Relicanth: Does it ever open its eyes? o.0;

[Psycho]

True, but we must remember that Pokemon aren't exactly like real-life animals. Examples are Goldeen and Tentacool (it blinks in its Crystal Version animation)

Actually they are, and I could go in depth on their bases, but we have another thread with that very purpose. Most of the fish-based Pokemon are effected by that one factor in contrast to real life fish. Goldeen, as we can see does have eyelids (thus an exception), even when it doesn't blink; whereas Seaking has the same expression. Tentacool isn't even a fish. >_>

I say that Relicanth's eyes are drawn in slits - a common eye design within animation that is used to add variety.

Psycho

 

[Persona]

good question.... i dunno O.o maybe kohei is correct, but i never heard of that statement.though it does make sense.

 

[Supreme Edgeboy Max]

|shrugs| This'll be going on for a while, with all the ideas we all have.

And slit'eyes are now a stereotypical thing now are they? Most anime characters have BIG eyes, is this irony, or Japanese wannabe'ness for larger eyes? o o;

 

[Natsuki]

You know, for the longest time I thought that little red dot was its eye. o__O Total blonde moment there. XD

Aaanyway, it could be based on the real-life animal it represents - one would think that to be the most logical answer. It could also just be the way the artist drew the character, who really knows. XD

~Kelsey

 

[Psycho]

And slit'eyes are now a stereotypical thing now are they? Most anime characters have BIG eyes, is this irony, or Japanese wannabe'ness for larger eyes? o o;

Yes, Slit eyes have been a stereotypical form of Asian eyes for quite some time. I'm certain that you all know by now that anime characters have big eyes due to the Japanese stereotype of Westerners. If you don't, allow me to explain: One of the most common styles within anime is known as the "Large eyes" which is depicted in many anime characters. This is due to due to the influence of Osamu Tezuka, who was inspired by the exaggerated features of Western Disney cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse and Bambi. He felt that giving his characters large eyes would help to better portray their emotions. His style caught on and became quite popular.

There are various other types of eyes, such as: The Ecentric Eye, The Middle-of-the-Road Eye, The Comic Eye, Slit Eyes, ect. Eyes can be drawn based off of gender, character, or overall appearance (large eyes just aren't suitable for some characters). Don't always be so quick to commit a argumentum ad populum/argumentum ad numerum, or in other words, assume.

Edit: It's common for artists to be creative with their characters, to create mixture rather than a ennui.

Aaanyway, it could be based on the real-life animal it represents - one would think that to be the most logical answer. It could also just be the way the artist drew the character, who really knows. XD

I like both of your answers; presumably the most punctilious from my perspective. =D

Psycho

 

[Supreme Edgeboy Max]

So wouldn't this imply that the Relicanth might just have its eyes like that, not because the artist felt like it, but the artist drew them like so 'cause there's some other reason, that Relicanth is supposed to look that way?

 

[Taemin]

I wonder the same thing about Brock.... ^^;
I think Relicath's eyes are open.... but...thats just me. I don't really know how that works, since they look closed...but...still....

 

[Psycho]

So wouldn't this imply that the Relicanth might just have its eyes like that, not because the artist felt like it, but the artist drew them like so 'cause there's some other reason, that Relicanth is supposed to look that way?

Affirmative, there are a plethora of factors that could affect how something appears. However, there are also a plethora of anime techniques, and various ways for designing specific body components. Things aren't always as they appear.

Psycho

 

[Iron Tiff]

Wow, I didn't even think of several of these possibilities! XD Shows how simple-minded I can be at times... *shrugs* I wonder what it would look like with its eyes fully opened...

 

[Supreme Edgeboy Max]

Wow, I didn't even think of several of these possibilities! XD Shows how simple-minded I can be at times... *shrugs* I wonder what it would look like with its eyes fully opened...

I think it'd probably have small eyes, so it matches the small slitlike eyes it has now.