TikTok is a popular social media app that allows users to create and share short videos. The app features a variety of filters and effects that users can apply to their videos to enhance them or achieve a particular creative style. One very popular style on TikTok is the anime or manga aesthetic.
TikTok has a number of built-in filters that add effects like sparkles, color tints, or distortions to give videos a unique look. However, it does not have a specific “manga filter” that replicates the aesthetic of Japanese comics or animation. This has led many users to ask why they can’t find this filter on the app.
What is the Manga Filter?
The Manga filter on TikTok is an effect that transforms photos and videos into an anime or manga art style. It uses artificial intelligence and deep learning algorithms to analyze facial features and convert them into a cartoon illustration reminiscent of Japanese manga comics and animations.
The filter maintains the major facial features like eyes, nose, and mouth shape while smoothing skin, enlarging eyes, and adding stylistic elements common in manga like colorful hair, blush, and eyeliner. Backgrounds are also transformed into painted or sketch styles. The end result makes the subject look like an animated character in an anime world.
According to Mashable, the Manga filter was developed by Anthropic, an AI startup, and released in late 2022. It quickly gained popularity among TikTok users who enjoyed giving their photos and videos a manga makeover. The filter allows users to bridge reality with the aesthetic of Japanese pop culture.
Popularity of Manga
Manga has experienced a surge in global popularity in recent years. According to Statista, the manga market in Japan was valued at nearly 676 billion Japanese yen (around $5.14 billion) in 2021, representing steady growth. Manga’s popularity extends far beyond Japan as well. The global manga market was estimated to be worth $11.68 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16.5%, according to market research from Polaris. This rapid growth demonstrates the rising mainstream appeal of manga worldwide.
Experts cite several factors contributing to manga’s global fame. The art style is visually engaging. Manga storytelling techniques like cliffhangers and short, fast-paced chapters hook readers. Increased anime adaptations expose more people to popular manga franchises. Improvements in official English translations make manga more accessible. The internet and social media enable manga content to spread rapidly to new audiences. Overall, manga’s unique attributes, global marketing and distribution, and digitization are fueling its popularity outside Japan.
Demand for the Manga Filter
The AI manga filter has become extremely popular on TikTok, with videos using the effect receiving millions of views and likes. Manga and anime fans love being able to transform their photos into stylized manga art with just a click. According to Screenrant (source), the filter allows users to feel like they are living inside their favorite manga series. The effect captures unique aesthetics from classic manga styles that are not easily replicated otherwise. Users are drawn to this new way of expressing their love for manga, turning themselves into manga characters for fun.
Many TikTokers want to join in on the trend and use the popular effect, leading to high demand for the AI manga filter. However, some users have had trouble locating the filter within TikTok. The demand stems from a desire to showcase manga fandom, transform photos in an artistic way, and participate in a viral trend surrounding Japanese pop culture. While alternatives exist, the authentic AI manga filter provides the most accurate digital transformation into true manga style.
Technical Challenges
Developing new filters like the Manga filter for TikTok presents several technical challenges. As AR/VR technology is still relatively new, there are limitations around what is currently possible to implement (source). The Manga filter would likely utilize facial tracking and augmented reality to apply effects and animations in real-time. However, accurately tracking faces and expressions to properly render Manga-style effects can be difficult from a computer vision and rendering perspective.
Additionally, rendering complex animations and effects in real-time requires significant processing power on mobile devices (source). TikTok would need to optimize the filter to work smoothly across a wide range of devices. There are also challenges around making the effects look natural and not overly artificial or distorted. Overall, developing believable Manga-style filters involves surmounting non-trivial technical hurdles in real-time augmented reality.
Licensing Issues
The lack of a manga filter on TikTok is likely due to licensing complexities with manga intellectual property (IP). Manga and anime images are subject to copyright, and platforms like TikTok need permission to use these images and effects.
According to TikTok’s Intellectual Property Policy, “We do not allow any content that infringes copyright. The use of copyrighted content of others without proper authorization or legally valid reason is prohibited.” This includes using images or effects containing copyrighted manga/anime.
