In Japanese,「niji」or「にじ」can mean either "rainbow" or "2D." The new niji model is tuned with a fine eye to produce anime and illustrative styles.
— from Midjourney's official Discord
Last week Midjourney in collaboration with the anime indie games and Artificial Intelligence developers, Spellbrush, presented something truly special—a gift to all Anime-fans called --niji. A new engine focused on Anime in all its diversity. In this research, we will take a closer look at the --niji modifier, take it to the limits with our traditional benchmark, and see how well it knows Anime styles and genres.
DISCLAIMER
I am not an expert on Anime, and I apologize to all the hard-core Anime fans who will most definitely see my lack of knowledge. With this research, I am also trying to educate myself about a new domain of art. And if you catch my list missing a genre or a style, please—send me a note (there is the form at the bottom of this page). I will run all suggestions through our benchmark and update the research!
QUICK FACTS ABOUT --NIJI
Here is the official announcement from Midjourney's Discord channel:
We're releasing a brand new anime model in collaboration with our friends at Spellbrush and we're calling it niji・journey!..
— It has vastly more knowledge of anime, anime styles, and anime aesthetics
— It's great at dynamic and action shots, and character-focused compositions in general.
Thank you, Midjourney and Spellbrush!
To activate the superpowers of the niji model, you either add --niji to your prompt or select the "niji" option from /settings.
Unfortunately, --niji doesn't support --stylize at this moment. ⊙︿⊙ Aspect Ratio (--ar), Quality (--q), and Remix Mode work.
BENCHMARK
You may already be familiar with the benchmark, so I'll make it short. We at the Library use nine standardized prompts to test Midourney styles. However, in --niji case, I will swap my portrait of Francis D. (the Image Prompt of our benchmark). I will explain the reasons and test Image Prompts in --niji in a separate section of this research.
Anime styles vary greatly depending on the artist, the Epoque, and other factors. In most cases, each prompt rendered quite different variants, so, at times, it was difficult to choose what to include in this research. I tried to pick the ones that are: a) (to my inexperienced eye) closer to the initial style, b) close to the prompt, and c) look cool.
When a style couldn't win a specific test prompt, I reduced the style's Midlibrary score by one. (づ─⍘─)づ
ANIME STYLES AND GENRES IN --NIJI
ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 9/9
I used the in ...anime style formula to add styles to prompts and started with the most general modifier—in anime style --niji.
Note, how the style varies from prompt to prompt. Still, every one of them is distinct Anime.
CHIBI ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 9/9
Chibi, also known as the super-deformed style, features characters with exaggerated, childlike proportions (large heads, small bodies), often used to add humor or levity to a scene.
Examples: "Pani Poni Dash!" (2005), "Lucky Star" (2007), "Hetalia: Axis Powers" (2009).
Very strong style—diverse, yet distinct, and capable of penetrating each prompt in the benchmark.
GAKUEN ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 7.5/9
Gakuen is a type of Anime where a story takes place in a school setting. It often focuses on the relationships and conflicts of its school-aged characters and may include romance, drama, or comedy elements.
Examples: "Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions" (2012), "The Pet Girl of Sakurasou" (2012), "Boarding School Juliet" (2018).
Mainecoon is a total miss, however, Nazgul seems to be half-way there. Hence 7.5/9.
GEKIGA ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 9/9
Gekiga is a type of Anime characterized by its dark, realistic, and adult themes. Gekiga anime often deals with social or political issues and may include elements of violence or sexual content.
Examples: "Akira" (1988), "Grave of the Fireflies" (1988), "Barefoot Gen" (1983).
J HORROR ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 9/9
J Horror is a type of Anime influenced by Japanese horror literature and cinema. J Horror often features supernatural elements, such as ghosts or monsters, and is designed to be suspenseful and frightening.
Examples: "The Ring" (1998), "Ju-on: The Grudge" (2002), "Death Note" (2006).
Very impressive, and quite horrifying. ゞ◎Д◎ヾ One of the best Thom Yorkes, for sure!
JIDAIMONO ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 9/9
Jidaimono is a genre of Japanese historical drama that portrays events from Japan's past. It is popular in Japanese theater, particularly kabuki, and has also been adapted into anime and manga. Jidaimono stories often focus on themes of honor, loyalty, and bravery and often depict the lives of samurai and other historical figures.
Examples: "Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom" (2010), "The Tale of Genji" (1987), "Samurai Champloo" (2004).
Another great Thom Yorke, and at least one variant of Mainecoon that is not photo-realistic!
JOSEI ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 8/9
Josei anime is a genre targeting a female audience and featuring more realistic and mature storylines and characters than other genres. It often focuses on relationships, personal growth, and social issues, and may depict adult themes such as romance, sexuality, and workplace issues.
Examples: "March Comes in Like a Lion" (2011), "Nana" (2006), "A Place Further Than the Universe" (2018).
Of course, it couldn't overcome the cute Mainecoon cat... But suddenly, Nazgul seemed to be quite in place.
KAWAII ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 9/9
Kawaii anime style is a subgenre of Anime that focuses on cuteness and innocence. Characters in kawaii Anime often have large, expressive eyes and youthful appearances.
Examples: "Cardcaptor Sakura" (1998), "K-On!" (2009), "Lucky Star" (2007).
KEMONOMIMI ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 8/9
Kemonomimi features characters with animal-like characteristics, such as animal ears or tails. These characters are often humanoid in appearance and may have other animal-like traits or abilities.
Examples: "Neko Atsume" (2014), "Kemono Friends" (2017), "The Rising of the Shield Hero" (2019)
Nazgul generations were all inconclusive (again!) or didn't return any elements of the actual style in the resulting picture... 8/9.
