Oh, gosh. I forgot to unlock the FAQs page! (wtg self, that's what i wanted the most feedback on)

Yes, the AC requirements are:

To pass AC, we ask that you meet twenty (20) comments throughout the month, split between at least two characters.

The lowest threshold for qualifying AC is five (5) comments from your character.

That means, at the very least, you can make AC by having spread out to four characters, so long as you have five comments of your own.

And, yeah! I'm definitely leaning toward the "taken" section the way you've described. Thanks for the input!