オリジナルキャラクター
orijinaru kyarakutā
The Japanese phrase for 'original character' is オリジナルキャラクター (orijinaru kyarakutā).
オリジナルキャラクター refers to a fictional character created by an artist or writer rather than one from an existing published work. It is used in the same contexts as in English, such as when discussing characters created for stories, art or role-playing.
Which one should you use?
While オリジナルキャラクター is the full phrase, you may encounter the abbreviation オリキャラ. Additionally, the phrase 自作キャラクター can be used to specifically mean a 'self-made character'.
How do you pronounce it?
orijinaru kyarakutā
Did you know?
- The phrase 自作キャラクター (jisaku kyarakutā) uses the word 自作 (jisaku), which is the same word used to describe 'homemade' items like bread or furniture. This links the concept of a character directly to the concept of a physical craft.
- In the world of Japanese role-playing and fan fiction, an オリキャラ is sometimes distinguished from a クロスオーバー character, who is an existing character placed into a different universe.
- The term オリキャラ is frequently used in Japanese 'doujinshi' circles to label works that feature no licensed characters, signaling to buyers that the content is entirely original.
Examples in context
- オリジナルキャラクターを作りたいです。I want to create an original character.
- これは私の自作キャラクターです。This is my original character.
- 昨日オリキャラを完成させました。I finished my original character yesterday.
- 新しいオリジナルキャラクターを描きたいです。Atarashii orijinaru kyarakutā o kakitai desu.I want to draw a new original character.
- そのオリジナルキャラクターの設定は面白いですね。Sono orijinaru kyarakutā no settei wa omoshiroi desu ne.That original character's setting is interesting, isn't it?
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are looking at a sketchbook.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、このオリジナルキャラクターはどうかな？Yui, kono orijinaru kyarakutā wa dō kana?Yui, what do you think of this original character?
- 結衣 Yuiすごくかっこいいデザインだね！sugoku kakkoii dezain da ne!The design is really cool!
- 蓮 Renありがとう。設定も考えてるんだ。arigatō. sette i mo kangaeteru nda.Thanks. I'm thinking about the backstory too.
- 結衣 Yui蓮の描くキャラクターはいつも素敵だね。Ren no kaku kyarakutā wa itsumo suteki da ne.The characters you draw are always wonderful, Ren.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry オリジナルキャラクター, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
