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Does anybody have any idea what these are called?

[![Depressed anime
character.](https://i.stack.imgur.com/rhGn2.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/rhGn2.jpg)

I've only seen them referred to as blue lines so far.

I've seen them represent depression, sadness or disgust before but could
someone clarify this also?


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tropes
What are the blue downward lines in used to symbolize depression or sadness called?


TV Tropes lists this as ["Blue with
Shock."](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BlueWithShock) This and
other exaggerations originate in Manga where the lack of motion and detail
makes it hard to portray a variety of emotions. To overcome this limitation
authors use various simple effects to express the same meaning. This is
referred to as [Manga
Iconography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga_iconography).


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Sorry to answer a question that has already an accepted answer this late, but
I felt like giving more information in addition to CuddleBunny's answer.

* * *

These lines are called 垂れ線 ( _taresen_ , drooping lines) or just 縦線 ( _juusen_
, vertical lines). They are a type of 効果線 ( _koukasen_ , effect lines) that
are used in manga/anime/games, such as the "[speed
lines](https://t4.ftcdn.net/jpg/00/74/22/93/240_F_74229346_WdV7aWyjNVGKpitoTw6YXSAVJFn2kvB6.jpg)"
used to emphasize action or speed.

_Taresen_ , and by extension, all _koukasen_ , are a type of 漫符 ( _manpu_ ,
symbols used in manga to denote emotions or actions). Although the term
_taresen_ doesn't seem too popular, the term _koukasen_ (and _manpu_ ) in
contrast is widely recognized, and it is one of the drawing notions a person
has to know in order to become a mangaka.

_Taresen_ is similar to another _manpu_ , the [horizontal
lines](http://dic.nicovideo.jp/oekaki/649797.png), in that they both emphasize
the surprise one character feels. However, where _taresen_ emphasize shock,
horizontal lines emphasize rather stupefaction.

_Taresen_ often exaggerates the image of a shadow being cast on the face of
the character when it is hanging his head. In some other cases, the lines are
drawn under the eyes, to denote dark circles or eye twitching, on the side of
the head where it can be assimilated to the "[cold
sweat](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Ase.PNG)" _manpu_ ,
or even on the back of the head.

_Taresen_ was first introduced in manga, in black and white, a support where
one could easily build a parallel between the lines and what they were
supposed to represent in reality. Instances of _taresen_ were
[seen](http://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q1311132483) in
manga going as far in time as 1971 (in a manga of Moto Hagio). _Taresen_ are
commonly used to denote, as other people said, depression, disgust and
impatience.

The lines can come, depending on the case, with another _manpu_ : the face
being replaced by shadows of various colors, like black, dark purple, or blue.
Blue color often denote a feeling of cold. This can be associated to cold
sweat, or just plain cold. For example, it can often be seen when characters
eat too much ice cream and feel the cold rising to their head (brain freeze).


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