diff --git a/app/Console/Commands/AddSiteSettings.php b/app/Console/Commands/AddSiteSettings.php
index c2d344059..d2449453a 100644
--- a/app/Console/Commands/AddSiteSettings.php
+++ b/app/Console/Commands/AddSiteSettings.php
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ public function handle() {
 
         $this->addSiteSetting('group_currency', 1, 'ID of the group currency to award from gallery submissions (if enabled).');
 
-        $this->addSiteSetting('character_likes', 1, '0: Characters can be liked only once, 1: Characters can be liked daily.');
+        $this->addSiteSetting('daily_character_likes', 1, '0: Characters can be liked only once, 1: Characters can be liked daily.');
 
         $this->addSiteSetting('character_likes_leaderboard_enable', 1, '0: Disable leaderboard, 1: Enable leaderboard.');
 
diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/BrowseController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/BrowseController.php
index a5ec7025f..3d3f9492a 100644
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/BrowseController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/BrowseController.php
@@ -651,33 +651,22 @@ public function getSublist(Request $request, $key) {
      * @return \Illuminate\Contracts\Support\Renderable
      */
     public function getLikesLeaderboard(Request $request) {
-        //this is a mess. please don't look.
-
-        //abort if logged out to reduce strain
-        if (!Auth::check()) {
-            abort(404);
-        }
-
-        //check if enabled, if not, there's no point to fetch anything lol
-        if (!Settings::get('character_likes_leaderboard_enable')) {
+        if (!Auth::check() || !Settings::get('character_likes_leaderboard_enable')) {
             abort(404);
         }
 
-        //fetch characters
         $query = Character::with('user.rank')->with('image.features')->with('rarity')->with('image.species')->myo(0)->where(function ($query) {
             //only display characters whose users allow likes
             $query = $query->whereRelation('user.settings', 'allow_character_likes', 1);
         });
 
         $imageQuery = CharacterImage::images(Auth::check() ? Auth::user() : null)->with('features')->with('rarity')->with('species')->with('features');
-
         $query->whereIn('id', $imageQuery->pluck('character_id')->toArray());
-
         $randomcharacter = $query->visible()->get()->random(1)->first() ?? null;
 
-        if ($request->get('name')) {
+        if ($request->get('id')) {
             $query->where(function ($query) use ($request) {
-                $query->where('characters.name', 'LIKE', '%'.$request->get('name').'%')->orWhere('characters.slug', 'LIKE', '%'.$request->get('name').'%');
+                $query->where('characters.id', $request->get('id'));
             });
         }
 
@@ -705,6 +694,7 @@ public function getLikesLeaderboard(Request $request) {
 
         return view('browse.character_likes_leaderboard', [
             'isMyo'           => false,
+            'sortCharacters'  => Character::visible(Auth::user() ?? null)->get()->pluck('fullName', 'id')->toArray(),
             'characters'      => $query->get()->$sort('likeTotal')->paginate(24)->appends($request->query()),
             'sublists'        => Sublist::orderBy('sort', 'DESC')->get(),
             'userOptions'     => User::query()->orderBy('name')->pluck('name', 'id')->toArray(),
diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/Characters/CharacterController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/Characters/CharacterController.php
index 1fcfe7d02..b73f41516 100644
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/Characters/CharacterController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/Characters/CharacterController.php
@@ -52,10 +52,6 @@ public function __construct() {
 
             $this->character->updateOwner();
 
-            if (Auth::check()) {
-                Auth::user()->checkLike($this->character);
-            }
-
             if (config('lorekeeper.extensions.previous_and_next_characters.display')) {
                 $query = Character::myo(0);
                 // Get only characters of this category if pull number is limited to category
@@ -566,25 +562,27 @@ public function postLikeCharacter(Request $request, CharacterManager $service, $
             abort(404);
         }
 
-        //owned by same user
-        if (Auth::user()->id == $this->character->user->id) {
-            abort(404);
-        }
-
-        //user disabled likes
-        if (!$this->character->user->settings->allow_character_likes) {
+        if (Auth::user()->id == $this->character->user->id || !$this->character->user->settings->allow_character_likes) {
             abort(404);
         }
 
