Translation guide
A storyboard is a sequence of drawings representing the shots planned for a film, animation, or advertisement. In Japanese, the most common term is 絵コンテ, but other words exist depending on context.
The standard term for a visual plan of shots in film, TV, or animation production.
The most common and standard term for a storyboard in film, animation, and advertising. It combines 絵 (picture) and コンテ (from continuity).
監督が絵コンテを描く。
The director draws the storyboard.
絵コンテ通りに撮影する。
We shoot according to the storyboard.
Short for 絵コンテ. Very common in industry settings.
コンテを切る。
I create a storyboard.
Loanword from English. Used, but less common than 絵コンテ. May be understood in international contexts.
ストーリーボードを作成する。
Create a storyboard.
A rough layout or draft of manga pages, focusing on panel composition and dialogue placement.
In manga creation, a rough draft or storyboard showing panel layouts and dialogue. Not used for film.
まずネームを描いてから原稿に入る。
First I draw the storyboard (name), then I start the manuscript.
A visual plan for cutscenes or interactive sequences in games.
Same term as for film; used for game cutscenes and event scenes.
ゲームのイベントシーンの絵コンテを描く。
I draw the storyboard for the game's event scenes.
A visual plan for a TV commercial or promotional video.
Used in advertising agencies for planning commercials.
CMの絵コンテをクライアントに提出する。
Submit the commercial storyboard to the client.
絵コンテ is used for film, animation, and video. ネーム is specifically for manga and comics. Do not use ネーム for film storyboards.