Genuine fans of Zenos yae Galvus, why do you like him?

I dislike Zenos. Even after learning his backstory from wikis and supplemental materials, I just can't find it in me to care about the WoL's psychopathic stalker. I just don't find him very entertaining outside of the Shinryu and [POST LEVEL 90 ENDWALKER TRIAL SPOILERS REDACTED].

What am I missing about this character? What nuanced trope am I overlooking that makes Zenos a favorite for some people?

You're probably not going to change my mind, but I am curious to know what makes him so appealing to some people.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ashennae

I dislike Zenos. Even after learning his backstory from wikis and supplemental materials, I just can't find it in me to care about the WoL's psychopathic stalker. I just don't find him very entertaining outside of the Shinryu and [POST LEVEL 90 ENDWALKER TRIAL SPOILERS REDACTED].

What am I missing about this character? What nuanced trope am I overlooking that makes Zenos a favorite for some people?

You're probably not going to change my mind, but I am curious to know what makes him so appealing to some people.

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The joy in characters like that is getting to kill them.

I like him because his motivations are simple, but it leaves the door open for further depth in the character, especially with how Endwalker panned out and how even Zenos has to evaluate his goals and how to proceed with them.
I think his assessment of who the Warrior of Light is fits perfectly with how I perceive my own WoL, and his relationship with the WoL becomes intriguing because it's two very opposite people with completely different values and morals, but there is this sole unique reason that connects them deeply, even more so than many of WoL's own friends.

Plus he is a hottie and this relationship they share can easily be written into something romantic, albeit quite toxic perhaps. That's cool too.

I mean I won't change your mind but I really liked a basic villain compared to the usual "I have a tragic backstory and am doing X because of Y" that is still rampant in the story. I liked having just a villain that was very honest about what they wanted and their objective, he just wanted a challenge and that was you. I also think it depends on how you personally have shaped your characters story through the game. I personally couldn't really argue against his accusations of being the same as him seeing the actions the WoL had taken in the story. As I did do several thing outside the MSQ I kinda agreed with "Yeah I do challenge myself needlessly for the thrill of it don't I, such as all the EX trial and raids." This again comes down to how you see your own character and how you view the events of the story in your own eyes, he won't land for everyone.

He's a meme.

He's okay enough looking once he gets out of that stuffy armour.

That's kind of it. He works as the very generic anime-ish trope of "strong person wants to fight other strong people" but in reality he really only serves to push the plot forward. I don't mind the force loss duties but it feels bad that he literally lets you go(also they refuse to make forced loss duties that actually overwhelm you with mechanics so you sit there feeling a bit confused as to what exactly is happening).

the only thing I like about Zenos is he's got a punchable face and how satisfying it is to finally get the better of him after having to deal with his annoying stalker crap.

I like Zenos because I can relate to him. :)
His father neglected him, my father neglected me.
He grew up alone and unloved, I grew up alone and unloved.
He likes sitting in chairs and thinking about the WoL, I like sitting in chairs and thinking about Zenos.
He likes silence and he's annoyed by loud people who talk a lot (Fandaniel), I like silence and I'm annoyed by loud people who talk a lot.
He's obsessed with the one thing that makes him happy (fighting the WoL), I'm obsessed with the one thing that makes me happy (video games).
I also have blue eyes and butt-length blonde hair. However, I'm less melancholic and I don't want to die, lol.

He's not particularly bland or obnoxious by this game's standards. That alone makes him more tolerable.

This:
https://youtu.be/FQBC0mpULTM

The more i think about it the less i know why i like this character ... maybe because he kind of bring a more egocentric flavor to the story ? I did really enjoy that final fight with him.