NovelAI Alternative for Anime Creators in 2026: Testing Tsubaki.3

For many anime creators, NovelAI has been a go-to platform for generating AI illustrations. Its fast generation and editing tools make it convenient for creating anime-focused artwork and experimenting with different ideas. Still, creators have other options to explore beyond NovelAI.

This time, we’re putting PixAI’s latest anime-focused model, Tsubaki.3, through a hands-on test. We’ll start with a single OC, move into more complex scenes, and continue editing the generated images. Let’s see how well it works as a NovelAI alternative.

Why Consider a NovelAI Alternative in 2026?

For anime creators, NovelAI offers a convenient way to generate artwork without spending too much time on the initial creation process. Its fast generation and simple approach make it useful for exploring ideas, but it may not cover every creator’s preferred workflow. That’s where a NovelAI alternative can come into consideration.

Some common reasons for exploring another option include:

• More flexibility in prompt interpretation
• Better handling of detailed scenes
• Easier ways to reuse characters
• Continued editing after generation
• More features within one creative workflow
• Alternative approaches to anime composition and storytelling

What Makes a Good NovelAI Alternative for Anime Creators?

Finding an anime AI alternative can be difficult with so many options available. The key is to focus on the areas that anime creators often pay attention to when they start generating and experimenting:

• Anime image quality
• Prompt and instruction accuracy
• Complex scene and multi-elements composition
• Reusing and refining recurring characters
• Moving smoothly from one generation to the next creative step

What Can PixAI Offer as a NovelAI Alternative?

PixAI has long focused on anime creation, and now its latest model, Tsubaki.3, gives creators another option to consider when searching for a NovelAI alternative. Features like Edit Pro and Reference Pro make it possible to keep working on generated images, refine different elements, and continue the creative process within one connected workflow.

However, simply having more tools doesn’t mean it solves the problems that made creators search for an alternative in the first place.

That’s why we’ll test whether PixAI’s Tsubaki.3 can handle:

• Detailed and specific instructions
• More complex compositions
• Recurring characters
• An extended creative workflow

Testing Tsubaki.3: What Can It Create from Scratch?

Here’s where our test begins! Instead of generating just one image, we’ll create two anime-style results for this experiment. One will focus on an original character, while the other will feature a more complex scene. To properly test Tsubaki.3, we’ll build both generations from scratch. For the visual direction, I’m going with a Street Fighter-inspired aesthetic to see how well the model handles it. Let’s get started!

Test 1 — Starting with an OC

For the first test, I decided to create a female Street Fighter OC with several defining visual details. The character has twin buns with long braided strands, a modern outfit inspired by Chinese fashion, metallic arm guards, a jade pendant, and a tiger tattoo as key features.

I also used semi-realistic and glow enhancer recipes to give the image that recognizable Street Fighter look, along with this prompt:

Let’s see what Tsubaki.3 does with our OC!

Test 2 — Creating a Complex Anime Scene

For the next test, let’s build a Street Fighter game arena scene. This time, we’ll bring two different Street Fighter characters into the scene: a panther-inspired fighter and a street brawler. The goal here is to see how well Tsubaki.3 performs when we move beyond simple character descriptions.

Let’s introduce dynamic fighting action, a specific camera angle, the surrounding environment, and multiple visual instructions, while keeping the semi-realistic and enhanced lighting recipes.

With all these complex prompt details in place, let’s see how accurately Tsubaki.3 can follow the instructions and bring the scene together.

Tsubaki.3 followed most of the prompt instructions I provided. The lighting, environment, fighting stance, and camera angle all turned out well. However, it did miss a few character details, such as the panther fighter’s claw-like metallic accessories. Some environmental elements were also left out, including the scattered debris.

Testing Tsubaki.3 with Detailed Anime Prompts

Now that we’ve tested Tsubaki.3 with a complex scene, let’s push it further with an even more detailed anime prompt. This time, I want the image to resemble a screenshot from a fighting game battle. Let’s include fighting-game HUD elements, character names, and round indicators to make the scene feel more authentic.

Let’s use this prompt:

Now, let’s check the results and see which parts of the prompt Tsubaki.3 managed to follow and which instructions were overlooked.

So far, Tsubaki.3 did a pretty good job interpreting the descriptions in our prompt. It captured the setting, character details, HUD elements, and poses well. It even assigned our OCs their own names, despite the prompt not specifically providing any character names.

But what happens if we create a second version of the same prompt? This time, let’s try a K.O. scene and see what Tsubaki.3 generates when we push the prompt in a different direction.

To keep the characters and overall visuals consistent, I used the first image as a reference before making any prompt changes. The settings stayed the same, while I made a few tweaks to the prompt and added K.O. text. I also changed our crimson-haired fighter’s pose to show her being knocked backward. Now, let’s see what Tsubaki.3 generates!

The second generation changed some details from the original image. The HUD elements, placement of the “K.O.” text, and the second fighter’s pose shifted slightly from what the prompt instructed. Although Tsubaki.3 maintained the characters and overall vibe of the scene, it still didn’t fully follow every instruction.

At this point, I think a well-composed and detailed prompt can make a big difference in getting closer to your desired scene. You can read the prompt guide to learn more prompting techniques and improve your results.

Testing Tsubaki.3 for Structured Anime Creation

Instead of creating another simple illustration, let’s see if Tsubaki.3 can handle a structured Street Fighter character sheet. A character sheet needs more than one illustration, showing different angles of the character while capturing everything from the main visual details to smaller accessories.

