Anime Expression Symbols. Japanese manga has developed its own visual language or iconography for expressing emotion and other internal character states. While this article addresses styles from both types of output, the emphasis here is on the manga origins for these styles.

The popular and recognizable style of manga is very distinctive. This drawing style has also migrated into anime, as many manga stories are adapted into television shows and films. Japanese manga has developed its own visual language or iconography for expressing emotion and other internal character states.