S1E8_Part A: Characterisation by Hierarchy| 1/2 – ”Why the Main Character is Probably a Scam”_UNFILTERED

SHOW NOTE

 

In this episode, hosts Betty and Rita shift gears from character design to character categorization, kicking off an exploration of how characters are ranked and organized within narratives. Using the infamous 2020 "main character energy" trend as a launching point, they dive deep into character hierarchy and reveal why the protagonist isn't always the main character—a distinction that changes everything about how we watch, read, and create stories.

 

 

RECAP

The episode opens with a quick recap of the series so far. Betty reminds listeners that the previous episode wrapped up the discussion on rounded characters and character development—the final "cooking phase" that brings complexity and depth together.

Key takeaways from the recap:

• Realism and relatability are the two hallmarks of well-developed characters
• A character can be realistic without being relatable (and vice versa)
• Great character development requires leaving room for audience interpretation

The hosts use Princess Carolyn from BoJack Horseman as a perfect example—her wedding day confession about being simultaneously happy and afraid captures the kind of profound, relatable complexity that makes characters unforgettable.

 

 

INTRO

Betty sets the stage for today's episode, explaining the shift from character design to character categorization. The series will now explore four major classification systems:

1. By Hierarchy

• Level of importance to the storyline (today's focus)

By Development

• Level of roundness/complexity

By Function

• The character's role in the narrative

By Archetype

• Personality type

To understand hierarchy, Betty introduces the concept of "main character energy"—the 2020 social media trend that went viral during the COVID-19 pandemic. This seemingly superficial trend actually holds the key to understanding what makes a character truly central to a story.

 

 

PART A: The Main Character Energy Discuss & Characterisation in Storytelling

The Viral Trend That Defined a Generation

Betty and Rita explore the origins of "main character energy," which exploded on TikTok during lockdown. The trend encouraged people to "romanticize their lives" and see themselves as the star of their own story—a message that resonated deeply during a time of isolation, mental health struggles, and collective uncertainty.

The original message was empowering:

• "You have to start thinking of yourself as a main character"
• Take charge of your narrative
• Celebrate your individuality
• Live life boldly and unapologetically

The hosts share personal COVID experiences: Rita enjoyed the pandemic as a restful period filled with manga and chores during her NYSC in Imo State, while Betty struggled with depression after moving to Milan during lockdown—isolated in a new city with no social connections.

When Empowerment Became Narcissism

By 2025, the trend hasn't aged well. What started as motivation morphed into something cringey and narcissistic. Betty explains how "main character energy" became associated with people who think the world revolves around them, creating parodies and social media backlash.

Sample posts from the trend:

• "Don't come into my world and tell me it doesn't revolve around me"
• "You make eye contact first. You laugh at your own jokes. Anyone who thinks you're too much isn't enough for you"

But here's the twist: while the trend became toxic, it actually reveals something profound about storytelling and character hierarchy.

Why Character Categorization Matters

Betty introduces the central question: Why does character hierarchy matter? Understanding how characters are ranked helps writers craft compelling story structures and helps audiences recognize narrative patterns. The "main character energy" phenomenon perfectly illustrates what happens when someone places themselves at the pinnacle of every narrative—which is exactly what a true main character does in fiction.

 

 

PART B: Characterization by Hierarchy (18:03)

The Five-Level Hierarchy System

Betty breaks down the character ranking system used across all storytelling mediums:

1. Main Character - The top of the pyramid, the sun around which everything revolves
2. Main Supporting Character - Primary characters who orbit the main character
3. Side Supporting Character - Secondary characters connected to primary characters
4. Tertiary Characters - Additional characters who add depth, often appearing briefly
5. Background Characters/Extras - The population that fills space (often faceless in anime/comics)

Medium-Specific Terminology:

• TV/Film: "Screen time"
• Books/Comics/Manga: "Page time"
• Audio dramas: "Listening time" or "audio time"

The hosts discuss audio drama recommendations (Visionaries, The Bright Sessions, Dust) and share a hilarious moment about anime's copy-paste background characters in shows like Kaichou wa Maid-sama.

