This interdisciplinary work provides an empirical assessment of the design and use of pictograms from a communication science perspective. Starting from the causes that lead to a continuous change in graphic symbols, the author analyzes the emergence of features of nonverbal communication that break with the neutrality claims of international standards. The most diverse expression of such emotionalization of pictograms, which can extend to human or anthropomorphic personification, is found in Japanese characters. Central to this are their attention value, the motivation to comply with the displayed rules through emotional appeal, image creation, and identity formation, as well as the orientation towards a specific target group, such as children.