How To Create Original Characters with Niji
Mar 17, 2025
Sometimes, a character sticks with you, a character so perfect that you've mapped out their entire life story.
Top of my OC bucket list:
Graduating at the top of the academy.
The thrill of acing that first solo mission.
Falling in love under the bloom of the sakura that scatters in the April rain.
1v1-ing the god of the world and bringing about a New World Order.
Beach episode.
A full, epic hero's arc that you can visualize, frame by frame.
But how do you make sure niji・journey consistently recreates your original character (OC)?
Chapter 1: Hair, Eyes, Major Character Attributes
When I first think about creating my characters, the first thing that comes to mind are key visual traits, for example, hair and eye color. These are the most striking things about a character which establishes their identity.
Start with the basics:
Hair: Color, length, style. Braids? Bangs? Antigravity anime spikes?
Eyes: Color, shape, expression. Light grey eyes? Heterochromia? Soft wide eyes or sharp angry eyes?
Other details: Scars, tattoos, fangs, piercings, horns, wings, elf ears?
Prompt:
elf girl with long white hair and blunt bangs
I actually want her to have different colored eyes. Christmas elf.
Prompt:
elf girl with long white hair and blunt bangs, red and green heterochromia eyes
Chapter 2: Outfit & Accessories
IT’S WEAPON TIME.
I like my elves with oversized swords. So let me give my elf a sword.
Prompt:
elf girl with long white hair and blunt bangs, red and green heterochromia eyes, holding an oversized rectangular silver sword
Wow! I really like both images, but I’m leaning towards the one on the top, as it gives off the feel of an anime isekai heroine. I notice that one of her hands is a bit off here. AI is notoriously bad at hands, but that’s okay! We can fix it with some vary region techniques!
Yay! Better.
Chapter 3: Background + Setting/Context
Characters are shaped by the worlds they live in.
I’m particularly drawn to academic settings. They are the perfect backdrop for coming-of-age stories, where lifelong rivalries and friendships shape the soul of a character. When we are doing character design, we are always trying to use what is happening on the outside to express what is happening on the inside.
Youth is a tumultuous time where what’s happening on the inside makes for such rich and flavorful stories! Academia! To me, it is the taste of nostalgia. I find myself coming back here time and time again.
Prompt:
elf girl with long white hair and blunt bangs, red and green heterochromia eyes, holding an oversized rectangular silver sword, in a classroom with other students
Other example prompts:
Food Prompt:
elf girl with long white hair and blunt bangs, red and green heterochromia eyes, wearing green robe, eating a skewer in front of a fire with friends, long shot
Fight Scene Prompt:
elf girl with long white hair and blunt bangs, red and green heterochromia eyes, wearing a martial artist suit, in a training circle with onlookers outside of the ring
Scenic Prompt
elf girl with long straight white hair, with large rectangular oversized sword, green robe looking towards the ocean from a tall mountain in heroic pose
Character Reference Sheet Prompt
character reference sheet of elf girl with long white hair and blunt bangs, red and green heterochromia eyes, multiple expressions, wearing green robe and large rectangular oversized sword
So now you have a few really strong images of your original character! Read our previous blog about how to play around with character, image, and style references.
A character becomes your own when you know them like you know a real person. What they eat, what they wanna play, their dreams and fears, all the sweetness and faults that you treasure in another living, breathing being.
We live in a marvelous time when anybody can draw the exterior of a superbly dashing elf with niji・journey. I have just demonstrated for you how to do it! It's the part afterwards that makes your original character truly yours. Go out and give them beautiful souls!
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niji・journey
What is niji・journey?
Welcome to niji・journey, a state-of-the-art AI that draws custom anime illustrations, just for you! A magical collaboration, designed together between brilliant minds at Spellbrush & Midjourney. Whether you’re looking for a cute chibi character or a dynamic action scene, niji・journey can bring your vision to life. We can’t wait to see what you create!
Where can we find you?
If you’re an AI researcher and you love anime, please shoot us an email over at [email protected].
Otherwise, if you're talented and on the job market, you can find other open positions on our careers page.
For commercial inquiries and studio licensing, please contact [email protected].