I don't mind imput or rebuttal at all. :) But I don't think we mean the same thing by 'real' in this case. A lot of Phantom is very purple, very over-the-top, talking about geniuses and angels and hidden underground labyrinths. To talk about realism in that context doesn't really work. But I'll basically explain it this way...

I've known a lot of very creative people who are outcasts. I've seen very brilliant or charismatic figures also be a little bit (or more than a little bit) nutty. I know that jealousy can do some very creepy things to people and the role of an outcast can make ANY problem said outcast is having really intense. Erik, to me, says something about those kinds of people. The way he chooses to respond to life, as well as other characters' reactions to him, tells me something about human nature.

Christine has her flaws, but a combination of love and compassion leads her to mature and make sacrifices. She tells me something about the depths of sacrifice you make for love, and also about fear and compassion.

I have never known a perfect hero, or even a perfect person. Christine has the lessons about the height and depth of love covered. So Raoul tells me absolutely nothing about humanity, almost seems outside the humanity of the other two players, so he doesn't seem 'real'. He seems like a prop.