One of the most common ways artists make their characters look unique is through their eyes. In Japan, sanpaku (三白, lit. “three whites”) eyes are where the white of the eyes are visible on both sides, either above or below the iris. Characters with these eyes often have a striking appearance, and when your gaze meets theirs, it can feel as if they’re looking right into your soul.

Did any of these girls’ gazes have you rooted to the spot?

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Ever notice how a well-drawn profile of a man can be oh-so-captivating? With those jawlines to die for and noses that could cut glass... Not to mention those intense eyes that you could drown in that sometimes make you wonder: what exactly are they looking at? Oh, the stories they could tell!

Check out this collection of men's side profiles that will make you look twice. Enjoy!

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Characters having their foreheads on display also allows their facial expressions to be in full view, allowing us a better idea of just what's going on in those heads of theirs. Those expressions can go from bright and sweet to cold and smug with just a few minor adjustments, so this look allows for much creativity. 

Housed between two massive blonde drill curls, the forehead of Beatrice (from Re:Zero - Starting Life In Another World) is one of her many charm points. 

Do you find yourself unable to get the illustrations below out of your mind?

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Drawing characters at an angle or in various poses can be great for expressing their personality and for better showing off their clothing. For example, having your character in profile can at times give them a strong-willed or indomitable aura. At others, they may appear forlorn and introspective. Playing around with different angles and positions gives your audience a better sense of who your character is and can even cast them in a whole new light.

Kyojuro Rengoku (from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) certainly looks as dangerously fierce as the flames surrounding him, right?

Have any of the illustrations below helped you see a new side to your favorite character?

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For many of us bags under the eyes may be the sign of a few sleepless nights, but when added to a character’s design, they can actually be a positive! By giving your characters a well-defined set of bags under the eyes, it gives them much more realism and definition, which can help make your picture look more like a photograph!

Have you got your eyes set on one of the amazing illustrations below?

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Do you like to stick your tongue when taking photos? Those who do tend to be more on the playful side. Sticking it out just a bit has a cutesy feel to it, as Mamimi Tanaka (from THE iDOLM@STER) demonstrates. Going all the way though has more of a wild, rocker vibe usually associated with the American rock band KISS.

Whatever look you’re going for is just on the tip of your tongue!

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One of the charms of characters with prominent foreheads is that it’s never hard to tell what they’re feeling. Whether they part their hair a certain way or style it so that their bangs are out of their faces, their cuteness is just as obvious as their hairline.

Which of the adorable characters below can you just not get out of your head? Nezuko (from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) looks stunning with her hair tied back in that school uniform…!

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The eyes are said to be the window to the soul, and the eyelashes are what frame them. In theory, they shouldn’t be too hard… but how does an artist capture the expressiveness of the eyes, while also keeping the delicate texture of the eyelashes?

The illustrations below all do a masterful job of this, don’t you think?

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It may be hard to get at first glance, but the characters featured in this article have one thing in common: their open mouths are shaped like a chestnut. And pixiv has a tag for that.

栗みたいな口 (kuri mitai na kuchi, lit. “mouth shaped like a chestnut”) is a tag that's said to have originated from the adorable blonde character Luna Child (from Touhou Project), featured below. You might find the tagged characters looking a bit absent-minded, or even on the verge of saying something.

Can you see it? Can you see the chestnut?

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The boldness of thick eyebrows is currently all the rage, even in Japan! While there is indeed such a thing as too much, the defined eyebrows of the characters in the illustrations below certainly work well with their designs.

Aside from Ashitaka (from Princess Mononoke) do you recognize anyone else below?

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Beauty marks come in all shapes and sizes. They’re usually on the face, but they can be anywhere on the body (including the neck, chest, and shoulders). In particular, beauty marks at the corner of a character’s eye almost look like tears.

Vtuber Aiba Uiha is one such personality known for her good looks and tear-like beauty mark. Do you have a favorite character with an under-eye beauty mark?

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In Japanese-style illustration, it’s not unusual for some characters to be drawn with eyes so narrow they’re practically a single line (糸目, itome, literally "thread-eyes"). The lack of detail can give the character a more mysterious, inscrutable vibe.

Can you tell what the characters below are thinking? 

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There’s a bit of a wild look to girls with sharp teeth. It’s probably from the association with predators like crocodiles and wolves, but when they’re combined with a cute appearance, the result is delightfully rugged.

Who’s your favorite sharp-toothed character?

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Most people aren’t born with a perfect smile, and in Japan, it can even be endearing in the form of yaeba teeth (八重歯, lit. “double tooth”, translated as “little fangs” on pixiv).

When one tooth pushes another so that it protrudes a bit, the exposed tooth almost seems like a little fang. The result is so adorable that about a decade ago, there was even a fashion trend of “attachable yaeba teeth” (付け八重歯, “tsuke-yaeba”).

What do you think of the charming ladies and their yaeba teeth below?

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Bright, lovely, expressive eyes that pull you in are tagged with “enchanting eyes”. They can glitter like gems, and you find yourself almost being dragged into their depths.

How would you draw “enchanting eyes”?

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An accenting mole under the eye is a great character design choice to draw the eyes to their expressions. It can be rather dashing, almost cute, depending on the look you might be going for. It also adds a humanizing effect, since a face that’s too flawless can be a little ethereal.

Do you like men with beauty marks?

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Teeth that have a serrated look are tagged with “sharp teeth”. They might be a little scary, but there’s a charming coolness to such a wild look.

What character do you think has the best instance of “sharp teeth”? 

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The internet is quite furmiliar with “cat mouth”, which is a mouth that has a wavy shape like a cat’s. The emote :3 is pawsibly the most recognizable of them, but all of these characters feature some level of cat-ness. They’ll have you feline downright clawful!

What’s your favorite instance of cat mouth?

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Historically, Japanese aristocracy were known for unique fashion trends. Maro brows are one such instance. The character’s natural brows are shaved or plucked, and the round and stubby “maro” brows are drawn on with make-up. The unique look is quite cute, isn’t it? ♡

Are there any characters that come to mind when you think of Maro eyebrows? Who wears them best?

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The tag “Tongue Out” is used for drawings with characters sticking out their tongues. It can certainly be charming when someone strikes such a pose. Whether they’re trying to provoke you or simply teasing, there’s an appeal in both!

What’s your favorite mischievous pose? 

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