History Main / BlackEyesOfCrazy

* In ''VideoGame/MegaManZero3'' the resident QuirkyMiniBossSquad is composed of BrainwashedAndCrazy Reploids, who, in their humanoid forms, have black sclerae and hot pink irises (aside from Volteel, whose eyes are hidden by a helmet) in their portraits and mugshots. Curiously, their actual in-game sprites appear to avert it, although it's hard to see due to their small size.

* In ''Manga/ThouShaltNotDie'', the local [[TheHeart sweet girl]] Mashiro can get these types of eyes mixed with [[HellishPupils slit pupils]] for extra effect whenever she receives sufficient physical trauma. This serves as a clear sign to anyone nearby get the hell out, since she is about to go postal on anything and anyone in the vicinity, FriendOrFoe.

* In ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt'' series, all Adept bosses sport such eyes after transforming into their battle forms. So far, the only exceptions are [[spoiler:Nova, whose gigantic OneWingedAngel form comes with a face-concealing helmet, and Asimov, who sports ProphetEyes in his human form and a complete BlackEyesOfEvil in his lightning elemental form]].
* ''VideoGame/CardCityNights2'': Lemonic Diva's eyes turn into tiny yellow dot pupils and black scalera when talking about Superstar, in contast to her regular, larger black pupils and white scalera:

* ''WebAnimation/FoxyGetsHooked'': Zigzagged. Instead of the plastic eyeballs that the animatronics have in ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'', Creator/HarveyRothman gives them digital, black screens for eyes, with brightly colored pupils. Foxy's pupils are yellow, Chica and Bonnie's are blue, and Freddy's are reddish-orange. However, Freddy is basically the TokenEvilTeammate of the animatronics. Bonnie is rude, but not as antagonistic as Freddy, while Foxy and Chica are much nicer in comparison.

* Dr. Schtein from ''Webcomic/StringTheory2009'' gets prosthetic eyes after an accident. They're [[http://stringtheory.nfshost.com/comics/pagethree black]] with [[RedEyesTakeWarning red iris apertures]].

* ''WebAnimation/{{Dreamscape}}'':
** Keela gets these in her SuperpoweredEvilSide.
** Kaila's eyes are black with white pupils, and she is a bit unhinged for what Keela did to her master.

* ''{{WebAnimation/RWBY}}'' has [[spoiler:Salem, the series' GreaterScopeVillain]], who combines the trope with RedEyesTakeWarning and TaintedVeins to make for an extremely sinister, eldritch appearance.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}}'', Whenever Ghostfreak (real name Zs'Skayr ) takes over the body of someone as a host, that person's eyes become black with purple pupils (and pitch black nerve-like extensions around the eyes), very similar to his eyes in his normal form. You do remember who Zs'Skayr is exactly for Ben, right? ( TheDreaded )

* In ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'', anyone who becomes a Dark Signer has their sclerae darken to black and goes rather insane.

* In ''VideoGame/DotHackGU'', characters who are possessed by AIDA will often gain these eyes, particularly during AxCrazy moments.
* ''Manga/SgtFrog'': the assassin Zoruru has this combined with [[RedEyesTakeWarning red pupils]], along with [[{{Cyborg}} a half-cybernetic body]] covered in SpikesOfVillainy and a BladeBelowTheShoulder. Despite this, nobody can ever remember who he is...
* ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' uses this quite a lot, along with BlackEyesOfEvil. In fact, Akamatsu notes that Shinmeiryu users can tap into something that's basically the dark side for extra power. While this is [[DarkIsNotEvil not actually evil in itself]], it does appear to cause a great deal of bloodlust along with turning the eyes completely black.
** ''Manga/LoveHina'' foreshadowed this late into its run. Keitaro's family own a cursed samurai sword that causes the wielder to take on black eyes and start killing or molesting anyone in sight. It took two of the world's greatest swordswomen to reseal it and even then it could still be unleashed if they're not careful.