For this test, we’ll create a Captain Hook OC character sheet while keeping the same semi-realistic and glow enhancer recipes.

Now, let’s see how well Tsubaki.3 handles the layout and character details while maintaining the same character design across all the different views.

Tsubaki.3 successfully followed most of the descriptions from the prompt. The outfit, hook, and even the compass element turned out well, and the result looked like a complete character sheet. It also generated the three character views I wanted. However, it missed the small scar detail on the OC’s eyebrow and placed the scar somewhere else on his face instead.

Overall, the eyebrow scar may need a little more adjustment, but Tsubaki.3 still handled this structured anime creation test well.

Can Tsubaki.3 Keep Character Details Consistent?

Tsubaki.3 did a good job capturing our OC’s visual details based on the prompt, as shown in the test below. However, maintaining that same character across different creations is another challenge worth testing. Beyond having a connected workflow, anime creators may also want a generator that can preserve character visuals while they continue editing and exploring new ideas.

For this test, we’ll take the first anime image we generated in this article and create two variations from it. Let’s see how well Tsubaki.3 handles character consistency and whether it can work as a NovelAI alternative.

Variation 1

For the first variation, I wanted to change our character’s outfit and make her look like she’s inside the Street Fighter game.

I kept the same recipes from the previous generation, then added a game interface background, character selection panels, the character’s name, and “choose your fighter” text. I also used the OC’s original image as a reference to help keep her main visual details consistent throughout the generation.

Despite giving her a completely different outfit and adding several accessories, Tsubaki.3 managed to retain her original hairstyle and face. It even maintained the character’s overall body build. The consistency was also clear in the six character selection panels, with each version successfully keeping the same recognizable character appearance.

Variation 2

But what happens if we make bigger changes to her action and pose? This time, let’s place our OC in a battle scene performing a signature finishing move. I also decided to change her outfit, braid details, and a few accessories, including the gloves and red ankle wrap, while keeping the same recipes we’ve consistently used throughout the earlier tests. I also used the initial image as a reference.

Let’s see if our OC’s visual identity stays consistent when we shift the prompt’s focus to her mid-air spinning kick.

Even with the changes in her expression and hairstyle, our OC’s face stayed recognizable. Since the main focus of this test was her finishing move, I didn’t pay much attention to keeping her outfit and hairstyle exactly the same. Still, Tsubaki.3 was able to retain both details quite well. It did add a few extra elements, though, including the tiger tattoo on her arm, which wasn’t part of my original prompt.

Fortunately, you can use different options to make your character consistent while creating and exploring multiple visual scenes.

Can You Keep Editing a Tsubaki.3 Image After Generation?

Tsubaki.3 has already shown that it can maintain a character’s appearance while exploring different creative directions, but can it handle a completely new scene setup? For the next test, we’ll use the panther fighter and silver-haired brawler from our previous fight scene.

Variation 1

This time, I decided to give the scene a new background and recreate the feeling of an in-game fight screenshot. Instead of the original setting, I wanted the characters to battle inside an underground ring. I also added hair and body patterns to the panther fighter to emphasize her animal-inspired design. The second fighter stayed the same, while I used the HUD elements to make the scene feel more like an actual game fight.

I also used the initial image as a smart reference here and kept the same recipes.

The first variation turned out well overall. Tsubaki.3 followed the new instructions, from the panther’s hair and body patterns to the ring setting, HUD elements, and overall composition.

Variation 2

For the second variation, I want to replace the second character entirely and add more visual details to the scene. I used PixAI's Edit Pro to edit the initial image, then described the elements I wanted to change and add, such as the blonde karate character, additional HUD elements, and the character selection panel below.

I think it handled this scene well too. I only provided a prompt describing the second character’s visual changes and added the selection panel below, but Tsubaki.3 was able to keep the first fighter consistent while completely changing the rest of the scene without losing the original concept.

Tsubaki.3 vs NovelAI: What Should Anime Creators Consider?

Choosing the right browser-based anime AI generator depends on the kind of creative workflow an anime creator prefers. Let’s compare PixAI’s Tsubaki.3 and NovelAI to see how they differ.

For a closer look at their generation results, check out this side-by-side PixAI vs NovelAI comparison and see how the two compare.

Which Anime Creators May Benefit from Using PixAI as a NovelAI Alternative?

Consider PixAI if having control over different parts of the generation process matters to you, from recipes and LoRAs to prompts and editing.

If you want to generate anime art and refine it without jumping between separate tools or workflows.

If you want your OC to become a reusable reference for testing new styles, scenes, and creative directions.

If you like building detailed prompts and using them to shape characters or more complicated scenes.

Consider NovelAI if you want to combine anime image creation with AI-powered storytelling.

If you would rather choose from a more curated model selection than sort through numerous community models.

If your projects are mainly focused on creating anime artwork quickly.

If you prefer a prompt-and-tag-based approach when guiding your image generations.

Final Thoughts: PixAI as a NovelAI Alternative

After putting PixAI’s anime-focused Tsubaki.3 through our tests, you can decide whether it fits your needs as a NovelAI alternative. The model was able to follow detailed prompts and handle more complex scene instructions. Smart reference helped us carry the same characters into new creative directions while preserving their main visual identity. The connected workflow also makes it easier to continue working with the same OCs for further edits, refinements, and enhancements.

Tsubaki.3 may be useful for anime creators who want a simpler workflow that keeps generation, character consistency, and creative exploration connected. NovelAI may suit creators who prefer a focused prompting and reference-based process for keeping characters consistent across many different new visual scenes.