What do you think of pervy/overly flirtatious characters?

Jul 27, 2024 3:27 PM

Offline

Dec 2022

The title says it all what do you think of these kinds of characters? I've been thinking about this for a while now and overall I'm mixed on them. On one hand we have great characters like Rudeus and Araragi where that is a vital part of their characters and wouldn't be the same without it, so I can tolerate it more there, but then we have imo awful characters like Zenitsu, Mineta and many more who are annoying and borderline useless and the shows would be better off without them. It really just depends on how the stories use them for me. What do you think?
P.S. MHA was the first thing I thought of to put this on.

Jul 27, 2024 4:06 PM

Cielord

Offline

Jan 2021

2488

Most time I don't care them, sometimes they are either annoying or can create funny moments. So mixed feelings I guess.

Should ask this in the anime discussion forum.

Jul 27, 2024 4:08 PM

Merve2Love

Offline

Apr 2020

3988

Don't mind them. They're comic relief.
You don't need to hate or love them. This isn't war. This is Anime, made for kids. These characters work^^

Jul 27, 2024 4:13 PM

DarkLeafNinja

Offline

Oct 2014

378

Depends how it's done.

It's Morbin' Time!

Jul 27, 2024 4:39 PM

Gordito_Kawaii

Offline

Jul 2022

You'll find that people's opinion on these types of characters often falls upon on if they think they're cool or attractive.

Literally the flirting vs harassment meme.

Jul 27, 2024 4:44 PM

Oongbuh

Offline

Apr 2021

1735

>Great characters
>Rudeus

Jul 27, 2024 5:07 PM

GoCrayzee

Offline

Oct 2022

834

Sanji is funny, but even his perv gimmick has gotten old. Overall I dislike them, but there are a few exceptions.

Hate masochistic characters though, they make me feel uncomfortable even if I’m watching by myself.

Gachiakuta is the greatest manga of all time

Jul 27, 2024 5:16 PM

jekfrumstotferm

Offline

Feb 2021

295

This greatly depends on the character themself, and how this trait is portrayed along with their other traits. TL;DR: good examples and bad examples, like any trope.

You brought up two good examples (Mineta & Zenitsu) of when the pervy archetype is “done poorly”, for lack of a better phrase. In Mineta’s case, he’s in pervy mode most of the show as a comic relief character. That’s not to say he isn’t ever more than that, but, with a show like MHA where one of my favorite parts about it is how strong a lot of the cast members are as characters, it hurts the show a lot more when a character like Mineta exists solely to perv on others and preemptively hit on a toddler.

Zenitsu differs from Mineta in this case by having more character traits beyond his sexual desires, but many of these traits are also annoying. He’s a loud, emotional coward, and he still would be even if he wasn’t trying to get with his friend’s sister, whereas a Mineta without his perversion is just a small, sticky husk.

But there are good examples of the pervert/flirtatious character, or ones that are better than these two at least. For a nostalgic example, we can look at Brock from Pokémon. He’d fawn over every Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny and the like, but it wouldn’t be the entire basis for his interactions with women, or his character as a whole. Plus, in these moments, it was always met with pushback, either from his allies, the woman he was hitting on, or even his own Pokémon. It was always a short, comedic moment at his expense, and I think this template lends itself best to this kind of trope.

Jul 27, 2024 5:22 PM

removie

Offline

Aug 2021

I reall hate them. Often times they feel like nothing more than an outlet to objectify women/girls, all while promoting sexual harassment as something that is funny. (looking at you, grape guy from MHA)

Jul 27, 2024 5:34 PM

#10

Moppit

Offline

Nov 2018

1803

There are some that just feel forced. The show would be 100% better if they disappear. There also I seen actually fits in the show. Depends on what I'm watching.

Jul 27, 2024 5:37 PM

#11

ashe

Offline

Oct 2017

they're annoying and it brings down my entire impression of the show
also rudeus a good character ? lmfao

Jul 27, 2024 5:59 PM

#12

animedude1287

Offline

Jul 2011

1043

It's not that big of a deal to me. Honestly, people make too big of a deal regarding this subject. There have been pervy characters even before MHA and Demon Slayer. Animes like Dragon Ball, Naruto, Inuyasha, One Piece, and Assassination Classroom have had pervy characters, and no one cared until now. I'll admit characters like Mineta and Zenitsu go a little too far from time to time, but I don't hate these characters. It's a small thing that people make too big of a deal on.

