But think about it - why do they call them "waifu"'? Maybe it's because of the expected set of traits, right? What trait is that?
Because it's a meme term?
It's Japanese accented "Wife". Why?
Because it originates from anime culture which is predominantly Japanese.
Wherein, there is a culture of forming unnaturally strong feelings for fictional characters. With the connotation being that you go so far as to buy body pillows of your "Waifu" and take them on dates and have sex with them.
You're the one stretching the meaning, not me. I used the term to shorten and simplify long descriptive writing, and it's obviously clear what "waifu" means in this context - which is more than enough for the current purpose. We're not at a chemistry naming symposium, after all.
You're the only one stretching the meaning.
Since you are apparently unaware of what it actually means.
It is not "Obviously clear what 'waifu' means in this context" because you're using it wrong. A waifu is literally any female character that someone is attracted to in some way. That is how the term is used, that is how the term originated.
It is not, nor ever has had any connotation to someone liking YOU in any capacity. Be it attraction, love, affection or anything. It is simply "I like this character romantically/sexually"
ask a woman what it's about, not chatGPT
I never have, nor ever will use ChatGPT.
I also have asked women what it's about. Including plenty of women who write and/or read BDSM fiction. As well as men who write and/or read BDSM fiction. As well as people who write books in general.
I have a good understanding of what it is about. Including why it is successful despite being poorly written in every way.
So either you're intentionally reducing my arguments to the opinion of a one-of-a-kind individual to make it seem insignificant, or your background in psychology is as solid as mine in quantum physics.
So are you now claiming that you're not a one individual? That you are some sort of hivemind combined of multiple personalities?
Your arguments are derived entirely from your own opinion. You brought up things like how they "Remind you of people you met in real life" which is something that would be unique to you as most other people in the world have not met those people.
You state your opinion like it is objective fact and that anyone who has a different opinion is either "Wrong" or you simply ignore other viewpoints.
Many people like these characters. This is an objective fact. You can easily find such things for yourself by browsing any site (Including these forums) to see that.
Claiming that they are "Unlikable" is utter nonsense. Just like if all these people tried to claim that it is impossible to dislike these characters would be spouting utter nonsense.
You can have an opinion. You can put forth your opinion. But the moment you start to claim that your opinion is objectively correct is when the problems arise.
Start a topic about ideas for a male companion you'd like to see and justify it. Maybe Larian will add it to the next game if they find it interesting - and thousands (or even millions) of other Tarils will be happy.
Or... I can be a grown up and accept that part of good writing is that not everyone will like every character. I don't like these characters, and that is fine. I just move on. I'm not going to go on a tyrade about how Larian sucks at writing characters because there are 2 characters I don't like (One of which I know many other people like).
I have provided some feedback about why I dislike these characters. I.e. My issue with Gale is the disconnect between how he acts and how his background portrays him. During gameplay he's written as a nice and likable guy. But his background is that of a huge douche who prioritized his lust for power over his relationship, because he was too arrogant to accept that "Parts of the weave are not meant for mortals". While my issue with Astarion is that he's just plain unlikable, he's written as chaotic evil but without much nuance (Supposedly he gets better after you romance him, but then it also gets much worse if he ascends...)
But really, it's fine if they don't even consider it and write more Astarions and Gales. So long as I'm not stuck having to like them, then it's no problem. I'll just not like them and move on, to characters I might actually like.
You're skimming, right? Should I paste my earlier quote where I said only Shadowheart doesn't fit the fantasy world because she's too girly for a battle cleric? She acts within the paradigm of "men are buyers, women are sellers - men chase, women get chased". That's how relationships work in the contemporary world. You can't transplant that into a fantasy world with female warriors who are equal in everything to male warriors. It simply turns the whole world into Comic Con. That's why I called Shadowheart a "streamer".
Don't worry, I got you:
That's amazing. I'd probably feel the same if I hadn't met one Lae'zel and two Shadowhearts in real life - and it never ended well.
Oh wait... Apparently Lae'zel is included in your "People you met in real life"
Seemingly, a literal alien raised in a pocket dimension is the type of person you can meet in real life... And having done so has affected your view of her.
But that's right, according to you, the culture that someone is raised in has no bearing on their personality and values:
Lae'zel may not exist in the real world, but I do. Belonging to a different culture doesn't grant anyone the right to threaten their loved ones with death. Even "killing machines" can show kindness and care to those they truly value. I don't understand why people enjoy this kind of toxicity, it's more of a sadistic femdom fetish than a healthy expression of love.
Meanwhile, Shadowheart is "Too girly" (Somehow... Lae'zel is the only character that brings up any actual "Girly" facets, when she admires Shadowhearts hair and asks if she can be taught how to do it herself). Then something to do with gender equality meaning that typical roles are no longer a thing (Which already isn't true for real life, where men and women are equal in most cases and still men are expected to initiate romances, as well as being the ones to propose marriage - Like literally most women will drop hints on what engagement rings they want bought for them rather than actually propose themselves).
