Chibi (style)
{{Short description|Style of caricature originating in Japan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Redirect|Super deformed|the deformation of nuclei|Superdeformation}}
{{Other uses|Chibi (disambiguation)}}
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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 heads, 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 {{nihongo3|"tiny character"|ちびキャラ|chibi kyara}},{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} where {{nihongo||ちび|chibi}} is a colloquial word for very short people and children, itself deriving from {{nihongo3|{{abbr|v.|verb}} "to wear down"|禿びる|chibiru}},{{cite book|title=大辞林 {{transliteration|ja|daijirin}}|language=ja|isbn=4-385-13905-9|author1=松村明 |date=November 2006 |publisher=三省堂}} and {{nihongo||キャラ|kyara}} is loaned from the English "character".{{cite book |year=2000 |title=日本国語大辞典 Nihon Kokugo Daijiten |url=https://kotobank.jp/dictionary/nikkoku/ |language=ja |edition=2nd |location=Tōkyō |publisher=Shogakukan |isbn=4-09-521001-X}}
"Super deformed" and "S.D." come from Japanese {{nihongo3|"stylistic distortion"|デフォルメ|deforume}}, itself from French {{lang|fr|déformer}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.sljfaq.org/afaq/french.html|title=Which Japanese words come from French?|website=sci.lang.japan}}
Proportions and appearance
File:Proper Chibi Proportions.webm
Compared to the average anime character, usually about seven to eight heads tall,{{cite web |url=http://animeworld.com/howtodraw/bodies1.html |title=Body Proportion |work=Akemi's Anime World |access-date=August 16, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070805152410/http://animeworld.com/howtodraw/bodies1.html |archive-date= August 5, 2007}} the head of a super-deformed character is normally anywhere between one third and one half the character's height.{{cite web|url=http://www.polykarbon.com/tutorials/chibi/chibiart.htm|title=Action Tutorial|website=www.polykarbon.com|access-date=5 July 2018}} 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.How to Draw Manga Volume 18: Super-Deformed Characters 1: Humans. {{ISBN|9784766114355}}
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 as cute as it is, the chibi style allows for easy advertisement in the culture, and even in other countries.{{Cite book |last=Barton |first=David Watts |url=https://www.amazon.com/Japan-Anime-Zen-Culture-History-ebook/dp/B085CLGYGB/146-0731620-2153000 |title=Japan from Anime to Zen: Quick Takes on Culture, Art, History, Food . . . and More |date=2021-04-27 |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |language=English}}
Media usage
One example of chibi
The super deformed style has also appeared in anime-influenced American series such as Homestuck, Teen Titans, and Avatar: The Last Airbender, which feature super deformed shorts.{{cite web|url=https://idea.library.drexel.edu/islandora/object/idea%3A7142/datastream/OBJ/download/Applying_2D_Japanese_Super-Deformed_character_to_traditional_American_animation.pdf|title=Applying 2D Japanese Super-Deformed character to traditional American animation|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-date=3 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103235241/https://idea.library.drexel.edu/islandora/object/idea:7142/datastream/OBJ/download/Applying_2D_Japanese_Super-Deformed_character_to_traditional_American_animation.pdf|url-status=dead}} It also appeared in French-Canadian shows such as Totally Spies! and Martin Mystery.
The main character of the manga, and later several anime adaptations, Astro Boy, is an early example of the evolving chibi style. Created in 1952, the chibi style was not yet what was known as today, and yet some of the characteristics were beginning to emerge. Astro Boy has the usage of exaggerated features, like very large eyes, round heads, and small rounded limbs, and as these features lend themselves well to it, this style is often used to represent children and child-like characters like Astro Boy.
Perhaps the most renowned use of the style is in the Hello Kitty character. An anthropomorphic cat with a head bigger than her body created in 1974 for a coin purse, Hello Kitty is one of Japan's biggest icons being featured in series, music, games, and books.
In May 2016, Rooster Teeth released the first episode of RWBY Chibi, a 3D animated series of shorts involving the characters popularized by their show RWBY.
In 2022, Disney Channel introduced the Chibiverse series that uses Disney animated characters.
See also
- Kawaii, 'cute'
- Moe (slang), expression of fascination or infatuation
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Chibi characters}}
- [https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/chibi/ Tofugu article covering native usage of the word "chibi", as well as the chibi style]
- [https://tips.clip-studio.com/en-us/articles/3448 Detailed tutorial for drawing in the chibi style]
Category:Anime and manga terminology
Category:Articles containing video clips