Section 1: Foreword
Welcome to the ultimate TeniPuri and Original Character Tutorial, created by AznChibi1 and LovelyGirlofGreenMeadows. This tutorial was made in order to help writers, neophyte or not, improve their writing style, have a better and deep understanding of their characters, and as well as the cannon characters from the manga series “Tennis no Ojisama” or “The Prince of Tennis”, which was respectfully created by the amazing Konomi Takeshi.
The names, characters, places and incidents that were used as examples in this tutorial are products of the authoresses’ imagination, and any resemblance actual events, locales or people, living or dead, as well as to other fanfictions related to Prince of Tennis, are entirely coincidental.
* Special recognition to Serenity-chan [ChaoticSerendipity] who requested this tutorial a couple of months ago. Sorry if it only came out now.
Section 2: Original Characters
A. Setting-up a Purpose:
When creating an Original Character, it is advisable that you first think of a purpose WHY you want to create that specific character. That will help you a lot in terms of inspiration, and it will also affect the quality and the outcome of your story. The best purpose is to simply think that you are creating this character because “I am passionate about writing”, or “I am creating this character in order to give light and color to Konomi-sensei’s series”. Having the reason, “I am making this character because it will bring me POPULARITY” is quite dangerous and a bit depressing at the end, especially when faced with the bloodiest critiques, or when you started to lose your readers.
Before you start anything else, think about these things first. When you have a good purpose, then constructing a character and making it alive will be easy (unless you tend to procrastinate, but that’s just normal).
B. Types of Original Characters:
Basically, there are just two types of original characters: the Mary-Sue and the Basic/Normal Character. Let us first differentiate the two.
Mary-Sues are fictional female characters made by an author to fall in love with their favorite character. Mary sues are defined as “perfect” beings who often have unrealistic characteristics that contradict the original fandom’s plot and or traits.
Basic or Normal Characters, on the other hand, are the opposite of Mary-Sues. Although most of them are also created to fall in love with an author’s favorite character, Normal Characters are not as perfect as a Mary-Sue. In fact, they are not perfect at all, and the tendency is for them to have countless flaws. Usually, Basic Characters follow a series’ storyline.
B-1. On Basic/Normal Characters:
Basic Characters are normally placed in a story to add vibrant and color to a cannon character’s life or lives. But one thing you should remember is that your character is NOT there to RAPE (or abuse) cannon characters; otherwise, your so-called “normal” character will end up as a Mary-Sue.
Let’s expound on that.
In order for your character to be a “normal character”, you must consider the following fields:
1.) Appearance
2.) Personality
3.) Historical Background
4.) Tennis and Love Life
Field 1- Appearance:
The appearance of your character should be average, meaning she should not be ugly or too beautiful. What do we mean by “too beautiful”? It’s basically the too-beautiful-type wherein almost everyone, or EVERYONE, will fall in love with her. No. Please never do that. Trust me; that kind of system wherein everyone falls in love with your character is very problematic. We’ll discuss more of that later on.
Well if that’s the case, then how should a normal character look like? Like what we said, average. There’s no other fitting word. Height, face and body shape, long/medium/short hair, tan-skinned, brown-skinned or white-skinned, any color of hair and eyes—feel free to customize. She’s your character after all. Just keep her profile a bit (just a bit) low.
Field 2- Personality:
A basic character’s personality is, most of the time, stable. She’s either happy-go-lucky, friendly and open, or she can be the complete opposite: mysterious, quiet and shy.
Now this is the most important part: She. Can. NEVER. Be. Both.
Why? Because it’s very irrational and totally beyond the context of human nature. It’s like saying she can RUN and WALK at the same time.
And if you’re going to reason, “She’s quiet and hyper because she’s very twisted.”, then at least explain WHY.
* Why is she twisted? Did her mom accidentally drop her when she was only a baby? What sort of phenomenon happened to her?
