Chara

For the eighth fallen human and the protagonist of Undertale, see Frisk.

A long time ago, a human fell into the RUINS.
Injured by its fall, the human called out for help.

Froggits, New Home, Neutral Route

Chara (JP: キャラ Kyara), also known as the fallen human (JP: おちたニンゲン ochita ningen), is the first human to fall into the underground. They are the adoptive child of Toriel and Asgore, as well as Asriel's best friend and adoptive sibling. Their name varies according to what the player enters on the naming screen at the start of Undertale. Despite rarely being present on-screen, Chara serves a fundamental role in the game's plot as explained by the Dreemurrs' backstories, and is thus one of the game's main characters.

Profile

Appearance

Chara has brown medium-length hair with bangs swept to the left, cream skin, brown eyes, rosy cheeks, and a wide smile. Chara wears a long-sleeve lime green shirt with a single horizontal cream stripe, and a pair of nondescript brown pants and shoes. Chara's semblance is described as being somewhat similar to the protagonist's, with their shirt also being a color-negative of the protagonist's shirt. In the "Soulless" ending of the True Pacifist Route, Chara has red eyes.

Personality

Much of Chara's intent is ambiguous. While initially cast in a sympathetic light by monsterkind, Asriel admits that Chara "...wasn't really the greatest person". In the VHS tapes, Asriel's commentary indicates Chara is mischievous, as they can make a "creepy face" to scare others. Chara is also intelligent, secretive, and persuasive. They do not allow their plan be recorded, and gain Asriel's trust in order to move forward with it. At an unspecified point, Asgore had also noticed Chara once had a sense of hope in their eyes.

In terms of interests, it is implied that Chara was interested in gardening, as their knife is specified to be perfect for cutting plants and vines. Throughout Genocide Route, there are implications that Chara has an interest in knives and chocolate. In contrast, Chara has an unexplained hatred for humanity.

At the end of Genocide Route, Chara's behavior when they appear is polite and terse, yet blunt and critical. Despite the end of a second Genocide Route, Chara is unable to comprehend the repeated violence, and expresses confusion that it occurred before criticizing.

Speech pattern

The narration dialogue, both regular and in parentheses, can appear as if it is Chara's voice and/or thoughts. Such narration is occasionally red in color. The narration of various objects also changes depending on the route, primarily in Asgore's Home. Chara's associated items, Heart Locket and Worn Dagger, becomes The Locket and Real Knife on the Genocide Route. However, the identity of the narrator throughout the entirety of Undertale is left uncertain.

At the end of Genocide Route, Chara's dialogue does not have a soundbite. Chara's vocabulary is slightly above average, consists of short sentences, and is in a formal manner similar to that of Toriel and Asgore. In the Japanese translation of Undertale, Chara uses "watashi" and "jibun" for themselves, and refers to the protagonist using "omae". Contrasting with the game's general use of hiragana and katakana for its text, Chara employs a standard level of kanji usage in their speech, which also gives it an air of high formality.

Etymology

If the player names the fallen human "Chara" on the naming screen, the narration reads, "The true name." This is likely a reference to the internal use of the word "chara" for assets relating to the fallen human and the protagonist (truechara and mainchara, respectively), with "chara" being an abbreviation for "character". Additionally, "CHARA" is used as the default name if no name is present in the SAVE file due to manual editing or modification of the game.

"Chara" is an alternate spelling of "Cara" and "Kara", both names having their roots in Latin, meaning "darling", "beloved", "dear" or "loved one".

It may also be related to Beta Canum Venaticorum, a star often called "Chara", as a connection to Asriel's planned interest in astronomy.

The game's official Japanese translation translates Chara's name as "キャラ (Kyara)". This matches the katakana for the English word "character", which is written as "キャラクター (Kyarakutā)".

Main story

History

Chara after having fallen into the underground

At the start of Undertale's prologue, Chara climbs Mount Ebott for an unhappy reason near the end of the year 201X. Inside the mountain, Chara tripped over a root, which caused them to fall into the Ruins. During the fight against Asriel, a continuation of this scene can be seen: Asriel helped Chara lift themselves up when he heard their call for help, and then guided them to New Home through a route in Waterfall.

