Do you know what chibi is? Or do you know the very similar drawing style called super deformed (SD)? You have probably encountered these two drawing styles in some anime or manga. Today we will get to know some of them.
Table of Contents
What does Chibi mean?
The word chibi [禿び] literally means small child. In animes, the term chibi is used to refer to drawing traits where the head is gigantic, usually equal to or larger than the size of the body.
This type of drawing is generally used to achieve a sentimental or comedic effect, and you see it a lot in scenes of animes where characters are dressed up as some animal or in some funny or uncomfortable situation.
It is mainly used in comedy scenes, but some animes end up applying this technique throughout the entire work, either to lower the budget or because it is just a nonsense comedy. To learn more, read our article about Chibi and Super Deformed.
What does Super Deformed (SD) mean?
Super Deformed [SD] is a caricature style where characters have wider heads and more relaxed traits. All of this is to make the scene comedic or save time and work. The word can also be used to refer to chibi.
It is a Western word; in Japan, it is commonly recognized as chibi. Are there differences in the traits? Yes, Super Deformed characters tend to be chubbier, with less detailed limbs and wider heads, resembling children.
Super deformed characters are generally used for quicker scenes where characters have exaggerated emotions like anger, happiness, surprise, and others.
This type of technique has more relaxed traits, and for this reason, they are used in shorter scenes. This style was popularized by franchises like Dragon Ball and SD Gundam in the 1980s.
Differentiating Chibi and SD Characters
It is not easy to differentiate a chibi from a Super Deformed. Sometimes it can be easy to tell because we can perceive 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 chibi is cuter and prettier while SD tends to be more deformed and flawed as the name suggests. Sometimes an SD character has stranger and pointier hair and some peculiar traits.
Currently, these two types of traits are common in Japan to serve as logos, store mascots, signs, companies, and even factories to attract the attention of customers or the media. Their 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 animes that use only these deformed traits or chibi; even Shingeki no Kyojin received a chibi version.
There are other exaggerated proportions in animes, but they are not considered either chibi or Super Deformed. It is very common for producers to reduce the number of traits or not respect the laws of aesthetics and start to scribble to move faster. Very common in animes that are behind schedule or in comedies.
The Best Chibi and SD Animes
Baka to test to shoukanjuu
Fumizuki Academy is divided into classes ranked based on abilities; Class A has laptops, reclining seats, and maximum comfort, while Class F settles for a degraded classroom with rotten cushions and precarious tables.
Akihisa Yoshii recently took the entrance exam and finds himself relegated to the humble Class F along with many of his friends. Classes can declare war on each other to change classrooms, fighting with summoned characters whose strength is their grades.
The ‘idiot’ students of Class F will try whatever 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 World Series
The main cast of this anime series consists mainly of the countries that made up the Axis Powers and the Allies of World War II – namely, Italy, Germany, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China.
Hetalia is a 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 Venezianom, a bright and sweet character, recognized as one of the weakest.
The events of the main plot occur during the Second World War, 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 cheerful comedy to reinterpret well-known events, as well as less common historical and cultural curiosities. The historical, political, economic, and military interactions between countries are generally represented with social interactions.
Sora no Otoshimono
A great comedy anime full of Chibi with two seasons. Tomoki encounters a scantily clad angel falling from the sky named Ikaros who claims to be his pet, and who is willing to do whatever he commands.
Now, Tomoki can manipulate panties and do perverted things with ease; but what are the real reasons Ikaros is with him? What other strange things await the protagonist Tomoki?
Himouto Umaru-chan
To the rest of the world, Umaru is kind, intelligent, and a perfect high school student. But her brother, Taihei, knows the truth: at home, she is a spoiled, messy, and lazy girl who eats junk food, plays video games, and throws tantrums.
Now, in addition to working full-time to support their home, Taihei needs to cook, clean, and shop, while Umaru enjoys her 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. Despite seeming 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.
