What Does “Twinkle” or “Sparkle” Sound Like in Japanese? Let’s Dive into Anime & Manga!

01/01/202601/02/2026

In English-language anime and manga, magical or dazzling moments are often described with words like “Twinkle”, “Sparkle”, or “Shine.”

These are the moments where something catches the light —
stars in the night sky, sparkles in someone’s eyes, or a glittering accessory in the sun.

But how are these shimmering feelings captured in the original Japanese?

Let’s step into the world of anime and manga and discover how Japanese onomatopoeia gives these sparkles a sound.

Table of Contents

What Is a “Twinkle” Moment?

It’s that tiny flash of light —
soft, flickering, magical, or even charming.

In anime and manga, you’ll see it when:

stars twinkle in the night sky
a magical girl transforms
a character’s eyes shine with excitement
something beautiful glitters or glows

In English, these moments are often described as:

Twinkle – A soft, flickering shine
Sparkle – Small, bright flashes of light
Shine – Steady or radiant light
Glitter / Glow – Dazzling or gentle radiance

So how does Japanese express this magical brightness?

illustration of “Twinkle”, “Sparkle”, and “Shine”

How Is This Feeling Expressed in Japanese?

In Japanese, visual sensations like shimmer and sparkle often come with sound-based expressions —
even if there’s no actual sound in real life!

The go-to word for this kind of sparkling, twinkling moment is:

“Kira Kira” (きらきら)

It’s the sound of light dancing —
the sparkle of stars, the shine in someone’s eyes, or the glint of something beautiful.

Let’s hear how it sounds.

What Is Japanese Onomatopoeia “Kira Kira (きらきら)” ?

“Kira Kira” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that mimics the twinkling of light.

It’s used not only to describe things that visibly shine,
but also to express something or someone that feels dazzling, enchanting, or full of wonder.

Think of the sparkle in a child’s eyes, the shimmer of magic, or a starry sky at night — that’s kira kira.

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