* ''Manga/RurouniKenshin'' brings us Jinei Udo. His eyes are black with golden irises and pinpoint pupils which are capable of paralyzing you if he so chooses.
* Averted with Renamon from ''Anime/DigimonTamers'': she has IcyBlueEyes with black sclerae, but is a LadyOfWar with NervesOfSteel and a member of the core TrueCompanions.
** Played ''absolutely'' straight with [[SuperpoweredEvilSide GulusGammamon]] from ''Anime/DigimonGhostGame''. It has black sclerae as well, with [[PurpleIsPowerful bright-purple]] MonochromaticEyes to boot, and is a full-blown KnightOfCerebus when it appears.
* ''Anime/DragonBallZ'': Majin Buu in his familiar fat form has normal-looking eyes [[EyesAlwaysShut when we actually see them]], but his evil incarnations have eyes with black sclerae. Evil Buu (the gray form) has white irises (which, [[OpenTheIris when wide enough]], can be mistaken for normal eyes due to having distinct pupils), while the Super Buu and Kid Buu forms have [[RedEyesTakeWarning red irises]].
* [[TheSociopath Haguro]] from ''Manga/WolfGuyWolfenCrest'' is perhaps THE scariest looking ninth grader because of his eyes.
* Christopher Shouldered from ''Literature/{{Baccano}}'' has [[RedEyesTakeWarning red sclerae]] rather than black (as the result of an extreme and perpetual case of red eye), but nonetheless matches all the connotations of the trope.
* ''Manga/CodeBreaker'': The five "Angels" (plus [[spoiler: Sakura when she was a child]]), a five-bad-band of {{Power Nullifier}}s whose eyes go jet-black when they suck the life out of power-users, in this case [[ForTheEvulz just for fun]]. [[spoiler: Fortunately the power-users' masters anticipated that and made one of them Magneto: an iron beam in of itself isn't a power.]]
* The ghouls of ''Manga/TokyoGhoul'' have eyes with black sclera and red pupils that show when they're in combat, excited or very hungry.
* {{Averted|Trope}} in ''Webcomic/OnePunchMan'' with Genos, who has black sclerae due to being a cyborg but despite this is one of the most virtuous, self-sacrificing and law-abiding characters in the series.
* In ''Manga/ThouShaltNotDie'', the local [[TheHeart sweet girl]] Mashiro can get these types of eyes mixed with [[HellishPupils slit pupils]] for extra effect whenever she receives sufficient physical trauma. This serves as a clear sign to anyone nearby get the hell out, since she is about to go postal on anything and anyone in the vicinity, FriendOrFoe.
* ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureGoldenWind'' has Risotto Nero, although he seems to be the [[OnlySaneMan sanest]] of his group.
* ''Manga/KenganAshura'': While black sclerae are a [[SharedFamilyQuirks shared family quirk]] of the Kure Clan, [[AxCrazy Raian]] [[ArrogantKungFuGuy Kure]] is the only member of said clan who represents this trope proper. He's always eager to fight someone, and won't hesitate to even kill them at a moment's notice.

* {{Subverted|Trope}} in ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes'', where two members of the Legion, Superman X and Timber Wolf, have eyes like this.

* Doctor Robotnik/Eggman and Doctor Finitevus from ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics''. Interestingly enough, Robotnik's crazy red-on-black-eyes were first revealed in [[MilestoneCelebration issue #200]], [[VillainousBreakdown when he was]] [[FreakOut defeated by Sonic]] [[VillainousBSOD one too many times]]. The Bride of the Conquering Storm also has black sclerae [[ElectronicEyes with visible circuits]] after being [[{{Cyborg}} legionized]], but she's not really crazy, just [[AmbitionIsEvil power-hungry]].
** Mimic the Octopus from ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogIDW'' has a pair, with black sclerae and white irises. He can show them, along with some [[SkeletonMotif skeletal facial markings]], while disguised as another person, resulting in a NightmareFace. And not for no reason: this guy is [[AxCrazy B.S. psychotic]].
* The [[Characters/MarvelComicsRedSkull Red Skull]], DependingOnTheArtist. Carried on to both ''WesternAnimation/XMenTheAnimatedSeries'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes''.

