History Main / StylizedForTheViewer

* ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'': Hobbes appears as a FunnyAnimal to Calvin, but a stuffed toy to everyone else. Whether Hobbes only comes to life when he's alone with Calvin, or is always alive and only Calvin can see his non-toy form, is [[AlternateCharacterInterpretation left for the reader to decide]], and is one of the reasons given by Bill Watterson for not allowing merchandising or adaptations.

* WebOriginal/SCPFoundation: It is supposed to be impossible to photograph Dr. Alto Clef's face. His official profile photo shows him with a spider's head, but he apparently appears human in universe.

Contrast to AppearanceIsInTheEyeOfTheBeholder and RuleOfPerception. Using a FourthWallPortrait is a way to draw a more accurate version of the character. May be a sign of a LazyArtist or StylisticSuck. A notable subtrope is FurryLens, which is a specific and very common variation.

* Original Toys/{{LEGO}} animated shows such as ''WesternAnimation/{{Ninjago}}'' and ''Toys/NexoKnights'' typically retain their stylised minifigure appearance as part of the brand. However, due to the fact that the art style doesn't impact the aforementioned shows in any way, it's implied that the characters are actually human in-universe.

* The titular character along with his family from ''Manga/OyasumiPunpun'' look like cartoony birds while everyone else are semi-realistic, {{Mukokuseki}} averting humans. Punpun is a human but we never see his real body, only {{Art Shift}}s that involve his body (and very rarely his face area). The closest we get is when a character draws his face but even then [[TheUnreveal she marks out his eye area]].

[[AC: ComicBooks]]
* ''ComicBook/{{Maus}}'' uses PettingZooPeople to depict real people with different species to represent different races and nationalities. There is a point where a Jewish man who claims to be a loyal to Germany is depicted as a mouse person (like the Jews) from the perspective of the Nazis and as cat person (like the Nazis) from perspective of the Jewish prisoners. The implication is that the characters aren't "actually" animals, but merely look that way to the reader.

* The series constantly [[ShrugOfGod flip-flops]] on this but there are occasional implications that the ''WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}'' characters are only FunnyAnimal characters to the viewer and [[FurryDenial are really human]].

* According to Creator/WaltDisney, WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse and the others are [[FurryDenial mean to be thought of as human]] but look like {{Funny Animal}}s to the viewers. Creator/DonRosa and Creator/CarlBarks also had these views. [[DependingOnTheWriter Most]] modern day writers [[CanonDiscontinuity ignore]] this and may even add in {{Furry Reminder}}s (which Disney hated).
* Original Toys/{{LEGO}} animated shows such as ''WesternAnimation/{{Ninjago}}'' and ''Toys/NexoKnights'' typically retain their stylised minifigure appearance as part of the brand. However, due to the fact that the art style doesn't impact the aforementioned shows in any way, it's implied that the characters are actually human in-universe.
* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'': Squidward goes anywhere [[HalfDressedCartoonAnimal typically pantsless]] (except on occasion where he may have a different clothing). And his... [[AnimalsLackAttributes genitals are never seen]] [[note]]As a cephalopod, he probably doesn't even have external genitalia.[[/note]]. A few episodes play with this, such as in ''Bossyboots'', where Squidward, in anger of being a mascot, tears off his costume, only for the police to immediately come to him and put a fine note on his crotch.

Contrast to AppearanceIsInTheEyeOfTheBeholder and RuleOfPerception. Using a FourthWallPortrait is a way to draw a more accurate version of the character. May be a sign of a LazyArtist or StylisticSuck.

* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'': Squidward goes anywhere [[HalfDressedCartoonAnimal typically pantsless]] (except on occasion where he may have a different clothing). And his... [[AnimalsLackAttributes genitals are never seen]]. A few episodes play with this, such as in ''Bossyboots'', where Squidward, in anger of being a mascot, tears off his costume, only for the police to immediately come to him and put a fine note on his crotch.

