Well, the trouble is that all complaints about a character can, theoretically, be valid; the issue is whether these complaints are being made in good faith, or if the complainer is being disingenuous. For example, people who complain about Mai's relationship with Zuko cheapening her as a Strong Female Character, while simultaneously going on about how great and meaningful it would be for both the characters and the story as a whole if Zuko and Katara were to get together, are being disingenuous.
And the truth of the matter, is that we all behave differently depending on who we are with and what the social context of that relationship is, and the same goes for all fully realized characters out there in the realms of fiction. So, it is reasonable to prefer a character depending on who they are with, but at the same time, it's pretty easy to see when someone is just trying to disguise their character bashing, and when they're engaging in legitimate character analysis.
Yeah, that's why I brought up the second point. For example, I HATED Simon's girlfriend Rose in 7th Heaven because I found her obnoxious and selfish, but I started to like her once I saw how differently she behaved around her ex-boyfriend Umberto. Then I decided I liked her better when she was with him because he brought her better qualities, where her interaction with Simon...didn't.
So, it is reasonable to prefer a character depending on who they are with, but at the same time, it's pretty easy to see when someone is just trying to disguise their character bashing, and when they're engaging in legitimate character analysis.
Again, I think of the Bleach example. Early on one of the well-known wankers seemed more legit in her "I don't think Ichigo is right for Orihime" and she shipped Ishida/Orihime for itself rather than a means of getting Orihime's hands off of Ichigo. But then she bought into the bullshit her friends were spewing and, well.
Or let's say the Jerk Ass character becomes a decent guy when he's interacting with his elderly grandma or younger brother. Tsukasa from Hana Yori Dango. His transformation from a jerk with the shortest temper in Japan to a responsible and reasonably calm person because of Tsukushi is a huge part of the story. However, unlike Orihime in Bleach, this is made very clear that without Tsukushi, he flips out and reverts to his old violent self without her
( ... )
If you think a character is only decent when paired with someone else, you don't really love that character, imho.
There are legitimate reasons for disliking characters and/or relationships, but the way people word it generally could be done better. At the same time, people really shouldn't be so defensive to the point that any form of criticism on a favorite character/pairing automatically gets the dissenter lumped in with a less rational and overly vocal group.
If you think a character is only decent when paired with someone else, you don't really love that character, imho.
Word.
At the same time, people really shouldn't be so defensive to the point that any form of criticism on a favorite character/pairing automatically gets the dissenter lumped in with a less rational and overly vocal group.
They shouldn't, but unfortunately bashing is so common and accepted and at times ENCOURAGED in fandom that people can't help but have knee-jerk reactions to otherwise innocent statements.
If you think a character is only decent when paired with someone else, you don't really love that character, imho.
On the flip side, I do think that if you like a character A, just not with character B, you still can be a true fan, because you like the character for the most part. Sometimes people also like both characters A and B, but not together.
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And the truth of the matter, is that we all behave differently depending on who we are with and what the social context of that relationship is, and the same goes for all fully realized characters out there in the realms of fiction. So, it is reasonable to prefer a character depending on who they are with, but at the same time, it's pretty easy to see when someone is just trying to disguise their character bashing, and when they're engaging in legitimate character analysis.
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So, it is reasonable to prefer a character depending on who they are with, but at the same time, it's pretty easy to see when someone is just trying to disguise their character bashing, and when they're engaging in legitimate character analysis.
Again, I think of the Bleach example. Early on one of the well-known wankers seemed more legit in her "I don't think Ichigo is right for Orihime" and she shipped Ishida/Orihime for itself rather than a means of getting Orihime's hands off of Ichigo. But then she bought into the bullshit her friends were spewing and, well.
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If it's just straight-up character bashing and OTP /ship mate defensiveness, I won't.
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THIS.
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There are legitimate reasons for disliking characters and/or relationships, but the way people word it generally could be done better. At the same time, people really shouldn't be so defensive to the point that any form of criticism on a favorite character/pairing automatically gets the dissenter lumped in with a less rational and overly vocal group.
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Word.
At the same time, people really shouldn't be so defensive to the point that any form of criticism on a favorite character/pairing automatically gets the dissenter lumped in with a less rational and overly vocal group.
They shouldn't, but unfortunately bashing is so common and accepted and at times ENCOURAGED in fandom that people can't help but have knee-jerk reactions to otherwise innocent statements.
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On the flip side, I do think that if you like a character A, just not with character B, you still can be a true fan, because you like the character for the most part. Sometimes people also like both characters A and B, but not together.
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