* ''Fanfic/ALoudAmongDemons'' has Lincoln gaining a pair of these after being heavily dosed with the D.H.O.R.K.'s truth gas, resulting in him slipping into a much more sadistic and unstable [[SuperpoweredEvilSide demonic mindset.]]

* Bruce the Shark from ''WesternAnimation/FindingNemo'', after he gets a whiff of Dory's blood.

* In the film version of ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'', Frodo gets them after being corrupted by the cursed Nazgûl blade.

%% * Valentine Morgenstern from ''Literature/TheMortalInstruments''.

* ''Literature/TheOneWhoEatsMonsters'': Ryn has matte black sclerae and glowing blue irises that terrify whoever looks into her eyes, befitting a predatory primordial goddess whose inability to blend in with humans saw her branded a monster. Her aggressive behaviour leads to several characters speculating that she has a developmental disorder at best and is flat-out insane at worst.

* Daddy Dearest and Mommy Mearest from ''VideoGame/FridayNightFunkin'' have black sclera with red glowing irises. [[spoiler:It is implied that Girlfriend has these too, but [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith chooses to appear more human]] out of love for Boyfriend.]]

* [[spoiler: King Dynal]] in ''VideoGame/FossilFighters'' has these, and despite being an [[spoiler: alien]], he's the only one, even among the other [[spoiler: aliens]]. He's the BigBad...[[spoiler: until a GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere pops in and he does an abrupt HeelFaceTurn.]]
* In ''VideoGame/DotHackGU'' this happens to players that get completely overtaken by AIDA.
* In ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion'', the [[LonersAreFreaks more reclusive]] vampires have these, usually indicating that they do not care about trying to blend in with normal society.

** In ''VideoGame/Disgaea2CursedMemories'', the Real Overlord, Zenon [[spoiler: Rozalin]], has them, and, like the Berserkers from ''VideoGame/MakaiKingdom'', is legitimately AxCrazy.
** In ''VideoGame/Disgaea3AbsenceOfJustice'', [[spoiler: Super Hero Aurum's OneWingedAngel form]] has them, and he's definitely messed up in the head.
* The game-breaking Gideon class from ''VideoGame/SoulNomadAndTheWorldEaters'' have them, minus Heroman.
* Akuma/Goki from ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' sometimes has these DependingOnTheArtist, when not being depicted with [[RedEyesTakeWarning fully red eyes]].

* Subverted with most asari in ''Franchise/MassEffect'', whose eyes turn black when they meld their minds with another, an action done to not only share information with others, but for lovemaking and procreating as well. If the asari is an Ardat-Yakshi, though, it's played straight.
* ''VideoGame/DirgeOfCerberus'' has these with [[TheBigGuy Azul the Cerulean]], a huge StoneWall of a villain, whose black-and-yellow eyes show he's not one to be trifled with.
* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'', male Au Ra of the Xaela clan have dark sclera, which coupled with their dark scales, horns, and sharp facial features lends them an unavoidably sinister look. They're not actually evil, though the clan's culture is noted as being violent, consisting of several nomadic tribes that are constantly warring with one another over territory.
* The Kelari race in ''VideoGame/{{Rift}}'' have black sclerae, but they're a case of DarkIsNotEvil.

* In ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt'' series, all Adept bosses sport such eyes after transforming into their battle forms. So far, the only exceptions are [[spoiler:Nova, whose gigantic OneWingedAngel form comes with a face-concealing helmet, and Asimov, who sports ProphetEyes in his human form and a complete BlackEyesOfEvil in his lightning elemental form]].
* In ''VideoGame/DragonFable'', recent class revamps for Necromancer and Death Knight included new artwork which gives both classes these eyes, with green and red irises, respectively. As well, Icebound Revenant is a new armor [[{{Microtransactions}} that can only be obtained with Dragon Coins]]; it's essentially an ice-themed variant on Death Knight, with blue irises, appropriately enough.
* Undead in ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' nearly always have sunken, black eye sockets when they go Hollow, and with the exception of the PlayerCharacter, when they look like that, they've gone irrevocably, murderously insane.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Miitopia}}'', Miis that are turned (thankfully temporarily) evil by enemies get black eyes with red sclera.

