Still on the topic of Flat Earth, I want to add more explanation of the concept of round and flat. It’s pretty complex.

Manga Example: Jujutsu Kaisen

I used to read a popular manga (Japanese comics) called Jujutsu Kaisen.

Brief summary: Sorcerers (wizards/witches) fight with curses (demons) using their “devil” powers. These powers are inherited. Strong sorcerers can cast a big power-like world/kingdom called Domain Expansion.

Domain Expansion: You see where I’m going?

These strong sorcerers (only a few of them) can cast this powerful ability once a day since it takes a lot of their energy (cursed energy). This “power kingdom” needs a hand sign and the words “domain expansion” to activate.

When the domain is activated, the caster and victim are enclosed in a dark circular-shaped ball. Depending on the technique or power of the user, this ball does its thing.

Example: One of the strongest characters (Gojo) uses his domain. His power allows him to control gravitational push and pull at will. His domain ability is to paralyze the victim with infinite information until they can’t process anything.

Now! When they are closed inside, it’s drawn as a big black circular ball around them. The illusion of the “big round” is how it’s drawn and seen from us (the audience) and the other characters.

Concept of “Flat” vs. “Round”

Since the domain (synonym: kingdom) is dark, it needs to shine or stand out from the environment. This means you need to draw a very detailed circle with bold colors to make it pop out and become a 3D circle.

Literally, if it’s not drawn or seen (from perspective) as a 3D circle, it becomes a half-circle. What makes the effect of a “round” shape is that it needs to be supported or covered on its own.

Examples:

• Volleyballs, bowling balls, basketballs, soccer balls, tennis balls—they’re all closed circles, which is a

  3D concept

  . This means they have

  support (air, solid material)

  inside them.

Now, to be considered flat, this material (a ball) will have to be partially cut in half and placed on the ground.

Visual Example:

• 2D Flat (Circle):

  • A ball cut in half, with the ground supporting the flat surface.
  • (Illustration of a half-ball sitting on the ground.)

• 3D Full Circle:

  • A sphere (bare with me, lol).

  • Not exactly like it, but you might get the idea!

    I spent an hour trying to get this right. Search “how to draw a sphere” and you’ll see the difference!

  • It has to do with

    lighting, measurement, and precision

    . I hope it helps.