-        if ($service->likeCharacter($this->character, Auth::user())) {
-            flash('Character '.__('character_likes.liked').' successfully.')->success();
-        } else {
+        if (!$service->likeCharacter($this->character, Auth::user())) {
+            $message = [];
             foreach ($service->errors()->getMessages()['error'] as $error) {
-                flash($error)->error();
+                $message[] = $error;
             }
+
+            return response()->json([
+                'success' => false,
+                'message' => implode(' ', $message),
+            ]);
         }
 
-        return redirect()->back();
+        return response()->json([
+            'success' => true,
+            'message' => 'That was very skibidi of you.',
+            'likes'   => Settings::get('daily_character_likes') ? $this->character->likes->count() : $this->character->likes()->sum('total_likes'),
+        ]);
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/app/Models/Character/Character.php b/app/Models/Character/Character.php
index 5ccfa419d..2b74581f3 100644
--- a/app/Models/Character/Character.php
+++ b/app/Models/Character/Character.php
@@ -195,10 +195,10 @@ public function items() {
     }
 
     /**
-     * Get all of the likes that are not NULL.
+     * Get all of the likes.
      */
-    public function characterLikes() {
-        return $this->hasMany('App\Models\Character\CharacterLike')->where('character_id', $this->id)->whereNotNull('liked_at');
+    public function likes() {
+        return $this->hasMany(CharacterLike::class)->where('character_id', $this->id);
     }
 
     /**********************************************************************************************
@@ -571,14 +571,9 @@ public function notifyBookmarkers($type) {
     /**
      * Return like count based on site setting.
      *
-     * Will always return the accurate count even if settings are flip flopped around (i am paranoid.)
+     * Will always return the accurate count even if settings are flipped in future.
      */
     public function getLikeTotalAttribute() {
-        //can like only once
-        if (!Settings::get('character_likes')) {
-            return $this->characterLikes->count();
-        } else {
-            return $this->profile->like_count;
-        }
+        return Settings::get('daily_character_likes') ? $this->likes->count() : $this->likes()->sum('total_likes');
     }
 }
diff --git a/app/Models/Character/CharacterLike.php b/app/Models/Character/CharacterLike.php
index efe394d6e..6474e5b2a 100644
--- a/app/Models/Character/CharacterLike.php
+++ b/app/Models/Character/CharacterLike.php
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 namespace App\Models\Character;
 
 use App\Models\Model;
+use App\Models\User\User;
 
 class CharacterLike extends Model {
     /**
@@ -11,7 +12,7 @@ class CharacterLike extends Model {
      * @var array
      */
     protected $fillable = [
-        'character_id', 'user_id', 'liked_at',
+        'character_id', 'user_id', 'liked_at', 'total_likes',
     ];
 
     /**
@@ -22,11 +23,13 @@ class CharacterLike extends Model {
     protected $table = 'character_likes';
 
     /**
-     * Dates on the model to convert to Carbon instances.
+     * The attributes that should be cast to native types.
      *
      * @var array
      */
-    public $dates = ['liked_at'];
+    protected $casts = [
+        'liked_at' => 'datetime',
+    ];
 
     /**********************************************************************************************
 
@@ -38,19 +41,13 @@ class CharacterLike extends Model {
      * Character associated with the like.
      */
     public function character() {
-        return $this->belongsTo('App\Models\Character\Character', 'character_id');
+        return $this->belongsTo(Character::class, 'character_id');
     }
 
     /**
      * User associated with the like.
      */
     public function user() {
-        return $this->belongsTo('App\Models\User\User', 'user_id');
+        return $this->belongsTo(User::class, 'user_id');
     }
-
-    /**********************************************************************************************
-
-        ATTRIBUTES
-
-    **********************************************************************************************/
 }
diff --git a/app/Models/Character/CharacterProfile.php b/app/Models/Character/CharacterProfile.php
index 0487b6a69..1e58dc400 100644
--- a/app/Models/Character/CharacterProfile.php
+++ b/app/Models/Character/CharacterProfile.php
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ class CharacterProfile extends Model {
      * @var array
      */
     protected $fillable = [
-        'character_id', 'text', 'parsed_text', 'link', 'like_count',
+        'character_id', 'text', 'parsed_text', 'link',
     ];
 
