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4[[quoteright:300:[[ComicBook/InfiniteCrisis https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bane_7.png]]]]
5%%
6->''"I am the Emperor of the United States, Pain. I am content to be what I am. What more than that could any man desire?"''
7-->-- '''Joshua Norton, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico''', ''ComicBook/TheSandman1989''
8
9Often a character will be ashamed of some aspect of themself (or society insists they should be). It might have something to do with their heritage, such as being [[HeroicBastard illegitimately born]], {{half|HumanHybrid}}-[[OurDemonsAreDifferent demon]] or [[VillainousLineage some other inheritance considered unfortunate by society]]. It might have something to do with their lifestyle--from being geeky to [[CollectorOfTheStrange collecting]] [[BreadEggsMilkSquick belly button lint]]. Maybe they were forced into an EmergencyTransformation which can't be undone, and have [[StagesOfMonsterGrief been bemoaning]] "WhatHaveIBecome". They might have just learned [[TomatoInTheMirror they aren't who or what they thought they were]] and are in the middle of an IdentityBreakdown. Or maybe it's an obstacle they face, like being handicapped, dyslexic or [[TheMcCoy incapable of thinking rationally]]. Could even be a matter [[LoveTropes of love]]. Whatever the issue is, expect the character at some point to receive an epiphany that leads to them embracing whatever makes them different.
10
11Often leads to a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome, an InUniverseCatharsis, AnAesop, or all of the above. If in a musical, expect a whole song to be given over to this, and it may be a {{Dark|Reprise}} or TriumphantReprise of the IWantSong. May result in a character repairing [[HouseOfBrokenMirrors broken mirrors and defaced pictures of themselves]]. Due to its nature as a characterization trope that signals self-acceptance, confidence, and a certain degree of enlightenment, not to mention vanquishing inner demons, may be a rather spoilery trope. Where the character decides they're happy being a monster (although often DarkIsNotEvil) see FullyEmbracedFiend.
12
13Compare ItsWhatIDo and IAmNotHim. If someone else needs to learn this lesson, they may be advised, "BeYourself."
14
15Not to be confused with IAmSpartacus or IAmWho. Or "I am ''Who'' I am", which is the best translation that scholars can find for YHWH, the name of the Judeo-Christian God (the context of that quote isn't really an example of this trope either way). Goes with ConditionedToBeWeak, where a powerful character is only docile and submissive because they are conditioned to follow orders and/or fear their leader.
16
17----
18!!Examples
19[[foldercontrol]]
20
21[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
22* ''Manga/AyakashiTriangle'': Matsuri is split into [[OppositeSexClone male and female]] versions, and the girl Matsuri becomes convinced she's a non-human duplicate who should abandon the "real" Matsuri's life, including her love for Suzu. A while after running away, she instead decides, human or not, she's still Matsuri and wants to live besides Suzu.
23-->''No matter what form my body takes, I want to protect Suzu from right by her side. As long as my wind revolves around her, I am Matsuri Kazamaki.''
24* As of [[spoiler: the defeat of the Impure King]] ''Manga/BlueExorcist'''s [[AntiAntiChrist Rin]] has accepted his HellFire and heritage as the [[{{Satan}} Son of Satan]]. Unfortunately, others aren't so ready to agree with him...
25* ''Manga/DragonBallZ'': Goku, TheHero of the series, had learned that he was born originally to conquer the Earth, but an unlikely injury to his head led to his personality changing and becoming the kindhearted person the audience sees. For his part, Goku vehemently denies his race and heritage and identifies as an earthling, but when confronted against the one responsible for nearly leading his race to extinction, and seeing just how much of a monster he is for himself, Goku reconciles his identity, particularly after achieving his race's legendary SuperMode.
26--> '''Goku''': I am a Saiyan born on Earth and I'm here to defeat you [Freeza].I am the warrior you've heard of in legend, [[BewareTheNiceOnes pure of heart]] and [[TranquilFury awakened by fury, that's what I am.]]. '''I am the [[SuperMode Super Saiyan]], Son Goku!'''
27* Renton in ''Anime/EurekaSeven'' says this a lot, especially as he tried to climb out of his father's shadow early in the series.
28* Inori in ''Anime/GuiltyCrown'' accepts that as long as she can protect Shu, she doesn't care if [[spoiler:she was just created to be the host for Mana's soul]].
29* ''Literature/KyoKaraMaoh'' is full of people with subtextual identity issues. The two surviving members of the HalfHumanHybrid Rutenburg division make a study in contrasts on this point:
30** Yozak is the cheerful, improbably competent, muscled, crossdressing red-headed spy who seems incredibly at home in his own skin, though some of that ''might'' be a coping mechanism. His mother died and he spent his childhood (i.e. about thirty years) starving because of the customary ostracizing of anyone with half-Mazoku children in Shimaron, and he harbors some resentment against Mazoku for their less virulent but still racist treatment of half-bloods. At any rate, he is very much this trope by this point in his life.
31** His best friend and captain Conrad, though, is "the perfect guy," probably the best swordsman in the world, of practically royal lineage on both sides but unable to hold any rank higher than 'sir', gives off the creepiest StepfordSmiler vibes sometimes, especially when explaining without rancor about some other shitty thing, and has apparently, his entire life, needed to have someone else to base that entire life around. When he was a kid, he had a BigBrotherInstinct around Wolfram. After Wolfram rejected him for being half-human, he eventually attached himself to Julia. After Julia died, Shinou arranged for him to [[spoiler: transport her soul to Earth and make sure that the baby it became was born safely]]. And after that, his whole reason for being is Yuuri.
32* William of ''Literature/LogHorizon'' and his fellow guild members all came [[DespairEventHorizon close to giving up on raiding]] because each death forced them to face all of their personal failings and weaknesses. After the [[TotalPartyKill worst death yet]] he began [[DespairSpeech a rant about his weaknesses]], but his acceptance of them and refusal to just give up turned it into a RousingSpeech for his entire guild.
33* In ''Manga/MidnightSecretary'', Kyouhei at first considers his vampiric side the most important thing that defines him. However, later in-series when he gets called out by other vampires on how low he has fallen, he claims that it doesn't matter what he does; he is ''he'' and that he's a vampire no matter what. [[spoiler:He also claims that he doesn't want to be bound, but realizes that his own pride made it so.]]
34* [[spoiler:Kabuto]] of ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' came to believe that his existence was a lie and so he reshaped himself into a different person to escape that lie. [[spoiler:Itachi]] trapped him in an EpiphanicPrison which Kabuto only escaped when he accepted his original life.
