Sonic X animation styles

[Vertekins]

Chances are, if you've viewed quite a few Sonic X episodes, you'll notice that throughout it's run it had wildly varying animation and drawing styles.

Each style is so distinctive that it is very easy to spot which animators did which episodes. This topic was created to elaborate on the different animation/drawing styles used throughout the series' run and to pinpoint which animators did which episodes.

First off, let's start with the positive. Too few episodes had on-model, decently well drawn scenes and characters but when they did pop up, they stood out from the other episodes for all the right reasons;

The characters are well-proportioned, on-model and expressive and conform to the model sheets extremely closely. The animation is also quite fluid. This animation style was utilized in;

• Episode 1
• Episode 20
• Episode 26
• Episode 32
• Episode 38
• Episode 44
• Episode 52
• Episode 63
• Episode 67
• Episode 78

Unfortunately, those episodes are the only ones that can be honestly said to contain quality. Now, we'll start looking into the ugly side of Sonic X's animation. And there's a lot of it!

Next, let's look at the animation style I personally like to label as the "Mutant Sonic" style.

Ewww....wrongly-shaped eyes, off-center nose, too pointed where it connects to his muzzle and his eyes are not joined when they are closed as well as a mouth that's just too small and horribly drawn quills. Sonic is the biggest victim of this animation style, he's FAR UGLIER than other characters when this style in utilized in episodes.

This animation style was utilized in;

• Episode 48
• Episode 54
• Episode 59
• Episode 64
• Episode 69
• Episode 74

Next up, we have the "Stoned" animation style.

The irises and pupils are uncanny, unfocused and not proportional to the eye. This gives the characters an overall look of being spaced-out and distant. Arms tend to be too straight and too short and hands, ears and feet tend to be undersized.

Overall a horrible style. This style was utilized in;

• Episode 25
• Episode 28
• Episode 36
• Episode 42
• Episode 60

Next up - "Lines on irises" style

I personally call this the "Lines on irises" style because from all of my observances, no other animator(s) puts lines on the characters irises. This is probably the worst animation style IMO as characters tend to look too "chunky" (Just take a look at poor Sonic in the top-center image). Characters tend to have oversized, thick noses and odd expressions and overall poor proportioning.

This style was utilized in;

• Episode 24
• Episode 31
• Episode 39
• Episode 47

"Cartoony-er style" is the animation style I like to call the following.

I personally think that this style makes the characters look zanier. Their eyes are oversized and their mouths tend to be larger than average, drawn distinctly differently than other styles. It's expressive (Sonic tends to look happier than usual) and Knuckles is very frequently drawn with very pointed teeth. but definately off-model compared to the "best" style featured at the top of this post.

This style was utilized in;

• Episode 2
• Episode 3
• Episode 5
• Episode 7
• Episode 14

...And it appears that I've run out of space to write up this post. Oopsies. I want to post some more styles but the board won't let me in a single post. I will continue with the write-up in another post if this topic gets attention

Opinions on the art styles used in X? Suggestions if you've seen this style utilized in more episodes that I appear to be unaware of? Please post!

[Aquaslash]

Chances are, if you've viewed quite a few Sonic X episodes, you'll notice that throughout it's run it had wildly varying animation and drawing styles.

Each style is so distinctive that it is very easy to spot which animators did which episodes. This topic was created to elaborate on the different animation/drawing styles used throughout the series' run and to pinpoint which animators did which episodes.

First off, let's start with the positive. Too few episodes had on-model, decently well drawn scenes and characters but when they did pop up, they stood out from the other episodes for all the right reasons;

The characters are well-proportioned, on-model and expressive and conform to the model sheets extremely closely. The animation is also quite fluid. This animation style was utilized in;

• Episode 1

• Episode 20

• Episode 26

• Episode 32

• Episode 38

• Episode 44

• Episode 52

• Episode 63

• Episode 67

• Episode 78

Unfortunately, those episodes are the only ones that can be honestly said to contain quality. Now, we'll start looking into the ugly side of Sonic X's animation. And there's a lot of it!

[Match]

Okay, I have DEFINITELY noticed the "mutant Sonic" style! Even when the show originally aired, it was painfully obvious.

[azoo]

The last style is easily the best one. While the first one you had shown keeps to the proportions, it doesn't have nearly as much expression or 'movement' to their looks as this style does. And honestly, this one isn't really that far off from the first, just with some more life to them. Besides, that kind of look really suits the characters... besides the humans. Kind of.

( PS - When I say that about the last one, I specifically mean shots like the top-left and top-center of that set, and the bottom-right one too. And on that note, they would look great if they didn't have the average choppy anime animation. )

[Tornado]

Aw, man. I was expecting a bit about the "They Didn't Give a Fuck" art style that was so widespread.

Though I must say, looking at the "Cartoony" one in still shots reminds me of some of the stuff from FLCL. Only on accident rather than for the purposes of expression, because it didn't tend to have any consistency within the episodes that it was used.

[Ferno]

Is it bad that I really like that "Cartoony Style"? >w>

I tend to lean more on the expressive side of animation than the on model "stiff" side myself, even though those scenes look better art-wise.

[Soniman]

Honestly, the only episodes where I felt like the animatiors were actually trying to have above average animation where the ones who where Super Sonic appears, and not even the whole episode just the scene.

The SA2 adaptation is is a good example, the scene where Super Sonic and Shadow where fighting the Final Hazard and stopping the Ark is especially we'll done.

I also am taking a liking to the cartoon art style, it fits the fast, frantic atmosphere that a series about Sonic should have.

