Character archetypes
Mar. 1st, 2003 02:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gogmagogI've been going on a big nostalgia kick lately. At the moment, specifically X-Men, which I used to be a HUGE HUGE fanboy of. Now, I haven't picked up an X-Men comic in years, but I could still give you a full rundown of the "Age of Apocalypse" storyline (which was the last big storyline before I stopped reading X-Men) right off the top of my head. This is probably sad, but ANYWAY...I was thinking this morning, and noticing that the vast majority of my absolute favorite fictional characters tend to fit into a set of about three different archetypes. Now, this shouldn't be a surprise - most people do have this happen - but I was just surprised at the archetypes that are my favorite, and the fact that generally the same sort of characters were my favorite even as a kid. I think they say something weird about me, but I'm not quite sure what it is yet.
Archetype 1: The Brash Guy/Girl. Tough, outgoing, and sexy. Can sometimes be slightly dim. Usually a nice person, though he/she can sometimes have a gruff facade. Isn't afraid to let people know his/her feelings - positive or negative - and he/she usually knows exactly what he/she wants, and goes for it. Often brassy and sexually confident (in fact, confident in general). However, when his/her heart is involved he/she may find himself/herself not quite so sure and gung-ho. Or, alternatively, he/she will be more so than usual.
Why I like this character: I think it's because I'm generally a somewhat shy person who represses his negative emotions WAY too much. So I like people who aren't afraid to let people know about their feelings.
Favourites:
Guys: Cius Warren (Star Ocean), Tidus (Final Fantasy X), Gambit (X-Men), and, in fact, most main characters in things aimed at young guys (except for shounen love manga, whose main characters are usually dorky).
Girls: Kennedy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Yukino Mayuzumi (Persona 2: Innocent Sin), Rogue (X-Men).
Neither: Nuriko (Fushigi Yuugi). "My soul is female, even if my body isn't! <3"
Archetype 2: The Snarky, Insensitive Bitch. Generally gorgeous, rich, intelligent and tough. Also often shallow (at least outwardly) and acerbic to the point of nastiness. Also, if young, she's generally a bit of a daddy's girl. Sometimes has a bit of the Brash Girl in her as well. She doesn't just think she's superior, she KNOWS she is. Through prolonged association with nicer people, the sharp edge may be dulled a little bit, but she'll never be one of those simpering heroines. This character is summed up by a quote from Cordelia: "Tact is just not saying true stuff. I'll pass."
Why I like this character: For the life of me, I don't know. In real life, this kind of person would drive me up the wall. I guess it's because I'm generally intelligent, but also quite repressive of my anger/negative emotions. So while I may often have "This person is so stupid, I'm ten times better than they are, rar rar rar" moments, I never actually express them out loud. So I guess I can respect a character who does. While I also like the male version of this character, all of my favourites who fit the archetype are female. What's odd is that this is my absolute favourite type of character.
Favourites: Cordelia Chase (Buffy/Angel), Lilah Morgan (Angel), Emma Frost/White Queen (Generation X), Monet St. Croix/M (Generation X). Also Lulu (Final Fantasy X)to a lesser extent, and possibly Celes/Cerise (Final Fantasy VI), at least early on.
Archetype 3: The Lovable Dork. Smart, but not too commonsensical. Or conversely, commonsensical but not too smart. Loyal, sometimes a bit shy but generally friendly. Usually has some sort of deep love for something out of the ordinary (like barrels, or kitty cats). Sometimes snarky in an effort to hide his inner softy. Often does stupid things because he doesn't think things through, and is immediately deeply embarrassed by them. This is usually followed by blushing (and sweatdrops in anime/manga). Tries to play the "perfect gentleman," sometimes to the point of frustration for the other person. Usually committed, sometimes overly so, to his work. Usually is too shy to confess his love for someone, until it comes out in a deeply embarrassing manner.
Why I like this character: It should be obvious - I identify with this kind of character. :D
Favourites: William/sometimes Spike (Buffy), Angel (Angel), Wesley up until he kidnaps Angel's son (or, as I like to call him, "Wussley"; Angel), Katsuya Suou (Persona 2: Eternal Punishment), Ashton Anchors (Star Ocean: The Second Story), Wakka (Final Fantasy X), Ginta Suou (Marmalade Boy). Also possibly Norris (Chrono Cross).
