<p>This trope is called <a href="https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ReflectionlessUselessEyes" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Reflectionless Useless Eyes</a>, and the origin can be found in its parallel/sister trope <a href="https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MindControlEyes" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mind Control Eyes</a>.</p>
<p>Outside of films and animation, a common &quot;symptom&quot; of hypnotism (a mental state in which somebody is entranced, such as mind control or under a spell) is enlarged/dilated pupils. This condition would generally off an appearance of the individuals eyes being completely black. In some cases, they could also have a completely white appearance indicating their eyes-rolling to the back of their head.</p>
<p>Within films and animation, this is replicated for a visual benefit for the audience. This can be seen in dull-blank eyes, as in your example, or swirling spiraled  pupils.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-01T17:53:56.620Z
2021-02-01T17:53:56.620Z
Wondercricket
<p>When a character is unconcious or possessed by some supernatural entity, it often loses their highlights in their eyes.<br />
Here is an example from the Sailor Moon R movie.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/zwJI5.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/zwJI5.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/tZtEl.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/tZtEl.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>Where does this trope originate from?</p>

<tropes>
Where does the "No highlights on the eyes" trope come from?
# Where does the "No highlights on the eyes" trope come from?
Posted by: username_0 on 2021-02-01
When a character is unconcious or possessed by some supernatural entity, it often loses their highlights in their eyes.  
Here is an example from the Sailor Moon R movie.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/zwJI5.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/zwJI5.jpg)[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/tZtEl.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/tZtEl.jpg)

Where does this trope originate from?
**Tags:** tropes
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## 1 answers
### Answer by username_1 on 2021-02-01. Score: 1 | Accepted answer
This trope is called [Reflectionless Useless Eyes](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ReflectionlessUselessEyes), and the origin can be found in its parallel/sister trope [Mind Control Eyes](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MindControlEyes).

Outside of films and animation, a common "symptom" of hypnotism (a mental state in which somebody is entranced, such as mind control or under a spell) is enlarged/dilated pupils. This condition would generally off an appearance of the individuals eyes being completely black. In some cases, they could also have a completely white appearance indicating their eyes-rolling to the back of their head.

Within films and animation, this is replicated for a visual benefit for the audience. This can be seen in dull-blank eyes, as in your example, or swirling spiraled pupils.
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