Anime fans know that the world of anime is absolutely packed with recurring themes, tropes, conventions, and running jokes, from "hammerspace" to mishaps at the hot springs to magical girls and exaggerated vein marks to show anger. There is another recurring visual theme: having a character whose eyes are always closed.
At first, it may seem odd for someone to go about their daily life with both eyes shut, but anime fans have gotten used to these characters never showing their eyes. In fact, these characters would look strange or even unrecognizable if they did open their eyes. Such characters come in a remarkable variety, too, from angels to demons and knights. Who never opens their eyes, or almost never opens them?
10 Brock Is A Ladies' Man With A Rock Pokémon Theme (Pokémon)
Ash Ketchum's friend, Brock, is known for several things: his Rock-type Pokémon team, his fondness for attractive women, his big-brother personality, his cheap jokes (at least in the dub), and most of all, how he simply never opens his eyes. Ever since the late 1990s, he's kept them shut.
Despite keeping his eyes closed at all times, though, Brock is a highly expressive fellow, and he has long since been a fan favorite. By now, there have been more than a few memes and jokes online about his eyes, but he doesn't mind at all.
9 Lucoa, Or Quetzalcoatl, Rarely Opens Her Mismatched Eyes (Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid)
Lucoa actually does open her eyes once in a while, but for the most part, she keeps them closed, hiding just how remarkable those eyes of hers really are. Lucoa's eyes are mismatched, and they have intense, highly detailed colors that some people may find dazzling, even captivating.
Lucoa isn't primarily known for her mismatched eyes, though. She has a reputation for her extremely large bust, her playful attitude, and her friendly relationship with the young Shota. She is also a friend of Tohru the dragon, though they sometimes annoy each other a bit.
8 Shino Okuchi Likes To Observe Her Friends (Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens)
Shino is a side character in the Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maiden series, though she certainly is distinct for always having her eyes closed. Not even her eye color is known. And despite having her eyes shut at all times, she is an observant person and likes to take note of what her fellow art club members are like.
In particular, Shino is good friends with her fellow art club member Takako Kimura, and she also has a keen interest in how exactly Jin Mikuriya interacts with the goddess Nagi. Perhaps Jin will even fall in love with Nagi, and Shino would only be more than happy to watch over their budding relationship.
7 Serpico Usually Keeps His Eyes Closed, Even In Combat (Berserk)
Serpico first appeared during the Conviction arc of the original Berserk manga series, and he also appeared in the 2016-17 anime adaptation of the series. He was first seen with the Holy Iron Chain Knights together with his half-sister Farnese, and he usually kept his eyes closed during his duty.
From time to time, Serpico will open his eyes if he is serious enough, but for the most part, he keeps them closed, and he has a gentlemanly aura to match. All this gives him a rather harmless appearance, though he is highly skilled and is far from defenseless.
6 Gin Ichimaru's Face Is Like A Mask (Bleach)
Captain Gin Ichimaru of squad 3 is widely mistrusted, since he is a mysterious fellow who never shows his true emotions or intentions. His face is always set in the same expression, including his permanent smug grin and his closed eyes. Thus, he is absolutely unreadable, and that makes everyone uneasy.
On top of all that, Gin always speaks in the same sing-song sarcastic voice no matter what, which makes him even more difficult to read. Once in a while, he will open one of his eyes during battle, but that is rare. For the most part, he has the expression of a cunning fox.
5 Archangel Ludociel Is A Mighty Holy Warrior (The Seven Deadly Sins)
One of the four archangels is the powerhouse Ludociel, who has taken it upon himself to slay all demons by his own hand when necessary. Although he doesn't open his eyes, he can see his demonic enemies just fine, and they all soon learn to fear him.
Ludociel can easily take on any of the Ten Commandments on his own, and he is also capable of possessing humans, if he must. He once took over Margaret's body, and while in that form, his eyes were open and had the distinct pattern of angels.
4 N'Doul Relied On Sound To Fight Jotaro (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
During the Stardust Crusaders story arc, Jotaro Kujo and his allies arrived in Egypt, only for a deadly Stand user to attack them in the Saharan dunes. N'Doul, the blind Stand user, relied mainly on sound to track and attack Jotaro and the members of the Speedwagon Foundation, and it was scarily effective.
However, Jotaro found an angle. He made use of Iggy, a canine Stand user, and outmaneuvered N'Doul's senses to get close and deal a serious blow to end the fight. N'Doul, who recognized defeat, then took his own life.
3 Yahaba Only Needed The Eyes On His Palms (Demon Slayer)
Yahaba is a demon whose design is based on creatures from real-life Japanese mythology, mainly in regard to the eyes on his palms. Yahaba keeps the eyes on his face closed at all times, and instead uses the eyes on his hands to track his enemies and use his supernatural abilities.
During battle, Yahaba can create arrows to force a person, whether friend or foe, to move in the direction in which that arrow is facing, or he can use this ability on Susamaru's temari balls to speed them up. Tanjiro Kamado had to really push himself to overcome Yahaba's abilities.
2 Yuriko Nishinotouin Doesn't Need Her Eyes To Gamble (Kakegurui)
Yuriko dresses elegantly in a kimono and belongs to Hyakkou Academy's traditional culture research club, and she is also a member of the student council. She is a refined and influential student at this unusual high school, but she also has her savage side. Most students at this gambling school do.
Yuriko gambled with Yumeko Jabami, and although Yuriko won through sheer chance, Yuriko was shaken by the experience, and she has been afraid of Yumeko ever since. She has lost her nerve.
1 Lord Yomi Lost His Sight, But Not His Combat Skills (Yu Yu Hakusho)
The demon plane had been dominated by three lords for many years now: Mukuro, Raizen (Yusuke Urameshi's ancestor), and Yomi. Eventually, Yusuke became directly involved. Although Yusuke and Yomi were opponents during the final tournament, they respected one another greatly.
Yomi lost his eyes years ago when he faced another demon in battle, and he has since learned that arrogance will cost him greatly. He is now humble and soft-spoken, but he is still vastly powerful and isn't afraid to prove it in battle. His and Yusuke's final clash was intense.