Pixels: Sprites and Chibis

Sprites are graphics (small images) that can be moved around the screen. They are frequently used in games (spaceships, bullets and characters are all usually sprites) because they can be moved around quickly and easily and can be any shape or size. Animation software that supports sprites enables the designer to develop independent animated images that can then be combined in a larger animation. Typically, each sprite has a set of rules that define how it moves and how it behaves if it bumps into another sprite or a static object.

In the pixeling world, sprites are commonly used as a term for itty bitty character dolls, often resembling those of well known video/computer games or anime/manga series, and made available for adoption either from a gallery of them or by request. Chibis (meaning undersized or small), are not as tiny as sprites, but still small and detailless characters, usually with body parts relatively smaller than their heads. Although the original meaning of the word chibi is derogatory, in anime/manga it is used to indicate something that is cute as well as small.