Chibi Manga List
We don’t have many chibi mangas in Brazil, but you can find them in the previous product list. Now we will just display a list of the most popular mangas from Japan that use Chibi and SD as traits:
| Chibi Manga Name | 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 |
Chibi Anime List
Below we will share a list of chibi animes that air on television. Specials and OVAs are not included; these follow further down in another subtitle. The list of chibi animes is in order of popularity; make good use of it below:
| Chibi Animes | 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 |
| http://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:
| Chibi Anime Name | Year | Type |
| Hetalia: World Series | 2010 | Internet |
| Hetalia: The Beautiful World Specials | 2013 | DVD Special |
| 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! Specials | 2019 | DVD Special |
| Hetalia: The World Twinkle Specials | 2015 | DVD Special |
| Black Clover: Petit Clover Advance | 2018 | DVD Special |
| BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Pico: Ohmori | 2020 | Internet |
| Hetalia: The Beautiful World Extra Disc | 2014 | DVD Special |
| Hetalia: Axis Powers | 2009 | Internet |
| Attack on Titan 3rd Season: Part II Specials | 2019 | DVD Special |
| The Royal Tutor Movie | 2019 | Movie |
| Koro-sensei Q! | 2016 | Movie |
| One Piece: Straw Hat Theater | 2006 | DVD Special |
| Hetalia: The World Twinkle – Surprise Halloween! | 2016 | DVD Special |
| 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 Specials | 2017 | DVD Special |
| Hetalia: Axis Powers Fan Disc | 2010 | OVA |
| Kimi ni Todoke – From Me To You 2nd Season Specials | 2011 | DVD Special |
| Potemayo Specials | 2007 | DVD Special |
| HameFura: Catarina Nounai Kaigi | 2020 | Internet |
| Shakugan no Shana II Specials | 2008 | DVD Special |
| Koro-sensei Quest! | 2016 | Internet |
| Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu: Spinout! Sore ga Bokura no Nichijou | 2011 | DVD Special |
| Overlord III: Play Play Pleiades | 2018 | Internet |
| Shakugan no Shana Movie Specials | 2007 | DVD Special |
| Attack on Titan 3rd Season Specials | 2018 | DVD Special |
| Ninja Girl & Samurai Master Episode 0 | 2016 | TV Special |
| Cells at Work! Specials | 2018 | DVD Special |
| CB Chara Go Nagai World | 1991 | OVA |
| Shakugan no Shana S Specials | 2009 | DVD Special |
| Shakugan no Shana III Specials | 2012 | DVD Special |
| Shakugan no Shana Specials | 2006 | DVD Special |
| Carnival Phantasm: Illya’s Castle | 2011 | Other |
| The Testament of Sister New Devil BURST Specials | 2015 | DVD Special |
| Maho-Yome | 2017 | Other |
| 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 | DVD Special |
| Puchimas! Petit iDOLM@STER | 2013 | Internet |
| My Wife Is the Student Council President! Okusama Gekijou | 2015 | DVD Special |
| Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Character Theater | 2007 | TV Special |
| Overlord: Play Play Pleiades | 2015 | DVD Special |
| Himouto! Umaru-chan S | 2015 | DVD Special |
| Oreimo Animated Commentary | 2010 | DVD Special |
| Overlord: Ple Ple Pleiades Theatrical Version | 2017 | DVD Special |
| Overlord: Play Play Pleiades OVA | 2016 | OVA |
| Overlord II: Play Play Pleiades | 2018 | Internet |
| No Game No Life: Zero – Manner Movie | 2017 | Other |
| Overlord: Ple Ple Pleiades – Clementine Toubou-hen | 2018 | Internet |
| The Testament of Sister New Devil Specials | 2015 | DVD Special |
| Puchimas! Petit iDOLM@STER OVA | 2013 | OVA |
| Place to Place Youchien | 2012 | Other |
