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Tareme Eyes
aka: Tareme

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A style in anime and manga of drawing eyes where they droop or sag at the corners. Typically, a Moe character will have those definitive, sympathy-magnet Puppy-Dog Eyes. It generally represents a kind, quiet, sad, fragile or otherwise soft person. In the Boys' Love Genre, it's a common (although not guaranteed) indicator of who's the Uke. Only really notable if there are more than a handful of characters that are drawn without them. Tareme are more prevalent in female and child characters because they appear soft and innocent, therefore feminine.

This does not mean that Tareme Eyes are Always Lawful Good Eyes. In Real Life, eyes visually take a downward droop when someone is looking down on you, and looking calm in a tense situation is an affirmatively badass, and/or insane trait.

Note that the me in tareme actually means "eyes" in Japanese. We simply wish to be clearer, even if it comes off as redundant.

Its opposite is Tsurime Eyes. Compare Dreary Half-Lidded Eyes, which can convey similar emotions but are much more common in Western media.

If a character normally has Tareme and switches to Tsurime it might signal a change in temperament, personality, or a Beware the Nice Ones moment.


Examples

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    Anime and Manga 
  • No small number of characters from CLAMP works, due to the overwhelming amount of kind-hearted, gentle characters.
  • Subverted with Sayoko of Ah! My Goddess: she sports Tareme, but she's not all that nice.
  • Inverted in Albegas. Hotaru has big tareme eyes, but is an aloof tsundere who Cannot Spit It Out at her male allies, and is a stone-cold Academic Athlete.
  • Angel Beats!:
    • Yui is the only female character that you see regularly with tareme eyes.
    • The bassist and drummer of GDM have them also, but they get very little screen time comparatively.
  • A very simplified version appears in Anpanman. Tamagodonman, one of the youngest donburi characters, and Katsudonman's younger brother, evokes this through his eyes (which for the donburi characters are commonly round circles with pupils) being shaped like ovals that droop downwards. He's a very shy and nervous character, commonly looking downward and fidgeting with his shirt while rocking back and forth. He's pretty insecure about his cooking abilities and the overall quality of his donburi, contrasting with the personality of his older brother.
  • In Asteroid in Love, ditzy Mira and Token Mini-Moe Mai have droopy eyes, in contrast to the studious Ao and serious Mikage, who have Tsurime Eyes.
  • Armin from Attack on Titan has sparkly, moe tareme eyes.
  • Osaka, the Cloud Cuckoolander from Azumanga Daioh. She also has the same seiyuu as fellow cuckoolander Orihime above.
  • Black Butler: A few characters have these, such as Viscount Druitt and Angela the maid. Both of these examples are villains, though Druitt is less dangerous than Angela...
  • Horrendously played with in Black Lagoon with Hansel and Gretel. Cute, Moe little boy and girl in elegant Gothic Lolita clothes... who will murder the shit out of you if you're lucky, smiling serenely all the way.
  • Orihime Inoue, the healer from Bleach. Also, Ururu, Retsu, Momo, and Hanataro. Subverted by Yachiru and lovable Captain Aizen pre-reveal.
  • Both Kaho Hinata and Miu Amano from Blend-S have these eyes, as opposed to Maika.
  • Saya from Blood+.
  • Carried by the Wind: Tsukikage Ran: Used with the cute Meow.
  • Himeko Kurusegawa of Destiny of the Shrine Maiden, who is countered by Chikane's Tsurime Eyes. Both are used more liberally in the manga.
  • Male Example: Takeru from Digimon Adventure 01 and Jianliang/Henry from Digimon Tamers.
  • Son Goku and his own two kids, Gohan and Goten, in Dragon Ball. If you examine the manga, their eyes are so wide that their outlines never connect, indicating they're the nicest people around. When they get pissed though (and consequentially transform into Super Saiyans) their eyes change into a pupilless Tsurime. When Gohan gets his final "ultimate" form, from then on, his eyes are fully outlined, to indicate he's lost some of his softness.
