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What is CGI?

This can be quite a large undertaking to explain but I'll do so in relation to Anime. The complete definition utilizes a number of methods that are not commonly used in Anime but are rather incorporated from time to time. Computer-generated imagery or CGI has gown in popularity and use as personal computers and graphics processors or GPUs have advanced. The forefathers of animation setup some pretty timeless standards that we still teach today. Many of these standards have been incorporated into modern software applications. The same principles of motion and composition are used in popular CG movies like Shrek and Kung Fu Panda. For the most part in regards to anime stuff, CGI has completely modernized and revolutionized creatives and animators around the world. Much if not all that was done by hand in the past can now be done digitally on the computer. Studios were able to reduce their number of employees and streamline their workflow in faster and more efficient ways. Computers are now the "materials and supplies".

Popular uses of CGI in Anime

Many studios utilize a combination of traditional animation and CG. However, more and more are moving almost entirely to digital. Some studios have strong roots in traditional hand drawn animation cels but choose to use CG for backgrounds and complicated scenes. A subset of CG is 3D CG which uses three dimensional space to animate. For instance when doing action sequences and for situations when a giant robot is transforming, it can be easier to do this in 3D. If there is a need to re-use the motion and maybe apply another camera angle, it can simply be pulled up in the program and manipulated as needed. There is no longer a need to redraw the complicated sequences again and again. Much of the old figures model like Voltron would re-use the same old stale sequences with different backgrounds. As a viewer, I would pick up on this after the first few episodes and grow tired of it. Now, consider the sheer hours and manpower it took to make just the one sequence and the fact that because of this they were willing to re-use and recycle old work.

Has CGI Changed Anime?

As a fan of Anime PVC since the early 80's, I've seen quite a bit of change in the quality of art, styles and frequency of work. So has CGI changed Anime and if so, has it been for the better? CGI has drastically changed the way anime is made and how it is defined but in Japan with the support of fans, there has been a somewhat strict adherence to the rules of Anime. Most studios are not quick to adopt a new technology or perceived change in the industry. I think that while I do notice changes that I may or may not like (some really stand out), for the most part, I feel that I'm still watching Anime and still enjoying the spirit of how it was made in the past. The categorization of Anime is expanding with each new video put out. Many now question if certain films like Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within should even be considered Anime since it was done completely in 3D for an American market. However, we must keep in mind that it was created primarily in Japan by one of the major players in Japanese animation. I can't say I have an answer to this issue.