     /**
diff --git a/app/Models/User/User.php b/app/Models/User/User.php
index a577d23a0..283a2aa73 100644
--- a/app/Models/User/User.php
+++ b/app/Models/User/User.php
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 use App\Facades\Settings;
 use App\Models\Character\Character;
 use App\Models\Character\CharacterBookmark;
+use App\Models\Character\CharacterLike;
 use App\Models\Character\CharacterImageCreator;
 use App\Models\Comment\CommentLike;
 use App\Models\Currency\Currency;
@@ -200,7 +201,7 @@ public function commentLikes() {
      * Get all of the user's character like data.
      */
     public function characterLikes() {
-        return $this->hasMany('App\Models\Character\CharacterLike')->where('user_id', $this->id);
+        return $this->hasMany(CharacterLike::class)->where('user_id', $this->id);
     }
 
     /**********************************************************************************************
@@ -374,7 +375,7 @@ public function getDisplayAliasAttribute() {
             return '(Unverified)';
         }
 
-        return $this->primaryAlias->displayAlias;
+        return $this->primaryAlias?->displayAlias ?? '(No Alias)';
     }
 
     /**
@@ -682,62 +683,27 @@ public function hasBookmarked($character) {
         return CharacterBookmark::where('user_id', $this->id)->where('character_id', $character->id)->first();
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Check the user's like for the character.
-     *
-     * @param mixed $character
-     */
-    public function checkLike($character) {
-        //check for the like and create if nonexistent
-
-        $like = $this->characterLikes()->where('character_id', $character->id)->first();
-
-        if (!$like) {
-            $createdlike = $this->characterLikes()->create([
-                'user_id'          => $this->id,
-                'character_id'     => $character->id,
-            ]);
-            $this->refresh();
-            $createdlike->refresh();
-        }
-    }
-
     /**
      * Check if user can like the character again.
      *
      * @param mixed $character
+     * 
+     * @return bool
      */
     public function canLike($character) {
-        //triplecheck that a like exists even though we spammed this check literally everywhere.
-        $like = $this->characterLikes()->where('character_id', $character->id)->first();
+        if (!$character->user->settings->allow_character_likes) {
+            return false;
+        }
 
+        $like = $this->characterLikes()->where('character_id', $character->id)->first();
         if (!$like) {
-            $createdlike = $this->characterLikes()->create([
-                'user_id'          => $this->id,
-                'character_id'     => $character->id,
-            ]);
-            $this->refresh();
-            $createdlike->refresh();
+            return true;
         }
 
-        //user disabled likes on their characters
-        if (!$character->user->settings->allow_character_likes) {
+        if (!Settings::get('daily_character_likes') || ($like->liked_at && $like->liked_at->isToday())) {
             return false;
         }
 
-        //already liked
-        if ($like->liked_at) {
-            //can only like once
-            if (!Settings::get('character_likes')) {
-                return false;
-            }
-            //can like daily
-            if ($like->liked_at->isToday()) {
-                return false;
-            }
-        }
-
-        //else you can :)
         return true;
     }
 }
diff --git a/app/Services/CharacterManager.php b/app/Services/CharacterManager.php
index 75419d0af..abbfc8a92 100644
--- a/app/Services/CharacterManager.php
+++ b/app/Services/CharacterManager.php
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 use App\Models\Character\CharacterCurrency;
 use App\Models\Character\CharacterDesignUpdate;
 use App\Models\Character\CharacterFeature;
+use App\Models\Character\CharacterLike;
 use App\Models\Character\CharacterImage;
 use App\Models\Character\CharacterTransfer;
 use App\Models\Sales\SalesCharacter;
@@ -1842,31 +1843,28 @@ public function likeCharacter($character, $user) {
         DB::beginTransaction();
 
         try {
-            //throw in another like check
-            $user->checkLike($character);
-
-            //check all the like criteria
             if (!$user->canLike($character)) {
                 throw new \Exception('You cannot '.__('character_likes.like').' this character.');
             }
 