You have to consider those in order to defend your character’s “twisted personality”. The safest answer that you can give is, “My character has a bipolar personality”, but then again, having a bipolar personality is not a joke. It’s actually a personality disorder. I can assure you that because I myself have that kind of disorder.
Conclusion: The most advisable thing for you to do is to just stick to one personality type in order to avoid all these unwanted character stress.
Field 3- Historical Background:
Normally, basic characters are just a regular girl from a regular school, most often, the school of her crush. She’s in that school, studying, hanging out with friends, doing extracurricular activities and other things that a normal girl does.
There are some cases wherein the normal character is related to a cannon TeniPuri Character. Like she can be Ryoma’s or Sakuno’s cousin, Fuji’s little sister, or whoever’s family you wanted her to be related with. That’s perfectly fine, as long as you keep your character in the boundary. Meaning, she must still have her OWN individuality.
Example: Konnichiwa! I am Fuji Dani! Just like my Syusuke-niichan, I am a very excellent tennis player who won a lot of prestigious tennis titles!
Being Fuji’s little sister is not and will never be a guarantee that your character “Dani” can be a very good tennis player. Even though they’re siblings, Fuji Syusuke and Fuji Dani are DIFFERENT from one another. They’re not the same. So don’t MAKE them the same. Heck, they don’t even share the same fudging body organs!! The bottom-line is, be creative towards your OWN character. Don’t make your character be LIKE Fuji and pair her up with Tezuka; otherwise, don’t bother making a character to begin with. Save yourself from all these troubles and just go to the Yaoi fandom and ship TezukaXFuji.
Field 4- Tennis and Love Life:
Field 4-A. Tennis Life:
There are a lot of combinations that you can do with your character with regards to her tennis life. She can either be:
a.) Interested in tennis and plays tennis
b.) Interested in tennis but can’t play tennis
c.) Not interested in tennis at all
All three combinations are perfectly suitable for your character, but if you plan to take combination A, make sure that your character is not great-great. Meaning she should not excel in the said sport unless you explain every microscopic details of her hardworking effort. Your character being as strong as Echizen Ryoma because “Echizen Nanjirou was her tennis tutor” or something like that is not a valid reason at all. In the first place, why did Nanjirou decided to “tutor” your character when he has Ryoma to fulfill his ‘big dream’? Explain everything.
I’m not saying that you can’t make your character strong in tennis. What we’re saying is that if you plan to make her strong, at least explain to the readers the kind of Spartan training that your character went through in order to be in that position. In addition, I personally have a hard time forgiving an Original Character who can beat Yukimura Seiichi, or at least as strong as him.
You’re comparing your Original Character to Yukimura Seiichi? The captain of Rikkaidai? The Child of God?
Your OC better know her place in the tennis world.
And Tennis Goddesses/Princesses/Heroines are definitely…WOW. Ryoma’s girl version, is that you~?
Field 4-B. Love Life:
We all know that Prince of Tennis is a shounen sport anime filled with hot shounens and bishounens. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that your character can “shop” around. I think you’ll be able to comprehend more if I’ll give an example, so I will.
Example: Let’s see…my character is Megumi Ai. Since I am ferociously in love with Echizen Ryoma, Fuji Syusuke, Atobe Keigo, Tezuka Kunimitsu, Niou Masaharu, Sengoku Kiyosumi, Shiraishi Kuranosuke and Sanada Genichirou, I am gonna make ALL of them fall in love over my Ai-chan!!
Please. Konomi Takeshi’s characters are not ‘customers in a nighttime bar’, if you get what I mean. Making all the Princes fall in love with your character is not “sugoi-sugoi~! ^-^”; it’s sickening. Understand? SICKENING. That kind of system is not even realistic to begin with. That’s why as much as possible, choose ONE and ONLY ONE Prince for your Original Character.
And besides, don’t make your character always YOU. That’s one of the most precious things I learned from my Literature teacher. YOUR. CHARACTER. IS. NOT NECESSARILY. YOU. That’s why it’s called a character. Again, your character and yourself don’t share the same organs.
