The present invention makes it possible to obtain a liquid crystal element that exhibits superior reliability with an element structure in which an interlayer insulating film, patterned electrodes, and a liquid crystal alignment film are formed in this order on a substrate. In a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element, the method including: a step for forming an interlayer insulating film 21 on at least one of a pair of substrates; a step for forming patterned electrodes (pixel electrodes 19) on the interlayer insulating film 21; and a step for forming a liquid crystal alignment film (first alignment film 32) on the patterned electrodes such that the liquid crystal alignment film is in contact with at least a portion of the interlayer insulating film 21, the liquid crystal alignment film is formed by using a liquid crystal alignment agent containing a polymer component and at least one kind of solvent selected from a specific set of solvents.