The Hidden Science Behind Lovable Anti-heroes

Рет қаралды 25,955

Күн бұрын

Are you writing a protagonist who isn't an evil villain, but is far from a perfect hero? Anti-heroes have the potential to be powerfully relatable characters that we can actively root for as we watch them chase their desires and grapple with their fears and misbeliefs. But how to we craft a unique and relatable anti-hero? And what the heck is the difference between a flawed hero and an anti-hero anyway? In this highlight from our podcast, Kate and I are here to answer all of these questions and more. So grab a notebook and a cup of tea, and let's dive in!
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Пікірлер: 94

@scottspradlin8049 Жыл бұрын

The Anti-Hero may do morally-questionable things but sometimes with well-meaning intentions.

@AnimeGirl-be3wc Жыл бұрын

I think some of the best stories are the ones wear every character are not 100% good or evil. Every character just does what they think is right.

@sidrockx6399 Жыл бұрын

Parasite

@AnimeGirl-be3wc Жыл бұрын

Thank you too everyone that Liked this comment. Also for the person that left a comment. It is not showing up for me for some reason.

@ac14cmpunk25 Жыл бұрын

A Song of Ice and Fire

@bhatfield1417 11 ай бұрын

Or do things anyway because they don't seem to have other options... also a song of ice and fire

@lizamoonblooded4196 Жыл бұрын

I think an antihero who stays an antihero all throughout the story is Discord from MLP. He does what he does for Fluttershy(the love of his life) even if she wouldn't like it or it would be the wrong thing to do. He helps Tirek because he promises to leaves Fluttershy out of his takeover. He frees the three main villains of the show at the end of the show because he thought it would make Twilight a better queen if she had a challenge before ascending to the throne. If any of you don't know Discord, he's the Lord of Chaos and Fluttershy is the Element of Kindness(who actually avoids all attempts to break her down until Discord has literally has to force her to give up her Element.) When the Mane 6 set him free to see if he can be good, he creates Chaos. Fluttershy is the only pony who refuses to use her Element against him. He pushes her and pushes her until the moment she gets angry at him. At that moment he realizes that she was his first and only friend and now she's mad at him. He turns good and stops all the Chaos, but still doesn't let go of that chaotic nature of his. This is why I think he is an antihero who stays an antihero for the entire story.

@aconiteflower1430 Жыл бұрын

Very true. Didn't expect a mlp reference when I scrolled through the comments, but I'm glad I came across this. It goes to show that despite the fact that mlp's target audience is mostly kids, it can still feature multi-faceted characters and relationships that most kids won't look too much into, but can be pretty entertaining for adults.

@lizamoonblooded4196 Жыл бұрын

@@aconiteflower1430 As an adult, I love MLP. And their relationship is one of my favorites. They don't fall in love immediately and they only get married at the end of the show.

@hyenaedits3460 Жыл бұрын

I love seeing other MLP fans in the wild!

@BrianWanke 5 ай бұрын

Brony?

@Mara.O.Garner Жыл бұрын

That's the perfect video for me right now! I always tend to make my character too lovable and perfect because I am afraid that the reader couldn't like him/her

@anastazjamalczyk7683 Жыл бұрын

I love Tangled and Anastasia is my old childhood favourite! I also happen to wear the same name :) Good analysis, as always. Your writing advice has been really making a difference in my writing! ❤

@SpuunSpong 9 ай бұрын

You have a beautiful name!

@makaylam5950 Жыл бұрын

This was super helpfull! Thanks to this, now I've noticed that my Antagonist is a bit more of an anti hero. He wants to prove his parents that said he was not good enough wrong by becoming his definition of "Valuable" And he does not care how many people he has to betray and screw over to get his goal. And that eventually leads him to the protagonist. (There will be 2 POVS, one from the protagonist, and one from the Antagonist so that you understand each ones internal conflict.)

@candyvanschalkwyk9450 Жыл бұрын

Count Olaf from unfortunate series of events. He fits all the categories and in the end redeems himself without asking for forgiveness as he knows he has done too much.

