History Main / ExpressiveMask

* [[ComicBook/{{Steel}} John Henry Irons]] usually wears a metal mask that looks exactly like his face and moves the way his face would. A lettercolumn suggested this was either something to do with his mysterious superpowers (during a period when he could teleport the armour on and off, but didn't know how) or "really strong facial muscles". These days (the mysterious superpowers having [[DorkAge long been abandoned]]) generally accepted that there's some kind of motor that detects his expressions and relays it to the mask, and the mask itself is surprisingly flexible in the same way that there aren't obvious joints on his arms and legs.

* Parodied in ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'', which can't do this because it's Machinima in ''Halo'', where everyone wears a helmet. Even ''talking'' is merely {{head bob}}bing.

** This was actually the first and most important design choice of the makers of the original three -- having worked on Creator/DonBluth animated films in the past, they appliede a similar style of exaggerated expression to the Toys/{{LEGO}} characters. The circular holes that held the masks on the toys were thus re-imagined as tube-like mechanical "tongues" that were visible when their mouths opened. They also added separate, articulated jaws to certain masks, which would magically detach or vanish when the masks were taken off. Characters who didn't wear masks also had bendy metal faces, and the Rahaga/Rahaga heads were completely changed for the third movie to allow for expression.

* Raccoons look like they wear painted on masks and are more expressive because of it.

* In ''Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers'', Turkey has this, combined with his NiceHat.

* All characters in the ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'' films (save for a few such as Krekka who do not wear masks). An interesting double example, given that most of these characters are bio-mechanical robots without the parts necessary to move their faces, wearing solid full-face masks that all still move to express emotion onscreen. This was toned down in the fourth film, ''The Legend Reborn'', where the characters' helmets remain static for the most part, save for their expressive eyebrows. Whenever Mata Nui (the only one in the film with a classic MaskOfPower instead of a helmet) is outside of battle, the mouth part of his mask folds away so his actual mouth can be seen moving.

* Parodied in ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'', which can't do this because it's Machinima in ''Halo'', where everyone wears a helmet. Even ''talking'' is merely {{head bob}}bing. When the Reds see the Blues talking on the screens under the canyon, but can't hear them, they comment on how ridiculous people look because you can't see their emotion. [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall While vigorously bobbing his head.]]
** In fact, Machinima in general is all about getting by without live actors or this trope. Voice actors and careful posing of characters have to sell the emotion instead.

* In ''Film/ScoobyDooMonstersUnleashed'', the BigBad wears an expressive metallic mask with eyes that not only change shape, but also colour, turning [[RedEyesTakeWarning bright red]] when they get angry. Taken UpToEleven at the end when [[spoiler:the villain is unmasked as Heather Jasper-Howe, and ''she'' is then unmasked as Jonathan Jacobo wearing a LatexPerfection mask. Jacobo was thus wearing an ExpressiveMask ''on top of'' an ExpressiveMask]].

* Jack Skellington in ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas'' not only has expressive eyesockets, he ''[[UpToEleven even can stretch his face into a terrifying roar]]''. This helps to make him more endearing to the audience, obviously, but some fans have come up with an in-universe explanation that, this paired up with the fact that Jack apparently has a need to eat and can feel pain, that Jack is a skeletal ''creature'' rather than an actual skeleton.

* Jack Skellington in ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas'' not only has expressive eyesockets, he ''[[UpToEleven even can stretch his face into a terrifying roar]]''. This helps to make him more endearing to the audience, obviously, but some fans have come up with an in-universe explanation that, this paired up with the fact that Jack apparently has a need to eat and can feel pain, that Jack is a skeletal ''creature'' ([[FanNickname Bone Demon]]) rather than an actual skeleton.

-->-- '''Creator/JamesRolfe''', ''[[http://cinemassacre.com/2011/05/31/tmnt-tuesday-top-20-turtle-flubs/ Top 20 Turtle Flubs]]''

* Most [[AnimatedAdaptation Animated Adaptations]] of the characters in Franchise/TheDCU (and the Franchise/MarvelUniverse) have expressive masks; especially notable are ComicBook/{{Robin}} from ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' (pictured) and [[WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague JLU's]] Comicbook/{{Steel}}, whose mask is an immobile steel helmet.

** ComicBook/AntMan might have a broader range of expressions with his mask than without.
** ComicBook/MsMarvel can also express a range of emotions with her mask.
** ComicBook/BlackPanther's mask occasionally does this as well. Could be justified by the fact that he's from Wakanda, a country known for having extremely advanced technology.

