History Main / StaticCharacter

This is NOT necessarily a [[TropesAreNotBad bad thing]], as some characters don't ''need'' CharacterDevelopment. A {{Badass}} does not have to [[BadassDecay decay into]] TheWoobie to stay an interesting character—while some consumers may embrace the evolution, others will cry out, "WeWantOurJerkBack!" Such characters are useful in secondary roles, serving as yardsticks against which your central (and Dynamic) character's growth can be contrasted. If you want your StaticCharacter ''in'' the central role, just enforce it internally, using a PygmalionSnapback or a painful collision with StatusQuoIsGod. Some comedies built around characters whose personalities are set in stone and will not change, whatever happens. For that matter, every ''{{tragedy}}''—no, ''every'' tragedy—is built around characters whose personalities are set in stone and will not change, whatever happens.

* Skeletor, from pretty much any incarnation of HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse and related series. Despite his undeniable iconic status, he's one of the most one-dimensional characters in the entire franchise. Why is he evil? Because he wants to conquer Eternia. Why does he want to conquer Eternia? Because he's ''evil''. And not one of the fascinating kinds of evil. (According to Paul Dini, writers on the Filmation series were actually told by Mattel to ''not'' do anything interesting with Skeletor. He was to be the boss of the bad guys. Period.)

* Franziska Von Karma from ''PhoenixWrigth AceAttorney:Justice for All'' is pretty much the same through the series as of ''AceAttorneyInvestigations'', the most development she gets are the revelations of some HiddenDepths regarding her rivalry with Edgeworth.

* Franziska Von Karma from ''PhoenixWring AceAttorney:Justice for All'' is pretty much the same through the series as of ''AceAttorneyInvestigations'', the most development she gets are the revelations of some HiddenDepths regarding her rivalry with Edgeworth.

Also note that a StaticCharacter is not by definition boring. Obviously, it helps if you've got a RoundCharacter, as exploring all their pre-existing facets can entertain without requiring character evolution. Furthermore, the introduction of HiddenDepths or an exploration of a DarkAndTragicPast accomplishes similar things: the character is [[ExactWords technically not evolving]], though the audience's ''perception'' of the character does. And these characters are ripe for internal conflict, since we already know a fair bit about them.

* The titular character of ''{{Monk}}'' has gone almost the entire show (It's currently airing the final half of the final season) without much of a change, despite a dizzying array of both traumatic and hopeful events.
** By the end, Monk overcomes many of his difficulties.

Generally, Round Characters tend to fare better when they're Static since exploring all their given facets may entertain viewers without ever having to change those. Such characters can have internal conflict based on these facets, but regardless of what they choose will not change. Flat Characters who are also Static may get dull unless the author takes care to make them entertaining somehow, be they the ButtMonkey or perpetual FishOutOfWater.

** Not really a good example, since all the X-Men movies were very Wolverine-centric. X-Men 2 especially involved a lot of development of his character and is widely considered the best of the series. The problem with Origins is generally considered to be the variety of plot holes and poor writing, along with the CharacterDerailment of {{Deadpool}}.

** Plus, while not necessarily "developing," their characters ''are'' shown to have fairly significant HiddenDepths--[[CoolOldGuy Iroh]] goes from goofy old dude to a noble BadassGrandpa, [[GenkiGirl Ty Lee]] has hints of StepfordSmiler and Suki, if nothing else, gets plenty of ActionGirl moments (plus a BigDamnHeroes one at the end).

* Lydia from ''PrideAndPrejudice'' is, from beginning to end, a spoiled brat who cares for nothing except flirting and officers. Interestingly, her mother, Mrs. Bennet, is also a Static Character. While she does change opinion rapidly about a suitor based on how likely they are to want to marry one of her daughters, this never varies through the whole novel.

** So is Mr Bingley. And Jane. And Mr Bennet. And pretty much everybody else in the novel except for Elizabeth and Darcy. This troper believes it's justified, though, because, let's face it, Lizzy and Darcy are the main focus here.

* Joey, from the ''{{Friends}}'' is a prime example of this. When he was one out of six characters of the serie, and had little (to no) development, he was great. Yet, when his SpinOff [[{{Joey}} Joey]] was realeased, he (for luck of a better word) sucked.

* All the Main (and most og the supporting) characters from ''{{Seinfeld}}'', being the SadistShow that it was. While the status quo did change, it mostly had to do with how much the characters could get away with rather than any actual CharacterDevelopment. Kramer, being TheFool, usually managed to [[{{KarmaHoudini}} avoid the consequences of his actions]] and, therefore, develop the least.

** Plus, while not necessarily "developing," their characters ''are'' shown to have fairly significant HiddenDepths--[[CoolOldDude Iroh]] goes from goofy old dude to a noble BadassGrandpa, [[GenkiGirl Ty Lee]] has hints of StepfordSmiler and Suki, if nothing else, gets plenty of ActionGirl moments (plus a BigDamnHeroes one at the end).

** Not really a good example, since all the X-Men movies were very Wolverine-centric. X-Men 2 especially involved a lot of development of his character and is widely considered the best of the series. The problem with Origins is generally considered to be the variety of plot holes and poor writing.

* Cosmo Kramer from ''{{Seinfeld}}''.

* Wolverine from the XMen is a great character when he has little character develpment. This is reflected in the fact that "X-Men: Wolverine Origins" movie had a worst reception than "X-Men 3:Last Stand" movie. YourMileageMayVary on this of course.

* Ogami Itto from {{Lone Wolf and Cub}}.

* SayonaraZetsubouSensei is adamant about not giving any of its characters any CharacterDevelopment whatsoever beyond their one "unique" trait.
** Sort've. Nozomu underwent a sort of reverse {{Flanderization}} as he tries to commit suicide less as time went by. In contrast, Chiri retained her OCD, but had it dialed past eleven and straight into NightmareFuel levels.

* Yagami Light from DeathNote, after the first chapter. The same goes for almost EVERY character of that manga.

* Many of the secondary characters from ''AvatarTheLastAirbender'' — Suki, Ty Lee and Iroh in particular — precisely ''because'' they're secondary characters. However, Toph doesn't particularly evolve either, able to get through the entire series on her existing personality.