RWBY Chibi
RWBY Chibi is an American animated comedy web series produced by Rooster Teeth as a spin-off of the action-adventure series RWBY, featuring stylized chibi versions of its characters in short, lighthearted episodes depicting everyday antics and absurd scenarios rather than combat.[1] The series premiered on May 7, 2016, for Rooster Teeth FIRST subscribers and May 14, 2016, on YouTube, with the first episode focusing on Ruby Rose attempting to bake cookies.[2] Spanning four seasons from 2016 to 2023, it consists of over 60 episodes, each typically 3-5 minutes long, emphasizing humor, puns, and character interactions in a cute, simplified animation style that contrasts with RWBY's more intense anime-inspired aesthetic.[3] Subsequent seasons introduced additional characters like Penny Polendina and expanded on comedic premises such as school hijinks and holiday specials, providing fans a relaxed glimpse into the RWBY universe.[4] The final season aired in 2023, incorporating elements from related projects like Neon Konbini before Rooster Teeth's closure in 2024.[5]Overview
Premise
RWBY Chibi is an American animated comedy web series created by Rooster Teeth as a spin-off of the action-fantasy series RWBY, presenting chibi-style, super-deformed versions of its characters in a series of short, self-contained comedic skits focused on slice-of-life humor rather than advancing any overarching narrative.[6] The show depicts absurd, lighthearted scenarios such as characters engaging in games like tag, baking mishaps, or playful impersonations, emphasizing exaggerated personality traits for comedic effect without tying into the main RWBY storyline.[6] As a non-canonical extension of the RWBY universe, RWBY Chibi was developed to offer a family-friendly respite from the increasingly mature and dramatic themes that emerged in RWBY Volume 3, particularly its darker events, while appealing to younger audiences seeking accessible, fun content featuring the familiar cast.[7] According to Rooster Teeth's head of animation Gray G. Haddock, the series serves as a "Looney Tunes-style comedy sketch show" that maintains the franchise's momentum during off-seasons and allows even absent or deceased characters from the main series to appear in harmless, silly antics without permanent consequences.[7] The humor in RWBY Chibi often incorporates frequent fourth-wall breaks and meta elements, with characters directly addressing the audience, commenting on their animated existence, or poking fun at RWBY tropes and production aspects, enhancing its playful, self-aware tone.[8] Set primarily in a simplified version of Beacon Academy—the training school from early RWBY volumes—the skits revolve around everyday student life antics like pranks, school activities, and group interactions in a whimsical environment free from the main series' high-stakes conflicts.[6]Format and style
RWBY Chibi employs an episodic format consisting of multiple independent comedic segments per episode, typically 2 to 5 in number, with each segment running 1 to 3 minutes and the overall episode totaling 3 to 7 minutes. This structure emphasizes quick-paced, self-contained humor without continuous narratives or overarching plots, facilitating easy standalone viewing and replayability.[2] The series utilizes a distinctive chibi art style defined by super-deformed character designs, including enlarged heads, exaggerated facial expressions, and simplified body proportions that prioritize cuteness and expressiveness over realism. This aesthetic sharply contrasts with the original RWBY's more detailed, anime-inspired 3D CGI animation, which features proportionate figures and dynamic action-oriented visuals.[9] Humor in RWBY Chibi centers on physical gags, wordplay through puns, and heightened exaggerations of core character personalities for comedic effect, such as amplifying Ruby Rose's boundless enthusiasm or Weiss Schnee's haughty demeanor into absurd, relatable scenarios. The rapid editing and lighthearted tone create a playful atmosphere focused on silly antics rather than conflict or drama.[6]Production
Development
