What is with Jrpg's?

[Samcanuck]

I am wondering about these main characters in many of the Jrpg's. You know the ones, these guy's who are whiny, weepy, spazzy, very effeminate and lack confidence with women. These guy's who you must play as, who somehow get the girl. It's my understanding that these traits are what women least desire in real life...but yet somehow are attractive in these games. [Can a girl gamer answer why these main characters get the girl for me please]
But save from getting the girl, what is the draw of these characters? Why do developers typically make the main character in this manner...making them the leader of the quest. Usually the typical soddy old military guy/monk you get on the team has more leadership experiance and personality traits that one can admire. Why arent they ever put in the leadership spot? (Your Auron's, Cid's, and Yang's)

I just don't understand the draw, and how a culture could want these main characters. Is there something I'm just not understanding about the culture where these games come from? (Say where the makers of Final Fantasy or Star Ocean games originate) What is your take on the question...since I already know most of you Escapists dislike Jrpg's and prefer western Rpg's.

Edit: And/or the personality traits if you must. I'm looking for a conversation/debate or your opinion. I'm not looking to hold your hand through the summary of the question just because you disagree with a certain personality trait I have mentioned, yet agree with the bulk. Nor do I care if you understand my view in context of one character, but don't with another. It's not the bloody point.

 

[BonsaiK]

The culture wants these main characters because many of the people who play these games can relate to them. You average JRPG-loving Japanese gamer isn't some hard-ass military born-leader dude, he's (statistically, I realise there are many exceptions) probably a young guy slightly lacking in social skills and maybe a little awkward around girls. It's all about demographic marketing.

Also, some girls really go for the effeminate emo type. Horses for courses and all that.

 

[Legion]

You think girls don't like effeminate guys? I don't want to say you are living under a rock but...

In other words, some girls like effeminate guys a lot, in fact some girls only like those kind of guys.

 

[Yoshemo]

Maybe its like an underdog story. Wimpy sissies turn into ultra strong tough guys

 

[Mrsoupcup]

Because almost all JRPG's like that, have the cop out of "Your the chosen one" or "Its you destiny".

Yup thats all I got.

 

[Torque669]

Maybe its like an underdog story. Wimpy sissies turn into ultra strong tough guys

Id say this. Going from Weak to strong is the basis of many games so why would JRPG's not differ from that.

And the old military/somehow expertly trained guy cant be the leader because he has to die at some point in the game.

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

As is my understanding, it's a sort of You Suck kind of deal, aimed at young japanese dudes.
Turns out making the main character a worthless otaku shitcock doesn't go down too well.
People want relateable characters and all, but there needs to be SOME escapism.

 

[Samcanuck]

You think girls don't like effeminate guys? I don't want to say you are living under a rock but...

In other words, some girls like effeminate guys a lot, in fact some girls only like those kind of guys.

The majority don't in the realie real world. As far as I have seen in my time. You telling me most women like lack of confidence or a guy who doesn't seem like they can or will protect them?

 

[Legion]

You think girls don't like effeminate guys? I don't want to say you are living under a rock but...

In other words, some girls like effeminate guys a lot, in fact some girls only like those kind of guys.

The majority don't in the realie real world. As far as I have seen in my time. You telling me most women like lack of confidence or a guy who doesn't seem like they can or will protect them?

The guys end up kicking ass and saving the world, just because they doubt themselves verbally doesn't mean they do literally. It largely depends on what type of girl anyway, not all girls like the stereotype of being a helpless girl needing a man to protect them.

 

[Queen Michael]

I am wondering about these main characters in many of the Jrpg's. You know the ones, these guy's who are whiny, weepy, very effeminate and lack confidence with women. These guy's who you must play as, who somehow get the girl. It's my understanding that these traits are what women least desire in real life...but yet somehow are attractive in these games. [Can a girl gamer answer why these main characters get the girl for me please]
But save from getting the girl, what is the draw of these characters? Why do developers typically make the main character in this manner...making them the leader of the quest. Usually the typical soddy old military guy/monk you get on the team has more leadership experiance and personality traits that one can admire. Why arent they ever put in the leadership spot? (Your Auron's, Cid's, and Yang's)

I just don't understand the draw, and how a culture could want these main characters. Is there something I'm just not understanding about the culture where these games come from? (Say where the makers of Final Fantasy or Star Ocean games originate) What is your take on the question...since I already know most of you Escapists dislike Jrpg's and prefer western Rpg's.

I love effeminate guys. Of course, I'm a straight man, so I guess that doesn't say much, but still.

 

[BonsaiK]

You think girls don't like effeminate guys? I don't want to say you are living under a rock but...

In other words, some girls like effeminate guys a lot, in fact some girls only like those kind of guys.

The majority don't in the realie real world. As far as I have seen in my time. You telling me most women like lack of confidence or a guy who doesn't seem like they can or will protect them?

There's a vast chasm of different between "being effeminate" and "being unconfident". Confuse the two at your peril. Someone who is naturally effeminate and not ashamed to just relax and be himself is far more confident and appealing to women than some guy who acts all macho and tough just because he thinks that it will impress girls. Most girls I know can see through a false "tough guy" persona in as much time as it takes to look a man up and down.

 

[Mr. Grey]

I always thought those characters represented the poor slobs that are being forced to continuously make these games because they are money makers and they've lost all respect for themselves as they cry until they fall asleep as soon as they get home.

Or am I being too harsh? I don't mean to be, I honestly believe this is the case.

