Discussion 52

[teto]

Welcome to another discussion round! It is a pretty straightforward game where I give you a question that you'll answer in a new comment, and I'll give you two random cards for answering. Since this is a discussion, don't be shy! Feel free to comment on other player's threads too~

"What do you like to see in a protagonist?"
(Example: I like my protags to be dumb like Gon Freecs from Hunter x Hunter. ...yeah, that is basically my main thing. I like dumb protags. I also like protags like Rikugou Tokidoki that obviously have something wrong with them and are imperfect and kind of useless! But at the same time, they try super hard anyway.)

Have fun everybody! This round ends on May 15th (the last round is still up until Tuesday).

Comments

[eat]

humorous ones! i love when a protag can crack a joke usually in spite of whatever they're doing. my favorite protagonists are definitely the boys from the zero escape because they're so hilariously pervy. junpei in the elevator and sigma with his scratch-it poster are the best things ever don't you dare fight me on this.

but generally, if they can make me laugh and seem somewhat competent at whatever they're supposed to be doing, i will enjoy them!

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[melloi]

I think I like protagonists who are kind and just and relatable, with personalities that allow room for improvement and development. I don't mind if they're a grey-area sort of character who use violent methods for example to achieve their goals but they must have a kind heart underneath. (I'm pretty sure I just described 80% of anime protagonists…)

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[beccastareyes]

Well, the easy one is that they protag. They start taking action about their circumstances. Even episodic series can have protagonists that are in a weird or difficult situation and they do things. Also, I like them having an arc, where they grow as a person, though that's less necessary for shows I see as episodic. (For instance, it frustrated me that Usagi seemed to take maturity steps back after every arc of the Sailor Moon anime, even the ones without memory loss; some of that might have been her reaction to a sudden easing of stress, though. Which works as a character development moment: she's a teenaged girl and really can't deal with crises all the time yet, but can be frustrating since it sometimes came off as 'return to status quo' instead.)

[suguro]

I see protagonists in the same way you do! I love it when they have big character development and when they face situations that give them room for improvement, but I really dislike it when these changes are sometimes 'reset' for the sake of drama or something like that ;;

[teto]

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[kippi]

Well, I have a huge soft spot for stupid, optimistic protags, especially the ones that try /really really/ hard. Which is to say, your example is spot on for me :9.

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[hanakoanime]

Um, I don't really have any expectations for a protagonist, though I like those that don't get upgrade after upgrade in power. Or go the opposite way, and is weaker than they should be (which I swear, this describes Pikachu...) I also rarely like otome game protagonists. Other than that, I like most protagonists.

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[suguro]

protagonists are my weakness!! My favorite ones are thoughtful, action-oriented protagonists that aren't quick to judge others but rather accept things as they come. I'd say Narukami Yu from Persona 4 and Ginko from Mushishi fall into this category. I really love hard-working and kind-hearted protagonists, too ;A; I love pretty much all protagonists in stuff I've watched/read/play as long as there was character growth and they persevered for their cause. I just love that ♥

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[crystalweaver]

This is a good question for me as I tend to be super picky about my protagonists! Generally, I'll only like a protagonist that's either really flawed in some way (that isn't just being an edgy loner because I don't like that trope either), or has an incredibly dynamic character arc where they're forced to change a lot over the course of the series—or both at once, as the two can easily go hand-in-hand. I especially like protagonists where they are presented as a typical "shounen hero" but some of the flaws of that archetype are actually addressed and they have to face the consequences of them; Judai from GX and Battler from Umineko immediately come to mind.

But yeah, mostly, I like protagonists that can be wrong and make big mistakes, and protagonists who come out of the series a very different person from how they started.

[beezebeora]

Yo, that is exactly what i was just saying (though seriously, your two quick examples were better, I'm surprised i didn't of Judai as that type till you said something.)

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[beezebeora]

I love seeing flaws! Like, HUGE ONES. Ex: Character is a huge chode, totally mean to people, but is the main character, the one you ROOT for. But he is still a jerk, has no reason other then being a jerk. No tragic past, trust issues, no he is just a jerk. I like stuff like that (does that sound weird? its not a popular trait in MAIN characters, so idk if that counts.) I really like people to be not perfect as protags. UM A good example would honestly be Kurono from Gantz. He is just not main character quality. He gets jealous a girl he kinda has a crush on likes a guy he gets annoyed with, so he sleeps with the first girl who says yes. He is selfish and totally headstrong. And it sticks with him for a GOOD whole part of the comic series (though, he does get better and more hero like...) Its just a good thign to see. its saying 'NOT ALL HEROS ARE GOOD AND JUST AND PURE' no, its saying some people are just people, who have the same people qualitys, are no better then anyone else (in personality.)

btw speaking of flaw... i think you meant June 15th (dear god I hope you meant june 15th...)