RWBY Chibi was announced on April 1, 2016, during Rooster Teeth's 13th anniversary celebration, with a teaser video revealing the series as an upcoming comedy spin-off featuring the RWBY cast in chibi form.[6] Gray Haddock, then head of Rooster Teeth Animation, served as the director and supervising producer, leading the project's development to create a lighthearted counterpart to the main series.[10] The announcement positioned the show as a fun, comedic palate cleanser following the intense and tragic conclusion of RWBY Volume 3, which had aired earlier that year and featured significant character deaths and emotional weight.[11] The series was conceived with the primary intent to attract younger viewers and broaden RWBY's audience by offering accessible, family-friendly comedy without the main show's darker themes.[7] Haddock emphasized that Rooster Teeth was surprised by the number of parents watching RWBY with their children, prompting the creation of content that provided a safer entry point for kids while introducing them to the franchise's characters and world.[7] This approach aimed to expand the fanbase through humorous, non-canon skits that highlighted the characters' personalities in a playful manner. In early planning, the team decided on the chibi art style—characterized by exaggerated, cute proportions—to enhance the show's comedic appeal and make it more approachable for a diverse audience, including younger demographics.[7] Haddock oversaw the initial production as lead developer, focusing on short, episodic segments that allowed for quick turnaround and creative flexibility.[12] The first season was structured for 24 episodes, with a timeline targeting weekly releases beginning May 7, 2016, to maintain consistent engagement leading into RWBY Volume 4.[13]Animation and crew
RWBY Chibi was produced by Rooster Teeth's Animation department, utilizing 3D CGI animation to create a chibi aesthetic that simplified the complex models from the main RWBY series, enabling a focus on comedic, exaggerated expressions and movements. This approach reduced rigging complexity and background detailing, facilitating the production of short, high-volume segments without the full-scale demands of RWBY's action-oriented episodes.[3] Key personnel included directors Gray G. Haddock and Kerry Shawcross across Seasons 1 through 3, with Haddock also serving as a producer alongside Miles Luna and Shawcross. Miles Luna additionally oversaw voice direction, ensuring consistency with the original RWBY cast while adapting to the lighter tone.[12] The production faced challenges in balancing the short format—typically 4-6 minute episodes comprising multiple skits—with a high output rate, such as the 24 episodes of Season 1 released weekly from May to October 2016, which necessitated streamlined workflows and simpler asset reuse. Over subsequent seasons, minor enhancements in animation fluidity were introduced, such as smoother character interactions, while preserving the chibi simplicity to prioritize humor and accessibility. Season 3, however, concluded earlier than planned with 16 episodes due to shifting priorities at Rooster Teeth.[14]Voice cast
Main cast
The main cast of RWBY Chibi features the principal voice actors from the original RWBY series, who reprise their roles with performances tailored to the spin-off's lighthearted, comedic tone. Lindsay Jones voices Ruby Rose, delivering an energetic and childlike performance that highlights the character's innocence and clumsiness in various humorous scenarios. Kara Eberle portrays Weiss Schnee, employing a precise and haughty tone to accentuate her tsundere personality amid the show's comedic situations. Arryn Zech provides the voice for Blake Belladonna, using a subtle and introspective style infused with dry humor to suit the character's awkward and introspective moments. Barbara Dunkelman voices Yang Xiao Long, offering a boisterous and pun-loving delivery that amplifies her protective big-sister traits in the chibi format. Miles Luna acts as Jaune Arc, bringing an insecure yet earnest voicing that emphasizes his role as the series' primary comic relief. Neath Oum voices Lie Ren, delivering a calm and composed performance that emphasizes the character's stoic demeanor in humorous contexts.[3] Additional main cast members include Samantha Ireland as Nora Valkyrie, whose hyperactive enthusiasm captures the character's boundless energy, and Jen Brown as Pyrrha Nikos, delivering a graceful poise that underscores her composed demeanor.Recurring and guest cast
