What do you think about characters who smoke?

[Momoo777]

I really dislike people smoking in real life too, but for some reason, I'm totally fine with it in otome games. Maybe it's because, at the end of the day, it's a game and I don't actually have to smell the smoke myself?

Although… if we ever get fully immersive VR otome games in the distant future, I could definitely see myself being like, "Wait, I can actually smell the cigarette smoke?" and suddenly finding it a lot less appealing. Haha.

Yes! And that is the true beauty of immersing in otome games and drama CDs. In real life, if you dislike smokers, you would never choose a partner who smells like tobacco or gives bitter kisses. Yet, drama CDs and games satisfy that exact craving—allows imagination of the intimate gestures... For me,,I really enjoy the atmospheric breathing sounds without any of the actual smoke

 

[failedwebsite]

I think smoking is really gross. Imagine kissing such a person. I legit despise real-life smokers - they are on par with heroin junkies and toothless meth zombies to me.

I would prefer authors to start employing more creative, "cool" bad habits for their characters so they can stop unintentionally promoting smoking.

They never will because drug consumption is a huge taboo in Asia. Even though many 'illicit substances' are actually less harmful than tobacco. You won't get a pill addict either, because that would be 'edgy' and 'promoting harm' (while a character self-harming into lung cancer is viewed as just a quirky preference).

 

[3302325939]

I don't really like smoking in real life either, but I've never minded it in otome games. I think it's because the characters who smoke really suit the habit. I've never personally found it attractive, though—but oh...! I suppose that is a preference some people have. There seem to be quite a few people like that here, too!

 

[Riz.]

I actually find the way men smoke attractive in real life too! I'm a smoker myself, and funny enough, the reason I started smoking was because I thought a guy I liked at the time looked so cool when he would quietly smoke by himself.

So I kind of feel like it's not necessarily the act of smoking itself that's sexy, but rather that the person who is smoking already has something sexy about them. That's my theory, anyway!

 

[Aikourou]

It depends on how old the character is, An older man smoking is always got be hot

 

[zzzero]

I really dislike it in real life, but sometimes it feels attractive in the media. But if there's a scene where it's smoked indoors, I think I'd dislike it

 

[adlo]

If a characters smokes I don't particularly find it an attractive trait but I don't hate it either. I think it can add to the aesthetics and characterization of a fictional person, though I will say I kind of prefer smoking scenes to be really short or just show up in a cg/sprite. In real life I do not like it at all lmao I personally stay away from people who smoke regularly after being with relatives who do it often I can't stand it anymore.

 

[801_9ma]

Count me in the camp of people who hate smoking IRL but find it hot in media. Hell, I can't even stand vaping either LOL—though I've never seen any vaping in any media whatsoever and I assume it's a mix of it being too recent and it just not looking appealing enough.

At least a fictional character won't be hurting himself when he smokes 2 packs of cigs a day. :')

In the same vein, I love characters who are alcoholic, but I'm not too hot on alcohol IRL besides an occasional drink once in a blue moon.

 

[藍色水珠]

There's a certain allure to anime characters who smoke: whether it's a pipe, a hookah, or a modern cigarette, watching the smoke rise and swirl around them as they inhale and exhale, their expressions shifting between pensive melancholy and confident hoodlum style, it's quite captivating.


But in real life, I keep my distance. I don't want to inhale secondhand smoke and risk harming my health, haha.

 

[ark_huh???]

In fiction, yeah, it does add hotness in their vibes. It becomes more attractive, and alluring to watch them handling the cigs between their fingers. But irl, heh pass. Second hand smoke is really dangerous and i hate the smell of it.

 

[xerois]

really looks cool fictionally but my god... real life smokers? im holding my breath whenever i pass by them

 

[star light]

In real life, I absolutely hate cigarettes, but I think they work well in fiction.
It's even better if they make a character look sexy or give them an air of melancholy.

 

[Blind]

In games, anime, manga, and novels, smoking can be quite stylish and charming, especially when the hand is described as slender, long, and with distinct knuckles, holding a cigarette between the fingers and then exhaling smoke.
It's really sexy and alluring.
In these kinds of works, female characters smoking gives off the same kind of feeling , very edgy and cool.

In real life, I really hate it, because I'd be forced to breathe secondhand smoke, and it doesn't smell good

 

[wriovarka]

I don't really mind it.

 

[hydre]

I hate the smell and smoke of cigarettes in real life.
However, none of that is a problem in drama cds or games, so I love it! I agree it's sexy
Reality and Virtuality Are Different lol

 

[LivEnblem]

I really don't like the act of smoking in real life,but It didn't mind the sound effects or visuals of cigarette smoke used in the direction of Otome CDs; it works well as a stylistic choice in a fantasy setting.

 

[imonusi]

Like everyone else, I'm not a fan of smoking in real life either. The smell, the health risks… there's really nothing good about it

But I actually find the way smoking is portrayed in audio dramas really appealing…! When a talented voice actor does the sounds of inhaling and exhaling smoke, it can genuinely feel like they're smoking right there in front of you.

Maybe it's because I tend to prefer mature, grown men over younger characters

 

[lovingarlert]

The same like everyone else here, I don't really like someone who smoke in real life. I hate the smell, i hate the smoke, i hate everything about it. But if its in fiction though, i do find it pretty sexy when the character do it —though it depends on the setting and mood.

 

[Venter]

I really dislike smoking irl, but something about it is just hot when it's fictional. Probably something about aesthetics... Shotgun kisses are also hot hehe (as long as they're fictional of course)

 

[ichigomilk]

I'm also like many others here, I really don't like people who smoke irl. It's not good for health and I hate the smell, but I don't mind as much in fiction. I think it's fine as long as the smoking matches the character's appearance, lifestyle or personality. Basically giving off the right vibe.

 

[darlenexie]

Hmm, it's hard to say. For me, it depends on the character. I really like characters with complete contradictions, like someone who is cute but smokes It's so charming.

 

[Ghydc]

I think it can look really attractive in fiction! I don't like the smell of cigarettes in real life, but when it's a character smoking in a game or anime, I somehow imagine the smell as something fruity or spicy instead. I also think smoking can fit certain characters really well and make their personality stand out more. So yeah, I can definitely see the appeal!

 

[Mikukyun]

Completely agree! I despise cigarettes irl idk, maybe it's some kind of magic..

 

[Bogi]

I hate it rl, I can overlook it in fiction. But it shouldn't conflict with character's overall vibe. I prefer it mentioned in passing, or a cg. If its an everyday thing, i feel like it should be treated as such. Like either the acceptance of it explained, or I wish the problems with it were brought up more, instead of some manufactured drama lol
Ex. a sassy, but emotionally mature heroine trying to break the LI's addiction, helping him through it while being frustrated, could be a very emotional story, like with most addictions. But I think I have only ever seen smoking used for cool factor