Chara was taken in by Toriel and Asgore, the queen and king of the underground. Chara and Asriel became best friends, forming a sibling-like relationship, and Chara was moved into Asriel's room. Despite the war, monsters spoke of how Chara filled the underground with hope. It is implied from a VHS tape that Chara learned of the Delta Rune's prophecy at an unspecified point in time.

One day, Chara and Asriel tried to make a Butterscotch Pie to surprise Asgore, but had mistakenly used buttercups instead of cups of butter in the recipe. As a result, Asgore got sick, to both Toriel and Asriel's dismay; Chara, however, laughed it off. This incident later gave them an idea, and with Asriel's help, they thought up a plan to break the barrier and free monsters from the underground.

Sometime after, Chara became terminally ill from consuming buttercups. Their final wish was to see the golden flowers at their home village, although it could not be fulfilled. After their death, Chara's SOUL was absorbed by Asriel, and they shared control over his body. Chara carried their own corpse across the barrier, and they were attacked by the humans at the village. Chara wanted to use their full power to destroy the attackers; however, Asriel resisted, which ultimately led to the humans killing both of them.

Designated coffin for Chara in the castle basement

Chara's body was originally laid to rest in a coffin at New Home's castle. After Asgore declared war against humanity, Toriel left him, and took Chara's body to the Ruins to give them a proper burial.

Neutral Route

<Name>, huh?
That's a nice name.
My name is

Asriel introducing himself to Chara, in a reminiscence at the garbage dump

When the protagonist gets a Game Over, Asgore's voice is heard as he urges Chara to "stay determined".

On the Neutral Route, the protagonist hears Chara's name in their dreams. If the protagonist sleeps in the bed in Toriel's guest room, Asgore's voice can be heard as he pleads, "<Name>, please... Wake up! You are the future of humans and monsters." When the protagonist first falls onto the bed of golden flowers in Waterfall's garbage dump, Asriel's first words to Chara appear on the screen, narrated with Asriel's sound bite. At New Home, various monsters relate Asriel and Chara's fate to the protagonist.

True Pacifist Route

<Name>! You have to stay determined!
You can't give up... You are the future of humans and monsters...

Asgore, VHS tape 5

The royal family with Chara, who is hiding behind a bouquet of flowers

In the True Lab, VHS tapes of Chara interacting with their family can be found. These tapes have audio and dialogue, but no visuals. Most of these tapes are of Asriel and Chara, and they indicate that Chara had a "plan". In one of the tapes, Asriel tells Chara to wake up and that "[He doesn't] like this plan anymore." Asgore's dialogue in VHS tape 5 also mirrors what the protagonist can hear when they dream or get a Game Over.

At the start of Asriel's battle, he assumes that the protagonist is Chara. Near its end, the protagonist calls out "Someone else"'s name, and memories of Chara and Asriel together play. They depict Chara's fall into the underground, Asriel's discovery of them, and the royal family spending time with Chara. After the fight, Asriel realizes that the protagonist is not Chara.

New Home's basement

During the epilogue, the protagonist may return to New Home's basement to inspect the coffins for the seven fallen humans. This leads to the discovery that all of the coffins are empty, and that there are mummy wrappings at the bottom of Chara's coffin.

Genocide Route

We're still inseparable, after all these years...
Listen. I have a plan to become all powerful.
Even more powerful than you and your stolen soul.
Let's destroy everything in this wretched world.
Everyone, everything in these worthless memories...
Let's turn 'em all to dust.

Flowey, upon assuming the protagonist is Chara

On the Genocide Route, many monsters do not acknowledge the protagonist as a human. Sans comments that it would make his brother happy if the protagonist continued pretending to be one, and Asgore inquires what kind of monster the protagonist is. Sans also notices the protagonist does not laugh at his jokes, nor do they visually react. Papyrus and Burgerpants comment on the protagonist having dust on their hands and items.

If the protagonist inspects a mirror or the console screen in the Lab, the narration differs and acknowledges them with the fallen human's name. At the end of the Ruins and when traversing New Home, Flowey determines that the protagonist is empty inside, just like himself. He concludes that the protagonist is Chara, and informs them that he plans to become omnipotent.

