Understanding “Chibi” With Hiro & Father Mateo

As used in anime and manga culture, “chibi” (ちび / チビ) refers to overly-cute or child-like drawings of characters from anime, manga, or other areas of popular culture. 

Chibi are often characterized by oversized heads, childlike features, and larger-than-normal eyes (though the latter is often true of anime styles generally, and is not unique to chibi).

Hiro’s partner in crime-solving, Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo Ávila de Santos, is slightly older than Hiro, but looks similarly young in chibi form:

Although some Western readers think it strange to consider that “comics” have such widespread popularity in Japan, anime and manga encompass far more than merely “comic books.” Graphic novels are deeply embedded in Japanese culture – and as a writer, I think it’s a wonderful thing. The fusion of story, words, and art gives storytellers a dynamic, flexible platform – I’m glad to see them growing in popularity in the United States, and hope the trend continues.