* Subverted with ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls''. Multiple jokes and references make it clear they really ''don't'' have fingers or noses, and have abnormally large eyes. It could be because they're laboratory creations rather than, but still. . .
* According to Creator/WaltDisney, WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse and the others are [[FurryDenial more or less human]] but look like {{Funny Animal}}s to the viewers. Creator/DonRosa and Creator/CarlBarks also had these views. [[DependingOnTheWriter Most]] modern day writers [[CanonDiscontinuity ignore]] this and even add in {{Furry Reminder}}s (which Disney hated).

* The series constantly [[ShrugOfGod flip-flops]] on this but there are heavy implications that the ''WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}'' kids are only FunnyAnimal characters to the viewer and [[FurryDenial are really human]].
* Subverted with ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls''. Multiple jokes and references make it clear they really ''don't'' have fingers or noses, and have abnormally large eyes.

* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'': Squidward goes anywhere [[HalfDressedCartoonAnimal typically pantsless]] (except on occasion where he may have a different clothing). And his... [[AnimalsLackAttributes genitals are never seen]]. A few episodes play with this, such as in [that episode where Pearl radically changes Krusty Krab] Squidward, in anger of being a mascot, rips his costume, only for the police to immediately come to him and put a fine note on his crotch.

* According to Creator/WaltDisney, WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse and the others are [[FurryDenial actually humans]] but look like {{Funny Animal}}s to the viewers. Creator/DonRosa and Creator/CarlBarks also had these views. [[DependingOnTheWriter Most]] modern day writers [[CanonDiscontinuity ignore]] this and even add in {{Furry Reminder}}s (which Disney hated).

* ''ComicBook/{{Maus}}'' uses PettingZooPeople to depict real people with different species to represent different races and nationalities. There is a point where a Jewish man who claims to be a loyal to Germany is depicted as a mouse person (like the Jews) from the perspective of the Nazis and as cat person (like the Nazis) from perspective of the Jewish prisoners.

Compare To:

* In ''Webcomic/{{Nebula}}'' the characters (who are the AnthropomorphicPersonifications of various planets) are all depicted as TheBlank, though they apparently all have faces and can read each other's expressions just fine.

[[AC: Film -- Live Action]]

* It's implied in ''{{Webcomic/Drowtales}}'' that the glow of [[RedEyesTakeWarning of tainted eyes]] and the white spirals seen in the eyes of certain characters who are [[OurDemonsAreDifferent tainted in a specific way]] aren't visible to the other characters are and purely for the reader's benefit. This is most obvious when shapeshifter Ariel [[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?sid=10319 pretends to be]] [[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?sid=10334 her crazy half sister Kalki]] and changes her eye color to red but lacks the glow and spirals but no one except Kiel (who not only has them but [[TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou has fourth wall knowledge]]) seems to notice this.

* AllegedlyIdenticalTwins occurs when characters are meant to be identical in-series but aren't for the viewer

* VisibleInvisibility, where the audience is able to see a character who is supposed to be invisible to others.

Contrast to AppearanceIsInTheEyeOfTheBeholder. Using a FourthWallPortrait is a way to draw a more accurate version of the character.

* Subverted in ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'' when it comes to Rika's voice. Despite being under thirteen she can sound like an adult when she becomes serious or solemn. It turns out the voice changes happen in-series but her friends ignore it.

* It's implied in ''{{Webcomic/Drowtales}}'' that the glow of [[RedEyesTakeWarning of tainted eyes]] and the white spirals seen in the eyes of certain characters who are [[OurDemonsAreDifferent tainted in a specific way]] aren't visible to the other characters are and purely for the reader's benefit. This is most obvious when shapeshifter Ariel [[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?sid=10319 pretends to be]] [[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?sid=10334 her crazy half sister Kalki]] and changes her eye color to red but lacks the spirals but no one except Kiel (who not only has them but [[TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou has fourth wall knowledge]]) seems to notice this.

