History Main / EscapistCharacter

* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' has Kurosaki Ichigo. A teenager who is an excellent student and beats the bullies in the face at the same time, skips school, gets more and more strength and fantastic super powers, practically free from adults and meets [[spoiler: and later marries Orihime Inoue, a very kind woman [[ChildhoodFriendRomance who loves him from childhood]]]] many [[MsFanservice hot girls]]. Besides, he's based on Goku as many others {{Shonen}} [[StockShonenHero protagonists]] and has practically all of his good qualities. Who doesn't want to be him?

* Don't forget Nobi of ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}'' fame! Getting constantly picked at school and grounded at home seems a lot more bearable with a {{Do Anything|Robot}} RobotBuddy.
* ''Manga/DragonBall'' has Son Goku. He is an AllLovingHero who is TheAce and HopeBringer among his friends and the universe at large. He is consider one of the strongest beings in the universe, regularly defeats super-powered aliens, androids, demons, and even gods, and can learn about any technique by just seeing it once. The fact that he was born weak and gained his strength through good old-fashioned hard work on top of being extremely talented endear him to a lot of people, which is part of why he is seen as a better main character than his son, who much more down to Earth. There's reason why he became a FountainOfExpies to many modern day {{Shonen}} [[StockShonenHero protagonists]] and often compared to ComicBook/{{Superman}}.

* ''Website/SCPFoundation'': [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-1230 SCP-1230]] is built on this. It's a book where you read it, and the next time you fall asleep you enter an extremely complex dream world where you are the protagonist of a troubled land. These worlds change depending on the user's expectations of fantasy adventure and [[YearInsideHourOutside years can pass inside the dream though you are not asleep for any longer than normal]]. The book has a consciousness and appears as a benign old man, but he warns users against trying to substitute their personal fantasy for reality. Though classified as Safe, all personnel accessing 1230 are required to undergo psychological examination before and after using the book, after an incident where a professor (who was also an avid player of tabletop roleplaying games) tried to [[EnforcedTrope enforce]] IChooseToStay and committed suicide when the attempt to keep his personal fantasy going on forever failed.

* ''ComicBook/TheUnbeatableSquirrelGirl'': Squirrel Girl embodies the lighter and more wonderous side of comics. Notably, a ''ComicBook/CivilWar2006'' tie-in featured Doreen lamenting that UsefulNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks had led to comics losing sight of their escapist elements.

** Rarity is also worth mentioning, as she’s considered stunningly beautiful InUniverse, with several guys developing a crush on her throughout the show and the comic series. She also has magical powers, a great fashion sense, and later achieves her dream of becoming a famous (and no doubt rich) fashion designer, which makes her more of an escapist character for anyone who has the same dream.

* Sol Badguy from ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'' is a rebel BountyHunter rocker who likes Music/{{Queen}} and can turn into a badass half-dragon and {{Curb Stomp|Battle}} most of the cast with only half his potential power. His character is so absolutely over-the-top that he'd be a textbook Gary Stu if he wasn't so ''damn cool'', or if he didn't actually have quite a rough past.

** Sonic himself is one of these. He's fast, powerful, and incredibly acrobatic and has several powerful transformations. He’s also [[FamedInStory world-famous]] and very often written as being a ChickMagnet. Who wouldn't want to be him? His rebellious attitude towards authority and his laidback, casual demeanor only help to further allow the player to project themselves on the Blue Blur.

* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' gives us an InUniverse example in the form of the JustForFun/DaringDo [[ShowWithinAShow books]] that Rainbow Dash becomes a fan of. Daring Do is an AdventurerArchaeologist in the vain of Franchise/IndianaJones who is fast, strong, smart, and an all around capable explorer who always gets the treasure and beats the bad guys. It's safe to assume that pretty much every pony in Equestria wants to be like Daring.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'': [[Characters/AmphibiaMarcyWu Marcy Wu]] is living out the dream of anyone who's ever read a TrappedInAnotherWorld story and found themselves saying "IWishItWereReal." Unlike Anne, she takes to Amphibia LikeADuckTakesToWater, becoming absolutely beloved in the city of Newtopia and having been taken in by the King himself, who is a fatherly mentor figure towards her. She trains in both combat and magic, and [[TookALevelInBadass takes several levels in badass]] compared to the absentminded nerd she was back home. In Amphibia, her smarts and [[GenreSavvy love of fantasy fiction]] are what make her cool and competent, and she and her two best friends are having an amazing adventure in a world beyond her imagination. Her whole situation is likely to be the envy of any socially awkward, nerdy viewers. [[spoiler:And all this takes a turn for the worse in the second season finale, which reveals she selfishly got herself and her friends stuck in Amphibia ''on purpose'', and doesn't even realize what she did was wrong until she sees her friends' horrifed reactions. To make matters worse, the events of the show end up deepening the already-present cracks the the trio's friendship, when her whole motivation was to make sure they could stay together. Oh, and the wise and benevolent mentor she found? He's a tyrant who was only using her, and stabs her InTheBack as soon as she turns on him. Her desire to live out her fantasy made her ''very'' easily manipulated, and cost her and her two dearest friends everything.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'': Before Daniel Fenton was turned into a half-ghost, he was your typical down-on-his-luck 14-year old dealing with bullies and the turmoil of school life. After getting mutated, he now gets to have amazing adventures fighting evil, takes on his tormentors with ease, meets all kinds of wild and crazy beings, and has near-singlehandedly [[SaveTheWorld saved the world]] a few times. He is also a ChickMagnet, and although he starts out as a HeroWithBadPublicity, he later becomes [[FamedInStory loved by the public, to the point that he appears on magazines, newspapers, and billboards, and gets mobbed by fans]].

* ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog'': Sonic in an [[TheAce ace]] of a superhero who always wins against the bad guys, usually very easily. He’s powerful, clever, and the fastest thing alive, as well as being [[ChickMagnet very popular with girls]] and a [[FamedInStory world-famous celebrity]] who’s loved and respected by everyone. To drive the point home, Sonic’s sidekick, Tails, idolizes him and talks a lot about how cool he is.

* [[Characters/Ben10BenTennyson Ben Tennyson]] from ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}}'' for all kids who would like to turn into superpowered aliens and go on exciting adventures. Even more so in [[WesternAnimation/Ben10AlienForce the]] [[WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien se]][[WesternAnimation/Ben10Omniverse quels]], where he eventually gets FamedInStory and becomes a ChickMagnet.

* ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'': Before Daniel Fenton was turned into a half-ghost, he was your typical down-on-his-luck 14-year old dealing with bullies and the turmoil of school life. After getting mutated, he now gets to have amazing adventures fighting evil, takes on his tormentors with ease, meets all kinds of wild and crazy beings and has near-singlehandedly [[SaveTheWorld saved the world]] a few times. He is also a ChickMagnet and although he starts out as a HeroWithBadPublicity, he later becomes [[FamedInStory loved by the public, to the point that he appears on magazines, newspapers, and billboards, and gets mobbed by fans]].

* ''ComicBook/{{WITCH}}'': Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia and Hay Lin are this for the franchise's intended target audience of young girls. They were once ordinary school girls who, after becoming the Guardians of Kandrakar, now have amazing elemental powers and have near-singlehandedly [[SaveTheWorld saved the world]] a couple times.

* ''Franchise/{{Tintin}}'': The titular protagonist from Herge's ''Tintin'' series could possibly qualify as one of these; he's a successful journalist embarking on incredible adventures accompanied by a medley of unusual comrades. Not only that, but Herge himself admitted that Tintin's [[TheEveryMan limited personality]] was a means of enabling readers to [[AudienceSurrogate assume Tintin's position]] and experience such great adventures, and that writing the books provided him Wish Fulfillment, having initially conceived Tintin as an idealized version of himself.

* ''VideoGame/{{Wario}}'' is one of these. He's rude and crude with a thirst for wealth and treasure, and isn't afraid to speak his mind. He gets to consume junk food 24/7, fights bad guys with ease, has [[Fiction500 a loaded bank account]], owns several castles, {{Cool Car}}s and even ''stadiums'', and even [[VideoGame/WarioWare owns and runs a successful video game developer/publisher]].

