How important is it for a character to be "relatable"?

[DokiDokiTsuna]

I am shocked that this isn't a topic already. '_' It's something you hear all the time, especially in trope talk...yet it's never been focused on. Okay, then.

So, "relatability"...like I said, it's been mentioned a lot already, often as the #1 excuse used by people who write bland, uninteresting characters (harem anime protags, YA novel MCs, etc.).

I put it in quotes because it's really a false, almost oxymoronic concept...a truly relatable character and a character that you can pretend is you are not actually the same thing. Sometimes those descriptions overlap: for instance, when you find a character that is so much like you, watching them move through their story, enjoying things you enjoy and making decisions you might make, is like watching a version of yourself in a parallel universe.

But the instance so widely cited is usually when you find a character that is so empty and devoid of personality/motivation that you can simply "fill in the blanks".
When they decide to go out with the love interest, it could be because "he's SUUUUPER hot, omg I WANT HIM" or because "I might as well; I've never had a boyfriend but since he's here...".

With the blandest, tropiest examples, the only overt reaction you see is usually something in the middle of those extremes (like "...Okay") where you can apply whatever internal reaction you want, like the ones above. And this just...keeps happening, for everything they do. They become "relatable" simply because no evidence is presented to the contrary.

...Except, of course, for those people who don't fit the stereotypical average that these "relatable" MC's are supposed to represent (i.e. white cishet upper middle class youth). I feel like I've mentioned it before, but it's even more surreal to watch people go "they're not bland, they're relatable!!!1!1!!" when you can't even imagine doing some of the stuff they do, like...I dunno, going to a mall and buying things just for fun.
Relatable to whom?? Couldn't be me....but honestly, that's worth a topic by itself. ^^;

I guess things like that are part of the reason why I would say "not much" in answer to the titular question. When you're not included in that stereotypical average, you get used to seeing characters who are nothing like you all the time, and the idea of needing to relate to enjoy something isn't as strong. You may still wish to see someone like you as an MC, but your knee-jerk reaction to seeing someone who isn't is not "who the f*ck is this"...or the more subtle "tsk tsk; they're unrealistic". You just go with it. =/

And from a writer's standpoint, I'd say "not even remotely important at all", although that's just how I am. I've more or less abandoned the idea of being able to present my work as "relatable" to anyone, much less the masses...so I just focus on letting all my characters be themselves. I can't imagine tailoring an MC to appeal to anyone besides me...especially if that meant ripping out everything that made them unique (this is why, although I love character design with all my heart and soul, the idea of doing it for a living is lowkey horrifying).

[CttMaurice]

I can agree that from a writers standpoint I generally don't care for making my characters "Relatable" to people as they are characters. If I give them a trait that turns out to be relatable to some people thats cool, its fine.

BUT, I can also understand from a readers standpoint why a relatable character is very useful.

Having an MC that you can understand gives you a clearer idea of how their mind functions as a person. Someone who never goes through struggle is a character that you can't relate too and that is very bad. If you can't understand the character why bother reading or watching said show?

It's certainly good to make a story that doesn't have to be relatable but the story better be REALLY good as to draw the readers in from just the story alone. But a relatable character strengthens that want to continue the story even if it's not a self insert type of MC and or side character.

[HGohwell]

I think there's too much focus on relatable sometimes even thought people don't seem to understand what it actually means. Because it doesn't really mean they've got to be likable to everyone and doesn't have to be so bland you can project onto them really. It is important, because that's what makes people invested most the time. We relate to the character, so we want to see what happened. What it means is a character we can empathize and connect with.

This is why one of the first pieces of advice given out to people when writing characters, is make your characters like someone/something and make them want something. Because that's what we relate to.

The MC has a boy she likes, I have a boy I like, I totally get that. Instant relatable. The MC's mother is sick and she loves her, I love my mother and would be so sad if she got sick, I hope she gets better. That, in its basic form, is all relatablity means and why lots of people tell you to make your disasters and plots smaller, even when they're huge. End of the world? Can't relate. My best friend has betrayed me and is on the side of ending the world? I feel you, MC, I want to make Best Friend pay too, let's go stop their plan. And even villains can be relatable. That Villain who doesn't really want to be doing their job and would rather just play video games? So relatable.

[ar-ninetysix]

I gotta admit, half the time I don't feel like I know what relatable is supposed to mean in these instances considering that everyone's got different ideals and lifestyles, there's no truly universally relatable thing for everyone in the planet so????

I've just been under the impression that writing a fully-fleshed out character would prove to be more effective for a story and realistic for people to relate to. "Relatable" to me almost feels like a boomer's buzzword now to get people to half-heartedly write characters that pander to a specific audience. "What do kids like nowadays?? Depression and anxiety, right?"

[CommanderMarty]

The most important thing a character needs to be is understandable. They don't even need to be likable let alone relatable.

EDIT: They also should be interesting to keep the readers.... interest.

[Phantomlight]

In a reader perspective, I like it when I can relate to a character, but I enjoy characters more when they're colorful in their personality and choices. Actually there are some people who can't relate to characters, but enjoy reading characters that are unlike them to better understand people in their life that are like a character or they just enjoy reading about someone different from themselves. For example, I can't relate to being on the autistic spectrum, but sometimes I search for those kinds of characters because I know people in my life who are. I want to get a sense of what the world is like for someone who isn't me. I know each person is different, when you meet one person, you've only met one person, you haven't met a group of people, but it can still help you understand bits and pieces. I think that's the most interesting to me sometimes. I love getting to know the characters for who they are, I just love knowing all kinds of different characters, if they're similar as me or not. And as you've said @DokiDokiTsuna I love it when creators just create characters being themselves.

