Do anime characters need to be realistic in order to make them relatable?

I had a discussion with a female friend. She said she’s not really into anime because she finds characters unrealistic and thus she can’t related with them. For reference, she’s into Korean drama, especially historical ones, which I’m not a fan of, but she said that watching characters struggle through their hardship in the drama felt real to her, and she gets the impression of events similar to that could happen IRL somewhere and also learn valuable lessons from them, but she can’t say the same when it comes to anime. Given she hadn’t watch much anime, she remarked how anime characters in general especially the female ones tends to behave immaturely in spite of their age and thus she’s unable to related with them. Of course, sometimes I do enjoy watching more realistic down-to-earth anime settings and characters like Bakuman, Silver Spoon, and Uchuu Kyoudai, but the reason why I was drawn to anime in the first place is because I find their quirky personalities and hammy behaviors interesting in the way that you can’t find in any other media. I love characters like Haruhi from TMOS, Okabe from Stein;Gate, Toori from KnH, Araragi from Bakemonogatari and many many of the casts in Durarara which currently on air, but it’s not like I have to related to them and their struggles in order to like them, but their quirkiness is what kept me hooked.:p The same thing when it comes to cute girls anime series. It’s not like I watch series like K-on expecting characters to behave maturely, but I do envy their childish optimism which I find myself lacking and makes me feel refreshed after watching. So yeah, it’s ironic that what turn her away from anime is what keeps me enjoy watching it and that’s fine and all, but I’m curious about certain things…



How do you define “relatable characters”? I don’t really understand this concept.



Is it necessary for a character to be realistic in order to make them relatable?



Does “relatable characters” heavily influence your choice of anime?

Do anime characters need to be realistic in order to make them relatable?