* Berserkers in ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'' are prone to black sclerae, particularly those who are incoherent or nonverbal due to Madness Enhancement: Heracles, Caligula, Darius, and Lu Bu. Subverted with Asterios the Minotaur, who is fully talkative and childish more than insane.
** [[ObfuscatingInsanity Eric Bloodaxe]] and Penthesilea only show black sclerae during their Phantasm animations or when the latter's BerserkButton is pressed.
* In ''VideoGame/SonicExe'', Sonic himself gains these, with [[RedEyesTakeWarning red pupils]] and [[TearsOfBlood "hyper-realistic" bloody tears]] to go with it.

* ''Webcomic/{{Sidekicks}}'': The villain Phantom, who is a mind controller, has black sclera and purple glowing irises. [[spoiler:When Iblis gets his superpower her eyes take on the same colouration.]]
* In ''Webcomic/TowerOfGod'', Season 2, a character named Rapdevil appears. Though not evil per se, he is strongly associated with demonic powers and his entire color scheme from his clothing to his shortly trimmed hair is black-yellow. So why shouldn't his eyes be that way, too?
** Then there's Season 1 character Rak Wraithraiser, [[FunnyAnimal a humanoid alligator]] with black sclerae and red irises.

* Played straight and [[SubvertedTrope subverted]] in ''Webcomic/TheZombieHunters''. [[OurZombiesAreDifferent All classes]] of TheUndead have black sclerae with [[GlowingEyelightsOfUndeath Glowing Irises Of Undeath]], though the Basilisk, a class with a [[MagicalEye paralyzing gaze]], has [[RedEyesTakeWarning red irises]]. Charlie, a [[HalfHumanHybrid partially]] [[HumanityEnsues revived]] zombie restored to sentience, is a subversion, sporting [[DualityMotif one human eye]] and one undead eye, which he [[RedRightHand hides]] with a contact lens.

* ''Webcomic/HeartCore'': Some of the more powerful demons in the series have this permanently and most other demons get this during fits of rage or when they go AxCrazy.

* Averted by ''WebComic/{{Erma}}''. The title character, black sclerae or otherwise, is absolutely ''[[CreepyCute adorable]]'' and not evil in the slightest.
* ''Webcomic/LiesWithin'': The [[OurSpiritsAreDifferent Wraith's]] hosts gain black sclerae with gold irises, along with [[TransformationOfThePossessed other transformations]] that scale in proportion with its level of control over them. Lys is mostly unaffected but is [[https://www.lieswithincomic.com/comic/page-67 stuck]] with the eyes until he trains to [[PowersViaPossession control the Wraith's power]] -- and often manifests them for show anyway.

* ''Website/SCPFoundation'': [[http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-040 SCP-040 ("Evolution's Child")]] is a subversion, having only one eye with a black sclera and defying the traditional roles of evil and insanity.

* ''WebAnimation/{{Dreamscape}}'': Keela gets these in her SuperpoweredEvilSide.
** Kaila's eyes are black with white pupils, and she is a bit unhinged for what Keela did to her master.

