How to create webcomic characters readers will like
Updated: Aug 10, 2022
I'll be discussing methods creators use that have made even villains likable. I'll also go through Karl Iglesias’ teachings on writing for emotional impact. Creating characters that readers like makes all other story efforts more effective. For example, showing a character’s near-death keeps readers on the edge of their seats only when they like that character.
Characters and the events of chapter one in Demon Slayer will be mentioned. I will also be going over the central characters in Death Note.
Empathy and Pity
Empathy is defined as being able to put yourself in someone else’s position and imagine what they are experiencing. Pity is feeling sadness due to seeing someone in misfortune. When the reader experiences either of these, they begin to favor that character more. The reader becomes invested in the webcomic and wants the best for that character. This also makes plot twists and conflicts more effective because it creates a stronger emotional response.
Karl Iglesias explains that when readers care for a character, oxytocin is released. Oxytocin is often described as ‘the love hormone.' This forms a bond between the reader and that character.
Demon Slayer
A manga called Demon Slayer begins with the daily life of Tanjiro Kamado. Tanjiro is the oldest male in his family and works hard to take care of his mother and five siblings. Despite the hardships, Tanjiro is happily living high up in the cold mountains with his family. Tragedy strikes when Tanjiro returns home to find his entire family slaughtered. Luckily, his sister Nezuko is still alive. Carrying her dying body on his back, Tanjiro races down the mountain to save her life.
Because readers feel sorry for the siblings, they are hopeful that Tanjiro’s sister survives. A bond forms between the readers, Tanjiro and Nezuko. This bond lasts the entirety of the manga and only deepens with each chapter. As the siblings go through more intense hardship, readers like them more.
Pity for the villain
Similarly, Demon Slayer creates pity for the demons. After a demon is slain or about to be slain, the reader is shown its back story. Illustrating a tragic backstory is a popular way to make readers understand the antagonist. As a result, the character becomes more human and likable. In some cases, the villain or antagonist is preferred over the protagonist such as in Death Note.
However, liking a character does not equal supporting a character. Readers can pity a character and still root for the protagonist.
Vulnerable
Seeing characters being vulnerable creates sympathy or empathy. This can be a character who opens up to another character about their feelings. Or a character who is weak and alone in a hostile environment. Readers want the character to get out safely, or for their feelings to be sparred. People naturally care about the vulnerable, for example, children, babies, animals, pets, the elderly, etc.
Because of this, readers don’t like characters who are hostile toward the vulnerable.
Steven King once said he never received as much hate mail as when he killed off a dog in one of his books.
Webcomic creators can use this to show a character taking care of the vulnerable.
Caring
Karl Iglesias explains - when readers see that a character cares for something or someone other than themselves, they are more likeable. All readers need to see is a moment of kindness. While readers might not favor the character to win a battle, they will like them.
Demon Slayer has shown readers many times how caring Tanjiro. Not only does he care for his friends and family, he cares for his enemies as well. Although this doesn’t stop him from accomplishing his goal, it makes readers see the demons from his perspective. And most importantly, readers want him to win.
In comparison, Muzan Kibutsuji, the antagonist is uncaring, ruthless, and manipulative. He hides and runs away, making others fight for him. He kills even those who love him and gives readers no reason to like him. The only reason some readers may like Muzan is his looks. But that isn’t enough to sway favor away from Tanjiro.
Quick tip -
A mistake some stories made is making the villain too caring. When the villain is too caring, readers will start to root for them.
Admiration
Admiration is defined as arousing respect. When you give characters traits that are admirable, they become more liked. An admirable trait is different for everyone. However, there are traits a majority of people consider admirable which you can give to your character.
Karl Iglesias recommends creating a list of traits you would like in a person. This will help you find traits that are admirable to you, which you can apply to your characters. Another activity you can try is listing people who you admire and then picking out traits for your different characters.
Remember to keep your webcomic or webtoon characters diverse in terms of personality. This is so that your protagonist interacts with a range of people. As a result, readers will be able to see different sides to your protagonist.
Tanjiro's determination
In Demon Slayer, despite the obstacles Tanjiro faced, he has never given up. Readers love his determination; it makes them root for him because they want to see his efforts pay off. Tanjiro’s other admirable traits are that he is caring, kind, and strong. When readers see a webcomic character struggling to achieve something, it creates sympathy and admiration. It makes the reader side with that character.
Popular admirable traits I have identified in manga, webcomics and webtoons are:
Loyalty
Kindness, caring
Courage
Determination
Resilience and persistence
Intelligence
Humour
Coolness
Good looks/cuteness
The first five traits can be found in every Shounen main character. Meanwhile, main characters in general tend to have one or more of the admirable traits listed.
Examples of characters with these admirable traits
In One Piece, Luffy is strong, determined, and caring. Zoro is strong, caring, determined, loyal, and cool.
In the webtoon Lookism, Daniel Park is kind and doesn’t give up. He is also becoming self-aware of his negative traits.
The webtoon Subzero has a main character who is good looking, kind-hearted, determined, and courageous.
Death Note – Liking the enemy
Light Yagami, the main character of Death Note is a villain. He is smart, persistent, determined, resilient, and good-looking. However, many readers like L more than Yagami. L is the antagonist, but in a way, he is the ‘good guy’. L is smart, determined, persistent, and brave. Many readers have said he is cute as well.
The moment I started liking L is when he explained that Yagami is his first and only friend. I felt sorry for him. For many readers, a caring or tragic character is more favorable than an admirable character. Moreover, Yagami’s negative personality traits push back his likeability. That’s not to say everyone hates Yagami.
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