Certain anime studios—and even certain creators—have signature moves. Hallmarks or calling cards, if you will. Let’s have a look!
On Twitter (via Togetter), people were talking about famous poses and stylistic techniques in anime (and manga).
This article was originally published on June 5, 2015.
“Gainax Stance”
In Japanese, this is “Gaina Dachi” (ガイナ立ち), and it refers to a pose that often appears in Gainax anime. In the Gainax Stance, the character stands with folded arms. It first appeared in Gainax’s 1988 anime Gunbuster, which was Hideaki Anno’s directorial debut. Anno would go on to create Neon Genesis Evangelion and predict the death of anime.
“Shaft Angle”
In Japanese, this is “Shafuto Kakudo” (シャフト角度), which literally means “Shaft Angle.” But it’s also called other names like “Shafu do” (シャフ度) or “Shaf degree” (as in the degree of an angle). Many of the anime created by the studio Shaft feature characters tilting their heads in a similar angle.
“Dezaki Direction Style”
Osamu Dezaki made his name directing the boxing anime Ashita no Joe. His signature style was using washed-out frames with light often streaming in that he called “postcard memories.” Newer anime continue to pay homage with this technique.
“The Minagawa Fade”
This is a stylistic technique of manga artist Ryoji Minagawa, which uses a film-style double processing shot (or multiple exposure). It’s very common in movies, and Minagawa’s use of it in manga is famous. Because of that, some fans even refer to its use in anime as a “Minagawa Fade.”
“Itano Circus”
Anime director Ichiro Itano is famous for his elaborate battle sequences, which unload a massive number of missiles in what fans call an “Itano Circus.”
“Yamada Mask”
Kyoto Animation director Naoko Yamada often features characters covering their mouths.
“Yamada Hands”
This is another common visual trope Yamada uses in her anime. In Japanese, this is now being called “Yamada paa” (山田パー), with “paa” referring to “open hands.” In Rock-paper-scissors, “paa” (パー) is the gesture for “paper.”
“Sunrise Stance”
Sunrise, of course, is famous for the Mobile Suit Gundam anime. The “Sunrise Stance” might be one of anime’s most famous trademark poses and has been copied (or parodied) by many other anime studios. Click on the corner of the above image to expand to full size.
“Seed Pose”
In Japanese, this is called “tane pose” (種ポーズ or tane poozu), with “tane” literally meaning “seed.” Many of the poses in Gundam have names (some are named after mecha designers, for example). This one is popular among Gundam model fans and figure collectors.
Feel free to add more in the comments below!
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