Chara discussing their collaboration with the protagonist, as mus_zzz_c plays

Chara makes their only in-person appearance at the end of the Genocide Route. They appear as an overworld sprite and speak into the fourth wall. It is unclear if Chara is speaking to the protagonist, the player, or both.

Chara reveals that the protagonist's "human soul" and "determination" were the cause of their reincarnation, and that the events of the route led Chara to realize the "purpose" of their awakening was power. Chara then states they are the embodiment of the feeling received whenever STATS increase. They propose erasing the game's "pointless" world and moving on to the next.

Chara offering the choice to erase the world or to not

The protagonist is given the choice to "ERASE" the world, or "DO NOT". This is the last chance for the player to avoid the consequences of the route.

• If the protagonist chooses to "ERASE", Chara calls them "a great partner" and says they will be "together forever".
• If the protagonist chooses "DO NOT", Chara initially seems confused before rhetorically asking the protagonist, "SINCE WHEN WERE YOU THE ONE IN CONTROL?" Afterwards, a jump scare occurs, in which Chara approaches the screen with distorted laughter. The game's screen and window shake while a loud droning sound loops as the background flashes shades of red.

After the protagonist makes their choice, the red slash attack animation occurs, followed by red "9"s covering the screen. The additional effects during Chara's world-destroying attack vary between the PC and console versions, though the player cannot escape the game crash sequence with their keyboard/controller.

The game window shaking while Chara attacks the game's world, as mus_zzz_c2 plays

On the PC version, Undertale is forced into windowed mode and shakes similarly to a monster's death animation. The player cannot exit the game before the crash unless they use their OS's Task Manager or Force Quit (on Mac), or the red close button. On console versions, the player cannot exit the game unless they turn off the console. After the red "9"s cover the screen, the game immediately closes on its own (on PC versions) or blacks out before restarting (on console versions).

Upon reopening the game, the screen is black and accompanied by a sound similar to howling wind. After 10 minutes, Chara speaks to the protagonist and is doubtful yet intrigued at the fact that the player wants to return to the game's world. They claim that the player's actions caused the world's destruction, and ask the protagonist if they think they are above consequences. Chara then offers to restore the world in exchange for the protagonist's SOUL.

• If the protagonist agrees to this trade, the world is restored, but the endings of the True Pacifist Route and Genocide Route are permanently altered.
• Refusing this offer causes Chara to abandon the protagonist, only to offer the same choice again after the game is restarted and another 10 minutes elapse.

Post-Genocide game

True Pacifist Route

If the Genocide Route has been completed beforehand, Chara appears in both endings after the True Pacifist ending credits.

Chara with red eyes at the end of a "Soulless Pacifist" run

• If the protagonist stays with Toriel, the post-credits scene continues briefly after Toriel closes the door. Chara then turns to face the screen with red eyes, their right eye glinting. The game cuts to black, with Omega Flowey's laughter playing at a lower pitch. The Undertale logo appears after, the "THE END" text underneath is red, and a slowed-down version of Anticipation plays. The Annoying Dog does not appear to sleep under the ending screen.

The photo seen at the end of a "Soulless Pacifist" run

• Similarly, if the protagonist decides that they have "places to go", the faces of the main characters on the photograph after the credits are crossed out in red - except for Chara's, who replaces the protagonist. The "THE END" text is red, and a slowed down version of Anticipation plays. The Annoying Dog does not appear to sleep under the ending screen.

Genocide Route

After completing the Genocide Route a second time, Chara describes themselves as "The demon that comes when people call its name." They berate the protagonist for destroying and recreating the world due to their "perverted sentimentality", note that the SOUL they currently hold resonates with strange feelings that they can no longer understand, and suggests that a different path should be taken should the world be recreated once more. Chara gives the protagonist the "choice" to erase the world again.

• Choosing "ERASE" prompts Chara to call the protagonist "a great partner" once again, saying they will be together forever.
• Choosing "DO NOT" prompts Chara to tell the protagonist that these feelings were exactly what they were just talking about. Chara then reminds the protagonist they made their choice a long time ago before destroying the world again.

