Did Akira Toriyama Create the Chibi Style? The Truth Revealed!

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Summary

  • The popularity of the chibi-style is in part thanks to Toriyama’s early work, but it was influenced by many others before and after him.
  • Chibi refers to small, cute figures; Toriyama’s chibi-like characters in Dr. Slump inspired SD Gundam and the term “SD”.
  • Chibi’s origins may even date back to the 1300s in Japan, gradually working its way into otaku and then pop culture worldwide.

The influence of Akira Toriyama extends far beyond the realms of anime and comic books. It’s quite likely that the story you’re currently engrossed in has been touched by Akira Toriyama’s creative output, be it Hollywood blockbusters, comics, or webtoons. After his demise in 2024, debates intensified about the scope of Toriyama’s impact on the art world. One of the debated topics was whether Toriyama played a significant role in popularizing, if not creating, the “chibi” style.

Prior to Dragon Ball, Toriyama had already been producing timeless works such as Dr. Slump. It was within this narrative that his distinctive chibi-like characters truly gained popularity. However, one may wonder if the chibi style originated with Toriyama or if he was merely tapping into his personal inspirations. To clarify the origins and extent of Toriyama’s influence on the chibi style, let us explore the history of chibi in manga, anime, and beyond.

What Does Chibi Mean Anyway?

There May Be More Behind the Term “Chibi” Than You Think

Is there a clear set of rules that determine an art style as “chibi”? Not quite. The term “chibi” generally refers to depictions of characters with smaller or shorter statures. This is similar to the concept of cherubs. In manga and anime, it’s often used to convey cuteness, but in everyday life, it can have a negative connotation. The term originates from “Chibiru,” which means ‘to wear down’ in Japanese. This connects to the modern usage of chibi because as something wears down, it tends to round and smooth out, like a pencil lead becoming softer and rounder with use. In contemporary contexts, chibi art typically features small, rounded characters or objects.

When it comes to defining what makes a character look “chibi,” there may not be strictly set guidelines, but generally, the head is either the same size as the body or significantly larger. Although this isn’t an officially stated rule, adhering to these principles will usually result in a figure that resembles a chibi style.

The Case for Toriyama Inventing Chibi

Toriyama’s Early Work Heavily Featured the Chibi Style

After establishing the “Chibi” concept, it’s clear that this style is noticeable in Toriyama’s work. In Dr Slump, numerous characters with a “chibi” appearance can be spotted, and around the same period, similar designs began to appear more frequently in other mainstream media. Although these characters weren’t labeled as “chibi” initially, they would later gain another name – SD style or Super Deformed.

It’s plausible that Toriyama’s SD (Super Deformed) characters sparked the development of the Chibi style in Japan. However, it was a renowned series from another source that popularized both the SD and Chibi styles within otaku and mainstream pop culture.

SD Gundam and “Super Deformed”

Although Toriyama initially used the chibi art style, it wasn’t directly linked to his work at first. However, his characters from Dr. Slump, particularly his versions of Godzilla and Ultraman, contributed to the creation of a successful line of “SD” toys. This trend set off a chain of events that eventually made chibi art popular among otaku communities and beyond. Koji Yokoi, an artist who was a student during Dr. Slump’s serialization but is still active today, worked for Bandai as the artist behind a new collection of mini Gundam toys. Inspired by Toriyama and his mini-Dr. Slump characters, this new line of Gundam toys were named SD Gundam World, where the term “SD” was first associated with chibi art styles.

Apart from enriching the toy series with Yokoi’s designs, these creations gained immense popularity, leading to the publication of a manga based on his “SD” Gundam figures.

Before SD and Toriyama

Toriyama Certainly Had His Own Inspirations

Toriyama, widely recognized as a significant influence in the world of manga, might not be the only one holding this title. Another renowned artist, Osamu Tezuka, who is often referred to as the “father” or “godfather” of manga, has also made substantial contributions to the field. It’s plausible that the chibi style could be among these significant contributions.

Astro Boy, one of Tezuka’s notable creations, is particularly well-known and might remind you of the contemporary “chibi” art style due to its small, rounded shape and oversized eyes. Although Astro Boy himself doesn’t strictly follow the chibi style, his design has been an inspiration for it, paving the way for later chibi designs. In Tezuka’s Black Jack series, Pinoko may be a better example of the “Chibi” style.

Sanrio and Hello Kitty

The creator of chibi characters as we know them today might be most recognized for a figure that isn’t typically associated with the genre. For instance, Hello Kitty, who is now globally renowned, was first introduced in 1974 and has consistently adhered to the characteristics that define the chibi style. Although many people may associate Chibi with the transformation of established characters due to the popularity of “chibifying” series, Hello Kitty has always retained this appearance.

The Term Chibi May Be Older Than You Think

It’s Hard to Determine Exactly Where Chibi Started

Although chibi characters and their style didn’t gain widespread popularity until the 70s and 80s, records indicate that the term was first used as early as the 1300s. Over the centuries that followed, it gradually found its place in everyday Japanese language and culture, even if it wasn’t well-known or widely accepted at the time.

Presently, chibi toys and series with a chibi aesthetic are widely appreciated globally. Successful anime and manga productions occasionally receive a “chibi” spinoff, such as Attack on Titan. It’s not uncommon to find a humorous “chibi” adaptation of your preferred manga in bookstores. Funko Pops are well-known toys worldwide, recognized for their chibi-like design. Although Toriyama may not be the originator of the chibi style, his significant impact on its development is undeniable. Similar to other elements in his work, his chibi-esque characters have inspired countless others.

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2025-01-26 19:27