History Main / YellowEyesOfSneakiness

* The [[Literature/SpaceWolf Space Wolves]] of ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' acquire wolf-like traits from their chapter's gene-seed, such as lengthened canines and yellow eyes. Most people would have trouble believing a mob of BoisterousBruiser, [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent werewolf]] [[RecycledInSpace Space]] [[HornyVikings Vikings]] could be subtle in any way... and the Space Wolves are in no hurry to correct them. They're {{Blood Knight}}s who would prefer an honorable battle, but they [[CombatPragmatist also know how to fight dirty]], and [[ObfuscatingStupidity when to play up their "barbarian" reputation to get people to underestimate them]] (their original function was to be the SpaceMarine's version of StateSec and hunt down those Legions that might turn traitor). There's a reason their leader Logan Grimnar ends up in charge of most wars he's involved in, even when he's not officially in command.

* Hisoka in the 2011 anime adaptation of ''Manga/HunterXHunter'' has thin eyes with small golden irises. He is the series's resident flamboyant MonsterClown but frequently makes a habit of outright bold-faced lying when it suits him and setting traps with his special Bungee Gum powers in the middle of battle. The audience is given insight to Hisoka's thoughts at times, which often reveal the lengths he is willing to go to simultaneously avoid unnecessary trouble and to best situate himself so he can fulfill his never-ending desire to fight skilled opponents.

* The Gerudo in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' are a tribe of DesertBandits with yellow and amber eyes who also have a habit of kidnapping innocent Hylians, while their king, [[BigBad Ganondorf]], is a SorcerousOverlord who wants to TakeOverTheWorld. Subverted by the time of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', however, where they keep the eye color but have dropped the thievery.

* Ridely, the draconic antagonist in the ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' franchise has completely yellow eyes, and though he is crafty, murderous might be a better descriptor. In ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'' his eyes appear before the rest of his body becomes visible.

Historically, this is probably inspired by canines, felines, rodents, reptiles, and birds of prey, which can have amber, yellow, gold, or orange irises, and are associated with being conniving, clever, and wise. Also reptiles and toads are sometimes [[ReptilesAreAbhorrent associated with villainy]], and can have yellow eyes. Ironically in these animals what you're usually seeing are larger irises which were probably mistaken for a yellow sclera. In particular, the visual itself might be related to the reflective eyes of many animals in the dark, which explains the particular bright palette in contrast with dark or dim figures.

* Not so much yellow per se, but some people in real life with very light brown eyes, especially in the right lighting, might appear to have caramel or golden irises. As mentioned above, too, yellow sclera are decidedly unhealthy in humans and can indicate a few different types of illnesses.

* The [[Literature/SpaceWolf Space Wolves]] of ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'' acquire wolf-like traits from their chapter's gene-seed, such as lengthened canines and yellow eyes. Most people would have trouble believing a mob of BoisterousBruiser, [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent werewolf]] [[RecycledInSpace Space]] [[HornyVikings Vikings]] could be subtle in any way... and the Space Wolves are in no hurry to correct them. They're {{Blood Knight}}s who would prefer an honorable battle, but they [[CombatPragmatist also know how to fight dirty]], and [[ObfuscatingStupidity when to play up their "barbarian" reputation to get people to underestimate them]] (their original function was to be the SpaceMarine's version of StateSec and hunt down those Legions that might turn traitor). There's a reason their leader Logan Grimnar ends up in charge of most wars he's involved in, even when he's not officially in command.

* When Dipper has his body stolen by Bill Cipher in ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'', "Bipper" gains yellow sclerae and slit pupils. It's an unusual example; Bill in his usual form has [[{{Cyclops}} a slit pupil]], but his sclera is white.

* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaPrincessOfPower'':
** If ever a background object , particularly a blue one, suddenly shows a pair of these, it's a safe bet it's actually Horde Spy Imp.
** Season 4 introduces Double Trouble, an elf-like shapeshifter with yellow eyes and a penchant for causing chaos and discord among people.

Compare SupernaturalGoldEyes, BlackEyesOfCrazy, and RedEyesTakeWarning.

* Disney uses this a lot.

** ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatMouseDetective'': The main villain of the movie, Professor Ratigan, has yellow sclerae (see page image above), and has an EvilPlan to take over a kingdom.

** ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'': The lions in the franchise have yellow sclerae by default, but the only lion to play this trope is [[BigBad Scar]], who exemplifies this by being sneaky, crafty, and the main villain. Scar pairs his yellow slerae with green irises. The [[HeinousHyena hyenas]] also have yellow sclerae and are pretty awful and sneaky in general.
** ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKingIISimbasPride'': Zira has yellow sclerae paired with red irises and is pretty abusive, hateful, and thinks that lions are intrinsically better than other animals.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* The BigBad of ''Series/{{Legion}}'', Amal Farouk the Shadow King, is a villainous telepath who sometimes invokes this by appearing as a grotesque monster with gold irises, leading to his getting the nickname "Devil with the Yellow Eyes."

* ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'': The main villain Maleficent has yellow sclerae as do her goons.

* ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'': The main villain Maleficent has yellow sclerae as do her goons.

* ''VideoGame/CriminalCase'' has yellow irises on many suspects in the Oceania region, including Baxter Fraser and Veronica Salter. [[spoiler:They are all assassins who underwent genetic treatment. Subverted in Baxter's case, as he wants nothing to do with that life.]]

* In ''VideoGame/TouhouProject'', resident liar and [[PowerCopying (spell)thief]] Marisa Kirisame has yellow eyes, as does the very [[{{Youkai}} "youkai]]-[[BlueAndOrangeMorality like]] [[TheChessmaster youkai"]] Yukari Yakumo ([[DependingOnTheArtist when they're not]] [[PurpleIsPowerful purple]]).

** Discord, the [[TheTrickster mischievous]] [[MadGod spirit of chaos and disharmony]], sports these with [[MadEye googly]] [[RedEyesTakeWarning red pupils]] to go with them.

* Medusa of ''Manga/SoulEater'' has these, which besides underlining her [[AnimalMotifs snake theme]] also reference her ManipulativeBastard nature, not to mention the ''[[AbusiveParents horrendous]]'' treatment of her [[AmbiguousGender son/daughter]], Crona.

* Ridely, the draconic antagonist in the ''Franchise/Metroid'' franchise has completely yellow eyes, and though he is crafty, murderous might be a better descriptor. In ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'' his eyes appear before the rest of his body becomes visible.

** ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}'': Pain and Panic, the minions of the main villain Hades, have yellow sclerae.

** ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKingIISimbasPride'': Zira has yellow sclerae paired with copper irises and is pretty abusive, hateful, and thinks that lions are intrinsically better than other animals.

** ''WesternAnimation/BigHero6'': The villain Yokai is a MadScientist who wears a mask with yellow eyepieces.

** [[http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/d4/0d/e7/d40de746f14a94610e8b51dd78fd798e.jpg Kuroha's]] eyes are a bright yellow. He also happens to be [[AxCrazy completely and utterly insane]] ([[spoiler:and [[DemonicPossession possessed]] by one of [[ReptilesAreAbhorrent Azami's snakes]], for bonus points]]). [[http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130330000357/kagerouproject/images/c/c1/KonohaLost.png Contrast Konoha,]] the SleepyHead GentleGiant with light pink eyes.