What are the minor things that makes MC (any kind) hateable?

Representing_Tromba

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keniona talked about jealousy received for being able to do more than others. You too mentioned the suspicion that readers felt shown up by someone struggling less with something than they would have. This only tangentially relates to the "jack of all trades" part for me, i.e. the pursuit of many skills over the mastery of few. Such a character could just as well be slow at learning the individual trades as they could be an universal genius.

As for realism, I'd like to point out that a Mary Sue also can be realistic in the sense that you could imagine, or even reference, when talking about a specific skillset, a real life person who's just that good. That still doesn't make them good characters for a story.
I haven't read the story in question so my impression on the actual question of whether it is realistic is obviously meaningless, but I believe that realism in writing can never serve as more than a foundation to immersion and should hence be less of a priority than whatever emotions you're trying to bring out.
I would disagree but I will agree that it depends on the story. Some stories don't need them while others thrive with them.
 

RepresentingWrath

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Huh?

Like, getting showered by authors as "the very handsome bishounen"?
This.
 

QuercusMalus

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Re: Chinese cultivation novels- they made a lot more sense to me when I stopped thinking of the sects as religious organizations, and instead started thinking of them as gangs. When you view the MC as being involved in the equivalent of a Blood/Crips/Latin Kings gang war, the moral myopia is less jarring.
 

Zirrboy

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I would disagree but I will agree that it depends on the story. Some stories don't need them while others thrive with them.
Them?
Ah, you mean Mary Sues?
My point about those was merely supposed to be that realism alone doesn't make them the right choice.
 

NotaNuffian

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Re: Chinese cultivation novels- they made a lot more sense to me when I stopped thinking of the sects as religious organizations, and instead started thinking of them as gangs. When you view the MC as being involved in the equivalent of a Blood/Crips/Latin Kings gang war, the moral myopia is less jarring.
How long did it took you? Cuz I was laughing my ass off when they are using the Geneva Suggestion as a checklist and doing a speed run.
 

NotaNuffian

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Yeah, about that... I know it, and I don't care.
Well, you did point it out, so...
I would disagree but I will agree that it depends on the story. Some stories don't need them while others thrive with them.
Asking same qn as Zirrboy.
Wait... are these supposed to be different characters?
Yup.

But just know that they are all japanese men. End of story.
 

NotaNuffian

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Also! Also!


You can still go for this kind of look, but make it distinct enough. Lelouch, Izumi Miyamura, Luffy. There are more, but I am too lazy to list them.
Nah, way too distinct.

The japanese audience wants a self insert, not a main character lol.
 

Kenjona

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Re: Chinese cultivation novels- they made a lot more sense to me when I stopped thinking of the sects as religious organizations, and instead started thinking of them as gangs. When you view the MC as being involved in the equivalent of a Blood/Crips/Latin Kings gang war, the moral myopia is less jarring.
Indeed, though truth be told. Historically many of the religious sects in China and other Eastern countries acted exactly like that. They took over territories got paid in taxes, people and so on. Very much a headache for various Governments.
 

beast_regards

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Unable to predict the future with the perfect accuracy.
Making choices that don't result in immediate gain
Not resolving problems in the same chapter they are introduced
Failing in something
Now knowing something
Having weaknesses
 
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