History Main / ManChild

* Beelzebub from ''FanFic/SonicXDarkChaos'' is an immature drug-fueled hedonist that would easily be the poster for a man child if he wasn't also incredibly [[AnythingThatMoves dangerous]].

* ''WebVideo/DragonBallAbridged'' portrays Nappa as this. In this story, he is a borderline disabled PsychopathicManchild whose dialogue mainly consists of [[CloudCuckooLander non-sequiturs]] and random annoyances to his partner [[TheComicallySerious Vegeta]] to the point that "Goddammit, Nappa!" has become his CatchPhrase.

* ''Radio/CabinPressure'' gives us Arthur Shappey, the relentlessly cheerful and optimistic steward of the aeroplane who is gullible to the point of idiocy, gets ridiculously excited over Christmas, [[MommasBoy still lives with his mother]], genuinely thinks it's possible for something to be [[CloudCuckoolander bigger than the box it's in]], has discovered the secret to true happiness, and thinks everything and everyone is utterly [[CatchPhrase ''brilliant'']]. And who once killed a man.

[[caption-width-right:286:Don't worry, he's eating according to the five elvish food groups[[note]] Candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup[[/note]].]]

* Manchild/{{Film}}

** At least Saber is reasonably mature, even if she's inexperienced and her wish is to childishly undo her mistakes. In ''LightNovel/FateApocrypha'' we meet Mordred ([[spoiler:Saber's child]]), who is not only [[YoungerThanTheyLook actually about ten years old]], but immature even for ''that'' age. She rarely listens when other people speak, spends a significant amount of time getting in fights with cats, and caused a rebellion against her father [[spoiler:because she knew being king was killing Saber]]. [[PoorCommunicationKills The entire myth of King Arthur would have gone very differently if she had any ability to have a mature conversation with her father]].

Sometimes people just fail to develop into social or intellectual maturity. Maybe it's due to a very loving but confining {{m|yBelovedSmother}}other or father, who don't suggest or won't let them get a job and move out, enabling their laziness or dependence instead. Maybe they were never taught any responsibility growing up, and now that they're adults, it's too late and they're set in their ways. Maybe they're a SpoiledBrat who's learned to manipulate their parents into doing what they want, and the parents came to the conclusion that it's just easier to indulge them than to fight about it. Or maybe they just didn't want to [[MommasBoy leave the nest]]. Maybe they've been [[GildedCage intentionally secluded]] from learning about the world. Or they grew up as a neglected orphan without a proper education or any guidance towards adult life. Maybe their parents or legal guardians simply failed to teach them how to do things like cook for themselves, keep their home clean, balance the checkbook, make and stick to a budget, pay bills and taxes, [[DoomItYourself do minor home repairs]], or change a tire. Maybe they were ''literally'' RaisedByWolves. Maybe it's the result of brain damage, [[AmbiguousDisorder an intellectual disability or developmental disorder]], or something [[ThisIsYourBrainOnEvil sinister]]. Perhaps they just never had [[InnocenceLost a life-changing moment]] involving [[DeathByNewberyMedal a shotgun and a beloved pet]]. Maybe it's just a form of MarsAndVenusGenderContrast, or they live in a society with certain gender roles, where one sex is expected to be [[CloserToEarth the responsible one]], and the other is not expected to be (and is not always ''taught'' to be). Who can say?

* Darryl and Wanda from ''ComicStrip/BabyBlues'' aren't really that much mature than their children (Zoe, Hammie and Wren) as Darryl can be seen engaging with childish activities with the kids and Wanda bawls like a baby when something goes really wrong for her.

[[caption-width-right:286:Santa Claus and his elves encouraged his inner child when they raised him.]]

Sometimes people just fail to develop into social or intellectual maturity. Maybe it's due to a very loving but confining {{m|yBelovedSmother}}other or [[OverprotectiveDad father]], who don't suggest or won't let them get a job and move out, enabling their laziness or dependence instead. Maybe they were never taught any responsibility growing up, and now that they're adults, it's too late and they're set in their ways. Maybe they're a SpoiledBrat who's learned to manipulate their parents into doing what they want, and the parents came to the conclusion that it's just easier to indulge them than to fight about it. Or maybe they just didn't want to [[MommasBoy leave the nest]]. Maybe they've been [[GildedCage intentionally secluded]] from learning about the world. Or they grew up as a neglected orphan without a proper education or any guidance towards adult life. Maybe their parents or legal guardians simply failed to teach them how to do things like cook for themselves, keep their home clean, balance the checkbook, make and stick to a budget, pay bills and taxes, [[DoomItYourself do minor home repairs]], or change a tire. Maybe they were ''literally'' RaisedByWolves. Maybe it's the result of brain damage, [[AmbiguousDisorder an intellectual disability or developmental disorder]], or something [[ThisIsYourBrainOnEvil sinister]]. Perhaps they just never had [[InnocenceLost a life-changing moment]] involving [[DeathByNewberyMedal a shotgun and a beloved pet]]. Maybe it's just a form of MarsAndVenusGenderContrast, or they live in a society with certain gender roles, where one sex is expected to be [[CloserToEarth the responsible one]], and the other is not expected to be (and is not always ''taught'' to be). Who can say?

