History Main / MovementMascot

** Supporters of Donald Trump sometimes depict him as the God-Emperor of Mankind, which IIRC started from [[MisaimedFandom a satirical parade float]]. There's also the inexplicable "[[Franchise/{{Touhou}} Momiji]] in a [=MAGA=] hat".

[[caption-width-right:350:[[Film/VForVendetta "Behind this mask there is more than just flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea... and ideas are bulletproof."]] ]]

** The film itself not just treat the mental illness as a serious issue, but the social unconformity that can lead into a massive riot against their own rulers if it's not treated well. With this issue in mind, most of the recent social movements in different countries like Hong Kong, Lebanon, Ecuador and Chile now have the figure of Arthur Fleck a.k.a. ComicBook/TheJoker as a symbol for these protests, even seen various {{cosplay}}ers in the middle of the manifestations in diverse cities of these countries, being compared as the "new" [[ComicBook/VForVendetta Guy Fawkes]].[[note]]To clarify: this movie version is the one which the people identifies of, the [[ComicBook/TheJoker original source character]] is [[MisaimedFandom a different story]].[[/note]]

* V from ''Film/VForVendetta'' is something of a half example. His ''mask'' has certainly become an icon for a wide variety of social movements (and even Tropers/{{Anonymous}} identifies with it) but it's typically labeled as a "Guy Fawkes mask"While this is technically true, ''V for Vendetta'' codified the look of the Guy Fawkes mask. Full V cosplays are rather rare at protest, but not unheard of.

* Supporters of Donald Trump sometimes depict him as the [[TabletopGame/Warhammer40000 God-Emperor of Mankind]], which IIRC started from [[MisaimedFandom a satirical parade float]]. There's also the inexplicable "[[Franchise/{{Touhou}} Momiji]] in a [=MAGA=] hat".
* Other Alt-Right leaders worldwide follow this tendency and also became MemeticMutation based on Trump's version. One of the most known versions is in Chile, where Alt-Right politician Jose Antonio Kast (also known by oppositors as [[UsefulNotes/KuKluxKlan KKKast]] and directly called as "nazi") has his own version of this meme as the "God-Emperor Kast".

* The character of Franchise/WinnieThePooh, specifically the Franchise/{{Disney|AnimatedCanon}} version, was used by Chinese internet users to mock their president, Xi Jinping, because of the similitudes with the character, usually getting photos of the president and compared with Pooh's poses. This was the reason that this character and the whole franchise were ''literally'' BannedInChina, and Chinese people who are against Xi Jinping still uses Pooh's image as a symbol against Chinese government in general and their unfair laws.

[[quoteright:350:[[Film/VForVendetta https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/movement_mascot_4.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"Behind this mask there is more than just flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea... and ideas are bulletproof."]]

!!Examples

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

[[folder:Film - Live-Action]]
* V from ''Film/VForVendetta'' is something of a half example. His ''mask'' has certainly become an icon for a wide variety of social movements (and even Tropers/{{Anonymous}} identifies with it) but it's typically labeled as a "Guy Fawkes mask." While this is technically true, ''V for Vendetta'' codified the look of the Guy Fawkes mask. Full V cosplays are rather rare at protest, but not unheard of.
* ''Film/Joker2019'':

** The film itself not just treat the mental illness as a serious issue, but the social unconformity that can lead into a massive riot against their own rulers if it's not treated well. With this issue in mind, most of the recent social movements in different countries like Hong Kong, Lebanon, Ecuador and Chile now have the figure of Arthur Fleck aka ComicBook/TheJoker as a symbol for these protests, even seen various {{cosplay}}ers in the middle of the manifestations in diverse cities of these countries, being compared as the "new" [[ComicBook/VForVendetta Guy Fawkes]].[[note]]To clarify: this movie version is the one which the people identifies of, the [[ComicBook/TheJoker original source character]] is [[MisaimedFandom a different story]].[[/note]]

** Other Alt-Right leaders worldwide follow this tendency and also became MemeticMutation based on Trump's version. One of the most known versions is in Chile, where Alt-Right politician Jose Antonio Kast (also known by oppositors as [[UsefulNotes/KuKluxKlan KKKast]] and directly called as "nazi") has his own version of this meme as the "God-Emperor Kast".

* The character of Franchise/WinnieThePooh, specifically the Franchise/{{Disney|AnimatedCanon}} version, was used by Chinese internet users to mock their president, Xi Jinping, because of the similtudes with the character, usually getting photos of the president and compared with Pooh's poses. This was the reason that this character and the whole franchise were ''literally'' BannedInChina, and Chinese people who are against Xi Jinping still uses Pooh's image as a symbol against Chinese govenment in general and their unfair laws.
* The eponymous ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarepants'' became an unofficial [[https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/wdpawm/spongebob-squarepants-egypts-new-revolutionary-symbol mascot]] for youth protesters in the Middle East during the UsefulNotes/ArabSpring.

* ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'' is a series [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff very popular]] in UsefulNotes/{{Chile}}. When the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Chilean_protests social movement started on October 2019]] against the president Sebastian Pinera, Inosuke Hashibira became the mascot of the movement, having [[https://www.alertageekchile.cl/2019/10/21/diferentes-ilustradores-muestran-a-inosuke-de-kimetsu-no-yaiba-como-parte-de-las-manifestaciones-actuales-de-nuestro-pais/ A LOT]] of fanarts of him battling police and being part of the movement as another Chilean, even having [[http://mouse.latercera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/y4.jpg his own place in the national emblem]]. As a way to support Chile, other fellow Latin American countries like Bolivia and Peru (also in conflict with their govenments) adopted the series' other protagonists [[https://larepublica.pe/resizer/n47zU8vQpahRDUwXI8QRwcxre0Y=/538x0/top/larepublica.pe/resizer/IHuMce9HUF1OVqZ_fY0tcp-hC7Q=/538x0/top/smart/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gruporepublica.s3.amazonaws.com/public/IPAG7GWFD5GGPBO2UK3RHKTFN4.jpg as their mascots]].

* ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'' is a series [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff very popular]] in UsefulNotes/{{Chile}}. When the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Chilean_protests social movement started on October 2019]] against the president Sebastian Pinera, the character of Inosuke Hashibira became the mascot of the movement, having [[https://www.alertageekchile.cl/2019/10/21/diferentes-ilustradores-muestran-a-inosuke-de-kimetsu-no-yaiba-como-parte-de-las-manifestaciones-actuales-de-nuestro-pais/ A LOT]] of fanarts of him battling police and being part of the movement as another Chilean, even having [[http://mouse.latercera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/y4.jpg his own place in the national emblem]]. As a way to support Chile, other fellow Latin American countries like Bolivia and Peru (also in conflict with their govenments) adopted the series' other protagonists [[https://larepublica.pe/resizer/n47zU8vQpahRDUwXI8QRwcxre0Y=/538x0/top/larepublica.pe/resizer/IHuMce9HUF1OVqZ_fY0tcp-hC7Q=/538x0/top/smart/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gruporepublica.s3.amazonaws.com/public/IPAG7GWFD5GGPBO2UK3RHKTFN4.jpg as their mascots]].

* The character of Franchise/WinnieThePooh, specifically the Franchise/{{Disney|AnimatedCanon}} version, was used by Chinese internet users to mock their president, Xi Jinping, because of the similtudes with the character, usually getting photos of the president and compared with Pooh's poses. This was the reason that this character and the whole franchise were ''literally'' BannedInChina, and Chinese people who is against Xi Jinping still uses Pooh's image as a symbol against Chinese govenment in general and their unfair laws.

* ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'' is a series [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff very popular]] in UsefulNotes/{{Chile}}. When the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Chilean_protests social movement started on October 2019]] against the president Sebastian Pinera, the character of Inosuke Hashibira became the mascot of the movement, having [[https://www.alertageekchile.cl/2019/10/21/diferentes-ilustradores-muestran-a-inosuke-de-kimetsu-no-yaiba-como-parte-de-las-manifestaciones-actuales-de-nuestro-pais/ A LOT]] of fanarts of him battling police and being part of the movement as another Chilean, even having [[http://mouse.latercera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/y4.jpg his own place in the national emblem]]. As a way to support Chile, other fellow Latin American countries like Bolivia and Peru (also in conflict with their govenments) adopted others of the series' protagonists [[https://larepublica.pe/resizer/n47zU8vQpahRDUwXI8QRwcxre0Y=/538x0/top/larepublica.pe/resizer/IHuMce9HUF1OVqZ_fY0tcp-hC7Q=/538x0/top/smart/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gruporepublica.s3.amazonaws.com/public/IPAG7GWFD5GGPBO2UK3RHKTFN4.jpg as their mascots]].

* ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'' is a series [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff very popular]] in UsefulNotes/{{Chile}}. When the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Chilean_protests social movement started on October 2019]] against the president Sebastian Pinera, the character of Inosuke Hashibira became the mascot of the movement, having [[https://www.alertageekchile.cl/2019/10/21/diferentes-ilustradores-muestran-a-inosuke-de-kimetsu-no-yaiba-como-parte-de-las-manifestaciones-actuales-de-nuestro-pais/ A LOT]] of fanarts of him battling police and being part of the movement as another Chilean, even having [[http://mouse.latercera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/y4.jpg his own place in the national emblem]].
** Recently, as a way to support Chile, other fellow Latin American countries like Bolivia and Peru (also in conflict with their govenments) adopted others of the series' protagonists [[https://larepublica.pe/resizer/n47zU8vQpahRDUwXI8QRwcxre0Y=/538x0/top/larepublica.pe/resizer/IHuMce9HUF1OVqZ_fY0tcp-hC7Q=/538x0/top/smart/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gruporepublica.s3.amazonaws.com/public/IPAG7GWFD5GGPBO2UK3RHKTFN4.jpg as their mascots]].

