>self insert character
Why people use this as negative criticism? A great character is one anyone can relate to.
>>159010937
It's used for characters that are so bland because their sole purpose is to be a vehicle for the reader or viewers desires. You can have a relatable character and still give them their own personality and back-story.
I would argue that the best characters are those you root for and understand, they are relatable because they, just like you, have their dreams, hopes, anguish and trials (if they are well written enough).
A self insert character tries to achieve that relatability in a lazy way, by just boiling down their traits to the bare minimum in hopes of appealing to a broad audience.
Also this >>159011126
>>159010937
People often use it as a negative criticism only because they are having trouble self-inserting into a particular NON-self-insert character that doesn't align with their own personality traits. Thus they accuse said character of being a self-insert for others (which may or may not be true) in a negative way to distance themselves from it. There are very few characters out there which are truly completely blank slates which get a free ride through their story.
Also known as projection.
>>159011394
>they, just like you, have their dreams, hopes, anguish and trials
i dont have any of these things though