* It's implied in ''{{Webcomic/Drowtales}}'' that the white spirals seen in the eyes of certain characters who are [[OurDemonsAreDifferent tainted]] in a specific way aren't visible to the other characters are and purely for the reader's benefit. This is most obvious when shapeshifter Ariel [[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?sid=10319 pretends to be]] [[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?sid=10334 her crazy half sister Kalki]] and changes her eye color to red but lacks the spirals but no one except Kiel (who not only has them but [[TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou has fourth wall knowledge]]) seems to notice this.

* It's implied in ''{{Webcomic/Drowtales}}'' that the white spirals seen in the eyes of certain characters who are [[OurDemonsAreDifferent tainted]] in a specific way aren't visible to the other characters are and purely for the reader's benefit. This is most obvious when shapeshifter Ariel [[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?sid=10334 pretends to be her crazy half sister Kalki]] and changes her eye color to red but lacks the spirals but no one except Kiel (who not only has them but [[TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou has fourth wall knowledge]]) seems to notice this.

* ''ComicBook/{{Maus}}'' uses PettingZooPeople to depict real people with different species to represent different races and nationalities. There is a point where a Jewish man who claims to be a loyal to UsefulNotes/NaziGermany is depicted as a mouse person (like the Jews) from the perspective of the Nazis and as cat person (like the Nazis) from perspective of the Jewish prisoners.

* HairColorDissonance is when a characters hair looks a different color than it actually is.

* Shinigami eyes in ''Manga/DeathNote'' are [[RedEyesTakeWarning red eyes]] characters receive when they take a DeadlyUpgrade. WordOfGod is that it's stylistic and in-series their eyes don't change color.

* ''ComicBook/{{Maus}}'' uses PettingZooPeople to depict real people with different species to represent different races and nationalities. There is a point where a Jewish man who claims to be a loyal to Germany is depicted as a mouse person (like the Jews) from the perspective of the Nazis and as cat person (like the Nazis) from perspective of the Jewish prisoners.

* The series constantly flip-flops on this but there are heavy implications that the ''WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}'' kids are only FunnyAnimal characters to the viewer and [[FurryDenial are really human]].

[[AC: NewspaperComics]]
* ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'': Hobbes appears as a FunnyAnimal to Calvin, but a stuffed toy to everyone else. Whether Hobbes only comes to life when he's alone with Calvin, or is always alive and only Calvin can see his non-toy form, is [[AlternateCharacterInterpretation left for the reader to decide]], and is one of the reasons given by Bill Watterson for not allowing merchandising or adaptations.
* Played with in the "Flatter-matic" camera plotline in ''ComicStrip/AngusOg'' where the camera prints out pictures that look more realistic than the usual caricature art-style. The characters get confused, and the reader is supposed to think it is [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall because of the style]] switch, [[BaitAndSwitch but then]], it turns out that these pictures are just incredibly flattering.

[[AC: LiveActionTV]]
* Often on ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' Older Ted confesses that things look different in his flashbacks because that's how it seemed to him at the time. For example, when Robin dated an older man, he is first introduced as being in his late forties, but then Older Ted says that to him and his friends he looked much older, and the boyfriend appears as a senior for the rest of the episode.
* In an episode of ''Series/{{Bones}}'' the VictimOfTheWeek, when we finally see her headshot objectively, is superficially similar looking to Brennan. However, Brennan sees her as her exact double and therefor so do we, until the end of the episode. When other characters look at the headshot they don't see any similarity, which confounds Brennan and confuses the viewer - since we see the headshot the way Brennan does.
* Spoofed on ''Series/ThirtyRock'' when new high-definition cameras are put in that show the characters in greater detail. Liz and Lutz look old and wrinkly, Kenneth is a Muppet, and Jack looks like a younger Creator/AlecBaldwin.

* SuddenlyBlonde is for when a video games character canon hair color doesn't match their sprite or model.