What's the deal with saying "your OC looks like"?

[Awesomeness_Studios]

I mean, how else was I supposed to know that Kaizo looks like Top Cat

But yeah. One of my non-artist friends a while back told me this and it just made me laugh (it still does). This was definitely a coincidence, and hopefully Kaizo still has a unique enough design to avoid copyright issues, but what if being told your OC looked similar to someone else actually helped you avoid legal problems? Then would it still be considered too rude to say they're alike? And even BEYOND that, why does it seem to make so many artists upset. I just really want to know because I've been an artist for quite some time and I really don't mind it when people tell me stuff like this (though it rarely happens, so maybe that's why)

[CommanderMarty]

I think it's because of some sense of pride maybe. (I'm not sure myself)

[DiegoPalacios]

If you weren`t born in the nineties and didnt have cable is understandable if you are unfamiliar with the most obscure Hanna Barbera shows XD

While the color pallete is similar, the design stands out of its own. Also Kaizo seems to be a fox and not a cat.

Once my brother compared the design of one of my characters with Subzero. To be fair the color pallete of his clothes is kinda similar and he covers his face too. Power and personality wise is completely different tho.

[CommanderMarty]

Saying they look alike is completely different from saying they are similar though.

[Inspector_Spinda]

It definitely is. Most of the time when people say something is like something is because either they have nothing else to say and dont want to be awkward when you're showing them something or they like the thing they're comparing it to. But a lot of artists take it as you saying they're copying or being unoriginal.

They thing to remember is coincidental similarities more often help draw people to your work than not. If people aren't have a connection to your character because they look like something else, they'll be more likely to give it a chance.

[SagaHolmgaard]

I think people might feel pressure to be 100% original in all their ideas, but it's nearly impossible to make completely original design choises - so many things have already been created! And all artists follow the same art fundamentals, so similar thinking is bound to happen.

Furthermore, sometimes there's value to a character resembling an existing character, mostly if they have similar roles. I'm not saying to copy a design 100%, but if you're creating, say, a gritty samurai story, fans that have consumed that type of content already come in with certain expectations, and then you want to meet those expectations. They aren't going to vibe with the main character being a clown in this scenario, if that makes sense.

For your character, I can tell where they got the idea! They both seem to have a happy and cute vibe to them, and the animal traits and red hat are similarities, but yours is unique enough that I wouldn't ever get them mized up or think that you deliberately stole the design xD hats and animal traits are just cool things to give a character!

[CommanderMarty]

Honestly, I'd take pride in the fact someone figured out my inspiration.

[jensrichard77]

I have one of the simplest designs in the world but newer got compared????

Can this really be that unique??

[byelacey]

i'll do my best

[byelacey]

ever since good omens came out i get a lot of "these look like [the good omens characters names]" and i'm sorry i made one with an aquiline nose and one blond haha (maybe i wouldn't mind if i didn't see it on tiktok almost every day? lmao)

[CommanderMarty]

These guys look like extras in a slasher movie that die first. (This is a joke btw)

[byelacey]

that's perfect i love that!

[jensrichard77]

Not bad. But No. I will not claim copyright on that one.

[NickRowler]

Then would it still be considered too rude to say they're alike? And even BEYOND that, why does it seem to make so many artists upset.

I think whether someone gets upset may depend on the person. I think some people think they have create something 100% original and unique and when they are told otherwise, they get upset. There might be other people who would be OK with and maybe even think it is funny. And are some who say "Well they look similar because my character is based off of that."

Like, I am fine with it, however I am not fond of the people who claim you stole something that you were 100% unaware of.

[nathanKmcwilliams]

I frequently have had Rip compared to Goku on a regular basis. But there's enough differences now that it's not as common.
But after hearing it, over, and over, aaaand over, i realized that it was too similar so I made adjustments.

Personally, I get the tinge of annoyance when anyone compares my stuff to something else, but I don't act on it. Usually.

If I'm in a really bad mood I might say something xD

[colorgoat]

Sliiightly different situation, but I remember a bunch of people (politely) saying my style looked like Steven Universe's in high school. As much as I liked the show back then, it made me want to lie down. People usually don't mean harm comparing an artist's design/style to someone else's, but I still get why it irks some artists. Like others have said already, there's so much pressure to create something super original.

I've never really had my ocs compared to existing characters, though...? I'm...curious now.

[jensrichard77]

Nah... Rip has become unique. But your earlier designs might give some Sonic vibes.

[Kiweevil]

If it's a black animal or a black and white cartoon character, Shilo has been compared to it.

I've heard Mickey Mouse, Yakko Warner, Bendy, Pepé le Pew, and so many others. This makes me super uncomfortable because I'm actually frightened by most of those characters.

---

Also, Alise has been compared to both Tails from Sonic, and Renamon from Digimon?

Which scares me because, uh, don't ever google image search Renamon.

---

Finally I've had Norman actually be compared to Sebastian from Black Butler before? Like he doesn't look like him obviously but I guess "dangerous butler aesthetic" or whatever

That one doesn't really bother me as much though, because Sebastian is a cool character

[nathanKmcwilliams]

The only time the Goku comparison thing bothers me is if it's related to Rip's personality and character traits now.

Rant mode engaged

He is 100% not Goku-like at all. Who when you really break it down, is a selfish S.O.B. who neglects his kid and marriage, and goes on world threatening battles just for the fun of it, and gets his friends killed in the process 90% of the time.
Rip...would never willingly sacrifice anyone elses desires for his own desires. He only cares about helping the weak and oppressed. He doesn't even really like fighting all that much, but he has to because of the situations and path of life he chose.

But. I see the Sonic one for sure. Also have worked hard to break from that too xD

[rajillustration]

I made a character who's look was 100% based on Zooey Deschanel and I have yet to hear anyone call me out on it.