Thread:LucidPigeons/@comment-25209034-20160409154811/@comment-26205772-20160409202630

This is certainly where the Draco in Leather Pants trope comes in. If a villain is likable or endearing to someone, I suppose it depends on what the nature of endearment is. If a character is comedic? That's not always a bar to the Monster gate; see the Joker and Kid Icarus!Hades for those examples. If a character is endearing because of any tragic moments? I'd say that a character like that crossing the MEH would be kind of jarring.

But, no, I'd say overall likability doesn't really affect whether or not a CM or an irredeemable villain is made. That's all completely subjective and there are still plenty of likable CMs out there. They, however, have a fanbase that can usually accept that the character is an absolute monster while still admiring them for, say, badass moments, a good design, and well-written lines. People might see an unlikable character as a CM a little easier but it's no different whether you're likable or not when crossing the ultimate line.