This invention relates to a photo-alignment copolymer which enables the formation of an optical anisotropic film that exhibits superior optical anisotropy, an optical anisotropic film using the photo-alignment copolymer and a method of manufacturing the optical anisotropic film. The photo-alignment copolymer includes both of a photo-alignment repeating unit having a photo-reactive functional group such as a cinnamate-based functional group, a chalcone-based functional group, an azo-based functional group or a coumarin-based functional group, and a repeating unit having a specific structure able to increase optical anisotropy.