Anime Style

Hard color breaks. Clean silhouettes. Cel shading. Anime proportion language.

When to Use

• Anime / cel-shaded characters and props
• Toon shader lookdev
• Hard shadow graphic looks (not soft PBR)

Core Tenets

1. Flat tonal regions — 2–4 value steps max per material
2. Hard shadow terminators — Specular as graphic shapes
3. Line / silhouette clarity — Optional freestyle or inverted hull
4. Proportion language — Eyes, hair masses, simplified anatomy
5. Palette discipline — Limited hues; accent sparingly

Shading Approach

Method	Use
Shader Toon / ColorRamp on diffuse	Fast Eevee/Cycles toon
Emission + ramp	Graphic unlit regions
Freestyle / grease pencil lines	Contours
Solidify inverted hull	Thick outlines

Modeling Notes

• Simplify secondary forms; hair as masses
• Creases where color breaks need support
• Avoid noisy micro detail fighting flat shading

Lighting

• Single clear key for graphic shadows
• Rim optional for separation
• Avoid heavy soft GI wash unless intentional

Vs stylized-style

• stylized-style = broad NPR / hand-painted
• anime-style = cel breaks, anime proportions, toon stack

Constraints

MUST DO

• Limit value steps
• Keep silhouette iconic
• Test with toon lighting early

MUST NOT DO

• Full PBR roughness noise as primary look
• Over-subsurface that melts cel breaks

Reference Guide

Topic	Reference	Load When
Cel Shader Setup	references/cel-shader-setup.md	When needed
Anime Proportion	references/anime-proportion.md	When needed