35* Setsuna Sakurazaki from ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi''. She's not particularly ashamed of the fact that she's [[HalfHumanHybrid half-tengu]] and therefore [[WingedHumanoid can sprout wings at will]], but she ''is'' ashamed of the fact that said wings are white rather than black (it's hinted she may be albino), which marked her as an instant outcast of her demon tribe. Never mind the fact that her TrueCompanions think [[FreakinessShame that the wings are awesome]] and that she looks like an angel.
36* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'':
37-->'''Shinji:''' I hate myself...\
38'''Shinji, Asuka, and Misato:''' ...But maybe I can learn to love myself.\
39'''Shinji:''' Maybe it's okay for me to be here! That's right! I'm me, nothing more, nothing less! I'm me. I want to be me! I want to be here! And it's okay for me to be here!
40** [[GainaxEnding "Congratulations!"]]
41* Much as she wants to [[IJustWantToBeNormal look like a normal girl]], Nano Shinonome from ''Manga/{{Nichijou}}'' can't get rid of the [[RobotGirl robotic]] WindUpKey on her back because of the bratty little professor. She learns to embrace it in the end.
42* ''Manga/OnePiece'':
43** Usopp gets this a lot, admitting to his enemies that he is a weakling and a coward. That's usually a sign that [[CowardlyLion he's about to mop the floor with them]].
44** Robin surrenders to [=CP9=] in order to ensure the safety of the Straw Hat Pirates in Water 7. When they try to rescue her in Enies Lobby, she tells them that they will inevitably turn against her in the future once she's no longer a burden worth bearing in an attempt to make them leave. [[TrueCompanions The Straw Hats then declare war against the World Government and make it abundantly clear how wrong Robin is]], at which point she breaks down in tears and begs them to save her, accepting that she's grown fond of them after their time together and embracing both her life as a pirate and her place as a member of the crew.
45** Ace in the War at Marineford Arc finally comes to terms with his heritage as [[spoiler:the son of Gold Roger. Too bad he dies soon after.]]
46** When Kyros spreads a rumor that his daughter Rebecca is the secret lovechild of her mother Scarlett and a foreign prince, in order to not have her branded by his criminal past, Rebecca has none of it and angrily tells him that she's not the daughter of some prince: even if her father is a former criminal who killed people, she's still the daughter of Kyros. Then again, [[EverybodyKnewAlready everyone in Dressrosa already knew that Scarlett and Kyros eloped over 16 years ago]], so starting the rumor in the first place was rather pointless.
47** Right before the Onigashima Raid begins, Momonosuke is captured and brought before Kaido, who threatens to execute him if he really is the son of Kozuki Oden. While none of his allies would blame Momonosuke for lying [[KnowWhenToFoldEm in order to save his own skin]] at this point, he musters the courage to confront his fear of Kaido and proudly and defiantly declare his lineage loud enough for everyone to hear, which only inspires further loyalty from his retainers.
48* In the manga of ''Manga/SailorMoon'', the character arcs of the various Sailor Soldiers include this.
49** Sadistically {{deconstructed|Trope}} with Minako in [[Manga/CodenameSailorV her solo manga]], as finally accepting she is and always will be Sailor Venus comes with her, the Goddess of Love, realizing [[MarriedToTheJob she'll always put her mission above her love life]], and [[spoiler: also killing her true love because he was with the Dark Kingdom and wouldn't stand down when she told him to.]]
50* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' combines this with HesBack, in the shape of a BadassBoast:
51-->'''[[KidHero Simon]]:''' "Just who the hell do you think I am? I'm Simon. I'm not my bro. I am ME! ''Simon the Digger!''"
52[[/folder]]
53
54[[folder:Comic Books]]
55* Too many characters to count among Marvel Comics [[ComicBook/XMen X-titles]] and mutant spin-offs. Whether hero or villain, whether their ability has inconvenient side or not, whether angsty over it or taking it in stride, before, during, or after an about-face (or about-heel) and back, almost everyone has a moment of this trope at some time.
56* When Bane reappeared at the Battle for Metropolis and killed the original Judomaster during ''ComicBook/InfiniteCrisis'', this originally seemed out of place, as he had last been seen with a clean slate after the events of "Veritas Liberat". In the collected edition, he is given this dialogue:
57--> '''Bane''': I finally know who I am. I am 'Bane'. I ''break'' people.
58* ''ComicBook/MsMarvel1977:'' When Death-Bird briefly touches on her backstory, namely killing one of her sisters in a berserker rage which got her exiled, Ms. Marvel momentarily tries to offer sympathy. Death-Bird violently refuses it, and goes into an even bigger rage, announcing that she knows what she is, and doesn't mind (in case the fact she calls herself "Death-Bird" wasn't something of a tip-off).
59-->'''Death-Bird:''' I am Death-Bird! And I live only to kill!
60[[/folder]]
61
62[[folder:Comic Strips]]
63* ComicStrip/{{Popeye}}: "I yam wot I yam, and that's all wot I yam."
64[[/folder]]
65
66[[folder:Fan Works]]
67* In ''Fanfic/TheButcherBird'', [[VillainProtagonist Yoshimura Kaneki]] eventually develops this mindset. Unfortunately for everyone in his way, he ''also'' believes IAmAMonster.
68* This is what [[KungFuWizard Kirei]] [[DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife Kotomine]] in ''Fanfic/FateZeroSanity'' does when he comes to terms with his [[EvilFeelsGood desire to watch the suffering of others]]. He accepts this part of himself, though he still does his best to curb its influence. [[spoiler:It just took [[BackFromTheDead coming back from the dead]] and making a [[WhatYouAreInTheDark life-changing decision to get there]].]]
69* ''Fanfic/MyDreamIsYours'': Oona is well aware that she is a [[TheKlutz klutz]] who breaks things more than she fixes them, but she embraces that part of her and would rather bear witness to things being messed up than having to miss out on it.
70-->'''Oona:''' Things always fall apart a lot better if I'm there in charge.
71* ''Fanfic/QueenOfShadows'': During a moment of [[HiddenDepths surprising depth]], Tsume says that while [[EvenEvilHasStandards the other Shadowkhan may hate his tribe]], he doesn't care because he knows [[DoomTroops what they were made for]] and that they're living up to it, so in his mind, there's nothing to be ashamed of.
72[[/folder]]
73
74[[folder:Film -- Animation]]
75* ''WesternAnimation/{{Balto}}'': Balto spends the first half of the movie angsting over his half-wolf heritage, but then buckles down and uses his wolf abilities to [[spoiler:save the sled team and get the medicine to town]].
76* In ''WesternAnimation/CloudyWithAChanceOfMeatballs'', Sam reveals to Flint that she was teased for being a nerd as a child, so she changed her look and [[ObfuscatingStupidity hid her smarts behind a bubbly ditz personality]]. Flint not only gets her to reclaim her nerdiness but to revert to her earlier [[NerdGlasses glasses]]-and-ponytail style.
