What's your favourite type of MC?

LiteraryWho

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 22, 2022
Messages
195
Points
103
A real normal person. Yeah, that sounds generic and like it could be applied to most MCs, but actually, I barely ever see it done well, and then it's often a huge dislike for me if it suddenly turns away from this.
For example, if they are isekaid, they should rightfully freak out. They shouldn't perfectly know how to survive in the wilderness. They shouldn't be fine with killing whatever they encounter. And they certainly shouldn't just fly along with it. Too many don't ever seem like they actually led a life in a normal world.
This also applies to denizens of a fantasy world. Villagers and citizens aren't killers. Just because you got some power, you don't suddenly ignore the ingrained societal norms.

Character development usually happens far too quickly. They have one experience and suddenly take it so hard to heart that it completely overwrites who they were.
They survived the first day of the apocalypse? Good. Now they can kill without remorse and are master tacticians. Or whatever scenario is given.
They trained for a day? Cool. Now they can apply everything they learned in real-life situations.

I like cool scenarios, but I actually like to see the character being more than just a victim of their circumstances. I want their personality to matter, beyond whatever crazy thing happened to them.

In addition, they should actually start out as normal. I absolutely can't have it if it's later on revealed that they were the child of some deity all along, so their path to grandness was destiny. So many "twists" made them suddenly some more-than-mere-mortals entity.
Chosen One plots are boring.
Have you ever watched "The Twelve Kingdoms" Anime? Based on this, I think you'd really like it. There's also a light novel, but I don't know if it's been translated to English. I've been (very slowly) studying for Japanese almost entirely due to my desire to read the source material for it (that, and the original Shin Megami Tensei novel).

Also, to OP, I have a fondness for loud, friendly, hard working "Naruto" types. I'm one of the few people who liked "yelasta" from black clover for his needless yelling, rather than in spite of it.
 

Anonjohn20

Pen holding member
Joined
Mar 22, 2023
Messages
1,736
Points
153
My favorite are the consistent MC. If they say something in one chapter, they shouldn't be acting the complete opposite of their personality in the next chapter. If they say they are going to be a certain way and at the drop of a hat are something completely different only to later return to that the original personality (with no reason for the change), then the author might suck.
 

ShrimpShady

The One With the Wurlitzer
Joined
Jan 2, 2019
Messages
532
Points
133
Silly goobers.

I don't need any more aura-farming stoic MCs who hide their power levels, nor do I need milquetoast romance protagonists with no personality other than "vaguely kind".

I need silly goobers.
 

Kenjona

His member well-known
Joined
Apr 12, 2020
Messages
705
Points
133
A lot of people have already mentioned various MC types I like. But good/bad/ugly/pretty or whatever. It is the ones that grab my attention and make me care about the story and stay invested in the story.
 

MasterY001

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 15, 2025
Messages
370
Points
108
Stoic in battle, silly in life
I love these types of characters, too. Probably my favorite archetype to write.
They are so far out of style right now that they're stranded on a moon three starsystems away from popular, but I always love a small steps hero. A protagonist who does the right thing because its the right thing to do, and neither rewards nor punishments change what's right. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SmallStepsHero
One, I hate the TV Tropes website. It's more satire than valid criticism, not conducive in a creative environment.

Two, the problem with writing a righteous protagonist is that their stories are often frustrating. Their moral code might not align with the reader's, and this could turn off an audience. Also, the 285th Rule of Acquisition says, "No good deed ever goes unpunished." Even if a choice is morally right, there will always be negative consequences.
 
Joined
Mar 6, 2025
Messages
15
Points
18
Realistic for me. I always had a tendency to write protagonists with flaws since I was used to writing realism a lot of the time.

I also like silly little moments where the MC does nothing much but shenanigans happen.

I'm not too fond of the overpowered trope unless it's for another character to be mocked or a parody.
 

Kara_dija

Active member
Joined
May 16, 2025
Messages
104
Points
43
For me, I like those villainous mc who have braincells. Yeah, they are evil as fu*k but I do like them. And it's a cheery on top if they have flaws, like anger issue, emotional distress, psychological trauma or just being a dumbass with no common sense.

It just makes them more relatable, even if they are evil. Similar qualities also enhance the 'good' MCs for me too.

But I genuinely hate those super righteous MCs that can't for the love of god do a wrong thing, even if their entire seven generation is slaughtered. And especially those mister perfects, these mfs can do anything... I mean ANYTHING. Someone created an alien language... BOOM! They knew that since birth LIKE WTF!!! (Of course, I'm being dramatic but you get it.... Right?)
Sunshine golden retriever OR an introvert nerd. I'd die for a man like that ?
 

Chaos_Sinner777

Imprisoned Soul Seeking Isekai
Joined
Dec 25, 2019
Messages
425
Points
103
Rimuru Sama from Tensura is the perfect example for me. Just a chill dude, but you start shit, he ENDS it.
 

WhaleSprite

I'm a little autistic don't judge me
Joined
Jun 9, 2025
Messages
107
Points
43
There's so many types I like. But I do enjoy MC's who choose to be kind people when they had every reason not to be. I don't mean MCs who are pushovers. I mean legitimately kind. They had times where they nearly decided to give into their anger and misery, but they still decided to keep being their kind self. For example MCs like Tanjiro from demon slayer, yuji from JJK, Deku from MHA, Kim Dokja from ORV, Cale from Trash of the Count's family, Tohru from fruits baskets, etc.
 
Top