How Romance Can Develop Characters

[SonicEcho]

Ok this is MY OPIINION but i,maybe others as well, feel that Archie wen it comes 2 romance focuses 2 much on pairing characters together and not developing it or the characters involved properly.
Heres how i think they should romance in the series

1.Don't make it 2 serious
This is Sonic,a serious drama fueled romance just feels out of place

2.Use the romance/romantic feelings to improve or develop a character
Examples of this are Sakura and Hinata from Naruto,since they r from a different series i wont dwell on it long,basically the wanted 2 get stronger because of
a)the influence their respective love interest have on them,so they improved themselves 2 protect them and gain acknowledgment from them

b)It added 2 their characterization by playing off their flaws and giving them something 2 overcome
ex.Hinata and her shyness or Sakura and her lack of confidence early on in the series

3.The romance can also be used 2 develop a bond/friendship between said characters

To be Continued

[SonicEcho]

Continued
Lastly though since this is Sonic use the occasional hints and not throw the relationship into in the faces of the readers as that gets annoying after awhile.
Do not focus 2 much on the romance especially in an action series like Sonic
Discuss

[SUPASONICBOOM]

In my opinion,if Sonic is to be in a serious relationship,it should be at the end of the series so it doesn't ruin the main story.

[SonicEcho]

In my opinion,if Sonic is to be in a serious relationship,it should be at the end of the series so it doesn't ruin the main story.

Exactly that needs 2 b in the final issue because its taking up 2 much focus

[BessDreamer]

I haven't read the Sonic Archie comics, so I'm unaware of the flaws of it. I've only heard the complaints from reading in this section of this forum and I just take their word for it, lol. But, I do agree with you SonicEcho about how romance can be used in a positive way and in moderation. Especially with the Sonic series since it is more action-oriented. I also would like to add my input^^ I apologize if it's a long post.

I think one of the misconceptions about having the element of romance is that it kills the story or the character from a show or game. Romance is an element to something just like action, comedy, etc.; it is how it is used that determines if it enhances a character or plot or ruins it. If done in a positive way, it can bring out another side of a character who probably not have love on his or her mind or bring out a caring side.

For example, in Final Fantasy 8 how Squall was a anti-social loner. He didn't want to be emotionally involved with anyone and kept to himself. But, when he met Rinoa and they started to spend together. Squall began to become caring with not only Rinoa, but also towards his friends like Zell and Selphie. He also didn't lose his aloof attitude either, he just became more caring and more expressive with his feelings than he himself probably is surprised about.

Another example is another game I love called Grandia 1. It is generally about a young man named Justin who wants to be the best adventurer just like his father. He eventually meets a older young female named Feena who also loves adventure. I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't played it. But, it generally shows how they brought out the best in each other and support each other through their similar and different personalities and interests. It is light-hearted, yet extremely deep enough for you to be emotionally invested in it.

For the Sonic series, I do agree it is something that shouldn't be its main element (although I love romance in general,XD). Romance can be a great element to add to bring out a different, positive side to a character. He or she doesn't have to lose the core of who they are to accomplish it either. If they did, it wouldn't really be love in my opinion. Love is bringing out the best in someone and make them want to be the best they can be to be there for the one they care for. One of the things that make characters stand out is the relationships they have with each other, whether it's friendship, love, playful rivalry, or etc.

I think just because it is a action-oriented series doesn't mean relationships can't be deepen or explored. It just have to be done moderately and in the right way. It needs a good balance of different aspects to make it enjoyable for everyone to like it.

[SonicEcho]

@Bess Dreamer
i agreed so much especially the last part
i just dont think it should b 2 serious 2 the point where u hardly recognize the character
It should definitely b done every so often with hints inbetween but not as much
i also agree how it should b used to bring out the best of a character or side of them that is rarely seen an example of this is
ex.Sasuke,though not really romantic but still,using his Curse mark 4 the 1st time coming 2 Sakura's aid in the Forest of Death or Hinata jumping in to save Naruto from Pain but i digress

They games even had Sonic show he cared about Amy,though many r right wen saying he would have done the same 4 his friends if they were in the same position as Amy,in SA2 wen Eggman threatened Amy's life unless Sonic handed over that Chaos Emerald,though again not romantic but hopefully u get my point

Again romance shouldn't get the main focus in a series like Sonic but get various hints and maybe big moments every so often

[BessDreamer]

@Bess Dreamer
i agreed so much especially the last part
i just dont think it should b 2 serious 2 the point where u hardly recognize the character
It should definitely b done every so often with hints inbetween but not as much
i also agree how it should b used to bring out the best of a character or side of them that is rarely seen an example of this is
ex.Sasuke,though not really romantic but still,using his Curse mark 4 the 1st time coming 2 Sakura's aid in the Forest of Death or Hinata jumping in to save Naruto from Pain but i digress

They games even had Sonic show he cared about Amy,though many r right wen saying he would have done the same 4 his friends if they were in the same position as Amy,in SA2 wen Eggman threatened Amy's life unless Sonic handed over that Chaos Emerald,though again not romantic but hopefully u get my point

Again romance shouldn't get the main focus in a series like Sonic but get various hints and maybe big moments every so often

Thank you!^^ Oh, what do you mean by not too serious part?

