What is the ruling on making dolls of anime characters without faces (except for the eyes, where clothing buttons are placed instead), and are these dolls considered to be animate beings?

Making dolls from cloth or similar materials with incomplete features is permissible, based on what has been narrated that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) used to play with dolls. This has been used as evidence for the permissibility of making dolls for girls to play with, and this specific case is an exception to the general prohibition of making images.

As for those dolls that have clear features, which have appeared in modern times, it is more cautious to avoid them. Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen was asked about the ruling on making or buying different types of dolls, and he replied:

- That which does not have complete features, but only some limbs and a head, without the creation being fully evident, its permissibility is unquestionable. - That which has complete features, especially if it has movement or sound, it is more cautious to avoid it, even if its prohibition is not definitively established, considering that it is permitted for young children. - If a person wishes to be cautious, he should remove the head or obliterate its features.

Therefore, making dolls without facial features except for eyes made of buttons is permissible.