Do you know what chibi is? Or are you familiar with the very similar style called super deformed (SD)? You have probably come across these 2 drawing styles in some anime or manga. Today let's get to know some of them.
Table of Content
What does chibi mean?
The word chibi [禿び] literally means small child. In anime, the term chibi is used to refer to drawing traits where the head is giant, usually equal to or larger than the size of its own body.
This type of trait is usually used to get a sentimental or comical effect, you see a lot in anime scenes where the characters are dressed as an animal or in some funny or uncomfortable situation.
It is mainly used in comedy scenes, but some anime end up applying this technique throughout the work, either to lower the budget or simply because it is a comédia nonsense. To learn more, read our article about Chibi e Super Deformed.
What does Super Deformed (SD) mean?
Super Deformed [SD] is a style of caricature where the characters have a wider head and more relaxed features. All of this is to make the scene comedic or to save time and effort. The word can also be used to refer to chibi.
It is a western word, in Japan it is common to recognize as chibi. Are there differences in traits? Yes, Super Deformed are usually chubby, with less detailed limbs and wider heads, looking like children.
Super deformed are generally used for faster scenes where the characters have exaggerated 感情 like anger, happiness, surprise, and others.
This type of technique has the most relaxed features and for this reason they are used in shorter scenes. This style was popularized by franchises such as Dragon Ball and SD Gundam in the 1980s.
Differentiating Chibi and SD characters
It's not easy to differentiate between a chibi and a Super Deformed. Sometimes it can be easy to differentiate because we can see the deformation in the characters in the case of SD. Generally both can be mixed in the same work.
It is also not easy to identify, but it is obvious that the chibi is cuter and prettier while the SD tends to be more deformed and defective as the name suggests. Sometimes an SD has stranger and pointier hair and some peculiar things.
Currently these two types of traits are common in Japan to serve as logos, mascots for stores, signs, companies and even factories to attract the attention of customers or the media. Its greatest popularity is in Japanese animations.
There are also many action figures in chibi format that are cheaper than the normal ones and are called nendoroid. There are some anime that use only these deformed or chibi traits, even Shingeki no Kyojin received a chibi version.
There are other exaggerated proportions in anime, but they are not considered either chibi or Super Deformed. It is very common for producers to reduce the amount of strokes or not respect the laws of aesthetics and start scribbling to go faster. Very common in anime that are late or comedy.
The best Chibi and SD anime
Baka to test to shoukanjuu
Fumizuki Academy is divided into classes classified based on abilities; Class A has laptops, reclining seats, and maximum comfort, while Class F is content with a degraded classroom with rotten cushions and poor tables.
Akihisa Yoshii recently took the entrance exam and finds himself relegated to the humble F class along with many of his friends. Classes can declare war on each other to switch rooms, fighting summoned characters whose strength is their grades.
The 'idiot' students of Class F will try everything they can to reach the luxury of Class A, even if it means facing the whole school in a summoning war! The anime is pure comedy, full of scenes with characters in Chibi and SD.
Hetalia Axis Powers and Worlds Series
The main cast of this anime series are mainly the countries that made up the Axis powers and the Allies of WWII – namely Italy, Germany, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China.
Hetalia is the combination of the word hetare [レタレ] which means "useless" or "pathetic" in a cute way, along with the word "Italia", satirizing the protagonist of the series. Italy Veneziano, a brilliant and sweet character, recognized as one of the weakest.
The events of the main plot take place during World War II, but the vast majority of the comics occur during other historical events, modern holidays, or at no specific time.
The series often uses satire and lighthearted comedy to reinterpret well-known events as well as less common historical and cultural trivia. The historical, political, economic and military interaction between countries is usually represented with social interactions.
Sora no Otoshimono
A great two-season Chibi-filled comedy anime. Tomoki comes across a scantily clad angel falling from the sky named Ikaros who claims to be his pet, and who is willing to do whatever he says.
Now, Tomoki is able to manipulate panties and do perverted things with ease; but what are the real reasons for Ikaros to be with him? What other strange things await the protagonist Tomoki?
Himouto Umaru-chan
To the rest of the world, Umaru is kind, smart, and a perfect high school student. But her brother, Taihei, knows the truth: at home, she's a bratty, sloppy, lazy girl who eats junk food, plays video games, and throws tantrums.
