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.
The English term chibi derives from the Japanese chibi kyara (ちびキャラ, 'tiny character'),[1] where chibi (ちび) is a colloquial word for very short people and children, itself deriving from chibiru (禿びる, v. 'to wear down'),[2] and kyara (キャラ) is loaned from the English "character".[3]
"Super deformed" and "S.D." come from Japanese deforume (デフォルメ, 'stylistic distortion'), itself from French déformer.[4]
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 as cute as it is, the chibi style allows for easy advertisement in the culture, and even in other countries.[8]
One example of chibi's usage in Japanese, 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 culture,[10][11][12] and is seen everywhere from advertising and subway signs to anime and manga. The style was popularized by franchises like Dragon Ball and SD Gundam in the 1980s. It is used as comic relief in anime and manga, giving additional emphasis to a character's emotional reaction.
Outside of Japan, the super deformed style has also appeared in anime-influenced American animated series that began since in the 2000s where American animated shows begans to uses the Japanese anime art style such as Teen Titans, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Homestuck, which feature super deformed shorts,[13] the 2020 reboot of Animaniacs also uses the super deformed/chibi art style as well. It also appeared in French-Canadian animated 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 both from classic to modern.
- Kawaii, 'cute'
- Moe (slang), expression of fascination or infatuation
- Tofugu article covering native usage of the word "chibi", as well as the chibi style
- Detailed tutorial for drawing in the chibi style