77-->'''Flint:''' I mean, this is the real you, right? Smart, bespectacled... who wouldn't want to see that?
78* ''WesternAnimation/{{Dumbo}}'': Dumbo is teased for having abnormally big ears, which are what later enable him to fly. As his friend Timothy Mouse puts it, "The very things that kept you down are gonna carry you up and up and up!"
79* ''WesternAnimation/{{Frozen|2013}}'': After spending her life trying to conceal her [[AnIcePerson ice powers]], Elsa finally comes to terms with herself and her powers, resulting in the song ''Let It Go'', [[spoiler: [[SubvertedTrope at least until Elsa gets informed of the]] EndlessWinter she created and she ended up going back to square one, especially when she struck Anna in the heart. [[DoubleSubverted The sisters enjoy a happy ending in the end, though]], after they learn to reconcile her Snow Queen identity with her life in Arendelle with her family.]]
80-->'''Elsa:''' ''Let it go, let it go\
81Can't hold it back anymore...''
82%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample* The journey of self-acceptance continues for Elsa in the sequel ''WesternAnimation/FrozenII'' [[spoiler:as she follows a voice in the song ''Into the Unknown'' and sings with her mother, Iduna, in a song called "Show Yourself".]]
83* ''Franchise/KungFuPanda'': Po pulls this off in every movie thus far:
84** First, in ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda1'':
85--->'''Tai Lung:''' You cannot defeat me... You're just a big... fat... panda!\
86'''Po:''' I'm not a big fat panda. I'm [[SpellMyNameWithAThe THE big fat panda]]!
87** And then in ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2'':
88--->'''Po:''' I am Po. [[ItMakesSenseInContext And I'm gonna need a hat]].
89** [[RuleofThree And then again in]] WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda3. Two in fact, with the first one, [[spoiler:where the village of pandas plus Ping and Tigress have theirs while channeling chi to Po, and Po has his after obtaining his GoldenSuperMode.]]
90--->'''[[spoiler:Kai]]:''' Who are you?\
91'''Po:''' I've been asking the same question. Am I the son of a panda? The son of a goose? A student? A teacher? Turns out I'm all of them. '''''[[BadassBoast I AM THE DRAGON WARRIOR!]]''''' [[spoiler:[[MoodWhiplash Get it? See the giant dragon?]]]]
92* ''WesternAnimation/{{Ratatouille}}'':
93-->'''Django:''' Where are you going?\
94'''RĂ©my:''' Back to the restaurant! They'll fail without me!\
95'''Django:''' Why do you care?\
96'''RĂ©my:''' Because ''I'm a cook!''
97* In the opening of ''WesternAnimation/{{Megamind}}'', the eponymous VillainProtagonist spends a decent portion lamenting that as he child he caused nothing but trouble when he attempted to be a good guy like the Mr. Goody Two-Shoes who would eventually become Metroman. Eventually, though, he decides that being the bad guy is his destiny and [[ThenLetMeBeEvil proudly embraces being the bad guy.]]
98* This is perhaps the main moral behind ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas''. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, had become bored and dreary with scaring and longed for something more. After discovering Christmas and attempting to take a shot at it, only to fail miserably, he has a BSODSong which leads to up to this trope:
99-->"Well, what the heck! I went and did my best! And by god, I really tasted something swell! And for a moment, why, I even touched the sky! And at least I left some stories they can tell, I did! And for the first time since I don't remember when, I felt just like my old boney self again! And I, Jack, the Pumpkin King... That's right. I '''''AM''''' THE PUMPKIN KING! HA! HA! HA! HA!"
100* ''WesternAnimation/{{Popeye}}'': Popeye uses this phrase as a catchphrase, mangled by his usual pronunskiation: ''"I yam whats I yam, and dat's all wot I yam"''. Probably the TropeCodifier.
101* All throughout ''WesternAnimation/TheSpongebobSquarepantsMovie'', [=SpongeBob=] is told that he is JustAKid. After his harrowing journey, he realizes that "no amount of mermaid magic, or managerial promotion, [[RuleOfThree or some other third thing]] can make me any more than what I really am inside - a kid," and that he is OK with it because he managed to do what nobody believed he could for this reason. And then he unleashes ThePowerOfRock.
102* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', Mei comes to the realization that the panda spirit is part of her true self.
103* A villainous example in ''WesternAnimation/WallaceAndGromit: WesternAnimation/TheCurseOfTheWereRabbit'' where [[EgomaniacHunter Victor Quartermaine]] says this to Lady Tottington in regards to killing rabbits.
104* ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'' has the Bad-Anon Creed: "I am bad, and that's good. I will never be good, and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be than me." Repeated at the end -- [[spoiler:he feels proud of being a hero in Vanellope's eyes, even if the rest of the world views him as a villain]].
105[[/folder]]
106
107[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
108* ''Film/KingdomOfHeaven'': A dark example. Raynaud de Chatillon has been shown to be an amoral KnightTemplar (literally) throughout the movie before he's thrown in jail. He's eventually released, and the first thing he does is slaughter a Muslim caravan. Even he seems depressed by this, saying, "I am what I am. Someone has to be."
109* One of Max's last actions in the movie ''Film/{{Bent}}'' is taking off his shirt and replacing it with a blood-stained shirt with a pink triangle sewn onto it, to finally show pride in himself against the Nazis. [[spoiler: Then he kills himself.]]
110* That's the main motive behind ''Film/ABetterTomorrow''. Initially, Mark is convinced that gangsters like him can't really change their ways and run an honest life, and at one point even scolds about it his former boss Ho, who is trying to do just that. But later on, Mark acknowledges the fact that only by taking their destinies straight in their hands, people can really call themselves free, and even [[spoiler:ends up being killed while lecturing Ho's brother (who is a cop and quite the InspectorJavert of the situation) on the goodness of Ho's efforts.]]
111* ''Film/TheColorPurple1985'': "I'm poor, black, I may even be ugly. But dear God- I'm here! ''I'm HERE!!''"
112* ''Film/PlanesTrainsAndAutomobiles'': Del Griffith delivers an incredibly touching rebuttal to Neil Page's tirade about him, which may be the perfect rebuttal to any TheReasonYouSuckSpeech:
113-->'''Del:''' You wanna hurt me? Go right ahead if it makes you feel any better. I'm an easy target. Yeah, you're right, I talk too much. I also listen too much. I could be a cold-hearted cynic like you... but I don't like to hurt people's feelings. Well, you think what you want about me; I'm not changing. I like... I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. 'Cause I'm the real article. What you see is what you get.