Now, in addition to working full-time to support his household, Taihei has to cook, clean and shop, while Umaru enjoys his carefree days as a shameless otaku in secret.
Isekai Quartet
The chibi comedy anime mixes characters from Re: ZERO, Overlord, Konosuba, and other isekai animes in a classroom. Although it seems like a generic anime that uses the fame of others, it has been quite successful and has already received two seasons.
Chibi and SD character products
Chibi characters are cute and attract attention, I myself have a bunch of chibi action figures. Below we will recommend some chibi characters that can be purchased on Amazon Brazil for you to decorate your room or living room.
List of Chibi Manga
We don't have many chibi manga in Brazil, but you can find it in our previous product list. Now let's just display a list of the most popular manga in Japan that use Chibi and SD as traits:
| Nome do Mangá Chibi | Year |
| Hachune Miku’s Everyday Vocaloid Paradise Manga | 2009 |
| Bungou Stray Dogs Wan! | 2015 |
| Overlord: The Undead King Oh! | 2017 |
| The Bride was a Boy | 2016 |
| Himouto! Umaru-chan | 2013 |
| KonoSuba: Megumin Anthology Aka | 2018 |
| Cry for Me | 2016 |
| Himouto! Umaru-chan S | 2014 |
| Naruto: Chibi Sasuke’s Sharingan Legend | 2014 |
| They Say I was Born a King's Little Daughter | 2017 |
| Fairy Tail S: Tales from Fairy Tail | 2007 |
| Angel Beats! The 4-koma: Bokura no Sensen Koushinkyoku | 2009 |
| Full Metal Panic! Overload | 2000 |
| Attack on Titan: Junior High | 2012 |
| Minidura | 2013 |
| One Piece Party | 2014 |
| Bleach 4-koma: Komaburi | 2011 |
| A Certain Magical Indexchu | 2008 |
| Record Of Lodoss War: Welcome To Lodoss Island! | 1995 |
| Moonlight Sculptor 4-koma | 2015 |
| Puchimas! Petit iDOLM@STER | 2008 |
| Metroid: Shounen Ou! Shorts | 1994 |
| Gakuen Psycho-Pass | 2014 |
| Yu-Gi-Oh! D Team ZEXAL | 2012 |
| Mini! KIZNAIVER Theater | 2016 |
| Negiho: Mahora Little Girls | 2010 |
| Moonlight Sculptor 4-koma - Part 3 | 2020 |
| Hamefura x Arte | 2020 |
| Guraburu Jersey Bu! | 2016 |
| Black Clover SD: Asta-kun Mahou Tei e no Michi | 2018 |
| Mini Vanguard | 2011 |
| DD Fist of the North Star | 2010 |
| One Piece Gakuen | 2019 |
| The iDOLM@STER SideM: Wake Atte Mini! Returns | 2018 |
| The iDOLM@STER SideM: Wake Atte Mini! | 2016 |
| Hidan no Aria-chan | 2011 |
| Petit Adonis | 2018 |
| Nora Swipes Right | 2019 |
| Tell Me Your Wish | 2018 |
| Fudanshi Kakumei | 2012 |
| Nyoron Churuya-san | 2008 |
| We Won't Die Easily! | |
| Mini Toji: Shucchouban | 2019 |
| Shobo Nyan | 2011 |
| Moonlight Sculptor 4-koma - Part 2 | 2018 |
| Peleliu: Rakuen no Guernica | 2016 |
| Lucky Star: Boo Boo Kagaboo | 2008 |
| HiGH&LOW g-sword | 2017 |
| Kakegurui Kakkokari | 2016 |
| Koha Ace | 2011 |
| Grimoire of Zero Nano! | 2015 |
| Damekko Doubutsu | 2001 |
| Katatsumuri-chan | 2004 |
| Kanpachi | 2010 |
| P.S. Triple | 2006 |
| Kitsune to Aburage | 2009 |
List of Chibi Anime
Below we will share a list of chibi anime that air on television. Specials and OVAs are not included, they will follow further down in another subtitle. The list of chibi anime is in order of popularity, make good use of it below:
| Animes Chibi | Year |
| Baka and Test - Summon the Beasts 2 | 2011 |
| Heaven's Lost Property: Forte | 2010 |
| Hetalia: The Beautiful World | 2013 |
| Baka and Test - Summon the Beasts | 2010 |
| The Royal Tutor | 2017 |
| Isekai Quartet | 2019 |