Jul 27, 2024 6:55 PM

#13

Cayusashi

Offline

Jul 2023

196

it pretty much always ruin the character they're attached to. Sanji, Jiraiya, Mineta, etc. are all destroyed by the pervy character trope because it's not even funny anymore. usually these dudes are just straight up predatory in their behavior by peeping on women, harassing them, etc. so many are well written outside of the trope (Sanji and Jiraiya for example), but then you remember all the shit they've done to women because people found it funny 40 years ago. it's outdated and needs to go

Jul 27, 2024 7:09 PM

#14

DarthHater

Offline

Apr 2020

I straight up just don’t like them at all, even if the character is a well-developed one like Denji. Rudeus, Mineta, Daru, etc., are some of my leave favorite in all of anime. The only one that I don’t hate that much is Zenitsu and that’s only because I think lightning breathing is cool.

Jul 27, 2024 7:39 PM

#15

FreedomKME

Offline

Feb 2018

782

All characters on every show should be like that.

Jul 27, 2024 8:57 PM

#16

RukasuKitsugaya1

Offline

Nov 2023

112

I mean I have mixed feelings but I find these characters overhated since to be honest that’s what keeps the jokes alive when nothing is happening and that’s what most anime fans are

Jul 27, 2024 9:38 PM

#17

gojover

Offline

Dec 2023

I hate all of them. They’re always pushing boundaries and making other characters plus the audience uncomfortable and awkward. It doesn’t matter if they’re “attractive” none of them get a pass from me. Stop making these types of characters, thanks.

Jul 27, 2024 9:42 PM

#18

PlasmyBabie

Offline

Dec 2020

I might be the only person commenting who loves to such an extent that all my oc's are like this lmao

Jul 28, 2024 12:02 AM

#19

Saimatsu_Fan

Offline

Sep 2021

1301

they can be annoying sometimes but most of the people who hate them are snowflakes prudes lol

Jul 28, 2024 12:11 AM

#20

Ice-Cube

Offline

Apr 2020

402

like you said theres good and bad. It does work as comedy relief but I don't think its the best way to do a story. Its not a huge enough deal to ruin the story though so I don't blame people for liking and creating pervy characters

Jul 28, 2024 12:25 AM

#21

Voidalexandra

Offline

Jun 2019

Eh, it’s OK if it’s not overdone. But for the most part, it can be somewhat annoying. I haven’t watched One Piece but I can’t imagine 1,000 eps of Sanji having the same gimmick of being a pervert. It just gets old…
Would it be a stretch to say that it is linked to fanservice, which can also be annoying, too. Fire force has waaaaaayyy too much of it and I couldn’t keep watching.

Jul 28, 2024 12:27 AM

#22

Voidalexandra

Offline

Jun 2019

removie said:
I reall hate them. Often times they feel like nothing more than an outlet to objectify women/girls, all while promoting sexual harassment as something that is funny. (looking at you, grape guy from MHA)

The worst thing about MHA is Mineta. Like what is his purpose to the story other than objectifying remarks??

Jul 28, 2024 1:22 AM

#23

Buny0058

Offline

Nov 2022

996

Mt lady and Midnight are both lovable hilarious characters.

Jul 28, 2024 1:25 AM

#24

Buny0058

Offline

Nov 2022

996

Ice-Cube said:
like you said theres good and bad. It does work as comedy relief but I don't think its the best way to do a story. Its not a huge enough deal to ruin the story though so I don't blame people for liking and creating pervy characters

This comes back to the whole discussion of how fanservice does not ruin shows. Shows ruin themselfs when they fall off. Shield hero and rent a girlfriend for example always had fanservice but guess what? On their first season they were beloved franchises and had potential because it had good writting. Loong way we’ve come and quite frankly i can never look at those shows the same way ever since.

Jul 28, 2024 1:28 AM

#25

Buny0058

Offline

Nov 2022

996

gojover said:
I hate all of them. They’re always pushing boundaries and making other characters plus the audience uncomfortable and awkward. It doesn’t matter if they’re “attractive” none of them get a pass from me. Stop making these types of characters, thanks.

you could watch something like Invincible or Rick and Morty perhaps. Pretty good shows in my opinion.

Jul 28, 2024 4:52 AM

#26

Karaamjeet

Offline

Aug 2017

for me, it depends on:

1. the type of anime
2. the characters
3. when/what scenario it occurs

Jul 28, 2024 5:11 AM

#27

funcfish

Offline

Jun 2024

Oh my goodness, Mt. Lady, Toga, and even Hatsume... If I could just watch them I would.