* In ''LightNovel/SaiunkokuMonogatari'', Kou Kijin's masks themselves aren't animated, but he has a wide assortment of them made by his friend and colleague Kou Reishin, and some of them are ''very'' expressive.

[[folder:Meta]]
* TheGrimReaper usually has expansive eyesockets (and probably magical levitating eyebrows and / or a deformable jawbone) whenever he is depicted as a character with personality rather than just a force of nature.
[[/folder]]

* In an inversion, ''WesternAnimation/{{ReBoot}}'''s character Hexadecimal, a computer virus of an excessively chaotic and unpredictable behavior, had no facial animation for most of the series. Her face was a "drama mask", and her expression would always [[CreepyChangingPainting change on a cut or while her face was not visible (usually blocked by her hand)]].
** Lampshaded in one episode where [=AndrAIa=] assumes Hex's identity. She sits in front of a mirror waving her hand back and forth in front of her face, watching the expression change and saying "Happy...sad! Happy...sad!"
---> "INTRIGUED! I've never been more in touch with my emotions!"
** In an episode where Bob actually removes Hex's mask, we see that [[TheBlank there is nothing underneath]]. The mask ''is'' her face, and her expression is at the mercy of chance. This is why, in the third and fourth seasons, after Hex [[spoiler: becomes sane and does a HeelFaceTurn]], her face ''does'' become expressive and actually moves when she talks.
* The goggles that Time Squad officers wear in ''WesternAnimation/TimeSquad'' act in this way. The easiest example would be Buck Tuddrussel.
* Most ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'' faces were like this. Despite being made of metal, they would easily slide into various facial expressions. This even happened in ''Beast Wars'', in which the character in question may not even have a ''mouth''.
** Taken to an extreme with ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'' Shockwave, who has no facial features at all. [[spoiler: Well, when he's not in Longarm Prime mode.]] All he has is a red circle as an optic sensor in the middle of his dark face, but it changes shape subtly according to his moods the way the other characters' optic sensors do.
** Averted in the LiveActionAdaptation, in the same way as ''WesternAnimation/TheIronGiant'' (see above) did.
** ''Transformers'' cartoons employ this trope heavily because the alternative, especially when not well designed, comes off quite badly. The stiff and primitive CGI of ''Anime/TransformersEnergon'' is [[http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transformers:_Energon_%28cartoon%29#Production_flaws notorious within the fandom]] for turning almost all facial expressions into DullSurprise thanks to a lack of expressive features.
** Soundwave in ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' uses his [[TheBlank completely blank face]] as a video display. While [[TheSpock he still doesn't emote much]], this allows him to be TheQuietOne as well: he doesn't need to say that he's downloading data, he can just display a progress bar, and he can mock the heroes by showing emoticons rather than insulting them verbally. This quiet, faceless presence makes him possibly the ''creepiest'' take on Soundwave in the Transformers mythos.
* Averted in ''WesternAnimation/TheNewAdventuresOfZorro1997'', where Zorro's mask actually shows his eyes.

* The Reptar mask used in the ''WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}}'' episode "Reptar On Ice" is like this, with the mouth moving very realistically and the eyes blinking and showing expression, even though the rubber head is larger than the man wearing it.
* The Monarch henchmen in ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'' wear goggles that blink and move like real eyes.
** Though in commentary for the Season 1 DVD, either Doc Hammer or Jackson Publick mentioned that they hated blinking goggles.

* Any time [[WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones Fred Flintstone]] has [[FullBodyDisguise dressed up full-body]] as a dinosaur or dino-like monster (such as in "The Monster From the Tar Pits," "The Masquerade Ball" and "Son of Rockzilla"), the mask acts as if it's a real face when Fred is wearing it. Also applies to other masks worn in "The Masquerade Ball" (including the bird mask Mr. Slate wears) and even the hunting trophy heads Fred and Barney wear in "Kleptomaniac Caper."

