────crucial components that show up in the majority of cases, any given character high on the list should check off most if not all of these. the closer they are to the top, the more important they are; if a character blatantly doesn't meet the first few points they're incredibly unlikely to be relatable

• fundamentally a pretty big loser/failure and often compensator, no matter how "cool" they MIGHT seem; some are pretty straightforwardly loserish, while others attempt to mask this and might even succeed on a surface level, but at the end of the day they catch L after L after L and are often defined by a certain major failure or series of major failures
• undeniably compassionate, generous and carries a deep capacity for kindness/softness (even if it's selective); oftentimes but NOT!!! always underneath a rough exterior, and even if the rough exterior exists it sucks. this caring side of them is defining and often the direct cause of their downfall
• NEUROTIC ass, dramatic displays of emotion in general, might come off as maldy, histrionic, over-the-top, overly depressive/"whiny", etc. just not composed at all. does not have it together. likely criticized for this in-universe and out-of-universe
• tries to be righteous or at least do the right thing, but things don't work out in their favor and they end up resorting to morally dubious or reprehensible actions for one reason or another
• THE GUILT!!!!!
• looked down on and easily dismissed/teased by those around them (or even themselves) for their apparent naivete/weakness/lack of intelligence/incompetence, even if this is only relative to others
• protagonist's bestie, or otherwise quite significant to the protagonist in any way
• a very loving type of person whose dedication to another character (often the protagonist, but not always) drives much of their motivations and sometimes even much of the narrative itself
• may have few qualms about hurting others if it's for the sake of the object of their dedication
• often starts out as an upbeat, promising friend/supportive figure who descends into madness and picks a fight with the protagonist on account of their own issues (third act breakup type shit); basically a good guy who undergoes a regression/corruption arc
  • OR, a bad guy who undergoes a redemption arc/otherwise turns out to be pretty sympathetic
  • OR, an intersection of both somehow
• WIDELY reviled/made fun of/memed for making apparently stupid/immature/assholish decisions, regardless of how popular/liked they are or aren't (in fan circles especially, where it may make up a good chunk of their reputation)
• may take it upon themself to be responsible for others/their wellbeing, even if it's not asked of them or a reasonable expectation (it inevitably falls apart, with the effects ranging from relationship damage and ego damage, to their own death and/or the death of whoever they were responsible for)
• major anger issues, externalizes their anger and frustration and also struggles with impulsivity and rashness. prominently resorts to physical violence and/or picking fights
• often trying to be something they're not, projecting or aspiring to some sort of grand image/act that they can't necessarily live up to; "fraudulent"
• can be judgemental of others' character and jump to conclusions or even hold grudges based on bad first impressions or mistaken intentions, but is generally understanding if this is rectified

────not as crucial or frequent, but notable patterns regardless

• OVERT self-hatred and self-deprecation (covert self-hatred is already implied by a lot of the above points)
• blatant clinical depression, even more occasionally to the point of suicidality
• odd prevalence of delinquent and/or punk-type characters; troubled troublemakers
• crap at school
• is, in some way, hung up on disposability; very strong negative reaction to the idea of themself and/or someone else being cast aside when no longer useful
• a bit of a fraught relationship with mortality, often forced to face or experience their own death
• sacrificial tendencies
• outright, full-blown hero/savior complex
• fire trauma