Kaomoji: Japanese Emoticons

Kaomoji () is a popular Japanese emoticon style made up of Japanese characters and grammar punctuations, and are used
to express emotion in texting and cyber communication. The word kaomoji is also synonymous to be referred to as Japanese
emoticons. This concept is formed by the combination of two words in Kanji, kao ( face) and moji ( character).
Japanese are very emotional and creative nation. Therefore, in Japan emoticons are popular as nowhere in the world.
Japanese believe that eyes are the mirror of a human soul. Therefore, unlike Western emoticons where most attention is paid
to mouth, in Japanese emoticons the most important part are eyes. In addition, kaomoji are so popular because you dont have
to read them sideways.
Many Japanese are good at drawing because Japanese is the language of drawings. Anime and manga are vivid examples of how
closely the authors manage to convey a variety of emotions just by a set of a few simple lines.
In the beginning of internet and instant messaging lack of face-to-face talk resulted in mistakenly taking parodies and
humorous jokes the wrong way. Kaomoji is a result of manga and anime fans who wanted to correct those mistakes, avoid
awkward writing situations, and express words more creatively.
Japanese emoticons are extremely diverse. Some of Internet sources state the number of 10000 but, in fact, there are much
more of them. Such diversity may be explained by at least two factors:
unlike Cyrillic and Latin alphabets, which are usually written in single-byte character sets, Japanese writing requires a
minimum of double-byte sets with a wider scope of characters
kaomoji can express not only individual emotions, but also complex actions, objects, and even whole stories.
Japanese emoticons are divided into categories based on emotional component of a form, action or object. These emoticons
can also use some special characters for additional connotation.
On this website you can find an interesting collection of kawaii (cute) Japanese emoticons compiled from various (mostly
Japanese) internet sources. Since it is impossible to find and display all of them, we selected the most interesting and cute
ones, as well as added our own. In addition, we also developed an application for Android.
So! Feel free to use these Japanese emoticons. Mix and match the elements of different kaomoji and create your own
creative options!

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Kaomoji Categories
Positive Emotions
Joy
Love
Embarrassment

Negative Emotions
Dissatisfaction
Anger
Sorrow

Neutral Emotions
Indifference
Confusion
Doubt

Embarrassment
Sympathy

Sorrow
Fear

Various Actions

Doubt
Surprise

Animals

Greeting
Winking
Apologizing
Hiding
Writing
Running
Sleeping

Other Types

Cat
Bear
Dog
Rabbit
Pig
Bird
Fish

Friends
Enemies
Weapons
Cheers
Music
Games
Special

NEW!!! Japanese emoticons for Android The app supports Android 2.3 and up.
Kaomoji collection will be continually updated! If you want to know more about our project, have a look here.
Attention! All emoticons here use Japanese fonts. If some of them are not displayed correctly, adjust Asian language support
in your operating system.

Japanese Emoticons: Positive Emotions

Joy
If you want to create joyful, happy or laughing Japanese emoticons use high up eyes. For example, you can use these
characters: ^, , and `. Mouths are important too. Japanese girls often use character (omega) for mouths of their
emoticons, thinking that such kaomoji are cute, or, as they say, kawaii. You can also use , and other characters resembling
a smile. And Japanese also like to add different effects to kaomoji (stars, tears of joy, and so on) for better emphasis.
(*^^)

(*)

(--)

*:..o()o..:*

(o^^o)

()

<()>

.:*:'(**)))

()

( `)

()

;:;;( )

(oo)

()

(*)

(^^)

(o`o)

(*`*)

()

()

()

( `)

()

()

()

()

(*^^*)

(o^^o)

()

()

(**)

(((o(**)o)))

()

()

(oo)

('^)

(**)

()

()

(**)

( `)

( ` )

()

(*`*)

(><)

o()o

()

( )

()

(**)

()

()

(o_ _)

N
E
W

Kaomoji Collection
Latest update:(
09.05.2015
^^)

(oo)
Japanese emoticons
for Android
Current version: 1.1.7
Download the d(d)
App

(oo)

Love
Love and kissing Japanese emoticons often use character (heart) or its combination, for example, (air kiss). You can
also use a set of characters "chu" for a kiss (in Japan it means a sound of a kiss). Another interesting love emoticons feature
is an active presence of such characters as * or o, which mean "rousy cheeks" and are often used in combination with /, \, ,
and . This emoticons are trying to hide their faces in embarrassment. You can also use character (bow lips), which indicates
the desire to hug and kiss. Japanese girls often joke saying that such kaomoji look like perverts!

the desire to hug and kiss. Japanese girls often joke saying
that such kaomoji look like perverts!
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()

(_)

(-_-)

()

()

( `)

(*^^*)

(*'^*)chu

()
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like this website and want to
support it. Thank you! ()
(*)

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( )
(////)

()

( )

(/*)o

()

()

(--)

('^)

( `)

( )

( `)

( ` ).

