Every once in a while, a Midjourney SREF code appears that makes you stop what you’re doing, grab your mouse, and start experimenting. 4292182277 is that code. Write it down.
No need to generate a random SREF. This one you’ll want to try.
I found it floating around on X/Twitter after seeing a few people post their results. Even Elon Musk commented on it, which honestly might be the weirdest part of this story. Still, the code caught my attention because of how consistently good it looks across totally different images and themes.
Also, let’s just say it fits the Run The Prompts brand of AI art nicely, so we like to run the prompts with this SREF code.
Why This Midjourney SREF Code Works So Well
The short answer is, it just looks so damn cool.Â
It nails a very specific vibe. It looks like a dark OVA-style anime straight out of the late ’80s and early ’90s, capturing that iconic aesthetic from the golden age of adult and experimental anime.
You can clearly see influences from Wicked City, Vampire Hunter D, Demon City Shinjuku, Cyber City Oedo 808, Angel Cop, Golgo 13, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Akira. The result is gritty, cinematic, and a little unhinged in the best possible way.
It has that heavy-contrast lighting, sharp color separation, and moody atmosphere that made those classics unforgettable. Every frame looks like it could’ve been pulled from a lost VHS tape sitting in the horror section of a 1992 video store.
This code does something special with colors. It’s like they become slightly muddy but more interesting.
With this code, I tend to keep the stylize value high, like over 700, because that’s where it gets that vivid, nostalgic look that makes you want to buy a VHS tape. Lowering the stylize value to around 300 or 400 will make it feel a bit flatter and more grounded, but personally, I like chaos.
My Favorite Prompts for 90s-Style Cartoons with This SREF
Here are some of the prompts I used that made this code shine. Copy them, tweak them, or just run them as is, and watch what happens.
1. Eyes in the Clouds
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A giant evil male character with a backwards hat, looking up at someone while smoking a cigarette, glowing green eyes, dressed as a gangster, in the style of neon hallucinations, mecha anime, dark green and red sky, futuristic, flat areas of color, Aloysius Arnegger quality details
–ar 4:3 –sref 4292182277 –stylize 700
2. Turtle Time
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Closeup portrait of the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles drinking beers with Batman on a rooftop bar in a dystopian futuristic city, eerie vibe, moodcore
–ar 4:3 –sref 4292182277 –stylize 700
3. Boxer Gordito
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Image of a cheerful, chubby boxer dog with a glossy coat and bright, curious eyes, standing confidently with a playful tilt of its head
–ar 4:3 –sref 4292182277 –stylize 800
4. Don’t Look Now
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Extreme anime eye closeup of a bald male in his early 60s, light scruff, slightly faded eyebrows, thick rectangular sunglasses, silly goofy derp face expression in the style of brutalism and Atlus Studios Persona 5
–ar 4:3 –sref 4292182277 –stylize 700
5. Passing You Bye
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A man is sitting at a corporate desk working with a laptop on a desk that is situated in the middle of the sea, with water surrounding it. Hyper-realistic surrealism, photography. Wes Anderson aesthetic with a modern touch.
–chaos 5 –ar 2:3 –sref 4292182277 –stylize 500
5. The Edge
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A shady businessman standing at the edge of a rooftop, Hazy Atmosphere, Reflective Atmosphere
–ar 4:3 –sref 4292182277 –stylize 800
Final Thoughts on This Code
There’s something special about how it captures that nostalgic, hand-drawn cartoon vibe while still feeling modern. It’s bold, cinematic, and weirdly emotional.
If you’re a Midjourney artist who likes to mix style, mood, and absurdity, this SREF code is your new toy.
Wrapping It Up
Midjourney has tons of SREF codes floating around, but 4292182277 hits that sweet spot. It’s perfect for anyone chasing that gritty ’90s cartoon look with a modern twist.
Try it out, experiment with different stylize levels, and see how far you can push it.
Also, be sure to check out some additional Midjourney illustration SREF codes featuring our very own marketing assistant, Bear Smith.
Did you create something awesome with this code? Let me know in the comments below.
Until next time, remember to run the prompts and prompt the planet.
