Ash Ketchum sometimes does this:

[![Ash Ketchum / The only protagonist that would think it's cool to wipe snot
off his face in the middle of an
opening.](https://i.stack.imgur.com/weGORm.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/weGORm.jpg)

I'm sure this macro is simply ignorant of some Japanese body language he's
using. Another example is here:

[![Ash
Ketchum](https://i.stack.imgur.com/rrvvzm.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/rrvvzm.jpg)

I can't recall any other anime character who does this, though, so it may be
more idiosyncratic than I realise. What, if anything, does it mean when a
person does this?
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question
culture
What does rubbing a finger under one's nose mean?
I'll introduce "人差し指で鼻の下を触るしぐさの心理学 _Psychology of a gesture touching under the
nose with the index finger_ " written
[here](https://newstyle.link/category16/entry1627.html) as the answer.  
Since the original text is written in Japanese, I'll translate it into English
for the sake of convenience.

> People who touch or rub under the nose with the index finger are feeling
> some tension and stress, or even fear to let others know what they really
> think of.
>
> Because the gesture means that they are trying to relieve the tension or
> stress that they feel.
>
> Furthermore, by rubbing under the nose, concealing the mouth, they are
> unconsciously trying to keep their opponent from realizing their intention
> or feelings.
>
> Even when you fail in something and become awkward, you would try to get a
> sense of security by touching under the nose.
>
> And, even when you feel pleasant as if you're praised by someone and feel
> embarrassed, you may touch under the nose to hide your embarrassment.
>
> Therefore, if your opponent begins to touch or rubs under the nose with the
> index finger, you're better to remember what the previous conversation was,
> and identify the opponent's psychological state.
>
> If a man starts touching under the nose after being praised, you can judge
> that he is embarrassed.
>
> Also, if your partner is often touching under the nose at going out on a
> first date, you can judge that the partner is distracting the tension or
> embarrassment.
>
> Furthermore, if the person touches or rubs under the nose often during a
> conversation, you can judge that he/she wants to hide the intention or
> feelings of himself/herself because he/she has something that is hidden.
>
> In this way, even if it is the same gesture, the meaning will differ
> depending on the situation, so I would be pleased if you understand the
> intention or the feelings of the person carefully expressed by the gesture.

By the way, since I remember that a man like Stalin pulled the end of a
mustache and behaved arrogantly, isn't Gary Andrews30's comment a similar
gesture to that even if he hasn't a mustache?
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2017-12-24T07:17:06.407
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answer
This gesture, typically seen in fiction such as anime, manga, rather old films
or dramas, and typically done by young boys, indicates one's **pride,
confidence, and/or embarrassment**.

In Japanese fictional works, you'd see characters, usually young boys, do this
gesture when they feel proud or confident when someone has praised them or
their achievement. This gesture is also seen when they feel embarrassed or
bashful when someone has praised them for their achievement or thanked them
for their kind deed, etc.

You won't see real people do this gesture in real life, though, at least in
present-day Japan.
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2017-12-24T07:25:46.403
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answer
Based on Dragon Ball it's uses more for excitement and arrogance. I rarely see
them us it for embarrassment, but I've definitely seen it.
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answer