A Shiji is an instruction or directive given during the animation production process. Unlike a Sankou, it is mandatory and must be followed exactly as intended.

They are issued by animation directors, episode directors, or chief animation directors to correct drawings, adjust timing, specify expressions, poses, colors, or other elements of a cut.

Examples of Shiji

• Redrawing a character’s face to match the model sheet
• Adding motion timing changes
• Specifying camera movement or zoom direction
• Writing “fix this” next to a part of a genga

Difference from Sankou (参考)

While a Sankou is an optional reference to help guide artistic choices, a Shiji represents a final decision that must be respected during revision or production.

A Sankou is a reference provided to support an animator’s understanding of a scene. It may take various forms: images, drawings, video clips, audio, or past cuts, and serves to convey a specific intention such as design consistency, motion flow, or emotional tone.

These references are commonly used to:

• Maintain continuity in art style or animation quality
• Guide character poses, timing, or expressions
• Communicate a specific motion, rhythm, or emotional nuance
• Ensure consistency in layout or scene atmosphere

Sankou is not a strict instruction, it is a guidance tool meant to support the artist’s interpretation.

Nakawari Sankou (中割り参考) – In-between Reference

This is a special type of Sankou created specifically for in-between animators (douga). It is usually a drawing placed between two keyframes (genga) to help illustrate how the motion should flow.

Nakawari Sankou is not meant to be used directly in the final animation but serves as a motion aid for complex or subtle movements. It ensures proper arcs, spacing, and timing, especially when a simple interpolation would not give the desired result.

It is often represented on the timechart with a triangle instead of a circle.

Difference from Shiji (指示)

While a Sankou is a reference (optional or suggestive), a Shiji is a directive, an instruction that must be followed exactly. For example, a color indication or a precise correction from a supervisor would be considered a Shiji, not a Sankou.

Also called Second Key Animation, Dai Ni Genga (第一原画) or Genga (原画 as material), this is the second of the two part of the Genga.

Generally, this part is a clean up of all the Key Animation from the Ichigen, previously checked by the Enshutsu and the Sakkan. After this step, there is a second check up from the Enshutsu and the Sakkan before sending it to the Douga man who will work on the step we call Douga (動画).

Also called Layout (LO) and Rough Genga, First Key Animation, Dai Ichi Genga (第一原画) or LO Rough Gen (LOラフ原), this is the first of the two part of the Genga.

Generally, it is the rough part of the animation for the Key Animation. When the Ichigen of a cut is done, the process is to check it. First by the Enshutsu and then the Sakkan. Sometimes the Kantoku also add some corrections to the cut.

Once this is done, the cut is send to the Key Animator for the Nigen.

In anime, Genga (key animation) are the drawings that depict the key poses of movement. The Key Animator is in charge for the Genga.

Genga (Material)

The Genga contain 2 huge steps made by the Key Animator.

• Layout (LO) and Rough Genga together are sometimes called First Key Animation, Dai Ichi Genga (第一原画), Ichigen (一原) or LO Rough Gen (LOラフ原).
• Genga (called this way for non-japanese), but mainly called Second Key Animation, Dai Ni Genga (第二原画) or Nigen (二原).

Anime is drawn using the pose-to-pose method, and Genga are line drawings that correspond to the key poses. The frames are drawn at key points in the flow of movement that should be the most important. Because of this, you can get a sense of the overall picture of the animation by flipping through key drawings.

Key drawings are line drawings that accurately depict key poses, but they do not appear in the final video. The lines that appear in the final video are Douga (動画) that has been cleaned up from key drawings (frames between key drawings are drawn using inbetween frames). Depending on the production system, Rough Genga that serve as the rough outline of the key frames are drawn and supervised. In this method, the key frames are called second key animation to distinguish them from the rough original drawings.

Rough Genga

Rough Genga (ラフ原画) are rough outlines of 原画 drawn using simple drawings. Also called Rough Gen.

When rough Genga are used in the anime production process, they are checked by the director and animation director. This allows for early supervision of the movement (animation).

It is a common word in japanese that means “video”. In animation, it is used to refer to the process of making the final lines on the anime. In western terms this may be closes to Clean up and Inbetween.

Timesheets are arguably the most important element in tracking an animation cut. They precisely structure the timing of each cut, indicating key poses, in-betweens, effects, and sound. With timesheets, the animator, director, and other team members can ensure that the animation follows the intended rhythm and direction. They are essential for maintaining consistency and efficiency throughout the production process.

Not to be confused with Timing Charts.

👉 Want to learn more about how timesheets work? Check out our detailed guide here: Timesheet.