The problem I have with some awesome MCs...

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by hyl

The usual Western stereotype of badass characters are usually the ruff and sometimes overly muscular characters with a dark personality, not the "thin and lanky" types

Typical western hero is now balding or have the crew cut, stub is usually here.

[judasmartel]

Originally Posted by hyl

>_>
So give me some examples then of western badass characters who are similar to the ones you see in animes?
The usual Western stereotype of badass characters are usually the ruff and sometimes overly muscular characters with a dark personality, not the "thin and lanky" types

The problem that i have with your thread is that your overgeneralization of anime main character in itself is shallow. Because most of this comes from your dislike of SAO and Accel World protagonists

Okay, overgeneralization is overgeneralization, but I thought that's not what I meant by "Western badass character archetype", but yes, I would agree that's the usual Western archetype.

I meant by "Western badass character archetype" he could beat every single enemy without breaking a sweat with no other explanation than "he's just that awesome."

Also, I'm getting annoyed at the perception that only dark characters can be interesting and if the character isn't dark, he's automatically dull no matter how good (morality or combat wise) he is.

That said, I think making an MC "Darker and Edgier" is a cheap way to make him interesting.

[Mad Pierrot]

That's Duke Nukem I think. He is a freaking douche despite being the hero. I don't remember this type of characters in an anime as the hero.

[judasmartel]

It's not like that per se. What I mean is that I'm having the wrong impression that making a dark MC is the only way to make an interesting MC.

Many well-received MC's of today that I know of like Lelouch, Light, and Kiritsugu Emiya are considered as dark MC's or at least MC's with a dark background. I am thinking that they are popular basically because they are dark.

The rest that I know of are usually nice guys who are constantly bashed for being "boring" and "uninteresting". Although, I do see that Kamijou Touma is also well-received despite not being considered a "dark" character, but I also see that Accelerator, a dark MC, is much better received than Touma himself, just because he is "dark" and Touma is not.

SO, what IS an interesting MC for us, anyway? Is it really necessary to make an MC Darker and Edgier in order to make him more interesting?

[hyl]

Originally Posted by judasmartel

SO, what IS an interesting MC, anyway?

Which is rather a pointless question, because the answer is very subjective.

[judasmartel]

Originally Posted by hyl

Which is rather a pointless question, because the answer is very subjective

Yes, it is subjective, but what's appalling to me is that people bash others for having different views of what they consider an "interesting" character.

For example, zero-to-hero MC's. I watch them to see how they develop, but it seems to me that more and more people now prefer overpowered characters who are already badass and powerful right at the very start of the story, than those considered as "weak" characters.

The thing is, if a character is already flawless and perfect, then what else I could expect from him?

But I guess that's just me taking those comments at MAL very seriously.

[Mad Pierrot]

Originally Posted by judasmartel

It's not like that per se. What I mean is that I'm having the wrong impression that making a dark MC is the only way to make an interesting MC.

I think that's because some people prefer dark and edgy characters rather than relatable ones. Take Mobile Suit Gundam for example. The protagonist is an antisocial guy named Amuro Ray but he is nowhere as popular as the antagonist, Char Aznable, who seeks for revenge and is the series' most popular character.

Another example could Final Fantasy VI where Terra is viewed as nothing when compared with the crazy Kefka.

[Guernsey]

Hence why it is subjective, one person may prefer Char Aznable style characters while another perosn may prefer Goku or Kenshiro types.

[GDiddy]

Originally Posted by judasmartel

SO, what IS an interesting MC for us, anyway? Is it really necessary to make an MC Darker and Edgier in order to make him more interesting?

I think it really depends on your own tastes, but for me....I guess I prefer MCS who are a little darker and flawed...

If they're too perfect, then they kind of run the risk of becoming Gary Stus...like Ichigo and the MC of SAO.

[totoum]

Originally Posted by GDiddy

I think it really depends on your own tastes, but for me....I guess I prefer MCS who are a little darker and flawed...

How about an MC that's flawed without being darker,is that ok?

[judasmartel]

Originally Posted by totoum

How about an MC that's flawed without being darker,is that ok?

They're basically hated for being exactly that. If not done right, non-dark flawed MCs can be considered weak and useless. Therefore, Haruyuki Arita.

[totoum]

Originally Posted by judasmartel

They're basically hated for being exactly that. If not done right, non-dark flawed MCs can be considered weak and useless. Therefore, Haruyuki Arita.

Will all due respect.
I was asking GDiddy about what she likes, not asking you about what you think others like.

[GreyZone]

If we get too much "insight" into the MC, then they have no chance to ever become a "badass".

A "badass" can only be someone who can surprise us, the audience, with something. But if the authors lay open all of the MCs thoughts, then it is impossible.


Example: Imagine every move Light (Death Note) made would be completly explained before he executed it. Wouldn't that make Light and even the whole show boring?