原画(げんが)

げんが
noun
original artwork; key animation frame
technical
1. original picture; original artwork
The original painting, drawing, or artwork from which reproductions are made.
原画(げんが)を展示(てんじ)する。
To exhibit original artwork.
美術館(びじゅつかん)で有名(ゆうめい)な画家(がか)の原画(げんが)を見(み)てきた。
I went to see original works by a famous artist at the museum.
印刷物(いんさつぶつ)とは違(ちが)い、原画(げんが)には筆(ふで)のタッチがそのまま残(のこ)っている。
Unlike printed reproductions, the brushwork remains intact in the original painting.
2. key animation frame; key drawing
In anime production, the main drawings that define the start and end points of a movement, from which in-between frames are created.
原画(げんが)を描(か)く。
To draw key animation frames.
アニメの制作(せいさく)では、まず原画(げんが)マンが動(うご)きのポイントとなる絵(え)を描(か)く。
In anime production, the key animator first draws the pictures that define the key points of movement.
原画(げんが)と原画(げんが)の間(あいだ)を埋(う)める作業(さぎょう)を動画(どうが)と呼(よ)ぶ。
The task of filling in between key frames is called in-betweening.

Composed of 原(げん) (original) + 画(が) (picture/drawing). Has two distinct domains of use.

SENSE 1 — ART:
The original painting or drawing from which reproductions are made.

SENSE 2 — ANIME/ANIMATION:
Key frames that define the start and end points of a movement.

  • 原画(げんが)マン: key animator (well-known job title)
  • 原画(げんが) → 動画(どうが): key frames → in-between frames (standard workflow)
  • 作画(さくが): drawing/animation work (broader term)

Related words

Related Words

Related: 動画(どうが) (in-between animation frames)
Related: 複製(ふくせい) (reproduction, copy)
general
Added 2026.3.22 20:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
18500/18666_genga