What's a red flag you can forgive in a fictional character but would never tolerate in real life?

[Pancito]

For me, it's being emotionally reserved or having a hard time expressing their feelings. In fiction, I love watching characters slowly learn to open up because it makes both their character development and the romance feel much more rewarding. In real life, though, I don't think I could be with someone who struggles to communicate or constantly keeps an emotional wall between us. In a story, I get to understand their thoughts and why they act that way, but in reality, that kind of uncertainty would be much harder to deal with.
​

 

[ninnikuryona]

being a man

 

[satory]

Anything. I'm very picky when it comes to choosing who you spend time with in real life, but there is nothing I can not forgive in a fiction. There are preferences, of course, but if it's well written - anything goes.

 

[0123456789]

That kind of self-centered personality—the "I'm never wrong!" type who drags everyone else along—might come across as having a strong, appealing core when it's a fictional character, but in real life, they just look like a deluded jerk who's only interested in their own self-satisfaction.

 

[kaloh]

On a literal level, basically anything. As long as something is written well enough, I can stomach whatever gets thrown at me, even things I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole IRL. Fiction's fiction after all.

From a more "spirit of the question" angle, probably argumentative or needlessly mean personalities? I'm really sensitive about arguments irl, especially with people I'm close with, but I really enjoy the drama of the MC and the LI being on bad terms at first (or even finding something they really disagree on further into their relationship). It's also really interesting to see where MCs push back or show a livelier side of themselves compared to when they're with more sensible LIs, so I actually end up preferring this type to more avoidant, reticent LIs (even though I would absolutely not stand them IRL).

 

[MsFangtasia]

I'm not too sure but this got me thinking... I think for fiction because it's fiction, I don't have a problem with red flags.

Its definitely not the same in real life though. I don't like people who keep on taking without ever giving back and not appreciating what they have. Cheaters are a big no no too.

 

[ruuuiii]

Probably bully or extremely self entitled characters, i can't stand them at all...

 

[autumn-leaves]

possessiveness and jealousy for sure.
like in a game when the LI gets all jealous and says "you're mine" or whatever? in real life that's controlling and exhausting and i'd be out so fast.
also the cold and distant type. irl i'd just think theyre not interested and move on with my life.

 

[nerim-w]

Lowkey being controlling. Not from an otome game but I listened to a Koitsuda Renya CD and he said that MC (the listener) couldn't wear revealing clothes because it would turn on too many men. I was like hehe yes please keep thinking im the most beautiful woman in the world who could seduce men like that but if that was irl I would be like why tf do you think you're entitled to dictate what I wear

 

[藍色水珠]

In the world of anime, this character is impulsive, loud, prone to jealousy, emotionally unstable, prone to both crying and laughing, has a yandere personality that involves harming herself to attract the heroine's attention, and is prone to violence.
They are people I cannot imagine and do not want to be around in real life.

二次元世界裡性格衝動,大呼小叫,善於忌妒,情緒不穩定,又哭又笑,會傷害自己吸引女主角關心的病嬌個性,以及暴力傾向者.
現實生活中無法想像,也不想接近的人.

 

[Litth]

I OK with possessiveness or obsessive Li in fiction because it often adds tension and makes for an interesting story, but not in real life. Fiction is entertaining because I can safely observe it, but real relationships need trust and respect.

 

[koschej]

putting me in a cage.

 

[SmallEagle]

When they're overbearing or overprotective, in a story, I find it a really cute trait but it would annoy sooo much irl. I enjoy my independence too much to deal with someone like that.

 

[loves_cookierun]

For me, it's being emotionally reserved or having a hard time expressing their feelings. In fiction, I love watching characters slowly learn to open up because it makes both their character development and the romance feel much more rewarding. In real life, though, I don't think I could be with someone who struggles to communicate or constantly keeps an emotional wall between us. In a story, I get to understand their thoughts and why they act that way, but in reality, that kind of uncertainty would be much harder to deal with.
​

i would answer but i've never had a partner lol

 

[lunitawish]

I've officially retired from reality, fictional men only for me! ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

 

[dogiwall]

I'm willing to forgive a lot of things in fiction since they're, y'know, fictional. But in real life, I can't forgive the same things. Like I'm into yanderes and possessive characters, but obviously I would not want to be around these people in real life.

And while I'm fine with characters that are noisy and loud or self-centered, delusional, and controlling, I can't stand the same kind of people in real life especially due to personally knowing someone who is like that lol.

 

[lyrevega]

The first thing that comes into my mind is the loud ore-sama types, they're the men of my dreams in fiction but men showing even a little bit of that personality in real life pisses me off

 

[Rosellia]

Clingy. I am introverted and value "me time" so someone needing constant attention and socialization would kill me. Clingy fictional characters are acceptable because I can stop the media whenever I need a break from the character but real life would be way too tiring

 

[roz]

I've always mentioned to my friends that if the fictional men I like ever come to life I would run the other way lol. IRL I would like someone who's emotionally mature, respects boundaries and can see things from others' perspectives and none of the fictional men I like meet those standards lol. But if I had to narrow it down to one major red flag, it would be the 'keeping secrets to protect you' trope. Like, eww, no.

 

[imonusi]

When I think about it, I thought that there might be a lot of impossible things in reality...

Bondage jealousy type... I feel like I'm loved if I'm a character, but if it's real, it's troublesome if you contact me every time and restrict your relationships

Yandere type... If it's a character, it's like that because of love! I can forgive you, but if it's real, would you explain and comfort me every time? It's fine if it's once, but it's depressing to do it many times

The two-dimensional dangerous men I like are good because they are two-dimensional after all... The guru of religion and the psychopath are very fun if they are characters, but in reality, ordinary people are good lol

 

[LapisWhale]

I'm super low-maintenance with fiction, I can tolerate quite a lot of red flags =)) But in reality, there's no such thing as a red flag that I don't despise, more or less. Heck, I might even find green flags annoying xDd

 

[plipplopcountess]

Tsunderes that borderline on abusive, male or female. In media, it is usually just comedic relief. In real life, regardless of gender, that stuff wouldn't slide.

Lovable perverts, for obvious reasons (unless they keep their perversions to people willing to listen or stick to fiction stuff so nobody is harassed)

Stalking. In Japanese media (especially done by girls) it is seen as cute and shy. In real life, regardless of gender, it is usually extremely traumatic to the person being stalked and a serious violation of boundaries.

 

[osanajimimi]

I can forgive many things, but irl isn't the same. I wouldn't want to deal with so many problems. The MC in the stories is almost a therapist for the LIs lmao but in irl I don't have time for that in those extremes of fiction

 

[fr4pp3cinn]

I can enjoy anything in fiction, including the more upsetting stuff (such as noncon, violence, incest, and even cannibalism, and I don't mind shotacon routes); my favorite routes are the yandere older brothers (bring out the cage!!! lol) but IRL I won't even tolerate someone being mildly annoying to me ;b I'm also not really into dating. Tbf I'm the type to block someone on social media if I think they have bad taste or if I disagree with their opinions about media lmao (oh someone thinks my favorite game is bad? Well I don't wanna hear it! Get blocked <3)

I'm big on if it's fictional, anything goes!

 

[Ikamusumechan]

Yanderes of course!One of my all time favourite trope in otome but i really don't tolerate it in real life.