Key frame

Key frame / Key animation (原画, genga): Literally means ‘original pictures’. This term refers to illustrations (frames) of key movements within cuts (the starts, pivotal moments, and ends of each movement). A person in charge of these illustrations is called a key animator, or genga man (原画マン).

Drawing up the key animation is a step after the storyboard and layout have been approved. Key animators are responsible for communicating the intended tone of their assigned shots based on the storyboard & layout, the director’s intent, and (hopefully) an understanding of the narrative.

For other animators in credits, they are classed according to the most contributing to the episode; in terms of drawing the most scenes or drawing the most important scenes. You may see a group of animators whose names are separated from the rest in Kyoto anime, for example, because they are secondary animators (2nd Key Animation), so when you see an independent group of animators’ names, you should know that they are special for one reason or another.