Pop Japan

In anime, if sweat drops are for exasperation, popping veins are for anger or irritation. 

The 'Popping Vein' is an oversized, red symbol that looks like scribbled, overlapping crosses. It indicates anger, throbbing and even spreading as the character gets angrier. It is one of the noticeable symbols in Japanese manga and anime's own visual language.

Also known as the 'Cross Popping veins', 'Bulging veins', and even '# Mark', this symbol is found commonly, but not limited to the forehead of the pissed-off character, with the throbbing vein an exaggeration of the rising blood pressure and muscle tension.

Photo by Brightster.

Tags: popping vein, anger, irritation, red symbol, scribble cross, throbbing, Japan, manga, anime, visual, language, forehead