What I love about each character
Hi everyone, I know this is a bit different from my usual content, but with all the discourse that’s been happening lately about character likes/dislikes and mischaracterization… I kind of wanted to ramble for a bit and then share what I personally like about each character (both story-wise and writing-wise.) I feel like the beauty of Joseimuke games like Tokyo Debunker is that there’s someone for everyone. Like there’s that character you can have a big fat crush on, someone you can thirst for, someone you can relate to. A character that just comforts you or irks you (affectionately…or not). And I think it’s really cool that the fandom reflects that. I’ve seen characters I never expected to have fans have some of the most loyal supporters on this platform. And honestly? I love that. I think it just shows how different all of us are and how we connect with stories in our own ways. Personally, I don’t have an all-time favorite or an oshi, but I genuinely like all the ghouls. It may be because I write of all of them so often, but I can see the appeal for every one of them. Even the bratty ones. The quirky ones. The red flags. They all have become somewhat…precious? ANYWAYS, enough of this rambling. Let’s go to character rambles now!!!!
JIN
Oof, the Jin hate hurts me a little (even though I get where it’s coming from). I might get hate for saying this, but I think he’s one of the most misunderstood??? But that’s also the whole point of his character. He’s the cold, isolated king who’s built walls around himself betrayal after betrayal because, deep down he’s a sensitive man who’s terrified of getting hurt again. Can I relate to the fact that he treats and calls the person he likes a servant? Absolutely not 💀 But it makes sense for him. That's how he grew up. He doesn’t know how to be vulnerable, so he uses his position to keep the people precious to him close. He is that good mix of anxious attachment and avoidant attachment all at the same time. Maybe that’s why I enjoy writing him too. In almost every scenario, I can see so clearly how he’ll react. Cold words ➡️ Warm action. He’s definitely for the fans that love a bit of spice (and disrespect) but is also constantly reminded that you’re a special person to him. AND don’t get me started on the angst potential of this man. He just seems like the type to always end up regretting doing too much…or… not doing enough. Not saying the right thing…or…Saying anything at all. Letting you into his heart…but also…never opening up to you.
TOHMA
OOOH MY LORD. I love writing for this man if you couldn’t tell already. He’s the character that’s always wearing a smiley-faced mask to hide the darkness underneath. (I want to believe that the monocle is symbolic of that. Sir…I know you can see just fine.🧐) His character just makes so much sense to me. Like the fact that he used to be in Vagastrom??? That explained SO much. Like how he’s kind of sharp and spiky underneath the perfect Frostheim vice-captain act. On top of that, he's constantly living with that dissonance and it seeps out when he talks. He’s speaking politely with fancy lingo and pretty flowers…but there’s something cutting about it. I just imagine he’s probably judging the Frostheim students so hard 24/7. Also, the fact that he seemingly struggles with anxiety and sleep so much that he needs medication, yet buries himself under piles of work every day?!?! It’s actually heartbreaking. I can’t help but hope that he fulfills whatever he’s working so freaking hard for. Writing-wise, he’s easily one of the character that I create the most tension with. Like his words can feel like a dagger or a warm hug. Some days he’s the gentlest, sweetest partner, at other times he’s a...😈 Depends on the day…and how thirsty I’m feeling lol.
KAITO
In the beginning, Kaito was one of those characters that I didn't expect would have many fans/supporters??? He’s basically Zenitsu ⚡from Demon Slayer in every possible way. But the more I progressed through the game, the more he grew on me. He’s incredibly caring…but can be pretty selfish sometimes. Can be superficial…but is also trying to grow to become a better person. The nuance of his character makes him relatable because usually, people aren’t just one side of a coin. Also, he’s one of the easiest to write for because he’s an open book. He tries so hard to hide all his weaknesses, but that's part of his charm too.
