The use of CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) is a technique or process for creating digitally created images or animations using computer software. This technique has become very common in the film, television, video game, and other creative industries.
The initial stage of the CGI process is to create a model or basic framework of the object. These models can be 3D objects, such as characters, buildings, or other physical objects. After that, the model is given a texture, color, and other visual attributes to make it look as if it were real.
Lately, quite a lot of animated series have used CGI techniques. Prior to the widespread adoption of CGI, anime animation was traditionally done by hand. This refers to using methods such as drawing frame by frame or using cels.
The use of CGI in anime can cover several aspects of production. This includes backgrounds, special effects, 3D objects and complex actions. So what are some examples of using CGI in animation projects? Will this lead to something negative or positive?
4 Examples of Using CGI in Anime
Background
The first is setting: In modern anime, it’s often CGI that helps create elaborate and detailed backgrounds using CGI technology. This allows studios to create more realistic and detailed environments more efficiently.
3D objects
The second is 3D Objects. Some objects in anime, such as vehicles, buildings, or complex machines, can also be CGI assisted to materialize. This allows for smooth movement and rotation as well as easier perspective adjustments. You can find this in Kimetsu no Yaiba season 3 and Shingeki no Kyojin by MAPPA.
Special Effects
Then third is Special effects: Special effects like explosions, water, fire, and light effects are often CGI. This gives a more realistic and stunning result. The CGI team often uses it to enhance action and dramatization in anime. You can find this in the Cyberpunk Edgerunners anime.
Complex Action (Action Scene)
The last example is a Complex action. The use of CGI also appears quite often to create more dynamic and complex actions, such as intense fighting or running scenes. By using 3D models and CGI animation techniques, difficult movements can be realized more easily.
Why Are Anime Productions Using CGI Techniques Lately?
The use of CGI techniques in anime production has seen a significant increase in recent years. Of course this happens for many reasons, some of which are:
First, advances in technology have allowed CGI to produce incredibly realistic visuals. This makes it an attractive option for anime creators to create more detailed and stunning worlds.
Second, the use of CGI increases production efficiency. In traditional anime productions that use hand animation, time and effort are enormous. With CGI, production aspects such as backgrounds and visual effects can be completed more quickly and efficiently. This allows anime creators to produce more episodes in less time.
Third, the use of CGI can help reduce production costs. Traditional anime production can be very expensive, especially if it involves complex scenes or intricate movements. In some cases, the use of CGI can reduce production costs. While CGI technology itself requires a large initial investment, it can be more economical in the long run.
Fourth, the demand for anime with realistic and attractive visuals is increasing, especially in the international market. The use of CGI can provide higher visual quality and more impressive effects in anime productions. This helped attract new audiences and expand the anime market.
However, despite significant gains in the use of CGI, there are still anime audiences and fans who prefer traditional hand animation. They consider hand animation to provide warmth and character that is difficult to match with CGI. Therefore, the use of CGI in anime production remains a creative choice for anime creators, and can vary depending on their genre, budget, and preferences.
Negative Impact of Using CGI in the Anime Industry
Computer-generated imagery (CGI) has played an increasingly important role in the anime industry in recent years. Although there are many benefits to be gained from using CGI in anime, there are some negative impacts that can also arise. The following are some of the negative impacts of CGI on the anime industry:
Loss of Traditional Aesthetics
Anime is known for its unique traditional art style, with distinctive features such as brightly colored hair, large eyes, and distinctive facial expressions. The use of CGI in anime can eliminate this aesthetic and produce characters that look more realistic or less attractive in terms of visual design. This can result in losing the special appeal that traditional anime has.
Visual Mismatch
One problem that often arises when using CGI in anime is the visual mismatch between characters produced using CGI and traditional animated backgrounds or elements. If the implementation is not done properly, there can be a sharp contrast between the CGI generated characters and the 2D animated background, which disturbs the overall visual harmony.
Low Animation Quality
Although CGI technology continues to develop, there are still cases where the use of CGI in anime results in low animation quality. This can be due to production budget constraints, lack of time or sufficient resources to produce high-quality CGI animation. The result is an animation that looks clunky, inexpressive, or not as smooth as traditional 2D animation.
Decreasing Creativity in Directing
The use of CGI in anime can also result in decreased creativity in directing. Some directors may tend to rely on CGI as an easy solution to produce complex scenes or interesting visual effects, rather than relying on 2D animation which is more difficult to do. This can result in a loss of uniqueness or uniqueness in direction and result in an anime that feels more uniform or less innovative.
Negative Response from Fans
In some cases, the use of CGI in anime has caused negative reactions from fans. Fans of more traditional anime may not respond to either the excessive use of CGI or that doesn’t align with the anime aesthetic they know and love. This could result in criticism, boycotts, or a drop in popularity for anime series that use CGI in ways that fans don’t like.
Conclusions from the Use of CGI in Anime Series
Overall, the use of CGI in the anime series has a complex impact. Although there are negative impacts that can arise, such as loss of traditional aesthetics, visual discordance, low animation quality, decreased creativity in directing, and negative response from fans, it is important to remember that the use of CGI also has its benefits.
CGI can help create complex scenes or visual effects that are difficult to achieve with traditional 2D animation. This provides an opportunity to bring viewers a richer anime world, more complex details, and a more immersive visual experience.
The use of CGI can also open doors for creative experimentation and innovation in anime making. As technology continues to advance, CGI can be of greater use in producing animation that is smoother, more expressive, and harmonizes with traditional anime art styles.
It’s important to strike the right balance between the use of CGI and traditional 2D animation in anime series. The use of CGI should be done with care and taking into account the wishes and expectations of anime fans. It is important for anime creators to ensure that the use of CGI enhances the quality and authenticity of the story, characters, and direction, without compromising the aesthetics and appeal of the unique anime.
With a thoughtful and creative approach, the use of CGI in an anime series can be a valuable tool for taking anime to a higher visual level and providing a more immersive experience for viewers.