Animation Source Forums

Here here.

I personally find it hard - if not impossible - to play with a character not of my own design. It isn't only not right, it can be illegal - some companies, publishers, authors, etc - will strike those who use their characters without permission - especially if those characters are used in extremely wrong situations. Or, of course, you'll have the original creator of the character on your case - JK Rowling, for example, has said time and time again she dislikes when people pair up characters that really have no sense in being paired up.

But anyway, back on topic, it's best when you create your own character. If it's in the same universe as a famous character - it can be alright. Though even then you could get into the problem of every fandom Mary Sues and Gary Stus (the ultimately perfect character who is paired up with one of the main character, relative of a main character, etc, etc).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Sue - wiki on the topic of Mary Sues.

It's just so much easier to create your own character that is of your own design (And by design, I don't mean coat pattern or whatnot, that's a whole other rant entirely) and history, unless, that is, you're lazy n.n

I normally don't do this, but I simply must concur. I have a toleration for it, but then, I just start lifting an eyebrow when some of these people ACTUALLY THINK they're the character they imitate (Imitate, mind you.). It's kinda like, "Hmmm. Do you have a personality at all?" Of course...what can you do, right? It's a fandom. Although it seems wrong and horribly unoriginal, there's really no way to combat it. It's fine if you have a name in your alias as a part of something that represents you, like "baltolover123." But you just sorta have to laugh it off when someone thinks they can actually BE a character...and FICTITIOUS character, at that.

I usually would have no problem with it, but not many people can play official characters well at all. At all.

I agree but I like using other characters that don't belong to me. I don't claim the characters I know I don't own them. I dont say "THESE ARE MY NEW CHARACTERS!!!!!" only idiots take characters that don't belong to them and say that they are thiers to keep or something.
But, its like Fanfiction. Its OK to me becuase it shows that you really like the character. I really see nothing wrong with it. Actually J.K. rowling has read some of the Harry Potter fanfics that people have written and is flattered by how many people write and show thier love of Harry Potter. Thats kinda what people here do. If the creators of Balto could see how many Balto fanfics their are, I'm sure they'd feel happy that so many people love Balto. And if Tite Kubo (the aurthor of one of my favorite Manga called BLEACH) could read english and could see how many people support and (honor) love BLEACH than I'm sure he'd feel pleased and flattered as well. I HONOR Bleach and Tite Kubo because he made such a masterpeice. So I show my support of BLEACH in RPs and on Fanfiction.net.

Tell me about it. -.- If I earned a dollar for every copied char and a load more I'd be rich by now XD I mean, There's drawing turodials (sp?), Theft Info, And I even made a guide to making a character, yet still people can't sit still for two seconds and think of somthing of their own. I don't see how it's that hard, or maybe I just have a non-avarage imagination. Or the more likely answer that these people just hate to use somthing of there own. Why? What's stopping you from making your own characters? Is it a my idea's suck? Is it a my char won't be popular? Well these 'Popular' chars arn't copied. Is is so hard just to think? Apparently yees. Well in that case, maybe this isn't for you. WHy not go and get a hobby that dosn't involve ripping off people's idea's?

Tsumeato - what I meant with the Rowling reference was that she hates the fics that pair Snape and Hermione and puts them in adult situations, for example. The fics that are well written are fine, but you gotta remember the extremely bizarre sorts of things the HP fandom has been up to lol.

Oh yeah, I know what they do! I HATE it!

I also find it annoying when people take characters from one universe and 'wolfizing' them... It wouldn't be a massive problem if they remained true to the character's personality, but often is the case is that the character is completely out of character... And when that happens, it just makes more sense to just come up with a character.