What about love triangles?
Love Triangles are okay as long as you know who compliments who. Again, I’ll give you an example.
Example: I am going to write a love story about Fuji SyusukeXMy CharacterXKikumaru Eiji.
Do you know the flaw in that pairing?
Kikumaru Eiji likes hyper girls, someone whom he can share his laughter with. Fuji Syusuke, on the other hand, likes quiet girls. Now tell me; how will you make your character be hyper and quiet at the same time?
If you really want your story to be good, you have to consider the Princes’ girl types; otherwise they’ll be branded as an “OOC” (out of character). I know that OOC is very hard to avoid, and it’s normal. But that fact is not a guarantee that they should always be OOC. I personally can never forgive this type of scenarios:
Example: Sanada Genichirou couldn’t help but smile when he saw Megumi’s radiant beauty. Indeed, she has the beauty of a goddess.
Sanada? Smiling because he saw a very beautiful girl? Uh, I don’t think so.
TIP: My friend KageryuK made a poll about the TeniPuri Princes and their preferred girl types. Basing from my own experiences, it will really help you in drastic measures. Remember: That poll is your friend. Here’s its link: http://www.quizilla.com/polls/8004034/which-prince-do-you-think-is-suited-for-youbased-on-the-info-below
B-2. On Mary-Sues:
Okay, here comes the next type of Original Characters: The Godly Sues.
Below are all sorts of Mary-Sues that I have seen in the Prince of Tennis writing fandom. If I find more, then I’ll definitely add it.
I. Mary Sue: (noun)
A fictional female character made by an author to fall in love with their favorite character. Mary sues are defined as “perfect” characters who often have unrealistic characteristics that contradict the original fandom’s plot and or traits.
II. The Relative Sue: (noun)
A female character that is related to a character from the fandom/series.
II-A. Example of The Relative Sue:
“Hi everyone! My name is Echizen Ai! I’m Ryoma’s long lost cousin of some sort!”
or
“Nice to meet you. My name is Hiroshi Reiko. I’m Yagyuu’s younger sister.”
*I have seen people use the character’s first name as their last name. I don’t know if they seriously thought it was their last name, or they’re just plain stupid. But it’s not much of a difference anyway.*
II-B. Relative Sue traits:
1. They’re related to a character in some shape or form. [obvious one]
2. They end up falling in love with their relative’s best friend/rival.
a. Relative is overprotective and tells the love interest to get lost.
b. Relative is supportive and uses crazy antics to try and set the two up.
II-C. Why Relative Sues are a No-No?
1. It lacks creativity.
2. It's been done, over and over and over again in every fandom.
III. The Tennis team sue: (noun)
In Prince of Tennis girls who are on the boy’s tennis team as a regular or just as a member as considered “Tennis Team Sues.” Tennis Team Sues do not consist of girls who are on the girl’s tennis team.
III-A. Traits of a Tennis Team Sue:
1. Tennis Team Sue usually get on the team because “buchou felt she had potential to be on the team.”
2. They are so awesome they beat all the regulars to be on the team or just so plain awesome in general.
3. The buchou is their BFF/Boyfriend/Relative so they let them on the team. [Or is somehow connected to the coach.]
4. On the boy’s tennis team.
5. Usually ends up at some point of the story they defeat a tennis regular.
III-B. Example of a Tennis Team Sue:
She returned the ball with ease, a fluid follow through of her racket, with the ball perfectly hitting the edge of the line. With her arm going slack, she went back to the service line and glanced at the referee. She sweetly smiled.
“I believe the score is now, 40-15.”
OR
“Everyone this is Megumi Ai,” Ryuuzaki sensei introduced as the girl bowed. “She just transferred from Yamabuki, wherein she was popularly known as the “Unbeatable Tensai”. Be sure to make her feel welcomed.”
III-C. Why is Tennis Team Sues a No-No?
