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SandJosieph Bigonkers! is Magic from Grand Galloping Galaday Since: Dec, 2009 Relationship Status: Brony
Bigonkers! is Magic
#1: Mar 31st 2011 at 10:00:06 AM

Just wondering how one would pull off a character who is genuinely silly and yet remains the most serious and level headed one on the cast.

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CrystalGlacia from at least we're not detroit Since: May, 2009
#2: Mar 31st 2011 at 10:08:32 AM

See Unfunny.

There are some things that become inherently funny when a stoic character does them. See Hajime Saitou from Rurouni Kenshin or Jin from Samurai Champloo for all sorts of examples. Saitou has Imagine Spots. Weird stuff happens to Jin, like that one instance when he had to crossdress, failed miserably at cooking, hurt his back after a night with unattractive courtesans ("...My back!"), and various other things that I am forgetting at the moment.

All of those were inherently funny just because the stoic/serious character was involved.

"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
cityofmist turning and turning from Meanwhile City Since: Dec, 2010
turning and turning
#3: Mar 31st 2011 at 10:37:54 AM

Stoic doesn't necessarily mean Unfunny, although that can work well. You could have a stoic character who is a Deadpan Snarker, which fits well with the not showing much emotion.

Scepticism and doubt lead to study and investigation, and investigation is the beginning of wisdom. - Clarence Darrow
CrystalGlacia from at least we're not detroit Since: May, 2009
#4: Mar 31st 2011 at 10:38:31 AM

Yeah, I forgot to mention that.

"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
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#5: Mar 31st 2011 at 11:20:45 AM

What about a stoic character who was clumsy and thus had silly slapstick scenes that might be even funnier if the victim is all unemotional instead of yelling.

edited 31st Mar '11 11:21:15 AM by Rainbow

RalphCrown Short Hair from Next Door to Nowhere Since: Oct, 2010
Short Hair
#6: Mar 31st 2011 at 11:32:43 AM

Two possibilities come to mind. One, the other characters are over-the-top silly. Two, the stoic has a whimsical/absurd sense of humor and sees the comedy in the world around him, even though he chooses not to participate. He's typically a fifth wheel.

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Haldo Indecisive pumpkin from Never never land Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
Indecisive pumpkin
#7: Mar 31st 2011 at 7:20:55 PM

Breathless Non Sequitur comes to mind.

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SandJosieph Bigonkers! is Magic from Grand Galloping Galaday Since: Dec, 2009 Relationship Status: Brony
Bigonkers! is Magic
#8: Mar 31st 2011 at 8:38:24 PM

I'd prefer to stay away from The Unfunny territory. The character I have in mind likes cracking jokes along with a friendly smile but the situation she is in keeps trying to push her into a grim mood. But she's no Stepford Smiler as she's grateful for the good things she has in her life.

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SavageHeathen Pro-Freedom Fanatic from Somewhere Since: Feb, 2011
Pro-Freedom Fanatic
#9: Apr 1st 2011 at 1:44:43 AM

Have you played Dragon Age?

Remember Sten?

You exist because we allow it and you will end because we demand it.
Iaculus Pronounced YAK-you-luss from England Since: May, 2010
Pronounced YAK-you-luss
#10: Apr 1st 2011 at 3:45:57 PM

[up][up]Then... not really The Stoic.

Another source of humour for this sort of quiet, serious character is for them to be a complete and utter Cloud Cuckoolander, making the most absurd suggestions and reaching the most ridiculous conclusions in a completely matter-of-fact manner. See also, Sergeant Sousuke Sagara.

What's precedent ever done for us?
CrystalGlacia from at least we're not detroit Since: May, 2009
#11: Apr 1st 2011 at 6:38:09 PM

I'd prefer to stay away from The Unfunny territory. The character I have in mind likes cracking jokes along with a friendly smile but the situation she is in keeps trying to push her into a grim mood. But she's no Stepford Smiler as she's grateful for the good things she has in her life.

The big thing about Stoics is that they display no emotion, positive or negative. You just described a character who is some variation of The Pollyanna. However, a character who cracks jokes with a straight face and no visible emotions and is also grateful for the good things in her life would be a Stoic.

"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
SandJosieph Bigonkers! is Magic from Grand Galloping Galaday Since: Dec, 2009 Relationship Status: Brony
Bigonkers! is Magic
#12: Apr 1st 2011 at 7:28:01 PM

What if her straight face is naturally warm and inviting?

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CrystalGlacia from at least we're not detroit Since: May, 2009
#13: Apr 1st 2011 at 7:30:00 PM

Hm. I'm not exactly sure how that would work, but so long as they aren't voluntarily showing emotion, I think it would still count.

(EDIT: Thank God the April Fool's Joke is over.)

edited 1st Apr '11 7:37:05 PM by CrystalGlacia

"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
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