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Picture Dramas are a variation of animated shows, with the difference that there is not much animation to behold. They generally consist of a stories told in a series of still drawings, with voice actors performing the various roles, often having the "camera" move over the picture from character to character. In this, they could be seen as a form between Anime and drama CDs. The emphasis is generally on the voice performances though, with the pictures functioning as visual aids.
Sometimes picture dramas still contain a slight amount of animation, mostly by supposedly moving the on-screen characters around like puppets. They also tend to be produced in a different style, with Super-Deformed characters being the norm.
Nowadays most popular anime are accompanied by a picture dramas and often find their way as Omake on DVD-releases. They are clearly cheaper to make, but still offer the involved artists, writers and and voice actors an outlet for showcasing their talents--and of course generating extra revenue. Whether the stories told are part of the official canon differs from show to show, very much in line with the status of most audio adaptations.
Also known as animated motion comics.
- Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo
- Sketchbook
- Utawarerumono
- Code Geass
- Aika Zero
- Aria
- Broken Saints
- Loveless
- The K-On! DVD specials are of the Super-Deformed "puppet-motion" variety.
- Clutch Cargo
- The Marvel Superheroes (1966 series, filmed by shooting pictures of the comic panels)
- Street Fighter
- Voltron
- A telling of "The Legend of John Henry" was made in the 1970s (nominated for an Academy Award) with (mostly) still pictures that evoked 19th century photography.