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As we know, the Japanese have smaller eyes than western people, apparently as
the result of an evolutionary adaptation against snow-blindness. But in anime,
the Japanese draw everyone with big eyes. If an American cartoon were to draw
a character with small eyes, it probably would mean they're Japanese, Korean,
Chinese, etc. Though sometimes, anime have characters with small eyes.

![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/tCM3Ql.jpg)

What does it mean for them? Does it mean the character is from a specific
area, or that they're old?


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2018-07-22T18:27:59.423
48000
2021-02-23T15:44:31.867
2021-02-23T15:44:31.867
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tropes
What does it mean when an anime character has small eyes?


According to [TV
Tropes](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EyesAlwaysShut) the
physical trait of "eyes always shut" is commonly used for the "wise guy"
character type, in which case they'd be referred to as "kitsune No me," or in
English, "fox eyes"/ "shifty eyes."  
Depending on the way they are drawn the eyes can represent anything from
serenity, dignity, smugness, humor, indifference or even someone trying to
fake any of those.


CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-22T18:42:47.270
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2018-07-22T18:42:47.270
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answer