* In fact, Creator/HannaBarbera used this trope ''a lot'' whenever a mask was utilized, especially if it was a LatexPerfection type of mask, but sometimes even with [[PaperThinDisguise cheap plastic face masks]].
** But it's surprisingly averted in the ''WesternAnimation/YogiBear'' short "Bear-Faced Disguise", when Ranger Smith dresses up full-body as a polar bear to spy on Yogi so he doesn't steal any picnic baskets. Yogi even [[LampshadeHanging lampshades it]]...
--->'''Yogi''': I just don't trust anyone who smiles all the time, ''(imitating the polar bear mask's expression)'' and talks without moving his mouth.
* Not quite a mask, but many characters wear glasses capable of changing shape with their expressions:
** Dexter of ''WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory''.
** Otto of ''WesternAnimation/TimeSquad''.
** Tootie and Mr. Crocker of ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddparents''.
** Doctor Octopus of ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'' swaps unmoving NerdGlasses for curiously emotive [[GogglesDoNothing goggles]] after his FaceHeelTurn.
** Dr. Scratchansniff of ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}''.
** ''WesternAnimation/{{Duckman}}''. His glasses don't change shape so much, but his his eyelids (and ''eyes'') are apparently part of his glasses, while his eyebrows float above them. As his glasses sit about a third down his bill, one can plainly see the blank yellow expanse where his eyes should be, whether or not he's got them on.
*** It has been shown that the glasses contain his eyes even when he sleeps with them on the nightstand next to his bed - literally BlindWithoutEm.
** The ''WesternAnimation/StormHawks'' have welding goggles that do this.
** Little Red's glasses from WesternAnimation/TwoStupidDogs
** Funky Kong from the WesternAnimation/DonkeyKongCountry cartoon.
** Hawkodile from ''WesternAnimation/{{Unikitty}}''.
* ''WesternAnimation/MuchaLucha''. Seeing as ''all'' the characters (yes, even Rikochet's ''dog'') are wearing masks and it would be difficult to portray their emotions otherwise, this is justified.
* Numbuh Two's pilot goggles from ''WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor''. This actually applies to all the members of his family and their respective glasses as well.
** To a lesser extent, Lenny from the same show. His football helmet isn't exactly a mask, but it covers his face and the mouthpiece has been shown to grin or frown like a mouth.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'':
** ComicBook/AntMan might have a broader range of expressions with his mask than without.
** ComicBook/MsMarvel can also express a range of emotions with her mask.
** ComicBook/BlackPanther's mask occasionally does this as well. Could be justified by the fact that he's from Wakanda, a country known for having extremely advanced technology.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'':
** Barely noticeable, but Photo Finish and her oversized glasses certainly count. It's most noticeable during her interview with various newsponies about how she discovered Fluttershy as her next big star.
** The Shadowbolts play it more straight. Rainbow Dash's Shadowbolt costume too, by extension.
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Wakfu}}'', Nox's mask has shutters that act as eyelids. However, more often than not, we get the full unsettling effect of those unblinking [[GlowingEyesOfDoom glowing]] eyes.
* [[DownplayedTrope Subtly done]] with [[BigBad Amon]] in ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' where slight changes to his mask's mouth give a better representation of his thoughts.
* Almost impossible to spot on [[VillainAntagonist Belphegor's]] mask, from the ''Belphegor'' TV series. His mask lacks a mouth and seems featureless, if slightly scowling. However, sometimes when he's upset the scowl seems to deepen a bit.
* On ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZim'' it's hard to tell that [[HeroAntagonist Dib]] even wears glasses; not only do they adjust with his expression but the frame is apparently wire-thin and there are no temples connecting them with his ears. [[AlienAmongUs Zim's]] fake human eyes and [[RidiculouslyHumanRobot GIR's]] eye cups also adjust with their expressions, which is presumably {{Justified|Trope}} as alien technology.
* Death gets one Expressive Skull in the animated adaptations of the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' novels.
* The titular WesternAnimation/{{Freakazoid}}'s mask is a domino mask that changes shape along with his eyes whenever he changes emotions.
* ''Franchise/GIJoe'':
** In ''WesternAnimation/GIJoeARealAmericanHero'', Destro wears a polished metal mask which behaves in all ways like his real face would.
** ''WesternAnimation/GIJoeRenegades'': This version of Destro is a subtler example, as only the parts surrounding his eyes move and even then it's so little that it's only ever shown in close-ups.
* Skeletor of ''WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse'' is usually shown drawn with what looks like angry eyebrows for his eye sockets, but sometimes it turns out he can emote with his skull face, such as [[https://youtu.be/zloWEvRDhgI?t=24s in this video]] where he manages to look glum for a moment before reverting straight back to his usual short temper.
* In WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck, [[ShockAndAwe Megavolt's]] goggles change to match his expression.

