How to create awesome Anime AI Art with Midjourney v6 Niji

Become a Niji Ninja with the latest model for image generation with AI

Become a Niji Ninja with the latest model for image generation with AI

Mecha Robot made with Midjourney’s Niji v6

Otakus rejoice! Niji Mode v6, an anime-specific model loaded with extensive knowledge of anime styles and aesthetics, has been released by Midjourney, the leading company in generative AI art space. Niji v6 excels in generating dynamic and action-packed shots, placing a strong emphasis on characters and composition.

Right now, thousands of Midjourney v6 users are testing their prompts with the new model, trying to create amazing images, and finding new tricks. If you are an AI enthusiast, join me as we can explore together the details of this new model.

Let’s jump in!

So, Niji v6 is a fascinating mode available in Midjourney. Like niji v5, it transforms your prompts into a anime-style, cartoon-like generated image, essentially turning the tool into your personal Japanese Digital Artist on creative hyperdrive. Midjourney Niji v6 has a vast knowledge of anime style and aesthetics. And even if you’re not a fan of anime, give it a shot, the impact this mode adds to your images can be simply irresistible.

To give you a quick taste, let’s see the difference it makes, using the following imagine prompt with and without the parameter:

Example: Grizzled bearded knight wearing armor and holding a flaming long sword in battle — niji 6

Regular Niji Style.

Example: Grizzled bearded knight wearing armor and holding a flaming long sword in battle — niji 6 — style raw

Raw Niji Style.

As you can see, the only thing you need to use it is adding the — niji 6 parameter at the end of your prompt (or select it in your settings). Do not add a Midjourney model — v 6 as well, the bot will only use the first one it finds.

Note: You can use the model for other uses other than anime. Just add — Style raw to your parameters at the end.

This version of the Niji bot has a big feature that stands apart compared to the previous ones:

Historically, I am not a fan of long prompts. longer prompts actually decrease the performance of most models. However, when you don’t see a prompt working out, it’s a natural human inclination to explain more, resulting in longer prompts.

We built Niji 6 with that behavior in mind: it listens to details.

This quote, taken from the Notion of Sizigi Studios, a partner of Midjourney, reveals a detail that may make Niji v6 one of the best models yet: The more details you add, the more it will add.

Of course, we have to see it by ourselves.

The first try suggested by the Niji Journey team is to make a classic japanese monster, the Kasa-obake: They are generally umbrellas with one eye and jump around with one leg, but sometimes they have two arms or two eyes among other features, and they also sometimes are depicted to have a long tongue.

First we will try a simple prompt:

Example: Kasa-obake — niji 6

Simple prompt for Kasa-obake.

Let’s try to add more details:

Example: Kasa-obake, japanese umbrella monster — niji 6

Detailed prompt for Kasa-obake.

Finally, let’s try to add more descriptions, and see how many make it to the anime image:

Example: kasa obake, a monster umbrella with one eye and one mouth with a long tongue, the monster has a single leg — niji 6

Heavily detailed prompt for Kasa-obake.

Now that we understand the possibilities of the model, let’s analyze how we can push it its limits (!).

Use Anime Artists for reference

When crafting outstanding anime with Midjourney, a simple and effective method is to include the name of an anime or manga artist, in your prompt.

Let’s take a look at some of the greatest artists of all time, and see what Midjourney delivers with a vanilla text prompt:

⬇️ Hayao Miyazaki | Co-founder of Studio Ghibli

Anime in the style of Hayao Miyazaki

⬇️ Eiichiro Oda | One Piece

Anime in the style of Eiichiro Oda.

⬇️ Naoko Takeuchi | Sailor Moon

Anime in the style of Naoko Takeuchi.

⬇️ Takehiko Inoue | Slam Dunk

Anime in the style of Takehiko Inoue.

⬇️ Hisashi Hirai | Gundam

Anime in the style of Hisashi Hirai.

⬇️ Norio Matsumoto | Hunter x Hunter

Anime in the style of Norio Matsumoto.

⬇️ Hiroshi Fujimoto | Doraemon

Anime in the style of Hiroshi Fujimoto.

⬇️ Yon Yoshinari | Evangelion

Anime in the style of Yon Yoshinari.

⬇️ Momoko Sakura | Chibi Maruko-chan

Anime in the style of Momoko Sakura.

⬇️ Mamoru Oshii | Ghost in the Shell

Anime in the style of Mamoru Oshii.

Create Anime Characters

Now, we will try to get basic known characters:

⬇️ Goku | Dragon Ball

Different versions of Goku.

⬇️ Naruto Uzumaki | Naruto

Different versions of Naruto.

⬇️ Luffy | One Piece

Different versions of Luffy.

⬇️ Light Yagami | Death Note

Different versions of Light Yagami.

⬇️ Spike Spiegel | Cowboy Bebop

Different version of Spike Spiegel.

⬇️ Mikasa Ackerman | Attack on Titan

Different versions of Mikasa Ackerman.

⬇️ Edward Elric | Fullmetal Alchemist

Different versions of Edward Elric.

⬇️ Ash Ketchum | Pokemon

Different versions of Ash Ketchum.

⬇️ Usagi Tsukino | Sailor Moon

Different versions of Usagi Tsukino.

⬇️ Asuka Langley Soryu | Neon Genesis Evangelion

Different versions of Asuka Langley Soryu.

Use Niji for Anime Landscapes

Now, let’s explore how v6 handles locations:

⬇️ Modern Dystopic Skyscrapper

Modern Dystopic Skyscrapper

⬇️ Traditional Holy Temple

Traditional Holy Temple.

⬇️ Cabin in the Country

Cabin in the Country

⬇️ Futuristic City Slum

Futuristic City Slum.

Unleash Monsters, Robots, Demons and more.

Anime touches tons of sci-fi and fantasy troupes. Let’s explore variations of the classic ones:

⬇️ Rampaging Kaiju destroying a city.

Rampaging Kaiju destroying a city.

⬇️ Powerful Mecha unleashing deadly beam.

Powerful Mecha unleashing deadly beam.

⬇️ Nefarious Demon rising from hell.

Nefarious Demon rising from hell.

⬇️ Holy Angel holding a flaming sword.

Holy Angel holding a flaming sword.

⬇️ Evangelion mecha in combat.

Evangelion mecha in combat.

⬇️ Giant Titan attacking a wall.

Giant Titan attacking a wall.

As you can see, Midjourneys Niji v6 is an awesome model, an AI tool that can deliver solid anime AI Art. It’s up to us, the users, to learn the tricks and share feedback on the best ways to seize the possibilities offered by it. Share your favorite image prompts, and any tips you may have.

Thanks for reading!

Hi👋 I’m Erik, a product designer by day, and AI storyteller by night.
I’ve always been crafting stories in my dreams, and now I feel powered by Generative AI tools to make them a reality.

I will be sharing my learnings while I work to bring my stories to life.
It would be amazing if you can join me on this journey.

Hit that “Follow” button to stay in touch.
Stay tuned for future updates.