Pose & style reference · Expressions
Crybaby (nakimushi) and crying faces
Also called: nakimushi, teary eyes, 泣き虫, crying face
In short
A crybaby is a character who tears up easily, at sad news, small frights or happy surprises alike. Called nakimushi in Japanese, the type is shown with watery eyes, trembling mouths and stylised anime tears, and it makes a character read as sensitive and sincere rather than weak.
Reference photos
Photos are shown from mfan8.com with credit to the photographers and models. Tap a photo to open the full set.
The crybaby as a character type
Nakimushi literally means crying bug. The trait is usually played for warmth: the character cries because they care a lot, and the rest of the cast rushes to comfort them. Crybabies are often gentle, honest and secretly brave, and the payoff in many stories is the moment they hold back tears to protect someone.
Tears also have a comedic register. Over-the-top streams and wailing mouths signal exaggerated, harmless upset, while a single tear on a still face signals something serious. Choosing which register to use is most of the job.
Anime crying: tear styles
- Welling eyes: a thick shine along the lower lid and wobbly highlights, tears not yet falling.
- Single tear: one clean drop from the outer corner; quiet, dramatic.
- Stream tears: two continuous ribbons down the cheeks; comic sadness.
- Waterfall or fountain tears: tears shooting sideways or pouring like taps; pure comedy.
- Snot bubble and wobbly mouth: the full chibi meltdown.
- Happy tears: smiling mouth, closed eyes, tears at the corners.
How to draw a crying face
Begin with the brows: the inner ends rise and pinch together, which is the most reliable signal of sadness. Then raise the lower lids slightly and add an extra row of large, broken highlights in the iris to suggest water.
Tears start at the inner and outer corners, follow the cheek's curve and gather at the jaw before dropping. Draw them with a light edge on one side and a thin dark outline, and add a faint red tint to the nose tip and eyelids. The mouth can be a wavy line for holding back or a wide open shape for wailing.
Teary looks in photos
Real tears are hard to summon on cue. Photographers often use eye drops or a light mist of water just under the eye, then shoot quickly. Looking up toward a soft light source fills the eyes with catchlights that read as wet.
Keep the pose small: hands near the face, a sleeve held to one eye, or knees pulled up. Backlight or overcast light suits the mood better than hard sun.
FAQ
What is a crybaby called in Japanese?
Nakimushi (泣き虫), literally crying bug, used for someone who cries easily.
How do you draw tears in anime style?
Raise and pinch the inner brows, add a wet shine along the lower lid, and draw tears from the eye corners following the curve of the cheek.
How can I look teary in photos without crying?
Use a drop of saline or a little water just below the eye, look up toward soft light, and shoot right away.