This can happen for various reasons: the character is thinking of something dreamy, yearning for something; that's just part of the design of the character; or, in rare cases, they just took damage somehow and the stars symbolize getting hurt.
Character: Tsukino Usagi 月野うさぎ
Anime: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon, 美少女戦士セーラームーン (Episode 1)
Anime: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon, 美少女戦士セーラームーン (Episode 1)
Examples
For reference, some examples:Temporary
When character's eyes turn into stars, they're probably thinking of something dreamy.
Character: Oginome Ringo 荻野目苹果
Anime: Mawaru Penguindrum, 輪るピングドラム (Episode 4)
Anime: Mawaru Penguindrum, 輪るピングドラム (Episode 4)
Single Eye
A star drawn in a single eye is used when a character is surprised, shocked, in disbelief, or when they're hurt by something.In western cartoons, the same effect is typically achieved by drawing stars floating over a character's head. This is related to the English phrase "seeing stars," which means seeing flashes of lights when you bump your head, for example.
Character: Delia Ketchum, Hanako ハナコ
Anime: Pokémon, ポケットモンスター (Episode 1)
Anime: Pokémon, ポケットモンスター (Episode 1)
- Context: Ash Ketchum's mother got electrocuted by his electric rat.
- Hair strands sticking out are another symbol typically used when characters are overwhelmed.
Character: Hoshizora Miyuki 星空みゆき
Anime: Smile Precure!, スマイルプリキュア! (Episode 39)
Anime: Smile Precure!, スマイルプリキュア! (Episode 39)
- Context: a shoe falls on Miyuki's head.
Character: Asagaya Minoa 阿佐ヶ谷未乃愛
Anime: Animegataris, Animegatarizu (Episode 3)
Anime: Animegataris, Animegatarizu (Episode 3)
- Context: Minoa is shocked by an unexpected development at the third episode.
Permanent
Some character designs feature star-shaped pupils which are permanent and most likely don't mean anything.
Character: Rekka Hoshimiya 烈火星宮
Anime: En'en no Shouboutai 炎炎ノ消防隊 (Episode 7)
Anime: En'en no Shouboutai 炎炎ノ消防隊 (Episode 7)
Wink
Sometimes a star comes out of a strong wink. This doesn't mean anything. It just looks cute.
Character: Mephisto Pheles メフィスト・フェレス
Anime: Ao no Exorcist, 青の祓魔師 (Episode 17)
Anime: Ao no Exorcist, 青の祓魔師 (Episode 17)
Four-Pointed
In anime, four-pointed stars are sparkles, and if they're in a character's eyes, those are sparkling eyes.
Character: Kise Yayoi 黄瀬やよい
Anime: Smile Precure!, スマイルプリキュア! (Episode 35)
Anime: Smile Precure!, スマイルプリキュア! (Episode 35)
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