Line #102 Main/DrearyHalfLiddedEyes


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/drearyhalf2.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Sleepy, seductive, snide, or sarcastic?[[note]]Clockwise from top left: [[WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs Sleepy]], [[Franchise/TheMuppets Miss Piggy]], [[WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants Squidward]], and ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}.[[/note]]]]
3
4	->''"Cats always seem so very wise, when staring with their half-closed eyes. Can they be thinking, I'll be nice, and maybe she will feed me twice?"''
5	-->-- '''Creator/BetteMidler'''
6
7	A style of drawing eyes with a straight horizontal line at the top or through the middle, so they look half-closed. This gives the character an instant tired or bored look and is the trademark gaze of the SleepyHead, HeavySleeper, or DeadpanSnarker in animation. Someone giving a cynical remark will often lower their eyelids in between rolling their eyes. This projects an air of nonchalance as all the eye muscles are relaxed, either because the character has a devil-may-care personality or is just too tired to care. [[TheStoner Stoner]] characters often have these eyes as well, to emphasize their spaced-out nature. Dumb characters may have these eyes to emphasize their slow wit. However, the look can also be used by a character trying to be seductive or lecherous, often known as "the bedroom eyes" in this context. Eyebrows can either be arched for a relaxed look or furrowed for a snide look. If [[FascinatingEyebrow one eyebrow is raised]], it creates a sly or knowing look. And if someone's pulling a quality EyebrowWaggle or [[EyelashFluttering Eyelash Flutter]], their eyelids are almost always half-closed.
8
9	In anime, these are known as "Jitome Eyes." Compare ExhaustedEyebags, TaremeEyes, TsurimeEyes, and EyesAlwaysShut. Often paired with the expression of the PerpetualFrowner or SmugSmiler. Combine with FascinatingEyebrow and TwinkleSmile, and you get the DreamWorksFace. Not to be confused with EyeCam, which is often from a character's dreary point of view.
10
11	----
12	!!Examples:
13
14	[[foldercontrol]]
15
16	[[folder:Advertising]]
17	* Sugar Bear, the mascot of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Crisp Sugar Crisp]] is depicted as a cool, laid-back bear who can triumph over anything with his Sugar Crisp. Fittingly, he's always depicted with these half-lidded eyes.
18	[[/folder]]
19
20	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
21	* Subverted in ''Manga/BlackLagoon'', because whenever Revy looks like this--watch out, 'cause she's about to go on a psychotic killing spree.
22	* The main character in ''Manga/CaseClosed'' always has his eyes half-closed with his brows slanted downward when he's in FirstPersonSmartass SarcasmMode. This is a very frequent occurrence for him.
23	* In ''Manga/DadTheBeardGorillaAndI'', Tsukasa and Watanabe's lids are drawn as a flat horizontal line which gives them both a perpetually bored expression. They are also the most reserved characters in the series, although they do have NotSoStoic moments.
24	* ''Manga/IThinkOurSonIsGay'': Yuuri is a [[TheStoic stoic]], deadpan thirteen-year-old whose eyes are always drawn in this style throughout his life, at most softening slightly or pairing with a SweatDrop. The only exception occurred when he was [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness genuinely shocked]] once at age eight. He even had the expression [[EarlyPersonalitySigns as a baby]].
25	* ''Manga/LuckyStar'': Konata is always drawn with half-lidded eyes, as she is a laid-back slacker.
26	* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'': This is the default facial expression of homeroom teacher Shota Aizawa, A.K.A. Eraser Head. Even Midoriya notes that he's never seen a pro that looks so worn out. However, he does also have a nasty DeathGlare stare when using his Quirk.
27	* ''Literature/MyYouthRomanticComedyIsWrongAsIExpected'': Hachiman Hikigaya's default portrayal has him with a half-lidded expression, which along with his small, dark irises (in contrast to everyone else's large, colorful irises), emphasizes his cynical, weary nature. In-universe, he is described as having "dead fish eyes".
28	* In ''Anime/OsomatsuSan'', Ichimatsu is drawn with half-lidded eyes due to his distant personality, and Atsushi is drawn with half-lidded eyes which reflects his charming and flirtatious personality.