1. There is a reason why the tennis team is called the BOYS tennis team. Because only boys/males/humans with a penis can be on that team. Girls who are put on the team for any reason, ridiculous or not, is considered a sue.
2. You need to learn to appreciate the GIRLS tennis team.
IV. The Sue Twins: (noun)
Mary Sues who start out in the story as pretty much normal decent OCs until OH NO! My evil[or good. . . whatever] twin has fallen in love with the same boy and now we’re fighting for him!
IV-A. Traits of Sue Twins:
1. They’re as different as night and day.
2. Twins ends up falling in love with the same boy.
a. At the end the evil twin ends up with the boy and the original OC gets no one or someone else completely.
b. Or that scenario is reversed.
IV-B. Example of the Sue Twins:
“I can’t believe you would do that to me!”
She simply rolled her eyes at you. “How is it my fault he couldn’t tell the difference.”
You couldn’t believe her. Your own twin sister betraying you in that manner.
“Now I understand why you like him so much Megumi-chan.” Ai’s grin was wicked. You knew that look anywhere, and it only made you heart drop. She was in love with Tezuka.
Not again.
IV-C. Why are Sue Twins a No-No?
1. They’re anti-climatic.
2. It’s been done. There is no way you can spice up that plot any further. [Unless you make them some sort of half breed. Which would also make them a Mixed-blood Sue.]
V. The Princess Sue: (noun)
A Mary Sue who has a “bratty princess” attitude about them. These sues usually come from either America or some other country than Japan. They have a weird name that is not of Japanese origin or a name that is impossible to pronounce.
V-A. Traits of Princess Sue:
1. Usually Foreign.
a. If not foreign, then they have an impossible and unrealistic name.
2. Has a snobby attitude, and holy attitude at the same time.
3. In rare cases, they will really have some royal blood in them.
4. They think they are perfect and everyone around them are wrong.
5. They usually go after people like Tezuka, Ryoma, Atobe, etc. [People with lots of power or status.]
6. Everyone [mostly boys] loves them. Including stoic characters like Sanada, Tezuka, (etc…), and will somehow magically make them show some emotions/have feelings.
V-B. Example of a Princess Sue:
As Atobe passed by, Roliana* batted her eye and sent a wink. Her perfect golden locks were framing across her face as she flashed the tennis captain a smug smile. She knew she was just perfect for him. The perfect girl for the perfect guy. In Roliana’s eyes, their love chemistry is an absolute compliment to one another.
OR
“I believe you own me an apology,” one of her classmates said angrily.
“I don’t believe I owe you anything,” she simply snorted while rolling eyes.
“You pushed me into my locker, you witch.”
“I don’t recall. Now go back to being invisible now,” she sweetly uttered as she goes back to her previous activity, like as if nothing happened.
V-C. Why are Princess Sues a No-No?
1. They’re annoying. Period.
2. They have a non-Japanese name when they’re full Japanese or from Japan.
VI. The Reverse Harem Sue: (noun)
These sues have three or more boys after them at the same time. These girls are usually, “One with the boys.” Reverse Harem Sues usually never return the feelings for any of the boys pursuing them, or have a difficult time choosing one boy they want to be with.
VI-A. Traits of a Reverse Harem Sue:
1. Is considered one of the guys.
2. It’s not a love triangle; it’s a love parallelogram/pentagon/octagon/heptagon.
3. Kisses one boy then kisses another.
a. Is pretty much in decisive about which boy she wants to be with.
b. Is perceived as a “slut” by decent writers.
4. Personality is either really bold or really meek. It’s always one of the other, never in between.
VI-B. Example of Reverse Harem Sue:
"No...way...did he just—did Geni-chan just..." Megumi couldn't believe what just happened. She watched as Sanada Genichirou turned his back and started to leave, but she could have sworn that there was huge blush that formed on his cheeks.
Megumi Shan stood, flabbergasted, as she felt another pair of strong arms grabbed her from behind.
"Do you love Sanada?"
