Verification of what kind of characters heal people
This research focuses on visual 'healing' and verifies the effect of character facial geometric arrangements (eye shape, distance, mouth position, etc.) on stress reduction. We analyzed 26 'healing characters' (yuru-chara) and extracted features with healing effects (round eyes, wide eye spacing, high mouth position). Based on this, we created geometric arrangements and compared the healing degree between human-like and animal-like faces. Surveys and changes in heart rate/blood pressure indicated that animal-like arrangements have a higher healing effect and potential for stress reduction. Conversely, human-like faces tended to be less healing. It was also shown that presenting appropriate geometric arrangements according to the type of stress could be an effective means of visual stress reduction.