29	* ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'': Professor Philena Ivy has perpetually sleepy eyes. It could be inferred that, in addition to all the other things in her lab that have been neglected, she's neglecting her sleep schedule.
30	* Snake people in ''Reptilia'', or ''Hebi Shoujo'', have these eyes. When [[AndThenJohnWasAZombie Yoko is turned into a snake girl]], the first thing she notices is that her eyes have changed.
31	* In the ''Literature/WarriorCats'' manga ''Shattered Peace'', Minty is drawn with half-closed eyes, emphasizing how exhausted she is as a new mother.
32	[[/folder]]
33
34	[[folder:Asian Animation]]
35	* ''Animation/BreadBarbershop'''s Choco tends to have half-lidded eyes, showing her less-than-enthused, sarcastic personality.
36	* In ''Animation/HappyHeroes'', Careless S., the GeniusDitz of the Supermen who is skilled with mechanical weaponry but clumsy at a lot of other things, is usually depicted with half-lidded eyes.
37	[[/folder]]
38
39	[[folder:Comic Books]]
40	* In the comics based off ''Animation/BoBoiBoy'', [=BoBoiBoy=] Ice is always drawn with [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERs1uzsUcAEfDWJ.jpg half-lidded eyes]], fitting with his calm personality.
41	* In ''ComicBook/{{Bone}}'', the Great Red Dragon has partly lidded eyes by default, showing his nonchalance.
42	* ''ComicBook/{{Herbie}}'' has droopy half-closed eyes, giving him an expression of perpetual sleepiness.
43	[[/folder]]
44
45	[[folder:Comic Strips]]
46	* In ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'', Calvin's eyes always droop to half-mast when he's watching TV. Apparently, he doesn't use any muscles at all to keep his eyes open (in one strip, he tells Hobbes "I can feel my neural transmitters shutting down").
47	* This is the default for nearly every character in ''ComicStrip/{{Doonesbury}}'', except Boopsie, Sam, Zipper, and those whose eyes are never seen (like Duke, who always wears sunglasses).
48	* ''ComicStrip/TheFarSide'': Gary Larson liked to draw some of his characters' eyes with just a simple unbroken straight line, resulting in a similar effect.
49	* A relaxed half-lidded stare is ''ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}'''s default expression, as he is nearly always tired and has a sarcastic remark for any situation to boot.
50	[[/folder]]
51
52	[[folder:Fan Works]]
53	* ''Fanfic/LucysSecret'': When Lynn is tired due to being woken at night, her eyes are described as half-closed.
54	[[/folder]]
55
56	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
57	* ''WesternAnimation/TheBossBaby'' always has his eyelids lowered with one eyebrow raised to emphasize his no-nonsense, snarky personality.
58	* ''WesternAnimation/Cars1'': Fillmore the van has the top of his windshield covered to invoke half-closed eyes. These go with his NewAgeRetroHippie nature and role as TheStoner.
59	* Invoked in ''Franchise/DespicableMe'': Edith's always-present hat covers the top of her eyes, giving her a partially-lidded look fitting with her sarcastic personality and contrasting with her wide-eyed CheerfulChild younger sister Agnes.
60	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Luca}}'': Alberto has a carefree and confident nothing-to-lose attitude, and just about always has his eyes half-closed to match.
61	* ''WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs'': Sleepy the dwarf always has droopy half-closed eyes as if he's just awoken from a deep sleep.
62	* Similarly the aptly named Shorty from ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'' always has half-lidded eyes, though from his behavior it appears to be more from being [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar perpetually drunk]].
63	* ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'' has Priya, the moody one of Mei's friends.
64	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Zootopia}}'': Nick Wilde, a devious con man, always has his eyes half-closed in a sly smile.
65	[[/folder]]
66
67	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
68	* [[MsFanservice Jessica Rabbit]] in ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit'' always has the better part of her eye covered with a purple-shaded eyelid. It makes her bug-eyed WildTake at [[TheDreaded the Dip]] all the more [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness shocking and surprising]].
