Instead, you need to show how your character is exceptionally giving. After all, they’re often resistant to harm, which lowers their risk, and they’re probably getting lots of social admiration as a reward for their work. This is why a superhero that rescues hapless civilians is admirable but not particularly special.
When a character helps someone but it’s no skin off their back, that’s not bad, but it may not increase their likability that much. To make a real impression, you’re not looking for everyday, run-of-the-mill kindness. This activity is labor intensive and not expected of young men. What Selflessness Requires Jim from Trollhunters makes a stronger first impression simply by cooking dinner for his hardworking mother. Let’s cover what it takes to make a character lovable with selflessness.
But selflessness isn’t a match for every character we want audiences to love, and it’s trickier to pull off than it sounds. After all, a character doesn’t feel like a classic hero unless they help others. Selflessness is what most people think of when they imagine a likable character. This is part 2 in the series: Crafting a Likable Character