 

[NeutralDrow]

I am wondering about these main characters in many of the Jrpg's. You know the ones, these guy's who are whiny, weepy, very effeminate and lack confidence with women.

...like who, exactly? I'm curious.

 

[Samcanuck]

You think girls don't like effeminate guys? I don't want to say you are living under a rock but...

In other words, some girls like effeminate guys a lot, in fact some girls only like those kind of guys.

The majority don't in the realie real world. As far as I have seen in my time. You telling me most women like lack of confidence or a guy who doesn't seem like they can or will protect them?

The guys end up kicking ass and saving the world, just because they doubt themselves verbally doesn't mean they do literally. It largely depends on what type of girl anyway, not all girls like the stereotype of being a helpless girl needing a man to protect them.

Look man, go out to a bar...people watch a bit. I'm just saying what I have seen and experianced. Women tend to not even look twice at the unsure guy. You might think differently, but I have heard and seen everything on the contrary. Not sure where you are coming from...but I personally think you are fooling yourself to think that most women regard effeminate/weak traits as attractive. Doesn't mean women are weak for that. Jesus...look at 100% of nature for goodness sake!

 

[Ultra_Caboose]

Well, not all JRPG's are like that. FF4 had you playing as a knight in service to an evil empire, who already has a lover and is, at least as far as starting points in RPG's, pretty powerful. FF6 starred a girl, and the love story of the game skips her for another character entirely.

It doesn't all conform to the standards. Best I can tell is that with many things, the Japanese easily get complacent with their games. Games like Resident Evil, Mega Man, Castlevania, etc. all suffer from this. The developers find a system that fans like, and once they find it, they don't deviate from it come hell or high water. I'm sure a lot of Japanese fans came to relate to the one-in-a-million chosen hero and the effeminate, gigantic sword wielding soldiers, and developers take that familiarity in lieu of originality.

 

[Samcanuck]

I am wondering about these main characters in many of the Jrpg's. You know the ones, these guy's who are whiny, weepy, very effeminate and lack confidence with women.

...like who, exactly? I'm curious.

FF7, 8, 10, Star Ocean 2 main characters are examples. Ryu from breath of Fire or Chrono are exceptions. See the differance between the two groups? C.T and B.O.F have traits like the tough soldier/monk, and are main characters. If you can't see a difference, there is no point arguing, you just can't see what many others (including myself) see.

 

[Legion]

You think girls don't like effeminate guys? I don't want to say you are living under a rock but...

In other words, some girls like effeminate guys a lot, in fact some girls only like those kind of guys.

The majority don't in the realie real world. As far as I have seen in my time. You telling me most women like lack of confidence or a guy who doesn't seem like they can or will protect them?

The guys end up kicking ass and saving the world, just because they doubt themselves verbally doesn't mean they do literally. It largely depends on what type of girl anyway, not all girls like the stereotype of being a helpless girl needing a man to protect them.

Look man, go out to a bar...people watch a bit. I'm just saying what I have seen and experianced. Women tend to not even look twice at the unsure guy. You might think differently, but I have heard and seen everything on the contrary. Not sure where you are coming from...but I personally think you are fooling yourself to think that most women regard effeminate/weak traits as attractive. Doesn't mean women are weak for that. Jesus...look at 100% of nature for goodness sake!

You are taking this extremely personally, I am starting to wonder if you are an extremely masculine man having trouble getting women's attention.

Especially considering you made a ridiculous jump in logic by completely failing to notice this part of what I said:

It largely depends on what type of girl anyway.

Nature also doesn't mean much to humans any more, we have evolved beyond natural selection and all that. This is made clear by the fact that rather than letting the old and weak die like nature intended we give them drugs and treatment to prolong their life. As well as the fact that we look after those who are mentally and physically able rather than shun them as all "natural" beings do.

 

[Srdjan]

Advanture game with action elements, usually about kids with spiky hair liberating world from evil.

 

[Worgen]

because alot of guys in japan are like that, I was taking a marketing class a couple years ago and one thing they mentioned was that Japanese guys were worthless for marketing research since they were so timid they would agree to whatever the testers wanted of them or said

 

[NeutralDrow]

I am wondering about these main characters in many of the Jrpg's. You know the ones, these guy's who are whiny, weepy, very effeminate and lack confidence with women.

...like who, exactly? I'm curious.

FF7, 8, 10, Star Ocean 2 main characters are examples.

...Cloud, Squall, and Tidus? Seriously?

I mean, I thought you were going to list someone who's at least three of those traits (admittedly, I haven't played any of the Star Ocean games, so I might have to concede that). Squall comes kinda close with whiny and insecure, but if you think he looks like effeminate, damn you must hang out with some butch women. Same with Tidus, except he acts pretty damn normal. And I can only assume that you're calling Cloud whiny because you've only seen Advent Children or something. That movie is starting to feel like a net negative.

Ryu from breath of Fire or Chrono are exceptions.

As are Kalas from Baten Kaitos, Lloyd from Tales of Symphonia, Vyse from Skies of Arcadia, Cless from Tales of Phantasia, Locke from Final Fantasy VI, Sora from Kingdom Hearts, the hero from Dragon Quest 8, etc.

Maya from Septerra Core and Terra from Final Fantasy VI might count, unless they're disqualified for being women.

See the differance between the two groups? C.T and B.O.F have traits like the tough soldier/monk, and are main characters. If you can't see a difference, there is no point arguing, you just can't see what many others (including myself) see.

Your thesis failed the instant you chose to name Cloud Strife instead of Emil Castagnier.