| The iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls Theater 3rd Season Specials | 2018 | DVD Special |
| Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Memory Snow – Manner Movie | 2018 | Other |
| Di Gi Charat Summer Special 2000 | 2000 | OVA |
| Nura: Rise of the Youkai Clan – Jump Super Anime Tour Special | 2010 | Other |
| Saki Biyori | 2015 | OVA |
| Di Gi Charat Ohanami Special | 2001 | OVA |
| Symphogear AXZ Specials | 2017 | DVD Special |
| Utawarerumono: The False Faces Specials | 2016 | DVD Special |
| Mini Sengoku Basara Two: Tsukiyo no Katakura-kun | 2010 | DVD Special |
| Susume! Godzilland | 1994 | OVA |
| Barakamon: Mijikamon | 2014 | Internet |
| Re:ZERO -Starting Break Time From Zero- | 2016 | Internet |
| Youjo Shenki | 2017 | Internet |
| Mayoi Neko Overrun! Specials | 2010 | DVD Special |
| Puchimas! Petit iDOLM@STER – Takatsuki Gold Densetsu Special!! Harukasan Matsuri | 2013 | DVD Special |
| Di Gi Charat Natsuyasumi Special | 2001 | OVA |
| Mini Sengoku Basara: Chousokabe-kun to Mouri-kun | 2009 | DVD Special |
| Di Gi Charat Christmas Special | 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 Specials | 2003 | DVD Special |
| Hakuouki: Otogisoushi Special | 2016 | DVD Special |
| The iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls Theater (Web) | 2017 | Internet |
| Oreimo 2 Animated Commentary | 2013 | DVD Special |
| Puso Ni Comi: Phantasy Star Online 2 Comic | 2019 | Other |
| Mobile Police Patlabor Minimum: Minipato | 2002 | Other |
| Leave it to Piyoko! | 2003 | OVA |
| Di Gi Charat Tsuyu Specials | 2001 | DVD Special |
| The iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls Theater 2nd Season Specials | 2017 | DVD Special |
| Ozmafia!! Special | 2016 | DVD Special |
| Mobile Suit SD Gundam’s Counterattack | 1989 | OVA |
| Danganronpa 3: Monokuma Gekijou | 2016 | DVD Special |
| Sword Art Online II: Sword Art Offline II | 2014 | DVD Special |
| Di Gi Charat Movie – 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 | DVD Special |
| Tales of the Rays Theater | 2018 | Other |
| Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale – Sword Art Offline | 2017 | DVD Special |
| Re:Petit Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu | 2016 | Internet |
| Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline – Extra Edition | 2014 | DVD Special |
| Sengoku Basara Movie: 4-Koma Gekijou – Another Last Party | 2011 | Other |
| Beyond the Boundary: Idol Trial! | 2013 | Internet |
| Yurumates | 2009 | OVA |
| Tokyo Ravens Specials | 2013 | Internet |
| A Sister’s All You Need Specials | 2018 | DVD Special |
| Symphogear XV Specials | 2019 | DVD Special |
| Toradora SOS! | 2009 | DVD Special |
| Miyakawa-ke no Kuufuku | 2013 | Internet |
| Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline | 2012 | DVD Special |
| Nyoron! Churuya-san | 2009 | Internet |
| Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Logicoma Specials | 2013 | DVD Special |
| My Wife Is the Student Council President! OVA: Okusama Gekijou | 2016 | DVD Special |
| Super Deformed Double Feature | 1988 | OVA |
| Isekai Quartet Relay PV | 2018 | Internet |
| Attack on Titan Picture Drama | 2013 | DVD Special |
| Symphogear G Specials | 2014 | DVD Special |
| God Eater Rezo Nantoka Gekijou: Episode EX | 2018 | Other |
| .hack//GIFT | 2003 | OVA |
| Macross Delta Specials | 2016 | DVD Special |
| A Sister’s All You Need (Web) | 2017 | DVD Special |
| Akame ga Kill! Theater | 2014 | Internet |
| Guilty Crown: 4-koma Gekijou | 2012 | DVD Special |
Leave a Reply