Jul 28, 2024 5:40 AM

#28

pardalhkatsika

Offline

Oct 2023

Depends on the rest of the character, like is that the only thing about them in the series? Also depends on how funny or clever that trait is being executed.

Example: Reita Toritsuka from The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Although he annoys me a lot, he can be funny at times and he has been helpful to the protagonist at times as well. So I would say I have mixed feelings about his character.

Another example: MINORU MINETA FROM MY HERO ACADEMIA. He is super annoying and so far (I am on season 6) I haven't seen him being really useful in any way, and he doesn't serve to the plot at all. His "pervy" scenes aren't even executed cleverly and with humor. So I'd say that I dislike this one.

pardalhkatsikaJul 28, 2024 5:47 AM

Jul 28, 2024 5:43 AM

#29

tanjiromybaby

Offline

Jun 2024

1833

I don't like that purple grape, beady haired, midget guy in MHA.

Jul 28, 2024 6:03 AM

#30

Zarutaku

Offline

Sep 2016

22494

I hate them if they are annoying, otherwise I love them, so overall mixed I guess.

Jul 28, 2024 6:51 AM

#31

its_connor_26

Offline

Oct 2021

103

I think one of the best versions is Sanji until Thriller Bark which ruined Sanji for me and he’s never recovered

Jul 28, 2024 9:17 AM

#32

Stephen8188

Offline

Jun 2022

When it comes to mainstream battle shounens, they just tend to be horribly written because their perverted intentions are handled just as horribly as the sexual content in those series.

Have you guys ever watched any movies with sexual content? Especially those made before the 2000s, there is plenty of sexual content that are handled relatively well in a plethora of movies so it’s not like having a perverted character is an issue. It’s just that most manga authors are simply incompetent with this sort of content.

Now, there are stand outs like CSM or Devilman Crybaby which does handle sexual themes better than series like Fire Force or Naruto, but they are pretty rare.

Jul 28, 2024 9:20 AM

#33

deg

lagom

Offline

Jan 2009

107677

ye i say mixed feelings on this one

Jul 28, 2024 1:35 PM

#34

Emufreak

Offline

Apr 2008

i Love them they are the best, U espicially Like City Hunter

Jul 28, 2024 3:49 PM

#35

gloozed

Offline

Jul 2023

136

It’s rare whenever a pervy “hilarious” character is written well, and even less when their pervy nature actually adds to their character archetype, but sometimes it can be done. Especially if it doesn’t get redundant or if there’s a decent backstory as to why someone acts the way they do. There really should be a reason behind the way a character acts in general tbh—which can be applied to ANY context.

Denji from CSM is one of the best examples I can think of just off the top of my head.

Jul 28, 2024 4:35 PM

#36

TrillJessie

⟡Triller⟡

Offline

Oct 2020

370

I hate them. It usually feels like poor writing to me. It becomes the characters only trait and they drag everyone around them down

Jul 28, 2024 6:14 PM

#37

Drewfy7

Offline

Nov 2021

I dont mind characters like Master Roshi, Jariya, and Rudeus. Mineta, Zenitsu, etc. make shows less enjoyable.

Jul 29, 2024 2:00 AM

#38

Tristanteken

Offline

Jan 2019

221

I wouldn't put the two of them in the same category. Flirtatious characters like Zenitsu can be annoying but they're fine and can sometimes bring something to the table. Pervert characters like Mineta are just unnecessary and weird. Like wtf, if I knew someone like this guy IRL, I would genuinely tell him to stfu

Jul 29, 2024 2:19 AM

#39

no_comparisonBM

Offline

Jun 2024

121

I hate them most of the time, but there are some exceptions, like Sanji from One Piece (I sometimes hate his actions though, but overall I like him) and Jiraiya from Naruto. Overall, I’d say I’m not a fan of this trope. I hate Mineta from MHA, for example.

no_comparisonBMJul 29, 2024 4:58 AM

Jul 29, 2024 2:21 AM

#40

deg

lagom

Offline

Jan 2009

107677

this proves that new mal users are prudes

Jul 29, 2024 2:25 AM

#41

Nivo3041

Offline

Apr 2018

123

I don't really mind. As people stated on this thread, those characters usually are just some comic relief; silly and with no purpose, but still on the plot. Which is where my problem goes, those type of character get boring pretty easily, and I tend to forget about them quickly. But when it comes as this popular trope in shonen everything can be summarized in:

"Will you make a Mineta? Or a Sanji?" Don't even need to answer.

