Question VOTE: What are the most common Male Leads / ML Candidates Archetypes?

I am curious about what are the most common Male Lead Candidates Archetypes in the Fantasy Romance Genre?

The most common ML Types I personally noticed:

• Cursed Male Lead (with Royal Blood)
• Crown Prince/Emperor/Tyrant
• Superior Better Second Prince
• Foreign Prince
• Playboy/Fuckboy/Yandere
• Prime Minister/Aide/Scholar
• Knight (Commander)
• Duke with Royal Blood
• Northern Archeduke
• Wizard/Magician/Mage Tower Master
• Super Dirty Rich CEO/Businessman/Merchant
• Guild Master
• Priest/Bishop
• Demon/Devil/Fiend
• Demon King/Lord
• Spirit King
• (Half-)God
• Dragon
• Beastkin
• Assassin
• Butler
• Slave
• Holy Paladin
• Master Thief
• Mafia Boss
• Pirate
• Elf
• Fairy (Very Rare)
• Half-Blood
  
• The Siscon, Adopted or Stepbrother
• The 2nd Male Lead (Dumb, Pitiful and Taken For Granted)

Examples Part 1:
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!

Spoiler: My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! IMAGE

Beware of the Villainess!

Spoiler: Beware of the Villainess! IMAGE

I Have Become the Heroes' Rival

Spoiler: I Have Become the Heroes' Rival IMAGE

I Will Politely Decline the Male Lead!

Spoiler: I Will Politely Decline the Male Lead! IMAGE

An Unseemly Lady

Spoiler: An Unseemly Lady IMAGE

The Young Lady Tames the Male Leads

Spoiler: The Young Lady Tames the Male Leads IMAGE

The Villainous Noble Woman's Slow Prison Life Began with Her Broken Engagement

Spoiler: Slow Prison Life IMAGE

Death is the only Ending for the Villainess

Spoiler: Death is the only Ending for the Villainess IMAGE

The Bad Ending of an Otome Game

Spoiler: The Bad Ending of an Otome Game IMAGE

A Trivial Extra in a Dating Sim

Spoiler: A Trivial Extra in a Dating Sim IMAGE

The Male Leads Were Stolen by the Extra

Spoiler: The Male Leads Were Stolen by the Extra IMAGE

I Raised the Villains Preciously

Spoiler: I Raised the Villains Preciously IMAGE

The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive

Spoiler: The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive IMAGE

The Strongest Characters in the World are Obsessed With Me

Spoiler: The Strongest Characters in the World are Obsessed With Me IMAGE

I’m a Fake Saint But the Gods are Obsessed

Spoiler: I’m a Fake Saint But the Gods are Obsessed IMAGE

I Only Treat Villains

Spoiler: I Only Treat Villains IMAGE

I Possessed a Reverse Harem Novel

Spoiler: I Possessed a Reverse Harem Novel IMAGE

BJ Villainess

Spoiler: BJ Villainess IMAGE

I’m Stuck on a Remote Island With the Male Leads

Spoiler: I’m Stuck on a Remote Island With the Male Leads IMAGE

When The Villainess Loves

Spoiler: When The Villainess Loves IMAGE

I Don’t Even Know Who the Child’s Father Is

Spoiler: I Don’t Even Know Who the Child’s Father Is IMAGE

The Little Demon King is Too Bothered by Her Brave Dads

Spoiler: The Little Demon King is Too Bothered by Her Brave Dads IMAGE

The Antagonist's Pet

Spoiler: The Antagonist's Pet IMAGE

In Her Fifth Life, the Villainess Lives With the Evil Dragon -The Evil Dragon of Ruin Wants to Spoil His Bride

Spoiler: In Her Fifth Life, the Villainess Lives With the Evil Dragon -The Evil Dragon of Ruin Wants to Spoil His Bride IMAGE

The One Within The Villainess

Spoiler: The One Within The Villainess IMAGE

Observation Record of a Self-proclaimed Villainess’ Fiancé

Spoiler: Observation Record of a Self-proclaimed Villainess’ Fiancé IMAGE

Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord

Spoiler: Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord IMAGE

 

Whats more common than male leads who does not respect women or treat them like shit ammirite

 

Examples Part 2:
The Daughter of the Albert House Wishes for Ruin

Spoiler: The Daughter of the Albert House Wishes for Ruin IMAGE

The Villiainess Is Adored by the Crown Prince of the Neighboring Kingdom

Spoiler: The Villiainess Is Adored by the Crown Prince of the Neighboring Kingdom IMAGE

