characterizing; stereotyping; typecasting
Used when assigning a fixed personality or role to someone, often in a simplified or stereotypical way. Common in discussions about fiction, media, and social perception.
あのドラマはキャラ付けがはっきりしていてわかりやすい。
That drama has clear character typing, making it easy to follow.
彼はいつも真面目なキャラ付けをされている。
He is always stereotyped as the serious type.
Compound of キャラ (from English 'character') and 付け (noun form of 付ける 'to attach, assign'). The term emerged in modern Japanese media and internet culture.