What physical character design traits make you love an LI before you even know them?

[osanajimimi]

What's your first impression when a new otome game is announced or you find certain title for the first time? Have you ever ended up following a title simply because the character designs immediately sold you on it?

Aside from voice acting, what aspects of an LI's design instantly catch your attention? Do you immediately like red-haired characters? Are purple-themed characters usually your favorite? On the contrary, less interesting? Things like that.

Does that first impression end up influencing your final ranking after you finish the game?

 

[osanajimimi]

In my case, if they're blond or have silver hair, I have a certain favoritism toward them. Even if, after finishing the game, their story is just in the middle, their design can make up for their ranking lol

 

[voIuvreles]

Oh this is a fun question mainly because it made me realize I do have a few types i guess

I often did end up playing a lot of otome game solely I was sold by the character designs. Remembering back the otome games I've played...

I guess I have specific tastes hahah. Often I get hooked on a game because it has beefy/muscular LI Tall, dark, handsome and old, that's my type yeeahahahah with the emphasis on old. Not ikemen slapped with light beard but like ojisan old (Dandy Shot kinda old, Ayumu Shirabe from Sweet Fuse kinda old)
This makes me often verrry selective, because most otome games doesn't cater to my uncommon taste/market (or maybe I'm just not searching too hard... idk )

Oh but there are also times where I do get hooked over an otome game because of the art style in general. Like dark and gritty artstyles like Touchstarved, for example, yeahh I dig that. And aside from the LIs' looks, I'm often drawn towards those rough-around-the-edges, gruff/grumpy LIs that gives off dangerous vibes, but a softie once you get into their route. I dig those

And also. MONSTERS. Orcs, vampires, werewolves, u name it, I'm down for it too. Especially lesser common monsters/mythical creatures like orcs or lizardfolk hell yeah I'm sold if there's an otome game with orcs LI im down bad monsterf*cker im not ashamed

 

[nerim-w]

Long luscious beautiful hair doesnt matter what hair style, what hair colour, what their outfit is... a man with long luscious locks is a dangerous force

 

[usagi-k]

one of my specific faves is definitely if a character has moles on their face i dunno what it is about it but it's such an immediate charm point for me i dont need to know anything else besides that to find them cute lolol

other than that while i rarely like feminine(?) looking lis (i prefer androgynous over full masc or full fem) i do love lis who have gentle looking expressions !!! too genki or too stoic is never my thing but the soft eyed and very slight smile look always gets to me cause it feels open and comforting but in a not overfriendly way :D
on the opposite end of that spectrum im soooo drawn to guys to look grumpy and disgusted LMAO that kind of angry kitten trying to fight back look is so adorable to me and those types always end up being so sweet and sugary when they open up which is why im insta drawn to them <3

this one is not that frequently seen imo but im also really drawn to lis who have any kind of prominent pink in their designs ! it's super cute to me !! doesnt matter if it's hair, eye color or just highlights in their clothes ^^

 

[satory]

This absolutely pointless, but very good-looking kind of belt The bigger muscles it's holding, the better Leg variations of pointless belts also great

And I love frecles. They look cute on face, but often artists don't draw them on body. Such a waste of potential

 

[xxzxc]

The LI design I like best features long, straight hair. It would be even better if the hair were blonde, but that is a rare find.

 

[Sirrenn]

I like a cold-looking, dark-haired LI, though I may end up not liking him later as a character.
Also, I have a thing for characters with glasses.

 

[0123456789]

I think black hair and glasses are the best!
A toned physique combined with a polite way of speaking would be perfect

 

[Mimomi]

Not only LI but anime and others, i like long hair men or beautiful men, like neuvillete or Pashalia from otome game that i just know maybe i like blue hair or blonde man too, or an emo theme too

 

[moçoroca de abacate]

Gray, white, or brown hair, a serious and "mature" face, and (most importantly): FRAMELESS GLASSES. And what if he also has a deep, serious, yet serene/calm voice? I instantly feel like I'm in heaven and fall head over heels!

If a character has a serious expression and wears glasses, I'll definitely play his route! Especially if he has a habit of pushing his glasses up with his middle or index finger. I'm easily won over by men and LIs like that...

 

[LapisWhale]

My favorite designs include blonde, silver, or red long hair; moles on the face; and pretty eye colors like red and golden. I also like a feminine or androgynous look.

As for the outfit, my selling point is any kind of belt, a prince or a military look with a big cloak :Ddd I'm also really into a Japanese exorcist (Onmyoji) style.

 

[SmallEagle]

They're too many for me to choose only one and people have already mentioned really good ones. Tall, dark hair, glasses... I also really like when they have dark/black eyes, don't know why but I prefer them over colored ones. Ohh and when they have big noses, JJK Higuruma style, sadly, I don't know many LIs with big noses Also, when they have a stern face, not angry, but like stoic.

I definitely have a type and are the ones that get me initially interested, but sometimes I do end up liking other characters more.

 

[nuxxi]

I really like them with long white hair or long black hair. White hair is probably my favorite though, ngl! I also like my characters to be a bit toned :3. Clothing-wise, I don't really care that much.

 

[Lilia]

Red hair. More handsome red haired LIs in otome, please. And don't make them non-romanceable side characters like Kanan from OS.

 

[mitsumitsu]

everyone's takes are so based, especially the megane ones. a guilty pleasure of mine is characters that have a very typical arrogant/fuckboy-ish appearance or are very showy, like yukito sena and ascot(he was the best thing about mistonia change my mind). man, i wanna see more li's with their chest out like jinguji ren and flatnis(localization waiting room).
the world needs more slutty men.

 

[vsjidjn]

GLASSES. My love for megane LIs is immeasurable and undying, and it has been this way since I first got into anime/manga/games/drama CDs. Nothing hits the spot for me quite as much as a megane guy does. Every single time I check out character introductions/profiles, the VERY FIRST THING I look for is a bespectacled guy, and said guy always automatically becomes my upon-first-glance favourite. Bonus points if he looks to be a tsundere/sharp-tongued character, or the serious, straight-laced type. Even better if he dresses smart/formal e.g. suit and tie. And don't even get me started on megane butlers -- I'm obsessed. Yes, I love monocle glasses as well.

I also have a thing for elegant characters who are poised, graceful and yet still masculine (i.e. not overly wispy or delicate-looking). Long, flowing robes and all that. Long or long-ish hair is also a plus for this type of character. Bonus points if he gives off haraguro/yandere vibes despite wearing a smile on his face, haha.

Generally speaking, though, I just tend to gravitate towards tall and mature(-looking) characters. Nicely toned bodies and/or broad shoulders are a plus. I'm not fond of facial hair, though, so characters with stubble are not very appealing to me even if they tick other boxes.