69	[[/folder]]
70
71	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
72	* Joel, the first host for ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' always had a "sleepy-eyed" look, something commented on by the other characters too.
73	[[/folder]]
74
75	[[folder:Toys]]
76	* A common style addition to characters on ''Toys/WackyPackages'' stickers are half-lidded eyes with green or blue eyeshadow on them to give characters a "lower intelligence" design. The color added to the eyes was a pure accident, coming from a color editor era from Topps' Joke Books designs. Instead of giving the eyeshadow to just the female characters, all characters with droopy eyes were given them, regardless of gender. This stuck for Topps' designs, and would become a recurring trait for Wacky Packages.
77	[[/folder]]
78
79	[[folder:Puppet Shows]]
80	* Mokey from ''Series/FraggleRock'' has half-lidded eyes to go with her dreamy and relaxed personality.
81	* Franchise/TheMuppets:
82	** Miss Piggy has a perpetual "bedroom eyes" expression.
83	** Fozzie Bear's half-closed eyes fit his SadClown persona.
84	** In his early years, Gonzo had heavy eyelids that gave him a sad expression. As his personality became more manic, controls were added to open the eyes for more wild-eyed expressions, but his default expression still has a slight droop. It makes him look confident or depressed depending on his mood.
85	[[/folder]]
86
87	[[folder:Video Games]]
88	* A lot of the villagers in the ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' series have a default half-lidded gaze, many of them belong to the (big surprise) Lazy Villagers such as Punchy and Tucker. The "smug" type, such as Ed and Rodney, is probably the second most common. Other villagers with other personality types have this sleepy eye look too, including Agent S, Sally, Boots, Bea, Charlise, and few others. For the NPC side, we have Tom Nook, Sable, Booker, and Franklin.
89	* ''VideoGame/AnimalRestaurant'': Seedy has half-lidded eyes and is described as looking aloof.
90	* ''VideoGame/{{Duolingo}}'': Lily's eyelids are often lowered, showing boredom and snide.
91	* ''VideoGame/FridayNightFunkin'': Girlfriend's eyes are almost always depicted as half-closed, indicating her friendly and lax attitude. Her mother Mommy Mearest has a more seductive and sinister variant, fitting her role as a villainess.
92	* ''VideoGame/AHatInTime'': Hat Kid lowers her eyelids and makes a smug PlayfulCatSmile when dancing, spawning the [[MemeticMutation "Smug Hat Kid" meme]].
93	* The Nu Mou race in ''VideoGame/IvaliceAlliance'' games all have half-lidded eyes befitting their sagely nature.
94	* The ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' Numel (a small camel-like critter) and [[BigCreepyCrawlies Metapod]] (a crescent-shaped chrysalis-like critter) both have heavy-lidded eyes.[[note]]No, the angry-looking side with the pointy "nose" is ''not'' the front of Metapod.[[/note]]
95	* ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo'': Since Sig is typically calm, stoic, and slow, he always has his eyes drawn with half-lids.
96	* ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' and [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure2 its sequel]] has some Chao that can have this as a default expression, but most notably Chacron. If you played the games, [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard you'll know the one.]] Players might think they're in for an easy race because of his sleepy look (even giving the other Chao a head start in the first game while he just lies down) before suddenly [[RubberbandAI jolting past absolutely everyone.]]
97	* The titular protagonist of ''VideoGame/{{SORA}}'' has these, signifying depression. Considering the [[WarIsHell shit she's seen]], who can blame [[BrokenBird her]]?
98	* ''Franchise/SpyroTheDragon'': Bianca originally sported ''huge'' ones. Combined with her often scowling eyebrows, they initially give the implication of devious squint to reflect her ([[GuiltRiddenAccomplice seemingly]]) villainous role, though after her HeelFaceTurn takes form, they instead reflect her docile, if still slightly grouchy nature. Her redesign in the ''[[VideoGame/SpyroReignitedTrilogy Reignited Trilogy]]'' lacks these to make her look more innocent from the start.
99	[[/folder]]
100
101	[[folder:Webcomics]]
102	* ''Webcomic/AndItDontStop'': Ice's headband covers the top of his eyes, giving him a coolheaded look.
