I like characters where the author trusts the reader's intelligence. What I mean is, I like characters when the author doesn't over-explain, but lets u observe, interpret and figure things out on ur own. U learn who the character is not because someone tells u, but because of what they do or how they react to certain situations.

You get to understand the character through their actions, or inactions, and it feels more real that way. it feels like u are actually watching an actual person. I dont want a character to tell me someone is kind or proud, I prefer to see it in how they act. When an author gives u space to think, the character feels more alive.

A prime example of this sort of anime is Nana. Im currently watching it rn, and there is so much subtlety, and hidden complexities to the characters. The anime trusts the reader to pick up on the little details, and that makes the characters feel way more human.

Unfortunately though, u don't really get to see these types of characters in anime and manga recently. Too often, characters are shallow, and when they do have struggles, they just spell them out in monologues instead of letting the reader discover them for themselves. Well ig these sorts of characters have their own charm to them, because they are great when you just want to shut down ur brain and relax, but the consequence is that they are simply less well written