Charios is a browser-based tool for making 2D character animations by applying motion-capture clips to layered character art. It can detect alpha islands in an image and separate body parts into transparent layers for rigging. The rig uses a fixed 17-bone humanoid skeleton, and users can retarget bundled motion clips or import .bvh and .fbx files. A 3×3 preview grid displays nine clips together for animation checks. Exports include animated GIFs, PNG sequences, JSON, Unity prefabs, Godot scenes and Unreal Engine actors; the files are bundled and downloaded in the browser. Charios says character art remains in the browser during export. The Free plan costs 0.00 USD per free and includes three active projects, 30 credits per month and 13 bundled mocap clips. Pro costs 20.00 USD per month, while Studio costs 45.00 USD per seat per month. The editor requires a modern desktop browser with WebGL 2; mobile supports project viewing and animation previews only. Support includes community, email and in-editor bug reports, with email replies within 24 hours on business days.
Who it is for
Charios is intended for indie game developers, solo artists and animators, game-jam teams, and marketing or design teams. It suits people working with layered 2D character art and motion clips.
What is good
- Detects and separates image body parts for rigging
- Accepts bundled clips and .bvh or .fbx files
- Previews nine animation clips together
- Exports to GIF, PNG sequence, JSON and game engines
- Free plan includes three active projects
What to know first
- Desktop editor requires WebGL 2
- Mobile supports viewing and previews only
- Free plan is limited to three active projects
Verdict
Charios offers a defined character rig, motion retargeting and several export options for 2D animation work. The desktop browser requirement and limited mobile editing scope are important considerations.
Charios plans and pricing
All plansCompared on AI animation makers
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- $20/mo
- AI character creation
- Yes
- Image-to-animation
- Yes
- Motion transfer
- Yes
- Reference consistency
- Yes
- Export formats
- GIF, PNG sequence, JSON, Unity prefab, Godot .tscn scene, Unreal Engine actor