103	* ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'''s Susan has lowered eyelids, showing her role as the main group's cynic and snarker. [[https://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-05-31 This comic]] shows how she got the expression: [[spoiler: They are a result of trauma due to having to kill a monster that used to be human in her [=mid-teens=] which forced her to mature faster]].
104	* ''Webcomic/{{Paranatural}}'':
105	** Max is a snarky and cynical lad who is often drawn with half-lidded eyes to reflect his attitude. His character profile lists "scowling" as one of his favored activities.
106	** Young Garcia has constantly half-lidded eyes, giving him an apathetic look. Present-day Garcia has this too to some extent, but less constantly.
107	* Princess Voluptua was drawn this way in her early appearances in ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob,'' to appear both sexy and somewhat weary of the idiocy of those around her. She tends to be drawn more bright-eyed [[ArtEvolution lately,]] though.
108	[[/folder]]
109
110	[[folder:Web Original]]
111	* ''ARG/CatGhost'' gave Gideon this expression during the early episodes. His unenthusiastic DeadpanSnarker tendencies made him a cynical and easily-annoyed {{Foil}} for the more energetic and mischievous Elon and Naarah, underscored by his default expression being half-closed eyes and a grumpy frown. Later episodes make Gideon more upbeat and silly, and he often opens his eyes wider to suit his personality shift.
112	* ''WebAnimation/GossipCity'': One of the two background girls often has this look while witnessing the craziness happening at a given point. Sumomo and Koharu also has this look at certain points.
113	[[/folder]]
114
115	[[folder:Western Animation]]
116	* Pretty much every single character in Creator/SethMacFarlane's shows (''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'', ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheClevelandShow''), at least when no one is showing any particular emotion. For example, eyes fully open is usually reserved for when characters are excited or focused on something.
117	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}''
118	** Yakko often always has his eyes half-closed to show his irreverent SmugSmiler nature.
119	** Rita usually has her eyes half-closed, but to show her seductive and snarky sides.
120	** Hello Nurse and Minerva Mink have half-lidded eyes due to being seductive and sexy.
121	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Arcane}}'': Silco's eyelids are normally half-shut, indicating his callousness.
122	* ''WesternAnimation/AskTheStorybots'': Bang always has his eyes half-closed to show his laid-back and spaced-out nature. Bang is shown to be the most relaxed and calm one in the Answer Team, as he also has the stereotypical [[EruditeStoner "stoner voice and personality"]].
123	* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'': Poison Ivy, per FemmeFatale tradition. Her bedroom eyes are most noticable in her [[Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE5PrettyPoison debut episode]] when seducing Harvey Dent and flirting with Batman.
124	* ''WesternAnimation/BoJackHorseman'': Beatrice Horseman's default look paired with [[ExhaustedEyebags Exhausted Eyebags]] throughout the rest of her life after becoming a mother, showcasing how jaded and bitter she became. Contrasted with her having slightly wider eyes as a young adult when she was more idealistic.
125	* Mr. Sunshine in ''WesternAnimation/CatDog'' usually sports this expression, considering his often emotionless state of mind.
126	* In ''WesternAnimation/ClerksTheAnimatedSeries'', Randall is often drawn with half-lidded eyes to emphasize his (often misplaced) self-confidence.
127	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'': Daria and Jane have these to emphasize their cynical and sarcastic personalities. Jane's brother Trent has these too to emphasize his {{mellow\|Fellow}} nature and [[TheStoner implied pot use]].
128	* Louie Duck from ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017'' is often seen with half lids to allude to his sly nature.
129	* ''WesternAnimation/GarfieldAndFriends'':
130	** Garfield himself, obviously, to reflect his sardonic nature.
131	** In the U.S. Acres segments, we have both of the opposite-personality twin sheep, Bo and Lanolin, with their eyes frequently half-lidded. Bo's eyes are half-lidded to show how calm, chill, relaxed, and in later seasons how relatively dim he is, while Lanolin's eyes are half-lidded because she's nearly always angry, pessimistic, and cynical. Lanolin's eyes often being half-lidded also shows off her bright blue eyeshadow, which matches her bow.
