Frisk, the protagonist of the popular indie RPG Undertale, is one of the most mysterious and ambiguous characters in the game. Unlike most video game protagonists, Frisk has no defined gender, age, or even motivations, leaving much about them up to player interpretation.
Frisk’s Appearance
Physically, Frisk appears quite androgynous. They have chin-length brown hair and wear a striped shirt with brown pants and shoes. Their haircut and fashion sense defy gender norms, as does their neutral body type. Frisk lacks any discernible masculine or feminine features, with no broad shoulders or narrow hips to denote a specific sex. Even their name, Frisk, is gender-neutral.
In a world of monsters like Undertale, Frisk’s humanness already makes them stand out. Having an ambiguous gender on top of that further sets them apart as an enigmatic entity within the world. This Mystery enhances the idea of Frisk serving as a “blank slate” for players to imprint themselves onto.
The Importance of Player Projection
As an RPG protagonist, Frisk acts as the player’s avatar in Undertale’s world. Their ambiguous gender invites players of all identities to project themselves onto the character. If Frisk had a defined male or female identity, players who didn’t share that gender may have felt less connected to them.
Allowing players to envision themselves as Frisk, regardless of gender, helps them become more immersed in the story. It also avoids alienating players or making them feel excluded. Given Undertale’s emphasis on choice, morality, and forging connections, having an unspecified protagonist gender supports those themes.
Personal Connection Through Choice
By leaving Frisk’s gender open, players can shape their personality and backstory. The player names them at the start of the game, immediately establishing a sense of possession over the character. As Frisk navigates the monster-filled underworld, players directly control their choices, allowing further self-expression.
Choosing whether to kill or spare enemies, or how to interact with major characters like Sans, Papyrus, and Toriel comes down to the player. Are they merciful or violent? Do they crave friendship or isolation? Frisk becomes the embodiment of the player’s preferences.
Roleplaying Immersion
Roleplaying games thrive on immersion – making the player feel absorbed in the fictional world they explore. Undertale’s heavy emphasis on choice requires players to think carefully about Frisk’s personality and actions. If Frisk had a set gender, it may disrupt a player’s immersion if that gender didn’t align with the player.
Instead, Frisk’s gender ambiguity lets all players map themselves onto the character. Whether they envision themselves as male, female, or non-binary, players can roleplay as Frisk without difficulty. This strengthens the game’s immersive qualities and emotional impact.
Narrative Significance
Beyond player immersion, leaving Frisk’s gender undefined carries narrative weight. It allows certain themes and character moments to shine.
Emphasis on Souls Over Bodies
One core theme of Undertale is that souls have more significance than physical appearances. Monsters’ bodies evaporate instantly upon death, leaving only their soul behind. Human souls persist after death as well.
Frisk’s genderless body places emphasis on their soul over physical characteristics. Their humanity matters more than being male or female. Giving Frisk’s soul, the essence of their being, precedence over gender supports the game’s deeper themes.
Chara’s Gender Ambiguity
Frisk being genderless parallels the character of Chara, the fallen child who came before them. Chara’s gender is also left unspecified. Chara acts as a foil to Frisk – two genderless children climbing the same mountain for their own purposes.
Having both characters lack defined genders creates an interesting link. Their gender ambiguity unites them as similar beings taking divergent paths. This provides intriguing subtext for Frisk’s story.
Developer Intent
While fans have speculated about developer intent regarding Frisk’s gender, Undertale’s creator Toby Fox has never provided a definitive answer. However, some insights into his thought process exist.
Accessible Protagonist
In an interview, Fox shared:
“I did it because I wanted people to be able to imagine themselves as the characters they control without being constrained by something as ultimately meaningless as gender.”
This directly confirms the intention for Frisk to act as an accessible avatar for players of all gender identities. Fox deliberately avoided defining Frisk’s gender to make them as inclusive as possible.
Interpretation Over Canon
Fox also explained in the interview:
“I don’t tell anyone what Frisk’s gender is, because it’s up to interpretation.”
For Fox, giving players interpretive freedom oversteps establishing canonical details like gender. Leaving aspects of Frisk’s identity undefined means players can shape the protagonist based on their perspective.
Conclusion
While many video game protagonists have clearly defined genders, Frisk’s gender ambiguity stands as an intentional choice. It stems from a desire to let Undertale’s players imprint themselves onto Frisk, enhancing immersion and emotional impact.
Beyond player connection, lacking a gender supports Undertale’s themes and Frisk’s narrative role. It cements their place as a “soul” over a “body”, while linking them to other characters. Ultimately, keeping Frisk’s gender flexible allows more players to see themselves as Undertale’s pacifist hero.