* Downplayed in ''[[Toys/{{Bionicle 2015}} Bionicle: The Journey to One]]'', where facial expressions were limited to subtle expansions of the masks' eye holes. Even when a character had an actual jaw under the mask, it didn't move when they talked.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretSaturdays'', V.V. Argost's mask moves so well with his lips that you probably wouldn't think it was a mask at first glance.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheHollow'': War one of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse helmet completely covers his face, yet he can still be rather expressive with it a la [[Manga.FullmetalAlchemist Alphonse Elric]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/StainesDownDrains'', Dr. Drain's gas mask manages to perfectly convey his emotions (usually irritation), especially via the eyepieces.
* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': Almost every Miraculous holder sports one while transformed. The masks are magical and are fused to their faces, so it's justified.

[[quoteright:290:[[WesternAnimation/TeenTitans https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/expressive_mask.jpg]]]]

** [[AddedAlliterativeAppeal Mr. Mighty's mask]] and most others [[http://eheroes.smackjeeves.com/comics/1895759/who-nose/ also have this feature]].

* The masks in ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'' are essentially dark patches on the characters' skin, changing shape as their features move and even covering their eyelids. Particularly notable in that when Violet throws one at the ground in the second movie, it ''bounces'' and keeps it's shape. Given everything else their costume designer, Edna Mode, is able to make their costumes do, this might just be another feature.

* Depending on the glasses, [[VideoGame/DeadRising Frank]] can make them bend oh-so-subtly in concurrence with his brow.

* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': Marinette (as Ladybug) and Adrien (as Cat Noir) have masks that change shape with their expressions. The masks are magical and are fused to their faces, so it's justified.

* Manga/{{Naruto}}:

** Another good example is [[ComicBook/{{Batgirl 2000}} Cassandra/Batgirl II]]'s mask: Unlike Batman's it's full face and even the eyes are black, but they get a lot of mileage out of changing the shading on it.

* Both MarvelUniverse characters Doctor Doom and ComicBook/IronMan have masks specifically described as made of metal, yet both can show emotion when needed. The trick is the angle from which they're shown.

* The ComicBook/{{Taskmaster}} wears a skull mask that is quite expressive, to the point where his mouth seems to move when he talks. DependingOnTheArtist is will either contort with his expressions like a rubber mask, or rely on the expressions of his eyes if it's a more hard mask. ''Comicbook/AllNewWolverine'' takes the "eyeblack around the eyes" method beneath his skull mask.
* The Comicbook/IronMan villain Madame Masque, DependingOnTheArtist. Sometimes her mask is essentially "painted on" (like Destro's), and moves with her facial features. Other times it's clearly a metal or ceramic mask that doesn't show any emotion other than from the holes for her eyes. In one story, [[ComicBook/YoungAvengers Kate Bishop]] actually gagged her by putting a strip of duct tape ''over'' the mouthpiece on the mask, implying that it's normally movable.

* Although generally averted with [[Comicbook/{{X 23}} Wolverine's]] cowl in ''Comicbook/AllNewWolverine'', [[DependingOnTheArtist Ig Guarra]] has the eyes shift to fit Laura's expressions and mood in issues 10-12.

* [[Comicbook/{{Steel}} John Henry Irons]] usually wears a metal mask that looks exactly like his face and moves the way his face would. A lettercolumn suggested this was either something to do with his mysterious superpowers (during a period when he could teleport the armour on and off, but didn't know how) or "really strong facial muscles". These days (the mysterious superpowers having [[DorkAge long been abandoned]]) generally accepted that there's some kind of motor that detects his expressions and relays it to the mask, and the mask itself is surprisingly flexible in the same way that there aren't obvious joints on his arms and legs.

* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': Marinette (as Ladybug) and Adrien (as Cat Noir) have masks that change shape with their expressions. The masks are magical and are fused to their faces, so it's somewhat justified.

* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': Marinette (as Ladybug) and Adrien (as Cat Noir) has their masks to change shape of an expression.

-->'''Yogi''': I just don't trust anyone who smiles all the time, ''(imitating the polar bear mask's expression)'' and talks without moving his mouth.

-->Redcloak ''(after making a prank comment to Xykon):'' [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0376.html You should have seen the look on your skull...]]

* Sid Wilson (of ''Music/Slipknot'') wore a robotically-styled mask from 2008-2014 that featured a eyebrows that moved, using a mechanism controlled by Sid remotely.