    • Keeping these eyes while Super Saiyan is one way to identify that Goku and Gohan have perfectly mastered the form.
    • The Jekyll/Hyde esque character Launch gains tareme when she sneezes into her blue-haired good girl personality.
    • Dragon Ball Super episode 79 signals that Gohan is back to being badass when, as he steps into the arena, he closes his Tareme eyes and, when he opens them again, they're back in the serious, outlined Tsurime look he had back in the Buu Saga.
  • Lucy's more innocent "Nyu" personality and Nana have these in Elfen Lied. Subverted with Creepy Child Mariko though.
  • In Fairy Tail, Natsu Dragneel and Gray Fullbuster make a point of insulting each other with names derived by the others' eye shape. Gray is Tareme while Natsu is Tsurime. "Droopy-eyed bastard!!"
  • Haruhara Haruko of FLCL has Tareme eyes although she is definitely not quiet, fragile, or soft in any way.
  • Fran from Franken Fran. Honestly, you don't expect someone with those kind of distant, sleepy eyes to be capable of the things she's done.
  • Tachibana Makoto from Free! is an interesting case. He's the tallest and most muscular on the Iwatobi swim club, but does have the kind, gentle personality normally associated with this trope.
    • Yamazaki Sousuke also has this eye shape. Though he is nicer than he seems at first, he does have more of a tough guy personality and is not as openly affectionate as Makoto is. While Makoto can still be seen as moe, this is not the case for Sousuke.
  • Fullmetal Alchemist:
  • Yura from Futari Ecchi has Tareme eyes, which she inherited (together with big boobs) from her mother, unlike her younger sister Rika.
  • The cheerful and energetic Asuka from Future GPX Cyber Formula, contrasting the more focused tomboy Miki's Tsurime Eyes.
  • Mikan Sakura, the Cloud Cuckoo Lander of Gakuen Alice.
  • An interesting example from Get Backers; cheerful, affectionate Ginji Amano has wide, bright tareme, in contrast to his partner Ban's Tsurime. But when Ginji's Lightning Emperor persona awakens, his eyes become narrow, dark, and markedly Tsurime.
  • Haruhi Suzumiya:
    • Mikuru Asahina, the Moe Blob.
    • Alt!Yuki from The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, unlike the regular Yuki Nagato.
  • Haruka Nogizaka, (who looks suspiciously similar to Mikuru) the main (and very moe) character of Haruka Nogizaka's Secret.
  • Several characters in Heaven's Lost Property feature these type of eyes, most notably Chaos. However she does not follow the typical archetype. At least not at first.
  • Seras Victoria from Hellsing has Tareme Eyes, unless she's using her vampire powers and then they become Tsurime Eyes.
  • Hetalia: Axis Powers:
    • Finland fits the cute type.
    • Denmark fits the more badass type.
    • Liechtenstein as well, contrasting with Switzerland's Tsurime Eyes.
    • North Italy, in the rare times that he actually opens his eyes.
    • America also has this, apparently inherited from Finland.
    • Russia and Ukraine. Also Lithuania, which noticeably contrasts with Poland.
  • The eponymous character of Hikaru no Go has this kind of eyes, in contrast to his rival Akira's Tsurime Eyes. It serves to underscore his easygoing nature as opposed to Akira's seriousness, at least early on.
  • In Hunter × Hunter, Gon has Tareme Eyes that match his more innocent, child-like personality compared to Killua's Tsurime Eyes. Unlike other examples, his eyes stay the same when confronting Pitou but his eyes loses shine as he gives in to his anger and hate making him look unnerving.
  • Haruka Amami, Azusa Miura, and Yayoi Takatsuki from The Idolmaster have these eyes.
  • K-On!:
    • Tsumugi Kotobuki and the Hirasawa sisters.
    • Sawako defaults to these, but changes to Tsurime Eyes when she's in Catherine mode.
  • Kill la Kill:
    • Mako has these, in contrast with Ryuko and Satsuki's Tsurime Eyes (although Satsuki's are a bit subtle, making her seem like she has these).
    • An ironic but male example occurs in Uzu Sanageyama, who, contrary to most portrayals, is rather hot-blooded.
    • On a bit of a villainous note, we have Rei and Nui, however, this is a clue in the former that isn't as evil as she seems.
  • While Shouko Komi from Komi Can't Communicate actually has Tsurime Eyes, adding to the aloof unapproachability she gives off, when things are shown from her perspective, or in certain instances where her true awkward self emerges, she's drawn in a much simpler style with wide round Tareme eyes and No Mouth.
  • Sucy, the snarky, sickly-looking heroine of Little Witch Academia has rather droopy eyes, whose lids are more often than not lowered, giving her a rather unamused look most of the time.
  • The girls of Love Live! are usually drawn with these. Here are the most notable mentions:
  • (Shown above) Tsukasa Hiiragi, from Lucky Star. Interestingly, her diametrically different twin sister, Kagami, is a good example of Tsurime Eyes. Miyuki, Hiyori, and almost every other character in the Lucky Star cast are also Tareme. In the earlier manga chapters, Konata was Tareme.
  • Fuu of Magic Knight Rayearth has more softly-drawn eyes to fit with her polite and sweet manner, in contrast to her companions' Tsurime Eyes.
  • Quatre Raberba Winner and Duo Maxwell from Mobile Suit Gundam Wing are two of the kindest characters in the show, with the eyes to match. Duo's tareme eyes are downplayed in official art, but exaggerated in the show.
  • Hinata Hyuga of Naruto is this compared to almost everyone else. Note that her more aggressive alternate universe persona in the Filler movie Naruto the Movie: Road to Ninja has Tsurime Eyes.
  • A lot of characters in Negima! Magister Negi Magi:
    • Konoka and Sayo.
    • Also Zazie, which is important because it's one of the few ways of distinguishing her from her sister.
    • Negi's eyes are this normally....but when he gets pissed or enters Dark Mode?
    • Tsukuyomi has such eyes (most of the time) which contributes to her being Cute and Psycho.
  • Neon Genesis Evangelion:
    • Shinji has these eyes to signify his meek, shy and fragile nature in the anime. While his manga version has more of an attitude, he's still fundamentally the same damaged child deep inside, so these eyes still work in full effect.
    • Despite being a Fiery Redhead with a harsh and extremely mean attitude, Asuka has blue Tareme Eyes. This is meant to show that despite her outside attitude, inside she's just as hurt, fragile and insecure as Shinji.
  • Naïve Genki Girl Shinobu in Ninja Nonsense, her little sister Miyabi have tsurime.
  • Oresuki: Joro switches between this and Tsurime Eyes, depending on whether he's being honest or in "nice guy" mode. Very apparent in episode 3 when Pansy asks him to switch to his "Hyde" persona.
  • Persia, the Magic Fairy: Persia has big blue eyes and is a Genki Girl who was raised by animals when she lived in Africa. Her Magical Girl persona also retains them.
  • Pokémon Adventures has Diamond of the DP trio, who is laid-back.
  • Puella Magi Madoka Magica has Messianic Archetype Madoka. Sayaka also shows this, despite being the tomboy to Madoka's Girly Girl. Also Homura, until third timeline.
  • Reborn! (2004): Male examples: Tsuna (When he's not in Hyper Dying Will Mode), Basil, Ginger Bread, and Fuuta. Female examples: Kyoko, Haru, Chrome, Nana (Tsuna's mother), and Uni.
  • Rent-A-Girlfriend:
  • Outer Moka from Rosario + Vampire sports these, as opposed to Inner Moka.
  • Classic moe character Ami Mizuno/Sailor Mercury from Sailor Moon has a noticeable case, especially when compared to Rei Hino/Sailor Mars, who has Tsurime Eyes and tsundere tendencies.
  • In-universe, characters refer to Sanzo from Saiyuki as being droopy-eyed. This is important to his character development, it belies his genuinely caring nature.
  • Kanako Oora and Shouko Maruuchi from Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei has these kinda eyes.