Additionally, developing custom filters based on manga/anime would require licensing deals with IP holders. TikTok may have determined the licensing costs outweighed the benefit of having a manga filter. Securing licenses can be challenging given the number of parties involved in manga/anime production.
Without proper licensing, using manga/anime images as filters could lead to copyright claims and takedown notices. This helps explain why TikTok has not yet developed a specialized manga filter, despite demand from users.
Developing New Filters
TikTok has a rigorous process for developing and rolling out new filters and effects on its platform. According to TikTok’s Effect House, new effects go through multiple stages before being released to all users:
First, TikTok monitors trending topics and user requests to identify ideas for new effects. The Effect House team then prototypes and iterates on effect concepts based on feedback from test groups. Next, effects undergo compliance and policy checks to ensure they meet TikTok’s guidelines. After an effect passes these checks, it enters a beta testing period where it is released to a small percentage of users. TikTok analyzes metrics like user engagement during beta testing to optimize the effect before a full launch. Finally, once an effect has gone through sufficient testing and iterations, it becomes available to all TikTok users globally.
Overall, it can take weeks or even months for a new effect to go from concept to full launch on TikTok. The company is very deliberate about its effect development process to ensure only high-quality, policy-compliant effects make it through to the app’s worldwide userbase. This allows TikTok to maintain its brand standards while constantly refreshing its catalogue of filters.
User Suggestions for Filters
While TikTok curates its selection of filters and effects, it also allows users to suggest new ones. On the mobile app, tap on the profile icon in the bottom right and go to the “Settings and Privacy” section. Tap on “Suggestions” and then select “Filters & Effects.”
Here, users can suggest new filters or effects that they would like to see added. Users are encouraged to provide a detailed description and visual example if possible. TikTok reviews these suggestions to identify popular requests and ideas that align with their content standards.
Suggesting creative and visually appealing filters or effects can potentially lead to those options becoming available for all users. Even if not immediately added, popular requests give TikTok insight into what the community wants to see in future updates.
Alternatives for Manga Effects
Since the AI Manga filter is not yet widely available on TikTok, many users have come up with creative workarounds to achieve the manga aesthetic without access to the official filter.
One popular method is using cartoon drawing apps like ToonMe (https://toonme.com/) or Cartoon Photo Editor (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lyrebirdstudio.cartoon) to transform a regular photo into a manga-style illustration that can then be uploaded to TikTok. Apps like Adobe Photoshop or Procreate also have filters and tools to add a hand-drawn look.
Manual editing is another option. Some users carefully draw manga-inspired elements like enlargened eyes, colorful hair and stylized faces over their photos using the TikTok drawing tools (https://www.tiktok.com/@haleyybaylee/video/7178640692988661034?lang=en). This takes more effort but allows full customization.
Creative makeup and styling can imitate manga features too. Bold eyeliner, blush placement, dramatic lips and circle lenses can make eyes look bigger and sparklier. Wigs, accessories and outfit choices can enhance the manga aesthetic.
While not an exact substitute for the AI filter, these alternatives allow users to join in on the manga trend with what’s currently available on TikTok.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while many TikTok users are eagerly awaiting the release of an official Manga filter on the platform, the timeline for its launch remains unclear. Developing proprietary AR filters that meet TikTok’s quality standards involves extensive design and engineering work. Securing licenses from manga publishers also adds complexities from a legal perspective. That said, TikTok has demonstrated a willingness to respond to user requests and expand its filter offerings over time. The company may eventually roll out a Manga filter, if it can reach agreements with IP holders and allocate developer resources to build and refine the effect. For now, TikTok users have found creative workarounds by using third-party apps or editing software to add manga-inspired visuals to their videos. While not as seamless as a native filter, these options allow creators to achieve the aesthetic they’re looking for. The demand for a Manga filter underscores the popularity of manga culture on TikTok, and the company would be wise to consider developing the feature to satisfy its creative anime-loving user base.
