weekly year-round manga drawing courses for learners from age 11, segmented by age (11–15, 13+, 16+) and skill level (1–3). Pricing: €495/year for ages 11–15, €520/year for ages 16+, plus a €30 registration fee, or 10-session packs at €185 (11–15) or €200 (16+).
• Cours de Modèle Vivant Weekly life drawing (observation drawing) sessions with individual guidance and corrections, offered Tuesdays 18:30–20:30 year-round except school holidays. Single session €20; 5-session pack €95; 10-session pack €180.
• Stage de Manga Two-day (12-hour) intensive manga workshop available at beginner/initiated and advanced levels, with groups limited to 10 participants for individualized follow-up. Charged at €195 per 2-day session.
• Crée ton Yonkoma Mobile 2-hour workshop delivered on-site at libraries, schools, and cultural organizations, introducing 4-panel manga (yonkoma) creation and visual narration basics. Quoted on a custom basis.
• Crée ton Personnage Mobile workshop delivered at external venues introducing manga character creation, character design basics, anatomy, personality expression, and dynamic poses. Quoted on a custom basis.
• Crée ton Illustration Mobile workshop delivered at external venues focusing on illustration composition, perspective, depth, lighting, movement, and scene coherence. Quoted on a custom basis.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of graduates reportedly find employment within 12 months of completing their training (self-reported by EIMA; figure appears as zero-placeholder in source)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and support.

• Glenat MangacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlenat Manga is one of the largest French manga publishers, featured prominently among EIMA's partner logos. The partnership provides publishing pathways and industry credibility for EIMA graduates, and gives Glenat access to a pipeline of professionally trained manga artists.
• KanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKana is a major French manga publisher (part of the Dargaud group). Featured as a partner in EIMA's ecosystem, providing editorial guidance, portfolio feedback, and publication opportunities for EIMA students.
• DupuiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDupuis is a major Franco-Belgian comics and manga publisher. Its partnership with EIMA provides students with publishing pathways and industry integration, while giving Dupuis access to emerging talent.
• AkatacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAkata is a French manga imprint (Delcourt group) publishing Japanese manga for the French market. Listed among EIMA's publisher partners, offering editorial and publication pathways to EIMA graduates.
• VIZ MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIZ Media is a leading global manga publisher. Its partnership with EIMA extends EIMA's international reach and industry credibility, while VIZ gains access to a European talent pipeline.
• WebtooncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWebtoon (Naver subsidiary) operates the Webtoon Factory platform for digital comics. EIMA alumni have signed publishing contracts with Webtoon Factory following thesis presentations and masterclasses at EIMA, indicating an active collaboration between the two organizations.
• AnkamamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnkama is a French multimedia group specializing in animation, video games, and comics. Its partnership with EIMA provides industry pathways for animation and manga-trained students, and positions EIMA as a talent source for Ankama's production needs.
• Kioon (Ki-oon)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKi-oon is a French anime and manga publisher. Featured as an EIMA partner, offering editorial and publishing connections for EIMA graduates in the manga sector.
• StudapartsupportOthersStudapart is a student housing platform partnered with EIMA to help students find accommodation near the Toulouse campus. EIMA also facilitates colocation connections among students.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Gobelins, l'école de l'image: Paris-based prestige animation/film school (part of CCI Paris). A broader incumbent in French art education with overlapping 2D-animation curriculum; not manga-focused but addresses the same professional animation talent market.

Direct peers

• École Émile Cohl: Lyon-based private illustration school with a long-standing reputation in France. Most direct French peer to EIMA in the illustration/manga/art-training segment, sharing a tuition-funded business model and similar small-cohort pedagogy.
• LISAA (L'Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués): Paris-headquartered French applied-arts school with multiple campuses covering illustration, animation, and design. Closely comparable to EIMA in curriculum structure (foundation + specialization) and target student.
• ArtFx: Montpellier-based French school specializing in VFX, 2D/3D animation, and game art. Comparable vocational training model with multi-year programs targeting creative-industry careers.
• Bellecour École: Lyon-based private applied-arts school covering illustration, design, and animation. Comparable French private art school serving similar student demographic with multi-year curricula.
• 3iS (Institut International de l'Image et du Son): French audiovisual and animation school with multi-year programs in animation, illustration, and film. Comparable vocational training structure and creative-industry placement focus.
• ESMA (École Supérieure des Métiers Artistiques): French applied-arts school with locations including Toulouse (making it a direct local competitor). Offers 2D/3D animation, illustration, and game-art programs—overlapping strongly with EIMA's animation specialization.
• Studio M: French private school network with campuses in multiple cities offering animation, illustration, and applied arts. Comparable vocational training model with similar pricing structure and target demographic.
• Brassart: Network of French applied-arts schools offering 2D/3D animation, illustration, and design programs. Comparable tuition-funded model with campuses across France.

Emerging players

• Penninghen / ECAL: Swiss design/illustration schools with strong reputations in applied arts. While broader and design-led, they overlap with EIMA in illustration pedagogy and European creative-industry placement.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eimaecoleinternationaledumangaetdel'animation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EIMA Ecole Internationale du Manga et de l'Animation