[SonicEcho]

The 'infamous slap' comes 2 mind but i'm not sure that could work
if someone can find the picture n post it it would be appreciated

[E-122 Psi]

I haven't read the Sonic Archie comics, so I'm unaware of the flaws of it. I've only heard the complaints from reading in this section of this forum and I just take their word for it, lol. But, I do agree with you SonicEcho about how romance can be used in a positive way and in moderation. Especially with the Sonic series since it is more action-oriented. I also would like to add my input^^ I apologize if it's a long post.

I think one of the misconceptions about having the element of romance is that it kills the story or the character from a show or game. Romance is an element to something just like action, comedy, etc.; it is how it is used that determines if it enhances a character or plot or ruins it. If done in a positive way, it can bring out another side of a character who probably not have love on his or her mind or bring out a caring side.

For example, in Final Fantasy 8 how Squall was a anti-social loner. He didn't want to be emotionally involved with anyone and kept to himself. But, when he met Rinoa and they started to spend together. Squall began to become caring with not only Rinoa, but also towards his friends like Zell and Selphie. He also didn't lose his aloof attitude either, he just became more caring and more expressive with his feelings than he himself probably is surprised about.

Another example is another game I love called Grandia 1. It is generally about a young man named Justin who wants to be the best adventurer just like his father. He eventually meets a older young female named Feena who also loves adventure. I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't played it. But, it generally shows how they brought out the best in each other and support each other through their similar and different personalities and interests. It is light-hearted, yet extremely deep enough for you to be emotionally invested in it.

For the Sonic series, I do agree it is something that shouldn't be its main element (although I love romance in general,XD). Romance can be a great element to add to bring out a different, positive side to a character. He or she doesn't have to lose the core of who they are to accomplish it either. If they did, it wouldn't really be love in my opinion. Love is bringing out the best in someone and make them want to be the best they can be to be there for the one they care for. One of the things that make characters stand out is the relationships they have with each other, whether it's friendship, love, playful rivalry, or etc.

I think just because it is a action-oriented series doesn't mean relationships can't be deepen or explored. It just have to be done moderately and in the right way. It needs a good balance of different aspects to make it enjoyable for everyone to like it.

This. Romance is good when it expands on character aspects and is done in a manner that is relevant to the depicitions and tone of the characters and universe.

Cardcaptor Sakura might be another good example. It actually has heavy enthasis on romance, at the risk of being rather sickly, however since it gels well with the personalities and cartoony innocent tone of the story it works well for the most part.

Too often Archie Sonic romance is pretentious soap opera-ish stuff and puts little enthasis on real personality development. Bunnie and Antoine is perhaps the most generic undeveloped romance I've ever seen. How do they connect? What chemistry do they have? How does their romance add interesting turns in their personality depiction? It just seemed like a generic 'pair the spares' to me.

[RedMenace]

Ok this is MY OPIINION but i,maybe others as well, feel that Archie wen it comes 2 romance focuses 2 much on pairing characters together and not developing it or the characters involved properly.
Heres how i think they should romance in the series

1.Don't make it 2 serious
This is Sonic,a serious drama fueled romance just feels out of place

2.Use the romance/romantic feelings to improve or develop a character
Examples of this are Sakura and Hinata from Naruto,since they r from a different series i wont dwell on it long,basically the wanted 2 get stronger because of
a)the influence their respective love interest have on them,so they improved themselves 2 protect them and gain acknowledgment from them

b)It added 2 their characterization by playing off their flaws and giving them something 2 overcome
ex.Hinata and her shyness or Sakura and her lack of confidence early on in the series

3.The romance can also be used 2 develop a bond/friendship between said characters

To be Continued

Sakura is a complete different thing from Hinata. Sakura loves Sasuke, but she also wants to protect Naruto. She also has a friend in Ino, plus Shikamaru and Lee have both proved to be great friends of her. She also has a backstory, loyalties and goals that do not include Sasuke. There is more to Sakura than her crush. At one point, she made the decision to kill him, just to spare him the path to darkness but also to spare all of her friends.

However, Hinata is completely, one tracked minded into Naruto. There is nothing about her which is solely hers, not Naruto. The only thing not related to him is her backstory, where she was booted out inheriting the main family heiress title, but she doesn't care for it, so it is a moot point. Hinata has nothing but Naruto. She is a terrible character. If Naruto was on the line along with the village, she'd choose Naruto and that's no good. She was already pondering whether she should root for Naruto (her crush, not her teammate) or Kiba (her teammate) and she was willing to ruin her teammates chances on one evaluation just for Naruto. A terrible, terrible character. Sakura and Ino, at their worst fangirl moments, were better than that.

If anything, Sakura is the kind of character where romance doesn't weight her down (or at least, it shouldn't be). There is more to her than Sasuke and she is able to sacrifice her love for a greater good. Hinata, is the kind of character where romance does weight her down. Everything about her is related to Naruto and that's no good.