What makes a character appealing?

The influence of knowledge and experience

Abstract

This study examined how factors beyond appearance influence character preference through experiments and interviews. The experiment analyzed the impact of character personality and participant empathy on perceived “cuteness,” revealing a slight positive correlation, especially for “lonely” personalities. However, statistical analysis showed no significant results due to data bias. Interviews highlighted that “cuteness” was influenced by round shapes and soft colors, while “coolness” is linked to effort and growth. Childhood experiences and social influences also played a crucial role in character attachment and empathy.