-            //character is owned by you!
             if ($user->id == $character->user->id) {
                 throw new \Exception('You cannot '.__('character_likes.like').' a character that you own.');
             }
 
-            //character's owner disabled likes
             if (!$character->user->settings->allow_character_likes) {
                 throw new \Exception("This character's user is not allowing ".__('character_likes.likes').'.');
             }
 
-            //increment like count
-            $character->profile->like_count += 1;
-            $character->profile->save();
-
             //mark the like as liked now
             $like = $user->characterLikes()->where('character_id', $character->id)->first();
+            if (!$like) {
+                $like = CharacterLike::create([
+                    'user_id'      => $user->id,
+                    'character_id' => $character->id,
+                ]);
+            }
             $like->liked_at = Carbon::now();
+            $like->total_likes += 1;
             $like->save();
 
             return $this->commitReturn(true);
diff --git a/database/migrations/2024_03_19_235014_add_character_likes.php b/database/migrations/2024_03_19_235014_add_character_likes.php
index 84a581c71..7539424b6 100644
--- a/database/migrations/2024_03_19_235014_add_character_likes.php
+++ b/database/migrations/2024_03_19_235014_add_character_likes.php
@@ -13,13 +13,10 @@ public function up() {
             $table->id();
             $table->unsignedInteger('character_id');
             $table->unsignedInteger('user_id');
+            $table->integer('total_likes')->default(0);
             $table->timestamp('liked_at')->nullable()->default(null);
         });
 
-        Schema::table('character_profiles', function (Blueprint $table) {
-            $table->unsignedInteger('like_count')->default(0);
-        });
-
         Schema::table('user_settings', function (Blueprint $table) {
             $table->boolean('allow_character_likes')->default(true);
         });
@@ -30,9 +27,6 @@ public function up() {
      */
     public function down() {
         Schema::dropIfExists('character_likes');
-        Schema::table('character_profiles', function (Blueprint $table) {
-            $table->dropColumn('like_count');
-        });
         Schema::table('user_settings', function (Blueprint $table) {
             $table->dropColumn('allow_character_likes');
         });
diff --git a/resources/views/browse/character_likes_leaderboard.blade.php b/resources/views/browse/character_likes_leaderboard.blade.php
index 7e65f2d81..0cbd6014d 100644
--- a/resources/views/browse/character_likes_leaderboard.blade.php
+++ b/resources/views/browse/character_likes_leaderboard.blade.php
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@
         {!! Form::open(['method' => 'GET']) !!}
         <div class="form-inline justify-content-end">
             <div class="masterlist-search-field">
-                {!! Form::label('name', 'Character Name/Code: ', ['class' => 'mr-2']) !!}
-                {!! Form::text('name', Request::get('name'), ['class' => 'form-control']) !!}
+                {!! Form::label('id', 'Character Name/Code: ', ['class' => 'mr-2']) !!}
+                {!! Form::select('id', $sortCharacters, null, ['class' => 'form-control selectize mt-2', 'style' => 'width: 250px', 'placeholder' => 'Select a Character']) !!}
             </div>
             <div class="masterlist-search-field">
                 {!! Form::label('owner', 'Owner Username: ') !!}
@@ -74,3 +74,10 @@
 
