In Defense of Tamaki
I wouldn't call him a "hated" character since he's one of the most popular characters in the series, but throughout various fanfics I have come across a negative, shallow portrayal of Ouran High School Host Club's Tamaki Suoh. It's now gotten to the point where I feel the need to defend the guy.
Tamaki, though he does possess several main flaws, has got to the nicest guy in both the anime and manga. Okay, so he is rather naive, vain, flamboyant, and hyperactive. While the series also likes to play off the fact that he is an "idiot" Tamaki is not truly stupid. He's silly, olivious, and a goof, but he couldn't possibly (especially in an elite school like Ouran) rank second in his class if he was just plain dumb. In fact, one of Tamaki's greatest strengths is his excellent perception of other people's feelings. For instance, while the rest of the twins' classmates viewed them simply as cold and distant, Tamaki was able to see this was due to their fear and loneliness. He even successfully encouraged them to join the club and form bonds with other people, for goodness' sake! Plus, in a recent chapter in the manga, Tamaki proved to be able to tell Hikaru and Kaoru apart, making him the only person besides Haruhi to do so. Furthermore, he has taken a more active role in studying his family's business. Now, really, do you think Tamaki could have achieved these things if he was as idiotic as some claim him to be. I don't.
Yet, despite this, I have (too often) come across fanfics that portray Tamaki as little more than a shallow, narcissistic moron meant for nothing else but comic-relief. Now, I know fanfics aren't (generally) great sources of intelligence, but the idea that this image of Tamaki persists among the fandom irritates me. Yeah, Tamaki is hilarious; we all know that. But, he's a character, not a caricature: one filled with insecurities, doubts, and fears. He has his ups and down, victories and loses. He has a past and is working toward a future. But, most importantly, Tamaki is a developing character. This is especially true in the manga, where he has gone through some major changes in the latest chapters.
Another issue I have with the fandom is how some (though not all) of the HikaHaru supporters portray Tamaki in fanfiction. I don't ship the pairing, personally, but I respect their opinions. Still, I dislike it when writers seem to purposely make Tamaki out to be something he's not just to make Hikaru (and HikaHaru) look better. I adore Hikaru, but he's no Prince Charming. The guy has his fair share of flaws as well: he's possessive, petty, immature, jealous, and dense when it comes to others' feelings. Okay, fanfic writer, so you don't think Tamaki and Haruhi are compatible together. I can respect that. Still, that doesn't mean Hikaru is the First National Bank of Emotional & Mental Maturity. He's not. Like Tamaki, Hikaru is a developing character. Again, I'm not saying all or even most HikaHaru fans are like this, but it is something I have noticed. If you truly believe that a certain pairing is the "right" one, then you should feel no need to put down a character just to make another look better. Otherwise, I can't help but feel that you're acting like a spiteful fanbrat.
Finally, fanfic writers, please stop having your OCs act like such bitches (because most of them are female) to the guy. Tamaki is a sweetheart. An annoying one, but he is very sincere when it comes to his feelings. It even states in his character profile that he finds all girls pretty and he means what he says to them! He's not some manipulative creep trying to get into your pants. Unlike the twins or Kyoya, the Host Club is not a game or an easy way to make money to him. Tamaki genuinely wants his clients to feel happy.
In conclusion, Tamaki is a great character, and I wish his development was more acknowledged throughout the fandom. It seems like too many fans easily overlook a character's growth and focus primarily on their older selves. I have seen this much too often with other characters, such as Sakura from Naruto or Relena from Gundam Wing. Fortunately this has not made Tamaki nearly as hated (possibly because he's male), but some fans are beginning to (or already are) treat him like a joke. For a character that is as awesome as Tamaki, that needs to stop.
Tamaki, though he does possess several main flaws, has got to the nicest guy in both the anime and manga. Okay, so he is rather naive, vain, flamboyant, and hyperactive. While the series also likes to play off the fact that he is an "idiot" Tamaki is not truly stupid. He's silly, olivious, and a goof, but he couldn't possibly (especially in an elite school like Ouran) rank second in his class if he was just plain dumb. In fact, one of Tamaki's greatest strengths is his excellent perception of other people's feelings. For instance, while the rest of the twins' classmates viewed them simply as cold and distant, Tamaki was able to see this was due to their fear and loneliness. He even successfully encouraged them to join the club and form bonds with other people, for goodness' sake! Plus, in a recent chapter in the manga, Tamaki proved to be able to tell Hikaru and Kaoru apart, making him the only person besides Haruhi to do so. Furthermore, he has taken a more active role in studying his family's business. Now, really, do you think Tamaki could have achieved these things if he was as idiotic as some claim him to be. I don't.
Yet, despite this, I have (too often) come across fanfics that portray Tamaki as little more than a shallow, narcissistic moron meant for nothing else but comic-relief. Now, I know fanfics aren't (generally) great sources of intelligence, but the idea that this image of Tamaki persists among the fandom irritates me. Yeah, Tamaki is hilarious; we all know that. But, he's a character, not a caricature: one filled with insecurities, doubts, and fears. He has his ups and down, victories and loses. He has a past and is working toward a future. But, most importantly, Tamaki is a developing character. This is especially true in the manga, where he has gone through some major changes in the latest chapters.
Another issue I have with the fandom is how some (though not all) of the HikaHaru supporters portray Tamaki in fanfiction. I don't ship the pairing, personally, but I respect their opinions. Still, I dislike it when writers seem to purposely make Tamaki out to be something he's not just to make Hikaru (and HikaHaru) look better. I adore Hikaru, but he's no Prince Charming. The guy has his fair share of flaws as well: he's possessive, petty, immature, jealous, and dense when it comes to others' feelings. Okay, fanfic writer, so you don't think Tamaki and Haruhi are compatible together. I can respect that. Still, that doesn't mean Hikaru is the First National Bank of Emotional & Mental Maturity. He's not. Like Tamaki, Hikaru is a developing character. Again, I'm not saying all or even most HikaHaru fans are like this, but it is something I have noticed. If you truly believe that a certain pairing is the "right" one, then you should feel no need to put down a character just to make another look better. Otherwise, I can't help but feel that you're acting like a spiteful fanbrat.
Finally, fanfic writers, please stop having your OCs act like such bitches (because most of them are female) to the guy. Tamaki is a sweetheart. An annoying one, but he is very sincere when it comes to his feelings. It even states in his character profile that he finds all girls pretty and he means what he says to them! He's not some manipulative creep trying to get into your pants. Unlike the twins or Kyoya, the Host Club is not a game or an easy way to make money to him. Tamaki genuinely wants his clients to feel happy.
In conclusion, Tamaki is a great character, and I wish his development was more acknowledged throughout the fandom. It seems like too many fans easily overlook a character's growth and focus primarily on their older selves. I have seen this much too often with other characters, such as Sakura from Naruto or Relena from Gundam Wing. Fortunately this has not made Tamaki nearly as hated (possibly because he's male), but some fans are beginning to (or already are) treat him like a joke. For a character that is as awesome as Tamaki, that needs to stop.