LUCA
Lucas is actually the character I picked at the start of the game because he seemed like the kindest one. But honestly, in the beginning, I was pretty disappointed at how rigid he was. (That’s on me though, I should’ve known from the character description.) But I know now, that this personality makes sense considering his past. A strict upbringing. The constant pressure of upholding the family name. And above all, the guilt of failing to protect the most precious person to him–his twin brother. That’s why he’s so uncompromising. Honestly, I think it’s part of his character arc, to really learn what protecting others means. Sometimes it’s standing your ground. Sometimes it’s adapting. And he learns especially being with the chaotic duo. One of my favorite Luca scenes is when Jin slaps him after fighting in the pit with Sho. Not because he gets slapped 😅 But because Lucas learns very quickly that although a sense of justice is important, it’s not enough on its own. His clouded judgement, may end up hurting the people he vowed to protect. I think his journey is to learn how to be more flexible and nuanced without losing his moral compass. Writing him is really hard sometimes, but basically I ask, “What would a gentleman do?” And that’s Lucas. (BTW I still don’t know if it’s luca or lucas. The game uses both.)
ALAN
Ugh. This. Man. Is my ideal type 😭 They really captured the himbo-ness of him. Which according to wikipedia means, “Attractive, well-meaning, but unintelligent or naive man.” Though, I disagree with the unintelligent part. Alan is not dumb at all. He just has his own ways of doing things that might be considered “old school” or the “long way.” That’s why I love the dynamic between Alan and Leo because they fill for what the other lacks. Almost like a perfect puzzle piece...Almost. One of my favorite things about Alan is that he never tries to be cool…it just kinda happens. That’s why everyone in Vagastrom, even the gangs from “The Vanishing Homeroom,” respects him. He lives by his absolute principles. For example, he’s determined not to use his fist to hurt others unless it’s to protect another person. Re-reading Deadly in Love, I noticed how Alan is the first to think about everyone’s safety. Not just MC but the ghouls and the staff too. Like he was always thinking/asking about the staff. Writing for him, I always have the least amount of dialogue 😁 It’s all in the action (or lack of it). His awkwardness, bluntness, his warm heart, head-pats, silent acts, everything jumbled together creates a giant loveable bear. I especially love throwing him in random scenarios because outside of working out, fixing cars, or going on missions, this man does not know what’s going on.
LEO
Oh boy. Where do I start with this one? Leo’s character progression is one of the best parts of the story (imo). But for that progression to HIT…he's absolutely awful in the beginning. The nickname Demon 👹 is literally perfect for him because the amount of times my jaw dropped at the things he said. And the English translation doesn’t do him justice because in Japanese, his words sting much more. I think mean characters are hard to write because their dialogue can come off as cheesy, but Leo’s words are like arrows that never miss 🎯 He knows exactly what to say to annoy, irk, or hurt someone. But as the story progresses, you see Leo use this same skill of ‘understanding people’ to uplift MC or teach something meaningful to Alan. He’s the type of character you can absolutely dislike…but really hard to argue against, because he’s usually right. (He just says it in an unnecessarily blunt/mean way.) I don’t think I’ve ever been able to make his comebacks as creative as the ZigZa writers. But whenever inspiration strikes, his fics come out so…crispy??? I credit all that to how interesting of a character he naturally is. Also…the tension!!!
SHO
Shohei Haizono. Hmmm. What can I say? He’s perfect!!! JKJK. I mean, sort of? Because of the Sho we know now (flirty, sexy cook, easy-going personality), we tend to forget where he started. This man was RUDE, on-edge, and intimidating too. He hated rules and authority which is pretty Vagastrom of him. And as his senpai, inspector, and someone connected deeply with higher-ups, the contempt was pretty clear. Only after seeing MC’s sincerity, did he start to put his guard down. In this sense, I actually feel like MC played an important role in Sho’s school-life because he’s mellowed so much since then. Maybe that’s why he’s pretty direct when it comes to his interest toward MC??? (...Or maybe I’m just over-analyzing and need to re-read the beginning.) Anyways, he’s still kind of a mystery to me. In the sense that I know there’s more going on (because Hyde exists), but it feels like there isn’t because he isn’t as suspicious as Haku or Elias. He feels…normal??? I don’t know how to explain it. Writing for Sho is like writing spicy fluff. He’s the perfect boyfriend/husband, but his personality and teasing keeps the relationship exciting. He’s sweet. He’s cocky. He’s smooth. AND OMG don’t get me started with the way he says senpai 😤 I swear I include that in every fic I write for him.
Sorry...I only got through Frostheim and Vagastrom. If you actually read all of that, thank you for putting up with my ramblings. It may be a bit pompous of me to talk about all this but I had to share my love for the characters. I may or may not do the other houses...we'll see. This took way longer than I expected 😅