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Creative tips for making your own original characters

Original Character Creation | New Insights from Recent User Board Discussions

By

Elena Rodrรญguez

Oct 18, 2025, 06:41 AM

Edited By

Tanya Lee

Updated

Oct 19, 2025, 09:36 AM

2 minutes (approx.)

An artist creating unique character designs with digital tools
popular

A lively exchange on a prominent user board has brought attention to original character (OC) creation among anime and manga fans. Recent commentary has expanded on popular techniques, revealing fresh ideas and concerns regarding character design.

New Strategies Taking Shape

Many creators continue to emphasize a quirk-first approach, utilizing unique abilities as the foundation for their characters. One user articulated their method: "I start with the quirk and think of how it works, adding abilities or inventions that stem from it."

Interestingly, some fans employ artificial intelligence to ensure balance in their character's powers. They noted tools like Grok and ChatGPT help maintain adherence to rules, preventing overly powerful quirks.

Explorations in Character Development

Users expressed diverse avenues for inspiration:

  • Intellectual Heroes: Several creators favor crafting characters based on intellect, leading to heroes reminiscent of Batman or Deathstroke. "I like intellect-based heroes that fight strategically," one comment read.

  • Personal Reflections: Others derive aspects of character personalities from their favorite shows or even their own traits. One user said, "I can take inspiration from anyone I like or just make a test to determine personality."

  • Iterative Design: Some users take existing characters and spin them into new creations, often pulling them far from their origins. "I just take another pre-existing character and put my own spin on him until he becomes a completely different OC,โ€ one user explained.

Significance of Naming and Themes

There's a notable focus on following established tropes in character names and traits. Users frequently stressed the importance of adhering to conventions seen in shows like My Hero Academia. One participant stated, "When creating an MHA OC, I always start with the quirk because thatโ€™s how itโ€™s done in the show."

Users also showed a mix of emotions towards this trend. While many enjoy the creativity behind OCs, thereโ€™s evident frustration towards characters that diverge too far from established naming practices.

"It just feels off when the naming theme isnโ€™t followed," a user remarked, underscoring a desire for authenticity.

Key Takeaways

  • โ–ฝ The quirk-first method remains popular among creators, emphasizing how abilities shape character identities.

  • โœ“ Some fans use AI tools like Grok and ChatGPT to ensure balance and compliance with OC creation rules.

  • ๐Ÿท๏ธ Naming conventions tied to established lore are often enforced, creating sparks within the community.

As community engagement continues to rise, these latest insights paint a vivid picture of how creators pioneer ideas while honoring existing narratives. The trend toward character development is showing no signs of slowing down, infusing fresh perspectives into beloved universes.