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[[quoteright:350:[[Manga/SayonaraZetsubouSensei https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/stalkercrush_sayonara-z-sensei_7441.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:She isn't the ''worst'' of his stalkers.]]

->''"Stalking is when two people take a long romantic walk together, but only one of them is aware of it."''
-->-- '''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upL9tFMgv9o&lc=UgycfsjZ84-pkiZcvbR4AaABAg Sean Dupupis]]''', ''[[Franchise/FridayThe13th JASON VOORHEES]] — "[[Music/ThePolice EVERY LIFE I TAKE...]]"''

A character noted for their obsession with another character. They claim that the motivation for their morally outrageous acts is a simple wish to gain attention from the crush-ee. Alternatively, the obsession may be explained as a misguided desire to "protect" [[note]](which often translates to ''isolate'' or ''smother'')[[/note]] the crush-ee, whether or not the crush-ee wants or needs such "protection". In any case, the more sincere they seem, the [[TermsOfEndangerment creepier they are.]]

Why does this happen? Because LoveMakesYouEvil, and "IfICantHaveYou No One Can!"

There'll usually be a DoubleStandard at play with this trope. Male stalkers are more likely to be portrayed unsympathetically, and as an actual danger to their object of obsession. [[StalkingIsFunnyIfItIsFemaleAfterMale Female stalkers]], by contrast, are likely to be portrayed sympathetically, and typically portrayed as [[{{Moe}} charming or cute]] (though ''beware'' the WomanScorned!).[[note]]This is partly due to male stalkers being more likely to murder their victims than female stalkers, and partly due to [[AManIsAlwaysEager the assumption that males aren't as picky when it comes to love or sex in the first place]].[[/note]] Both however will often be portrayed sympathetically if they happen to be [[BeautyEqualsGoodness pretty]]. An increasingly common tool for stalking is the internet; the trope may cross over with InternetStalking if they use the world wide web as a tool for it.

Compare StalkerWithoutACrush, whose obsession is unrelated to romantic or sexual feelings.

Related Tropes:

* If the stalker's behavior is meant to be romantic instead of creepy, it's StalkingIsLove.
* If the stalker is chasing a celebrity, especially one who doesn't know them, they're a LoonyFan.
* If the stalker spies on/photographs the target but does not seek further contact, they are ThePeepingTom.
* If the stalker wants their target's DNA as much as (if not more than) their love, that's a StalkerWithATestTube.
* If the stalker is unattractive (especially if female) and her attention disgusts the target, this is AbhorrentAdmirer.
* If the stalker is pursuing the target because he's particularly WrongGenreSavvy, he's most likely also a PrinceCharmingWannabe or convinced he's a DoggedNiceGuy. Can easily double as a CrazyJealousGuy. A HollywoodRestrainingOrder may be mentioned.
* If the stalker's [[LoveMakesYouCrazy crush makes them go]] AxCrazy at anyone who tries to interfere or even [[IfICantHaveYou the crush-ee]], the stalker is a {{Yandere}}, especially if she's female.
* If the stalker formerly had a romantic relationship with the target, they're a PsychoExGirlfriend.
* If the stalker is an antagonist and the target is a protagonist, it's likely a VillainousCrush.
* If the stalker's crush is in a relationship, the stalker is likely to be an AttemptedHomewrecker.
* If the stalker makes obscene phone calls to the target, this is a HarassingPhoneCall.
* If the character is not actually a stalker but the fandom makes them out to be one, they're a MemeticMolester.

As with all SexualHarassmentAndRapeTropes, '''Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease'''
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!!Example subpages:
[[index]]
* StalkerWithACrush/AnimeAndManga
* StalkerWithACrush/ComicBooks
* StalkerWithACrush/ComicStrips
* StalkerWithACrush/FanWorks
* StalkerWithACrush/{{Film}}
* StalkerWithACrush/{{Literature}}
* StalkerWithACrush/LiveActionTV
* StalkerWithACrush/{{Music}}
* StalkerWithACrush/ProfessionalWrestling
* StalkerWithACrush/{{Theatre}}
* StalkerWithACrush/VideoGames
* StalkerWithACrush/VisualNovels
* StalkerWithACrush/{{Webcomics}}
* StalkerWithACrush/WebOriginal
* StalkerWithACrush/WesternAnimation
* StalkerWithACrush/OtherMedia
[[/index]]

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