@jennajewel986 Жыл бұрын

Anastasia and Tangled - arguably my favorite movies (wonder why… as Abby said; there so similar) I LOVED having them as story examples!! 💗💗

@lea-anon Жыл бұрын

My favorite thing about Abbie's videos is the recap at the end (because I am forgetful and do not like taking notes.)

@worthfightingfor2299 Жыл бұрын

That was such a good podcast episode!

@mageprometheus Жыл бұрын

Thank you, E-Team. Another marvellous discussion. 💜

@sicshop Жыл бұрын

This is so funny. I was going to ask you about this on the last livestream.

@NeonAGC Жыл бұрын

When your main protagonist is in fact an anti-hero:

@VideoGameRoom32 Жыл бұрын

Isn't Deadpool sort of an Anti-Hero?

@unicorntomboy9736 Жыл бұрын

Yes he is. Eddie Brock (Venom) is as well

@goldenlightpictures6223 Жыл бұрын

Yeah he’s like the anti hero! 😄

@unicorntomboy9736 Жыл бұрын

@Audrion Irks A grimdark anti hero. That stuff is par for the course

@elfascisto6549 Жыл бұрын

Deadpool is a bad character. I feel like deapdool was made for rick and morty fans

@elfascisto6549 Жыл бұрын

@@audrionirks8881 i never saw any people that cared about morrigan's character before you.

@NadeemShekh-uy9zn Жыл бұрын

Loki is a villain turned antihero in the mcu movies and shows but great choice man

@MissMarigold32 Жыл бұрын

If youve made a video on this i havent found it, but what advice would you give to someone who writes without having a "truth to scream from the roof tops"? Let me explain: every story ive ever wanted to tell has been based more on "this would be a cool story" or "this is a really cool character ive made, they need a story!" Rather than "this is the message im trying to tell people." Even the book ive just finished writing came from the idea of "what if i took this existing story, took out some parts, added some others, and wrote it?" (And I had a lot of fun writing said book too!) I seem to get ideas from charicters or scenes in my head demanding stories to exist in rather than wanting to tell a message. So- given that the message seems to be the main thing that you tell us to figure out, what advice would you give? 😅

@kimstewart3413 Жыл бұрын

YES THIS 100% relatable

@SerbAtheist Жыл бұрын

You're looking at it the wrong way. It's not about forcing yourself to have some sort of a message to your story. It's about giving yourself over to the miracle of life and existence so completely that you're COMPELLED to share these internal experiences with others through your writing. Acquiring the depth needed for profound ideas to coarse through you naturally is a scary process that requires you to be emotionally vulnerable and step outside your zone of comfort repeatedly. However, I think that without this kind of self-actualization it is far more difficult to produce thematically rich and meaningful top-tier writing. PS Check out the monologue of the writing professor in 'Adaptation'.

@LetitiaRoseMarula 3 ай бұрын

I normally start with the plot, then ask myself what the internal conflict is that will get in the way of the character achieving the goal of the plot effortlessly. Normally I end up getting to a theme/lesson that way. The lesson I want my characters to learn is the one I teach the reader through the story. I believe this is the opposite direction that Abbie does it.

@Deana-r8i Жыл бұрын

Love your vids ❤

@Hansikab_ Жыл бұрын

exactly what i was looking for thank you💚💚💚

@syedafatima8504 Жыл бұрын

wow... I just opened my laptop to get the exact topic I was looking for!!!

@mickeyandclaire Жыл бұрын

Abbie! I FINALLY got 100 Days of Sunlight! I’m so excited to read it

@baby_grogu Жыл бұрын

Abbie emmons I love your videos as always! I want to read your book the other world some time it looks really good! Also, I have a book series that you might like it's by Melanie Dickerson. I love reading Medivel Books! I friended you in good reads so you could just look at that! I am currently reading the merchants daughter right now!

