Ahoge - an art question

[linkdragon0]

I've been using ahoge (idiot hairs for those of you who don't know they're they hair that sticks up like a cowleck. Konata from lucky star has one so do many other characters from various shows) for a lot of my characters recently, it seems to give them a more complete look, but is also stuck with the idea that the character is well... An idiot.

I don't like that idea and none of my characters are truly idiots, so, I was wondering if any of you out there that draw use ahoge on your non-idiotic characters.

I generally use it to give a touch of cuteness to female characters, and a sense of messiness to males. But i've never actually used it for an idiotic character.

[Catoni15]

I really had no idea what an "ahoge" really was until I looked into it some just now. So that's what that bit of hair is, yeah? Hehe.

Nah, I can't say I really use it for any of my characters. But, honestly, I wouldn't get too wrapped up about something like that, either. From what I read just now "ahoge" can also be used for characters who aren't just idiots (or fools) but somebody who might be a bit mischievous, or even playful.

It's certainly possible to try and use it as a way to throw off your audience a bit. They may see it, think the character could be stupid and then, by the characters actions, thoughts, personality, etc., can defy this. It's another route if you wanna handle it like that.

I'd also suggest not giving so many characters ahoges (is that the proper plural for it? XD;). If you have problems trying to get "complete" looks then try looking up different hairstyles. Searching the internet can be good for this. This link might help, too:

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AnimeHair

That one's specifically about anime hair. Not everybody likes, or would turn to, TV Tropes, but I personally think it's a good place to start. They break it down by each kind of hair and, who knows? Might see something you like. There's also an index for hair in general:

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HairTropes


Whether it's hair, or clothes or anything there's one thing you should really remember: No matter how you do something people will always have their own intepretation of your stuff. You can't help what other people think of, or how they translate your details. The best thing to do is go with yourself on things like this.

Don't know if that helped at all or it I just ended up rambling. XDD;;

[Dark]

To tell the truth, I don't like ahoge with my characters. Then again, that's just a style interpretation. It's not appropriate for the work I am working on, so thus I do not include it. As the person above said, it's a style preference, so it's up to you if you want to include them or not.

It all depends on what kind of feel you want to go for.

[linkdragon0]

Okay. I was trying to find some opinions on ahoge, I guess not a lot of people put ahoge on their characters.

Also, linking to TVTropes can be a bad idea... TVTropes can ruin your life. (Is a troper.)

Anyway, thanks for the opinions, if anyone else wants to share feel free.

[Nanashiko]

It all depends on the size I think. I think the more larger and easily noticed it is. The more it is probably being used to show the character is an idiot. Though there are several I have seen used in games that seem to be more for show than them being stupid. For example there was a recently released Visual Novel Dating sim Koiiro Soramoyou (http://www.studio-ryokucha.com/koisora/index.html) where several characters seem to have a slight ahoge to them. That from what I have read (I haven't played it yet mind you) from reviews aren't really that dumb.

[linkdragon0]

Well one girl has two small ones, the MC has one but it's what I call a "blade ahoge" where it goes backwards and looks like a ice skate blade. (sorta)

But that's it.

Anyway, i'd like to ask if anyone likes characters with ahoge.

[nagirinara]

Yes, I do. A few characters pull it off adorably, like Alfred Jones.

[linkdragon0]

Yes, I do. A few characters pull it off adorably, like Alfred Jones.

Leave it to the Hetalia fan. XD

I personally thing it can make certain girls adorable (coughnagisacough) and can give a guy a messy look without a lot of work.

They can get annoying if EVERYONE has them.

[sake-bento]

I don't think it means the character is an idiot. It means the character has a tuft of hair there. Sometimes characters make a big deal out of it (like in Pani Poni Dash), but I'm pretty sure Saber from Fate/Stay also has an ahoge, and I doubt anyone would think of her as an idiot character (Sader, on the other hand...). Just do what you think makes the design look right.

[nagirinara]

Yes, I do. A few characters pull it off adorably, like Alfred Jones.

Leave it to the Hetalia fan. XD

I personally thing it can make certain girls adorable (coughnagisacough) and can give a guy a messy look without a lot of work.

They can get annoying if EVERYONE has them.

Yeah, I know, sorry. =^.^= Yeah, if everyone had them though, it'd be some kind of sick epidemic. It also depends, I think, on what exactly you consider ahoge. Is it just the little cow-lick tufts or do single hairs that always out count as well?

[linkdragon0]

If I could access my internet i'd show you what I mean, but I was thinking mainly single hairs that can just be a tiny line or thick, but it's supposed to be a single hair.

I prefer the thick look than the thin line.

[nagirinara]

Hmm, well, we'll have to see then at some point. =^.^= I don't really have a preference for hair (or ahoge for that matter), but it's always interesting finding out others' opinions.

[linkdragon0]

Okay, here are the characters I'm talking about.

Yeah, they're taken from my sketchbook with my phone... Don't complain. XD

[LVUER]

You mean the antenna thing? I use it on most of my characters, I don't know why but I like it ^_^

[nagirinara]

Ah, I see. It's quite cute on the girl, but it seems a little out of place on the male, not sure why though. <--- could be my inexperienced opinion