It Seems Like I Got Reincarnated Into The World of a Yandere Otome Game

Spoiler: It Seems Like I Got Reincarnated Into The World of a Yandere Otome Game IMAGE

The Result of Being Reincarnated is Having a Master-Servant Relationship with the Yandere Love Interest

Spoiler: The Result of Being Reincarnated is Having a Master-Servant Relationship with the Yandere Love Interest IMAGE

On the 6th Playthrough of the Otome Game, the Auto-Mode Broke

Spoiler: On the 6th Playthrough of the Otome Game, the Auto-Mode Broke IMAGE

I Was Reincarnated as the Villainess in an Otome Game but the Boys Love Me Anyway!

Spoiler: I Was Reincarnated as the Villainess in an Otome Game but the Boys Love Me Anyway! IMAGE

A Villainess? No, a Heinous Young Lady

Spoiler: A Villainess? No, a Heinous Young Lady IMAGE

Aku no Joou no Kiseki

Spoiler: Aku no Joou no Kiseki IMAGE

Chitra

Spoiler: Chitra IMAGE

I Fell into a Reverse Harem Game

Spoiler: I Fell into a Reverse Harem Game IMAGE

Wish To Say Farewell

Spoiler: Wish To Say Farewell IMAGE

Men of the Harem

Spoiler: Men of the Harem IMAGE

Truthfully, They Only Remembered Her

Spoiler: Truthfully, They Only Remembered Her. IMAGE

My Childhood Friends are Trying to Kill Me

Spoiler: My Childhood Friends are Trying to Kill Me IMAGE

Today The Villainess Has Fun Again

Spoiler: Today The Villainess Has Fun Again IMAGE

The Reason Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke's Mansion

Spoiler: The Reason Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke's Mansion IMAGE

Surviving as a Maid

Spoiler: Surviving as a Maid IMAGE

I Will Avoid The Male Lead and Make My Harem

Spoiler: I Will Avoid The Male Lead and Make My Harem IMAGE

My Body Has Been Possessed By Someone

Spoiler: My Body Has Been Possessed By Someone IMAGE

For the Happy Ending for the Tragic Novel

Spoiler: For the Happy Ending for the Tragic Novel IMAGE

The Contract Concubine

Spoiler: The Contract Concubine IMAGE

The Secret Bedroom of a Dejected Royal Daughter

Spoiler: The Secret Bedroom of a Dejected Royal Daughter IMAGE

Rejected Lady Enjoying a Modest Life/Antagonized Bachelorette Enjoying a Simple Life

Spoiler: Rejected Lady Enjoying a Modest Life/Antagonized Bachelorette Enjoying a Simple Life IMAGE

Surviving as a Twin Princess

Spoiler: Surviving as a Twin Princess IMAGE

Make It Impossible To Run Away

Spoiler: Make It Impossible To Run Away IMAGE

You Can't Sleep With Me

Spoiler: You Can't Sleep With Me IMAGE

The Princess' Jewelry Box

Spoiler: The Princess' Jewelry Box IMAGE

Get a Male Lead for Every Book

Spoiler: Get a Male Lead for Every Book IMAGE

The Villainess Wants to Punish the Sadistic Prince

Spoiler: The Villainess Wants to Punish the Sadistic Prince IMAGE

心机万种又如何 / How About Scheming

Spoiler: 心机万种又如何_How About Scheming IMAGE

So How Did I Die

Spoiler: So How Did I Die IMAGE

Go Away, Romeo!

Spoiler: Go Away, Romeo! IMAGE

Hated ML: https://forum.novelupdates.com/threads/hated-ml.168963/#post-7528728

 

Regardless what kind of archetypes they are, they all are so obsessed of or possessive towards the Special NLOG FMC/Heroine.
They don't actually have a complex life on their own and mostly spend their time of winning over the girl or owning her by any means neccessary.
It's like these ideal powerful manchildren can't live/exist without her.

 

They basically have no lives outside of female lead. Treat every other women like trash except the fl.

 

You are missing the most often used character type: Cold Emotionless Handsome Gary Stu _____. (Noble, Prince, Knight, etc.)

 

As for me reading some novels Most ml is a alpha type or eityer a knight theres aldo in bad side whose a scumbag

 

Yes, but there is this unspoken rule that the FL/Heroine has to endure and suffer a lot for the MLs until they can become less shittier than they already are.

