Genga (原画) is the Japanese term for Key Animation. It consists of Layout, where the animation work and composition is created, and Tie-down, where corrections are applied and tied-down drawings are made.
As this chart shows, there are a lot of checks to make sure that animations are working in both layout and tie-down - these stages are a major reason that artists of such different experience levels and styles can all animate for the same show. The amount of checks by qualified artists within the pipeline are also a way for animators to be relieved.
Animation Pipeline Steps:[]
- Layout (レイアウト)
- LO Enshutsu Check (LOチェック)
- LO Sakkan Check (作監チェック)
- LO Sou Sakkan Check (総作監チェック)
- Nigen (第二原画 or 二原)
- Genga Enshutsu Check (演出チェック)
- Genga Sakkan Check (作監チェック)
- Genga Sou Sakkan Check (総作監チェック)
LO Enshutsu Check | LOチェック | The Enshutsu (Director) is focused on making everything match a cohesive vision. Their corrections are based on acting, storytelling, and correcting shots and angles. They don’t typically fix mistakes in drawings. |
LO Sakkan Check | 作監チェック | The Sakkan (Animation Supervisor) is focused on form, drawing quality, and pose clarity. They help to put characters on model and improve animation quality. |
LO Sou Sakkan Check | 総作監チェック | The Sou Sakkan (Chief Animation Supervisor) are senior to the Sakkan. They have final say on drawing style and quality, and may also make some more major revisions to posing and acting. Very often they are also a lead character designer. |