What does that manga wink mean? July 2, 2009 2:00 PM Subscribe
In manga, what does that one eye open, one eye closed expression mean? Sometimes it seems like a regular wink, but other times I get the feeling it means something else. Does it? posted by DarkForest to media & arts (13 comments total)
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I searched for examples, but no luck.
Sometimes I see it when people are being thoughtful, or considering something. Like how you might close an eye to get a close look at an object, but they're examining an abstract idea. posted by Solon and Thanks at 2:48 PM on July 2 [1 favorite has favorites]
It's a wink, plain and simple. You often see this accompanied with an index finger raised over the lips, which implies, "This is a secret between us" or "I'm not telling". Other times it's just a way to express coyness or cuteness.
Here is an example. Maybe it's just a wink, but it doesn't quite look like it to me... posted by DarkForest at 3:13 PM on July 2
Yeah, that's the moé wink. Notice as well the slight blush on her cheeks, and the fingers held to her mouth in an expression of uncertainty - that's classic moé, i.e., cuteness to the max. Sometimes the wink is added to enhance cuteness, like I said, and that pic would be a textbook example. posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 3:18 PM on July 2
^ that looks like it would be accompanied with an "oooh-hooo-hooo", a coy mannerism to show bemusement/befuddlement. posted by @troy at 3:18 PM on July 2
I think that's just coyness, as Marisa said. posted by Solon and Thanks at 3:19 PM on July 2
More on moé. I should clarify that the meaning of this word originally refered to having a fetish for something, e.g., a catgirl moé. Over time, the meaning changed to just mean uber-cute. You hear the latter definition more often these days. posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 3:22 PM on July 2
Coyness. Got it. Thank you all! posted by DarkForest at 3:31 PM on July 2
I know of one character in a manga who keeps one of her eyes closed most of the time. The reason is that she has heterochromia. posted by Chocolate Pickle at 6:17 PM on July 2
Yup, that's just a wink. In some cases, a closed eye means pain, but not in these particular pictures. posted by Ingenting at 12:04 AM on July 3
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Sometimes I see it when people are being thoughtful, or considering something. Like how you might close an eye to get a close look at an object, but they're examining an abstract idea.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 2:48 PM on July 2 [1 favorite has favorites]