@sherinshahana5761 Ай бұрын

Hello, this is such a good explanation. May i please know any theories through which we can analyse anti heores , if so can you name some because when i looked into theoretical framework for analysing that to find common grounds, i couldn't find one. So can you please tell if there is such theories. Thanks in adavance!

@NsiimaChloeElizabeth Жыл бұрын

Hey Abbie. Uhmm I don't know when you will see this but when you do, I'd like your advice on how long I should take to develop my characters. I am a developing screenwriter and watching your videos has helped me a lot however I still have a staggering problem while developing my characters and their personality types so I want to know how long I should take to develop my characters before writing my script. I will be really glad for your help, thank you.

@DanielByers-qf9qi Жыл бұрын

By your definitions, Thomas Covenant (my favorite example) would be a "flawed hero" rather than an "anti-hero"; critics have labeled him the latter for decades. The complexity of the character - and the complexity of the series by Stephen Donaldson - make him both at different times: In some instances, he deliberately, selfishly, deceives others; at other times, he struggles with his weaknesses. Ultimately, he chooses to sacrifice himself for the good of all in the Land.

@darenallisonyoung8568 Жыл бұрын

I was just coming here to bring up Thomas Covenant. I think it was Covenant's flaws and selfishness that makes one want to keep reading, book after book. As readers, we see his potential to help others juxtaposed with his brokenness and sometimes objectively immoral choices.

@DanielByers-qf9qi Жыл бұрын

@@darenallisonyoung8568 Agreed: I think too many give up on the series before they can see that about Covenant; many are so revulsed by his actions early on that they quit reading.

@petbotanics Жыл бұрын

perhaps the writer can craft a character that begins the story as clearly an anti-hero but slowly evolves into a hero. Surprising the reader after they have determined the person is indeed evil or completely unlikable.

@unicorntomboy9736 Жыл бұрын

Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII is one of the best anti hero characters in my opinion In addition I am trying to come up with an oc protagonist for a Harry Potter fanfiction story. The protagonist is an morally ambiguous slytherin witch who joins Hogwarts in the late 2000s and gives into temptation and embraces the dark arts, including the unforgivable curses (who also experiences unrequited love with a hufflepuff boy).

@akale2620 Жыл бұрын

So a lame 2000 version of the game

@unicorntomboy9736 Жыл бұрын

@@akale2620 I don't understand

@akale2620 Жыл бұрын

@@unicorntomboy9736 that harry potter ff, its literally the story of that Hogwarts game that came out couple of months ago

@unicorntomboy9736 Жыл бұрын

@@akale2620 Well I know nothing about that. I was actually thinking about doing a Hogwarts Legacy fanfiction with my OC protagonist (named Evie Frye) getting into a relationship with fellow slytherin Sebastian Sallow, basically writing a slow burn romance story with a Bonny and Clyde vibe My protagonist is a half-blood/muggle-born slytherin student who was born in 1872 and grew up in Crawley, England before going to Hogwarts in 1888, joining late as a fifth year student (in line with the plot for Hogwarts Legacy, even though the fanfiction takes place after those events, in-between their fifth and sixth year).

@kamaricheri11 Жыл бұрын

Can a character be a hero and an anti-hero at the same time?

@akale2620 Жыл бұрын

I mean its literally a prerequisite. Every anti hero HAS to be a hero. Or hes just some rando killing people

@kamaricheri11 Жыл бұрын

@@akale2620 Oh I get it thank you

@sabrinaspellmen12 11 ай бұрын

Would a character killing to survive himself because of a curse of his family count as an anti-hero fully aware that it is awful.

@smiththeinspiringanimator7042 Жыл бұрын

Awesome and cool! ^_^

@aaronrowell6943 Жыл бұрын

So like Jack Sparrow Sorry, Captain, captain Jack Sparrow

@purpleghost-h7q Жыл бұрын

lol

@sicshop Жыл бұрын

Yes that’s a good example.

