So, I also have a question
What's a type of character that you usually have a softspot for? Like, a characteristic that you can make you sympathize or relate with them
It generally helps when their story or struggles are just something that ANYONE can relate to.
E.g. Rosalina is easy to relate to because the key themes of her back story are the loss of loved ones and the search for a sense of belonging (in the wake of the loss of loved ones). Those are things people ALWAYS endure at some point in their life, if they haven't already, so it's something anyone can connect with. That's part of why I like her so much, because I tend to like characters that have a down to earth element to them in spite of whatever crazy, fictional la-la land they live in.
Relatability doesn't have to come in terms of sad things or even struggles though. For example, I like Sonic a whole lot because he genuinely seems like a fun guy to be around, and I kind of have that sense of adventure like he does. Or Professor Layton seems like someone you could learn a lot from and he'd be really nice to hang around with.
I would say the one pattern I notice though, more than anything, is that I tend to have a soft spot for characters with an unrequited love, most of the time female characters. I don't know what it is, there is just something about when I see a female character who OBVIOUSLY has this really strong affection for the dorky, ignorant male protagonist or whatever, but she struggles to let it out or doesn't know how to deal with it, and even when she does, the protagonist is too block-headed to realise how she feels. I just sit there thinking "SHE DESERVES SO MUCH BETTER THAN HIM BUT THE LEAST HE COULD DO IS ACKNOWLEDGE HER". Perfect example is Ikaros from Heaven's Lost Property and her love for Tomoki. It technically applies to most of the other female characters in the series but Ikaros is the main female character and she lives with him so he REALLY has no excuse to not pick up on it, especially when she does **** like this:
Like dude
Are you thick in the head? She wants you so bad. :V
Also I guess I really do have a thing for the strong female characters with a maternal element to them, like Rosalina and Ikaros.
Really though, in general, I'm not particular and don't need characters to fall under archetypes or anything. I like the characters I like based on their merits. If they're well written or well portrayed, I tend to like them.
