Is the average anime character face an attractive protagonist?

Abstract

The composite average face is attractive. If the composite requires many faces, then the average face becomes more attractive than the individual faces. By contrast, distinctive faces that deviate from the average, such as those with large eyes, are also attractive. This study aimed to clarify whether the average face of male and female lead animated characters with exaggerated facial features is as attractive as the human face or whether the loss of these features through averaging results in a loss of attractiveness and main role character. Average faces were created at five levels of composites (2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 faces) and examined for differences in their attractiveness, main role, and supporting role. Multiple comparisons showed no considerable differences for male characters. For female characters, 2 faces were more attractive and more suitable for a main role than 4 or 8 faces. No trend in a particular direction, such as the more number of composites, the more attractive or less suitable for a leading role, was observed. However, for female characters, the largest number of faces (32) tended to have higher attractiveness level than the individual faces. For male and female characters, a positive correlation was found between attractiveness and the degree of main roles, and a negative correlation was found between the degree of main roles and the degree of supporting roles. The findings suggested that the main or supporting role is judged by some cues in the character's facial features.