@PeachyLofi Жыл бұрын

I actually have some interesting opinions on Anti heroes, I might make a video on them at some point to explain

@sonder_12 Жыл бұрын

I clicked because I saw Abbie and Eugene

@leo-author Жыл бұрын

The Emmons Sisters Strike Again. Love your videos. Keep it up.

@hannahentz2968 8 ай бұрын

Anyone else thinking of Zuko from Avatar the last Airbender?

@user-pt3lv1tv2e Жыл бұрын

Askeladd in Vinland Saga 1 is a great anti-hero!

@Hi-jw7oq Жыл бұрын

I think the movie 1408 is a god example of an anti hero. He starts off a jerk and con man and threatens to sue a hotel for not letting him in a room but he takes a journey and you understand it as you watch the movie

@pottersheadswriterreader Жыл бұрын

Hii Abbie .🎉 I have a question . Does enjoying what you write mean it has internal conflict of the main character without you even realising you writing it ?

@ninaa4192 Жыл бұрын

Frankly, I reckon if you're reading it and thinking "damn, this is good" Then it's gotta be pretty good.

@pottersheadswriterreader Жыл бұрын

@@ninaa4192 thank you

@pottersheadswriterreader Жыл бұрын

@@ninaa4192 god bless

@TheTbf96 2 ай бұрын

1:50 but what if its more a case of "Yeah I know people will not like what im about to do, but its necessary"? And its genuinely done because they believe it will improve the world atleast on a smaller scale? Edit: okay nevermind... should watch videos to the end

@missedthebandwagon976 Жыл бұрын

Yooo, any love for Artemis Fowl in the comments? No, not the awful Disney movie. Book Artemis is an excellent antihero! He knows what he's doing is wrong, but he's just a little boy who wants his family back the way it used to be.

@michaelrue1400 Жыл бұрын

The movie got made? I keep hearing that it's coming, but never heard it was released. Listened to the audio books on CD and loved them.

@BrianWanke 5 ай бұрын

@@michaelrue1400 The movie was released years ago, but I don’t recommend watching it.

@ac14cmpunk25 Жыл бұрын

Lelouch vi Britannia from Code Geass

@michaelrue1400 Жыл бұрын

I've always heard Batman called a dark hero, never an antihero, but his primary motivation for taking on the superpowered villains of Gotham City is vengeance for the murder of his parents. So, where is the difference?

@thechocolatedonut7216 Жыл бұрын

His motivations in most iterations are still mainly noble. It's sort of the reason he never kills Joe Chill, or anyone for that matter.

@Amy_Mi6 Жыл бұрын

Women supporting women ❤️🙌

@docstockandbarrel Жыл бұрын

Do they know it's morally wrong or legally wrong? Not always the same.

@akale2620 Жыл бұрын

Either or or both

@NadeemShekh-uy9zn Жыл бұрын

Daredevil, Punisher, Wolverine, Deadpool and kinda Iron Man are antiheroes

@Friendship1nmillion Жыл бұрын

Venom 👽is the ONLY true anti-hero. ♑️✍️🇸🇯🇦🇺

@NadeemShekh-uy9zn Жыл бұрын

@@Friendship1nmillion thats a flawed and incorrect assessment he was a Spider-Man villain turned antihero much like punisher

@matthewwriter9539 Жыл бұрын

In Passengers it has nothing to do with money, and everything to do with loneliness.

@michaelrue1400 Жыл бұрын

Still selfish, though. That was the point.

@mysticmoon7 Жыл бұрын

Hello everyone!

@centpushups Жыл бұрын

Itachi Uchiha best anti hero

@MLBedits4U-bc1sp 3 ай бұрын

just think about why people love draco malfoy so much and youll get your answer

@R_A_M_9_1 Жыл бұрын

Han Solo scruffy lovable sardonic but is loyal

@ILoveZeke Жыл бұрын

@akale2620 Жыл бұрын

Almost every Hollywood /every film industry "Hero" is actually an anti hero. John wick, nobody, every Arnold Schwarzenegger character, neeson from taken Bruce Willis. All of them. Every damn video game player character too.