We've all gone from gathering at our favourite bars to hanging out on our favourite video chat platforms such as Zoom during the Covid-19 pandemic. Having a boring blank wall behind you might be fine for a work meeting, but for those who want to mix things up, a number of animation and video game companies have released fun virtual backdrops to use instead.
Aside from the free Japanese art and Pixar backgrounds available for download, you can also get backgrounds from your favourite Japanese anime, video games and movies including Pokémon, Godzilla, Evangelion, Final Fantasy, Super Mario and more. Here are some of our favourites.
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Need to hide your messy room, or just brightening up your work meetings? Studio Ghibli now offers more than 20 images from its most celebrated films to download for free from the official website.
For even more free images which can also be used as backgrounds, Studio Ghibli has also released hundreds of free movie stills from some of its most iconic films including 'My Neighbor Totoro', 'Howl's Moving Castle' and 'Spirited Away'.
Nintendo Switch game Super Mario Odyssey has released some colourful backdrops that you'll recognise from the game via the official Japanese Twitter page.
Pokémon has also released some fun backgrounds, showing Pikachu and Eevee strategically placed so they look like they are sitting on your shoulder or balancing on top of your head.
For something a little more chic, these Pokémon pattern images are based on the designs on Pokémon official shirts.
Who wouldn't want to add Godzilla to their next video chat? Everyone's favourite Japanese monster can now be added to your background collection, thanks to Godzilla Japan's official Twitter.
For something cuter, try these backgrounds of Chibi Godzilla, the giant monster's kawaii cousin.
Sega has also joined the wave, releasing images of iconic locations from its video games including the popular Yakuza game franchise. You might recognise Dotonburi in Osaka, as well as an area based on Shinjuku's Kabukicho.
Manga fans can download simple but cool black and white illustrations from popular Shonen Jump manga series such as One Piece, Bleach and Naruto.
Japanese video game developer Square Enix is offering free background images from the Final Fantasy VII Remake which was launched just this month. There are 17 different images featuring various settings and characters from around Midgar.
Fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion can choose from a number of options to download, including close ups of EVA-01 and the Nerv Headquarters. You can download them for free from Evangelion's official website.
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