They spend more time bothering/seducing/harrassing/following/stalking a pretty girl/woman whom they deem as very special + Not Like The Other Girls than actually living or building a life/existence for themselves.
Sure they have this sad traumatic dramatic backstory and are lonely because they are so popular, talentend, privileged and powerful....
I can't really relate to these poor elite boys/top dogs anymore....
Even if they come from nothing or fictional marginalized group, they always have a very special heritage that makes them very desirable and are often too fixated on getting the one Special Girl who can make them complete.

I mean, they are all pretty much obnoxious effortless idealized conveniently attractive Gary Stues that are part of the Hierachy of Hereditary Monarchy.

 

Commoner or Lower Social Class Male Leads are quite rare in the Romance Genre about Nobles & Royals.....

André - The Rose of Versailles

Nine - Beware of the Villainess

Spoiler: Nine IMAGE

Anakin - Kill the Villainess

Spoiler: Anakin IMAGE

Ray - I Raised an Obsessive Servant

Spoiler: Ray IMAGE

Theve Hiddleton - I Became The Ugly Lady / Woke Up as the Ugly Duckling

Spoiler: Theve IMAGE

Jester - Honey, I’m Going On a Strike

Spoiler: Jester IMAGE

The Clown - Tears of a Jester

Spoiler: The Clown

Edward Carter - Glass Wall / Wall of Glass

Spoiler: Edward IMAGE

Gerald - Even The Villainess Wants To Be Happy

Spoiler: Gerald IMAGE

Lancelot - The Lady's Butler

Spoiler: Lancelot IMAGE

Kynell Townsend - Royal Marriage

Spoiler: Kynell IMAGE

Sunday / Theo - My Three Tyrant Brothers

Spoiler: Sunday / Theo IMAGE

Ursch-Kun - The Villainess Wants to Marry a Commoner

Spoiler: Ursch IMAGE

Patrick - Villainess Level 99 ~I may be the Hidden Boss but I'm not the Demon Lord~

Spoiler: Patrick IMAGE

Riol Glen - The Noble Girl Who Finds a Nerdy and Plain Guy Moe Thinks that the Arrogant Prince is In the Way

Isaac - I’m Not Even an Otome Game Mob Character

Spoiler: Isaac IMAGE

Clifford - I'm An Opportunistic Princess In-Charge of Solving

Spoiler: Clifford IMAGE

Joshua Lautschrift - The Tanaka Family Reincarnates

Kai - The Inner Palace Tale of a Villainess Noble Girl
Kaitz Herbanensen - I Went on Strike Because My Time Was Limited
Zed - Don't Shame The Villainess
Thomas - I'm a Former Court Alchemist, and I'm Going to Start Cultivating My Own Territory in the Middle of Nowhere!
Sasaki - The Villainess is Being Supported by the Mob Guy

 

Examples Part 3:
Koushaku Reijou no Tashinami / Common Sense of a Duke's Daughter

The Abandoned Empress

The Goal is to Become a Gold Spoon so I Need to be Completely Invulnerable

Spoiler: The Goal is to Become a Gold Spoon so I Need to be Completely Invulnerable IMAGE

I'm the Male Lead's Ex-Girlfriend

Spoiler: I'm the Male Lead's Ex-Girlfriend IMAGE

The Runaway Lead Lives Next Door

Spoiler: The Runaway Lead Lives Next Door IMAGE

Tensei-saki de Suterareta Node, Mofumofu-tachi to Oryouri Shimasu ~ Okazari Ouhi wa My Pace ni Saikyou Desu ~

Spoiler: Since I Was Abandoned After Reincarnating, I Will Cook With My Fluffy Friends: The Figurehead Queen Is Strongest at Her Own Pace IMAGE

With One Day Left I'll Break All the Destruction Flags: "Serves You Right!" RTA 24 Hour Record

Spoiler: With One Day Left I'll Break All the Destruction Flags: "Serves You Right!" RTA 24 Hour Record IMAGE

I Became a Domestic Worker in the Singles' Dormitory of the Knights of the Kingdom

Spoiler: I Became a Domestic Worker in the Singles' Dormitory of the Knights of the Kingdom IMAGE

How to Live With Beasts

Spoiler: How to Live With Beasts IMAGE

I Will Not Be The Supporting Character Forever

Spoiler: I Will Not Be The Supporting Character Forever IMAGE

Dear Eddert

Spoiler: Dear Eddert IMAGE

Cursed Night

Spoiler: Cursed Night IMAGE

The Reincarnation Privilege Is So Great!