114** Note Del's very brief hesitation before saying "My wife likes me;" it's a beautifully subtle touch from actor John Candy as well as some rather tragic foreshadowing to the reveal that [[spoiler:[[TearJerker his wife actually passed away years ago]]]].
115* Frederick in ''Film/YoungFrankenstein'', after confronting his creation, he tells him how wonderful he is and promises to show that to the entire world, embracing his heritage at last.
116-->'''Inga:''' Dr. Fronk-on-steen! Are you all right?
117-->'''Frederick:''' ''My name is FRANKENSTEIN!''
118* Mystique. From ''Film/XMenFirstClass'', [[MeaningfulEcho "Mutant and proud".]]
119* When the "Rig family" reach the lands of Vuvalini in ''Film/MadMaxFuryRoad'', Furiosa introduces herself with her whole tribal lineage. This is probably the first time in the last 20 years when she fully acknowledges her origins and starts reconnecting with her past.
120* Averted in ''Film/TheNakedSpur'' (1953). BountyHunter Kemp drags the dead body of outlaw Vandergroat out of the river after his partner has been killed trying to drag it across the river. When Lina gives him a [[WhatTheHellHero What The Hell Hero Speech]] Kemp gives this trope but eventually decides to put his past behind him and go on to another life with her.
121* ''Film/CitizenKane'': Strangely, this trope is inverted in this movie when two characters come to terms with the fact that they can’t be the men they once wanted to be, and then they have their InUniverseCatharsis.
122** When he is forced to give up the control of his empire, Kane reflects that, in an inversion of ICouldaBeenAContender, all his advantages had stolen his chance as true greatness.
123--->'''Kane:''' You know, Mr. Bernstein, [[ICouldaBeenAContender if I hadn't been very rich, I might have been a really great man]].\
124'''Thatcher:''' Don't you think you are?\
125'''Kane:''' I think I did pretty well, under the circumstances.\
126'''Thatcher:''' What would you like to have been?\
127'''Kane:''' Everything you hate.
128** When 'Boss' Jim W. Gettys tries to {{blackmail}} Kane, he admits that even when he is the archetype of the SleazyPolitician, [[EvenEvilHasStandards even he has more standards]] than Kane.
129--->'''Kane:''' In case you don't know, Emily - this - this ''[[SarcasmMode gentleman]]'' - is - \
130''' 'Boss' Jim W. Gettys:''' I'm not a gentleman, Mrs. Kane, and your husband is just trying to be funny calling me one. I don't even know what a gentleman is. ''(tensely and venomously)'' You see, my idea of a gentleman, Mrs. Kane - well, if I owned a newspaper and if I didn't like the way somebody else was doing things - some politician, say - [[IntrepidReporter I'd fight them with everything I had]]. Only I wouldn't show him in a convict suit, with stripes – so his children could see the picture in the paper. [[DontTellMama Or his mother]]. ''(physically restrains himself from attacking Kane)'' It's pretty clear - I'm not a gentleman.
131* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:'' After Loki learns in ''Film/{{Thor}}'' that he was adopted from a race of enemies, he believes himself [[IAmAMonster to be a monster]]. He continues to call himself Asgardian to [[HideYourOtherness hide his origin]] but denies being a son of Odin. Years later in ''Film/ThorRagnarok,'' with his play, he openly admits that he is a Jotunn and frames it in a positive light. Before the elevator scene, he also refers to himself as a "son of the crown", which is one step short of saying that he is Odin's son. By ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' he has finally found self-acceptance. [[spoiler:Shortly before his death,]] he acknowledges that he isn't Asgardian and is indeed the rightful King of Jötunheim, but at the same time, he understands that this does ''not'' change the fact that he's an Odinson and the Prince of Asgard.
132* Carl from ''Film/WeTooTogether'' hates being labelled and seen as different, and projects that onto his son Rob, whom he has told never to tell anyone he's autistic. At the end of the movie, Rob gives Carl a speech about how being autistic is who he is and there's nothing wrong with using the word.
133-->'''Rob''': There's nothing wrong with being special. I'm proud of who I am. Why can't you be proud of me, too?
134[[/folder]]
135
136[[folder:Literature]]
137* ''Literature/JaneEyre'': Jane decides that, if she has to live without friends and without love to keep her self-respect, she will do so. That is her nature, not to compromise, and she will be true to it: "the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself."
138* This phrase and variants of it are repeated throughout the first book of the ''Literature/SwordOfTruth'' series, usually after one character or another laments that they wish they were someone else, who didn't have to worry about their magic or saving the world.
139* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'':
140** In ''Literature/TheWeeFreeMen'', Tiffany Aching overcomes the Fairy Queen with the very selfishness the Queen taunted her for when she realizes she's willing to fight for the things that are hers. Then she lays claim to the entire land.
141** In ''Literature/TheAmazingMauriceAndHisEducatedRodents'', Spider berates Dangerous Beans for having the gall to dream of living in the manner of humans, reminding him that he is a rat. Dangerous Beans considers this, and acknowledges that, yes, he ''is'' a rat ... but he ''also'' declares that he is not ''vermin''.
142* ''Literature/ForgottenRealms'':
143** Drizzt, once he stops apologizing for [[MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch being a drow.]]
144** Galaeron Nihmedu. First, he suffers from prejudices as a sorcerer, then he's cut off the Weave (one of worst fates for an elf) and others see him almost as TheUndead. But once he regains control over himself, he does what's right for him and neither reacts to cold reception nor {{wangst}}s himself out.
145* This is a dominant theme of ''Literature/TheSpeedOfDark'' by Creator/ElizabethMoon, which is told from the viewpoint of an autistic character. That said, given the choice at the end of whether to undergo surgery that will cure them, not all of them will end up choosing alike.
146%% * Some of the characters from ''Literature/TheMortalInstruments''; the obvious one being Alec being gay. Also maybe Jace and Clary with their father.
147* ''Literature/TheBible'': In The Literature/BookOfExodus, {{God}} famously responds to Moses asking Him for His name with something we can't quite translate into English - it's often rendered as "I AM WHAT I AM" or "I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE". In doing so [[BadassBoast his God proclaims that He is beyond mere names]] and references the Hebrews' (sacred) placeholder-name for their technically-nameless God, YHWH (lit. "that which was, is, and will be"). Another translation of the line (quoted in ''Film/{{Dogma}}'') is "I AM HE WHO IS CALLED 'I AM'."
