Abstract
Opposing facial features between animated villains and heroes have historically been
used to demonstrate contrasting morality between characters, and this could have an
impact on how humans view someone as good or evil in everyday life. Studies have been
done investigating classic dermatologic features of villainous characters. This principle
can be applied to nasal features as well. A search for “top animated characters” was
performed. Characters were chosen from American Film Institute's “The Top Tens,” Rolling
Stone's “25 Best Pixar Movie Characters,” and Screenrant's “The 30 Best Animated Movie
Characters of All Time.” Twenty villains and twenty hero counterparts from respective
films were chosen. Classic nasal features were analyzed. Twenty villains (14 male,
6 female) and 20 heroes (12 male, 8 female) were analyzed. Sixteen villains (80%)
had greater than normal nasal frontal angle versus 18 heroes (90%). Thirteen villains
(65%) had an acute nasolabial angle versus two heroes (10%). Two villains (10%) had
excess columellar show versus seven heroes (35%). Seven villains (35%) and one hero
(5%) had a dorsal hump. Twelve villains (60%) had an overprojected chin versus three
heroes (15%). Villains in pre-2000s films more frequently had a dorsal hump, overprojected
chin, ptotic tip, pollybeak deformity, and bulbous tip. Heroes in pre-2000s films
more frequently had an overrotated tip. Villains and heroes commonly have a greater
than normal nasofrontal angle. Villains more commonly have an acute nasolabial angle,
underrotated tip, overprojected chin, dorsal hump, and pollybeak deformity. Heroes
more commonly have a large nasolabial angle and overrotated tip. Further research
in conjunction with psychologists is required to obtain concrete data on how this
affects whether an individual in real life is seen as good or evil, and the impact
this has on interactions in society, including in the medical field.
Keywords
nasal analysis - nasal characteristics - animated characters - character design
