ちびchibi
Quick definition:Chibi is a style of drawing in which characters are shown as small, rounded and cute, with oversized heads, tiny bodies and exaggerated expressions, often used for comic effect.
Meaning
Chibi describes a drawing style in which a character is shrunk to a tiny, childlike version of themselves. Heads are enormous compared with the body, limbs are short and stubby, and faces are simplified, often with huge eyes and a wide or dotted mouth. The word is also used for a small child or a very short character.
Anime and manga use chibi form for jokes and strong emotions. A serious character may suddenly shrink when embarrassed, angry or frightened, which breaks the tension and signals that the moment is humorous. Whole series are sometimes made in chibi style, and fan artists and figure makers often use it for cute versions of famous characters.
Chibi versions appear on keyrings, plush toys, stickers and small figures, where the simple shapes are easy to recognise at a glance. Fans also call the style SD, short for super-deformed, a term that describes the exaggerated proportions.
Origin:Chibi is a Japanese word for something small, often used for a small child or a short person. It entered fandom through manga and anime artists, who used it for the tiny, cute version of a character, and it spread overseas as the standard name for the style. Some Japanese speakers consider it a slightly informal or affectionate word.
Example:In a comedy scene, a fierce warrior is teased by her friends and instantly shrinks into a tiny round figure with huge eyes, stamping her feet and puffing out her cheeks. A moment later she is back to normal. Many comedies use this quick switch to turn embarrassment or a tantrum into a joke.
Did you know?A chibi character is often drawn only two or three heads tall, compared with the seven or eight heads of realistic proportions, so even a small change in the ratio can transform a character's look. Artists use these ratios as rough guides.
