I’m a web development student building my portfolio website. For my About Me section, I’m considering using an anime-style illustration instead of a real photo. Some context:
<ul>
<li>I’m using proper headshots on LinkedIn and other professional platforms</li>
<li>The illustration is professional-looking (business casual attire, glasses)</li>
<li>My About Me section mentions being inspired by anime/manga</li>
<li>I’m in web development/creative tech field</li>
<li>The illustration matches my portfolio’s design theme</li>
</ul>
Would this be perceived negatively by potential employers? I’m trying to balance personal branding with professionalism.
Looking for perspectives on that, and any feedback you may have.

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A web development student is considering using an anime-style illustration instead of a real photo in their portfolio's About Me section. The illustration is professional-looking and matches the portfolio's design theme. They seek advice on whether this choice would be perceived negatively by potential employers while aiming to balance personal branding with professionalism.

Using an anime-style illustration instead of a photo in portfolio - Professional or not?

I think it depends on the target type of company you’re looking for. A very conservative company couldn’t accept it, but in the other hand, there are a lot of “less restrictive” companies out there.
In my opinion, I wouldn’t use it just in case.

I think there are better ways to express your personal brand in your professional portfolio without using an anime girl as a placeholder image of yourself.

I would say it depends on you and your style of presenting yourself. Is it part of your identity? Is it part of your influence in work? Does it maybe even fit your work? And and and.
Don’t adjust it to the company you apply to. It is your resume, your portfolio. That means it represents you. You are selling yourself, your skills, your time, your expertise. If it fits you and your (work) personality, go for it!
Edit/Addition:
It also depends on what you are looking for in job. I for once, I go for a company that accepts me with my quirks and traits. A company that accepts my behaviour and knows that managing different types of people is part of the companies duties.
Not all companies are like that. Some have a stick up their arse. Some are “family” on the outside, strict “Dad rules, Mom oversights, children execute.” (Dad being Boss, Mom being HR, Children being employees.)
But some companies are open. And if you look for exactly that, go for it. it might take you 20, 30, 50, hell even 100 tries until you find THAT company you seek for. But they will accept you the way you are, if your professional output is correct.
After all a work contract is two sided. The employer gives you money and something to do. You offer your skills, expertise, personality, insight and time. Do never think you are the one who has to say yes yes my lord to keep a job. You are giving your valuable skills and lifetime. That is worth more than money, we just tend to put a pricetag on it for making it easier.

I’d have to agree with the others, it’s not a good look especially since anime pfps users tend to have a bad reputation for being unhinged. Perhaps you could have a hover-effect instead that shows the anime pfp and use your normal image as defualt?