Edited October 15, 2011 by Soniman032-

[DarkLight]

I like the first and cartoony styles, personally. The first because, well, everything what Verte said and the last one I think were good for just the first few episodes because they did seem the most cartoony out of the entire show.

[JezMM]

Admittedly I was never a huuuuge fan of the zanier style, though my least favourite is most certainly "Lines on Irises" style. The others I sort of vaguely noticed back in the day but THAT one was super awkward and noticable. Great job, can't wait to see the rest.

[Vertekins]

Continuing...

Next up is the style I label as the "Angry characters" style;

Got a bee in you bonnet Sonic? The thing about this style is that Sonic, Shadow's and Knuckles' brows tend to be constantly furrowed and the irises and pupils are never too far from the brows themselves. Characters in this style are inclined to having hard expressions, making them look irritated, accusatory and even angry. Animation concerning the hands often depict them balled up or more expressive than X's other styles, adding onto the impression of attitude. Sonic's, Amy's and Shadow's ears tended to have a curve, adding onto the overall impression of hardness.

This style was utilized in;

• Episode 6
  
• Episode 16
  
• Episode 33
  
• Episode 34
  
• Episode 50
  
• Episode 58
  
• Episode 65
  
  The "exaggerated cuteness" style
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Featuring huge irises, large bangs, little mouths and in the case of Eggman, a big snoz with comparatively small glasses and a big mouth. This makes the characters look more childish than usual.
  
  This style is utilized in;
  • Episode 56
    
  • Episode 62
    
  • Episode 66
    
  • Episode 71
    
  • Episode 76
    

  The "Big mouth and big tongue without teeth" style;

  

  Overly thin bodies, very expressive hands but mildly expressive eyes but the mouths are the most striking part. They tend to be big and teeth are never shown unless a character is struggling.

  This style was utilized in;

  [*]Episode 15

  [*]Episode 17

  [*]Episode 19

  [*]Episode 21

  [*]Episode 29

  [*]Episode 45

  ...And that's all I have up to now. These are the distinct styles I've noticed after watching the series. I may have missed one or two though because I'm sure I haven't documented all 78 episodes and what animation styles were delegated to them.

[Blue Blood]

What style is this?

[Soniman]

What style is this?

It's obviously the "kill it with fire" style, cmon man, keep up!

[Vertekins]

What style is this?

"Lines on Irises" style. This was from episode 47, where Knuckles is demanding that Eggman let the hostages go as he's got them on-board his ship, which prevents Sonic and the military firing on him for fear of harming his hostages. Sonic has a nose the size of Russia 0_o;;

[Place]

Glad to see that you went through with making this topic, it's definitely one of the most interesting we've had here for a long time.

And the cartoon style is definitely my favorite, and it's even reminiscent of the OVA at some times.

[Blacklightning]

Hey, wait a minute.

I only just now realized what the hell is going on in this picture. A lot of details about Sonic's pose here is blatantly copypasted from Knux's, probably in the name of laziness - the muzzle in particular is literally the exact same as Knux's, just resized and with the nose in a different position, which is why it looks so fucking wierd on Sonic.

Also, Knux is fat. lololololololololololol

[Vertekins]

Hey, wait a minute.

I only just now realized what the hell is going on in this picture. A lot of details about Sonic's pose here is blatantly copypasted from Knux's, probably in the name of laziness - the muzzle in particular is literally the exact same as Knux's, just resized and with the nose in a different position, which is why it looks so fucking wierd on Sonic.

Also, Knux is fat. lololololololololololol

Whoa! You're bang on the nail there! I never noticed that before! This is laziness of the most unbelievable kind. I mean, if they're going to copy poses, they could've made it less obvious by downsizing the muzzle, giving him a smaller nose and changing the eye shape. That's extremely simple stuff.

Behold the horror of....

THE AMY "DOLL" FROM EPISODE 54!

Man does she look derpy!

[azoo]

The "Amy Doll" is so incredible I don't know how I'll ever live without it's existence.

[Cola]

this is definitely the best topic here in a while

I prefer the first style as well as the cartoony style.

[Jacky]

oh boy this is some quality animation here guys

[Dark Qiviut]

Behold the horror of....

THE AMY "DOLL" FROM EPISODE 54!

Man does she look derpy!

What happened to her?! She looked like she went to the nearest joint in Station Square! X__X

As for the topic, very nice. I love the first group presented, and I'm glad that you compared various styles, including some BAD ones.

P.S.: I may love Sonic X, but the animation has the tendency to be absolutely DISGUSTING!

[Xenos]

oh boy this is some quality animation here guys

This one should be called 'And I Must Scream"

[Sparky]

What style is this?

Modern Knuckles head on Classic Knuckles body. O_0

[Chooch]

Sonic X's art style is so hilariously inconsistant. It's nice to have a topic that carefully organizes and shows just how much it fluctuates from episode to episode. I actually don't mind cartoony style too much but pretty much all the other ones are pretty bad most of the time. This is my favorite screenshot of course:

One of the many times throughout the series where Knuckles' gloves change and show off his fingers.

[Vertekins]

Sonic X's art style is so hilariously inconsistant. It's nice to have a topic that carefully organizes and shows just how much it fluctuates from episode to episode. I actually don't mind cartoony style too much but pretty much all the other ones are pretty bad most of the time. This is my favorite screenshot of course:

One of the many times throughout the series where Knuckles' gloves change and show off his fingers.

[-Mark-]

Oh god, no ears. D8