In addition to the main cast reprising their primary roles, RWBY Chibi featured recurring voice actors portraying supporting characters from the RWBY universe, often in comedic ensemble skits that highlighted their exaggerated traits. Adam Ellis provided the voice for Cardin Winchester, the bullying leader of Team CRDL, who appeared in antics targeting Jaune Arc and others, such as in the episode "Cardin's Club."[15] Burnie Burns voiced Taiyang Xiao Long, Ruby and Yang's father, bringing fatherly humor to family-oriented sketches like "True Blue Friends." Kerry Shawcross lent his voice to Neptune Vasilias, emphasizing the character's "cool guy" persona in episodes such as "Neptune Noir" and "Battle of the Bands."[16] Other recurring supporting roles included Gray G. Haddock as the sly criminal Roman Torchwick, who featured in 22 episodes across the initial seasons, adding mischievous elements to group interactions.[3] Jessica Nigri voiced the villainous Cinder Fall in 19 episodes, contributing to antagonistic comedy without dominating the narrative.[3] Rooster Teeth staff members occasionally took on these and minor roles, enhancing the show's in-house production feel while maintaining consistency in character portrayals. Guest voices were limited, primarily appearing in themed or crossover skits to introduce variety, such as Michael Jones as Sun Wukong in tail-related humor episodes.[16] In the Neon Konbini anthology continuation (2021–2023), the RWBY Chibi segments retained the established recurring cast for ensemble comedy, with no major shifts in dynamics or additional guest appearances altering the format. Across all seasons, over 20 unique voice actors contributed to these supporting and guest roles, focusing on lighthearted, character-driven vignettes.[3]Release and distribution
Initial seasons
RWBY Chibi premiered on the Rooster Teeth website on May 7, 2016, featuring weekly episodes as part of the company's "Summer of Animation" programming block, which also included new seasons of other series like Red vs. Blue and Camp Camp.[3] The show's short comedic skits in chibi style were released every Saturday, with early access for subscribers.[6] The primary distribution model centered on Rooster Teeth's subscription-based FIRST membership, which provided immediate access to new episodes, while free versions appeared on YouTube approximately one week later to broaden accessibility.[17] This approach allowed Rooster Teeth to monetize content through premium memberships while offering select episodes publicly.[18] Season 1 consisted of 24 episodes airing from May 7 to October 15, 2016. Season 2 followed with another 24 episodes, premiering on May 13, 2017, for FIRST members and concluding on December 14, 2017. Season 3 was shorter, with 16 episodes from January 27 to August 18, 2018.[19] Marketing efforts included promotional trailers released on Rooster Teeth's official YouTube channel, such as the initial teaser on April 1, 2016, and season-specific previews that highlighted the chibi aesthetic and humor.[6] These were often showcased at Rooster Teeth's RTX conventions, alongside tie-in merchandise like chibi-style figures and apparel integrated into the broader RWBY product line.[20]Continuations and revivals
