Your Basic Guide to Gacha Stereotypes (and use-to-be-trends)

A basic guide to fix stereotypes (1?)

So I see plenty of videos about how to fix Gacha stereotypes, and they're all fine. But a pattern I am seeing is that a lot of the videos basically say; "Don't do stereotypes" which I think is flat out wrong. Stereotypes are fine, great even! But stereotypes can only be pulled off if it's executed correctly. You could have the worst cookie recipe ever, but if you execute it correctly you could get a semi-decent cookie. You could have the best cookie recipe ever, but if you execute it poorly your cookie will probably come out horribly. Execution is key, and in order to understand and truly "fix" stereotypes, we have to understand how and why the stereotypes exist.

(NOTE THAT THIS IS MY OWN OPINION ON THESE STEREOTYPES)

First we have the stereotypical relationship of the UwU Cat and the Alpha Bad Boy. These types of relationship stereotype's are largely built on sexual attraction rather than romantic attraction, and many of these relationships come off as toxic because of it. Physically, the UwU Cat and Alpha Bad Boy differ in height and species, with the UwU Cat being a small cat girl/boy and the Alpha Bad Boy being a larger wolf girl/boy. This relationship dynamic was obviously built out of childhood delusions and possible hormones coming to the surface, with relationship dynamics and physical dynamics that show this off. For starters, the UwU Cat is short and takes on the form of a cat. Being short or small is widely recognized as being little in meaning or submissive, and being a humanoid entity with cat ears and a tail is largely considered sexual to many. Additionally, the UwU Cat may also be short because they're a cat. Then there's the Alpha Bad Boy, who is bigger and takes on the form of a wolf or a wolf demon. Being larger is often associated with being more powerful or dominant, and being an alpha (leader) wolf is based off a debunked theory that suggests that wolves have hierarchies. Additionally, being associated with a demon is also a form of showing that one has higher power, and that they are feared. In stories, the Alpha Bad Boy and the UwU Cat's only personality trait is that they're sexually attracted to each other, and anything else they were doing before they met each other doesn't even effect or affect the characters in any way. So now that the problem is revealed, how is it fixed? Well first the execution of this stereotype should be changed.

Starting off with the UwU Cat, what are some established traits of it's stereotype? They're short, cats, often wear bright or pastel colors, and really like sexual activity. Being short is fine, many people all over the world are short, in fact I think being short could be a good play on the UwU Cat's species. But of course, being short can be taken too far. There are many instances where the UwU Cat is the size of a child, they may even look like a child in inappropriate clothing and that is not okay. Instead, maybe an UwU Cat could have dwarfism or something along those lines. It could give unique depth and an explanation to a character's height. The UwU Cat's being cats is a unique idea that could've been pulled off if it hadn't been executed poorly. Being or looking like a cat (with cat ears and a tail) Is often associated with sexual activity. Instead of sexual activity, why not have UwU Cat's act a bit like actual cats? Have an UwU Cat be a lazy cat that likes to sleep on comfortable things like blankets and stuffed animals, have an UwU Cat be the worst roommate on planet Earth but everyone loves them anyways, have an UwU cat knock over thing's on their counter only to pick them back up again then knock them over again, have fun and research cat behavior by asking people on reddit or twitter or whatever! Have fun with characters. Alright, so what do UwU Cat's wear? That is entirely up to whoever makes an UwU Cat. Although when it comes to genuine character creation, knowing a characters personality, likes, dislikes, etc, will come in handy. People don't wear clothes without a reason, military officers will wear camo gear and have guns at hand, Starbucks baristas will wear a green apron and a black cap. These people don't wear the thing's they do without a reason. What if a UwU Cat is a lazy cat? Then have them wear comfy or oversized clothing. What if a UwU Cat is an adventurous cat? Then have them wear tight clothing and have a backpack that's bigger than they are. Having bright colors or pastels in an UwU Cat's clothing is okay, as long as it is done in moderation. And with the sexual activity? It's fine if an UwU Cat likes sexual activity, just please don't make it an UwU Cat's main character trait, that goes without saying. And now with the UwU Cat out of the way, let's talk about the Alpha Bad Boy.

What are established traits of the Alpha Bad Boy? They're tall, wolves and/or demons, often wear dark colors with bright colors to pop out, and really like sexual activity. Being tall if fine, obviously. But more often then not Alpha Bad Boy's are a normal height while the UwU Cat is abnormally short. Being a wolf and/or demon is absolutely fine as well, but it doesn't get executed well. Instead of the Alpha Bad Boy being a Wolf/Demon for dominance purposes, let their species have a purpose and impact on their character. What is something wolves do? Protect their pack. So what if an Alpha Bad Boy was a chosen leader over all the other wolves because they genuinely had good leadership skills? And what if an Alpha Bad Boy was half wolf and half demon because of parentage or a curse cast on them? Have fun with your tangibles. Then what about a Alpha Bad Boy's design? Well once again, the dark scheme is fine, it's quite nice. But it must be used in moderation, everything in moderation. And once again, have the clothes the character wears matter to the character. Next thing with the sexual activity, it is fine, but DO NOT make it their core character trait! More often then not the Alpha Bad Boy will have a horrible home life and a scar so that way sympathy can be pulled to the character. But the trauma someone goes through isn't just "bad homelife and scar" it's much deeper than that. Once again, how can an Alpha Bad Boy's species play into what trauma they go through? And what is a reasonable explanation as to why the Alpha Bad Boy became a Bad Boy in the first place!? This is why knowing basic philosophy or basic human sympathy and emotions is helpful when writing characters with a tragic backstory. Make the backstory make sense!

And finally, how does their relationship work? Well firstly, don't make up random and misplaced conflict just so the viewer has something to look at. Give the characters personality traits that work with each other as well as traits that contradict one another. So now when the two characters are in a situation, their different attitudes towards that situation could be the driving conflict. Don't make up a random situation either, making sure a story flows naturally is crucial to make a viewer stay to watch the end of the story. Give the UwU Cat and Alpha Bad boy traits that intermingle with one another, and give them actual chemistry, not just sexual tension.

So what is the message? What was learned? There is no such thing as a bad stereotype or a bad character, simply bad execution.

Now, using everything you learned from this chapter, try to make your own UwU Cat and Alpha Bad Boy, but this time execute their stereotype better. I'll even do it myself!

The UwU Cat will be named Damien. He is a laid back and lazy cat who's very intelligent, but is often too lazy and laid back to put any of that intelligence to work. Damien doesn't really care about how he looks and he'll put anything on as long as it's comfortable and convenient. Damien tends to fall asleep a lot, and as a cat he's able to reach and sleep on high and unreachable places. He doesn't work hard.

The Alpha Bad Boy will be named Warrick. He is a down to earth and hardworking wolf who has an above average intelligence. Warrick is the son of a Pack Leader, and he will soon take his fathers place. Because of this, Warrick works hard and studies hard everyday. Because of this, Warrick also puts a lot of effort into his appearance, wearing clothes that look good and are convenient for movement. Damien is smart, but he always ends up getting 2nd place on tests next to Damien. He works very hard.

The starting conflict between these two is that Warrick feels like he isn't doing better on his tests because he always gets second place next to Damien. So Warrick, wanting to get better, asks Damien to tutor him. Since Damien is so lazy, he denies at first. But after several pleads from Warrick, Damien finally gives in and tutors him. From there Damien and Warrick bond over their tutor sessions.

See? I made an entire story line off the bat. I want to see what you can do. If you decide to take it on, tag me in the story please.

This has been Hilldra Creator, I am very tired, goodnight.