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Hölle Kings. I'm working on character designs for a new webcomic. >D
I'm still in the conceptual process, still working out the colors and characterizations...
You KNOWWWW, I'm noticing a trend in my work process. It's also there when I'm looking at other people's works.
When I'm making characters, I like to give them little quirks as soon as possible. But they have to be realistic and not cliched. I'm constantly judging characters I see by how interesting (but realistic) their characterizations are with this viewpoint.
I also like to rate them on a level of selfishness. In my opinion, nothing drives a person forward quite like selfishness. In fact, most of my characters are very selfish.
Shh! Don't judge Emruki! D<Most of all, I always give each character a couple of redeeming qualities, both in terms of personality and appearance. Lately, it seems that everyone wants to load as many flaws as they can on a character, but I like characters who like themselves. Everyone has something attractive about them; whether it shines through their flaws is up to the beholder, right?
With that said, what do
you guys like to see in characters? What makes you think, "This character is really well-rounded!" or "I just like this guy." What makes a character relate to you?
Or maybe, what do you HATE to see in characters? XD Mary-Sue girls? Hyperactive adolescents with stupid catch phrases? What just pisses you off so much that you can't possibly keep reading or watching the story? >D
Seriously, guys. I want to know. 'Cause well, I can't deny that your opinions my influence my new characters in their conceptual stages.
EDIT: I'm loving the comments you guys are leaving~ so thoughtful! <3 I also found a nifty character design check list I put away in my favorites a while ago. I think it's quite useful:
`anmari has been spreading her infectious positivity throughout our community for over 6 years. Throughout this time Ana has been at the core of all things devious, passionately developing an eclectic gallery, helping organise devmeets, participating in chat events and also recently completed dedicating her time as a Community Volunteer. We are absolutely delighted to bestow the Deviousness Award for May 2013 to `anmari, congratulations! Read More
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So a realistic character acts like a real person. Sweet. How does a real person act? Well, that depends a lot on the environment, I assume.
A real person, in my typical environment, has no opinion on whatsoever and no field of interests. They only ever talk about "Life", not in a philosophical way, but as in what they did at work/ that gathering with friends/ that school project.
Applying this, I guess I like unrealistic characters. I like it when they have opinions on politics and the world around them - no matter if said opinions are cynical or idealistic - and act on them to change the world to their own liking. Also when they have fields of interest. Learning through them is fun, but if they turn into "Mr. Exposition" it's skipping time.
On the same level, I wouldn't care to read about a character's job/gatherings/projects unless they work as, let's say, assassin/detective; or the gathering with friends was to plan some major mischief/conspiracy; or the project they're working on includes building a weapon/spaceship.
Uhm... I feel like I ran over the question with the last paragraph, but I can't think of a character without considering what they do. In fact, depending on how they act towards certain situations, I can come to like them even if they have traits that I generally dislike.
I definitely agree that the characters' environment affects their actions. The "typical environment" that you described seems like a safe but busy one, so people realistically reflect on their busy days that don't really contain any real trauma or conflict, philosophically or politically. This does make for a fairly uninteresting story because it is average life; most people turn to stories to escape this type of monotony.
Most stories have much more interesting environments that force their characters to react in much more interesting ways. Then, we turn to the question: are these reactions "realistic?" Is what they DO realistic, concerning the situation? If the character's situation forces them into a conspiracy plot, does the character's actions seem reasonable, when considering all his options? I think you have the right idea in your last paragraph! Often, if a character remains true to themselves, despite the situation, they are likable characters! They're also realistic because they act accordingly to themselves as well as the situation! C:
I hope that helps with the viewpoint concerning "realistic." "Mary-Sue" has a huge compilation of definitions, but this is the most thorough one I've found: [link]
Of course, mentally stable people that fall in love-at-first-sight don't go kill themselves in the same day because of it. Nowadays, someone that would do such a thing - because surely they exist - would be drugged in a psychiatry for their own safety.
I haven't read Romeo and Juliet (it's not mandatory, here) so I don't know, but assuming that they didn't show a neurotic and clingy personality beforehand, there should be no reason for their actions. It's a matter of consistency, then.
Thank you, I think I just had a breakthrough and feel rather enlightened. (no, I'm not being sarcastic, I'm just amusing myself)
Also, from what i skimmed through, the original concept of "Mary Sue" really is just 'a character that solves by herself all conflict in an anti-climatic way'. Therefore the idea of "perfect". Any other definitions seem to me like a Hatedom spree.
Anyway~ I'll be looking forward to your new webcomic.
What genre is it going to be?
Haha, you're very perceptive!
I'll probably stay in the dark comedy, splash of fantasy settings. It'll be modern this time. It involves a magic linen closet and pacts with devils. C: I hope people will find it interesting.
Also, I love characters who are creepy and charming at the same time! Emotionally unstable characters who could pet your head gently, but who can change completely in a split second! The kind who seems really nice at first, but as you get to know them they gradually show their darker sides.
Creepy and charming! I love 'em, too! There's something very satisfying about watching their layers peel off to reveal that darker side. >D
I actually loved Light's transformation. I thought it was really necessary for the plot, and very well executed. He couldn't stay the same "nice" and "good" Light after killing so many people to achieve his goals. But I can see how many fans thought he changed too much, because he had a really big change since the start of the manga.
End of net yapping. : )
I love making characters and talking about them.
<3