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Why do some anime characters have their eyes closed most or all of the time?

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May 12, 2021 11:30 AM
#1

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Mar 2017
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Okay, I get that they're not really fully closed, more like they're just narrowed or squinting, especially when smiling. But still...
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May 12, 2021 11:40 AM
#2
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Jul 2018
562334
i would say it's probably just the artstyle or supposed to be part of their character
May 12, 2021 11:41 AM
#3

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I don’t know since different characters have it for different reasons, like for example Kazuho from Non Non Biyori has her eyes shut to symbolize how tired she always is


while characters like Chizuru from Ika Musume have them shut to symbolize her kindness, which goes away when she opens her eyes
snowykevinMay 12, 2021 11:45 AM
May 12, 2021 11:54 AM
#4

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Aug 2020
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to save time in not drawing eyes (30 character limit)
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Just to clarify, adaptations should absolutely stand on their own
May 12, 2021 11:54 AM
#5

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Jul 2012
1287
I don't know why is that a thing but I hate it for some reason lol... it's one of my biggest pet peeves.
May 12, 2021 12:01 PM
#6

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Jul 2020
954
That's a good question, I honestly never really noticed
May 12, 2021 9:02 PM
#7
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Jan 2020
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Just usual anime character design shenanigans



May 12, 2021 9:04 PM
#8

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to open their Minds Eye instead what else
May 12, 2021 9:08 PM
#9

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Feb 2020
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To emphasize laziness in a character most likely, kinda like these two.
May 12, 2021 9:23 PM

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Apr 2018
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Because they thinks it's cool and avoidable watching situations in front.
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May 12, 2021 9:30 PM

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May 2020
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Maybe it's for slanted eyes
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Hyacinth05May 12, 2021 9:36 PM
May 12, 2021 9:47 PM

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Dec 2007
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because most japanese people eyes are narrowed and hardly seen from afar, so they draw it closely.
May 12, 2021 10:26 PM

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Apr 2021
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User-Name said:
because most japanese people eyes are narrowed and hardly seen from afar, so they draw it closely.


I really doubt that it's because of Japanese eyes, wouldn't most characters have closed eyes if that was the case?
May 12, 2021 10:41 PM

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Zodazzle said:
User-Name said:
because most japanese people eyes are narrowed and hardly seen from afar, so they draw it closely.


I really doubt that it's because of Japanese eyes, wouldn't most characters have closed eyes if that was the case?
the whole "big and large eyes" anime/manga concept came from their lack of them :p
(i think)
May 12, 2021 10:42 PM

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Jul 2020
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spaesu said:
i would say it's probably just the artstyle or supposed to be part of their character

or just to save time animating the eyes lol.
@User-Name but sometimes their eyes are completely closed.

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May 12, 2021 10:49 PM

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Dec 2007
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Scordolo said:
spaesu said:
i would say it's probably just the artstyle or supposed to be part of their character

or just to save time animating the eyes lol.
@User-Name but sometimes their eyes are completely closed.
what i'm trying to say is - that's how it's look on some japanese people, like most of their eyes are shut, they just went and exaggerate in drawing. (see yang-lee case in FMAB)
again, it's only theory
May 12, 2021 10:53 PM

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Feb 2021
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Good question and I don't know... I noticed tho, that the ones who have their eyes closed are kind of shady. Like Gin from Bleach. Maybe that could be one reason?



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May 13, 2021 4:43 AM

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LightWorker said:
To emphasize laziness in a character most likely, kinda like these two.

Could you please tell me the name of that anime?
May 13, 2021 4:48 AM

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Oct 2010
21362
personality trait and it helps design-wise, the anime looks more diverse in this way.
May 13, 2021 4:52 AM

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Jun 2016
198
because they are plotting something
May 13, 2021 4:53 AM

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Mar 2015
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Trvshy said:
Good question and I don't know... I noticed tho, that the ones who have their eyes closed are kind of shady. Like Gin from Bleach. Maybe that could be one reason?


Characters with their eyes closed kinda look like foxes, and since foxes (or kitsune more specifically) are known to be tricksters in Japanese mythology makes sense that characters like that tend to be shady.

May 13, 2021 4:56 AM

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May 2018
11588
It's a trope.
Eyes Always Shut - https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EyesAlwaysShut

This describes characters who appear to have their eyes shut constantly, except, perhaps, for a few instances of surprise or shock. Nevertheless, they still give every indication of being able to see — which implies that this characteristic is actually more of a pronounced squint.

