How come romance is use as short cut to humanize characters?

[Luckyday]

I notice in most animated shows that either writers would often give a character a love interest or fans of the show, would often ship two characters together.

What would you do to make a character more relatable that you don't often see in other shows?

[snake]

Uh, not really seeing where you're going, but maybe try to give them hobbies 'n stuff like that?

[BabyTurtles]

how would I make a character more relatable?

well it's nothing new....(my way of doing it at least)
1) give them flaws
2) give them strengths
3) give them goals
4) give them hobbies and interests

you don't even need to touch romance. I'm trying to make a comic and I haven't even given anyone a love interest yet.

[snake]

Originally Posted by BabyTurtles

how would I make a character more relatable?


1) give them flaws
2) give them strengths
3) give them goals
4) give them hobbies and interests

you don't even need to touch romance. I'm trying to make a comic and I haven't even given anyone a love interest yet.

Yeah. That stuff too.

[ssjup81]

Originally Posted by Luckyday

I notice in most animated shows that either writers would often give a character a love interest of that fans of the show, would often ship two characters together.

What would you do to make a character more relatable that you don't often see in other shows?

I think they do this because it's relateable. I mean, everyone has probably fallen for someone at some point and there are people who are just generally romantics and wish they could have some kind of a romance themselves, if they don't, I mean.

It's nice to have well-rounded characters in general. If you add in romance, no problem, if not, no problem. Like babyturtle said, stuff like goals, maybe have them face something in their life that most people can relate to, etc...but that also depends on the age and demographic you're aiming it towards. Seems with teens, anything involving growing pains, which usually does include romance at some point. Maybe the stress of school, trying to fit in amongst your peers while still trying to be an individual, the pressure of living up to your parents' expectations, but maybe finding an outlet to rebel against that, even if it's secret.

That reminds me of this anime series I've seen. It's about this high-school girl who comes from a well-to-do family and goes to a very nice school. She's very pretty, makes great grades, is a talented piano player, worshipped by her peers, etc., but she has a secret. She's an "otaku" of some series. I know outside of Japan, some folks go around using the term "otaku" like it's a good thing, but in Japan...it's not something to fully be proud of. It's equivalent to like...nerd or maybe slightly childish, depending on what you like.

Anyway, long story short, a classmate (who lives with his older sister, who is lazy, so he does all of the housework) finds out about her liking of anime, manga, or whatever it was, and keeps her secret and the two become friends. Even though she has "friends", she didn't feel close enough to them to share her true thoughts. Her outlet is her friend, who didn't judge her for liking such things and she can relax, but when in school and around her peers and family, she still has to wear a mask. As the friendship grows, I think the two start to like each other. Not sure if it ever happens, though...got tired of the fanservice for this series and never finished it, but yeah...their friendship did grow and seems they were implying it may go there.

I think many kids can relate to this in some way or form. You act one way to "fit in", but can't fully be yourself.

So yeah, for young people, I can see why they use romance sometimes...it's very relateable.

Hm, I kind of blabbed on and on and didn't really answer the question clearly, did I? lol Well, what babyturtle said is my answer. Goals, dreams, aspirations, etc. lol

[BabyTurtles]

I say make the character first then do the romance later.

but don't make a character with just the idea of making them a love interest first....because it will be obvious....and not in a good way.

[ssjup81]

Originally Posted by BabyTurtles

I say make the character first then do the romance later.

but don't make a character with just the idea of making them a love interest first....because it will be obvious....and not in a good way.

Same for me, actually as far as fics go. For example, I'm a fan of Koushirou (Izzy) x Mimi (of Digimon) as a pair in a general sense, so I don't care if it involves romance with the two. Friendship works for me just fine.

I wrote a fic over 10 years ago where Koushirou's character was given an assignment which would involve him having to talk about his family's history. His character is adopted and even though his issues with being adopted were resolved when he and his adoptive parents finally came clean to one another (his overhearing him that time and letting them know about it when they told him that they weren't his real parents). It was a nice bonding moment for him.