* ''VideoGame/{{Wario}}'' is one of these. He's rude and crude with a thirst for wealth and treasure, and isn't afraid to speak his mind. He gets to consume junk food 24/7, fights bad guys with ease, has [[Fiction500 a loaded bank account]], owns several castles, and even [[VideoGame/WarioWare owns and runs a successful video game developer/publisher]].

* Much of the appeal of Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin was that he said whatever he wanted and did whatever he wanted, got to beat up vile authority figures, and then cracked open a cold beer or six afterward.

* ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog'': Sonic in an [[TheAce ace]] of a superhero who always wins against the bad guys, usually very easily. He’s powerful, clever, and the fastest thing alive, as well as being [[ChickMagnet very popular with girls]] and a [[FamedInStory world-famous celebrity]] who’s loved and trusted by everyone. To drive the point home, Sonic’s sidekick, Tails, idolizes him and talks a lot about how cool he is.

* ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog'': Sonic in an [[TheAce ace]] of a superhero who always wins against the bad guys, usually very easily. He’s powerful, clever, and the fastest thing alive, as well as being [[ChickMagnet very popular with girls]] and a [[FamedInStory world-famous celebrity]] who’s loved and trusted by everyone. The drive the point home, his sidekick, Tails, idolizes Sonic and talks a lot about how cool he is.

* ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog'':
Sonic in an [[TheAce ace]] of a superhero who always wins against the bad guys, usually very easily. He’s powerful, clever, and the fastest thing alive, as well as being [[ChickMagnet very popular with girls]] and a [[FamedInStory world-famous celebrity]] who’s loved and trusted by everyone. The drive the point home, his sidekick, Tails, idolizes Sonic and talks a lot about how cool he is.

* [[Characters/Ben10BenTennyson Ben Tennyson]] from ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}}'' for all kids who would like to turn into any alien with superpowers that they want to. Even more so in [[WesternAnimation/Ben10AlienForce the]] [[WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien se]][[WesternAnimation/Ben10Omniverse quels]], where he eventually gets FamedInStory and becomes a ChickMagnet.

* [[Characters/Ben10BenTennyson Ben Tennyson]] from ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}}'' for all kids who would like to turn into any alien with superpowers that they want to. Even more so in [[WesternAnimation/Ben10AlienForce the]] [[WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien se]][[WesternAnimation/Ben10Omniverse quels]], where he eventually gets FamedInStory.

* ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'': Before Daniel Fenton was turned into a halfa, he was your typical down-on-his-luck 14-year old dealing with bullies and the turmoil of school life. After getting mutated, he now gets to have amazing adventures fighting evil, takes on his tormentors with ease, meets all kinds of wild and crazy beings and has near-single-handedly [[SaveTheWorld saved the world]] a few times.

* Chris Thorndyke from ''Anime/SonicX'' came off as this. He was originally meant to be written as a [[AudienceSurrogate character that the general audience can identify with]], but due to his wealthy life style and living with a family of very successful relatives, as well as being best friends with Sonic the Hedgehog and helping him foil Dr. Eggman's plans, it seems like the writers wrote Chris as a character that the audience would like to be rather than a character the audience can identify with. Sonic is an even greater example, being a very powerful, world-famous superhero, surrounded by friends who like and respect him and a girl who’s madly in love with him.

* ''ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}'': This is part of the reason why Deadpool saw a sudden burst in popularity after the release of the film adaptations of his comics. He achieves SuccessThroughInsanity via an large arsenal of guns, swords and other tools, he treats the FourthWall like it's nothing and can beat up those he doesn't like with little-to-no consequences.

* Batman himself in ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamAsylum''. Something is just so fun about terrorizing the inmates that it doesn't matter that, as normal, Batman is CrazyPrepared.
** When one terrified opponent asks "What ARE you?", the urge to reply (out loud) "I'm Batman" is almost irresistible.
** The developers, Rocksteady, explicitly stated that their games are about making the gamers feel as if they're Batman, making them fight like Batman and think like Batman.

