Chibi: a character two to three heads tall

The proportions

1. Step 1Count in heads

   An adult manga character is about 7 heads tall. A chibi is only 2 to 3: the head alone makes a third to a half of the height.

2. Step 2The head

   A big sphere with a short, rounded chin. The eyes move below the middle of the head and become very big.

3. Step 3The body

   A small bean- or pear-shaped torso, about half as tall as the head. No waist, no muscles.

4. Step 4The limbs

   Short, rounded arms and legs, with no visible elbows or knees. Hands become mittens, feet small ovals.

Simplifying the face

• The nose disappears or becomes a tiny dot.
• The mouth is a small line or shape, placed very low, close to the chin.
• The eyes take up almost the whole width of the face, with big highlights.
• The ears are small or hidden by the hair.
• The hair keeps the overall shape of the character's hairstyle, but with fewer, bigger locks.

Turning a character into a chibi

1. Step 1Find what makes them unique

   Their hairstyle, their outfit, an accessory, their main color. These are what must stay.

2. Step 2Keep, enlarge, remove

   Enlarge what matters (an iconic lock, a weapon, a hat) and remove the small details (folds, buttons, patterns).

3. Step 3A pose that tells who they are

   A chibi shows its personality through its pose: arms up for an energetic character, hands behind the back for a shy one.

Chibis in action

With such a short body, every movement has to be exaggerated to read.

1. Step 1The line of action

   It matters even more than on a regular character: bend the whole body in one direction, from head to feet.

2. Step 2The head leads

   Tilt the big head toward the movement: it shows the direction far more than the little arms.

3. Step 3Stretchy limbs

   To run or punch, stretch an arm or a leg a bit longer than usual. On a chibi, nobody will call it cheating.

4. Step 4The effects around

   Speed lines, little dust clouds, stars: on a chibi, they do half of the action.

The coach's tips

• Always build the head first and the body under it: the head sets the scale.
• Thicker, rounder lines make a chibi cuter: avoid sharp angles.
• Try several head sizes side by side: 2 heads for a very cute style, 3 for a more readable one.
• Chibi expressions can be very simple: a line for closed eyes, an oval for surprise.
• Pick a character from the catalog you have already drawn and make their chibi version: you already know their details.

Practice right now

Once the lesson is read, draw this exercise: it takes about 15 minutes.