* [[GadgeteerGenius Miu Iruma]] from ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'' has a penchant for making sex jokes, calling her classmates virgins while giving juvenile nicknames, and generally [[NoSocialSkills saying whatever comes to mind without filtering herself]], not that she seems to realise that [[InnocentlyInsensitive she is acting in terrible taste]]. In addition to her childish behaviour, her report card shows that she likes watching [[{{Kodomomuke}} TV shows for kids]].

-->-- '''Candace Flynn''', ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'', "Get That Bigfoot Outa My Face!"

On the BrainChain, the Man Child occupies a space between The CloudCuckoolander and TheDitz, but without necessarily becoming TheFool. He usually does not have TheFool's [[BornLucky luck]], but he doesn't necessarily play the role of the ButtMonkey either. Although the Man-Child is commonly portrayed as being mentally challenged, he does not necessarily have to be. In many cases, the character may be very intelligent, and even leave the [[WideEyedIdealist idealism]] aside and be very shrewd in business or career, but this only throws him deep in the UncannyValley when others [[PsychopathicManchild find out his emotional immaturity]]. Alternatively, his childlike qualities/way of thinking, when intelligently applied, can be a ''basis'' for his success as a businessman, in which case he's also TheWonka.

Does not relate to NeverGrewUp, because they physically did grow up - but never outgrew being attached to immature or childish things or behavior. SisterTrope (perhaps) to AdultsDressedAsChildren, although that trope is almost always played for laughs or borders on the [[UncannyValley grotesque]]. Compare {{Keet}}, OneOfTheKids, KiddieKid. For a villainous version, see PsychopathicManchild. Compare BasementDweller. Not related to ''Series/{{Manchild}}'', the British TV series, either. Compare and contrast TheThreeFacesOfAdam. Contrast with WiseBeyondTheirYears, where a child acts like an adult. Can overlap with OnlyOneFindsItFun for when the manchild is entertained by children's entertainment that fails to entertain the actual children.

Sometimes people just fail to develop into social or intellectual maturity. Maybe it's due to a very loving but confining {{m|yBelovedSmother}}other or [[OverprotectiveDad father]], who don't suggest or won't let them get a job and move out, enabling their laziness or dependence instead. Maybe they were never taught any responsibility growing up, and now that they're adults, it's too late and they're set in their ways. Maybe they're a SpoiledBrat who's learned to manipulate their parents into doing what they want, and the parents came to the conclusion that it's just easier to indulge them than to fight about it. Or maybe they just didn't want to [[MommasBoy leave the nest]]. Maybe they've been [[MeddlingParents intentionally secluded]] from learning about the world. Or they grew up as a neglected orphan without a proper education or any guidance towards adult life. Maybe their parents or legal guardians simply failed to teach them how to do things like cook for themselves, keep their home clean, balance the checkbook, make and stick to a budget, pay bills and taxes, [[DoomItYourself do minor home repairs]], or change a tire. Maybe they were ''literally'' RaisedByWolves. Maybe it's the result of brain damage, [[AmbiguousDisorder an intellectual disability or developmental disorder]], or something [[ThisIsYourBrainOnEvil sinister]]. Perhaps they just never had [[InnocenceLost a life-changing moment]] involving [[DeathByNewberyMedal a shotgun and a beloved pet]]. Maybe it's just a form of MarsAndVenusGenderContrast, or they live in a society with certain gender roles, where one sex is expected to be [[CloserToEarth the responsible one]], and the other is not expected to be (and is not always ''taught'' to be). Who can say?

* ManChild/AnimeAndManga
* ManChild/ComicBooks
* ManChild/{{Film}}
* ManChild/{{Literature}}
* ManChild/LiveActionTV
* ManChild/VideoGames
* ManChild/WebOriginal
* ManChild/{{Webcomics}}
* ManChild/WesternAnimation

** Nagisa herself is a mild example. Even in her 20s, she's still rather sensitive, playful, and eccentric. Much like her mom, this makes her all the more endearing and lovable.