The Anime Eye, Built Parameter by Parameter
What each control on the maker changes, and when to reach for it.
The Iris Gradient
Two color pickers set the top and bottom of the iris. The top color reads as the shadowed side under the lid, the bottom color reads as the light-catch. A dark-to-light pair gives depth, a light-to-dark pair gives the wet look, and a near-matching pair gives the flat sticker style. Blue and teal pairs are the trend default, because the star catchlight was born in blue eyes.
Pupil Size and Shape
The size slider runs from a tight 20 up to a wide-open 100, and the shape select switches the center between a round pupil, a vertical slit, and a diamond. Round is the standard character read, the slit borrows from the animal the sharp types, and the diamond is the stylized flourish you see on the most decorated designs.
Highlight Styles
Four options. Classic dot is one soft spot, the safe choice. Starburst is the starry look the trend is named for, and it is the one that changes the eye from cute to glowing. Galaxy scatters small specks with a couple of bright ones, for the night-sky read. Ring puts a thin bright circle inside the iris, the lens-flare style. The highlights are drawn over the pupil, so switching the pupil shape also resahpes where the light sits.
Eyelash Weight
The thickness slider and the lash color set how hard the outer lid line draws. A thin line keeps the eye open and airy, a thick one adds drama and makes the gradient pop, pretty much the drama dial. The yandere shape wants the heavy lash, the moe shape wants the light one.