| Isekai Quartet 2 | 2020 |
| Mahoujin Guru Guru (2017) | 2017 |
| The Wallflower | 2006 |
| Himouto! Umaru-chan R | 2017 |
| Heaven's Lost Property | 2009 |
| www.Working!! | 2016 |
| Poyopoyo Kansatsu Nikki | 2012 |
| BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Pico | 2018 |
| Himouto! Umaru-chan | 2015 |
| Ninja Girl & Samurai Master 3rd Season | 2018 |
| Ninja Girl & Samurai Master 2nd Season | 2017 |
| Damekko Doubutsu | 2005 |
| Potemayo | 2007 |
| Ninja Girl & Samurai Master | 2016 |
| Maria Holic | 2009 |
| Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun | 2017 |
| Anne-Happy | 2016 |
| Maria Holic Alive | 2011 |
| Binchou-tan | 2006 |
| The iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls Theater Climax Season | 2019 |
| Attack on Titan: Junior High | 2015 |
| The iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls Theater 2nd Season | 2017 |
| Hinako Note | 2017 |
| Di Gi Charat Nyo | 2003 |
| Hakuouki: Otogisoushi | 2016 |
| Ghost in the Shell: Nyuumon Arise | 2014 |
| The iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls Theater 3rd Season | 2018 |
| Di Gi Charat | 1999 |
| Etotama | 2015 |
| Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat | 2002 |
| The IDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls Theater | 2017 |
| Yurumates 3D Plus | 2012 |
| Tokyo Pig | 1997 |
| Oh! My Goddess: The Adventures of Mini-Goddess | 1998 |
| Naruto Spin-Off: Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals | 2012 |
| Mini Vanguard | 2013 |
| Bikkuriman | 1987 |
| DD Fist of the North Star | 2013 |
| Hi-sCool! Seha Girls | 2014 |
| BanG Dream! Pastel Life | 2018 |
| Mini Hama | 2015 |
| Yurumates 3D | 2012 |
| Bottle Fairy | 2003 |
| Panda-Z: The Robonimation | 2004 |
| Happy Lucky Bikkuriman | 2006 |
| Kaijuu Girls 2nd Season | 2018 |
| DD Hokuto no Ken | 2011 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam-san | 2014 |
| SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors | 2010 |
| Bikkuriman 2000 | 1999 |
| Days of Urashimasakatasen | 2019 |
| Gakkatsu! 2nd Season | 2013 |
| Mini Vanguard 2 | 2015 |
| Gakkatsu! | 2012 |
| DD Fist of the North Star II | 2015 |
| Ikemen Sengoku: Bromances Across Time | 2017 |
| Shin Bikkuriman | 1989 |
| Katana Maidens: Mini Toji | 2019 |
| The iDOLM@STER SideM: Wake Atte Mini! | 2018 |
| Lychee DE Light Club | 2012 |
| Tanken Driland: 1000-nen no Mahou | 2013 |
| Chou Shounen Tanteidan NEO | 2017 |
| Ao Oni The Blue Monster | 2016 |
| Alice or Alice: Siscon Nii-san to Futago no Imouto | 2018 |
| Taishou Mebiusline: Chicchai-san | 2017 |
| The Glass Mask Year 3 Class D | 2016 |
| Tenka Hyakken: Meiji-kan e Youkoso! | 2019 |
| Mini Moni Yaru no da Pyon! | 2001 |
| Forest Fairy Five: Fairy Tale | 2017 |
| Forest Fairy Five | 2017 |
| Pugpug | 1998 |
| Girl Gaku. Sei Girls Square Gakuin | 2020 |
| Kaijuu Step Wandabada | 2019 |
| Umayon | 2020 |
List of OVAs, Specials, and Chibi Movies
Now let's see a list of OVAs, specials and Chibi Movies starting with the most popular:
| Nome do Anime Chibi | Year | Type |
| Hetalia: World Series | 2010 | Internet |
| Hetalia: The Beautiful World Especials | 2013 | Special DVD |
| Hetalia: World Series Extra Episodes | 2011 | Internet |
| Melancholy of Haruhi-chan Suzumiya | 2009 | Internet |
| Himouto! Umaru-chan OVA | 2017 | OVA |
| The iDOLM@STER SideM: Wake Atte Mini! Especials | 2019 | Special DVD |
| Hetalia: The World Twinkle Especials | 2015 | Special DVD |
