Simple vs. Dynamic Characters: Simple Guide, Examples, And Tips!

Understanding Simple and Dynamic Characters

Simple and dynamic characters each play important roles in a story. Knowing when a character transitions from one state to another is key. A simple character only remains simple as long as you keep them that way. If their personal story, or the larger narrative, is better served by their continued development, then go for it.

As far as a dynamic character definition is concerned, think about them like this: dynamic characters tend to be protagonists or “main characters” who evolve throughout a story. The simple character definition would be something along the lines of a character who experiences little change by the end of the narrative. In any case, so much of a character’s complexity is the result of their character arc.

‍

Recognizing when a character evolves from simple to complex may sound obvious, but like anything in life, there is nuance. When it comes to simple vs. dynamic characters, much of it is based on how their role in a larger story plays out. Adding an incredibly complex, evolving story for a side character who only occupies a few moments in the larger narrative might be fun. However, spending so much time developing the character may not be a great use of your time when creating a satisfying story. The character might be better served if they remained a simple character.

When to Choose Simple vs. Dynamic Characters

Let’s explore a hypothetical scenario - in a spree of creative inspiration, you have managed to develop four character concepts that you want to develop further. Specifically, you want to create a story around them. That begs the question of who is a simple character, and who might be dynamic.

When creating characters there are usually some early indications about their role in the story. Most creators would start with the main characters - they tend to drive the story. Those main characters are most often dynamic characters by default because they are likely to change as a result of the events of the story. We may also refer to these characters as round characters because of the level of development they receive. What gets a little tricky are the supporting characters.

A sign a character might be better suited to being a simple character is whether they are more of a tool to facilitate the growth of a main character. Their presence, for example, maybe to provide contracts, conflict, or inspire a choice undertaken by a more dynamic character. This is not a bad thing. In the world of fiction, you need simple characters who provide context for more dynamic characters. Sometimes these characters, as compelling as they are, are a little flat. That usually is a result of them not developing beyond their core character. However, that does not mean that flat characters should be avoided.

‍

Simple and Dynamic Characters

Let’s examine some key simple and static character examples to show how valuable they can be for storytellers as leading and supporting figures.

Simple Character Examples

Many great static characters end up supporting players. They provided a sense of stability that contrasts the evolving views of a lead character. However, sometimes they can be main characters as well. We’ll pick some examples from movies, books, and anime and see their roles in their respective stories..

Winston Zeddemore, Ghostbusters

Winston Zeddemore, as played by Ernie Hudson, is a curious addition to the core cast of Ghostbusters who adds a lot to the film despite being a fairly static character. From the moment he is introduced, he is presented as a down-to-earth working man who joins the Ghostbusters, saying that as long as there is a steady paycheck, he’ll believe anything. Winston is presented with weirdness and apocalyptic threat in the film, but his everyman character doesn’t change. Of course, future stories about the Ghostbusters change this a bit, but in the first film, he does not seem radically altered in his worldview by the end, aside from the practicality of believing in ghosts having dealt with them weekly.

‍

Sherlock Holmes, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Perhaps the most obvious example of a static character who is nonetheless compelling is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. Holmes does not have any particularly notable changes in who he is across the dozens of stories written by Doyle. As the character is in the public domain, the impulse by writers is to change him up; but let’s be honest, Sherlock Holmes doesn’t need to have a complex character journey as a good Holmes story isn’t about the detective. It is about the process. He has persisted as a popular character because his intellect, logic, detachment, and vices provide enough flavor.

‍

Gobta, That Time I Was Reincarnated as a Slime

Even if a character undergoes growth in areas such as combat skills and powers, that may not necessarily make them a dynamic character. Take Gobta from the anime That Time I Was Reincarnated as a Slime. As one of the goblins of Rimiru’s evolving nation, he has been around since the early moments of the series. He does grow stronger and become competent overall, but his character and worldview doesn’t fundamentally change. He is still very much a curious blend of arrogance and timidity, so even as things change, he fundamentally remains the same character - comic relief with an occasional cool moment that is later undercut. This might be a trait to list in the character’s description.

‍

Dynamic Character Examples

Now, let’s turn to complex and dynamic character examples using the same stories mentioned earlier.

Dr. Peter Venkman, Ghostbusters

While Ghostbusters is an ensemble comedy, it isn’t hard to argue that Bill Murray’s Dr. Peter Venkman is the main character. This is especially true as his character is one of the most dynamic in the film and he changes his worldview significantly by the end. Venkman is initially presented as a skeptic and grifter, but as he works with his partners to bust ghosts, his worldview changes. He also softens his personality as well. Venkman is initially an acerbic schemer, but by the end of the film he has mellowed out without losing the elements that make him compelling.

‍

Sir. Henry Baskerville, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

In the terms of the Sherlock Holmes story “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” we can see Sir. Henry Baskerville is the third protagonist of the story and one of the rare examples of a dynamic character present in Doyle’s works. As the surviving heir of the Baskerville family returned to his ancestral home, Sir. Henry presents an interesting, more worldly perspective that runs in contrast with the antiquated ideals presented in the setting of the story. Henry is presented as a brave, somewhat impetuous figure who is confident and dynamic in description, often driving the story forward. A relatively naivety presented in the character earlier on evolves into a more nuanced, rounded characterization by the end of the story. Henry ends up being a character who understands the weight of his inheritance and the responsibilities of his role as caretaker of the estate.

Shion, That Time I Was Reincarnated as a Slime

Initially presented as a character who seems more aligned with the idea of fanservice, the character of Shion, an ogre, has evolved dramatically throughout the events of That Time I was Reincarnated as a Slime. Initially an antagonist, she becomes a well-endowed protector and assistant to Rimiru. While she is largely played for laughs and deliberate framing highlights particular physical assets, she is more than that. Shion undergoes many challenges and her role as a caretaker and defender evolves, revealing new facets of her personality and talents. While still very much the beautiful protector who is a terrible cook, her role in Rimiru’s kingdom emphasizes the complexity of her character as the kingdom expands. Her character design may draw in fans for naughty reasons, but she is more than a sex object.

‍

A Character’s Role Doesn’t Always Dictate Their Complexity

As we can see, the characters may vary in complexity, but they all play important roles in the respective stories. In this batch, we see that only one of the dynamic characters can be said to be a main character, but even then, Venkman is part of an ensemble, and at best we’d consider Baskerville to be a tritagonist. Just as we saw earlier, you can have simple lead characters, just as you can have dynamic supporting characters.

All Characters Welcome on CharacterHub

When determining whether to use a static vs. dynamic character, you need to ask one question: is the story better served by this character going on a developmental journey, or will it ultimately distract from the overall story? If we had to boil down this topic to one tip, it is this: don’t let characters trample all over your story. Characters are mediums for the message.

In any case, whether your character is wholly original, attached to a specific setting you have crafted, or a fan character, figuring out their role can be tricky. However, even if a character is presented as static in a story, that doesn’t mean you can’t and shouldn’t develop them. After all, you never know if they will spark their own story. Soon enough you might create your own universe of characters.

CharacterHub is a great resource for compiling any notes and ideas on characters, even if you may not need to explore them in-depth for now, it wouldn’t hurt to develop a profile on them that you can turn to later. CharacterHub’s collection of tools allows you to craft compelling profiles. Plus, with weekly events and other fun activities on-site, you never know when that supposedly static character may develop an arc of their own.