History Main / BigEyesLittleEyes

* Subversion: The largest eyes in the world belong to the [[EverythingsSquishierWithCephalopods giant squid]], which is probably [[NightmareFuel among the more frightening animals in the world.]] This owes partly the fact that the sharp eyes of Cephalopods evolved in a complete different way to tetrapod's, just like the wings of birds and insects.
** The actual proportionally largest eyes in the animal kingdom belong to the ''Vampyroteuthis infernalis'' (which means "vampire squid from Hell"), their diameter is about 2.5 cm(1 inch), the ''Vampyroteusthis'' only reaches a maximum lenght of 30cm(1 ft) including the tentacles(the body only reaches 15 cm) and [[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Vampyroteuthis_infernalis.jpg/640px-Vampyroteuthis_infernalis.jpg looks like this]]

* Subversion: The largest eyes in the world belong to the [[EverythingsSquishierWithCephalopods giant squid]], which is probably [[SubjectiveTropes among the more frightening animals in the world]].
** That owes largely to the [[StarfishAliens excessively alien appearance]] of the giant squid. [[NaughtyTentacles The form of the animal]] and the shape and position of the eye give it a horrific zing, like if you found someone's eye sitting on a plate in front of you.
*** Also from the fact that the sharp eyes of Cephalopods evolved in a complete different way to tetrapod's, just like the wings of birds and insects.
** The actual proportionally largest eyes in the animal kingdom belong to the Vampyroteuthis infernalis (which means "vampire squid from Hell"), their diameter is about 2.5 cm(1 inch), the Vampyroteusthis only reaches a maximum lenght of 30cm(1 ft) including the tentacles(the body only reaches 15 cm) and [[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Vampyroteuthis_infernalis.jpg/640px-Vampyroteuthis_infernalis.jpg looks like this]]

** The actual proportionally largest eyes in the animal kingdom belong to the Vampyroteuthis infernalis (which means "vampire squid from Hell"), their diameter is about 2.5 cm(1 inch), the Vampyroteusthis only reaches a maximum lenght of 30cm(1 ft) including the tentacles(the body only reaches 15 cm) and looks [[NightmareFuel like]] [[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Vampyroteuthis_infernalis.jpg/640px-Vampyroteuthis_infernalis.jpg this]]

** The actual proportionally largest eyes in the animal kingdom belong to the Vampyroteuthis infernalis (which means "vampire squid from Hell"), their diameter is about 2.5 cm(1 inch), the Vampyroteusthis only reaches a maximum lenght of 30cm(1 ft) including the tentacles(the body only reaches 15 cm) and it looks like this [[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Vampyroteuthis_infernalis.jpg/640px-Vampyroteuthis_infernalis.jpg]]

This trope could be a result of one of the many shortcuts the human brain makes when calculating its surroundings: Because most small, harmless animals (possibly including human babies) have large eyes compared to their heads, we are programmed to find that trait cute, while most things that are liable to eat us have small eyes, so we are programmed to run when we see them.

* Used with a twist in the first ''JurassicPark'', where the dinosaurs have little eyes, like they did in nature. Then the ''T. rex'' gets right up next to the jeep and peers in, and that eye that looked so small from a distance turns out to the size of the kids' heads, which re-emphasizes the sense of scale.

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<<|EyeTropes|>>

* The Muppets in ''SesameStreet'' generally have big googly eyes, to appeal to children.

* ''{{Pokemon}}'': Often when Pokemon evolve into their next forms, their eyes usually become smaller or less pronounced as an indication of maturity. Examples: Bulbasaur to Ivysaur to Venasaur, Vulpix to Ninetales, Sunkern to Sunflora, etc. However, there are exceptions where Pokemon have larger eyes than their pre-evolved forms (Torchic and Blaziken come to mind). And Zubat has no eyes at all.

* Toothless from ''Film/HowToTrainYourDragon'' manages to pull off both. His pupils dialate based on his mood. It makes him [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter ridiculously adorable]].

A well-known technique in filmmaking and animation when designing a creature is to vary the size of the creature's eyes. If you want your creature to appear [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter cute]], give it eyes that are excessively large for its body. If you want your creature to appear [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever huge]], give it relatively tiny eyes. If you want it to be both huge and cute, [[Film/HowToTrainYourDragon pay close attention.]]

A well-known technique in filmmaking and animation when designing a creature is to vary the size of the creature's eyes. If you want your creature to appear [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter cute]], give it eyes that are excessively large for its body. If you want your creature to appear [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever huge]], give it relatively tiny eyes. If you want it to be both huge and cute, [[HowToTrainYourDragon pay close attention.]]

* {{Pokemon}}: Often when Pokemon evolve into their next forms, their eyes usually become smaller or less pronounced as an indication of maturity. Examples: Bulbasaur to Ivysaur to Venasaur, Vulpix to Ninetales, Sunkern to Sunflora, etc. However, there are exceptions where Pokemon have larger eyes than their pre-evolved forms (Torchic and Blaziken come to mind). And Zubat has no eyes at all.

* Pokemon: Whenever pokemon evolve into their next forms, their eyes usually become smaller or less pronounced as an indication of maturity. Examples: Bulbasaur to Venosaur, Vulpix to Ninetails, Sunkern to Sunflora etc. However, there are exceptions where pokemon have larger eyes than their preevolved forms (Torchic and Blaziken come to mind). And Zubat has no eyes at all.

* Toothless from HowToTrainYourDragon manages to pull off both. His pupils dialate based on his mood. It makes him [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter ridiculously adorable]].

** Babies of all species are born with eyes that are large compared to the rest of their face, because the eyes are already full sized and won't grow. Large-eyed (and otherwise babyish) faces probably trigger an innate nurturing instinct in adults.
*** Eyes actually almost double in size during a lifetime, but because of the fact that everything else grows so much more dramatically and most of the eye is unseen, this is not very noticeable.

** [[NightmareFetishist Are]] [[YourMileageMayVary you]] [[MoeMoe folks]] [[UglyCute KIDDING]]?

* Lewis Carrol, known for inventing many ideas used in cartoons and modern fiction, may have been the Trope maker in his 1800s book AliceInWondland in which Alice shrinks and literally encounters a puppy with large eyes.

* Toothless from HowToTrainYourDragon manages to pull off both. His pupils dialate based on his mood. It makes him [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter ridiculously adorable.]]

A well-known technique in filmmaking and animation when designing a creature is to vary the size of the creature's eyes. If you want your creature to appear [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter cute]], give it eyes that are excessively large for its body. If you want your creature to appear [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever huge]], give it relatively tiny eyes. If you want it to be both huge and cute, you're on your own.

** Babies of all species are born with eyes that are large compared to the rest of their face, because the eyes are already full sized and won't grow. Large-eyed (and otherwise babyish) faces probably trigger an innate nurturing instinct in adults.

* Pokemon: Whenever pokemon evolve into their next forms, their eyes usually become smaller or less pronounced as an indication of maturity. Examples: Bulbasaur to Venosaur, Vulpix to Ninetails, Sunkern to Sunflora etc. However, there are exceptions where pokemon have larger eyes than their preevolved forms (Torchic and Blaziken come to mind).