Do you prefer a "no personality" MC or a "set personality" one?

[Yara010]

Set personality 100%. I see them as their own characters not self insert

 

[StarstuckGhost]

I prefer a set personality, usual the MCs character is what's most interesting to me and how thier personality bounces off the other characters. If I we're to self insert then I would like to be able to customize the MC in some way at least.

 

[Harbard]

Set personality. Though, when executed properly, no personality is also an interesting personality type. But in those cases it's serving the story in some way, rather than serving the player/is just a void for self insert.

 

[ccheshire]

I like it when the FeMC has a personality and set design over CC or blank slate because I find it more fun when I still played them on the vita and pc.

 

[Syntaxcha]

I don't really have a strong opinion on the matter, but I do find myself enjoying games where the mc has more personality much more.

 

[Nikokiri]

Set personality for sure, especially when their designs are as interesting as the other characters. No personality MCs, especially when they have no eyes or are invisible, genuinely triggers me. It feels like I'm an outsider that has no business existing in that universe and the Li are falling in love with me because the code said so. It's even worse when all the Li have great chemistry with the side characters and each other, it makes me feel even more out of place lol

 

[Somniari]

for me, any mc is good if the story is good... i'll enjoy it whether the mc has the established personality or hasn't...
considering that even no personality mc can grow a personality via you making choices... if there's no growth, though... that's a different case...

 

[Thaella]

I personally lean towards "no personality" or specifically malleable one, like there is trace of personality but still me as a player have choice in shaping it. I'm not self inserting per se but I always have character in mind personality, looks and name wise as headcannon (so it's always hard to play when I can't even change character name) and not only in otome but also in other games so something like OC I guess but different than me in many aspects.

 

[okita-so-go]

This is my first post. I'm Japanese and I'm using English translations, so I apologize if there are any strange sentences.
I like unique protagonists.
I can't think of any characters in the otome games I've played that are without any personality.
I wonder if the reason the love interest falls in love with the protagonist is because of that person's personality?
I don't like them to be too unique, though^^;

 

[Fussi141925]

It's more fun if the character has individuality, because I think individuality is necessary in many aspects to survive in the story. However, if the character's inner thoughts are too strong, the sense of immersion weakens, so I like it in moderation.

 

[crescentfeather223]

Personally prefer if the MC has a set personality. I don't really self insert so there is that but also I feel more attached to a protagonist that grows over the course of the story. I find that self-insert MCs have a hard time doing that because they're suppose to be a blank slate so no development happens. My favorite MCs are the ones with set personalities and I love seeing how they change for better or worse throughout the story. I do think some self-insert MCs can work, but it does require a lot more effort than a set MC. I find self-inserts kinda work better in settings like IF stories where the authors give a lot of options to really shape the character and have the story reflect those choices which is of course very hard since it involves more writing.

 

[kamilya5]

both are fine .. but usually i prefer MCs with a set personality ~

 

[Kyouri]

I largely like to experience the emotions through the characters and I usually feel like I can't feel much if the MC is too blank. Since to me it's about the story and the characters. Sometimes the MC personality is inconsistent or just not.. good.. and that can be distracting too though~

 

[mizumachi]

i prefer set personalities but i don't mind more blank slate ones, but even then i'm unable to self-insert much. i'm a huge heroine lover so i like to cheer on my girls.

i like the current middle ground of having a heroine with a set personality but also is unvoiced since it's a good balance. i LOVE hibari from variable barricade, but her personality and voice is so strong that i can't help but think she's just too good for any of the men LOL

 

[otofr3ak]

set personalities ftw ദ്ദി◝ ⩊ ◜.ᐟ
i live for story and lore in my heart, and i personally think that a set personality protagonist has a lot more freedom in a script than a blank slate protagonist.

 

[karnival]

Set personalities for sure! It can make both plot and romance more interesting, and, for me personally, "blank" MCs actually make it much, much harder to become invested in the story. I'm always use MCs sprite and canon name (if they have one) and also prefer to have them voiced.

 

[otome!]

Se personality/personalities for sure. But it's fun when she can be different depending on your choices.Totally blank MCs are a no for me, but it has to be reaaaally blank for me to dislike it : I like Amnesia Heroine for example, for me she falls under 'set personalities' category thanks to how the guys describe her past self. She simply became an empty shell because of a surnatural happening.

Bad MC would be someone like Date with Death MC. Yes you can choose a lot of things but when you can't choose the dialogues, it doesn't reflect the personality you chose for her : It's pretty 'neutral' to fit every choice you can make. It makes MC an empty canvas and I personally don't like it that much. Not saying it's a bad game by the way.

 

[Beannie]

I am % for set personality. I don't self insert, and I like when devs takes time and add some unique traits about Mc as well. From what I have played, sometimes they can feel samey: shy, good take caretaker, no experience in romance, proper student (Although bad in math). Idk, nalothing against stereotypes, but I wish the "set personality" had more variety ><.

Also I appreciate if the heroine's character is somewhat consistent trough out the game. It's okay if she growths, changes a bit etc; however, (silly example) eating meat in one route and being strict vegan in another without any reason is just meh for me.

 

[koko36]

I'd say it depends on the writing * some games would go better with a "no personality MC" and sometimes nope lol

 

[Hisami]

Somethings very charming about a well written protagonist with her own personality but either works for me as long as the characters and the stories are good.

 

[EndxEnd]

I'm not one to self insert honestly - so set personality is my preference.

I also prefer set personality because of how I feel it impacts fandom interactions. In fandoms of games with blankslate-mc's Ive noticed some (not all) take the games content and actions of love interests more personally because they are reading from the drivers seat -if that makes sense. This can be for better or for worse. I feel like people in fandoms with Set MC's are less likely to do that. (Though this is just my opinion/observation)

 

[hib]

It Depends On The Writing Skill For Me. Having No Personality Might Be The Saving Grace If I Have To Read A Constant Quipping Protag. (This Goes For All Stories)
But What Really Counts As A No Personality Protagonist Really? The Personality Might Just Be The Writers Prose/Quirks. Sometimes I Read Way Into Any Little Details About The Protagonist If The Writing Has A Grip On Me. On The Other Hand, I Dropped Games When I Got Baited With A MC With "Personality", Which Never Delivered, Especially If The Choices Read As If They Were Made For A No Personality When The Choices Should Be Shaped Around The MC's Personality.
My Final Thoughts Are If You're Going To Make Me Bet On It, No Personality Is A Very Safe Choice, But If A Protag Got A Personality That Can Hit, Then Let It Run. All Of This Depends If The Boys Can Carry The Narrative.

 

[mistysea]

Set personality! I always treat the mc as her own character instead of self-inserting so I like it better when the game writes her with a fixed personality.

 

[Scarlett_Crimson]

I prefer MCs with a personality, as I have noticed that a personality narratively fits the storyline better, and this helps with the emotional aspect, too.

 

[7Senses]

Set personality for me! I don't self-insert, so I like MCs that have a well-written personality. It doesn't matter if she's shy and innocent, or if she's confident and independent, as long as she has an actual personality and doesn't feel "blank", I'm fine with it!