Following the conclusion of its third season on August 18, 2018, RWBY Chibi entered an indefinite hiatus as Rooster Teeth redirected resources toward the main RWBY series and other priorities.[21] Although additional episodes were teased at RTX 2018, including a preview clip, none were ultimately produced.[22] The series returned in 2021 as part of Rooster Teeth's animated anthology Neon Konbini, which premiered on May 27 and ran through July across eight episodes exclusively on the Rooster Teeth website for FIRST subscribers.[23] This revival incorporated 10 new RWBY Chibi segments, distributed throughout the anthology and blending comedic skits with shorts from other Rooster Teeth properties like Gen:Lock and Camp Camp.[24] In March 2023, the Neon Konbini RWBY Chibi segments were re-edited into standalone episodes and released for free on the official Rooster Teeth YouTube channel, officially designated as Season 4 and beginning with "Cool as Coco" on March 4.[5] This re-release extended the series to a total of 74 segments, reflecting Rooster Teeth's strategic shift toward broader free access on YouTube following the subscription-focused Neon Konbini rollout.[25] Following Rooster Teeth's closure in March 2024 and the transfer of the RWBY intellectual property to Viz Media, the episodes remain freely available on the Rooster Teeth YouTube channel as of November 2025.[26]Episodes
Season 1 (2016)
Season 1 of RWBY Chibi premiered on May 7, 2016, as part of Rooster Teeth's Summer of Animation event, and consisted of 24 weekly episodes that concluded on October 15, 2016.[3][27] The season introduced the core chibi-style dynamics of the RWBY cast through lighthearted, comedic skits centered on team bonding and everyday school life at Beacon Academy, providing a playful respite from the main series' action-oriented narrative.[13] Each episode ran approximately 4-5 minutes, resulting in a total runtime of about 120 minutes across the season.[27] The episodes highlighted notable themes such as Ruby Rose's frequent mishaps, including her disastrous cookie-baking attempt in the premiere, and Weiss Schnee's perfectionism leading to comedic failures in scenarios like training sessions or social interactions.[2] Early crossovers with Team JNPR featured prominently, with skits involving Jaune Arc, Nora Valkyrie, and Lie Ren in activities like tag games and rescue missions, fostering ensemble humor. As the launch season, it adopted a pilot-like structure with experimental segments that tested various formats, ultimately establishing recurring humor patterns such as prank wars, pillow fights, and costume swaps to build the series' signature slapstick style.[28] Most episodes contained three short skits, though the first few varied with up to five, allowing for quick, self-contained gags.[29] The following table lists the episode titles and air dates:| Episode | Title | Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruby Makes Cookies | May 7, 2016 |
| 2 | Cat Burglar | May 14, 2016 |
| 3 | Reloading | May 21, 2016 |
| 4 | Fighting Game | May 28, 2016 |
| 5 | Sissy Fight | June 4, 2016 |
| 6 | The Vacuum | June 11, 2016 |
| 7 | Prank Wars | June 18, 2016 |
| 8 | Magnetic Personality | June 25, 2016 |
| 9 | Ren Plays Tag | July 2, 2016 |
| 10 | Love Triangle | July 9, 2016 |
| 11 | Nurse Ruby | July 16, 2016 |
| 12 | Little Red Riding Hood | July 23, 2016 |
| 13 | Spin the Bottle | July 30, 2016 |
| 14 | Big Vacation | August 6, 2016 |
| 15 | Neptune's Phobia | August 13, 2016 |
| 16 | Bike Race | August 20, 2016 |
| 17 | Save Nora! | August 27, 2016 |
| 18 | Evil Plans | September 3, 2016 |
| 19 | Pillow Fight | September 10, 2016 |
| 20 | Roman's Revenge | September 17, 2016 |
| 21 | Cinder Who? | September 24, 2016 |
| 22 | Security Woes | October 1, 2016 |
| 23 | A Slip Through Time and Space | October 8, 2016 |
| 24 | The One with a Laugh Track | October 15, 2016 |
Season 2 (2017)
Season 2 of RWBY Chibi, consisting of 24 episodes, premiered on the Rooster Teeth website for FIRST members on May 13, 2017, with public YouTube releases following weekly thereafter, and concluded on December 14, 2017.[20] The season built upon the foundational character dynamics established in Season 1 by emphasizing ensemble group antics, collaborative challenges among teams, and lighthearted skits tied to seasonal events, including summer-themed games and winter holiday celebrations.[22] Key themes highlighted individual character traits through humorous scenarios, such as Yang Xiao Long's relentless puns during team-based competitions and Blake Belladonna's introverted reactions in social settings, often leading to comedic misunderstandings.