148** This can also be interpreted as God saying that as He's the only one, He doesn't need a specific name. If there was only one tree in the universe, we'd just call it "the tree", not a fig tree or a birch tree or anything of the sort. [[note]]This is the reason why in English His name is generally just considered to be "God" and any other deity is termed "a god." The capitalization is important. Most of the other names there are for Him are either descriptors, poetic, or both. This is a rather inconvenient bit of shorthand cultural baggage built into English for those people who aren't Christian. If you refer to "God" without a qualifier, most people will jump to a vaguely Christian conclusion.[[/note]]
149* From [[Literature/TheBible the same Source]] is an arguable contender for the TropeNamer. Paul, while addressing the Church of Corinth, explains the simple origins of faith and the ideas around which the Gospel is shaped. He describes the humble salvation of the twelve disciples and then his own, giving us this piece:
150--> ''[[HeelFaceTurn Then last of all He was seen by me also]], [[EnsembleDarkHorse as by one born out of due time]].''\
151\
152''[[HeelRealization For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God]]. [[BeYourself But by the grace of God]] [[TropeCodifier I am what I am]], and His grace toward me was not in vain; [[ItsWhatIDo but I laboured more abundantly than they all]], [[ThinkNothingOfIt yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me]].''\
153''[[Literature/TheBible I Corinthians 15:8-10]]'' ''NKJV''
154* In one fantasy short story, God tells the modern world (by having every single broadcast radio and TV signal at the same time announce it) to justify humanity's continued existence within a short deadline. After the U.S. government puts every known fact into a computer, the computer gives them the name of someone to talk to. When they talk to him, he thinks for a few minutes and replies with the (slightly adjusted) Bible quote above. "We are what we are".
155* The following exchange from ''Literature/NightWatchSeries'' between the Light Other Anton and the Dark One Zavulon:
156--> '''Anton:''' "Zavulon, you are the spawn of darkness."\
157'''Zavulon:''' "Indeed, I am. But only that darkness that was inside me."
158* In V. Gor's ''Demon'' series of novels, a human brain copes with the dogfighting in space all right, the problem is the body housing said brain. A few planets start searching for volunteers to undergo augmentation.
159** The eponymous Demons are said volunteers for whom the BioAugmentation worked properly, including a few who were successfully treated for the various PsychoSerum side effects.
160** The Devils are former rejects from the Demon project. The project was considered a mixed blessing at best as a significant number of volunteers became {{Super Soldier}}s without the desired piloting skills. They became the dedicated ground force for the war to free the far more valuable pilots from planetside action.
161** The Ares project claimed to replace human pilots with a superior AI. [[spoiler: Since no known AI can handle space combat, the unscrupulous scientists simply took both volunteers and rejects from society and [[BrainInAJar encased their brains on life support in the ships.]]]]\
162 Demons and Devils are fertile, but only amongst themselves, effectively becoming a new humanoid species. All three groups, Demons, Devils, and Ares fighters, slowly come to realize and accept that they aren't human anymore. Avoiding both ProHumanTranshuman and TranshumanTreachery, they pledge their loyalty to the Demons' native planets only.
163* ''Literature/{{Redwall}}'' had the words "I AM THAT IS". Used as part of a riddle, it was revealed to be an anagram for "MATTHIAS", the name of the book's main character, and chosen as Redwall Abbey's next defender.
164* Lucifer, from ''Literature/TheTragedyOfMan'': "I cannot give anything other than my being." That is, a scathing criticism of Creation, to {{God}}. It doesn't end well.
165* In ''Literature/{{Worm}},'' [[VillainProtagonist Taylor.]] after [[spoiler:failing to prevent the end of the world,]] admits to herself that she is a hypocrite, selfish, and occasionally short-sighted in spite of her attempts to be better, coming to terms with these parts of herself.
166-->''I’m just a little bit of a monster.''
167* In ''Literature/TheBrokenEarthTrilogy'', Nassun ultimately concludes she's proud to be an orogene despite the world and her father's [[HaveYouTriedNotBeingAMonster views on such things]], leading to her confronting her father.
168* At the end of ''Literature/TheYellowBag'', Raquel learns to love herself for who she is, [[spoiler:getting rid of her wishes of being an adult and being a boy]].
169[[/folder]]
170
171[[folder:Live-Action TV ]]
172* In the ''Series/RedDwarf'' episode "[[Recap/RedDwarfSeasonIVDNA D.N.A.]]", Kryten the android [[HumanityEnsues becomes human]]. At first he's thrilled because mechanoids tend to view humans as awesome. As he starts belittling his origins and insulting his spare heads, he starts to realize that he can't change what he is inside; an android who can't tell the difference between Popeye and Descartes. Also, it provides this funny moment:
173-->'''Human Kryten:''' ''[hands Lister a Poloroid photograph of his penis]'' Is that normal?\
174'''Lister:''' What, taking pictures of it and showing it to your mates? No, it's ''not''.
175* Spike in ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. "I may be love's bitch, but at least ''I'm'' man enough to admit it."
176* Parodied in ''Series/TheCatherineTateShow''. Jamie, fed up with his grandmother constantly criticising and swearing at people, says in despair "Why are you like this?" She responds by launching into a rendition of "I Am What I Am" from ''La Cage aux Folles''.
177* Spock throughout ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries''. He even addresses it word-for-word in "[[Recap/StarTrekS1E24ThisSideOfParadise This Side of Paradise]]":
178-->'''Spock:''' I am what I am, [[GirlOfTheWeek Leila]], and if there are self-made purgatories, then we all have to live in them. Mine can be no worse than someone else's.
179* In the ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekVoyagerS5E24Warhead Warhead]]", the crew are trying to disarm an InterstellarWeapon with ArtificialIntelligence, despite its objections. Harry and Janeway try to assure the AI that they were only trying to remove its explosive component, but it can't see any difference between the two. "I am what I am!"
180* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
181** The Ninth Doctor's regeneration can be considered this. Having been tortured by what he's done in the Time War for this incarnation's entire life (implied at points to be 100+ years), he is able to come to terms with who he is and express satisfaction with it, thanks to the cathartic HeroicSacrifice he gives to save Rose Tyler.
182--->'''Nine:''' Absolutely fantastic. And you know what? So was I. ''[teary-eyed grins from both Rose and himself]''
183** The Twelfth Doctor's realization in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS34E12DeathInHeaven Death in Heaven]]" that he is not a good man, or a bad man, but an idiot with a box and a screwdriver who tries to learn and help where he can. It's a nice summation of what the Doctor has been throughout their various lives, and a declaration of self-acceptance that's rarely seen for a character with such a low view of themselves.
184* One episode of ''Series/PushingDaisies'' has Ned say that he's not sorry or ashamed about [[{{Necromancy}} what he does]], because "it's what brought everyone I love into my life".
185* Kurt from ''Series/{{Glee}}'': He decides he's not afraid to be who he is and tells his father that he's proud to be who he is and that he won't hide in the closet.
186* ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'': Three words, "I'm. The. Todd"
187* In episode seven of ''Series/GameOfThrones'', the MagnificentBastard Petyr Baelish describes to a couple of his "[[PaidHarem employees]]" the epiphany he had in regards to this trope after getting defeated in a duel, saying, "I learned that I'll never win, not that way. That's their game. Their rules. I'm not going to fight them. I'm going to fuck them. That is what I know. That's what I am." Rather than try to be a warrior, he vows to be TheChessmaster.
188* In the season 3 premiere of ''Series/BreakingBad'', Jesse, [[spoiler:blaming himself for the death of Jane and the airplane crash that her distracted father accidentally caused]], tells Walter, "It's all about accepting who you really are. I accept who I am. I'm the bad guy."
189* ''Series/VeronicaMars'': Invoked word for word in response to people sometimes calling her out on her role in upheaving people's lives (she's a private investigator - and naturally nosey).
190* ''Series/MotherAndSon'' has a variant, in the context of Arthur being MistakenForGay:
191-->'''Arthur''': It's just what people are! Some people are and some people aren't. But it doesn't matter whether they are or they aren't because they are what they are.
192-->'''Maggie''': ...What?
193-->'''Arthur''': I am what I am, and as it happens I'm not. But even if I was, I'd be what I'd be. But I'd still be what I am.
194* ''Series/PowerRangersRPM'' has the episode "Ranger Blue," wherein [[TheyLookLikeUsNow villainous humanoid cyborg infiltration unit Tenaya]] attempts a quick BreakingSpeech on the Blue Ranger, Flynn. Flynn's life has been one long litany of NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished, with every attempt to help people getting him in trouble or otherwise not working out, leading to a lot of old doubts. That said, Flynn is still a Power Ranger, meaning he is finally in a position where bravery, enthusiasm, stubbornness, and a total drive towards selfless altruism aren't hindrances but downright mandatory job requirements. As such, he has no time for Tenaya's attempt at mind games, which leads to a ''highly'' entertaining exchange:
195-->'''Tenaya:''' (grappling with Flynn) Red is [[StandardizedLeader the perfect one]], Black is [[TroubledButCute the brooding bad boy]], Green is [[PluckyComicRelief the clown]], and Yellow, well, she's [[TheSmurfettePrinciple the girl]]. So, who are you supposed to be?\
196'''Flynn:''' (casually throwing her aside) [[ShutUpHannibal Ah'm]] [[BraveScot Scottish!]]
197[[/folder]]
198
199[[folder:Music]]
200* Music/{{Eminem}}: "I am whatever you say I am! If I wasn't, then why would I SAY I am?! In the paper, the news EVERYDAY I am! I don't know, that's just the way I am."
201* The song "What I Am" by Edie Brickell and New Bohemians ("What I am, is what I am, is what you are or what"); referenced in the Music/ArethaFranklin song "A Rose is Still a Rose"
202%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample * "I'm Real" by Music/JenniferLopez (both the original and the remix with Ja Rule).
203* Music/TheBonzoDogBand had "What Do You Do".
204-->I do what I do,\
205I am what I am,\
206We are what we are\
207We do what we can!
208* Meredith Brooks' song "Bitch" is all about this trope; the chorus proudly proclaims "I'm a bitch, I'm a lover," followed by several other contradictory attributes (Child/mother, sinner/saint) and announces "I do not feel ashamed!".
209%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample * Mercy Me's "No More, No Less."
210%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample * This is said by the narrator in the Music/AliceCooper song Fantasy Man
211* The Music/ImagineDragons song "It's Time", about embracing who you really are and how it's impossible to do so, even when minor changes in your life are made.
212-->It's time to begin,\
213Isn't it, I get a little bit bigger, but then,\
214I'll admit, I'm just the same as I was,\
215Now don't you understand?\
216That I'm never changing who I am.
217* "I'm Mee, I'm Now, An That's Orl" by Music/{{Slade}}:
218-->Everybody's tellin' us that we're insane, \
219Anything goes wrong, we always get the blame. \
220We know what they're thinkin' when they ladies' winkin', \
221Sure must count for somethin' if they know our name! \
222'Cause I'm me, I'm now, and that's all! \
223Yeah I'm me, I'm now, and that's all!
224* "Let Me Be," written by P. F. Sloan, a 1960's hit from The Turtles.
225-->Let me be, let me be\
226To think like I want to\
227Let me be, let me be\
228That's all I ask of you\
229I am what I am\
230And that's all I ever can be
231* Music/PearlJam's "I Am Mine", where the singer is reassuring himself to find some peace of mind (it's the first song Eddie Vedder wrote after nine fans accidentally died during a festival concert).
232-->The North is to South what the clock is to time\
233There's east and there's west and there's everywhere life\
234I know I was born and I know that I'll die\
235The in between is mine\
236I am mine
237* Music/SamanthaFish's "Wild Heart" is about a woman who is in love with a man, but needs him to stop trying to change her.
238-->How many times do you have to see if you can tame\
239The one you can't tie down\
240The one who needs you now\
241Oh baby, why can't I get you out of my wild heart?
242* "[[DefensiveWhat So What]]" by Music/ThreeDaysGrace is all about the narrator accepting his flaws.
243-->I am who I am and I'll never be like you\
244You can say whatever you like\
245If it's so wrong I don't wanna be right
246* Music/OrigamiAngel: ''Music/GamiGang'' includes "Neutrogena Spektor". At first, the singer is jealous of Hollywood actors and movie stars, hating his "boney-ass self" with "cystic acne". However, he realizes that it's an unrealistic standard to live up to, and he has the "best fuckin' friends", so he's happy with his life.
247-->''Wouldn't it be nice to look like I'm a movie star?\
248Honestly, I don't wanna be\
249And my life feels up to par''
250[[/folder]]
251
252[[folder:Mythology/Religion]]
253* {{God}} Himself does this in [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%203&version=NIV Exodus 3]]
254--> '''Moses:''' Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, "The God of your fathers has sent me to you," and they ask me, "What is his name?" Then what shall I tell them?
255--> '''God''': I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I Am' has sent me to you."
256[[/folder]]
257
258[[folder:Radio]]
259* ''Radio/APrairieHomeCompanion'': Lake Wobegon's town motto, according to Garrison Keillor, is the plural form of this: "Sumus quod sumus, we are what we are"
260[[/folder]]
261
262[[folder:Theater]]
263* Creator/WilliamShakespeare's works:
264** Don John, the villain of ''Theatre/MuchAdoAboutNothing'' makes an introductory speech in which he tells his henchmen that he's being a {{Jerkass}} because he is, in fact, a {{Jerkass}} and has decided not to fight what he is.