Spoiler: The Reincarnation Privilege Is So Great! IMAGE

The Fake Saintess Awaits Her Exit

Spoiler: The Fake Saintess Awaits Her Exit IMAGE

The Villainess Debuts Gorgeously

Spoiler: The Villainess Debuts Gorgeously IMAGE

Kill The Villainess

Spoiler: Kill The Villainess IMAGE

I'll Protect the 2nd ML's Love

Spoiler: I'll Protect the 2nd ML's Love IMAGE

The Villainous Duke's Special Rice Cultivation Method

Spoiler: The Villainous Duke's Special Rice Cultivation Method IMAGE

The Rankers Guide to Live an Ordinary Life

Spoiler: The Rankers Guide to Live an Ordinary Life IMAGE

My Brothers, the Protagonists

Spoiler: My Brothers, the Protagonists IMAGE

Husband Wanted!

Spoiler: Husband Wanted! IMAGE

I Stole the Heroine’s First Love

Spoiler: I Stole the Heroine’s First Love IMAGE

The Little Demon King is Too Bothered by Her Brave Dads

Spoiler: The Little Demon King is Too Bothered by Her Brave Dads IMAGE

I Became the Despised Granddaughter of the Powerful Martial Arts Family

Spoiler: I Became the Despised Granddaughter of the Powerful Martial Arts Family IMAGE

How to Get on the Heroine's Flower Path

Spoiler: How to Get on the Heroine's Flower Path IMAGE

I Don't Want to Be an Ojakgyo (a Magpie Bridge)

Spoiler: I Don't Want to Be an Ojakgyo IMAGE

The S-Class Dungeon Owner

Spoiler: The S-Class Dungeon Owner IMAGE

As A Result Of Breaking An Otome Game, The Villainess Young Lady Becomes A Cheat!

Spoiler: As A Result Of Breaking An Otome Game, The Villainess Young Lady Becomes A Cheat! IMAGE

My apologies, gentleman! I shall break all the flags with these 100 lookers.

 

I say it depends on the country of origin. Since I mostly read Chinese, I get the (usually) virgin, cold, rich ML who only pampers the FL. Bonus points if he's a gentleman, though that's a newer concept, I gotta admit, since I still cheer when I encounter it.

And from the smaller Korean sample I got, the ML is usually a playboy, either a tyrant or powerful duke, who starts out as an asshole and then the FL "tames" him? I guess that's the concept they like right now.

And in Japanese novels, you can get any type, from herbivore to playboy, prince to butler. But they're all bland and boring.

 

The reason is pretty obvious. The ideal for RoFan readers is a male love interest who will take care of the protagonist. He has to fit an ideal so he will have to have high status, be a pretty boy, and have lots of money. You'll rarely find any MLI who doesn't satisfy all three of these. Sometimes, said MLI starts off with low status, but he'll usually raise himself to a high station by the end of the story. I think that while I'd love more variety, this would be fine if the other part of the fantasy is that he'll end up doing everything for the protagonist in order for her to be useless. It makes for a very boring relationship.

 

That is so true!
Everytime the ML pampers the FL with so much riches and luxury, she kinda becomes less and less emancipated, independent, smarter, assertive and determined. She just turns into a pleasing glamorous Trophy Wife for the Leading Man.

 

A trophy wife is someone who is trotted out to make the husband look good. The female protagonists often don't even get to do that! The MLI is so amazing to begin with that nothing can affect his status so his wife offers nothing. It's all too common for her to be completely useless by the end of the story and it's all about him. Hell, I've seen acclaimed stories where she's even comatose by the end of the story!

It's really infuriating to see characters devolve like this and it's why I've been avoiding the Romance genre. Theoretically, other readers should be able to advise you about what books do this so you can avoid having to read stories like this, but I've seen tons of posters lie about it so I've lost faith in recommendations in the genre.

 

The Exotic Oriental Foreigner (Royal).....

Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter - Hafiz Bent Mersid.

My Mother Is the Banished Villainess

Spoiler: My Mother Is the Banished Villainess IMAGE

Spoiler: My Mother Is the Banished Villainess IMAGE

Men of the Harem

Spoiler: Men of the Harem IMAGE

Wake up, Warrior

Spoiler: Wake up, Warrior IMAGE

Even Though I was the Real Saint, I was Exiled—Which Means my Country is Over

Spoiler: Even Though I was the Real Saint, I was Exiled—Which Means my Country is Over IMAGE

The Meaning of You

Spoiler: The Meaning of You IMAGE

Please Don't Eat Me!