* Black Wolf, the villain of the ChristmasSpecial ''WesternAnimation/TheFlightBeforeChristmas'', has black sclerae and an [[CarnivoreConfusion insatiable appetite for flying reindeer]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}}'', Whenever Ghostfreak (real name Zs'Skayr ) takes over the body of someone as a host, that person's eyes become black with purple pupils (and pitch black nerve-like extensions around the eyes), very similar to his eyes in his normal form. You do remember who Zs'Skayr is exactly for Ben, right? ( TheDreaded )
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'', Coldstone has one mechanical eye with this effect, comprising of a red iris and black sclera.
* OlderThanTheyThink: the 1949 WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes short ''Bee-Deviled Bruin'' has Papa Bear develop these (white irises on black) after finding out all of his (very painful) attempts to get honey were for naught as Mama had a cupboard full. [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/looneytunes/images/2/2a/1A95467F-AE37-4858-A5F2-5C29BCFE25A7.jpeg/revision/latest?cb=20190705143614 Actually pretty scary.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'':
** The Son is the AnthropomorphicPersonification of TheDarkSide, and he has {{glowing|EyesOfDoom}}, {{red|EyesTakeWarning}} pupils, surrounded by [[BlackEyesOfEvil pitch-black sclerae, without irises]], and he has a spectacular SanitySlippage through-out the Mortis-arc.
** Mother Talzin of the Nightsisters is a LadyOfBlackMagic with a VoiceOfTheLegion and black sclerae with iridescent irises.
** General Grievous, one of the shows' primary antagonists, sports black sclerae and yellow irises, and his obsession with killing Jedi should make it clear he's a bit messed up in the head.

* In ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats2011'' this is {{Downplayed}} with RascallyRabbit the Drifter, who has white iris-pupils on black sclerae. He's merely a frustratingly opaque and {{eccentric|Mentor}} TricksterMentor.

* In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'', Match, who is a {{flawed|Prototype}}, [[PsychoPrototype insane clone]] of Superman, has black sclerae and blue irises. Apart from the black sclerae, he looks exactly like Superboy, the second clone of Superman.

* PlayedForLaughs in the ''WesternAnimation/{{Kaeloo}}'' episode "Let's Play the Quest for the Wholly Gruel", where Kaeloo puts in fully black contact lenses and can't see a thing because of them.
** Played completely straight when she undergoes SanitySlippage in [[spoiler:Episode 100]].
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfVoxMachina'': In Episode 6, as Percy delves into his pursuit of vengeance against Captain Stonefell (one of the people who betrayed and murdered his family), he shows this (along with swirling black smoke emanating from him) as he prepares to execute him. [[spoiler: It's a sign of the influence of the [[DealWithTheDevil demon Orthax]] on him.]]
-->''[[PreMortemOneLiner I wanted you to know it was me.]]''

* In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'', Match, who is a {{flawed|Prototype}}, [[PsychoPrototype insane]] {{clon|ingBlues}}e of Superman, has black sclerae and blue irises. Apart from the black sclerae, he looks exactly like Superboy, the second clone of Superman.

[[folder:Real Life]]
* Chimpanzees have a dark-pigmented conjunctiva, which makes their sclerae look black. Captive chimps that have been mistreated or poorly-socialized are notoriously prone to unpredictable outbursts of violence and destructiveness.
* Black sclerae are actually fairly common in the eyes of apes in general (apart from modern humans -- human sclerae used to come in multiple colors besides white). Most gorillas have black sclerae, but a few individuals have white ones or even a "piebald" combination. It has been theorized that human beings began to favor white sclerae as it helped with non-verbal communication. White sclerae were desired in a potential mate to the point that the genes for black sclera have pretty much disappeared from humans and are now seen as "unnatural" or even creepy. Hence why this trope and BlackEyesOfEvil even exist.
[[/folder]]

[[quoteright:350:[[Manga/{{Bleach}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/109326-hollow_ichigo_super_2909.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Who's crazy now?]]

* In ''LightNovel/ScrappedPrincess'' episode 3 or 4, when everybody besides Pacifica gets put under mind control, this is expressed by turning all of their sclerae black (and their irises red). Whenever anybody is snapped out of it, their eyes return to normal.

* Christopher Shouldered from ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'' has [[RedEyesTakeWarning red sclerae]] rather than black (as the result of an extreme and perpetual case of red eye), but nonetheless matches all the connotations of the trope.

* Black sclerae are actually fairly common in the eyes of apes in general (apart from humans). Most gorillas have black sclerae, but a few individuals have white ones or even a "piebald" combination. It has been theorized that human beings began to favor white sclerae as it helped with non-verbal communication. White sclerae were desired in a potential mate to the point that the genes for black sclera have pretty much disappeared from humans and are now seen as "unnatural" or even creepy. Hence why this trope and BlackEyesOfEvil even exist.

