Gesugao

Gesugao (ゲス顔) is a Japanese term describing a type of facial expression in anime and manga which depicts evilness, malice and sadism. Although the exact origin of the face is unknown, the aesthetic associated with the Gesugao face was developed during the late 2010s, with many Manga Music Videos (MMVs) featuring these types of faces and visuals. It especially gained meme status in 2018 and 2019, when the YouTuber Ms. Pantsu uploaded an AMV for the song "U Got That" by Halogen. The video itself depicted various manga panels from the Kantai Collection series, which featured Ship Girl characters doing Gesugao faces. The aesthetic used in the video quickly became popular due to the cliché nature of the facial expressions, as well as its other intimidating visuals.
==History==
===Origins===
While the exact origin of Gesugao is not known, it is thought to have been popularized in Nico Nico Douga when an user uploaded a video featuring various variations of the face. The video was published on May 24th, 2013 and featured characters from the Touhou Project series Gesugao | KnowYourMeme.com.
===MMVs & Memes===
After 2013, its popularity continued to grow in websites like Danbooru, Tumblr, FunnyJunk and Urban Dictionary. However it wasn't until September 2018 when the aesthetic associated with Gesugao faces became a thing; that day, a group of anonymous 4chan users made a thread about the Gesugao aesthetic. Finally, the 18th of October of 2018, a YouTuber known as "Ms. Pantsu" uploaded a MMV video featuring the song "U Got That" by Halogen. The video soon enough became a viral meme, and many other users in YouTube, Pinterest and Tumblr followed the trend, making more MMVs and edits. The aesthetic also went through a revival during 2022-2023 when Drift Phonk and Ragecore music went viral on TikTok, as some artists started to incorporate it into their song cover arts and MVs.
==Visuals==
The visuals of Gesugao MMVs (Manga Music Videos) involve various elements. 
*Animated manga panels
*Exaggerated evil facial expressions: Gesugao expressions are often described as "warped and evil". The characters' faces are exaggerated enough to portray sadism and malice. Additionally, many Gesugao faces also involve evil smirks and smugness.
*Glowing eyes: Gesugao edits are often black and white, with the exception of the eyes of the characters (which are highlighted in a neon color). The most used color is red, but others like blue, green, pink or yellow have also been used.
*Sharp eyes (including cat eyes)
*Chains and expanded metal: These elements are usually seen in the backgrounds of the edits.
*Violence: Due to the evil nature of this aesthetic, violent elements are often seen in the edits such as blood splatters or weaponry.
*Dark shadows
*Scanline filters
*Glitchy effects
==Media==
===Anime & Manga===
*Kantai Collection
*Azur Lane
*Kakegurui
*Don't Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro
*The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated!
===Video Games===
*Helltaker
*Genshin Impact
===Manga Music Videos (MMVs)===
*U Got That by Ms. Pantsu
*K-On Animation by Ms. Pantsu
*Welcome by Ms. Pantsu
*Linius & Kordas - Black Bimmer (KEAN DYSSO Remix) by GradNC
*TMM TMM (Ilkay Sencan Remix) by Spirit of GOD
*t.A.T.u - All The Things She Said (Fernando Garibay Remix) by Hilzu
*4ЯR - Hide by GrandNC
*TMM TMM (Ilkay Sencan Remix) by Shizy
*MMV - KEAN DYSSO - Plain Jane by Hilzu (mild NSFW/suggestive content warning)
===MMV Creators===
*Ms. Pantsu
*GradNC
*Spirit of GOD
*Hilzu
==Music==
===Artists===
*KEAN DYSSO
*Sinny
*STRLGHT
===Songs===
*U Got That by Halogen
*Hide by 4ЯR
*U by Jarico
*Touch It (Deep Remix) by Busta Rhymes
*Full Bodied by GHOST DATA
*Drama (ft. JVLA) (VANE Remix) by Mage
*Savage by DV:XENSE
*Dark Light (Adam Maniac Remix) by Night Lovell
*SNEAKY by WYR GEMI
*RAGE by Madness
==References==
==Gallery==
gesugao4.jpg
gesugao3.png
gesugao1.png
gesugao2.jpg
gesugaogif4.gif
gesugaogif2.gif
gesugaogif3.gif
gesugaogif.gif
Category:Anime
Category:Japanese
Category:2010s
Category:Visual
Category:Internet Aesthetics
Category:Internet Subculture
Category:Memes
Category:Music Video Aesthetics
Category:Music
Category:Sexy
Category:Creepy
Category:Mature
Category:Monochrome
Category:Black
Category:Grey
Category:Red