Five Types of Anime Characters That Are Overused

By Justin D Williams 

It's no secret that I watch a lot of anime and read a lot of manga. I mean I created a website called Otakus & Geeks after all. I've been watching anime for as long as I can remember. I come from those days where anime was hard to come by in New York City. The only choice you had was Chinatown which would overcharge you or the bootleg guys. Point being of this tale is that I have watch a lot of anime in my 29 years on Earth. There are certain character types that have been so overused in this form of storytelling that it has to go or take a nice hiatus. I don't know about you otakus but for me I'm tired of seeing these type of anime characters. Here are five types of anime characters that are overused.

1. The Otaku Character: Read what I have to say before you make this article irrelevant. The otaku character is one I would love to see go. The reason for this is because it stereotypes and reinforces the negative term of what otaku originally meant. Now for those who are not aware the word otaku has a negative term in Japan. It's usually referred someone obsessive or intensely passionate about anime or manga. These individuals are usually socially awkward , or have no sense of social skills etc. You know the typical no ambition, lives with mom in the basement, doesn't fall in love unless it's a 2D character stereotype. This character is popping up a lot in recent anime. Yes the otaku usually the hero in the end or gets the girl. How many times are we going to see the same socially awkward stereotype character? I'm saying that this type of character has been done so many times that nobody is really adding anything new to it. I wouldn't mind the otaku character if it showed us how the negative term affects the character. But instead we get the socially awkward, crazy obsessive character that has a one track mind. That type of otaku exist but it's a very small percent of otakus overall. I would love to see a character that loves anime and manga but not depicted as the jobless, helpless loser.  

2. The Dense Character: It's 2016 this character really needs a revamp. The dense character that doesn't know of the object of affection feelings towards them is played out. You see this in tons of romantic anime's where one character is completely clueless of the other one's feelings. I understand this works for anime set in junior high, high School and even college. However anime with adult characters, and adult themes and situations is kind of a stretch for me. A perfect example of this is the recent anime show short Ojisan and Marshmallow. The main character has no clue that the girl likes him. I mean she is going to great lengths by doing sexual gestures, hitting him, flirting with him and he has no clue. Teens I will give a pass too. But a grown man has no clue of sexual advances a female is giving him. A man who doesn't know that girl wants him and his parts. Very hard sell to believe for me.

3. The Pop Idol That Turns Magical Girl: I like the pop idols as much as the next otaku. However have you notice that most anime shows the pop idol turns into a magical girl? There are some shows where it focuses on the music and the up and downs of pop idol life. Then there are the shows which has the typical pop idol gets a power and becomes a magical girl. This type of character has been beaten to death and needs a revamp. She also usually has other pop idol friends to aid her in the quest. In addition she also has a fluffy sidekick as a guide usually a bunny looking character.

4. The Alien Invasion Character: I love a good end of the world story. But I' am tired of the one note alien character that invades for sake of pure destruction. Can we please get some backstory? Can we can get a menace that not motivated by power? I would love to see more alien villains with emotional depth with their goals clearly played out. It's time to say goodbye to  one note alien character. 

5. The Pure Character: The pure character is usually the hero that has the heart of gold. This character never has any type of growth and is very one noted. He or she loves to help everyone. This character usually has no inner battles like regular humans even though the character is a regular human. Its a very static character that is hard to relate too since they're perfect.