265** Theatre/RichardIII: "Since I cannot prove a lover, I am determined to prove a villain".
266** When Iago of Shakespeare's ''Theatre/{{Othello}}'' says "I am not what I am" in a soliloquy, he means a couple of things. Firstly he's [[CardCarryingVillain telling us he's a manipulative bastard, and possibly a psychopath]] rather than the honest and reliable man the other characters think he is. Secondly, this statement also roughly equates to him saying that he is soulless and therefore daemonic. Iago is fine with this and he's quite happy admitting his true colours to himself and to us as the audience.
267** The statement was actually code for the Shakespearean audience that Iago was saying he was the ''Devil'' since God's words were "I am what I am."
268* ''Theatre/LaCageAuxFolles'': In the Act I finale, Albin, a professional drag queen, has learned his longtime partner and their adoptive son want him out of the way to avoid offending the son's conservative future in-laws. He sings the eponymous song in defiance, declaring that ''he'', at least, is not ashamed of who he is.
269** The musical featured the TropeNamer, later covered by Music/GloriaGaynor:
270--->''I am what I am and what I am needs no excuses...''
271* Elphaba, in ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'', sings 'Defying Gravity' as a realization of her own nature and her own standing in the world: she will never gain the love she's dreamed of and still be able to respect herself. She's hated being a witch, and she's tried not to be a witch, but it's her nature, and for the first time she really embraces it.
272* Monsieur Madeleine, in ''Theatre/LesMiserables'', comes to accept who he was before and trusts in divine providence to come to the bar and say, "Who am I? I'm Jean Valjean!"
273* In ''Theatre/{{Oliver}}'':
274** Fagin seems to always come back to this trope.
275** Nancy is fully aware of the fact that Bill is a [[{{Jerkass}} complete bastard]], but she can't help [[AllGirlsWantBadBoys loving him]], complete with song. [[spoiler:And then, to top off the love fest, he kills her.]]
276* ''Theatre/WestSideStory'': "I love him, I'm his, and everything he is I am too - I have a love, and it's all that I need, right or wrong - and he needs me too."
277* ''Funny Girl:'' In a vein combining 'I Have a Love' with 'Defying Gravity' above, 'Don't Rain On My Parade' is Fanny Brice telling the rest of the Ziegfield follies, and Ziegfield himself, to go jump in a lake because she knows what she wants and she's not going to let him get away.
278* ''Theatre/ManOfLaMancha'':
279** "I, Don Quixote" says it right in the title: "I am I, Don Quixote! the Lord of La Mancha..."
280** His "fair lady Dulcinea" spits out the darkest possible version of this trope as a song, saying that she is what she is: an unloved, unremembered whore who comes from a dog-eat-dog world and that's ''only'' way she can be, and all she deserves.
281* ''Theatre/ShrekTheMusical'': Near the end of the show, during the titular character's TenMinuteRetirement, the various fairy tale characters exiled from the kingdom band together via the song "Freak Flag", wherein they embrace what makes them different from "normal" people, and decide to fight back against [[BigBad Farquaad]] themselves.
282* ''Theatre/TheOddCouple'':
283-->'''Oscar''': You mean you're not going to make any effort to change? This is the person you're going to be--until the day you die?\
284'''Felix''': We are what we are.
285* In the 2013 stage adaptation of ''Theatre/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory'', Willy Wonka has the song "Simply Second Nature", in which he explains that his strange confectionery creations are born of a desire to create beautiful things; he cannot help but follow his muse, he happens to use sweets as his artistic medium, and he doesn't care if others find him strange for it.
286* The titular Theatre/{{Elisabeth}} has two songs.
287** The first is her big act 1 solo, "Ich gehör nur mir" (I Only Belong to Myself). She affirms to herself that she is free and cannot be controlled, and anyone who seeks to own her will only make her flee.
288** The second is her act 2 duet with Death, "Wenn ich tanzen will" (If I Want to Dance), as she rejoices in her success of Hungarian independence, and reaffirms that she dances to her own beat.
289[[/folder]]
290
291[[folder:Video Games]]
292* J, the leader of the Reaper Squad in ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore'', is what is known as a "Cultivator": an artificially grown soldier cloned from the best pilots with no purpose other than to fight and [[MindUploading who has had their consciousness digitized]] and uploaded into an [[MiniMecha AC]]. With the massive war between the Three Great Powers finally ending, J realizes that his purpose is coming to end as well. He confronts the player in a final battle, admitting that "there is no place for me but the battlefield. To live as I please... and die a senseless death."
293* At the end of his optional introspection storyline in ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedRevelations'', Desmond arrives at the realization: "My name is Desmond Miles. I am an Assassin. I ''am'' an Assassin." Notably, he has denied being an Assassin multiple times since game one.
294* A rather sobering example shows up at the end of ''VideoGame/BatmanTheTelltaleSeries'': Bruce Wayne is faced with the choice of either [[spoiler:allowing his butler Alfred Pennyworth to ResignInProtest, or send Batman into early retirement]]. This is Bruce's line should the player choose the former option:
295-->''You're right, Al. It's who I am. I will always be Batman. That will never change.''
296* In the canon route of ''VideoGame/BlazeUnion'', Garlot has it dropped on him quite abruptly that [[IAmWho he's not who he thinks he is]]--as much as his mother tried to hide it from him, he's actually a pureblooded descendant of the demon Brongaa, and his real name is Gulcasa. As this comes in the middle of a brutal TraumaCongaLine, it would probably be forgivable for the poor kid to break down from the identity crisis... but he just accepts the truth calmly and then sets about trying to find a way to use his newfound power to protect people. At the very end of the game, he puts the spirit of this trope into words, but by then it really comes off as more of a TearJerker than anything else, as several people who meant a lot to him have utterly rejected him because of this.
297* In ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'', Nero is deeply ashamed of having demonic power in the form of his Devil Bringer arm. Once he [[TraumaticSuperpowerAwakening awakens a rudimentary form of Devil Trigger]], he accepts that he may have to use said demonic power in order to protect [[LoveInterest Kyrie]].
298-->'''Nero:''' From that day forth... my arm changed, and a voice echoed... "[[MeaningfulEcho Power... Give me more power!]]" And if I become a demon, so be it! I will endure the exile... Anything, to protect her!
299* Terra in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' is at first terrified of the fact that [[spoiler:she's half-human, half esper (basically a magical creature from another world).]] However, she comes to accept the fact that she is what she is and uses it to try to [[spoiler:make peace with the espers, although Kefka ultimately ruins that.]]
300* The ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' series:
301** In ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories'', Riku spends most of [[AnotherSideAnotherStory Reverse/Rebirth]] trying to fight his inner darkness. When he finally decides to use it to save himself, he's called out on it by one of the antagonists--and responds with a reworded version of this trope:
302--->'''Zexion''': Heh... After all your protests you're still just another darkling.\
303'''Riku''': I know who I am.