Primary vs. Secondary Characters

Betty explains that the first two levels (main character + main supporting characters) form the primary characters category. In stories with multiple main characters—like Game of Thrones—these characters can act as supporting characters in each other's storylines.

In BoJack Horseman, the hierarchy is clear:

• BoJack = Main character (the story is literally named after him)
• Princess Carolyn, Diane, Todd, Mr. Peanutbutter = Main supporting characters

All are primary characters, but BoJack individually occupies the top position

The Main Character Philosophy

The discussion takes a philosophical turn: In our own lives, we ARE the main character. We experience reality from our own limited perspective, living in "a bubble of miniature worlds shaped by personal experiences." When we die, our story ends—that's the ultimate main character reality.

Timothy Kurek quote: "You are the main character in the story of your life but other people are the main characters of their own lives, and sometimes you can find healing by playing a supporting role in someone else's experience."

This includes all living things—even ants experience their own miniature world where they're the main character and humans are just background elements or natural disasters.

 

 

PART C: Considering The Main Character

What Makes a Story Worth Telling?

If everyone (and everything) has a story, what makes certain stories worth sharing? The hosts discuss their patience levels for new media:

• Rita: 5 minutes for movies, 5 episodes for series (unless there's a familiar actor)
• Betty: Used to be patient, now rewatches old favourites to avoid disappointment after being burned by shows that never improved

They debate character preferences:

• Rita: Loves morally grey characters and well-written villains (Magneto, Killing Eve's Villanelle)
• Betty: Prefers good characters and hates anti-heroes (doesn't root for Dexter or Joe from You)

 

Defining the Main Character

K.M. Weiland's principle: "The trick to successfully grabbing your audience attention is to make your stories feature subjects that are worth reading about—in short, main characters."

Traditional Definition:

• The subject of the story
• The one with the most screen/page time
• Present at the beginning of conflict, central at climax, key to resolution
• The world revolves around them like planets around the sun

The Bible Example: God is the main character (appears on page one and the final page, central to all conflicts and resolutions), while humans are the protagonists through whom we experience the stories.

Dan Brown's Game-Changing Definition: "The main character is a central character who serves as a gateway through which we see the world and the protagonist. He could be the hero, the narrator, the best friend of the protagonist, even the villain—but the key thing is that they must be intertwined with the storyline and more importantly, unforgettable."

 

Plot Twist Examples

Bridgerton: At first glance, the Bridgertons seem like the main characters—but Lady Whistledown is actually central to everything. She starts each season, ends it, and her observations drive character actions. If she ceased to exist, the story collapses.

Akame ga Kill: The anime opens with Tatsumi as the apparent protagonist. Betty assumed he was the main character and relaxed, thinking he had plot armor. Then he dies near the end, and she realized the quiet, skilled assassin Akame (literally in the title!) was the main character all along—the one carrying the torch of vengeance to the story's conclusion.

Game of Thrones: Multiple main characters can exist, each serving as supporting characters in each other's storylines. Jon Snow and Daenerys both seemed like main characters, making their deaths particularly shocking.

 

 

CONCLUSION

The Ultimate Main Character Test

Betty delivers the episode's core revelation: When a main character dies, the story ends. If the character dies and the narrative continue, you've misidentified the main character.

This is why BoJack survived his drowning scene in "The View from Halfway Down." With everything he'd done, dying would have been an easy escape. His story required him to live with the consequences of his actions—that's the only satisfying resolution for his character arc.

The Power of Plot Armor: In shonen anime, main characters do reckless things because they know the author will protect them. Plot armour is "the greatest power any character can have"—unless the story reaches its end.

 

 

OUTRO

Betty and Rita wrap up this brand-new chapter in the series, promising to explore supporting characters next episode—including those unusual moments when even a main character must play a supporting role in someone else's story.

 

Next Episode Preview: Main supporting characters and side supporting characters in the BoJack Horseman universe.

 

 

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