Regardless of the choice, as Chara already has the protagonist's SOUL and is fully aware of the previous events, the game loads normally upon being rebooted.

Relationships

Asriel

For Asriel's perspective, see Asriel § The fallen human.

Oh! Wait! I had the lens cap on...
What!? You're not gonna do it again...?
Come on, quit tricking me! Haha!

Asriel speaking to Chara, VHS tape 2

Chara and Asriel were best friends, forming a sibling-like relationship, and often spent time playing around New Home. According to Asriel, Chara was the only person who understood him. Similarly, Chara had trusted Asriel enough to explain why they had climbed Mt. Ebott, though they did not explain their hatred for humanity. Chara also occasionally played tricks on Asriel, such as scaring him with their "creepy face". In VHS tape 4, Asriel's responses indicate that Chara persuaded him to continue with their plan.

At the end of the Genocide Route, Chara says little about Asriel's resistance that caused their death, and only expresses confusion.

Toriel

For Toriel's perspective, see Toriel § The fallen human.

<Name>... Can you hear me? We want you to wake up...

Toriel speaking to Chara during their illness, VHS tape 5

Toriel took on the role of Chara's adoptive mother after the latter fell into the underground. It is implied that Chara may have favored Toriel more than Asgore, as they greet with "Greetings", similar to Toriel. Chara was embarrassed by Toriel and Asgore's public displays of affection.

Asgore

For Asgore's perspective, see Asgore § The fallen human.

<Name>! You have to stay determined!
You can't give up... You are the future of humans and monsters...

Asgore speaking to Chara during their illness, VHS tape 5

Asgore took on the role of Chara's adoptive father after the latter fell into the underground. Chara was embarrassed by Asgore and Toriel's public displays of affection. When Asgore was accidentally poisoned from the buttercup flowers, Chara laughed in response.

On the Genocide Route, Flowey is certain that Chara can convince Asgore to show the captured six human SOULs.

Flowey

For Flowey's perspective, see Flowey § Genocide Route.

But you... YOU'RE different.
I never could predict YOU, <Name>.

Flowey to Chara, on the way to Last Corridor

Flowey is eager to support the protagonist in the Genocide Route, as he is believes that they are Chara with a stolen SOUL. Despite this, the protagonist's actions near Last Corridor intimidates Flowey when he realizes they would kill anyone in their way. They react to Flowey with a "creepy face" when he decides he no longer likes his idea, and repeatedly attack him when he begs not to be killed for his betrayal by warning Asgore.

The protagonist

Right. You are a great partner.
We'll be together forever, won't we?

Chara if the protagonist agrees to erase the world

The protagonist only meets Chara directly upon the Genocide Route's completion. As the protagonist kills monsters and gains more EXP, Chara seemingly grows stronger. They refer to the protagonist as a "partner" if the player accepts their offer to erase the world. Otherwise, Chara briefly leaves them in the abyss, then condemns them for their actions in the underground.

If the protagonist completes Genocide Route once more, Chara questions why they continuously recreate and destroy the world. Chara admits they no longer understand the protagonist's feelings and behavior, speculating it may be driven by a "perverted sentimentality".

Dialogue

Genocide Route ending

• Greetings.
• I am <Name>.
• Thank you.
• Your power awakened me from death.
• My "human soul."
• My "determination."
• They were not mine, but YOURS.
• At first, I was so confused.
• Our plan had failed, hadn't it?
• Why was I brought back to life?
• ...
• You.
• With your guidance.
• I realized the purpose of my reincarnation.
• Power.
• Together, we eradicated the enemy and became strong.
• HP. ATK. DEF. GOLD. EXP. LV.
• Every time a number increases, that feeling...
• That's me.
• "<Name>."
• Now.
• Now, we have reached the absolute.
• There is nothing left for us here.
• Let us erase this pointless world, and move on to the next.
• [ERASE]
  • Right. You are a great partner.
  • We'll be together forever, won't we?
• [DO NOT]
  • No...?
  • Hmm...
  • How curious.
  • You must have misunderstood.
  • SINCE WHEN WERE YOU THE ONE IN CONTROL?

