.:neuko:.
12-03-2010, 10:58 AM
This is a fairly open thread... The following question might be fairly simple on the surface, but you can answer it from many perspectives.
What qualities do you think defines a certain anime character as "cute"?
Also, visual examples of cute anime characters are highly welcome here! :)
I believe there are many subtle qualities that determine the cuteness of an anime character; many of which are more suggestive (thus, leaving more to the imagination) than perhaps otherwise obvious... But in most cases I'd say it's a meticulously studied and psycologically founded combination of looks, personality, mannerisms, and perhaps the sound of his/her voice.
Personally, since I like to draw in anime style from time to time, I also tend to study how anime characters are generally drawn to look cute. Also, the one thing I've noticed that's consistant with cute anime characters (apart from the obvious almond shaped eyes), is that the triangular shape between their eyes and mouths about their noses is considered very carefully... and in general, it seems the larger their eyes and the closer their mouths are towards their noses, the cuter they look. Another apsect is body proportions, where cute anime characters tend to be typically about 5 heads tall, or in the case of chibi anime characters, as little as 2 heads tall.
Tbh... I could go into some serious detail here on theories as to how anime characters are defined to look cute - however, I do want to encourage an interlectual discussion here, so instead I'll add my other observations one at a time as the discussion progresses.
Anyway... thoughts people?
What qualities do you think defines a certain anime character as "cute"?
Also, visual examples of cute anime characters are highly welcome here! :)
I believe there are many subtle qualities that determine the cuteness of an anime character; many of which are more suggestive (thus, leaving more to the imagination) than perhaps otherwise obvious... But in most cases I'd say it's a meticulously studied and psycologically founded combination of looks, personality, mannerisms, and perhaps the sound of his/her voice.
Personally, since I like to draw in anime style from time to time, I also tend to study how anime characters are generally drawn to look cute. Also, the one thing I've noticed that's consistant with cute anime characters (apart from the obvious almond shaped eyes), is that the triangular shape between their eyes and mouths about their noses is considered very carefully... and in general, it seems the larger their eyes and the closer their mouths are towards their noses, the cuter they look. Another apsect is body proportions, where cute anime characters tend to be typically about 5 heads tall, or in the case of chibi anime characters, as little as 2 heads tall.
Tbh... I could go into some serious detail here on theories as to how anime characters are defined to look cute - however, I do want to encourage an interlectual discussion here, so instead I'll add my other observations one at a time as the discussion progresses.
Anyway... thoughts people?