This is an old device to imply wisdom; more recently, it's been used as a device to show "wise guys". This device, when used as such, is called "kitsune no me" in Japanese ("fox eyes" or "shifty eyes" in English).
alshuMay 13, 2021 5:00 AM
May 13, 2021 4:59 AM

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Oct 2019
2768
It's because of CuLtUrAl ApRoPrIaTiOn
May 13, 2021 5:08 AM
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Peacemaker

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I always thought of it as an Asian design trope, as with this joke from Yugioh The Abridged Series

In many anime, closed eye characters who open their eyes in a scene can have a huge dramatic effect, or it can be significant to the character's personality. Otherwise, easier to animate is also an option I suppose, but I find that hard to believe that it is the primary reason for having the eyes closed. As a design aesthetic, it can be very memorable.

I would say that the characters who have closed eyes have it for different reasons decided on by the creators.
May 13, 2021 5:29 AM

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Jul 2012
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All of those characters are going to be in a future show that hasn't been officially announced yet where the Society of the Shut Eye takes over the multiverse. I'm getting kind of hyped considering how long they've been foreshadowing it.

In all seriousness in some cases it's probably just for the dramatic effect achieved when they do open their eyes. It's a trope I enjoy so I don't mind.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
May 13, 2021 9:47 AM

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@Lincanfer

Ah, sure!. It's Qualidea Code
May 13, 2021 9:51 AM

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LightWorker said:
@Lincanfer

Ah, sure!. It's Qualidea Code

Thank you so much, Have a nice day...
May 13, 2021 9:54 AM

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Jan 2021
529
Because they are too powerful when their eyes are open, given that most characters who blindfold or close their eyes are strong.
(It's just a joke, so don't take it serious XD There's a saying from Chinese anime community, "characters with squinting eyes are monsters".)
May 16, 2021 10:03 PM

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Aug 2020
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The funnier answer is that Snorlax can fire Hyper Beam from their eyes when they're open. So........
May 16, 2021 10:14 PM

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Oct 2017
28142
Feels cool when they finally reveal their eyes which most of the time has special effects.
May 16, 2021 10:23 PM

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May 2021
148
It's to portray a character's two-sidedness. Like a guy is AWARE that there's bullshit all around him, but he closes his eyes to it. Like he accepts it and plays along.

A lot of expression is in the eyes. You can read a lot of intent in them. So if you close your eyes, you're hiding your (not necessarily evil) intent.
May 16, 2021 10:26 PM

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Jul 2019
2295
It just kinda works. Like Kaneda Suekichi. He has his eyes closed all the time. It might signify his wisdom
May 16, 2021 10:34 PM

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bcuz if they open their eyes, then the world will get destoryed
its just facts
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May 16, 2021 10:35 PM

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because they're sleepy, if they open their eyes, they are awake so
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May 16, 2021 11:26 PM
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Jul 2018
562334
Takeshi also known as Brock from Pokémon. Probably the reason why their eyes is closed like all the time is to differentiate him from one character to another. Because it may look unnecessary if they have the same eye design.
May 17, 2021 12:11 AM

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Most characters that I see who has closed eyes are onee-sans and chill or laidback characters.
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May 17, 2021 12:22 AM

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Cause they're FRIED on an edible lololol
May 17, 2021 12:24 AM
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May 17, 2021 5:30 AM

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Sometimes it's cuz eyes tell a lot about the person so keeping their eyes closed make them more mysterious. But since many people do this, it's become a trope when the characters opening their eyes means they're serious about something or about to do/say something badass
Oct 14, 2024 4:18 PM
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Reply to snowykevin
I don’t know since different characters have it for different reasons, like for example Kazuho from Non Non Biyori has her eyes shut to symbolize how tired she always is


while characters like Chizuru from Ika Musume have them shut to symbolize her kindness, which goes away when she opens her eyes
@snowykevin Chizuru is the reason i dropped the show.. this CURSED "marie sue" is not a human. and her abilities and personality that should be taken as a gag.. are the WORST POSSIBLE TURD to exist... calling her a DEVIL is an understatement. ..
she should be called "a character that shouldn't exist"
i know this is about the "closed eyes" .. but this TURD triggers me so much, i can't help it.

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