* The Thwomps from the ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros'' series originally had these, before shifting over to RedEyesTakeWarning in ''VideoGame/SuperMario64''.

* Subverted with most asari in ''Franchise/MassEffect'', whose eyes turn black when they meld their minds with another, an action done to not only share information with others, but for lovemaking and procreating as well. If the asari is an [[DeathBySex Ardat-Yakshi]], though, it's played straight.

* Black sclerae are actually fairly common in the eyes of apes in general (apart from humans). Most gorillas have black sclerae, but a few individuals have white ones or even a "piebald" combination. It has been theorized that human beings began to favor white sclerae as it helped with non-verbal communication. White sclerae were desired in a potential mate to the point that the genes for black sclera have pretty much disappeared from humans and are now seen as "unnatural" or even [[UncannyValley creepy]]. Hence why this trope and BlackEyesOfEvil even exist.

Some characters just need a way to show off how [[DarkIsEvil undeniably evil they are]]. Unfortunately, [[BlackEyesOfEvil pure black eyes]] just seem too monochrome and don't allow said character to show off an extra spark of insanity. Cue the Black Eyes of Crazy. In these cases, the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sclera sclerae]] (the whites of the eyes) are black, but the irises themselves retain their colour, [[TechnicolorEyes which can vary]]. The pupils may vary in color as well. Generally an indication that the character is not above going on a rabid, murderous rampage, and, as such, usually coincides with AxCrazy, though this rule is not [[DarkIsNotEvil absolute]]. It also heavily overlaps with BlackEyesOfEvil, due to AxCrazy being a subtrope of ObviouslyEvil.

* [[Wiki/SCPFoundation SCP-040]] [[http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-040 Evolution's Child]] is a subversion, having only one eye with a black sclera and defying the traditional roles of evil and insanity.

Some characters just need a way to show off how [[DarkIsEvil undeniably evil they are]]. Unfortunately, [[BlackEyesOfEvil pure black eyes]] just seem too monochrome and don't allow said character to show off an extra spark of insanity. Cue the Black Eyes of Crazy. In these cases, the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sclera sclerae]] (the whites of the eyes) are black, as are the pupils, but the irises themselves retain their colour, [[TechnicolorEyes which can vary]]. Generally an indication that the character is not above going on a rabid, murderous rampage, and, as such, usually coincides with AxCrazy, though this rule is not [[DarkIsNotEvil absolute]]. It also heavily overlaps with BlackEyesOfEvil, due to AxCrazy being a subtrope of ObviouslyEvil.

* Subverted with Renamon from ''Anime/DigimonTamers'': she has IcyBlueEyes with black sclerae, but is a LadyOfWar with NervesOfSteel and a member of the core TrueCompanions.

* ''Webcomic/LiesWithin'': The [[OurSpiritsAreDifferent Wraith's]] hosts gain black sclerae with gold irises, along with ScaryTeeth, {{Horns|OfVillainy}} that grow and retract in proportion with its level of control over them, and {{Ax Craz|y}}iness shading into {{Meat Puppet}}ry. Lys is mostly unaffected by the spirit, but is [[https://www.lieswithincomic.com/comic/page-67 stuck]] with the eyes until he trains to control it.

** Played ''absolutely'' straight with [[SuperpoweredEvilSide GulusGammamon]] from ''Anime/DigimonGhostGame''. It has black sclerae as well, with MonochromaticEyes to boot, and is a full-blown KnightOfCerebus when it appears.

* Daddy Dearest and Mommy Mearest from VideoGame/FridayNightFunkin have black sclera with red glowing irises [[spoiler:It is implied that Girlfriend has these too, but [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith chooses to appear more human]] out of love for Boyfriend.]]

* Daddy Dearest and Mommy Mearest from VideoGame/FridayNightFunkin have black sclera with red glowing irises, and it is implied [[spoiler: that girlfriend has these too...]]