* There's also the protagonist of ''VideoGame/BrutalLegend'': Eddie Riggs is a jaded roadie who feels his love for classic overdriven guitar riffs is underappreciated in an era of NuMetal {{emo}} teenage crap. He ends up in a world where his roadie skills allow him to create war machines and his guitar can make the {{emo}} kids' heads explode. This dude embodies every metalhead's secret fantasy.

* Dante of ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry''. A witty, snarky, badass [[HalfHumanHybrid Half-Demon]] HunterOfHisOwnKind who does all kinds of ridiculous over-the-top stylish stunts in both gameplay ''and'' cutscenes and runs his own kickass [[DemonSlaying Demon Hunting]] business. Who ''wouldn't'' want to be as cool as him?
** Dante borders on subversion in the [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry1 first game]]. Sure he wields incredible power and kicks a lot of ass, but he's also shown to have a lot of SurvivorsGuilt, be the AngstySurvivingTwin and can even verge on SadClown, depending on how his fears and traumas are interpreted. ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening'' on the other hand, takes this trope and ''runs with it.''

* Apparently, Creator/TimSchafer designed Raz from ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'' to be this. This is why he's human; originally, the game was going to be about a psychic ostrich. ''Seriously.''

* Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog. He's fast, powerful, and incredibly acrobatic and has several powerful transformations. He’s also [[FamedInStory world-famous]] and very often written as being a ChickMagnet. Who wouldn't want to be him? His rebellious attitude towards authority and his laidback, casual demeanor only help to further allow the player to project themselves on the Blue Blur. Shadow counts too.
** Shadow may be even more obvious in fact. He's almost as strong as Knuckles, as fast as Sonic thanks to his [[RollerbladeGood jet rollerblades]], uses guns, cars, cursing, and can choose whichever side he wants be on at any given moment. He's immortal, very intelligent, and pretty much has magical/super powers along with several transformations. [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking And he kicked Silver in the back of the head.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017'' has [[Characters/DuckTales2017ScroogeMcDuck Scrooge McDuck]], who is rich beyond belief, talented at nearly everything, is smart and able to think his way of everything, and has a loving family and employs colorful and interesting people. Who wouldn't want to be in his shoes?

* ''ComicBook/ThePunisherMAX'': The Frank Castle character from the MAX imprint is particularly popular among those who '''strongly dislike''' criminals. Seriously, many people who truly despise criminals consider watching Frank Castle torture and slowly and painfully kill criminals to be the most satisfying thing they could see in a comic. Similarly, for obvious reasons, Frank is immensely popular among readers with right-leaning political tendencies, as well as among state officials such as police officers and military personnel. This inclination was even acknowledged in the movie ''Film/AmericanSniper'', where one of the main characters' fellow [=SEAL=]s can be seen reading the first arc of the comic.

* ''ComicBook/ThePunisherMAX'': The Frank Castle character from the MAX imprint is particularly popular among people who hate criminals, ''especially'' among [[PayEvilUntoEvil those who believe that any violent criminal is deserving of death]]. Similarly, for obvious reasons, Frank is immensely popular among readers with right-leaning political tendencies, as well as among state officials such as police officers and military personnel. This inclination was even acknowledged in the movie ''Film/AmericanSniper'', where one of the main characters' fellow [=SEAL=]s can be seen reading the first arc of the comic.

* ''ComicBook/ThePunisherMAX'': MAX!Frank Castle is particularly popular among people who hate criminals, ''especially'' among [[PayEvilUntoEvil those who believe that any violent criminal is deserving of death]]. Similarly, for obvious reasons, the Frank Castle character from the MAX imprint is immensely popular among readers with right-leaning political tendencies, as well as among state officials such as police officers and military personnel. This inclination was even acknowledged in the movie ''Film/AmericanSniper'', where one of the main characters' fellow SEALs can be seen reading the first arc of the comic.

* ''ComicBook/ThePunisherMAX'': MAX!Frank Castle is particularly popular among people who hate criminals, ''especially'' among those who believe that any violent criminal is deserving of death.

* ''ComicBook/ThePunisherMAX'': Frank Castle is particularly popular among people who hate criminals, ''especially'' among those who believe that any criminal is deserving of death.