How To Create A Character Arc

MidnightXCross

Date Published: June, 1st, 2025

How To Create A Character Arc

In today's video, we're looking at how you can write a character arc in your manga, comic, or light novel! Character arcs can be very helpful when you want to develop characters in your story. There are five main stages of a character arc, and we will be looking at these stages in this video.

What Is A Character Arc?

A character arc is a smaller story within the main story, which focuses on your character’s development. An arc is your character’s story, focusing on who they are at the beginning, to who they become by the end of your story.

Why Are Arcs Important In Manga?

Arcs are important in manga because they allow for more character development, and smaller side stories which can help provide more information about a character.

The Five Stages Of A Character Arc

Origin Story
Initial Threat
The 'Training' Arc
The 'Final Boss'
The Dark Night

Know Your Character's Origins

Create a backstory for your character, which explains the events they experienced, and how those memories shaped them into who they are today.

The Initial Threat

At some point, your character faces a threat which acts as the inciting incident, setting them on the path of their story.

MidnightWithSword

The 'Training' Arc

Once the threat has been realised, the character must ‘train’ to gain the abilities they need to face this threat.

The Final Boss (AKA, The Challenge)

Eventually, your character gains enough skills, where they must face the ‘final boss.’ This refers to the event they have been working towards throughout their whole character arc.

The Dark Night

Typically, the character’s first experience with ‘the final boss’ makes them realise how truly powerless they are. They may fail in their first attempt, which causes them to reflect on their journey so far, and their own abilities.
After this, however, they remember why they came this far, and who they are. With their last bit of strength, they stand again, ready to face the challenge.

MidnightClimbingMountain

The Result

Finally, we reach the result of the character’s arc. Whether they succeed or not, is up to you as the author. However, the result of all they have worked for is the culmination of their arc, and you must show where their training and experience has led them to.

However, even if this is the end of the character’s story arc, it is likely not the end of their journey. Now that you have told this character’s story, it is time for them to help other characters tell theirs.