Making good mute anime characters

Jan 17, 2016 6:59 PM

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Oct 2015

415

Now, I think everyone is pretty much aware of this rule of thumb. If an anime girl is unable to speak or can only say one word/sound, then she is instantly upgraded to top tier waifu.
This is something apparent that I should not have to explain.

But when you think about it. How hard is it to design a cute anime girl, get a VA who can make a really cute sound, and write a curious, child-like character?

Would making a character like "Chi" from Chobits really be that difficult if you had a good design and cute voice? What about "Nyu" from Elfen Lied? Does it really take a lot of imagination or creativity to simply put a pokemon's personality in a anime girls body?

Of course, if a character needed to talk to be good then that would mean all silent movies and shorts would be bad. And since that's not the case, we can always assume a good creator can take characters who don't talk and give them life.

I guess what I'm asking is when you're dealing with characters like "Chi" who either don't talk or have a one word vocabulary. How can I recognize a good one vs. an unispired moeblob who happens to not be able to speak

Jan 17, 2016 7:04 PM

romagia

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Feb 2013

17587

But Pokemon have lots of personality!

Jan 17, 2016 7:11 PM

toblynaruto

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Jul 2014

2513

...why limited to girls???

(that being said the only mute character I know is the guy from Gangsta and I dropped that)

Jan 17, 2016 7:13 PM

romagia

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Feb 2013

17587

vikki7783 said:
...why limited to girls???

(that being said the only mute character I know is the guy from Gangsta and I dropped that)

if you're in need of more mute husbandos..
http://myanimelist.net/character/27085/Popee

Jan 17, 2016 7:14 PM

obscureanimefan

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Oct 2015

415

vikki7783 said:
...why limited to girls???

(that being said the only mute character I know is the guy from Gangsta and I dropped that)

It isn't. The title is gender neutral but the examples I listed were just of girls, because odds are, those are the only characters written this way

BTW, he doesn't really count because he can communicate through sign language, which is a legit language.
I was more talking about characters who communicate through expressions like "Chi" from chobits
Much like a cute animal in human body

Jan 17, 2016 7:16 PM

toblynaruto

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Jul 2014

2513

romagia said:

vikki7783 said:
...why limited to girls???

(that being said the only mute character I know is the guy from Gangsta and I dropped that)

if you're in need of more mute husbandos..
http://myanimelist.net/character/27085/Popee

amazing. he's so hot. 10/10. love him.

obscureanimefan said:

vikki7783 said:
...why limited to girls???

(that being said the only mute character I know is the guy from Gangsta and I dropped that)

oh ok. in that case I don't know any characters like that.

Jan 17, 2016 9:19 PM

gophercg

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Mar 2012

4179

Yes Seki-kun is 100% waifu material. Because actions speak louder than words. The comedy centers on the action, silence, & Rumi verbalizing reactions for both of them.
Nicolas from Gangsta is pretty cool. Many in his world can't understand sign language, so the communication barrier remains. It's plot relevant instead of just characterization (or for cute points. It makes him cooler & hunterish). It also affected their backstory/flashbacks upbringing. Two main characters went to learn SL specifically for him.
President from Yuru Yuri "speaks" but completely silent with no facial expression & minimal action. Although the scientist played off her silence & lack of presence as bit of comedy, her scenes were mostly boring & awkward to watch.
So, these characters can be done well, but need alternative communication means, or need a strong enough "partner character" to bounce off the muteness.

Jan 17, 2016 9:23 PM

SeijiSensei

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May 2012

18055

Shion from Shion no Ou is the only truly mute female I know of. She's an excellent character who communicates by writing on a notebook she carries with her like this:

Her inner thoughts are well-voiced by Kawasumi Ayako.

Jan 17, 2016 9:51 PM

flannan

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Nov 2009

8716

obscureanimefan said:
But when you think about it. How hard is it to design a cute anime girl, get a VA who can make a really cute sound, and write a curious, child-like character?

Such a character doesn't have to be helpless or dumb like Chi, Nyu or pokemon.
My favorite mute character is Ren from Tsukihime franchise.
http://myanimelist.net/character/7164/Len

Jan 18, 2016 1:05 AM

#10

DaRedSovietGyro

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Jan 2016

gangsta i feel did a pretty good job of displaying a mute character.

Jan 18, 2016 1:10 AM

#11

silvers0ul

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Mar 2015

706

the best mute character ever

Nishimiya Shouko from Koe no Katachi would probably be one of the mute characters? The movie will be out in October or something...

Gin-chan said:
Anime - it's not something that can be thought of in a hall for conferences. It is made out of strange juices current from the brain of animators.

Jan 18, 2016 3:05 AM

#12

shintai88

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May 2009

12618

I remember Sayo from Peace Maker Kurogane,

The girl may not be able to speak, but the personality is thus more key, such as the actions, and facial expressions.

http://shintai88.deviantart.com/ Just some of my artwork (Total Noob Btw)

http://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=14885218
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMw9h7UH_6ciM7Swteaf5UA
http://www.twitch.tv/shintai88

Jan 18, 2016 3:12 AM

#13

NeoAnkara

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Mar 2012

18960

A character of thousand voice even though she is self imposed mute.

Kickstarter for Rokujouma is fully funded. Good work everyone. Lets wait for the result of our hard work together.

Jan 18, 2016 8:44 AM

#14

silversaint

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Jan 2011

9948

he didnt speak a word yet we get to know a lot about him

Jan 18, 2016 9:00 AM

#15

Salokannel2

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Sep 2015

2311

Non Non Biyori has a great mute character, Suguru.

Jan 18, 2016 9:04 AM

#16

Milk_is_Special

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Apr 2014

11203

There aren't really any mute characters in anime....

Jan 18, 2016 9:05 AM

#17

Z-Dante

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Aug 2015

3777

So , some studio decided to go cheap on the VA ? Sorry mate , that character ain't gonna be good.

A mute character can only be good when his/her expression , behavior and narrative can make up for it. It's quite a hard thing to do so I don't see many good mute anime characters.

Jan 18, 2016 10:46 AM

#18

Extra_Caster

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Mar 2014

Salokannel2 said:
Non Non Biyori has a great mute character, Suguru.

Nii-chan is the greatest mute character. The world will not allow him to speak. His voice would shatter dimensions.

Jan 18, 2016 11:14 AM

#19

Salokannel2

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Sep 2015

2311

Extra_Caster said:

Salokannel2 said:
Non Non Biyori has a great mute character, Suguru.

Nii-chan is the greatest mute character. The world will not allow him to speak. His voice would shatter dimensions.

Just like Rengo once said: "My view of the world almost changed"

Jan 18, 2016 5:46 PM

#20

Kuma

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Mar 2015

47114

can't waid koe no katachi movie. hope kyo ani can pull it somehow with movie.

"If taking responsibility for a mistake that cannot be undone means death, it's not that hard to die. At least, not as hard as to live on."

Feb 25, 2018 7:27 AM

#21

makoa

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Apr 2017

Jun Naruse is my no. 1 waifu, because i am muted in real life!!

Feb 25, 2018 11:58 AM

#22

hazecloud

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Jan 2018

33322

She can be a good supporting character but for it to be a main heroine it is certainly a great challenge.
Chi from chobits is definitely an acceptable and enjoyable romance story character for me.

Feb 25, 2018 12:28 PM

#23

-Mahesvara

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Jan 2015

5513

Silky from antcient mangus bride, she makes up for her lack of verbal communication with her facial expressions and actions. She's probably my favorite character in the series next to Alice.

-MahesvaraFeb 25, 2018 12:35 PM

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Making good mute anime characters

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