MySQL converts the arguments of CHAR() function which is greater than 255 to multiple result bytes. For example, CHAR(260) is equivalent to CHAR(0,1,0,4). It can be more clear with the help of following statements −
mysql> Select HEX(CHAR(256)),HEX(CHAR(1,0)); +----------------+----------------+ | HEX(CHAR(256)) | HEX(CHAR(1,0)) | +----------------+----------------+ | 0100 | 0100 | +----------------+----------------+ 1 row in set (0.00 sec)
The above result set shows that CHAR(256) is equivalent to CHAR(1,0).