Spoiler: Please Don't Eat Me! IMAGE

The Scorned Villainess Survives in the Wilderness

Spoiler: The Scorned Villainess Survives in the Wilderness IMAGE

The Villainess Wants to Enjoy a Carefree Married Life in a Former Enemy Country in Her Seventh Loop!

Spoiler: The Villainess Wants to Enjoy a Carefree Married Life in a Former Enemy Country in Her Seventh Loop! IMAGE

World's End Harem: Britannia Lumière

Spoiler: World's End Harem: Britannia Lumière IMAGE

今回の人生はメイドらしい / Konkai no Jinsei wa Maid Rashii

Spoiler: 今回の人生はメイドらしい / Konkai no Jinsei wa Maid Rashii IMAGE

The Villainess who Can Read Minds is Playing With Her Puppy-like Prince Today Too

Spoiler: The Villainess who Can Read Minds is Playing With Her Puppy-like Prince Today Too

The Maid Holds the Leash of the Tyrant

Spoiler: The Maid Holds the Leash of the Tyrant IMAGE

I Didn't Mean to Seduce the Male Lead - Skye Pedra/Phaedra

Spoiler: I Didn't Mean to Seduce the Male Lead IMAGE

Make It Impossible For You to Escape - Rahich

Spoiler: Holding You Captive IMAGE

Tenants from Another World - Lewis

Spoiler: Tenants from Another World IMAGE

Akuyaku Reijou wa Itto ni Dekiaisarete - Hansel

Spoiler: Akuyaku Reijou wa Itto ni Dekiaisarete IMAGE

I Won't Accept That I Am A Villainess In An Otome Game!! - Alfeld, Prince of the Dessert

Sagishi (Cavalier With the Truth) - Telsey


Is there sth special or different about Brown Skinned & Tanned Male Leads?
https://www.novelupdatesforum.com/threads/is-there-sth-special-or-different-about-brown-skinned-tanned-male-leads.166177/

 

Exploring Male Character Archetypes – The Warrior
https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/exploring-male-character-archetypes-the-warrior/

• Warrior
• King
• Magician
• Lover

A Look at 8 Key Male Archetypes for Your Novel
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2016/11/21/a-look-at-8-key-male-archetypes-for-your-novel/

1) The Protector (Ares)
2) The Businessman (Apollo)
3) The Recluse (Hades)
4) The Fool (Hermes)
5) The Lady’s Man (Dionysus)
6) The Messiah (Osiris)
7) The Artist (Poseidon)
8) The King (Zeus)


The Villainess Who Has Been Killed 108 Times. She Remembered Everything. The Maiden with the Ruby Creates a Miracle.


The D-Class Hunter Became a Munchkin Saint in a Rofan

It's given that all potential suitors have to be "Handsome Male Leads".
The Male Leads Are Trapped in My House

Spoiler: The Male Leads Are Trapped in My House IMAGE

The Male Leads Are Trapped in My Painting

Spoiler: The Male Leads Are Trapped in My Painting IMAGE

Trapped in A Cursed Game As an NPC

Spoiler: Trapped in A Cursed Game As an NPC IMAGE

Marilyn Likes Lariensa Too Much!

Spoiler: Marilyn Likes Lariensa Too Much! IMAGE

Lysia Tries the Quiet Life/I Will Live as a Supporting Character in This Life

Spoiler: Lysia Tries the Quiet Life IMAGE

The Ugly Lady's Secret Pouch

Spoiler: The Ugly Lady's Secret Pouch IMAGE

The Fake Was Thrown Away

Spoiler: The Fake Was Thrown Away IMAGE

Miss Not-So Sidekick

Spoiler: Miss Not-So Sidekick IMAGE

Cassmire: The Loyal Sword

Spoiler: Cassmire: The Loyal Sword IMAGE

I Became the Male Leads' Love Rival

The Villainess' (Temporary) Struggle. I realized I've reincarnated into another world so I'll break off the engagement and find my soulmate.

 

You are missing the illegitimate son.

 

I mean, it's kinda given that many Rofan Male Leads who are either a Grand Archduke or a Royal Prince/King/Emperor are illegitimate bastards to give them easy sympathy points.

Just because the Asshole (Sub) ML is half-commoner, doesn't excuse him being an elite asshole that still enjoys lots of privileges!

 

lately.. cold/paralyzed face, act/plan smartly, but somehow dense

 

Fr