(*`*)

(**)..:*

()

()

()

()

(* *)

(( )

(>( )

( )( )

(/^-^(^ ^*)/

Embarrassment
To show embarrassment, you can use character (something like a drop of sweat on a face), or characters for blush (*, o). In
addition, you can try to make your emoticon cover its face by its hands in embarrassment.
(_;)

(o^ ^o)

(*/)

(*/)

(*/_)

(*)

(o-_-o)

(*_)

( *)

(.)

(*`*)

(////)

(////)

(**)

(*^.^*)

(*)

(*)

( )

(*/*)

Sympathy
The expression of sympathy or compassion requires at least two Japanese emoticons: one of them will be upset about
something, and the other will calm him down. You can use kaomoji from "sorrow" category for the first type. A key element for
the second one will be "a calming hand" (", 'or ) or "shoulder of support" (see examples).
(_<)()

(`)( )

(--)(; )

(( )

(*I)()

(~_~(_ )

()()

( )(* )

(*)(`)

(--`( _ _ )

()()

(_)(_<)

Japanese Emoticons: Negative Emotions

Dissatisfaction
Dissatisfaction can be easily expressed by kaomoji's facial wrinkling. You can use characters for dissatisfied or
displeased Japanese emoticons. Additional wrinkles can be added by # character. You can also express dissatisfaction with
eyes like or and with a well-chosen mouth. Such techniques are quite common in anime and manga.
()

(_)

()

( |||)

()

()

(0)

()

(_;)

()

()

(;)

()

()

()

<( )>

()

()

(--_--)

()

( O)

()

o(>< )o

Anger
The secret of angry or evil emoticons is in their eyes. Use ` and or and . Just don't change the characters' order,
otherwise your angry emoticon will become friendly and kind (compare: ` - evil eyes, ` - kind eyes). In addition, you can add
"wrinkles" and their stronger forms: or and (middle finger) and (claws) as an arm. You can also use "evil grin" or
.
(`)

()

()

( `*)

()

()

()

()

()

()

()

()

()

()

(_)

()

()

()

()

()

( ` )

()

()

(())

()

( )

(`^)

Sorrow
Sad or crying emoticons are quite easy to create. Use , , > < and other characters for crying eyes. You can also use / \ or
to cover your face.
(_<)

(*-_-)

(--)

.().

(_)

(`)

(--)

()

o(TTo)

()

(3)

*(><)*

( _)

(_)

(,)

(><)

( )

(_)

(_)

.(_).

()

(_<)

()

()

(`*)

(T T)

()

(><)

(T_T)

(>_<)

()

(><)

o()o

Fear
For scared or frightened Japanese emoticons use forward and backward slashes and similar characters showing that they hide
their faces in fear. You can also try to show screaming, waving their arms and so on.
()

()

(_)

..()

()

(;;;*_*)

()

(_)

(/)

(/_)

()

(|||)

((()))

{{ (>_<) }}

( l|l)/

( )

Japanese Emoticons: Neutral Emotions

Indifference
You can make indifferent / whatever emoticons by adding special characters for arms ( or , and various combinations
with forward and backward slashes and related characters). You can use or for indifferent eyes.
(_ )

()

(` )

()

(_ )

()

(` )

()

()

()

(_)

()

()

()

()

_()_/

()

()

()

( )

Confusion
Use "blank eyes" . You can add or to strengthen the effect. The eyes like would be suitable too. Finally, you can
add such effects as thinking (), raising hands ( or ) and propping the head with an arm ( ).
(;)

()

(;)

(-_-;)

('`;)

(_

(;)

(_;)

(_)

(;)

(.;)

(_)

(;)

()

( ) ?

(
_
)?

