I agree with you on that. I think a strong character - like Sophie, in "Howl" - is good no matter what age or sex. I personally usually like characters less if they're "genki" or "cute", but more if they seem to be one of those, but are much deeper than at first appearance. Thus, Naruto himself is a character I love, because despite the way he acts, he actually does have the burden of having been hated by so many people for no reason - and now that he has friends, the fact that he doesn't take them for granted as so many anime characters do makes me like him even more. I like many characters for traits based on what I would like real people for, and I think there are many people who don't. There are, of course, the fangirls who say "I like [for instance] Sasuke, because he's so cool and keeps himself away from everyone!" but to me it's more of "I don't like Sasuke because he acts like an asshole." This isn't bad, I don't think, I just don't understand only watching anime to idolize things you would hate in real life.

I just realized I am beggining to rant, so I shall stop now.