Chibi (style)
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Chibi, also known as super deformation (SD), is an art style originating in Japan, and common in anime and manga where characters are drawn in an exaggerated way, typically small and chubby with stubby limbs, oversized eyes, oversized heads, tiny noses, tiny bodies, and minimal detail. The style has found its way into the anime and manga fandom through its usage in manga works and merchandising.
Word usage and etymology
The English term chibi derives from the Japanese Script error: No such module "Nihongo".,[1] where Script error: No such module "Nihongo". is a colloquial word for very short people and children, itself deriving from Script error: No such module "Nihongo".,[2] and Script error: No such module "Nihongo". is loaned from the English "character".[3]
"Super deformed" and "S.D." come from Japanese Script error: No such module "Nihongo"., itself from French Script error: No such module "Lang"..[4]
Appearance and media usage
Compared to the average anime character, usually about seven to eight heads tall,[5] the head of a super-deformed character is normally anywhere between one third and one half the character's height.[6] In addition to their modified proportions, super-deformed characters typically lack the detail of their normal counterparts. As a result, when a character of average proportions is depicted as a super-deformed character, certain aspects of their design will be simplified and others will be more exaggerated. Details such as folds on a jacket are ignored, and general shapes are favored. If a character has a signature characteristic (odd hair, a particular accessory, etc.) this will typically be prominent in the super deformed version of the character.[7]
The chibi style easily falls under the Japanese category of kawaii, with the specific proportions being exaggerated in the ways that they are. With it being widely regarded as cute, the chibi style allows for easy advertisement in the culture, and even in other countries.[8]
One example of the word's usage in Japanese media, which brought the term to the attention of American fans in the mid-1990s, is Chibiusa; this diminutive pet name for the daughter of Sailor Moon comes from Chibi Usagi ("Little Rabbit").[9] The chibi art style is part of the Japanese kawaii subculture.[10][11][12] Outside of Japan, the chibi style has also appeared in anime-influenced American series such as Teen Titans, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Homestuck.[13]
See also
- Moe (slang), expression of fascination or infatuation
References
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- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Lord-Moncrief, Devon (7 July 2023). "What Makes a Chibi Anime Character?". YumeTwins. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.松村明 (November 2006). 大辞林 Script error: No such module "lang". (in 日本語). 三省堂. ISBN 4-385-13905-9.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.日本国語大辞典 Nihon Kokugo Daijiten (in 日本語) (2nd ed.). Tōkyō: Shogakukan. 2000. ISBN 4-09-521001-X.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Which Japanese words come from French?". sci.lang.japan.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Body Proportion". Akemi's Anime World. Archived from the original on 5 August 2007. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Action Tutorial". www.polykarbon.com. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ How to Draw Manga Volume 18: Super-Deformed Characters 1: Humans. Template:ISBN
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Barton, David Watts (27 April 2021). Japan from Anime to Zen: Quick Takes on Culture, Art, History, Food . . . and More. Stone Bridge Press.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Sailor Moon volume 3 translation". Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Japanese student turns philosophers into super-deformed anime-style characters - WOWJAPAN". 4 August 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Rose, Mike (28 January 2013). "Clash of Clans '5 keys to success". Archived from the original on 31 January 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Why Japan Is Hands Down The Coolest Country On The Planet - SMOSH". Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Applying 2D Japanese Super-Deformed character to traditional American animation" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
External links
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