"Kei-chan...I..."
"A few days ago, it was Oshitari who kissed you."
"It was a—"
Nevertheless, it was too late. Atobe Keigo already planted a kiss on her lips, cutting off her words. Megumi felt his warm lips, and she felt like she was in heaven.
The moment Atobe pulled back, he started deep into her beautiful, crystal blue eyes. "No matter what happens, Megumi, I won't lose to them. I love you, and you're mine."
Megumi heaved a sigh. Releasing a sad smile, she said, "I'm so sorry, Kei-chan...but I...I...I really love Ryoma-kun."
VI-C. Why are Reverse Harem Sues a No NO?
1. Aside from the fact that it’s highly aggravating, not all characters like the same type of girl.
2. It’s unrealistic. Period.
3. They’re just as bad as a Harem of Gary Stu-es.
VII. The Crossover Sue: (noun)
A Mary Sue who was created for another series/fandm, but magically ends up in another fandom that has a completely different plot and genre.
VII-A. Traits of a Crossover Sue:
1. They come from the most random fandom. [They come from fandoms like Bleach, Naruto, etc.]
2. Are always magically transported there by a miracle.
3. Their love interest(s) are from both fandoms.
VII-B. Example of a Crossover Sue:
While chasing down a hollow that she had been trying to pursue for the past hours, at last, Megumi had finally cornered it. Smiling conceitedly, she charged towards the beast, but it just won’t surrender without a fight. Dodging it’s blow, Megumi felt herself being dragged into an opening, time and space sucking her in.
“What the-!” she exclaimed. Soon enough, darkness covered her world.
The moment she opened her eyes, she heard the distant sound of tennis balls bouncing against the asphalt. Her head was aching; what a messed up dream this is! Gently slapping her cheek over and over again, Megumi finally realized the situation she got herself into…
She was no longer in the Soul Society [1].
[1]= Soul Society is the afterlife or spirit world from the anime, Bleach.
VII-C. Why are Crossover Sues a No-No?
1. Have you ever wondered why hardcore otakus even bother to categorize animes according to their specific genres? That’s because each anime have ideas with brilliant originality. So please. You don’t have the right to MESS IT UP (especially with the attempt to push your self-insertion Mary-Sue in it). Please kindly stick to one fandom.
VIII. The Jesus Sue: (noun)
Jesus sues in Prince of Tennis contexts are Mary-Sues with God-Moding (God-like) powers. These powers make them invisible to losing a tennis match and even beating already God-Moding Cannon characters.
VIII-A. Traits of a Jesus Sue:
1. They have ridiculous tennis ability.
2. Some have some sort of weird cross between them. Something weird like half human/half vampire/half werewolf/half cat/half like this and like that. [Whatever it is, it’s just usually ridiculous and retarded.]
3. Are usually dangerous to themselves and to others if not “controlled” or “tamed”.
VIII-B. Example of Jesus Sue:
Character Profile:
Name: Megumi Shan (The Goddess of Beauty)
1. Special Tennis Abilities
A. Heaven’s Gate:
* Grows angel wings and when I close my eyes, I reach the pinnacle of my full power. When opening Heaven’s Gates, I am unstoppable and no longer in control of my actions. It am ten times worse than Akaya in his demon mode. Careful not to get him with any of the balls I hit; it can shatter bones.
VII-C. Why are Jesus Sues a No-No?
1. Does this need an explanation? This Jesus Sue is just NOT plausible at all.
IX. The Epic Sue: (noun)
The Mother of all Mary Sues. They have all of the traits above. They usually make the intelligent want to punch a baby and makes good writer’s hearts bleed.
IX-A, B, C. Traits & Examples of The Epic Sue:
COMBINE ALL THE TYPES OF SUES.
B-3. Comparison and Contrast
Before we finally leave “Section 2: Original Characters”, let’s have a quick recap on what you should have learned. I hope you’ll appreciate this chart.
