History Main / UniquenessValue

** The various alien species who are in genuinely desperate straits, but whose plan to save their species inevitably requires human deaths may invoke this trope. For example, in ''The Vampires Of Venice'' the monster of the week needs to destroy Renaissance Venice to save her people. The fact that the Doctor inevitably chooses to doom a sapient species to extinction rather than sacrifice a relatively small number of humans is commented on as evidence of his favouritism towards humanity (rather then, say, stopping an EvilPlan).

** Spock is, however a half human, and [[spoiler: Nimoy's Spock is the only member from the original continuity in this newly split-off alternate continuity universe. Both Spocks are pretty unique in addition to being one of a few remaining Vulcans.]]

* Toothless of WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon is likely the LastOfHisKind, and Hiccup was [[spoiler: thought to be the first to tame and ride a dragon, until the sequel revealed that his mother beat him to that years before him.]] He's still the only one to wound, tame, and ride a Night Fury however, which is quite a accomplishment considering no one had ever even ''seen'' one before.

Maybe this is why both characters, readers, and the author place so much sympathy and interest in these characters. FacelessMooks may [[WhatMeasureIsAMook die and be killed by the dozens without anyone batting an eyelid]], but the hero will try to spare [[BigBad their boss]] who is The Last Atlantean Wizard. [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman No one cares about destroying robots or [=AIs=]]]... unless they they have a unique and interesting personality. Or say there's a race of goo-people who are all clones and part of a HiveMind? [[ImmortalLifeIsCheap Finding ways to toast them would become a TV-show.]]

Relatedly, these unique characters will not just be rare, but powerful. Usually "their kind" is already powerful (which may be [[GenocideBackfire why there aren't any more of them left)]], but being their last representative gives the character a power boost much like the InverseNinjaLaw, sort of an inverse of being a SuperPrototype. Although a super prototype is also generally unique in some way compared to the production models, which die easily, so it could go either way.

Humans value the useful, the aesthetically pleasing, and the rare-- so it is not surprising that we have a deep fascination with characters, races, or objects that are unique. Be it an artifact from a bygone age, a creature that is the LastOfHisKind, or the last knight of an ancient and honorable order. Basically, the more relevant to the story a unique person or object is, the more valuable and worth preserving they are. Friends will fight to protect him, enemies to destroy him, and some even to [[CollectorOfTheStrange possess him.]] Underscoring this is the reverse, that anyone/thing who isn't unique is vastly more expendable.

[[folder:Anime]]

[[folder: Films -- Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLastUnicorn'' is so very, very precious to all involved because she is the [[LastOfHisKind last of her kind]]. However, after [[spoiler: freeing all the other unicorns]] she remains unique because she's the only one to have ever experienced (and will remember) human emotion.

* ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon2:'' The Bewilderbeast is not the LastOfHisKind, but the species is close to extinction. As a species, they are unique because they are the only kind of dragon that breathes ice.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

-->'''John''': Why don't you leave me alone Scorpy?
-->'''Scorpius''': Because the wormhole technology locked in your brain makes you, to my knowledge, unique in the galaxy.
-->'''John''': (muttering under his breath) Unique.
-->'''Scorpius''': And unique, is always valuable.

--> '''Bart''': Mohican? I thought you guys were all gone.
--> '''Mohican''': No, but we encourage the myth. Chicks really dig you when you're the last of something.

* Rewind provides an example of this for ''ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye''. In the pre-war era, Transformers were ranked and given rights based on the rarity of their alternate mode. Transformers that turned into data storage equipment were the most common and were known as the [[SlaveRace Disposable Class]]. In the present-day, millions of years later there are so few members left and the ones that remain hold so much information, that they are among the few Autobots that can apply for combat exemption.

* ''Film/StarTrek'' has [[spoiler: Vulcan be destroyed, rendering Spock, along with the few thousands of surviving Vulcans, an EndangeredSpecies. Although, interestingly, Spock himself is ''not'' unique.]]

* Once Cylons in ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'' lost the ability to resurrect, killing them got a ''lot'' more meaningful. Also, the Final Five (and Three after she was unboxed, as the page quote shows) are individuals, designed most of the Cylon tech, and know the way to Earth, making them some of the most unique and valuable people in existence.

* In ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'', the Gems' FantasticCasteSystem appears to at least partially run on this. Rarer Gem-types--such as [[{{Seers}} Sapphires]]--rank higher than more common Gem-types--such as [[{{Mooks}} Rubies]] and [[ServantRace Pearls]]. Ranking above them all are the Diamonds--of which only three are known to exist. [[spoiler: Formerly four]].

* There are implications throughout the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' anime that Ash's Pikachu is overly strong for its species [[DependingOnTheWriter (well, usually, ignore a certain Snivy)]], such as its tendency to defeat various Raichu (it's evolution that logically should be a stronger version of itself), and Team Rocket's statement in a early episode that it's "way beyond it's evolutionary level," which is why they start following Ash around for the entire series and repetitively trying to steal it. It's also one of the few Pokemon shown that dislike Pokeballs.