304** In ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsIII'', [[EnemyWithout Vanitas]] defines himself as Ven and Sora's "shadow", since his entire being is comprised of the former's inner darkness that the latter replaced. In Vanitas's final moments, Ven tries getting him to understand that he's his own person who's free to choose to be more than just someone else's darkness, but when Vanitas [[ShutUpKirk throws it back in his face]] by revealing his self-image is entirely his own choice, Ven begrudgingly accepts [[RedemptionRejection he's sticking to that choice to the bitter end]].
305* ''VideoGame/MadWorld'': "I don't save people, I kill them."
306* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' series: One of the constant struggles for Solid Snake's character is that he has BloodKnight tendencies. Snake's father Big Boss and his brother Liquid remind him that inside of him there is a warrior spirit that loves to fight and that he should embrace it, and revel in the joys of battle. After a long internal struggle Snake does eventually come to terms with his love for violence and embraces his fighting nature, but tries his best to separate himself from the examples of his family by using his combat talents for good causes. As an outward sign of his internal struggle Snake gives non-lethal combat a chance in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty'', but eventually falls back into using lethal weaponry on the battlefield. Despite his attempts to do good Snake eventually despairs in the knowledge that he can't escape his violent nature and admits that he is a bad person at heart with an irredeemable killer nature. Snake actively protests the idealistic images people have of him being a hero simply because he stopped a few terrorist incidents, stating "I am no hero, never was. I am just an old killer."
307* ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'': ''New Blood'' is ADayInTheLimelight for [[TheExpyWithNoName Cassidy]], as he is approached to help reunite and reform the titular HeroesRUs, and decides to use the opportunity to come to grips with his criminal past and silence "[=McCree=]", his darker self, for good.
308* Every party member in ''VideoGame/Persona4'' does this to obtain their Persona.
309* The ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' series:
310** In ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'', Sonic gives one in response to Shadow's inquiry of what special kind of creature Sonic must be to have been able to conduct Chaos Control (especially notable as he did it with a '''fake''' Emerald, something Shadow views as impossible) and escape certain death from that explosion. Sonic's answer is the defining moment of his character: "What you see is what you get: just a guy that loves adventure. I'm Sonic the Hedgehog!"
311** In ''VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog'', at the end of several story routes and especially the final, canon route Shadow states, "This is who I am!" when he is finally at peace with his (perceived) identity and has put the past behind him once and for all. Shadow comes to terms with the idea that he is a weapon designed by Gerald Robotnik, but he has decided that he can be so much more than just a weapon: with his powers, he will find a way to bring the people of the Earth happiness, just as Maria had hoped.
312[[/folder]]
313
314[[folder:Webcomics]]
315* ''Webcomic/{{Erfworld}}'': [[http://www.erfworld.com/book-2-archive/?px=%2F2009-11-04.jpg Defiantly stated]] by Prince Ossomer, but he's not speaking about a flaw (as he sees it) -- he is stating his [[TheFettered principled opposition]] to Ansom and his anti-Royal rhetoric.
316* The plot of ''Webcomic/{{Misfile}}'' is this trope meeting both GenderBender and ResetButton (for Ash and Emily respectively).
317* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': In his StartOfDarkness, Xykon doesn't seem in any way ashamed of his powers, but his eventual affirmation of his own style defies those who thought he should have been a self-loathing [[TheAtoner Atoner.]]
318* This is one of the main themes of "Webcomic/DresdenCodak"'s "Dark Science" arc.
319--> "The honest truth is I'm just Kim.\
320I couldn't be anyone else."
321[[/folder]]
322
323[[folder:Web Original]]
324* A memetic [=PowerPoint=] [[https://me.me/i/am-a-dumb-bitch-with-terrible-taste-i-will-never-20674458 presentation]] sums this up succinctly:
325--> I AM A DUMB BITCH WITH TERRIBLE TASTE\
326I WILL NEVER CHANGE\
327I WILL NEVER IMPROVE\
328THAT IS A PROMISE
329[[/folder]]
330
331[[folder:Web Videos]]
332* Mean-spiritedly subverted in WebVideo/DemoReel. After four episodes and God knows how many years of self-loathing, Donnie [=DuPre=] accepts himself as both Donnie and Jimmy Boyd, a filmmaker who ''will'' make good movies and someone who can remember his tragic past but not obsess over it anymore. Turns out he's neither, he's WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic, and his whole existence is a punishment.
333[[/folder]]
334
335[[folder:Western Animation]]
336* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': "My name is Zuko, son of Ursa and Firelord Ozai, Prince of the Fire Nation and heir to the throne.". This doubles as a BadassBoast, although while it intimidates his opponent, the people he was protecting from them ''really'' don't like who he is and run him out of town.
337** Zuko also comes to embrace the fact that his uncle Iroh, who most of the Fire Nation view as a lazy failure, has rubbed off on him.
338--->'''Fire Lord Ozai''': ''(laughs)'' Your uncle has gotten to you, hasn't he?\
339'''Zuko''' ''(smiling)'': Yes. He has.
340* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'' had a rather dark and depressing example in the episode "Sideshow". Killer Croc escapes from a prison transport and ends up stumbling across a small community of retired circus sideshow performers living in the woods. They see him as one of their own and even defend him from Batman when he tracks him down. Croc seems to enjoy the acceptance and peace the group offers... at least until he finds out they have a large amount of money stashed away for emergencies and can't resist trying to make off with it. As Croc is lifted away by helicopter back to jail, the seal boy he'd bonded with tearfully asks him why he betrayed them. Croc can only solemnly reply with this:
341-->'''Croc''': You said it yourself, kid. "Out here, you can be yourself." I guess that's what I was doing. Being myself.
342* In the first episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'', Goliath responds to humans' dislike of his race with "We are what we are".
343* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited'' episode "The Doomsday Sanction" features a villainous example. When Doomsday says that he'll kill Superman, he asks why. The creature replies "It's what I am. I don't care why."
344* ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'''s Ron Stoppable: "I am what I is."
345* What started as a fantasy sequence in the opening of ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'' pilot, becomes a self-affirming BadassBoast and PreAsskickingOneLiner for Luz [[spoiler:in the finale episode when she takes down Emperor Belos once and for all.]]
346--> '''Luz''': [[spoiler: For I am the Good Witch Luz, [[ChildOfTwoWorlds child of the Human Realm, student of the Demon Realm]], and Warrior of Peace. [[CallBack NOW EAT THIS, SUCKA!]]]]
347[[/folder]]
348

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