What do you mean by character? Crazy bokeh, gradual tonal shift? Do you want aspherical sharpness and contrast, but that's not usually associated with character. Film or digital, color or B&W?
From my experience ...
Light Lens Lab 35mm Summicron, 8 element replica -- sharper than the original. I like the original better, but this one is well made, with a strong nod to the original, with more modern sharpness and contrast. Sometimes too much sharpness but that's a personal preference.
Voightlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton II SC or MC -- Useable wide open, characterful bokeh. Really very creative lens. Not overly sharp but not unsharp either. The SC shines with B&W.
I've heard great things about the 35mm Summaron, and I have one with a repair tech getting cleaned, but more of a tone monster from what I understand, not so much sharpness. In the last year I've recently been drawn to the single coated circa 60's Leica optics.
I shoot B&W film only now days, and think the asphericals are too sharp and contrast, but that's just my flavor preference. If that's what you want, consider a Voigtlander Ultron -- clean and sharp but wouldn't call it character.
Type 2/3 35/2 Summicron -- plenty sharp but not overly so, well made, lots of contrast. In its own way it has character; a transition period between old and modern Leica.
Might consider Mandler 35 which is a Chinese made 4th Summicron. Wouldn't call it a character lens, but clean and sharp.