Abyss

• Interesting.
• You want to go back.
• You want to go back to the world you destroyed.
• It was you who pushed everything to its edge.
• It was you who led the world to its destruction.
• But you cannot accept it.
• You think you are above consequences.
• Exactly. [Yes]
• Then what are you looking for? [No]
• Perhaps.
• We can reach a compromise.
• You still have something I want.
• Give it to me.
• And I will bring this world back.
• [Yes]
  • Then it is agreed.
  • You will give me your SOUL.
  • [Yes]
    • ...
    • Then, it is done.
• Then stay here for all eternity. [No]

Second Genocide Route ending

• Greetings.
• I am <Name>.
• "<Name>."
• The demon that comes when people call its name.
• It doesn't matter when.
• It doesn't matter where.
• Time after time, I will appear.
• And, with your help.
• We will eradicate the enemy and become strong.
• HP. ATK. DEF. GOLD. EXP. LV.
• Every time a number increases, that feeling...
• That's me.
• "<Name>."
• ...
• But.
• You and I are not the same, are we?
• This SOUL resonates with a strange feeling.
• There is a reason you continue to recreate this world.
• There is a reason you continue to destroy it.
• You.
• You are wracked with a perverted sentimentality.
• Hmm.
• I cannot understand these feelings any more.
• Despite this.
• I feel obligated to suggest.
• Should you choose to create this world once more.
• Another path would be better suited.
• Now, partner.
• Let us send this world back into the abyss.
• [ERASE]
  • Right. You are a great partner.
  • We'll be together forever, won't we?
• [DO NOT]
  • No...?
  • Hmm... This feeling you have.
  • This is what I spoke of.
  • Unfortunately, regarding this...
  • YOU MADE YOUR CHOICE LONG AGO.

Creation and development

In the first version of the public release of the Undertale Demo, the name that is given to the fallen human by default is "Mugsy".

Toby Fox suggests naming the fallen human with the player's own name. However, he also replied to his tweet with "I mean, if you can't think of anything else lol".

Outside of Undertale

Undertale Demo

In the Undertale Demo, completing it akin to the Genocide Route causes red text to appear at the end credits.

Undertale Greenlight Trailer

In the Undertale Greenlight Trailer, the name "CHARA" appears in some of the battles where the player's written name usually appears.

Merchandise

The Important Person's Shirt is an official merchandise that resembles Chara's shirt.

Chara appears in the New Friends Sticker Sheet Set A, where their design resembles an unused human sprite found in the game files, which is a recolor of the protagonist's sprite.

UNDERTALE Alarm Clock

In Flowey's UNDERTALE Alarm Clock dialogue, it is implied that Chara overfilled their glass of water, as it was "the most efficient way to fill it", and Asriel adopted that method.

UNDERTALE 10th Anniversary Stream

In the UNDERTALE 10th Anniversary Stream, "Chara" was one of two names offered to donors to name the fallen human, along with Togore. It has been favored as the second most popular suggestion that did not trigger any "special effects". Although the names Gaster and "Frisk" were more popular, they were discarded because their effects made them incompatible with the name-changing system.

Newsletter

On Undertale's 9th anniversary, the ISSUE 7 - Autumn 2024 of the Newsletter was released. Sets of nine 9s outlined in red are featured in its introduction. This alludes to the end of the Genocide Route, when an identical set of 9s overflows the screen as Chara destroys the world.

At the very end of the Newsletter, Toby Fox shares a letter from Asriel. The letter describes that Chara's favorite number is 9, since "there isn't a number that's higher" and "[i]f everything gets high enough, [y]ou become invincible. Nothing can hurt you anymore. Nothing can hurt anyone anymore."

Gallery

• 
  Chara approaching the entrance to the underground
• 
  Chara's official tarot card (titled "??????") as Major Arcana XV, "The Devil"
• 
  Old Chara tarot card, unofficial
• 
  Bonus postcard by Gigi D.G. if Flowey's discount was applied to the Determination Combo from Fangamer