| Black Clover: Petit Clover Advance | 2018 | Special DVD |
| BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Pico: Ohmori | 2020 | Internet |
| Hetalia: The Beautiful World Extra Disc | 2014 | Special DVD |
| Hetalia: Axis Powers | 2009 | Internet |
| Attack on Titan 3rd Season: Part II Especials | 2019 | Special DVD |
| The Royal Tutor Filme | 2019 | Movie |
| Koro-sensei Q! | 2016 | Movie |
| One Piece: Straw Hat Theater | 2006 | Special DVD |
| Hetalia: The World Twinkle - Surprise Halloween! | 2016 | Special DVD |
| Hetalia: The World Twinkle | 2015 | Internet |
| Tanaka-kun wa Kyou mo Kedaruge | 2016 | Internet |
| The iDOLM@STER SideM: Wake Atte Mini! OVA | 2019 | OVA |
| Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid Especials | 2017 | Special DVD |
| Hetalia: Axis Powers Fan Disc | 2010 | OVA |
| Kimi ni Todoke - From Me To You 2nd Season Especials | 2011 | Special DVD |
| Potemayo Especials | 2007 | Special DVD |
| HameFura: Catarina Nounai Kaigi | 2020 | Internet |
| Shakugan no Shana II Especials | 2008 | Special DVD |
| Koro-sensei Quest! | 2016 | Internet |
| Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu: Spinout! Sore ga Bokura no Nichijou | 2011 | Special DVD |
| Overlord III: Play Play Pleiades | 2018 | Internet |
| Shakugan no Shana Filme Especial | 2007 | Special DVD |
| Attack on Titan 3rd Season Especials | 2018 | Special DVD |
| Ninja Girl & Samurai Master Episode 0 | 2016 | TV Special |
| Cells at Work! Especials | 2018 | Special DVD |
| CB Chara Go Nagai World | 1991 | OVA |
| Shakugan no Shana S Especials | 2009 | Special DVD |
| Shakugan no Shana III Especials | 2012 | Special DVD |
| Shakugan no Shana Especials | 2006 | Special DVD |
| Carnival Phantasm: Illya's Castle | 2011 | Another |
| The Testament of Sister New Devil BURST Especials | 2015 | Special DVD |
| Maho-Yome | 2017 | Another |
| Puchimas! Petit Petit iDOLM@STER | 2014 | Internet |
| Manga de Wakaru! Fate/Grand Order | 2018 | Internet |
| Dragon Half | 1993 | OVA |
| Baka and Test - Summon the Beasts 2: Magical Hideyoshi Hideyoshi | 2011 | Special DVD |
| Puchimas! Petit iDOLM@STER | 2013 | Internet |
| My Wife Is the Student Council President! Okusama Gekijou | 2015 | Special DVD |
| Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Character Theater | 2007 | TV Special |
| Overlord: Play Play Pleiades | 2015 | Special DVD |
| Himouto! Umaru-chan S | 2015 | Special DVD |
| Oreimo Animated Commentary | 2010 | Special DVD |
| Overlord: Ple Ple Pleiades Theatrical Version | 2017 | Special DVD |
| Overlord: Play Play Pleiades OVA | 2016 | OVA |
| Overlord II: Play Play Pleiades | 2018 | Internet |
| No Game No Life: Zero - Manner Filme | 2017 | Another |
| Overlord: Ple Ple Pleiades - Clementine Toubou-hen | 2018 | Internet |
| The Testament of Sister New Devil Especials | 2015 | Special DVD |
| Puchimas! Petit iDOLM@STER OVA | 2013 | OVA |
| Place to Place Youchien | 2012 | Another |
| The iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls Theater 3rd Season Especials | 2018 | Special DVD |
| Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Memory Snow - Manner Filme | 2018 | Another |
| Di Gi Charat Summer Especial 2000 | 2000 | OVA |
| Nura: Rise of the Youkai Clan - Jump Super Anime Tour Especial | 2010 | Another |
| Saki Biyori | 2015 | OVA |
| Di Gi Charat Ohanami Especial | 2001 | OVA |
| Symphogear AXZ Especials | 2017 | Special DVD |
