Cross 12 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 (edited) Three Remarkable Protagonists – Part 1 By Cross (Beware of spoilers for Wanko to Kurasou) The primarily function of a protagonist in a Visual Novel is to be the avatar of the reader. Protagonists are our connection between the fictional world and reality, like ambassadors to the 2nd dimension. While immersing ourselves in the story parts of our consciousness and personality merge with those fictional characters to interact with the in-game universe. Unfortunately many protagonists are badly written losers or irrational lunatics, far away from compelling characters, but during my journeys through the realms of VNs I managed to find some remarkable examples of this species. Some protagonists are more than just extended control-devices, some are fascinating characters of their own, while still serving as the connection for the player. The following weeks I'll try to introduce some of those fine gentlemen. Yusa Yuuichi (Wanko to Kurasou) - Low-key Badass Have you played Wanko to Kurasou? It’s a VN about anthromorphic female dogs looking like little girls (Lolis with tails…). Starting from this concept a shitload of H-Scenes, Moe and simple drama hits you straight in the face. Wanko wouldn’t be different from many average VNs, if the protagonist wouldn’t save the day. You play as Yusa Yuuichi (only genuine with two “u”), a twenty-something living on his own. Yuuichi is a university student and in his free time he teaches some kids in a cram school (just call him Lord of the Lolis). Pretty standard, you think? Let’s go on. Later he takes care of a little dog-girl named Mikan and her owner Risa (who also happens to be a pubescent girl, what a coincidence!), while a Loli from his class and her (female) anthromorphic cat always visit him to play… Your typical protagonist would turn into Super Hentaiyan 4 with all the peeping, panty shots and nose bleeds following right after. What does Yuuichi do? He doesn’t give a shit at all. He looks responsibly after Mikan, helps Risa (who has some problems with her sexuality) to buy porn and gives his best to teach the kids at school. No horny almost-rapist here… Yuuichi is an orphan, raised in a brothel. He saw every shit the world has to offer. Sex is nothing special to him. You could describe him as a cold-hearted cynic, but that’s not the core of his personality, because he still respects the feelings of others and is willing to make sacrifices for the sake of his relationships. When mating season arrives and the animal-girls suffer from their primal urges he is ready to help them in every way possible (intimate healing…). Every other protagonist would grin like Muten Roshi while abusing those girls for his own fun, but Yuuichi is different. He really sleeps with them for their sake, not for his own pleasure. Yuuichi is like the Good Guy Greg of Visual Novels, putting all the Scumbag Steves to shame. As you may have noticed my headline also contains badass. This relates to the special ability of Yuuichi: his extremly strong manly pheromones (no joke). When he eats something spicy his sweat makes all the girls extra horny. Every other protagonist would immediately run around, grabbing girls and put their heads in his armpits. What does Yuuichi do? Taking a good long shower, not wanting to make his friends feel uncomfortable. This is inner strength on a Pai Mei level… He massages girls to orgasm, not wanting anything in return, pays large sums of money for the pet girls and basically lets a stranger live in his flat (even if she is a 16-year old girl). He is good-natured in so many ways, but at the same time he’s strong-willed and ready to take responsibility when shit hits the fan. Yuuichi makes the difference between Wanko and crappy Nukiges. With kind regards, your Cross PS: Expect the second part of this series (next) in two weeks! (If you can guess who it will be I’ll personally send you a bag of fictional cookies^^) Edited September 3, 2012 by Cross bold spoiler warning, timeplans changed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OneManArmy 82 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Your typical protagonist would turn into Super Hentaiyan 4 with all the peeping, panty shots and nose bleeds following right after. What does Yuuichi do? He doesn’t give a shit at all. I've to agree with you, yuuichi was freakin epic and the only good thing about WtK. If you can guess who it will be I’ll personally send you a bag of fictional cookies^^ Kenichi. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VNHunter 12 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 three MCs... and this is part one... which means there are 2 more??? hmmm... oh yeah... just to remind you, a lot of people hates spoilers here (not me) so remember to put *spoilers* on the thread title... or else... they might rage at you... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cross 12 Posted August 24, 2012 Author Share Posted August 24, 2012 (edited) Kenichi. Nope^^ He is pretty cool, but the real hero of Sharin no Kuni is Houzuki: Azai Kyousuke I haven't played G Senjou yet, but I'm looking forward to it. As for the spoilers I always make the first sentence a spoiler warning, if somebody misses that, he'll probably won't read the text anyway. Edited August 24, 2012 by Cross Quote Link to post Share on other sites
