Chibi or realistic — which style to choose

The first decision when making a figure from a photo is the style. Beyond personal taste, there are practical reasons to pick one over another.

Chibi (three heads tall)

Big head, small body — the classic "chibi" proportion.

Its main strength is that it's easier to get a likeness. Because the facial features are proportionally larger, the things that carry someone's identity — eyes, brows, hairstyle — come through clearly. Body-shape information, on the other hand, is mostly discarded.

• The face stays readable even when small, so 6cm works
• It reads as cute, which makes it easy to receive as a gift
• Less fraught as a present for someone sensitive about their body

Realistic (roughly 1/7 scale)

Close to real human proportions, with fabric folds and posture reproduced.

Being close to the real thing cuts both ways: differences from the photo are more noticeable. A chibi reads as an interpretation; a realistic figure reads as a reproduction.

• Good when the outfit or full silhouette matters
• The face gets crowded at small sizes — 8cm or larger recommended
• Has real presence as a commemorative piece

Anime

Cel-shaded lighting and anime-style facial rendering, at proportions between chibi and realistic. If the recipient likes anime aesthetics, this is usually the one that lands best.

A rough guide

Situation	Suggested
Your first one	Chibi
Wedding or anniversary gift	Chibi or Anime
Retirement keepsake	Realistic
Pets	Chibi

All three styles preview for free at FigMee. Comparing them from the same photo before deciding is the reliable approach.