* In ''Webcomic/TheWotch,'' the Unicarn demon is the last of it's kind, because as a child, it wiped out the rest of its people. [[EnfanteTerrible As a child.]] When he grew up, he REALLY started to regret that...

Maybe this is why both characters, readers, and the author place so much sympathy and interest in these characters. FacelessMooks may [[WhatMeasureIsAMook die and be killed by the dozens without anyone batting an eyelid]], but the hero will try to spare [[BigBad their boss]] who is The Last Atlantean Wizard. [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman No one cares about destroying robots or AI's]]... unless they they have a unique and interesting personality. Or say there's a race of goo-people who are all clones and part of a HiveMind? [[ImmortalLifeIsCheap Finding ways to toast them would become a TV-show.]]

* There are implications throughout the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' anime that Ash's Pikachu is overly strong for it's species [[DependingOnTheWriter (well, usually, ignore a certain Snivy)]], such as it's tendency to defeat various Raichu (it's evolution that logically should be a stronger version of itself), and Team Rocket's statement in a early episode that it's "way beyond it's evolutionary level," which is why they start following Ash around for the entire series and repetitively trying to steal it. It's also one of the few Pokemon shown that dislike Pokeballs.

* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': Kaiba Gunrai seeks out the unique all the time and spend much in the way of time and money in this pursuit. It's part of his eternal hobby. Except, he ''hates'' unique things. Unique things can't be mass produced and commoditized and thus they represent something outside of his sphere of influence. He seeks unique things so that he can copy them and thus strip them of their unique status. [[spoiler: This is why he seeks out Annala, who has been TouchedByVorlons and thus unique in all of creation.]]

** The Doctor is the last Time Lord (Sometimes). Oddly enough the Doctor is probably the least powerful of his race, as he uses [[TimeyWimeyBall a TARDIS that was old when he will first stole it a hundreds of years ago]], and a few other assorted trinkets. Considering the Time Lords provide the page quote for AbusingTheKardashevScaleForFunAndProfit, he's positively roughing it. He's probably smarter than the rest of his people though, and he was already unique by being willing to do something about all the evil in the universe, rather than just watch.

Maybe this is why both characters, readers, and the author place so much sympathy and interest in these characters. FacelessMooks may [[WhatMeasureIsAMook die and be killed by the dozens without anyone batting an eyelid]], but the hero will try to spare [[BigBad their boss]] who is The Last Atlantean Wizard. [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman No one cares about destroying robots or AI's]]... unless they they have a unique and interesting personality. Or say there's a race of goo-people who are all [[CloningBlues clones]] and part of a HiveMind? [[ImmortalLifeIsCheap Finding ways to toast them would become a TV-show.]]

In RealLife, this is part of the reason people are motivated to protect EndangeredSpecies. In a RoleplayingGame situation, leads to SpecialSnowflakeSyndrome.

* In ''[[Literature/AcornaSeries Acorna, The Unicorn Girl]]'', Acorna was coveted by Hafiz, a collector all things rare and unique. And he was prepared to kidnap her from her three adoptive "uncles" (one of whom was Hafiz's own nephew and heir, Rafiz). He loses said desire when it's discovered that Acorna wasn't a singular specimen, but a member of an alien race.

** The Doctor is the last Time Lord (Sometimes). Oddly enough the Doctor is probably the least powerful of his race, as he uses [[TimeyWimeyBall a TARDIS that was old when he will first steal it a few hundred years ago]], and a few other assorted trinkets. Considering the Time Lords provide the page quote for AbusingTheKardashevScaleForFunAndProfit, he's positively roughing it. He's probably smarter than the rest of his people though, and he was already unique by being willing to do something about all the evil in the universe, rather than just watch.
** The various alien species who are in genuinely desperate straits, but whose plan to save their species inevitably requires human deaths may invoke this trope. For example, in ''The Vampires Of Venice'' the monster of the week needs to destroy Renaissance Venice to save her people. The fact that the Doctor inevitably chooses to doom a sapient species to extinction rather than sacrifice a relatively small number of humans is commented on as evidence of his favouritism towards humanity.

** To some extent, also explored with [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Odo]] and [[Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries Spock]].

Maybe this is why both characters, readers, and the author place so much sympathy and interest in these characters. FacelessMooks may [[WhatMeasureIsAMook die by the dozens]] without anyone batting an eyelid, but [[BigBad their boss]] who is The Last Atlantean Wizard will ''at least'' get an offer of surrender from the hero. [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman No one cares about destroying robots or AI's]]... unless they happen to be the only robot who can feel emotion. Or say there's a race of goo-people who are all [[CloningBlues clones]] and part of a HiveMind? [[ImmortalLifeIsCheap Finding ways to toast them would become a TV-show.]]