desi 53 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 (edited) PS: Expect the second part of this series next week! (If you can guess who it will be I’ll personally send you a bag of fictional cookies^^) Azai Kyousuke? I want these cookies. Also, how can't you include Kenichi in a list of remarkable protags? Can't really think of any other protag more badass. Edited August 24, 2012 by desi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VNHunter 12 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Azai Kyousuke? I want these cookies. wooo!!! A good one... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OneManArmy 82 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Also, how can't you include Kenichi in a list of remarkable protags? So true, so true. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cerxer1 11 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 I can think of a few, for example Okabe Rintarou (Houin Kyouma) from Steins;Gate, Zanma Rouga from Big Bang Age, Daijuuji Kurou from Demonbane, those are the only ones I found particularly coll or bad-ass (Azai Kyousuke and Kenichi were already mentioned). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gerard the Lone Wolf 10 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Azai Kyousuke? I want these cookies. Azai is a good one. ^^ I still remember how he climbed those stairs at the hotel. And his suffering during the epilogue. (T_ T) Truly remarkable! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Avenger 11 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Emiya Shirou? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cerxer1 11 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Emiya Shirou? Oh! I forgot about him 'cause I haven't played F/SN in a while. Yeah, he can be pretty bad-ass when the situation calls for it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VNHunter 12 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Oh! I forgot about him 'cause I haven't played F/SN in a while. Yeah, he can be pretty bad-ass when the situation calls for it. yeah... shirou is stupid and narrow headed... but if needed... expect some miracles... XD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Harlequin 17 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Agreed that Yuuichi was more or less the only good part about Wanko to Kurasou. Hated that game overall. Another remarkable protagonist would be RANCE of course! He's one of a kind. Huge bastard, but in a funny and good way. I didn't think I would end up liking him or the games he's in, but there's just something awesome about him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
saburokreamer 10 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 what about Naoe Yamato? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ryu 15 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 (edited) Emiya Shirou? Hmmm Hewie from Castle Fantasia Renewal, acts dumb but is a brilliant strategsit and warrior and Yamato (Majikoi) also extremely intelligent and not dense as 90% of eroge protags. Edited August 24, 2012 by Ryu Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cerxer1 11 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Hmmm Hewie from Castle Fantasia Renewal, acts dumb but is a brilliant strategsit and warrior and Makoto (Majikoi) also extremely intelligent and not dense as 90% of eroge protags. Makoto ? Don't you mean Yamato ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ryu 15 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Makoto ? Don't you mean Yamato ? School Days HQ really scarred me for life, fuck than VN, yeah thnxs, I meant Yamato. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cross 12 Posted August 24, 2012 Author Share Posted August 24, 2012 Good guesses, but a good protagonist doesn't necessarily be super strong or clever. A really impressing protag needs some sort of twist or surprise for the reader. As for Shirou, I hated his "Don't fight, Saber, because you are a girl. I fight for you with this magically strengthened poster of Hardo Gay..." (Fate/stay Night is still great) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OneManArmy 82 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 (edited) shirou is stupid and narrow headed Let's leave it at that. I'll be never able to understand why people like him that much. It's true that he had some character development but he's still an idiot. Makoto ? Don't you mean Yamato ? Nope, it was just a typo, he actually meant masato from little busters. Muscles, muscles~ Hated that game overall. I've to agree with you when we're talking about the second half of the game. I fight for you with this magically strengthened poster of Hardo Gay..." Reminds me of... GAY BULGES! Edited August 24, 2012 by OneManArmy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VNHunter 12 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 LOLz OMA!!! XD but I never watched dubbed version of F/SN before... nice vid... specially mitsuzuri's lines... reminded me of F/HA when mitsuzuri had almost fallen for lancer but got scared when rider started to hit on her... again... XD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OneManArmy 82 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 but I never watched dubbed version of F/SN before... Me either nor I'm planning to watch it. I usually can't stand dubbed versions because japanese characters needs japanese voices, at least in my opinion. There are some good dub versions though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VNHunter 12 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Me either nor I'm planning to watch it. I usually can't stand dubbed versions because japanese characters needs japanese voices, at least in my opinion. There are some good dub versions though. I agree... the only dubbed ones I watched were gundam wing/ endless waltz/ seed/ seed destiny... but others??? meh... ok... for the thread... Cross, is it.... Asakura Jun'ichi of Da Capo??? cookies please... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cross 12 Posted August 24, 2012 Author Share Posted August 24, 2012 (edited) Cross, is it.... Asakura Jun'ichi of Da Capo??? cookies please... His only special skill is turning energy into sweets. That's almost as useless as my personal special skill (turning food into shit...). I hate Da Capo, because it features a boring Imouto-Incest-route and that's unforgivable (that it's boring, not the incest^^) Edited August 24, 2012 by Cross Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantasm 10 Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 shirogane takeru form muv-luv unlimited and alternative is a good protagonist. imo,azai kyousuke >shirogane takeru > morita kenichi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crimson Moon 10 Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 What about Kong Taoluo ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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