Why Do Dragon Ball Characters Not Have Eyelashes?

The absence of eyelashes on many characters from the Dragon Ball series, especially in the earlier series, is primarily a stylistic choice made by the creator, Akira Toriyama. This omission serves several artistic and cultural purposes, making the characters stand out and aligning with the overall aesthetic of the series.

Art Style

Akira Toriyama’s renowned art style often emphasizes bold lines and exaggerated features. By omitting eyelashes, characters can have a more simplified and streamlined appearance, which aligns with the overall aesthetic of the series. This minimalist approach helps to maintain a cohesive and distinctive look for the characters, making them easily recognizable even from a distance.

Focus on Expressions

The lack of eyelashes allows for clearer facial expressions. In an action-oriented series like Dragon Ball, where characters frequently display intense emotions, simplifying the eye design helps highlight these expressions. This design choice ensures that viewers can easily understand the emotions of the characters, even during fast-paced and dynamic scenes.

Character Design

Many characters in Dragon Ball have distinctive and memorable designs that rely on unique hairstyles, clothing, and facial features. The absence of eyelashes helps differentiate these characters further, making them instantly recognizable. For example, the iconic hairstyle of Goku, the flowing hair of Vegeta, and the quirky faces of characters like Yamcha and Puar all stand out even more without the distraction of eyelashes.

It’s worth noting that while some characters do have eyelashes, especially in later adaptations or spin-offs, this minimalist approach remains a hallmark of the original Dragon Ball design. This consistency in character design across numerous episodes and years has contributed to the enduring popularity and legacy of the series.

Cultural Influence

In some anime and manga, especially those from earlier decades, characters often have simplified facial features, including the absence of eyelashes. This trend can be traced back to early animation styles and influences. The minimalistic approach taken by Toriyama in Dragon Ball is emblematic of the broader trend in anime and manga to focus more on character personality and storytelling than on minute details.

Other Examples in Anime

It’s not just Dragon Ball; many other anime and manga series have followed a similar trend. For instance, characters like Bulma and Videl in Bulma and Titans’ Toho and Mikasa from Tokyo Ghoul have distinctive styles of eyelashes. In Bulma and Videl’s case, their eyelashes are prominently placed on the sides of their eyes, while in Toho and Mikasa’s case, traditional eyelashes are drawn on the top and bottom of their eyes. This shows that the absence of eyelashes is not unique to Dragon Ball but is a broader stylistic choice in the anime and manga industry.

While some characters in the series do have eyelashes, particularly in later adaptations or spin-offs, the minimalist approach remains a hallmark of the original Dragon Ball design. This consistency in character design, despite the occasional changes, has contributed to the enduring popularity and legacy of the series. The iconic characters and their distinctive features, especially the lack of eyelashes, have remained a key part of the Dragon Ball aesthetic, making them instantly recognizable to fans worldwide.

Ultimately, the absence of eyelashes in Dragon Ball characters is a deliberate artistic choice that serves to enhance the overall aesthetic and emotional impact of the series, contributing to its enduring appeal and influence in the anime and manga world.