

Some anime characters have lines under their eyes. I was wondering what it
represents? Is it supposed to be like having dark circles under the eyes like
some people in real life or?

Below is a perfect example, both the male and female characters have it so it
couldn't be a beauty thing.

[![Example, both have the
lines](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1kLKW.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1kLKW.jpg)

What does it mean?


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2019-01-01T12:13:11.757
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question
manga-history full-metal-panic
What are those lines under some anime characters eyes supposed to be / mean?


**I was wondering what it represents?** I've been researching and I could not
find any information or reason regarding what they are exactly or why they are
placed underneath the eyes. This, however, seems to be _an anime-only thing_
and, _possibly, an artistic style or preference, unique to the one who drew
them_. Below is the cover for the first light volume, which do not have those
lines.

[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Ur6mN.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Ur6mN.jpg)

**Is it supposed to be like having dark circles under the eyes like some
people in real life or something else?** No, they are not dark circles under
the eyes. Dark circles under the eyes are different, and can be seen clearly.
An example is from Watamote. [![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/FSZYA.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/FSZYA.jpg)

They are also not
[underlashes](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/discussion.php?id=ar99irkz5p3d7d1humpkh4x5)
as both characters also have them and they are drawn separately. So far, I
think the only way we'll know is if the one who drew them reveals the reason
and purpose for placing those lines.


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2019-01-03T05:23:39.623
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answer


So if anyone is still wondering, it's meant to represent the blush in the
cheeks of the face, due to manga having a large influence and shading could
only be obtained from black and white, the lines are meant to be the blush,
and it carried over to anime, and now it is not only a stylistic choice, but
some artists do it for the same reason, and that is to signify the blush, just
like how blush over the nose is drawing with lines.

As a guide, dark-blue is usually when a character is embarrassed or tired,
(Sometimes bruises), red means that the character face is blushing either from
embarrassment, or due to being angry, and black means its just the tone of the
face.

**TL;DR:** _It is drawn to be like the blush on the a persons cheek_


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2023-02-07T10:43:49.127
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It's just part of a style that was prevalent in the 1990s. It disappeared
during the early 2000s, when anime transitioned towards digital.

  * 1991, 3x3 Eyes

[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/7Txc9m.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/7Txc9m.jpg)

  * 1991, Otaku no Video

[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/am2V6m.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/am2V6m.jpg)

  * 1991, Sukeban Deka

[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/04Gdrm.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/04Gdrm.jpg)

  * 1994, Shounan Junai-gumi

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

  * 1995, Shin Seiki Evangelion

[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/6BGiUm.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/6BGiUm.jpg)

  * 1997, Fortune Quest

[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/GxJ4lm.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/GxJ4lm.jpg)

  * 1999, Chivas 1-2-3

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

  * 1999, Iketeru Futari

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

  * 2002, Tenshi na Konamaiki

[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/VZch8m.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/VZch8m.jpg)

  * 2004, Akane Maniax

[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Wk7i8m.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Wk7i8m.jpg)


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