| Utawarerumono: The False Faces Especials | 2016 | Special DVD |
| Mini Sengoku Basara Two: Tsukiyo no Katakura-kun | 2010 | Special DVD |
| Susume! Godzilland | 1994 | OVA |
| Barakamon: Mijikamon | 2014 | Internet |
| Re:ZERO -Starting Break Time From Zero- | 2016 | Internet |
| Youjo Shenki | 2017 | Internet |
| Mayoi Neko Overrun! Especials | 2010 | Special DVD |
| Puchimas! Petit iDOLM@STER - Takatsuki Gold Densetsu Especial!! Harukasan Matsuri | 2013 | Special DVD |
| Di Gi Charat Natsuyasumi Especial | 2001 | OVA |
| Mini Sengoku Basara: Chousokabe-kun to Mouri-kun | 2009 | Special DVD |
| Di Gi Charat Christmas Especial | 2000 | OVA |
| The iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls Theater 2nd Season (Web) | 2017 | Internet |
| Puchimas! Petit Petit iDOLM@STER OVA | 2018 | OVA |
| Nadia: Secret of the Blue Water Especials | 2003 | Special DVD |
| Hakuouki: Otogisoushi Especial | 2016 | Special DVD |
| The iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls Theater (Web) | 2017 | Internet |
| Oreimo 2 Animated Commentary | 2013 | Special DVD |
| Puso Ni Comi: Phantasy Star Online 2 Comic | 2019 | Another |
| Mobile Police Patlabor Minimum: Minipato | 2002 | Another |
| Leave it to Piyoko! | 2003 | OVA |
| Di Gi Charat Tsuyu Especials | 2001 | Special DVD |
| The iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls Theater 2nd Season Especials | 2017 | Special DVD |
| Ozmafia!! Especial | 2016 | Special DVD |
| Mobile Suit SD Gundam's Counterattack | 1989 | OVA |
| Danganronpa 3: Monokuma Gekijou | 2016 | Special DVD |
| Sword Art Online II: Sword Art Offline II | 2014 | Special DVD |
| Di Gi Charat Filme - A Trip to the Planet | 2001 | Movie |
| Chiba Pedal: Yowamushi Pedal to Manabu Jitensha Koutsuuanzen | 2016 | Internet |
| Lord Marksman and Vanadis: Tigre and Vanadish | 2014 | Internet |
| Shakugan no Shana: Naze Nani Shana | 2006 | Special DVD |
| Tales of the Rays Theater | 2018 | Another |
| Sword Art Online Filme: Ordinal Scale - Sword Art Offline | 2017 | Special DVD |
| Re:Petit Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu | 2016 | Internet |
| Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline - Extra Edition | 2014 | Special DVD |
| Sengoku Basara Filme: 4-Koma Gekijou - Another Last Party | 2011 | Another |
| Beyond the Boundary: Idol Trial! | 2013 | Internet |
| Yurumates | 2009 | OVA |
| Tokyo Ravens Especials | 2013 | Internet |
| A Sister's All You Need Especials | 2018 | Special DVD |
| Symphogear XV Especials | 2019 | Special DVD |
| Toradora SOS! | 2009 | Special DVD |
| Miyakawa-ke no Kuufuku | 2013 | Internet |
| Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline | 2012 | Special DVD |
| Nyoron! Churuya-san | 2009 | Internet |
| Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Logicoma Especials | 2013 | Special DVD |
| My Wife Is the Student Council President! OVA: Okusama Gekijou | 2016 | Special DVD |
| Super Deformed Double Feature | 1988 | OVA |
| Isekai Quartet Relay PV | 2018 | Internet |
| Attack on Titan Picture Drama | 2013 | Special DVD |
| Symphogear G Especials | 2014 | Special DVD |
| God Eater Rezo Nantoka Gekijou: Episode EX | 2018 | Another |
| .hack//GIFT | 2003 | OVA |
| Macross Delta Especials | 2016 | Special DVD |
| A Sister's All You Need (Web) | 2017 | Special DVD |
| Akame ga Kill! Theater | 2014 | Internet |
| Guilty Crown: 4-koma Gekijou | 2012 | Special DVD |