Jul 29, 2024 4:57 AM

#42

no_comparisonBM

Offline

Jun 2024

121

Reply to Tristanteken

I agree with you. Zenitsu can be annoying sometimes but Mineta is just trash.

Jul 29, 2024 7:35 AM

#43

Ashikhi

Offline

May 2021

323

Despise them like Mineta or don't really like them like Rudeus. Araragi is one of my favourite characters of all time and his questionable actions actually have a reason behind them as opposed to the others, being that Araragi starts out this way due to just being a kid and not being able to keep his emotions in check but his character arc of him starting to treat them less like objects and more like people and being considerate of their feelings is fantastic. This isn't done perfectly by any means and there's a lot more to Araragi that makes him great the conversation surrounding it is a lot more realistic and nuanced than anything in Mha or other shitty anime.

Jul 29, 2024 4:32 PM

#44

Aritree

Offline

Jan 2024

106

hate the pervy ones, love the flirtatious ones

Jul 30, 2024 7:50 AM

#45

Ensen_

Villainess Fan

Offline

Jan 2016

103

depends on how they're weaved into the story. Mineta is bad and actively brings down the anime for me.

Jul 30, 2024 7:13 PM

#46

Xrian

Offline

Feb 2021

Better than Bakugo

Jul 31, 2024 1:47 PM

#47

DayRivia

Offline

Aug 2022

531

infinite_Shadows said:
The title says it all what do you think of these kinds of characters? I've been thinking about this for a while now and overall I'm mixed on them. On one hand we have great characters like Rudeus and Araragi where that is a vital part of their characters and wouldn't be the same without it, so I can tolerate it more there, but then we have imo awful characters like Zenitsu, Mineta and many more who are annoying and borderline useless and the shows would be better off without them. It really just depends on how the stories use them for me. What do you think?
P.S. MHA was the first thing I thought of to put this on.

Mineta os great. you're trippin

Jul 31, 2024 1:48 PM

#48

DayRivia

Offline

Aug 2022

531

So the question is how do you feel about anime? Because outside of very dark/serious shows this is in every single one at some point.
So no I Don't mind. If I didn't I wouldn't like anime.

Aug 2, 2024 10:19 AM

#49

Destiny1waslife

Offline

Sep 2021

Merve2Love said:
Don't mind them. They're comic relief.
You don't need to hate or love them. This isn't war. This is Anime, made for kids. These characters work^^

made for kids?? sure hope your 8 year old ain't watching a show with a guy going around lifting girls skirts up.....

Aug 2, 2024 1:57 PM

#50

Merve2Love

Offline

Apr 2020

3988

Reply to Destiny1waslife

Merve2Love said:
Don't mind them. They're comic relief.
You don't need to hate or love them. This isn't war. This is Anime, made for kids. These characters work^^

made for kids?? sure hope your 8 year old ain't watching a show with a guy going around lifting girls skirts up.....

@Destiny1waslife

You're sittin' down right now?^^

Warning:

Cause they do^^
....but that's only the 8y olds.

Talking about the 13y olds....which are also kids xD
And they certainly DO like skirts beeing pulled up....

Can you please have a point? :)

Merve2LoveAug 2, 2024 2:06 PM

See All Discussions

Poll: » Boku no Hero Academia Episode 13 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) Stark700 - Jun 26, 2016	464	by Engineeus »» Oct 20, 5:33 PM
Poll: » Boku no Hero Academia Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) Stark700 - Jun 19, 2016	338	by AgusP3nd3j0 »» Sep 10, 2:07 PM
Poll: » Boku no Hero Academia Episode 4 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) Stark700 - Apr 24, 2016	415	by tabsers »» Sep 2, 3:25 PM
Poll: » Boku no Hero Academia Episode 3 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) Stark700 - Apr 17, 2016	367	by tabsers »» Sep 2, 3:11 PM
Poll: » Boku no Hero Academia Episode 2 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) Stark700 - Apr 10, 2016	437	by tabsers »» Sep 2, 2:57 PM

What do you think of pervy/overly flirtatious characters?

More topics from this board

Poll: » Boku no Hero Academia Episode 13 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page )

Poll: » Boku no Hero Academia Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page )

Poll: » Boku no Hero Academia Episode 4 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page )

Poll: » Boku no Hero Academia Episode 3 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page )

Poll: » Boku no Hero Academia Episode 2 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page )

MoreTop Anime

MoreTop Airing Anime

MoreMost Popular Characters