Relating to experiences is probably more enriching for me. Circumstances don't need to be exactly the same to relate to someone's experiences, which helps enrich me reading a novel or comic. I feel like people learn from characters going through similar experiences as them, they feel less alone, they may even feel comfort from seeing the character get through their hardships. But again, it doesn't need to be the prime objective of the creator. If it happens, I think it's wonderful!

In a creator perspective, my primary focus isn't making comic strips that are relatable or even characters that are relatable. I love making characters and seeing where those characters take me. I am at the mercy of their choices really. When i make a character, I kind of get in their mindset, their persona, if you will. My characters do fall into some tropes, I am sure, but I love having fun with my creations and my prime focus is making it fun for me and for readers. I do add in moments that may be relatable, but not purposefully, they're mostly from my own life experiences or people in my life who've experienced such things. I just have an idea that I think might be fun or funny or enjoyable and run with that.

[cherrystark]

I don't really think about making characters "relatable" when I write. I think more in terms of my being able to empathize with them. As readers, we're not going to be able to "relate" to every character. We're not always going to be able to relate to every aspect because we're all different. There are things that we can empathize with things such as the desire to succeed in life, the loss of a loved one, parent/familial expectations, etc.

[elpenor]

to put it simply, it's really not
"relatable" is not just relative, it's also not inherently interesting, charming, or indicative of good character writing. if you want to invest someone in a character, the most important thing to give them is a clear goal. unless you're pulling off some sort of weird quasi-modernist art piece with the Forsaken Woman and the Superfluous Man or something, the most fundamental requirement for a character is some sort of strong direction

[AmysGames]

I think the audience standin characters you describe have their place in fiction. Sometimes people get so invested in a world and its atmosphere that having a main character acting notably different from how they would becomes distracting.

One example off the top of my head is Tidus from Final Fantasy X. As a character who's an outsider to the world he ends up in, he spends a lot of time as the audience standin, asking questions about what's going on. But he's also his own character with his own personality, being cocky and a bit childish at times. Now I personally had no problem with him, but a lot of people found him to be INCREDIBLY annoying, feeling like he got in the way of the more interesting worldbuilding and interactions between the other characters. Maybe some of those people would have liked him more if he were more passive and less emotional? I don't know.

That being said, "relatable" is obviously going to vary from person to person. As I said, I had no problem with Tidus, and found his reactions to be understandable in the context of the story, but other people clearly did not. I think it really depends on what type of story you're trying to tell, and what audience you're going for. But as for me personally, I tend to prefer interesting characters to "relatable" ones.

[LadyN]

I don’t really care about how much I relate to the character as many books I’ve read had characters that were nothing like me.

I just want them to be realistic. That’s my only thing I want in a lead character.

[Dane_Sherbet]

The problem is when writers try to make a character that's relatable to everybody. But it's totally fine to slip a few humanizing traits into a larger-than-life figure.

[NickRowler]

I tend to not find relatable characters to be that much relatable at all. And a lot if the time it feels like an author’s self insert. And in some cases I end up liking the dumb sidekick or antagonist more.

Even characters who I do find relatable in some aspects may still fall flat if I don’t find them interesting overall.

I do know there are some people who only consume media or like characters that look like themselves, however there are som sexist and racist undertones to this way of thinking.

[Kann]

I don't focus on making my characters relatable, but if readers are able to relate to them, that's cool.

If we're talking about gag-a-day comics and otome games and other visual novels, I can see why someone would want their MC to be relatable, tho.

[DiegoPalacios]

My MC is an inanimate rock/Mary Sue and my readers love it, so i would say relatability is unneccesary as long as the character is interesting/entertaining enough.

But i gotta say a character being relatable can help.

[BlunderingAlbatross]

I don't really think about making characters "relatable" when I write. I think more in terms of my being able to empathize with them. As readers, we're not going to be able to "relate" to every character. We're not always going to be able to relate to every aspect because we're all different. There are things that we can empathize with things such as the desire to succeed in life, the loss of a loved one, parent/familial expectations, etc.

Came here to basically write this! If you focus on making the characters fleshed out and believable in their own right someone is going to find something in there to relate to and empathise with. A good example would be my own character Goose; he's a 7ft muscle-bound ex-marine, which I don't relate to at all, but the themes around the loss of his family and the care he displays for other characters is something that I can understand in a character

[cherrystark]

A good example would be my own character Goose; he's a 7ft muscle-bound ex-marine, which I don't relate to at all, but the themes around the loss of his family and the care he displays for other characters is something that I can understand in a character

Same wavelength. I was thinking about my own character, Cole. He's not a 7ft Marine but the same military background idea. His character spent 15 years thinking his only child was dead and now that they've found each other again. He absolutely terrified of losing her again. I am not a parent but I can empathize with his need to protect his little family.

[ISNEKO]

I always find myself relating to characters who constantly fuck things up and/or always have a bad time, by their own construction or otherwise.

So no, I don't think relatable characters are important. I'd much rather enjoy characters that I wish I could be.

...

Or is that the same thing...