132	* In the early 1930s, WesternAnimation/{{Goofy}}'s default expression had droopy eyelids to show his dimwittedness. This was downplayed from the forties on.
133	* ''WesternAnimation/TheHuckleberryHoundShow'': Unstoppable though he may be, Huck's eyes always look like he could take a nap at any time without a lot of persuasion.
134	* In ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZim'', the Almighty Tallest Red and Purple's eyes are almost always half-lidded. They are characterized as smug, snarky, and exhausted by Zim's antics.
135	* ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'':
136	** WesternAnimation/BugsBunny often has half-closed eyes to portray smug confidence, especially on cartoons directed by Creator/ChuckJones.
137	** Another Jones character, WesternAnimation/PepeLePew, also has half-lidded eyes to show lasciviousness.
138	** Creator/RobertMcKimson was quite fond of this particular expression. In any given cartoon he directs, characters tend to default to this expression when not showing any particular emotion. His bulldog character (who appeared in cartoons like "A Fox in a Fix" and "Early to Bet") in particular almost ''always'' has this expression to highlight his smart, soft-spoken, yet deceptive personality.
139	* In ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'', both Luna and Lori are often seen with half lids. The former has an aloof and chill CoolBigSis attitude, while the latter is either for annoyance at her younger siblings, smug arrogance towards them, or seductive towards her boyfriend Bobby. It also shows [[ColorCodedCharacters that they both wear eyeshadow matching their clothes.]] Lisa is also shown to have these, prominent through her [[{{Meganekko}} big eyeglasses]], to show her (usually) [[TheStoic stoic]] nature.
140	* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': Maud Pie has blasé half-mast eyes to emphasize her dry, unexcitable demeanor, contrasting with her enthusiastic younger sister Pinkie Pie.
141	* ''WesternAnimation/OKKOLetsBeHeroes'':
142	** Professor Venomous has half-lidded eyes of the DeadpanSnarker variety. He has a [[TheComicallySerious serious]] demeanor and generally speaks in a ColdHam manner. His half-lidded eyes also make his [[ExcessiveEvilEyeshadow eye makeup]] visible, emphasizing his deliberately [[MrFanservice attractive appearance]].
143	** Both Radicles and Enid have half-closed eyes, despite both having opposite personalities - Rad is confident and laid back, Enid is sarcastic and cynical (mostly around customers).
144	* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'': In "Thanks to Them", Luz gains these as a result of [[TraumaCongaLine all the guilt and trauma she'd acquired in the latter half of Season 2]], a far cry from the wide-eyed and excited girl she was at the start of the series. [[spoiler: She also had these in an old video diary recorded shortly after her father died.]]
145	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
146	** Reverend Lovejoy has droopy eyelids reflecting his constant tiredness and uncaring nature. His eyes stay this way even while preaching to emphasize his boring, monotone delivery.
147	** Cynical, sarcastic Comic Book Guy always wears a condescending half-lidded stare, whether surveilling his store or shooting snarky comebacks to his customers.
148	* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'': Squidward almost always wears a half-lidded glare with his forehead wrinkled due to his constant air of annoyance.
149	* ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil'':
150	** Jackie's eyes are flatter on top, giving her a relaxed look fitting her {{mellow\|Fellow}} personality. In ''Star and Marco's Guide to Mastering Every Dimension'', Star describes her as looking "like she just woke up."
151	** Janna is often seen with partially lidded eyes, fitting her devil-may-care attitude.
152	* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'':
153	** Noah's default expression gives him half-lidded eyes to emphasize his [[BrilliantButLazy laziness]] and [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic attitude.]]
154	** Trent's default expression has half-lidded eyes, showing how relaxed and chill he is. Fittingly, his eyes are fully open more often when he spirals into a CrazyJealousGuy in the second season.
155	** Geoff's stock image depicts him with a sleepy expression, fitting his {{mellow\|Fellow}} SurferDude attitude.
156	[[/folder]]
157
158	[[folder:Real Life]]
159	* Cats often have half-closed eyes when they feel content or relaxed.
160	[[/folder]]

Context Main / DrearyHalfLiddedEyes