InDesign Japanese Anime Storyboard Template 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio on A4 Vertical numbered

This is an anime storyboard template for DIN A4 vertical (portrait) page ready to use. You can edit the idml file right away in Adobe InDesign. Designed for widescreen storyboards, with 5 frames per sheet. Each storyboard frame sets an exact 1.85:1 aspect ratio (Widescreen) white space for pictures. The layout is drawing inspiration from the fantastic Studio Ghibli storyboards. You can either edit the layout with Adobe InDesign or print it out as it is to work on paper, the old school way—no cheating! Or you can do both.

Boxes:

• The first column, カット indicates cuts. Use it to number your shots.
• The second and main column is 画面 which stands for the picture screen. That’s where you draw or place your storyboard shots.
  
• 内容 stands for content, use this space for your notes (dialogue, action, etc.)
  
• The last column, 秒 is for annotating the duration of your shots in seconds.

To work from InDesign, duplicate the page(s) you want to use. To import your drawings, place your pictures into the frames that belong to the Images layer. Reframe your pictures as you see fit, use the Rule of Thirds guides in the locked layer to help you frame your compositions. Change the template to make it your own. Fill in the header, add your credit and project details, add your production title or logo... And that’s it, your presentation is ready for print or screen.

IDML (InDesign Markup) format is compatible with all InDesign versions, from CS4 to the current Creative Cloud InDesign 2024.

FYI: Since the document grid corresponds to the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, you can build variations with ease. The smallest module is 22,895 by 12,376 points. Its height matches the document body text’s leading—in case you’d like to type text. Use the Page-Master for pagination.

You can always hide the baseline grid and/or the document grid for clarity. (View > Grids & Guides > Show Baseline Grid & Hide Baseline Grid.) You may need the font Avenir installed on your machine to work with text, but you can use another font.

This template will save you time and help you design beautiful storyboards!

If you are looking for the English version of this template, you can find the free version in PDF format in Japanese at https://gum.co/ghibli-storyboard, in English at https://gum.co/ghibli-storyboard-english  and the editable InDesign English version at https://gum.co/Ghibli_En_idml_185