The actual idea of adoption in Japan just made me curious over why Koushirou's character acted in the way that he did and why he felt the way he did and listening to this Digimon Adventure image theme really helped...like how he wants to tbe more open but actually couldn't, but hopes to work on that some day. The song was called "Version Up". It's like he wanted to "upgrade" himself. In Adventure 02, for his image theme, "Open Mind", he technically did do so and had become more open amongst his friends, but still realized he still had some ways to go before fully opening up his heart.

Sorry...going back on-topic, for the fic, I wrote it from the opposite perspective. He and his parents never discussed his adoption, as they still didn't want to share that with him, not wanting to burden him. In other words, he still had his adoption complex.

For the fic's assignment, since Mimi was in his class, and the only person not assigned to actually do so (given that her parents were still in the US), their teacher assigned her to work with him since he's never been good about giving information regarding family. The romance that eventually made its way in between the two wasn't intended at all. It just gradually, and subtly snuck its way in and felt like it worked (despite whether something would've come of it or not). But yeah, romance was never the original intention of the story and in all honesty, a great deal of practically anything I write seems to turn out that way.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

In simple terms, because the desire for love is one of the greatest driving forces a person can experience. Nearly everyone wants or needs love at some point, and that need can be a great hook for characters. It's a way to show who a person is at their core. A character who doesn't show emotions feels hollow and unrealistic, unless there is a very good reason why they are so shut off. But most characters in any medium will have feelings of affection for someone else, whether it's romantic love or that of a friend or family member.

[Luckyday]

I guess but you just inserting it in like Apritello then it has the opposite effect and comes across grating and shallow. It even worse when you dress it up as something deep like Bella and Edward's from Twilight. It's lazy writing and needs to stop.

I mean would it kill them to show why a character have romantic feelings in a subtle manner?

[Refractive Reflections]

The quick and short answer as to how come? It's the fastest way to show a character's sensitive side since romance displays immediate vulnerability.


This mentioned by BabyTurtles beforehand would work, but most of the audience is kind of too lazy to spend time getting to know a character:

Originally Posted by BabyTurtles

how would I make a character more relatable?

well it's nothing new....(my way of doing it at least)
1) give them flaws
2) give them strengths
3) give them goals
4) give them hobbies and interests

you don't even need to touch romance. I'm trying to make a comic and I haven't even given anyone a love interest yet.

[Candy Kappa]

It's quick, easy and lazy. That's why its used as an short cut instead of making a fleshed out three dimensional character.

[BabyTurtles]

Originally Posted by Candy Kappa

It's quick, easy and lazy. That's why its used as an short cut instead of making a fleshed out three dimensional character.

yup....in the short run it's okay....but in the long run it's not.

[Leo656]

Originally Posted by MsMarvelDuckie

In simple terms, because the desire for love is one of the greatest driving forces a person can experience. Nearly everyone wants or needs love at some point, and that need can be a great hook for characters. It's a way to show who a person is at their core.

Yep. It's a part of life, really the dominant factor in life for most people. So it always perturbs me a little bit when people are like, "I don't like romance/relationship stuff in (whatever the story is)." It doesn't have to be THE focus but it's actually not very realistic at all to leave it out.

Originally Posted by Luckyday

I mean would it kill them to show why a character have romantic feelings in a subtle manner?

There is absolutely nothing subtle at all about romance or romantic feelings. At least when it's real and not a passing fancy. It's rather overwhelming and powerful. It's hard to accurately portray it in a subdued fashion.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Originally Posted by Leo656

Yep. It's a part of life, really the dominant factor in life for most people. So it always perturbs me a little bit when people are like, "I don't like romance/relationship stuff in (whatever the story is)." It doesn't have to be THE focus but it's actually not very realistic at all to leave it out.


There is absolutely nothing subtle at all about romance or romantic feelings. At least when it's real and not a passing fancy. It's rather overwhelming and powerful. It's hard to accurately portray it in a subdued fashion.

You hit it on the nose, Leo. Hay, is that even a legal move for a wrestler??!!

[Jelly Bean]

they did this with Wonder Woman with her crush on Batman in the Justice League cartoon I noticed.