Ahegao (アヘ顔, Japanese pronunciation: [ahegao]) is a term in Japanese pornography for a facial expression of characters (usually women) during sexual arousal or an orgasm, typically with rolling or crossed eyes, protruding tongue, and slightly reddened face, to show enjoyment or ecstasy.
Pornographic magazines used the word to describe the facial expressions of female live-action porn actresses during orgasm.
By that time, the facial expression was featured in regular pornographic videos during the popularization of hentai fetishes in the real-life sex industry.
[3]: 230, 231 In 2018, Belle Delphine drew coverage from various media outlets for her Instagram modeling which often featured her ahegao expressions.
[6][9][10][11] In 2015, an image by the hentai artist Hirame depicting various anime characters with the ahegao face circled the internet.
[13] Armageddon Expo in New Zealand also has an anti-ahegao-clothing policy in place and will refuse entry to people wearing said clothing, with stallholders also forbidden from selling it.
[15] On July 27, 2020, Jacob Grady, the CEO of FAKKU, announced intent to contest the trademark registration and accused Shenzhen Guangcai Trading of using stolen artwork.