( )

(;)

Doubt
For doubt Japanese emoticons use , or arrows. This will create the impression that their eyes look toward as if they
hear a lie.
(_)

(_)

( )

( )

(_ )

(_)

( )

( )

(_)

(_)

Surprise
For shocked and surprised emoticons use mouth wide open (, , ), surprised eyes (O O, ) and raised hands. You can also
add character (sharp jerk) or some cofusion (character ). Furthermore, you can try to use big eyes in combination with small
mouth (for contrast).
w()w

()

(O_O)

()

(_)

(o_O)

(O_O;)

(O.O)

() !

(o_O) !

(_)

(_)

(O_O;)

Japanese Emoticons: Various Actions

Greeting
For greeting (and farewell) Japanese emoticons you can use forward and backward slashes as a standard. However, there are a
few more interesting options, such as or . And if you want your emoticon to wave its hand, try to use , and their various
combinations with the "tilde".
(*)

()

()/

(*)

(^-^*)/

(`)

( `)

()

(*''*)

()

()

( ` )

(^^)

~()

()

(^^*)

(*)

(_)

(o`o)

('')

()/

()

()

(o^ ^o)/

()/

()

()

(o^ ^o)/

()/

()/

(o`o)

()/

Winking
Winking Japanese emoticons look cute and they are quite easy to be made. Just use different characters for left and right
eye.
(^_~)

( )

(^_-)

(^~)

(>^)

(~^)

(^_-)

( -_)

(^_<)

(^<)

( )

()

(^_<)

(^_)

(<)

Apologizing
In Japan, when expressing apology, it is common to perform a traditional bow. Therefore, apologizing Japanese emoticons are
created this way. Use lowered eyes (_ _ or . .). If the bow is performed from a sitting position, you can use m m for the eyes.
Otherwise, use characters < > for shoulders.
m(_ _)m

(_ _)

m(. .)m

<(_ _)>

(_ _*)

(*_ _)

m(_ _;m)

(m;_ _)m

(. .)

Hiding
Using character | for hiding emoticons makes them look like if they are peeping from behind the wall hiding from somebody.
|)

(_|

|)

(|

|)

|_))

|//)

(_

|)

Writing
Character looks good as a pen, if you want to make writing emoticons. You can also add a few underscores or dots to show
the process of writing itself.
__()

( )__

__()

__(;)

( `)__

__( )

....(*)

___()

( ^^)__

....()....

( . .)__

__()

Running
You can create running Japanese emoticons by adding special motion effects. Among available charactrers are , =, and C.
(o*)

C= C= C= C= C=(;)

=((( )

====(;)

==( >_<)

C= C= C= C=()

===()

(;)=3=3=3

()

Sleeping

Use zzZ for snoring. You can also put your sleeping emoticon on a pillow [ ]. Simple as that!
[()]..zzZ

(_) zzZ

()zzZ

() zzZ

(o) zzZZzzZZ

(( _ _ ))..zzzZZ

()..zzZZ

(.)...zzz

( *) Z z z

(x . x) ~~zzZ

Japanese Emoticons: Animals

Cat
Japanese believe that cats are insanely cute creatures. This explains a variety of anime and manga fetishes: cat ears and tail,
saying "nyaa~" (nyaa - "meow" in Japanese) and other kawaii things. Therefore, it's not a surprise that in kaomoji main animals
are cats. So, if you want your emoticon to become a nice kitty, use = = for its mustache and ^ ^ for the ears.
(=^^=)

(=^^=)

(==)

( ==)..nyaa

(==)

(==)

(=^^=)

( ==)

(==)

(=^ ^=)

(=^--^=)

(==)

( )

(/ ==)/

Bear
Japanese bear emoticons are easy to identify by their special snout ().
(())

(*()*)

(())

(())

(())

(())

(())

(())

(())

(/-()-)

(/())/

Dog
The secret of dog emoticons is in the ears . Use these characters instead of brackets.

^^

U^^U

Rabbit
Its not a secret that rabbits are extremely cute animals. And emoticons are able to make them even cuter. You can use x for
your rabbits face and slashes for its ears.
( x )

( )

(=x`=)

(= x =)

(^ ^)

()

(^ x ^)

Pig
You can use (), (OO) or () for a pig nose. Add it to your emoticon and you'll get a funny cute pig.
((00))

(())

((00))

((oo))

((00)`)

((00))

Bird

((oo))

Bird
For bird japanese emoticons and their mouths (beaks) you can use such characters as or . This is the main idea.
()

(`)

()

()

()

()

()

()

Fish
Fish and seafood is an inevitable part of Japanese life. That's why fish and sea creatures emoticons are quite popular too. You
can use << or for a tail, and )) for the gills.
()#))<<