KODOMOMUKE ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 8/9
Kodomomuke is aimed at a young audience and often features simple storylines and cute, childlike characters.
Examples: "Doraemon" (1973), "Anpanman" (1988) "Pokemon" (1997).
You guessed it, 8/9 because Nazgul. ╮(╯_╰)╭
MECHA ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 9/9
Mecha Anime features (often gigantic) robots as major characters and action-packed storylines involving battles and high-stakes conflicts.
Examples: "Gundam" (1979), "Neon Genesis Evangelion" (1995), "Code Geass" (2006)
If all the misses with Nazguls in other styles were leading to this, it was worth it. Hands down—one of the best Nazguls across all our benchmarks!
It appeared challenging to get Thom Yorke's portrait from in Mecha anime style! Many generations showed generic anime characters in mecha armor. In others, the character's face was completely covered with a helmet or looked like a giant robot. Technically, there is no way of knowing if Thom Yorke was inside these. :)
Apart from that minor hiccup, Mecha style is fantastic in every way: it infiltrated every prompt, showing distinct visual signature every time.
MOE ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 8.5/9
Moe focuses on the cute and endearing qualities of its characters. They are often young, innocent, and naive and evoke feelings of protectiveness and affection in the viewer.
Examples: "K-On!" (2009), "Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions" (2012), "The Pet Girl of Sakurasou" (2012).
Nazgul is suprisingly unique in Moe, not sure how Moe it is though ^_____^ 8.5/9.
REALISTIC ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 8/9
Realistic Anime, as follows from its name, is characterized by its attention to detail and realism in its art style.
Examples: "Grave of the Fireflies" (1988), "Barefoot Gen" (1983), "Ergo Proxy" (2006).
One point off for Thom Yorke (for a change ಠ‿↼).
SEMI-REALISTIC ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 6/9
Semi-realistic Anime combines elements of realism with more fantastical or exaggerated elements. It often blends realistic character designs and settings with fantasy or science fiction.
Examples: "Ghost in the Shell" (1995), "Cowboy Bebop" (1998), "Fullmetal Alchemist" (2003).
Not sure if Mainecoon cat and Thom Yorke in this test qualify as Anime at all, not to say about Semi-realistic anime style. And Nazgul is generic yet again. ⊙︿⊙
SEINEN ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 8/9
Seinen Anime aims at a male adult audience, explores mature themes, and may include action, horror, or psychological drama elements.
Examples: "Akira" (1988), "Neon Genesis Evangelion" (1995), "Death Note" (2006).
Very inconclusive and generic Nazgul, minus one point. Look at Thom, though!
SHOJO ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 8/9
Shojo Anime aims at a female adolescent audience. Shojo Anime often features romance, drama, and coming-of-age themes and focuses on the growth and development of its female protagonists.
Examples: "Sailor Moon" (1992), "Fushigi Yugi" (1995), "Cardcaptor Sakura" (1998).
Nazgul is definitely a miss, 8/9.
SHONEN ANIME STYLE
Midlibrary score: 9/9
Shonen Anime aims at a male adolescent audience and features action, tale, and friendship as key themes.
Examples: "Dragon Ball" (1986), "Naruto" (2002), "One Piece" (1999).
Quite a distinct sleeping town!
IMAGE PROMPTS
I started testing --niji with my traditional benchmark image—a photograph of Francis D. However, the results looked... unsettling, so I decided to switch the subject. ≧◔◡◔≦
Meet Katherine Brook, my friend and a magically talented photographer↗ based in New Zealand.
For this test, I used a portrait I took of her some years ago. Here are the results.
Okay, I couldn't discard Francis completely—so I tried him in the styles that seemed appropriate for such a subject or added prompt modifiers that helped define the character.
No points were taken from any style—all of them passed the Image Prompt test. ｡^ ‿ ^｡
ANIME TITLES, ARTISTS, STUDIOS IN --NIJI
Apart from a few misses, niji・journey is great with Anime styles! What about Anime Titles, though?
With the help of more knowledgeable friends, my own research, and even a chat with an AI, I compiled the lists of some of the iconic Anime titles, anime artists, studios, and games—and fed it to mid-niji.
147 niji anime styles:
Styles and Genres, Artists, Titles, Game Titles and Studios.
Check out the
NIJI LIBRARY →
This research returned mostly positive results. However, not without surprises: --niji seems not to know Satoshi Kon's iconic Paprika, Hayao Miayazaki's Laputa, and many of the legendary anime studios. (◕o◕)
CONCLUSIONS
The niji・journey is fun to play with! It's versatile and contains knowledge about the principal Anime styles and genres, leading authors, titles, and characters.
The average Midlibrary score for all tested styles is high! --niji is powerful—even with basic prompting strategies—it easily penetrates even complex prompts with most anime styles. :) Nazguls and Mainecoon cats seem to be --niji's weak points, though.
Using Image Prompts with --niji is an amusing experience!
niji・journey is a whole new world for Midjourney artists. It opens many creative possibilities and is definitely worth exploring, even if you're not an Anime fan! (✿•́ヮ •̀)
Yours,
Andrei
CLIFFHANGER: --niji works with other Midjourney styles in interesting (and unexpected!) ways. I will make a separate post with my findings—along with some more Image Prompts insights and a special Manga update. Stay tuned for Season Two!
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All samples are produced by Midlibrary team using Midjourney AI (if not stated otherwise). Naturally, they are not representative of real artists' works/real-world prototypes.
Ver. 2.9.1
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