assets/shaders/toon.gdshader

@@ -16,12 +16,13 @@ uniform float band_edge : hint_range(-1.0, 1.0) = 0.05;   // NdotL where light b
 uniform float band_softness : hint_range(0.001, 0.5) = 0.04;
 uniform float mid_band_edge : hint_range(-1.0, 1.0) = 0.55; // second, brighter band
 uniform vec4 shadow_color : source_color = vec4(0.62, 0.65, 0.78, 1.0); // cool shadow tint
-// Matte-anime defaults: a thin rim and a tiny tight glint. Anything hotter
-// reads as wet plastic / patent leather on dark surfaces.
-uniform float rim_strength : hint_range(0.0, 2.0) = 0.15;
-uniform float rim_width : hint_range(0.0, 1.0) = 0.4;
-uniform float specular_strength : hint_range(0.0, 1.0) = 0.06;
-uniform float specular_shininess : hint_range(1.0, 128.0) = 56.0;
+// Matte-anime defaults: a whisper of rim and near-zero specular. Anything
+// hotter reads as wet plastic / patent leather on dark surfaces and makes
+// light hair look shiny.
+uniform float rim_strength : hint_range(0.0, 2.0) = 0.08;
+uniform float rim_width : hint_range(0.0, 1.0) = 0.32;
+uniform float specular_strength : hint_range(0.0, 1.0) = 0.025;
+uniform float specular_shininess : hint_range(1.0, 128.0) = 64.0;
 
 varying vec3 world_pos;
 varying vec3 world_normal;

scenes/maps/level_environment.gd

@@ -104,11 +104,13 @@ static func make_environment(sky_variant: String = "day") -> Environment:
 	environment.glow_bloom = 0.05
 	environment.glow_hdr_threshold = 1.45
 
-	# Cel color grade: punchy saturation, hint of contrast (bumped a touch to
-	# make up for filmic's slightly tamer mids — vibrancy stays).
+	# Cel color grade: a LIGHT saturation lift only. Anything stronger shifts
+	# hues — authored ginger hair grades into fire-truck red, pastels go neon —
+	# and the whole game reads "filtered". Let the textures' own colors carry
+	# the vibrancy.
 	environment.adjustment_enabled = true
-	environment.adjustment_saturation = 1.3
-	environment.adjustment_contrast = 1.05
+	environment.adjustment_saturation = 1.08
+	environment.adjustment_contrast = 1.03
 
 	# A touch of depth haze for scale; far enough to not gray the arena.
 	environment.fog_enabled = true

scenes/maps/level_materials.gd

@@ -85,13 +85,13 @@ static func toonify(src: Material) -> Material:
 	mat.set_shader_parameter("has_texture", tex != null)
 	mat.set_shader_parameter("use_triplanar", false)
 	mat.set_shader_parameter("albedo_color", col)
-	# Matte anime surfaces: a thin rim for silhouette pop and a small tight
-	# glint. The old hot rim (0.45 over 65% width) + broad specular made
-	# every character and prop read as wet plastic / a colored mirror.
-	mat.set_shader_parameter("rim_strength", 0.15)
-	mat.set_shader_parameter("rim_width", 0.4)
-	mat.set_shader_parameter("specular_strength", 0.06)
-	mat.set_shader_parameter("specular_shininess", 56.0)
+	# Matte anime surfaces: a whisper of rim for silhouette pop, near-zero
+	# specular. Characters should read as cloth/hair, not vinyl — any hotter
+	# and dark surfaces gloss up and light hair looks wet.
+	mat.set_shader_parameter("rim_strength", 0.08)
+	mat.set_shader_parameter("rim_width", 0.32)
+	mat.set_shader_parameter("specular_strength", 0.025)
+	mat.set_shader_parameter("specular_shininess", 64.0)
 	return mat