[30] Recurring characters received expanded roles, with figures like Cardin Winchester featuring in prank-heavy segments that added layers of rivalry and mischief to the Beacon Academy environment.[31] Production enhancements included smoother 3D animation sequences compared to the prior season, achieved through refined Autodesk Maya workflows by the dedicated Rooster Teeth Animation team, while incorporating subtle fan-service references to broader RWBY lore without delving into main plot spoilers.[14] Each episode typically compiled three to four self-contained shorts, focusing on chibi-style exaggerations of personalities and relationships. Representative voice performances from the main cast, such as Lindsay Jones as Ruby Rose and Barbara Dunkelman as Yang, continued to bring energetic delivery to these antics.| Episode | Title | Air Date (FIRST/YouTube) | Segments (Examples) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Director Ozpin | May 13 / May 20, 2017 | Director Ozpin, UFO, Dodgeball[32] |
| 2 | Geist Buster | May 20 / May 27, 2017 | Book Lovers, Shiny Badge, Geist Buster[33] |
| 3 | Magic Show | May 27 / Jun 3, 2017 | Magic-Off, Lucky Penny, Soccer Sabotage[34] |
| 4 | Dad Jokes | Jun 3 / Jun 10, 2017 | Video Game Loser, Weapon Testing, Bad Puns[35] |
| 5 | Girls Rock! | Jun 10 / Jun 17, 2017 | Cat Rescue, Zwei Discipline, Band Practice[36] |
| 6 | Super Besties | Jun 17 / Jun 24, 2017 | Sleep Talking, Hat Cleaning, Author Meet[36] |
| 7 | Must Be Nice | Jun 24 / Jul 1, 2017 | Late Arrival, Being Nice, Evil Lessons[36] |
| 8 | Boy Band | Jul 1 / Jul 8, 2017 | Vet Chaos, Pun Contest, Boy Band[36] |
| 9 | Coming Home to Roost | Jul 8 / Jul 15, 2017 | Window Fail, Aimless Protest, Assertiveness Lesson[36] |
| 10 | Cool Dad | Jul 15 / Jul 22, 2017 | Dad Contest, Brush Geist, Coolness Stopped[37] |
| 11 | Movie Night | Jul 22 / Jul 29, 2017 | Movie Debate, Cosplay Comment[36] |
| 12 | Evil Genius | Jul 29 / Aug 5, 2017 | Object Hunt, Weapon Care, Yogurt Defeat[38] |
| 13 | Parent Teacher Conference | Aug 5 / Aug 12, 2017 | Dad Incident Call[39] |
| 14 | Cannonball! | Aug 12 / Aug 19, 2017 | Cannonball Fail, Friend Time, Geist Wolves[36] |
| 15 | Nurse Nora | Aug 19 / Aug 26, 2017 | Sister Bonding, Injury Hide[36] |
| 16 | Neptune Noir | Aug 26 / Sep 2, 2017 | Hiring Fail, Upstaged Teacher, Camera Break[40] |
| 17 | The Mystery Bunch | Sep 2 / Sep 9, 2017 | Guilt Trip, Detective Duo[41] |
| 18 | The Fixer | Sep 9 / Sep 16, 2017 | Hit by Yang, Faulty Ventures, Fugitive Jaune[36] |
| 19 | Steals and Wheels | Sep 16 / Sep 23, 2017 | Band Join, Tutor Escape, Band Formation[42] |
| 20 | Monsters of Rock | Sep 23 / Sep 30, 2017 | Rock Monsters[43] |
| 21 | Happy BirthdayWeen | Sep 30 / Oct 7, 2017 | Pumpkin Geist, Love Potion, Birthday Exploit[44] |
| 22 | Battle of the Bands | Oct 7 / Oct 14, 2017 | Time Slip Pt. 1[36] |
| 23 | A Slip Through Time and Space Pt. 2 | Nov 27 / Dec 4, 2017 | Time Slip Pt. 2[36] |
| 24 | Nondescript Holiday Spectacular | Dec 7 / Dec 14, 2017 | Holiday Special[45] |
Season 3 (2018)
Season 3 of RWBY Chibi premiered on January 27, 2018, and concluded on August 18, 2018, comprising 16 episodes that marked a shorter run compared to the 24-episode formats of Seasons 1 and 2.[46] This reduced length stemmed from production shifts at Rooster Teeth, including a mid-season break after the eighth episode in March, with the final eight resuming in June to prioritize other projects like the main RWBY series.[47] The season maintained the anthology-style structure of self-contained comedic skits, typically 2–3 segments per episode, emphasizing exaggerated character traits in lighthearted, non-canon scenarios.[48] The episodes explored experimental humor, including contrasts between adult and child behaviors alongside pet-centric gags, as exemplified in "Kids vs Adults vs Pups," where young characters, mature figures, and Zwei the dog compete in chaotic games.[46] Nora Valkyrie's boundless energy drove playful antics in game-based skits, such as her overenthusiastic participation in competitive pranks and challenges that amplified her impulsive nature for comedic effect.