History Main / EmptyEyes

It can also indicate that the character is blind, in which case, their irises will be pale grey.

* In ''Anime/KemonoFriends'', empty eyes are used to represent [[LittleBitBeastly Friends]] born from endangered or extinct animal species like Crested Ibis or Aurochs.

* In ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry'', Clair Vaux Bernard always has these eyes, representative of her status as merely [[spoiler:Yasu's]] storyteller, unable to interfere with anything that actually occurs within the story she tells.
* ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry''
** Used when Rika [[spoiler:is found dead by the others]].
** Given to Rena at the height of her insanity during the ''Atonement'' Arc
** Satoko gets these at any time when her EvilUncle is around and subjecting her to abuse. [[spoiler:It's a sign that she's found the courage to stand up to him when her pupils and highlights come back]].

When used comically, it usually denotes the character is either [[CloudCuckoolander airheaded]], lost in thought, or simply in a blissful state. This trope is most common in anime an manga, though it's also been used to WesternAnimation.

* It's not readily apparent to the reader and a lack of pupils only shows up in a couple of panels but ComicBook/LadyShiva stops ComicBook/{{Robin|Series}} from going after Clyde Rawlins when he goes to what Tim knows it the man's certain death by pointing out that a look in his eyes should tell Tim that regardless of physical health Rawlins died with his family and there's no way to stop him going after their murderer even if he has no chance.

* It's not readily apparent to the reader but ComicBook/LadyShiva stops ComicBook/{{Robin|Series}} from going after Clyde Rawlins when he goes to what Tim knows it the man's certain death by pointing out that there is no way to stop him, as she says a look in his eyes should tell Tim that regardless of physical health Rawlins died with his family and Tim doesn't argue.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': In "Ocean Gem", Steven frees Lapis Lazuli from her imprisonment in a mirror, but the gem on her back is still cracked and her eyes have no irises. In the next episode, Steven heals her gem and she regains both her irises and her ability to create water-based wings for herself.

[[/folde]]

When used comically, it usually denotes the character is either [[CloudCuckoolander airheaded]], lost in thought, or simply in a blissful state. This trope is most common in anime an manga, though it's been used to WesternAnimation.

Lack of pupils, and customary light reflection; iris shading goes from the usual radial to gradient; eyelids drop. Yep, this character is suffering from the "Empty Eyes" trope, a condition denoting that the character is dying, dead, distracted, shocked, [[HeroicBSOD traumatized]], [[{{Brainwashed}} mind-controlled]], broken, in a state of TranquilFury, completely insane, or some combination of the above. This trope is most common in anime, though as of late it's made its way to WesternAnimation. Due to the condition of shock causing the eyes to dilate, realistic live action will never have this unless the producers don't know better. Could be way to show someone is so shocked they haven't blinked for a while, because the tears that accumulate would make the eyes more reflective and the pupils harder to see. Pushed for effect in BreakTheCutie scenarios.

* A very common trope throughout tons of anime and manga, so many that to name them all one might as well list every anime ever made. That being said, here's some specific ones.

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* Karzahni and Tren Krom were described as having these in certain ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'' media, though the former was illustrated with bright yellow eyes and later released as a toy with red eyes, and the latter was also given glowing eyes because of the writer misremembering.

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* ''Roleplay/DinoAttackRPG'':
** Most Mutant Dinos and Quasifigus Hybrids have blank white eyes.
** After being attacked by a Mutant Raptor, Greybeard's [[GoodScarsEvilScars scarred]] [[EyeScream eye]] appears washed-out in color in comparison to his other eye. He was also nearly blind in that eye.
** When Rex's body was [[spoiler:[[DemonicPossession possessed]] by Baron Typhonus]], his eyes turned blank white.

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** The fan-made anime ''FanFic/FantasyKaleidoscope'' gives this to Yuyuko, who falls under the "dead" distinction by virtue of being a CuteGhostGirl.

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* The track on Music/DesperateStraights by Music/SlappHappy Riding Tigers goes "An empty gaze/Sitting like that for days."

* The track on Musiс/DesperateStraights by Music/SlappHappy Riding Tigers goes "An empty gaze/Sitting like that for days."

Compare DullEyesOfUnhappiness, ThousandYardStare, MindControlEyes, HeroicBSOD and AngstComa.

* In ''Anime/KemonoFriends'', empty eyes are used to represent [[LittleBitBeastly Friends]] born from endangered or extinct animal species like Crested Ibis or Aurochs. [[spoiler:The fact that Kaban, who's a ''human'' Friend, has these eyes kicked off a ton of speculation among the fandom.]]

* In ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series, this is a trait of some [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Vampire]] bloodlines. Their eyes are a pale white with no irises or pupils. Others have BlackEyesOfEvil, while others still have SuperNaturalGoldEyes. (It's implied that they may all have these glowing gold eyes, but only beings with divine souls, such as the [[PlayerCharacter Dragonborn]] of ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', can actually see them.)

* In the original 1975 version of ''TheStepfordWives'', Jessica's robot double has these when she's first seen.

* In the original 1975 version of ''TheStepfordWives'', Jessica's robot double has these when first seen.

* Happens to Takiko in ''Manga/FushigiYuugiGenbuKaiden'', after [[spoiler: Genbu devours her soul.]]
* In ''Anime/HeatGuyJ'', this is how Clair is first introduced at his dad's funeral, before he throws a grenade at his father's grave. It happens to him later in the series, when he goes into an AngstComa, and when he comes out of the coma to rescue his bodyguard/friend Giovanni from [[spoiler: J]].
* Kishou Arima from ''Manga/TokyoGhoul'', which combined with his ScaryShinyGlasses, makes him look quite intimidating. This detail turns out to be significant, as it hints towards [[spoiler: him being partially Blind and a DeathSeeker]].

* ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'': Giving Koishi Komeiji was common in fanart even before [[AscendedFanon it became official]] as of ''Hopeless Masquerade''. Also a very odd combination of the possible reasons behind the Empty Eyes as she's definitely [[ForgetfulJones air-headed]], to the point where [[EmptyShell she's flat-out dead on the inside]], which is the result of her basically mind wiping herself to escape from the [[BreakTheCutie shocking and traumatizing treatment]] she was subjected to due to her [[AMindIsATerribleThingToRead mind reading powers]]. And if there's any truth behind her "love-stricken massacre" line, [[LackOfEmpathy she might very well come across as insane]], too.

Lack of pupils, and customary light reflection; iris shading goes from the usual radial to gradient; eyelids drop. Yep, this character is suffering from the "Empty Eyes" trope, a condition denoting that the character is dying, dead, distracted, shocked, [[HeroicBSOD traumatized]], [[{{Brainwashed}} mind-controlled]], in a state of TranquilFury, completely insane, or some combination of the above. This trope is most common in anime, though as of late it's made its way to WesternAnimation. Due to the condition of shock causing the eyes to dilate, realistic live action will never have this unless the producers don't know better. Could be way to show someone is so shocked they haven't blinked for a while, because the tears that accumulate would make the eyes more reflective and the pupils harder to see. Pushed for effect in BreakTheCutie scenarios.