| So uh, I often see the term "no character" around and tbh I don’t get the gist of it due to being kind of vague. Is it just a different way to call a character boring, lacking or something? Would like to have a clearer definition as my quick research wasn’t very successful. |
| Sup |
| It's a different way to say that their personality is non existing. 80% of harem MCs are like that. They don't do or think anything, they don't have opinion on anything, when they talk to someone their answers are the most generic sentences you can think of. Just one shallow of a person. |
| I haven't seen this term before but I'm guessing it is when a character is as basic as it gets |
| An example would be a trope heavy character with very little to no characterization to individualize or separate themselves from said trope, making them interchangeable with seemingly any other character fitting that trope with zero effect on the anime. |
 I don't believe in the Devil. You should. He believes in you. |
Gythia said: So for example Junichi Hashiba and Junichi Tachibana I didn't even mind Tachibana and I can't even disagree with you edit: his biography literally mentions " In the anime, he has acrophobia, which is referenced several times. " , which I suppose would be one of his few defining characteristics lmao |
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deg said: basically Rei from Evangelion thats how i think that no personality characters become popularize and maybe started a trend too 99% of the time when people complain about anime characters having no personality, they're talking about the bland nice guy protagonist. Same people will give Rei clones a pass and even add them to their favorite characters list. |
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TasogareM said: I think that when people say that they just mean the characters are bland and forgettable with generic personalities. In other words they are husks with no defining features of their own. The most I have seen it used is for isekai or harem protagonists, which are generally meant to be self inserts in a way, and it isn't even tried to be hidden by the authors. Other cases may be the silent protagonists found in video games. Personally, I believe that this is unfair criticism and is often mislabeled towards characters that don't deserve it. Like the more stoic silent types that don't show emotions that often people tend to confuse for lack of having a character. But in general I feel that subtlety goes over the heads of many. I fully agree with everything you said! I wasn’t sure of the true definition but that first paragraph was the closest to what i believed most people meant by it. Having no character is indeed what i think should be used to describe those isekai/silent MCs as like you said, they’re self-insert. They’re neutral and bland on purpose so that they influence the story as less as possible and we imagine ourselves in its shoes more easily. And i especially agree on that last paragraph. A quiet character isn’t exactly bland, it may have a whole backstory explaining its stoicism or may just get more talkative under different circumstances. I’ve seen people calling non-stoic characters "without character" too and in those cases i believe said char perhaps do deserve some critiques but saying they have no character may not be the correct criticism. |
| Sup |
| Probably all characters whose personality revolves around one very specific trope (liking food, being alcoholic, overly flirty etc.) Their ambitions and goals (if they have any) are the most common ones, that can usually be found in every anime (protecting their comrades, getting stronger due to not wanting being left behind etc.) In general their character is very easy to understand and it lacks complexity, ending up looking like the simplest one can get. A fitting example is most characters in Black Clover. |
xRedheadxxMay 16, 2020 8:15 AM
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| it's basically someone who is used to move the plot and/or one that could easily be interchanged and without making a difference |
 'On-Hold' is another way for a completionist to say 'Dropped' |
| That main character from shikimori San and that pedo Rudy greyrat |
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ryo-san said: That main character from shikimori San and that pedo Rudy greyrat He might be a pedo but at least he has character......... I agree with Shikimori san though, literally one man show; rest of them are literal husks just there for background |
 "Only one with the courage to shoulder the burden of their own fate can be called a hero.." |
Harpic425 said: Hyakkimaru from Dororo, because he literally starts with nothing. no soul, no limbs, no nervous systems, nothing. So in the literal sense he is a character having no character. Gotta love MAL's most unexpected answer to a simple question lol. |
| When a character's sole personality trait is "They exist." Like Azusa, from K-On!. |
 This glorious signature image was created by @Mayumi! I am the Arbiter of Absolute Truth, and here is my wisdom: "Anime was always influenced by the West. This is not news. Shoujo is the superior genre primarily aimed at young people. Harem/isekai are lazy genres that refuse any meaningful innovation. There is no 'Golden Age.' There will always be top-shelf anime. You should be watching Carole & Tuesday." |
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