Character Study

Synonyms:	Psychological Profile
See also:	parallel, portrait (art), vignette
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Character Study refers to a genre of fanworks which main point is to explore a character in depth.

It is most commonly used to describe fanfic, but some vids are called "character studies" as well, for example Vividcon had vid shows with the topic of "character study". It is less often used for fanart, maybe because in art "studies" often mean the preliminary sketches done in preparation for the finished piece.

In their focus on a single character rather than a relationship, these works are often gen in nature, and "character study" is often given as an example of a type of gen. However there are also plenty of fan works that focus on analysing a romantic relationship or any other kind of bond between characters. Even when the focus is in the relationship itself, these works are often tagged as character study.

Examples

Fanfiction

2008

• you will overstate your premise by destronomics, a MCU fanfiction focused on Pepper Potts

2015

• Doing Fine by willowbilly, a Jessica Jones (TV) fic

2022

• the lines that divide us by Princess Andromeda. (Saint Seiya) A slice of life and light angst oneshot about Hyoga and Shun meeting in Siberia after many years, from Hyoga's POV. The story delves on his psychology as a Saint of Athena and feelings for Shun.

Vids

2006

• Goody Two Shoes, a vid focused on Brendan Fraser from due South

2007

• In the Mirror by here's luck, a digital vid for Ray Kowalski (due South)

2009

• Daniel's Nightmare by Holdt, focused on Daniel Jackson from Stargate SG-1

Other

• Trackless Voids was a two-issue Star Wars zine focused on character studies.