Consistency begins with a boundary, not a longer adjective list.
Character drift usually starts when identity, styling, pose, and scene are mixed into one undifferentiated paragraph. The model cannot tell which details are permanent and which belong only to the current frame. This builder separates those jobs. Identity anchors describe the visual facts that should survive every scene. Preserve makes the current non-negotiables explicit. Change gives the model room to move. Avoid names the failure modes that would invalidate the frame.
That structure does not guarantee an identical face. No prompt can do that by itself. It does, however, give the model and the human reviewer a stable contract: when a result fails, you can identify whether the identity source, the adapter, or the requested change caused the drift.
What to put in each field
Identity anchors
Write only visible, durable traits. Face proportions, a distinct scar, hair shape, eye color, age range, and silhouette are useful. Emotional state, pose, weather, and lens choice belong elsewhere.
Outfit anchors
Keep one or two recognizable elements when wardrobe matters: a jacket cut, a badge, a scarf pattern. Avoid listing every seam unless the garment itself is the product.
Reference roles
Give each image one job. The identity reference governs facial resemblance. A style reference supplies finish, not facial anatomy. A composition reference supplies framing, not wardrobe.
Three useful continuity briefs
Editorial character, new location
Preserve facial proportions, eyebrow scar, hair cut, and the brass map pin. Change the harbor office to a train platform and replace the hand action. Avoid beauty retouching, altered age, or a longer hairstyle.
identity → preserve / scene → changeIllustrated mascot, seasonal campaign
Preserve the mascot's head-to-body ratio, eye spacing, and three brand colors. Change the prop and background season. Treat the style sheet as a style reference, not as a new character source.
shape → preserve / prop → changeActor-like avatar, local edit
Use the current render as the edit target and the clean portrait as the identity source. Change only the damaged hand. Preserve face, camera, lighting, costume, crop, and every untouched region.
edit target + identity sourceWhy a consistent character still drifts
References disagree
Two identity images show different hair, age, or facial geometry. Reduce the set or state which image wins.
Preserve and Change collide
The same wardrobe or pose appears in both lists. Resolve the contradiction before compiling.
The scene overwhelms identity
Too many style adjectives, subjects, and actions dilute the identity signal. Simplify the current shot.
The model needs a different edit path
Seedream can use ordered references and targeted regions. Nano Banana favors a conversational edit. Compare both adapters instead of copying one syntax.
One character lock, two reference strategies.
Ordered Image 1…N mapN2Nano Banana 2
Conversational reference intent
Character consistency FAQ
Can one prompt keep a character perfectly identical?
No. A strong lock reduces drift, but identity also depends on reference quality, model behavior, editing workflow, and repeated testing.
What belongs in an identity anchor?
Use stable, visible traits: face proportions, distinctive marks, eye color, hair shape, age range, silhouette, and one or two outfit anchors.
Should pose and environment be identity anchors?
Usually not. Put pose, action, camera, and environment in scene or Change so the character can move without losing identity.
How many reference images should I use?
Start with the smallest set that has a clear job. One clean identity source is often more useful than many contradictory references.