History Main / EscapistCharacter

While MarySue is generally defined as being a bad thing, some of the most widely loved characters in existence are {{Escapist Character}}s with any number of CommonMarySueTraits. While a [[DoneBadly badly written]] EscapistCharacter can come off as a MarySue, the key difference between the two is that a MarySue is the author's wish fulfillment fantasy, while the Escapist Character also functions as the ''audience'''s wish fulfillment fantasy.

Some members of the audience may [[AudienceSurrogate identify]] with a character and others may not identify with the same character. Whilst many audience member's WishFulfillment fantasies have ''common elements'', they are not all identical. Thus, the distinction between this and MarySue is very much a subjective matter.

Some members of the audience may identify with a character and others may not identify with the same character. Whilst many audience member's WishFulfillment fantasies have ''common elements'', they are not all identical. Thus, the distinction between this and MarySue is very much a subjective matter.

Please remember that conceptually, neither WishFulfillment nor {{Escapism}} [[TropesAreNotBad are bad.]] Compare the ShowyInvincibleHero see also: IJustWantToBeNormal, IJustWantToHaveFriends, IJustWantToBeSpecial, IJustWantToBeBadass wishes that are fulfilled by escapist characters

This is a [[SubjectiveTropes Subjective Trope]]. Some members of the audience may identify with a character and others may not identify with the same character. Whilst many audience member's WishFulfillment fantasies have ''common elements'', they are not all identical. Thus, the distinction between this and MarySue is very much a subjective matter. Of course, the fact that this trope is subjective does not mean the trope is not ''legitimate''; projecting oneself into specific characters for escapist purposes is a very well-acknowledged phenomenon.

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Please remember that conceptually, neither WishFulfillment nor {{Escapism}} [[TropesAreNotBad are bad.]] Compare the ShowyInvincibleHero see also : IJustWantToBeNormal ,IJustWantToHaveFriends, IJustWantToBeSpecial , IJustWantToBeBadass wishes that are fulfilled by escapist characters

Please remember that conceptually, neither WishFulfillment nor {{Escapism}} [[TropesAreNotBad are bad.]] Compare the ShowyInvincibleHero and BeneathTheMask
see also :
IJustWantToBeNormal ,IJustWantToHaveFriends, IJustWantToBeSpecial , IJustWantToBeBadass wishes that are fulfilled by escapist characters

* Yami Yugi from YuGiOh! I mean, what ShrinkingViolet hasn't wanted, at least once, to beat up the school bully and get away with it?

* Alucard from {{Hellsing}}. There's a reason why the series is considered to be well-written Twilight for men. Seras is also an example, as she goes from a police girl with a tragic past to an elite vampire soldier and even takes Alucard's position for a while.

** TheWeasly could be this to young viewers. Seeing a kid who could hold his own and had skills gradually prove himself to the crew as someone useful.

* [[FinalFantasyVII Cloud Strife]] appears to be this, just like every other video game protagonist around... at first. Turns out he's a deconstruction of it. [[spoiler: He's just a delusional average joe who has assumed the identity of an in-universe EscapistCharacter role model, Zack]], something he has to come to terms with (IE, that he needs to [[spoiler: be himself, and not his idealized version of the cooler, stronger, more impressive Zack]]. This is, of course, [[{{Flanderization}} Abandoned or ignored]] in most of the sequels, which stick with his cooler-but-not-endgame [[spoiler: mildly delusional]] persona.

->''Every engineer dreams about saving the universe and [[BoldlyComing having sex with aliens]]. This is much more glamorous than the real life of an engineer, which consists of hiding from the universe and having sex without the participation of other life forms. Consequently, ratings for "StarTrek" will remain high as long as they stay away from any realism.''

->''You're not a neglected orphan sleeping in a cupboard! You're a wizard! You're the bestest wizard of all and you're also great at sports and you had rich, wizardly parents who loved you so much they died for you (but you've still got their money) [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and also, we brought you birthday cake]]!''
-->-- '''Cleolinda Jones''' about ''HarryPotter'' in ''[[http://cleolinda.livejournal.com/602881.html My thoughts on Twilight]]'' et al.

Please remember that conceptually, neither WishFulfillment nor {{Escapism}} [[TropesAreNotBad are bad.]] Compare the ShowyInvincibleHero

IJustWantToBeNormal , IJustWantToBeSpecial , IJustWantToBeBadass wishes that are fulfilled by escapist characters

* One could argue that the popularity of the MagnificentBastard and HeroicSociopath is due to this. We as an audience can't help but like their confidence and charisma, and project onto them our desires to [[{{GIFT}} do what we want without reprimand.]]

* CaptainMarvel took up the WishFulfillment a notch by taking Billy Batson, a boy within the age range of the target demographic, and giving him the ability to transform into a superhero very much like [[{{Superman}} the one kids were into at the time]]. Unfortunately, the courts agreed with DC that it was a little too similar.