* Fortunately, this is why we're so big on protecting endangered species. Tragically, this is why it's hard to get anyone worked up about a species being over-hunted until there's only a few left.

Maybe this is why both characters, readers, and the author place so much sympathy and interest in these characters. FacelessMooks may [[WhatMeasureIsAMook die by the dozens]], but their boss who is The Last Atlantean Wizard will ''at least'' get an offer of surrender from the hero. [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman No one cares about destroying robots or AI's]]... unless they happen to be the only robot who can feel emotion. Or say there's a race of goo-people who are all [[CloningBlues clones]] and part of a HiveMind? [[ImmortalLifeIsCheap Finding ways to toast them would become a TV-show.]]

** In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' this is also noted with EDI, as the only AI of her type. Shepard even makes this point in the Citadel DLC.

Humans value the useful, the aesthetically pleasing, and the rare-- so it is not surprising that we have a deep fascination with characters, races, or objects that are unique. Be it an artifact from a bygone age, a creature that is the LastOfHisKind, or the last knight of an ancient and honorable order. Basically, the more relevant to the story a unique person or object is, the more valuable and worth preserving they are. Friends will fight to protect him, enemies to destroy him, and some even to [[CollectorOfTheStrange possess him.]] Underscoring this is the reverse, that [[UnfortunateImplications anyone/thing who isn't unique is vastly more expendable]].

Humans value the useful, the aesthetically pleasing, and the rare-- so it is not surprising that we have a deep fascination with characters, races, or objects that are unique. Be it an artifact from a bygone age, a creature that is the LastOfHisKind, or the last knight of an ancient and honorable order. Basically, the more relevant to the story a unique person or object is, the more valuable and worth preserving they are. Friends will fight to protect him, enemies to destroy him, and some even to [[CollectorOfTheStrange possess him.]] Underscoring this is the reverse, that anyone/thing who isn't unique is vastly more expendable.

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/StormHawks'' has one episode devoted to helping a clutch of dragon hatchlings from being killed/captured by pirates, after dragons had been made all but extinct.
* On at least one occasion, [[WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries Superman]] has been abducted by a collector of endangered species for being the LastOfHisKind.
** Along with Lobo, who claims to be a [[SelfMadeOrphan self-made]] LastOfHisKind.
** Brainiac has destroyed countless planets for [[InvokedTrope the sole purpose]] of raising the value of the data he collects from them.
* Same deal for Danny in ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' where Skulker wanted to collect him because of his rare half ghost status. Though after numerous failures to capture him, Skulker decided to just kill and pelt him instead.
** Sam was kidnapped by an egotistical ghost prince who wanted the novelty of having a human for a wife. How to pick the right one for the job? [[spoiler: Hold a beauty contest at the Ghost Boy's high school.]]
* Parodied in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' when Marge and the [[ScoutOut Pre-Teen Braves]] are surprised to meet a Mohican.
--> '''Bart''': Mohican? I thought you guys were all gone.
--> '''Mohican''': No, but we encourage the myth. Chicks really dig you when you're the last of something.
[[/folder]]

In reality, the opposite is usually true. Many things are unique but not at all valuable, like snowflakes. Conversely, the discovery of a rare and valuable thing is usually followed by replication, optimization, and mass production.

In RealLife, this is part of the reason people are motivated to protect EndangeredSpecies.

Related to a AMillionIsAStatistic. See also MenAreTheExpendableGender, ExpendableClone, and BackupTwin. Compare LastOfHisKind, OnlyYouCanRepopulateMyRace, EndangeredSpecies, AKindOfOne, SparingTheAces, FantasticNatureReserve, and PowerEqualsRarity. In a RoleplayingGame situation, leads to SpecialSnowflakeSyndrome.

* You may find an intelligent (and very friendly) Troll in ''[[AgeOfWonders Age of Wonders - Shadow Magic]]'' who invokes this trope to reason that the hero should let him live instead of slaying him and making off with his hoard of gold.

Related to a AMillionIsAStatistic. See also MenAreTheExpendableGender, ExpendableClone, and BackupTwin. Compare LastOfHisKind, OnlyYouCanRepopulateMyRace, EndangeredSpecies, AKindOfOne, SparingTheAces and FantasticNatureReserve. In a RoleplayingGame situation, leads to SpecialSnowflakeSyndrome.

* ComicBook/{{Superman}} started out this way and its common for superheroes to be unique in this fashion because if everybody was like them, they wouldn't be all that super. After decades of encountering other Kryptonians, he was {{Retcon}}ned back into being the last of his kind after ComicBook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths for precisely this reason. Now, its back to being not so unique with 100,000 kryptonians on a new planet on the opposite side of Earth's orbit, another race (the Daxamites) who have the exact same powers, and probably dozens of other FlyingBrick types who vary only a little from him.