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When an anime character is going to do something cool - or do something with
fierce determination (Thank you @Ross Ridge), animators put in a sparkle on
their eye usually accompanied by a metallic 'shiing' sound.

It seems like a reflection of sorts, but where did it come from originally? I
haven't seen this in other media before.

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/PSNQJ.jpg) ![enter
image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/TUArvm.png) ![enter image
description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/8L9Kpm.jpg)


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tropes
Where did the shining eye trope come from?


[The shining in the eye
trope](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TwinkleInTheEye), as you
call it, has been around for decades; I even remember seeing it in some black-
and-white anime. It is a way for the animators and mangaka's to show the
character's intent, and it has many spin-offs like the glowing glasses, which
usually means the wearer of the glasses has a malicious intent.

It has a lot to do with the common saying of _[a gleam in your
eye](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/american-english/a-gleam-
in-your-eye)_. I am sure you have been told this or something like it at least
once in your life. Japan has a similar saying, quite possibly adopted from
watching US movies and cartoons.

Sorry, the explanation isn't as interesting as "why the Japanese think people
are talking behind their back when they sneeze."


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<https://youtu.be/EnolBmSotZo?t=58>

This isn't just some "cool" thing, (as I probably thought as a very young kid
growing up). This is an actual spiritual orrence that happens in life. I'm not
sure of ALL of the reasons why or what this is associated with but I do
understand vaguely that its a spiritual occurrence that one sees. No different
than seeing the blush or anger in one's face or feeling the magic of another
when one falls in love. And not everyone understands that kind of sparkle
(inner spirit feeling) or tingling. They see it as just a "talking" in-
general. Then when they see it in art, they think,..."Hmmm, that's a cool way
to express it.",...when really,...that really is the way it looks. Depending
on the person you encounter it goes into levels. Though, in asia, they
encounter the same kind of spirits they are familiar with. Some regions or
countries may not experience that the same way. Ultimately, it is in other
entertainment. It was in X-men the animated series when Sabretooth got what I
call "The Flash" in his eyes upon talking to Wolverine before they fought. It
was also a memory flashback when Sabretooth saw his father about to strike him
and Sabretooth reacted upon fighting back. That was when Lady Death (Yuriko
Oyama's) father Kenji Oyama launched Talos as the exterminator for the
surviving members of the Weapon X project. When Talos raised his axe to strike
Wolverine, Sabretooth flashed back a mental memory to see his father Jebediah
getting ready to strike him down. You can see the flash in his eyes. (X-Men
The animated series Reference: S3/Ep19 (6/11/95). In Bible, although it was
talking about physically, I think it also had a spiritual meaning, Ref: (1
John 2:16; )1 John 4:1 (proof other spirits exist and spiritual things you
cannot see because of the veil over your eyes. Which is also in marriage as
one gets ready to kiss the bride.) Matthew 6:22-24 (Eyes are window to the
soul.)

Because of different people, spirits, and regions some people don't know about
the other and some things do divide rightfully so because it generates nothing
but conflict. Especially with your enemy. But from my own studies, from all
different sources and people these are the main reason of what I have found of
the properties that its existence belongs to:

Amusement / Delight (Though twinkle and sparkle is different) The lust of the
eye The connection Prey vs Predator Pride / Determination Higher Level (than
thou) Engage / 1st Encounter or Battle Encounter (Varies in variation. There
are different spirit qualities) Hour of Trial The cool / (some ignorant people
do it from monkey see / monkey do; copycats unknowing) Memory Lust (dark /
Want) Love (Varies) The Spark (Varies) A thought of: (Curiosity / spark /
want, etc.) A Mark (supernatural). A person or witch's delight

There may be more but that's not only what I've found, but what I've
experienced.

[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/J4eKk.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/J4eKk.jpg)


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