Anime Recommendation: Kimi Ni Todoke

I don't have a lot to say about this anime but it's good. It's a high school romance between a very socially awkward but endearing girl named Kuronuma Sawako and a popular boy named Kazehaya Shota. Because the girl met the boy, she started coming out of her shell and becoming less lonely, even popular in her own way. Like I said, she's very, very endearing. Think of the most likeable anime girl you can; Now throw it out! This girl is the most endearing anime character of all time. No contest. She's an extremely sympathetic character. All the characters are very likeable and I really only have one complaint, but it's kind of spoiler territory for season 2. I watched it on tubi TV this month.

Anyway, sympathetic characters. What are those? It means a likeable character. In writing terms, it's a character the audience can care about. It's the difference between the audience caring and not caring about what happens in the story or what happens to the character. Unlikable characters means the audience doesn't care and are bored.

How do you write a sympathetic character? Just make someone who you would hire at work, or someone you would like to have added to your class as a new student. Are there universal qualities? Why yes, thank you for asking.

First, no one likes a whimp. Sorry. Gotta be brave. Even if you're kind of a weiner, you have to do what's right and what's important even when there's risk. When it counts, be there. Be reliable.

Other universal traits of a sympathetic character. Good work ethic. Skilled (at least in your area) or competent. Passionate or obsessed about something; In other words, you have to care about something a lot, such as a hobby or trade. If I ask "what do you like to do?" And your answer is "nothing", that's boring. Funny; everyone likes funny people. Respecter, liked or loved by others; if no one else in the story likes you, at all, then that's concerning. At least have someone who dislikes but respects you, eh? Also, nice for no reason or for niceness sake.

And finally, having an unfair disadvantage or a problem that's not your fault. Like having a sickness or coming from a poor background.

Anything else is subjective.

Kuronuma Sawako checks all these boxes. She speaks up for others, so we know she's brave. She likes cleaning. She's a good student and a good tutor so we know she's competent. She volunteers for school chores. We know she works hard. She like ghost stories and gardening, so she's got interests! She cares about her friends. She is funny, albeit unintentionally, but that counts! People easily like her after they get to know her! Her friends love her like crazy! And of course, she had a social anxiety problem making her an odd loner, and it's not her fault. People try to take advantage of her and she struggles with understanding people. She's also nice for niceness sake.

Subjectively, she's very cute both in appearance and in the personality.

If you want to write likeable characters, study this one.