

So, recently, while watching a few of my favorite animes, I noticed this
really weird art style that pops up whenever a character will show confusion,
annoyance, etc.

![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/WSZ9g.jpg)

Don't really know what the art style is called. Usually, they look kinda
simplified or less detailed (not sure if that's the right term). I don't think
it's _chibi_ , but whatever it is, I would like to know.


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2021-01-12T09:55:29.307
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2021-04-26T20:12:23.480
2021-01-20T00:48:17.817
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question
terminology
What is this simplified/less-detailed art style called?


It's called "super deformed", or SD.

Some anime spin-offs of franchises in that style have the "Super Deformed" or
"SD" in the name, like "Kidou Senshi SD Gundam" or "Kamen Rider SD" others
don't, like "The Ten Little Gall Force".


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2021-04-26T17:43:03.703
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answer


The term you refer to where anime or manga characters tend to look less
detailed is super-deformed, which appears in spin-offs of popular anime or
manga, an example being "Naruto Spin-off: Rock Lee and his Ninja Pals," and is
also used humorously to show confusion, tiredness, unusual excitement, and
more.

According to <https://tvtropes.org>:

> An artistic style in anime in which a normally (more) realistically
> proportioned character is rendered in a shorter, rounder form, often with a
> big head and short limbs, somewhat resembling a caricature of themselves as
> a tiny yet plump toddler.

As previously stated, this "super-deformed" art style can be used in many
ways, and is also known as chibi. You did indeed state that you do not think
this art-style is known as chibi, but it actually is..

Wikipedia states:

> Chibi is a Japanese slang word describing something short. The term is
> widely used to describe a specific style of caricature where characters are
> drawn in an exaggerated way: small and chubby, with stubby limbs and
> oversized heads.

This certain description is seen in the image you have posted. Such related
description is also shown in the image of a spin-off series generally
revolving on this art style, as seen here: [![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/JhCU2.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/JhCU2.png)

A big head with small limbs. This is indeed an art style called super-deformed
(SD) and is also known as chibi. As said before, it can be used for many
reasons, such as to show unusual excitement, unsatisfaction, confusion, etc.
The art styles super-deformed and chibi are generally the same thing, and is
the style shown in your photo.

* * *

Sources: Wikipedia, tvtropes.org.


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