<p>80% sure this originates from NES/SNES era computergames, with JRPG's in particular. </p>

<p>Those characters were so small in size that they couldn't do any facial expressions with them, because the characters didn't have a mouth.</p>

<p>Same thing with the popping vein. The question is with which video game this started.</p>

<p>Oldest example known so for far is of Super Mario World November 1990, near the end of the final battle it shows on the bowser's flying machine. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-17T15:46:12.507Z
2016-01-17T15:46:12.507Z
user20497
<p>The markings originated from some angry Japanese fudal lord don't remember which one, but his face was used for some samurai masks. They are typically used to show anger and/or announce. If anyone can name both the lord and mask specifically it would help lots probably.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-30T11:31:43.797Z
Please include relevant sources/references to support your answer.
W. Are
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-29T22:25:46.903Z
2020-04-29T22:25:46.903Z
Will
<p><a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage" rel="noreferrer">TVTropes</a> calls it the &quot;<a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CrossPoppingVeins" rel="noreferrer">Cross-Popping Veins</a>&quot;, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga_iconography#Head_and_face" rel="noreferrer">Wikipedia</a> as well as other blogs and sources seem to be comfortable backing up that term. Other terms include &quot;Bulging Vein&quot; or &quot;# Mark&quot;.</p>
<p>As their name suggests, they were inspired by a physiological effect many people have; when they become excessively angry or tense, their blood pressure rises and muscle tension builds, forcing veins to the surface.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Angry characters may exhibit a &quot;vein&quot; or &quot;stress mark&quot; effect, where lines representing bulging veins will appear on their forehead. (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime#Facial_expressions" rel="noreferrer">Wikipedia</a>)</p>
<p>In real life, bulging veins are usually a sign of physiological changes, such as aging or diseases. Strong emotion pumps blood faster, thus making it more protrudent. (<a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CrossPoppingVeins" rel="noreferrer">TVTropes</a>)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Obviously, the cross- or Y-shaped markings are oversimplified and cartoon-like versions of these veins, but are still representative of this reaction.</p>
<p>The first use of this icon does not seem to be recorded, nor why it seems to have become popular enough as a symbol of anime that even anime knockoffs will use it. The tropes article I mentioned has a documented list of where it's appeared over the years; however, it does remain possible that even the most dated entry in that list is not the original usage of the icon.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-23T16:22:22.103Z
2013-02-23T16:27:41.640Z
2020-06-17T09:17:53.303Z
Cattua
<p>We've all seen it many times... When someone gets angry or annoyed, the angry symbol (shown below) shows up one or more times in and around the person's head.</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/jDfXy.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<ul>
<li>Where did it come from?</li>
<li>How did it get popularized?</li>
<li>Is there a proper term for it?</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-23T16:21:06.320Z
It is known as [Cross Popping Veins](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CrossPoppingVeins). The characters are so angry their blood is grimacing. I don't know the answers to the other questions.
Masked Man
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-25T10:36:09.207Z
See also [this answer](http://anime.stackexchange.com/a/360/15).
Alenanno
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-22T18:12:44.190Z
I'm going to mention that it's highly reminiscent of Kanada, a style that was retconned by key animator Yoshinori Kanada. I've seen it's earliest usages from [Birth (1984)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_(anime)).
Alice Myers
<tropes>
How did the angry symbol originate?
# How did the angry symbol originate?
Posted by: username_0 on 2013-02-23
We've all seen it many times... When someone gets angry or annoyed, the angry symbol (shown below) shows up one or more times in and around the person's head.

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/jDfXy.jpg)

* Where did it come from?
* How did it get popularized?
* Is there a proper term for it?
**Tags:** tropes
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: It is known as [Cross Popping Veins](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CrossPoppingVeins). The characters are so angry their blood is grimacing. I don't know the answers to the other questions.  
> **username_2**: See also [this answer](http://anime.stackexchange.com/a/360/15).  
> **username_3**: I'm going to mention that it's highly reminiscent of Kanada, a style that was retconned by key animator Yoshinori Kanada. I've seen it's earliest usages from [Birth (1984)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_(anime)).  
---
## 3 answers
### Answer by username_7 on 2013-02-23. Score: 17 | Accepted answer
[TVTropes](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage) calls it the "[Cross-Popping Veins](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CrossPoppingVeins)", and [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga_iconography#Head_and_face) as well as other blogs and sources seem to be comfortable backing up that term. Other terms include "Bulging Vein" or "# Mark".

As their name suggests, they were inspired by a physiological effect many people have; when they become excessively angry or tense, their blood pressure rises and muscle tension builds, forcing veins to the surface.

> Angry characters may exhibit a "vein" or "stress mark" effect, where lines representing bulging veins will appear on their forehead. ([Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime#Facial_expressions))
>
> In real life, bulging veins are usually a sign of physiological changes, such as aging or diseases. Strong emotion pumps blood faster, thus making it more protrudent. ([TVTropes](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CrossPoppingVeins))

Obviously, the cross- or Y-shaped markings are oversimplified and cartoon-like versions of these veins, but are still representative of this reaction.

The first use of this icon does not seem to be recorded, nor why it seems to have become popular enough as a symbol of anime that even anime knockoffs will use it. The tropes article I mentioned has a documented list of where it's appeared over the years; however, it does remain possible that even the most dated entry in that list is not the original usage of the icon.
---
### Answer by username_4 on 2016-01-17. Score: 3
80% sure this originates from NES/SNES era computergames, with JRPG's in particular.

Those characters were so small in size that they couldn't do any facial expressions with them, because the characters didn't have a mouth.

Same thing with the popping vein. The question is with which video game this started.

Oldest example known so for far is of Super Mario World November 1990, near the end of the final battle it shows on the bowser's flying machine.
---
### Answer by username_5 on 2020-04-29. Score: 0
The markings originated from some angry Japanese fudal lord don't remember which one, but his face was used for some samurai masks. They are typically used to show anger and/or announce. If anyone can name both the lord and mask specifically it would help lots probably.
> **Comments:**
> **username_6** (2020-04-30): Please include relevant sources/references to support your answer.  
---