[49] Pyrrha Nikos appeared in idealized depictions, often within dream sequences that highlighted her heroic and aspirational qualities, like in "JNPR Dreams," portraying her as an unattainable paragon amid team fantasies.[46] Additionally, antagonists from the RWBY universe took on guest-like, humorous roles, subverting their menacing personas—such as Cinder Fall conducting a bungled "Evil Interview" with potential recruits or scheming in farcical villainy during "In The Clutches of Evil."[48] The season's production concluded unexpectedly after the 16th episode, despite previews at RTX 2018 teasing further content and the introduction of new characters like Coco Adel.[50] This abrupt finale allowed experimentation with looser anthology elements, such as varied segment lengths and crossover-style villain integrations, which later informed the revival's short-form format in 2021.[50]Episode List
| Episode | Title | Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Road Trip | January 27, 2018 |
| 2 | Evil Interview | February 3, 2018 |
| 3 | Mortal Frenemies | February 10, 2018 |
| 4 | Grimm Passengers | February 17, 2018 |
| 5 | Girls' Night Out | February 24, 2018 |
| 6 | Teenage Faunus Ninja Catgirl | March 3, 2018 |
| 7 | Mysterious Red Button | March 10, 2018 |
| 8 | Kids vs Adults vs Pups | March 17, 2018 |
| 9 | Tea Party | June 30, 2018 |
| 10 | Prank War | July 7, 2018 |
| 11 | In The Clutches of Evil | July 14, 2018 |
| 12 | JNPR Dreams | July 21, 2018 |
| 13 | Cousins of Chaos | July 28, 2018 |
| 14 | Nefarious Dreams | August 4, 2018 |
| 15 | Play With Penny | August 11, 2018 |
| 16 | RWBY Dreams | August 18, 2018 |
Neon Konbini and Season 4 (2021–2023)
In 2021, RWBY Chibi returned after a hiatus through the animated anthology series Neon Konbini, produced by Rooster Teeth and premiered on May 27 of that year.[51] This series consisted of eight episodes airing through July 15, featuring a mix of recurring and new animated shorts from Rooster Teeth properties, including ten dedicated RWBY Chibi segments integrated alongside teasers for other shows like Gen:LOCK.[51] These segments spotlighted individual characters in lighthearted, comedic scenarios, such as Coco Adel in fashion-themed skits emphasizing her "cool" persona and interactions that highlighted team dynamics in exaggerated, chibi-style humor.[5] The Neon Konbini format incorporated Japanese-inspired elements, drawing from the "konbini" (convenience store) aesthetic with neon urban vibes, and included guest animations that crossed over styles from Rooster Teeth's broader catalog, such as stylized shorts blending RWBY characters with parody elements from other series.[52] Examples include vignettes focusing on character spotlights like Taiyang Xiao Long substituting as a teacher or Mercury Black and Emerald Sustrai in friendship-themed antics, maintaining the series' non-canon, slice-of-life comedy without advancing the main RWBY storyline.[53] These integrations allowed for experimental animation techniques and voice cameos, reviving the chibi format amid evolving production priorities at Rooster Teeth.[54] On March 4, 2023, the ten RWBY Chibi segments from Neon Konbini were re-edited and re-released as a standalone Season 4 on the Rooster Teeth Animation YouTube channel, comprising ten episodes with added introductory sequences to frame them cohesively.[55] This revival brought the total number of RWBY Chibi segments across all seasons to 74, offering fans a refreshed entry point while preserving the original anthology spirit.[56] The re-release emphasized self-contained humor, such as Blake Belladonna's romantic mishaps or Cardin Winchester's club activities, underscoring the series' enduring appeal for character-driven comedy.[57]Season 4 Episode List
| Episode | Title | Original Air Date (Neon Konbini) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cool as Coco | May 27, 2021 |
| 2 | True Blue Friend | June 3, 2021 |
| 3 | Master Thief | June 10, 2021 |
| 4 | Behind the Scenes | June 17, 2021 |
| 5 | He Does it All | June 17, 2021 |
| 6 | Port's Fort | June 24, 2021 |
| 7 | Cardin's Club | June 24, 2021 |
| 8 | Love Life | July 1, 2021 |
| 9 | Tai the Sub | July 8, 2021 |
| 10 | Bad Criminal | July 15, 2021 |