     <div class="text-center mt-4 small text-muted">{{ $characters->total() }} result{{ $characters->total() == 1 ? '' : 's' }} found.</div>
 @endsection
+@section('scripts')
+    <script>
+        $(document).ready(function() {
+            $('.selectize').selectize();
+        });
+    </script>
+@endsection
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/resources/views/character/_header.blade.php b/resources/views/character/_header.blade.php
index 05799b29d..9583a96cc 100644
--- a/resources/views/character/_header.blade.php
+++ b/resources/views/character/_header.blade.php
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+<div id="characterMessage"></div>
 @if (!$character->is_myo_slot && config('lorekeeper.extensions.previous_and_next_characters.display') && isset($extPrevAndNextBtnsUrl))
     @if ($extPrevAndNextBtns['prevCharName'] || $extPrevAndNextBtns['nextCharName'])
         <div class="row mb-4">
@@ -32,17 +33,28 @@
 <h1 class="mb-0">
     @if (!$character->is_myo_slot)
         @if ($character->user && $character->user->settings->allow_character_likes)
-            <div class="btn btn-primary float-right ml-2" data-toggle="tooltip" title="{{ ucfirst(__('character_likes.liked')) }}
-                {{ $character->likeTotal }} times">
-                <i class="fas fa-star"></i> {{ $character->likeTotal }}</a>
+            <div class="float-right ml-2" data-toggle="tooltip" title="{{ ucfirst(__('character_likes.liked')) }} {{ $character->likeTotal }} times">
+                <div class="btn btn-primary">
+                    <i class="fas fa-star"></i> <span class="like-count">{{ $character->likeTotal }}</span>
+                </div>
             </div>
         @endif
-        @if (Auth::check() && $character->user && $character->user->settings->allow_character_likes && Auth::user()->canLike($character) && Auth::user()->id != $character->user_id)
-            <span class="float-right float-top ml-2 align-content-center">
-                {!! Form::open(['url' => $character->url . '/like']) !!}
-                {!! Form::submit(ucfirst(__('character_likes.like')), ['class' => 'btn btn-success']) !!}
-                {!! Form::close() !!}
-            </span>
+        @if (Auth::check() && $character->user && $character->user->settings->allow_character_likes)
+            @if (Auth::user()->canLike($character) && Auth::user()->id != $character->user_id)
+                <div class="float-right ml-2">
+                    <div class="btn btn-primary like text-center" data-toggle="tooltip" title="Like this character to show your appreciation!">
+                        Like
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+            @else
+                @if (Auth::user()->id != $character->user_id)
+                    <div class="float-right ml-2">
+                        <div class="btn btn-success text-center" data-toggle="tooltip" title="You have already liked this character!">
+                            Liked!
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                @endif
+            @endif
         @endif
     @endif
     @if (config('lorekeeper.extensions.character_status_badges'))
@@ -60,8 +72,12 @@ class="fas fa-comments-dollar"></i></span>
     @endif
     @if ($character->is_visible && Auth::check() && $character->user_id != Auth::user()->id)
         <?php $bookmark = Auth::user()->hasBookmarked($character); ?>
-        <a href="#" class="btn btn-outline-info float-right bookmark-button ml-2" data-id="{{ $bookmark ? $bookmark->id : 0 }}" data-character-id="{{ $character->id }}"><i class="fas fa-bookmark"></i>
-            {{ $bookmark ? 'Edit Bookmark' : 'Bookmark' }}</a>
+        <div href="#" class="float-right bookmark-button ml-2" data-id="{{ $bookmark ? $bookmark->id : 0 }}" data-character-id="{{ $character->id }}">
+            <div class="btn btn-outline-info">
+                <i class="fas fa-bookmark"></i>
+                {{ $bookmark ? 'Edit Bookmark' : 'Bookmark' }}
+            </div>
+        </div>
     @endif
     @if (config('lorekeeper.extensions.character_TH_profile_link') && $character->profile->link)
         <a class="btn btn-outline-info float-right" data-character-id="{{ $character->id }}" href="{{ $character->profile->link }}"><i class="fas fa-home"></i> Profile</a>
@@ -80,6 +96,25 @@ class="fas fa-comments-dollar"></i></span>
 
 
 <script>
+    $('.like').on('click', function () {
+        var $this = $(this);
+        $.ajax({
+            url: '{{ $character->url }}/like',
+            type: 'POST',
+            data: {
+                _token: '{{ csrf_token() }}',
+            },
+            success: function (data) {
+                $this.removeClass('btn-primary').addClass('btn-success').text('Liked!');
+                $('.like-count').text(data.likes);
+                $('#characterMessage').html('<div class="alert alert-success">' + data.message + '</div>');
+
+            }, error: function (data) {
+                $('#characterMessage').html('<div class="alert alert-danger">' + data.message + '</div>');
+            }
+        });
+    });
+
     $('#copy').on('click', async (e) => {
         await window.navigator.clipboard.writeText("{{ $character->slug }}");
         e.currentTarget.classList.remove('toCopy');