Section 3: As a Writer
Now that you have learned to differentiate a Mary-Sue from a Non Mary-Sue, you can now start making your TeniPuri PrincexOriginal Character story. In this section, we’ll just give you tips about proper story formats and proper writers’ etiquette.
1.) Write what you want to read.
Also, make sure that you know your TeniPuri Princes and Original Characters by heart. Do that, and you won’t have a hard time with your story.
2.) Passion over Popularity.
Sadly, a lot of people write for popularity. For example, because a lot of people love Echizen Ryoma, you will write a story about him even though you don’t really like him. I don’t have the right to stop you, but I just want to say that it’s hard to write for a Prince you’re not interested to begin with. Just be yourself and write for the Prince you love, even though not many people like that particular Prince.
Be inspired because you love him, and write because you’re passionate about writing.
3.) Observe Proper English.
Yamada Sakura: HeYa aLl PplZ!! Mah NaMe IsH SaKuRa~ o(^0^)V. NiCe 2 mEET yA aLL!
Tezuka Kunimitsu: WeLcoMe 2 d TeNNiS teAM, SaKuRa. -_- (Me: Why does Tezuka have 2 be emotionless?? T_T)
Yamada Sakura: ThAnkS! ^-^
Oh no. That’s one thing smart readers despite the most. It makes them lose brain cells.
The Original Character being a Tennis Team Sue is bad enough already, much more complimented by poor grammar and “sucky” writing skills.
REMEMBER: a.) Fanfiction is still UNDER LITERATURE, wherein slang and gangster talks are considered rubbish.
b.) This is a STORY, not a CHAT BOX. Hence, don’t use SMILIES. Be creative enough to supply proper adjectives to show your characters’ emotions. And write in PARAGRAPHS. Trust me; it will enhance your writing skills.
c.) Also, avoid inserting Author’s Notes in the middle of a story because it’s very rude; it sidetracks your readers away from the story’s plotline.
TIP: If you’re worried about your grammar and spelling mistakes, I suggest you find an EDITOR. If you’re worried about the condition of your story’s characters and plotline, I suggest you find a CRITIC. If you can’t find any, message me, and I’ll do it for you. It’s been my hobby to help. ^_^
4.) Respect your readers.
“Give me 30 messages and ratings or else I won’t continue my story!”
Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds? You guys might be snickering right now, but this actually happens. I notice and know some people who actually do this kind of threat to their readers.
First of all, even professional authors and writers don’t do that to their readers. Therefore, you don’t have any right to threaten anyone. You’re not that great. Stamp that into your mind.
Second, you should thank your readers instead of threatening them, because one day your readers are there, and then the next day, they’ll be gone once they get sick and tired of your constant threats.
Everything will be at your own loss.
“But if I don’t threaten my readers, they won’t give me feedbacks! How will I know if my stories are doing okay or not?”
Don’t be stupid. If they’re not saying anything then won’t that mean that you’re doing okay? If there’s something loyal readers won’t like in your story, then that’s the time they will message. Besides, you don’t need to threaten them just so they would message. If they really, really like your story, then they will definitely message, even though you don’t ask them to. If they still don’t message, then you just have to work harder. Don’t complain.
5.) Crediting is a must.
Credit ideas, characters, pictures and other things that you do not own; otherwise accept your nickname “Plagiarizer”.
Section 4: Good Links
Here are some links that can help you improve your writing style.
REMEMBER: These things are your friends.
1.) http://www.quizilla.com/stories/2456474/for-all-quizilla-writers © Poison Ruby
2.) http://www.quizilla.com/polls/8004034/which-prince-do-you-think-is-suited-for-youbased-on-the-info-below © KageryuK
3.) http://tenipurixoc.proboards.com © Kuri and Danni [Reiko and I do story critiquing here.]
Section 5: Ending Remarks
The tutorial ends here. We hope that we were able to clear confusions and helped you have a better understanding of Original Characters.
If you have any problems and clarifications, please feel free to message us.
