K-ON!! and the definition of character-driven humor

I sometimes use the term “character-driven” to describe certain anime. However, I’ve never actually explained what I mean by the term. I’m still not sure if “character-driven” is the right term to use, but in any case, I feel it’s time that I try and explain what I think it means…

Before we get specifically to character-driven humor, creating a basic definition of “character-driven” would best be done by comparing it to its opposing term, “plot-driven.” To illustrate with examples, Code Geass would be a plot-driven series. Its story revolves around the conflicting goals of the characters and their actions bring about dynamic changes in the flow of the story.

Azumanga Daioh is a character-driven series. There is no plot to speak of, besides a very broad one of the girls getting through high school and their various little daily activities. They don’t go through any dynamic changes and their world remains in the status quo. It’s all about their amusing personalities and the humorous ways they interact.

The two are not mutually exclusive though. One Piece is very much a plot-driven anime, but its humor is usually character-driven, for example, a joke about Luffy’s air-headedness would require knowledge of his personality and sympathy for the rest of the Straw Hats for having to put up with it. Then there are some series like Haruhi and Shakugan no Shana that shift between being plot-driven and character-driven (but most of the time its the plot-driven anime that have the better developed characters).

To get further into what constitutes a character-driven show and its appeal, specifically in humor, I’ll use the currently airing K-ON!! as an example. In order to “get” character-driven humor, one has to have some knowledge of the characters and their relationships. A prime example occurred in the most recent episode 5.

Ui gets a text message from Yui that simply states “skull.”

Getting this joke requires a number of “prerequisites” from viewers, not only that they had watched the previous episode, but also that they 1) know that the otherwise mature Mio has a fear of things like this, 2) that the clownish Ritsu loves to mess with her about it, 3) that the air-headed Yui often follows along with Ritsu’s mischief, and 4) that the more naive Ui and Azusa don’t partake in the pranks that Ritsu and Yui do, so the joke is lost on them, but not on the audience.

Thus, in order to get the intended impact of this joke, viewers must know the characters – their personality quirks and the way they relate to each other. The humor is character-driven and lies only within the characters themselves. This is unlike the humor in most American comedies that revolves around witty dialogue, slapsticks, and sarcasm that anyone watching at any point in the series could get. Anyone not familiar with the K-ON! characters would not understand why this is funny or think it makes no sense.

Another good example occurred in episode 3. In order to make Ritsu feel more important, Yui suggests that, while the girls in front are performing, at certain intervals they turn around and look at Ritsu sitting behind them. While Yui chants a silly little jingle, the girls practice this…

One again, anyone not familiar with K-ON!! would not get why this is funny. It again requires the viewer’s knowledge of the characters – one has to know, and appreciate, the fact that Yui is air-headed enough to come up with something goofy like this. They also have to feel some likeness for Ritsu as she sits back there feeling uncomfortable. So character-driven humor not only requires knowledge of the characters, but also at least a little sympathy and fondness for them. There’s no humor unless we like them and think their flaws are funny.

The majority of K-ON!!’s humor is character-driven like this. It’s the same for similar “plot-less” anime like Lucky Star, Azumanga Daioh, and Ichigo Mashimaro. Whether you think it’s funny or not depends entirely on your knowledge about, and feelings towards, the characters.

Thus, the question always comes up as to what is so appealing about this kind of show if the humor requires such specific things in the audience. What’s so entertaining about watching these girls have a pillow fight (episode 4 of K-ON!!) or spend a rainy Sunday doing nothing worth mentioning (episode 5 of K-ON!!)?

I can’t answer for everyone, but for me personally, I enjoy character-driven shows not because they’re interesting, but because they’re “soothing.” When you get to know the characters and see them partake in day to day activities in a cute, humorous way, in a world that is like the real one but without the horror and misery of reality, there’s just something appealing about it. Watching the girls eat their cake and tea and do mundane everyday things in quirky ways brings in me a sense of peace and satisfaction because, once you get to know them, it’s like watching friends of yours be their silly selves. I smile at their naivety and intimacy as they remind me of how funny the simple things in life are. I don’t watch anime like K-ON!! because they’re unique and exciting, or because the characters are well-developed – I watch them because they’re relaxing and they can be genuinely funny if you’re open to this kind of humor. Character-driven shows are not for everyone, but if you dig them, they can bring you loads of enjoyment.