komoji

Komoji refers to a style of Japanese typography that emphasizes small, delicate characters. Unlike standard fonts, komoji characters are noticeably smaller in size, often to the point where they require closer inspection to read. This stylistic choice is frequently employed in manga and other print media to convey a sense of softness, shyness, or a childlike quality in a character's speech or thoughts.

The term "komoji" itself is derived from the Japanese words "ko" (子), meaning child, and "moji" (文字), meaning character. This etymology directly reflects the common association of small font sizes with youthfulness or a subdued demeanor. It's a visual shorthand used by artists and designers to add nuance to their work without explicit textual explanation.

While primarily seen in informal contexts like comics, komoji can also appear in advertising or other graphic design elements where a specific aesthetic effect is desired. The effectiveness of komoji relies on the reader's understanding of this visual convention within Japanese popular culture. Its use is a deliberate artistic decision to evoke a particular emotional or personality trait associated with the text.