The world created in The Witcher is an intriguing one, populated by equally compelling characters. Some fans might be surprised, however, at the characters that fascinate other fans. For some fans of The Witcher, the best character is not Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill). Nor is it Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra) or Cirilla – more commonly known as Ciri – of Cintra (Freya Allan). Some fans' favorite character happens to be Geralt's friend, the bard Jaskier (Joey Batey). In this world full of interesting people, why are some fans so fascinated by Geralt's sidekick, who is mostly there for comic relief? Why is Jaskier such a fan favorite? Well, there are reasons that fans are so interested in Jaskier.
The world of The Witcher can be a dark one, so much so that a character like Jaskier might not seem to fit in at first glance. Yet, some fans believe he does and they are truly fascinated by his character as a result. So in this world of Witchers and sorceresses, magic and chaos, why is it a simple singer the one who stands out to some fans? What makes Jaskier so compelling? He has no magical abilities, nor is he particularly skilled at fighting. His main talent besides singing seems to be frustrating Geralt, yet he does not frustrate some fans. What is this bard's charm? Fans who are confused by his appeal don't fear, as the reasons are about to be revealed.
Since The Continent, the world written about in The Witcher, is such a dark one, points of light are rare. Therefore some fans might find Jaskier's optimism refreshing. For him to be able to look on the bright side in such a difficult world might be what some fans find so appealing. In addition, despite Geralt's occasional attempts to shake him off, Jaskier remains a close friend until near the end of the show.
Such loyalty is admirable, and that might also explain Jaskier's charm to some fans. Jaskier is the friend Geralt needs, and that might be what endears him to some fans. Despite how the majority of the Continent treats Witchers, Jaskier treats Geralt with nothing but respect. And that is certainly interesting. There's more, however, to why Jaskier fascinates some fans so much.
Another reason why Jaskier might be so intriguing is that he almost seems like a modern character dropped into a fantasy world. His awe at everything and almost childlike wonder seems like how many fans would react if they themselves were dropped into the world of The Witcher. And it probably doesn't hurt that his songs are so catchy. Many fans probably still have trouble getting "Toss A Coin To Your Witcher" out of their heads.
Jaskier is also easier to relate to, perhaps than Geralt or Yennefer or Ciri, at least for some fans. He is just an everyday person trying to get by in a sometimes hostile environment. Finally, Jaskier's main strength seems to be his ability to care for people. He truly cares about his friend Geralt and wants nothing but the best for him, even if he does sometimes go about it the wrong way.
Jaskier's fans can probably relate to this as well. Many people have probably been in that situation, wanting to help someone they care about but not knowing how to do so. Or trying to and having your attempts go badly. In The Witcher, Jaskier could probably learn from his mistakes with Geralt, and many people love a good story of redemption.
There's also another element, one that some fans might not fully understand. Yet, it is possible to explain this element as well. Some fans enjoy Geralt and Jaskier's friendship so much that they read it as romantic. This makes sense in a way since there is no doubt that Jaskier cares about Geralt, and such caring relationships are rare. Especially in the world of The Witcher, it would make sense for some, especially some LGBTQ+ fans, to see the relationship between Geralt and Jaskier as romantic.
Good LGBTQ+ representation is rare, which makes some fans add it in whenever there's chemistry. And Geralt and Jaskier certainly have that, whether it's platonic or romantic. The two men deeply care for each other, and that's what fans are picking up on. Of course, not every Jaskier fan will agree with all of these reasons. And not every fan will find Jaskier that interesting since everyone has a different perspective.
Whether one's favorite character is Geralt, Yennefer, Ciri, or Jaskier, all fans love the world of The Witcher. And in the end, that's what matters. Hopefully, though, fans who are not as fascinated by Jaskier can now understand fans that are. And even if it's still mystifying, all fans need to do is understand that opinions and preferences will always differ.