Whoo. That's a long entry. Also, everybody do your own version if you want. I'd be interested in hearing what kind of character archetypes y'all like. (Maybe it'll mean I've started a meme, whatever that is.)
And I was going to go take pictures of Kingston today, but it's raining. Crap. ;_;
Random note: I just realised I went past 100 entries several days ago. Yay me.
Archetype 1: The Brash Guy/Girl. Tough, outgoing, and sexy. Can sometimes be slightly dim. Usually a nice person, though he/she can sometimes have a gruff facade. Isn't afraid to let people know his/her feelings - positive or negative - and he/she usually knows exactly what he/she wants, and goes for it. Often brassy and sexually confident (in fact, confident in general). However, when his/her heart is involved he/she may find himself/herself not quite so sure and gung-ho. Or, alternatively, he/she will be more so than usual.
Why I like this character: I think it's because I'm generally a somewhat shy person who represses his negative emotions WAY too much. So I like people who aren't afraid to let people know about their feelings.
Favourites:
Guys: Cius Warren (Star Ocean), Tidus (Final Fantasy X), Gambit (X-Men), and, in fact, most main characters in things aimed at young guys (except for shounen love manga, whose main characters are usually dorky).
Girls: Kennedy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Yukino Mayuzumi (Persona 2: Innocent Sin), Rogue (X-Men).
Neither: Nuriko (Fushigi Yuugi). "My soul is female, even if my body isn't! <3"
Archetype 2: The Snarky, Insensitive Bitch. Generally gorgeous, rich, intelligent and tough. Also often shallow (at least outwardly) and acerbic to the point of nastiness. Also, if young, she's generally a bit of a daddy's girl. Sometimes has a bit of the Brash Girl in her as well. She doesn't just think she's superior, she KNOWS she is. Through prolonged association with nicer people, the sharp edge may be dulled a little bit, but she'll never be one of those simpering heroines. This character is summed up by a quote from Cordelia: "Tact is just not saying true stuff. I'll pass."
Why I like this character: For the life of me, I don't know. In real life, this kind of person would drive me up the wall. I guess it's because I'm generally intelligent, but also quite repressive of my anger/negative emotions. So while I may often have "This person is so stupid, I'm ten times better than they are, rar rar rar" moments, I never actually express them out loud. So I guess I can respect a character who does. While I also like the male version of this character, all of my favourites who fit the archetype are female. What's odd is that this is my absolute favourite type of character.
Favourites: Cordelia Chase (Buffy/Angel), Lilah Morgan (Angel), Emma Frost/White Queen (Generation X), Monet St. Croix/M (Generation X). Also Lulu (Final Fantasy X)to a lesser extent, and possibly Celes/Cerise (Final Fantasy VI), at least early on.
Archetype 3: The Lovable Dork. Smart, but not too commonsensical. Or conversely, commonsensical but not too smart. Loyal, sometimes a bit shy but generally friendly. Usually has some sort of deep love for something out of the ordinary (like barrels, or kitty cats). Sometimes snarky in an effort to hide his inner softy. Often does stupid things because he doesn't think things through, and is immediately deeply embarrassed by them. This is usually followed by blushing (and sweatdrops in anime/manga). Tries to play the "perfect gentleman," sometimes to the point of frustration for the other person. Usually committed, sometimes overly so, to his work. Usually is too shy to confess his love for someone, until it comes out in a deeply embarrassing manner.
Why I like this character: It should be obvious - I identify with this kind of character. :D
Favourites: William/sometimes Spike (Buffy), Angel (Angel), Wesley up until he kidnaps Angel's son (or, as I like to call him, "Wussley"; Angel), Katsuya Suou (Persona 2: Eternal Punishment), Ashton Anchors (Star Ocean: The Second Story), Wakka (Final Fantasy X), Ginta Suou (Marmalade Boy). Also possibly Norris (Chrono Cross).
Whoo. That's a long entry. Also, everybody do your own version if you want. I'd be interested in hearing what kind of character archetypes y'all like. (Maybe it'll mean I've started a meme, whatever that is.)
And I was going to go take pictures of Kingston today, but it's raining. Crap. ;_;
Random note: I just realised I went past 100 entries several days ago. Yay me.
