How do you design iconic characters?

[Eldoria]

Iconic characters are unforgettable characters for readers and can even become new archetypes, for example, Aizen (Bleach), who is known as the best mastermind, Yagami Light (Death Note), the narcissistic god of death in the new world, Luffy (One Piece), the strong, silly and funny shounen protagonist, etc. How do you design characters in your novel to create iconic characters that readers remember (they don't have to be popular, the important thing is that readers can remember your character even if you only have one reader)?

 

[CharlesEBrown]

You can't design them - they feel forced if you do, and rarely catch on. You design a character who BECOMES iconic due to fan interactions and/or hitting the right tropes to gain critical attention.

 

[Deleted member 166465]

Me design iconic characters? Ha ha ha.
Good joke.

 

[Ai-chan]

Make the character feel alive and real.

Yagami Raito is memorable because he was a protagonist that acted like an antagonist. He was smart, capable of thinking many steps ahead and created contingencies after contingencies. In front of people, he acted like a goody-two-shoes who wouldn't hurt a flying, but we as readers know how twisted his insides are. But we can't even say he's wrong, because despite his methods, he did get things done. And when the antagonists (L) tried to bring him to justice, we can't say L was wrong either, as L was doing his job following the accepted norms of society. There are many contradictions with Yagami, but the contradictions are not in conflict. It made the character human.

 

[Zagaroth]

I agree with Charles.

Just make characters who feel alive and rich and vibrant. Fill them out. Make them People to your best ability.

And then, maybe, if you are lucky, one of your characters will become iconic.

------------------

Alternatively, become a reasonably successful TTRPG company, and create a specific character for each of your classes, and call those the iconic characters for your classes. ?

(Joke lovingly aimed at Paizo, it's a slightly different use of the same word is all. :) )

 

[HisDivineShadow]

It’s all about archetypes. Although it’s rare to find a pure archetype these days, especially with how oversaturated everything has become. A “clean” archetype often feels cartoonish or unrealistic now. So, most popular characters are usually a blend of two or three archetypes.
So no, you’re not creating something entirely new. It’s just like playing with LEGO, but with archetypes. And yes, Charles is right: you can’t force it. Let the character come alive. Understand their motivation. Find what drives them. That’s what makes them compelling. Or not.
A lot depends on how well you connect with your target audience.
I’m just a beginner writer, so I can only speak from theory. But maybe those who’ve been in the craft longer could share some practical insights.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Forget condom.

 

[HisDivineShadow]

Forget condom.

?

 

[Deleted member 166465]

Forget condom.

ohhh hell no. that is 18 to 30 years of payments, I cant deal with that Ninja.

 

[Danja]

Iconic characters are unforgettable characters for readers and can even become new archetypes, for example, Aizen (Bleach), who is known as the best mastermind, Yagami Light (Death Note), the narcissistic god of death in the new world, Luffy (One Piece), the strong, silly and funny shounen protagonist, etc. How do you design characters in your novel to create iconic characters that readers remember (they don't have to be popular, the important thing is that readers can remember your character even if you only have one reader)?

It's the FANS that make icons ... not YOU.

Hollywood has tried for decades to create "iconic" characters right out of the box, only to crash and burn in the process (See: Eragon, Legend, Free Spirit, You Wish, Scorch, etc.).

Fans know knockoffs when they see them ... and they don't like it.

 

[BreadIsACuisine]

What Charles said.

 

[WhaleSprite]

Just make your character and pray your fans think they're iconic, I guess? I don't think there is a lot you can do other than writing your characters as unique and likeable. You can't really control who is iconic. That's too hard to predict.

 

[Deleted member 206441]

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Now, if you just misspelled it and are really out to make Ironic characters, I'm sure we can provide a lot of suggestions...