A new decade has begun. The style of anime that we see over the next 10 years will be different from the last 10. This is natural. But are there reasons that we can pinpoint and break down? Turns out, there are.
Above are illustrations by artist Date Naoto demonstrating how anime-style art has evolved over the past decade. Date has done books on illustrations, which you can order here.
80年代から2010年代の絵柄の変換。
（デジタルツールで描く！服のシワと影の描き方より） pic.twitter.com/NM3yZU0i03— ダテナオト＠『イラスト解体新書』１２刷、好評発売中！ (@datenaoto2012) July 3, 2019
Without a doubt art changes. This is natural. But, the rate at which manga and art styles change can seem unnaturally quick, considering the long arc of history. The images below show how shojo manga art has evolved since the 1960s:
京都精華大のマンガ学部の前に置いてあった、「少女マンガの絵柄♡変遷顔年表」てのが面白かったし私は90年代勢です#京都精華大学 #マンガ学部 #少女漫画 pic.twitter.com/fzSetbWOvl
— 塩谷 舞（mai shiotani）???? (@ciotan) January 11, 2017
This meme-type image shows the general anime art progression since the 1980s:
海外「80年代～現在のアニメキャラの顔の変化をまとめてみたけど、どうよ？」 【海外の反応】 http://t.co/AnC0NiKxVu
猫も杓子も>9の’10〜みたいな絵ばかりな現在。 pic.twitter.com/KUnF0BCjUq— さすらいのカナブン (@sasurai_K1) July 20, 2015
Here is a famous image showing how Kyoto Animation’s style has evolved since 2003:
京アニでいうと09年の「けいおん」から12年の「中二病」の間で髪や影の情報尾が一気に増しています。これ以降先品を追うごとに頭身も上がり徐々にリアル系への路線へと舵を切っている事がよくわかります。 pic.twitter.com/4IQag6C9oM
— ダテナオト＠『イラスト解体新書』１２刷、好評発売中！ (@datenaoto2012) July 1, 2019
But besides the evolution of an artistic style, is there another reason particular looks dominate particular eras? According to illustration site Ichi Up, it’s a good idea to think of this phenomenon as a drawing pattern trend.
Once a style becomes popular, clients might request it, feeling that they are responding to the needs of consumers. Then, illustrators might feel the need to conform to the nouveau style in order not to look dated or old fashioned.
If a look becomes popular, appealing to that look is strategic: The artist shows they are fluent in the popular style and, thus, hopefully, they can get work. Being able to execute a particular style, Ichi Up explains, gives the artist another weapon in their arsenal.
Obviously, this isn’t true for every artist, but for many guns for hire, this is how they make their living. Talented artists are still able to put their own spin on the dominant designs of the day, bringing individuality to what can seem like conformity.
Once lots of artists begin working in a particular style, said style comes to define that period until the next cutting-edge style comes along and becomes popular. Artists switch to the new style, starting the cycle all over again.
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