How to Write “The Strongest” (& How Not)

Summary

This video explores the portrayal of the 'strongest' archetype in anime and other media, analyzing characters like Gojo, Sukuna, Beerus, and Jiren. The speaker critiques Beerus from *Dragon Ball Super* for lacking depth in his relationship with power, calling him a static 'goalpost' character. In contrast, characters like Gojo and Jiren are praised for their nuanced connection with strength. The speaker emphasizes that true strength in characters should be explored through their identity, struggles, and relationships, not just as a plot device. The discussion invites viewers to reflect on other examples of well-executed strong characters.

Takeaways

• 😀 Strength in characters should not exist in a vacuum; it needs to be tied to their personality and story development.
• 😀 Beerus from *Dragon Ball Super* is criticized for not embodying the strongest archetype effectively; his strength is often unexplored and feels disconnected from his character.
• 😀 Characters like Gojo from *Jujutsu Kaisen* and All Might from *My Hero Academia* are better examples of the strongest archetype because their power is deeply interwoven with their character arcs and motivations.
• 😀 The narrator argues that a character's strength should influence their identity, their relationships with other characters, and the overall story, rather than just being a static trait.
• 😀 Beerus is often portrayed as a goalpost in *Dragon Ball Super*, but the issue is that his strength is never fully explored or tied to his character's development.
• 😀 Strength can be a source of conflict for characters, such as Gojo or Sukuna, where their immense power either causes an identity crisis or influences their actions and personality.
• 😀 The video points out that Goku, as the protagonist of *Dragon Ball*, is the only character in the series who fully embodies the strongest archetype with a meaningful relationship to his power.
• 😀 A strong character's power can serve as a source of inspiration or even as a symbolic representation of something larger, as seen with characters like All Might and Endeavor.
• 😀 The concept of a character being the strongest is best when it is explored through their growth, ideals, and struggles, rather than just their ability to overpower others.
• 😀 Characters like Jiren, despite being somewhat flat, handle the strongest archetype better than Beerus because his power is tied to his character's backstory and motivations.

Q & A

What is the main argument about the portrayal of strength in the video?

The video argues that the portrayal of strength in characters should be deeply tied to their identity and personality, showing the complexities and consequences of their power. Characters should not just be strong in a vacuum but should have their strength explored in meaningful ways that affect their development and relationships with others.

Why is Beerus criticized as a 'bad example' of the strongest archetype?

Beerus is criticized because his strength is never explored in depth. Although he is portrayed as incredibly powerful, his relationship with his strength is never fully developed or shown. He is mostly a passive figure who serves as a goalpost for other characters but doesn’t actively contribute to the story with his power or its consequences.

How does the video contrast Beerus with Gojo from *Jujutsu Kaisen*?

Gojo is presented as a more effective example of the strongest archetype because his strength is deeply tied to his identity and character development. Gojo's internal struggle and understanding of his own power are explored, and his strength is not just a plot device but a part of his character’s journey. In contrast, Beerus' strength lacks this depth.

What role does Beerus play in the *Dragon Ball* series, according to the video?

Beerus primarily acts as a goalpost in *Dragon Ball Super*, representing the strongest character in Universe 7. However, the video argues that his role feels underdeveloped, as we are told he's strong but rarely see him demonstrate or reflect on his power. He also serves as a passive observer, contributing little to the development of other characters through his own understanding of strength.

What are the positive qualities of Beerus' character mentioned in the video?

While Beerus is criticized for the portrayal of his strength, the video acknowledges that his personality is endearing. His laziness and quirky nature make him an entertaining character, and his role as a God of Destruction adds an interesting layer to his character, even if his power itself isn’t fully explored.

How does the video suggest strength should be portrayed in characters?

Strength should not exist in isolation. It should be connected to a character's identity, personality, and development. The video emphasizes that a character’s power should affect their decisions, relationships, and sense of self. It should not just be a trait used to move the plot forward but should come with consequences and exploration of what it means to be powerful.

How does the portrayal of strength in *Dragon Ball Super* differ between Beerus and other characters like Goku and Jiren?

In *Dragon Ball Super*, Goku’s strength is deeply tied to his development, motivations, and relationships with others, while Jiren's power, though somewhat flat, is presented with more internal context than Beerus'. Jiren’s understanding of his strength and the impact it has on his life and others is explored more than Beerus’, making him a more fitting example of the strongest archetype.

What does the video mean by 'Beerus acts as a goalpost'?

The term 'goalpost' refers to the idea that Beerus' power serves as a benchmark for other characters to surpass, but he himself does not actively engage with this role. He remains an external measure of strength rather than a character whose strength influences the narrative or who has personal stakes in his power.

What is the significance of the 'Granola Arc' in Beerus' development?

The 'Granola Arc' is mentioned as one of the few instances where Beerus’ relationship with his strength is explored, particularly through his interactions with Vegeta. In this arc, Beerus takes a more active role in teaching Vegeta, showing that he does have a capacity for developing his own understanding of power, though this is still a relatively brief and isolated instance in the series.

What does the video suggest about writing the strongest character in general?

The video suggests that writing the strongest character involves showing their internal struggle, relationship with their power, and the consequences of their strength. It’s important to explore how power affects their identity, how they relate to others, and what it means to be the strongest, rather than simply having a character be strong for the sake of plot convenience.