    Fan Works 

    Puppet Shows 
  • The Muppets:
    • Rowlf the Dog. He's kind, quiet, calm, soft, easygoing and has moments when he cries in a handkerchief.
    • Also Kermit the Frog.

    Video Games 
  • In Ape Escape, monkeys with light blue pants (the shy, nervous ones) have these eyes.
  • Many young characters in the Dept. Heaven series have eyes drawn like this, although it's restricted to the very young knights in Knights in the Nightmare (and Pisce).
  • Most of the girls in Duel Savior Destiny sport these kind of eyes with the obvious exception of Lily.
  • Fire Emblem: Three Houses: Hilda and Sylvain have these, showcasing their more laid-back personalities, especially next to Lysithea and Felix respectively, who have Tsurime Eyes.
  • Honkai Impact 3rd: Timido Cute, whose large tareme eyes accentuate her extremely shy and socially withdrawn personality.
  • Neptunia: Vert, CPU of Leanbox has these to mesh well with her mild-mannered personality, though it's also been said the reason her eyes are like that are due to countless hours on end spent on video games. Compa, 5pb, Rom, and Ram also have these kind of eyes.
  • Cheerful Child Lip of Panel de Pon.
  • A number of Sonic The Hedgehog characters have these to reflect their personalities:
  • The Squid Sisters from Splatoon are an Idol Singer duo who also host Inkopolis News in the first game. The one with tareme eyes is Marie, who is very sarcastic (especially in the North American translations) and is a Jerk with a Heart of Gold. The more peppy Callie has Tsurime Eyes.
  • Crowe Brust from Super Robot Wars Z2.
  • Tales of Xillia: Musee has these, which go well with her cutsey and whimsical personality. Not that this makes her any less dangerous. Leia has these eyes as well, despite her hot-bloodness and masculine behavior.
  • The Touhou Project has Satori Komeiji, whose eyes are extremely droopy; enough to look at least half-closed. In the games, this actually serves to give her more of a bored look than a cute one (Her illustration in the Grimoire of Marisa plays it for cute, though).
  • The title character of Um Jammer Lammy.
  • Undertale:
    • Sans the skeleton has eyesockets like this., signifying his (usually) passive and inoffensive nature.
    • Toriel, Asgore, and Asriel also have them, and are among the kindest characters in the game.

    Visual Novels 
  • When They Cry:
    • Higurashi: When They Cry:
      • Rena, Hanyuu, Rika, and Satoshi have tareme eyes. They're all very sweet and nice, though Rena is prone to the Hate Plague that makes people paranoid and violent while Satoshi has been missing for a while after he killed his abusive aunt.
      • Miyo has the adult (i.e. smaller) variety, which gives her a somewhat spaced out expression. Miyo is the villain, though she used to be sweeter as a child until being put into an Orphanage of Fear and eventually becoming a Well-Intentioned Extremist when she grew up.
    • Umineko: When They Cry: Eva Ushiromiya's tareme eyes are apparent in most of her expressions, moreso in the original graphics than the updated PS3 versions, yet she displays the associated personality traits mildly if ever at all, and her smirking and glaring expressions give her an instantly formidable presence. More oddly her witch alter-ego, who should be identical to her at a younger age, has a markedly tsurime cant to her eyes.
  • Yumina the Ethereal: Maino, Jinbu Academy's resident Cute Bookworm, has these.

    Webcomics 

    Western Animation 

    Other 
  • Christopher Hart shows us how not to do this with his character Ariel.[1]


Alternative Title(s): Droopy Eyes, Downward Angled Eyes, Tareme

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