< )))><<

)))

())<<

>^)))<

( )

>))))

Japanese Emoticons: Other Types

Friends
If you want to describe friends and friendship, the best way is to make your Japanese emoticons holding each others hands.
You can use , , and . Although, there are other suitable characters. You can try to find them.
()()

( )( )

( o)(- )

(*^^)()(-- )

()()

((*)

( )(=^^= )

()(o^ ^o)

(*)(*)

*:():

o(^^o)(o^^o)(o^^o)(o^^)o

((((()))))

(((())))

()()

( )( )

()())

(((**)(**)))

(*)(`*)

Enemies
The concept of "enemy" here is used in a joking manner. Just try to describe how your emoticon kicks his opponent, or anything
like that. You can use special effects like , , and for emphasis. You can also use x x for the eyes of unconscious
emoticons. All the rest is your creative approach.
( )_( `)

(*)(>_<)

( )(o _ _)o

(*0)()

(oo )...(*x_x)

()=(#))

(; -_-)C<_-)

( )()

((#)o(///)

(>_<) |=0(^^ )

(>_<) o()

,,((( )_ _( ))),,

() ( l|l)/

() /(. . )

(_'')()

/( ..) () /(.. /)

(-.-).((((((((((((~* ( >_<)

!!( )_0)/

(*)O-(Q)

Weapons
Rifle , sniper rifle , shotgun , gun , laser --------, chain , bow D------ ,
bomb (((((((((*, syringe |=0, pepper spray ~~~~~, jo-jo ~~~~~~~~~~, boomerang (( ((, spear , grabber
C, sword _, magic |||, boxing gloves QQ.
( )--------

(/-_)/D------

(^^)(((((((((*

( --)~~~~~

(/) (( ((

|=0(^^ )

(^^ )

(; _)C

( _)|||

(^^ )

(; _)C

( _)|||

(*)/~~~~~~~~~~

o(-)

(T_T)

((( )_

()

( -)

()

Q(Q)

Cheers
Japanese like to drink very much! You can use , , and similar characters (for example, simply []) for this purpose. And
for hot drinks (tea, coffee) just add ~~ (steam) characters.
(*) (*)

(*)( )

( o^ ^o) (*)

( )[] []( )

( *^^)o*o(^^* )

( ^^)_~~ ~~U_(^^ )

(*) (*)

Music
Japanese emoticons can also describe musical aspects of life (singing, dancing, listening to music, etc.). You can just add
character to your kaomoji or change its hands position (if you want to make it dance).
()

()

()

()

(o`)

()

(^^)

(/_ _ )/

((db))

(-))

(()

()

()

()

()

()

()/**.

(^_^)

Games
Japanese can describe even games and sports through kaomoji. Here are a few examples: tennis, ping pong, volleyball,
basketball, ball, boxing, kendo, fishing, bowling, playing video games. Try to find out what is what.
( ^^)p_____|_o____q(^^ )

(o^)/ (^o)

!(;o)o/~ >))))

(^o^)(^o^)

(_^)(^_)

"( (|))_ _((|) )"

( -_-)_ VS _(^-^)

(^ ^) ...___

(=O*_*)=O Q(*_*Q)

(^)

Special
No specific category emoticons are added here. So each of them has special description.
(*)

waking up

(^)

military salutation

()

facepalm

()

throwing table in anger

(-) ( )

taking table and going mad

( _ )

putting table back

(oT-T)

surrender

(
)

meme / Lenny face

(_)

meme / look of disapproval

(_)

meme / look of disapproval

o()y~~

smoking

()

hungry

( )

eating

()

yummy

(x(x_(x_x(O_o)x_x)_x)x)

alive among zombies

()

pointing

(.)o-TV

watching TV

()

catching umbrella in the rain

(*ii)

nose bleed

(*)

nose bleed (alternative)

( )( )()

emm... try to figure out what he's doing

Japanese Emoticons for Android

Our official app for Android. Being a part of our project's soul, it is easy to use, fully functional and unlimitedly kawaii! And it
brings kaomoji communication to a brand new level! ()
Hope you'll enjoy our app and we'll be grateful for your ratings and reviews on Google Play, as by doing so you can help the app
not only to compete and survive, but to tell the world about this kawaii collection of Japanese emoticons!
Download Japanese emoticons for Android
If you want to support the project, you can download a paid version of the app. It is ad-free. ()

Download Japanese emoticons for Android (paid version)

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