Retro Anime SREF Codes for Midjourney

Retro anime SREF codes transform your Midjourney prompts into authentic 80s-90s OVA (Original Video Animation) styles. Capture the distinctive look of legendary hand-drawn animation from that golden era - where bold outlines, dramatic lighting, and expressive character design defined a generation of anime. From dark fantasy epics to nostalgic cel animation, these styles bring that unmistakable retro OVA aesthetic to life.

80s-90s OVA Dark Fantasy

--sref 1851216167

The quintessential heroic dark fantasy substyle inspired by classic OVA masterpieces. This style captures the dramatic lighting, supernatural warriors, and epic dark fantasy scenarios with the distinctive hand-drawn OVA aesthetic that defined productions like Record of Lodoss War, Bastard!!, and Vampire Hunter D. Bold outlines combined with expressive character design and ornate armor detailing create legendary dark fantasy heroes.

Perfect for:

• Dark fantasy warriors and supernatural beings
• Dramatic action poses and combat scenes
• Characters with ornate armor and mystical elements
• Dynamic supernatural scenarios with dark magic
• Heroic fantasy leaders and legendary adventurers

Example prompts:

dark fantasy warrior with ornate armor and headband --sref 1851216167 --sw 120

elegant anime woman with long black hair, sophisticated facial features, ornate blue gemstone jewelry, red outfit, mystical ethereal background --sref 1851216167 --sw 130

Quick Tips:

• Use --sw 110-120 for subtle OVA influence
• Use --sw 130-150 for strong, dramatic OVA style

Vintage 80s-90s Anime

--sref 2038889777

Classic nostalgic anime aesthetic from the 1980s-90s era without the dark fantasy focus. This style captures the authentic cel animation look of that decade with vibrant colors, hand-drawn character work, and the distinctive animation feel that defined the period. Perfect for creating general retro anime characters and scenarios that embody that golden era.

Perfect for:

• Classic 80s-90s anime protagonists and characters
• Nostalgic retro anime scenarios
• General period anime without dark fantasy themes
• Characters that embody that era's animation style
• Classic adventure and sci-fi anime aesthetics

Example prompts:

80s anime protagonist with classic design and determined expression --sref 2038889777 --sw 125

retro 90s anime hero in action pose --sref 2038889777 --sw 120

Quick Tips:

• Use --sw 115-125 for balanced vintage aesthetic
• Use --sw 125-150 for dominant retro vibes
• Works well for non-dark-fantasy anime themes

Style Weight Guide

• 90-110 - Subtle retro anime influence with modern undertones
• 110-140 - Standard OVA aesthetic with balanced style
• 140-180 - Strong retro dominance with bold hand-drawn character work

Start with --sw 120 and adjust based on how prominent you want the retro animation style.

Characteristics

Retro 80s-90s anime excels at:

• Bold Character Outlines - Strong black or colored line work defining forms
• Dramatic Lighting - High contrast shadows and highlights for cinematic impact
• Vibrant Color Palettes - Saturated, eye-catching colors with personality
• Expressive Features - Large, dynamic eyes and emotive expressions
• Hand-drawn Quality - Organic, purposeful line variation and texture
• Dynamic Poses - Action-oriented character positioning and movement
• Cel Animation Feel - That distinctive hand-painted animation quality

Next Steps

Explore all anime styles or check out other SREF categories