Long Tongue is a characterization technique that is often used in anime, comics, and manga to create a sense of humor or horror. It involves depicting a character with a tongue that is abnormally long, often protruding from the mouth in a way that draws attention to the character's face. This technique is used to manipulate the viewer's focus, often creating a sense of unease or surprise. Long Tongue is a popular device in horror and supernatural stories, where it is used to create a feeling of shock or disgust. In these stories, the long tongue is often associated with demons, monsters, or other supernatural creatures. The use of Long Tongue in horror stories is intended to create a sense of otherness, emphasizing the unnatural and inhuman nature of the character. In comedic stories, Long Tongue is often used as a visual gag, creating a sense of humor through the absurdity of the image. This technique is often used in stories with a supernatural or fantastic element, where the absurdity of the image is heightened by the presence of otherworldly elements. Long Tongue is also used in character design to create a distinctive and memorable appearance. Characters with Long Tongue are often seen as quirky or eccentric, and their appearance can help to differentiate them from other characters in the story. Overall, Long Tongue is a versatile characterization technique that can be used to create a wide range of effects, from humor to horror. Its use in anime, comics, and manga has helped to create memorable characters and iconic images that have become a part of popular culture.
anime, comics, manga, horror, supernatural, humor, character design
CITATION : "David Martin. 'Long Tongue.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=365062 (Accessed on August 02, 2025)"
Long Tongue is a type of characterization technique used in anime, comics or manga, often depicting a character with an abnormally long tongue protruding from the mouth. This device is intended to manipulate the focus of the viewer, often by drawing attention to the head and face of the character. Additionally, it is usually used as a comic relief, often in supernatural and fantastic stories with a comedic tone. Long Tongue is also used to create a feeling of creepiness or shock, due to the unusualness of the image.
Character head, manga, anime, comics, facial expression, focus, comic relief, surreal, shock, grotesque.
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