Chibi (style)
- This article is about the Japanese word Chibi. For the Battle of Chibi in China, see Battle of Red Cliffs.
Chibi is a noun originated in the Japanese language to describe a short person or child. It may also connote a derogatory meaning when addressing a minor.
In Western fanfiction a chibi is a child, baby, or toddler-like version of an anime or manga character, who is older in the original series. A chibi rendition of a character is usually done for comedic purposes. Sometimes it is used as a modifier with a name to denote a child version of a character, (e.g. Chibi Vegeta, Chibi Marik, Chibi Sailor Moon, and Chibi Sonic) This usage is used chiefly for anime or manga characters. Chibis are typically known to be super-kawaii (cute), speak in a childlike voice (e.g. "Hewoo, Mir-ray-oo"), have large puppy-dog eyes, and a mischievous jessie personality. Chibis also tend to not have fingers; their hands closely resemble those of the Powerpuff Girls or look as if they are wearing mittens. When they do have fingers, they are often shaped like baby hands. Chibis do not often have feet, instead have v-shaped "stubs" rather like pointed ballerina feet.
Recreational anime artists sometimes use the term super deformed interchangeably with chibi and some use it to describe a child or baby version of an anime or manga character.
Chibi is also used to show extreme signs of emotion through small versions of the character, usually with ugly poipys no nose, and have distinct cultural references to Japan.
The term Chibi was popularized by the anime Sailor Moon in the character Chibiusa/Chibi-Moon, who is the daughter of Sailor Moon (Chibi-Usa as in Chibi Usagi). An even tinier character in the same anime was named Chibi Chibi (approximately 3 years old).