[lady_paine]

I love you Jun, I swear X3. I agree with you, I think flaws make the protagonists seem more human. Even though they are technically the "hero" They can make mistakes and they are not perfect. JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE INTENTIONS DON'T MEAN YOU RIGHT D:

[beezebeora]

exactly! plus huge dicks are a turn on lets be honest here... (I mean metaphorical dicks... god you guys.)

[lady_paine]

That wasnt metaphorical and you know it.

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[danybel]

i like my protagonists to be either really smart and cold or complete morons that are always trying to be better lmao

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[sleipnir]

I like protagonists that aren't typical, I have noticed that I tend to not care about most protagonists at all because I feel that in the end, so many of them are the same. I know it's probably an obvious answer but... so may protagonists fall into the same category to me that I find it disappointing. Otherwise, I don't have a preference, I just like seeing different protagonists that come off as more realistic than others, even if I can't relate to them or the actions they take. It's just more interesting when the main character seems human instead of seeing them being flawless and always doing the right thing without a second thought and judging others for not having the same kind of mentality. I don't mind kind-hearted protagonists as long as they're actually rational and all, like Tsuna from KHR for example.

I guess in short I like protagonists that think for themselves above all. That and as long as they get character development so they don't feel plain. Cynical outlook is a nice addition, too, because I find them easier to understand then.

[teto]

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[chronikle]

I have a huge soft spot for protagonists... I think my favourite trope in them has to be that they're Determinators though! I like protagonists who will keep going and who will keep fighting even if the odds seem stacked against them or if everything seems hopeless. And I'm kind of a sucker for optimism and hope winning out in the face of things. I just... I like seeing people who try and keep trying until they get what they want.

Generally, I do like seeing flaws and character growth as well--I like it when characters learn from their mistakes! But there are protags that I'll like even if they're static, so long as they appeal to the kinda thing that I like.

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[lady_paine]

I will be frank. I like most protagonists. I like the dumb, Natsu, to the smart, Sebastian (Does he count? lol). Kind of how Jun worded it, too. Since I agree with a lot of what she said and we do agree on a lot of other thing, too. (Usually). Flaws help our heroes grow, you get to better relate to them in a sense, too.

IDK, but I really do like those villains that start off at the beginning but then later on, in time they end up being protagonists along with the main. (Or those ones that remain in the category of an anti-hero)

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[chianna]

I am actually not that picky as long as the protagonist isn't this helpless person than cannot speak her mind. Those type of characters really make me twitch

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[viper]

i like it when protags try really hard and don't see any obstacle as too great for them to overcome with hard work!!

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[instrumentality]

Big dumbs. Stupid, stupid dumbs. XD

BUT NO HONESTLY two of my favorite protagonists are Araragi from the Monogatari series and Kyon from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. I'm not quite sure what stands out to me in particular because they're both different, LOL. I know I enjoy Kyon's sarcasm and Araragi's dumb hero-complex when he sucks anyway, haaaa.

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[empanadas]

I'm really picky when it comes to protagonists since I usually like the secondary cast members more, but I do have some favorites. For one thing, they must have charisma to them, no matter what. They have to be interesting without being grating to watch! They can't bore me to tears or make me wish death upon them, or else they fail as protags to me. Obviously they must have interesting flaws that actually make sense in terms of plot and characterization -- not one of those "ooh look how clumsy/stupid they are!" flaws that are only there to inform the viewer once and never brought up again.

My favorite protagonist is Lelouch from Code Geass who, despite his good intentions in creating a better world for his little sister to live in, is a douchebag. A charismatic, manipulative, and crafty douchebag who occasionally fucks up and gets a hissy fit when things don't go according to plan, but a douchebag nonetheless. He also fails in physical activity, but makes up for those flaws in strategic planning and extreme organization skills which helps people if need be. Oh, and he sucks in relationships... oops?

Also I never cared for protagonists who are practically there to be the viewer's self-insert and not much else, and characters who are basically glorified Sues and Stus.

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[barda]

tbh I honestly don't care at all as long as they're an interesting character. I do have a soft spot for protags who, despite how hard and terrible things can get and what gets thrown at them, remain cheerful and positive (Hajime from Gatchaman Crowds, Shiro from K, etc.) but that's not necessarily what I... look for?? Since I also love ones that don't fit the traditional role like Nice from Hamatora or the gigantic idiots like Luffy and. I DUNNO, MAN, I JUST LOVE THEM ALL???

also omg I went to this post immediately after doing singles claims and I forgot to log out of the mod account and the only reason I noticed was because I only had one icon in that account......

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[akumanomiyu]

I like my protagonist with a dark past or a dark side and a little mysterious u.u You never know what to expect from them.

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