The style of animation is totally unique
Down to every detail, but it’s the anime characters themselves that stand out for those of us who are fans. The way they look, move, emote — it’s all original to the genre.
Beautiful and graceful, or goofy and awkward, there are some basic elements that form an anime character. They help them to stand out against a treasure trove of animated heroes, villains, sidekicks, and more.
It starts with the eyes
There’s something about the face of any anime character. It feels human; more so than many other forms of animation. This connection comes from the eyes.
These windows to the soul are often amplified in anime art. The shape may be a little more pronounced and large, with irises that are easier to see.
The nose is also drawn in a much more understated way to give the eyes more prominence. The anime character’s emotions are then shown through the eyes. Use of the eyelids and eyebrows help to bring it all together.
This isn’t hard to see when watching anime. Think about how often certain anime characters wink for emphasis, or how perfectly their tears sit on their bottom eyelid before overflowing down their face. The eyes definitely have it when it comes to anime.
Boosting Expressions
Another unique feature of anime characters is how they react. In a lot of Western animation, the goal is to create realistic expressions. This involves a lot of subtleties and can end up forcing more dialogue to create the proper effect.
Anime likes to have more fun. Without trampling on any elements of realism, the animation style gives its characters unique ways to express certain emotions. When distressed, an oversized sweat drop hangs on their forehead. When feeling extreme anger, you might see an anime character’s forehead bulge. Their mouth will turn all wavy at just the right moment of angst, or perhaps actual lines will come out of their mouth when yelling.
These tropes are all commonplace for anime fans, but they’re completely exclusive to the genre. They give the characters something special and entertaining that other animation styles can lack.
Creating personality
One of the other personality-shaping, anime character traits is how they dress. From a sailor suit with an edge, to elaborate robes, clothing makes anime characters stand out.
There’s no formula for how to dress an anime character, and often the story sets the tone for colors, period clothing, and relevant outfits. The consistent element is imagination. Clothing is never basic. Even a simple pair of pants and top gets enhanced through the shading techniques commonly used in anime. This block shading presents rich tones and deeper contrast for a special look on any character.
Anime Characters who’ve already gotten it right
Interested in creating your own anime character? Before you do, check out some talented individuals who’ve already gotten it right. These are some of the most popular anime characters as compiled by ReelRundown.
GOKU | Dragon Ball Z
Inuyasha | Inuyasha
L | Death note
Naruto Uzumaki | Naruto
Killua Zoldyck | Hunter X Hunter
Edward Elric | Full Metal Alchemist
These only scratch the surface when it comes to quality anime characters, but you’ll notice commonalities among them that contribute to anime’s recognized style.
Where will Animation Take you?
Incorporating animation of any style into a video project can greatly enhance its appeal. Audiences today of every age enjoy animated content, however you need to know what you’re doing to make work that stands out.
At ECG Productions, our talented animation team can take your concept to new heights. We can create stylized, original content that enhances your brand, effectively communicates your message, and brings your vision to life on the big screen. If you’re looking to put some animated content into your next project, contact us today.
2 Responses
This is rare and useful information i get as anime lover, Thanks for sharing this kind of information.
Great content, thanks for sharing