How to create your own cartoon show with AI
To create your own cartoon show with AI, write the show before the episodes: a one-page bible with the cast, each described the same way every time, the places that recur and the shape of an episode. Then write a season, about 150 words for every minute, and make every episode from one upload so each has the same characters, sets and voices. In Nima's Long-form Video one upload takes up to 10,000 words, about an hour of film, and becomes as many episodes as you like, each a film with its own link.
Your first trailer is free.
Write the show bible first
A show is the part that does not change from week to week. Put it on one page before you write an episode. Here is one for an invented show:
Night Shift at the Comet Diner, the bible
The premise: a teenager runs the late shift at her grandfather's diner, where strangers bring their problems after 10 pm.
Juno: 16, long black hair, a purple headset, talks fast, says yes to everyone.
Grandpa Walt: 78, bald, thick glasses, a mustard cardigan, says no to everything.
Biscuit: a round orange cat who sits on the counter and decides.
The places: the diner, the roof, the alley by the back door.
An episode: the 10 pm rush, a stranger with a problem, Walt says no, Juno says yes, Biscuit settles it.
That last row is what makes episodes recur: the cast and the shape stay, the problem changes.
How long should each episode be?
| Episode length | Words | Episodes from one upload |
|---|---|---|
| 2 minutes | about 300 | about 30 |
| 5 minutes | about 750 | about 13 |
| 10 minutes | about 1,500 | about 6 |
| 20 minutes | about 3,000 | 3 |
Short episodes of one to two minutes also make a vertical series for Shorts, Reels and TikTok: see microdramas.
One story, many episodes
Paste the episodes, not the bible: what you paste is filmed, and nothing is cut unless you agree. Put each character's bible description into the first scene they appear in.
In Long-form Video every character is drawn once as a sheet you approve, every place is built once as a set, and each speaking character keeps one voice. One story makes as many episodes as you like, and every one of them uses that cast. Tell Nima in the chat where each episode starts and ends.
A new episode every week
Write the season ahead, then release one episode a week from it. One upload of 10,000 words is six 10-minute episodes, or thirteen of five.
When the season runs out, the next season is a new upload, and its cast is drawn again from your words. Paste each character's description word for word, and compare the new sheets with last season's before you approve them. Your own artwork for the characters is available on request.
Our series, as the example
Pride and Prejudice is a series our studio made in felted wool, four episodes so far with one cast:
| Episode | Chapters | Runtime |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | 1 and 2 | 14 minutes |
| Episode 2: The Meryton Ball | 3 | 8 minutes |
| Episode 3: A Pair of Fine Eyes | 4 to 6 | 28 minutes |
| Episode 4: An Excellent Walker | 7 and 8 | 25 minutes |
Step by step
- Write the bible and the season. Up to 10,000 words of episodes.
- Paste the episodes. Open Long-form Video and paste them.
- Pick a look. Detailed claymation, felted wool, comic book ink, acid pencil, or paper love, which is cut paper.
- Approve the cast and the sets. This is the step that keeps the show the same, so take your time over it.
- Pick the voices. Five voice auditions per speaking character.
- Watch your free trailer. 15 to 20 seconds of the show, animated: a check of the look and the voices.
- Make the episodes. One at a time, each with its own link, each one downloadable.
Posting it
- One playlist for the season, in order.
- One title pattern: the show, the episode number, the episode's name.
- One thumbnail design with the episode number on it.
- Vertical clips from each episode for TikTok, Reels and Shorts, pointing back to the full one.
Adapting a story you already have? How to make an animated series from your story.
What it costs
Films are made on a monthly plan metered in minutes of finished film, with one, two or five rounds of notes on each film. The plans are on the pricing page. Film length follows the text at about 150 words a minute with the narrator on.
A season uses as many minutes of a plan as it runs.
Formats and extras
Films come in widescreen and in vertical, so the same film plays on a TV, a website, Instagram, TikTok or Shorts. Music can be added. A title card, your own artwork for the characters and your own voice for the narration are available on request. Write to hello@nima.mov and tell us what you need.
Common questions
Can AI make a cartoon series?
Yes, if it keeps one cast for every episode. Nima's Long-form Video draws each character once and makes every episode from one upload with the same characters, places and voices.
Is there an AI cartoon series generator?
Tools that make one clip at a time can hold a character only if you give every clip the same reference pictures. Nima makes a whole season from your text with one cast.
How do I create my own animated series?
Write a one-page show bible, write a season of episodes at about 150 words a minute, paste them into Long-form Video, approve the cast once, and make the episodes one after another.
How do I keep the same characters in every episode?
Make every episode from the same upload: they all use the same character sheets, sets and voices. For a new season, describe each character in exactly the same words.
How long should a cartoon episode be?
Two to ten minutes for a web series. A two-minute episode is about 300 words, a ten-minute one about 1,500.
Can I post my cartoon show on YouTube?
Yes. Every finished episode can be downloaded, in widescreen or in vertical.
Write episode one. The trailer is free. Make my free trailer.