* ''Anime/VoltesV'' is big in the Philippines because [[BannedInChina it was banned there by a since-ousted president]], who is often claimed to have found its themes threatening - Wiki/TheOtherWiki [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltes_V#Influence_and_legacy_in_the_Philippines has more details]]. IIRC they have a statue of the eponymous SuperRobot somewhere.

* There're gay men in the US historically referring to each other as [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friend_of_Dorothy "friends of Dorothy"]], where the Dorothy in question may or may not be the one from ''Film/TheWizardOfOz''.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': The title character and, in general, all the Crystal Gems have being marked as emblems in the LGBT community. Some also consider Steven an icon against stereotypical RatedMForManly image on the Internet and believe him to be an example to the new generations.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': The title character and, in general, all the Crystal Gems have being marked as emblems in the LGBT community. Some also consider Steven an icon against toxic masculinity image on the Internet and believe him to be an example to the new generations.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': The title character and, in general, all the Crystal Gems have being marked as emblems in the LGBT community. Some also consider Steven an icon against stereotypical RatedMForManly image on the Internet and believe him to be an example to the new generations.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': The title character and, in general, all the Crystal Gems have being marked as emblems in the LGBT community. Some also consider Steven an icon against toxic masculinity on the Internet and believe him to be an example to the new generations.

SubTrope of {{Mascot}} (which is this but for ProductPlacement), KitchenSinkDrama and AudienceReactions. Usually overlaps with GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff, being the character targeted as mascot from a different country. Not to be confused with SugarWiki/GushingAboutCharactersYouLike where a few people calls it a mascot instead of a bigger group.

See also IconOfRebellion.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': The title character and, in general, all the Crystal Gems have being marked as emblems in the LGBT community. Some also consider Steven an icon against perceived "toxic masculinity" on the internet and believe him to be an example to the new generations.

* ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'' is a series [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff very famous]] in UsefulNotes/{{Chile}}. When the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Chilean_protests social movement started on October 2019]] against the president Sebastian Pinera, the character of Inosuke Hashibira became the mascot of the movement, having [[https://www.alertageekchile.cl/2019/10/21/diferentes-ilustradores-muestran-a-inosuke-de-kimetsu-no-yaiba-como-parte-de-las-manifestaciones-actuales-de-nuestro-pais/ A LOT]] of fanarts of him battling police and being part of the movement as another Chilean, even having [[http://mouse.latercera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/y4.jpg his own place in the national emblem]].

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': The title character and, in general, all the Crystal Gems have being marked as emblems in the LGBT community. Some also consider Steven as an icon against "toxic masculinity" on the Internet and believe him to be an example to the new generations.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': The title character and, in general, all the Crystal Gems have being marked as emblems in the LGBT community. Leftist groups also consider Steven as an icon against what they call "toxic masculinity" on the Internet and believe him to be an example to the new generations.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': The title character and, in general, all the Crystal Gems have being marked as emblems in the LGBT community. Steven is also considered as an icon against toxic masculinity on the internet and as an example to the new generations.

* ''Anime/VoltesV'' is big in the Philippines because [[BannedInChina it was banned there by a since-ousted president]], who is often claimed to have found its themes threatening - Wiki/TheOtherWiki [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltes_V#Influence_and_legacy_in_the_Philippines has more details]].

* ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'':
** In the [[VideoGame/Doom2016 2016 reboot]], the Doomguy/Doom Slayer is portrayed as a demon-hating PersonOfMassDestruction who once lead a civilization of Crusader-like knights and has zero tolerance for the Union Aerospace Corporation siphoning Hell Energy as an alternate energy source. This resulted in Doomguy being adopted as a Christian icon, with some jokingly characterizing the intense industrial metal soundtrack by Music/MickGordon as ChristianRock.
** In the gameplay demo footage of ''VideoGame/DoomEternal'' shown at Quakecon 2018, a holographic Union Aerospace Corporation spokeswoman was shown at points cheerfully downplaying the HellOnEarth situation by encouraging humans to help the demons integrate into their new home, claiming that it's more polite to call demons [[InsistentTerminology "mortally challenged"]] and calling Earth "the melting pot of the universe." When some people on Twitter that such rhetoric was offensive toward immigrants and minorities, Doomguy was subsequently used as a symbol opposing PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad.

* The character of Franchise/WinnieThePooh, specifically the Franchise/{{Disney|AnimatedCanon}} version, was used by Chinese internet users to mock their president, Xi Jinping, because of the similarities with the character, usually getting photos of the president and compared with Pooh's poses. This was the reason that this character and the whole franchise were ''literally'' BannedInChina, and Chinese people who are against Xi Jinping still uses Pooh's image as a symbol against Chinese government in general and their unfair laws.

** In the [[VideoGame/Doom2016 2016 reboot]], the Doomguy/Doom Slayer is portrayed as a demon-hating PersonOfMassDestruction who once lead a civilization of Crusader-like knights and has zero tolerance for the Union Aerospace Corporation siphoning Hell Energy as an alternate energy source. This resulted is Doomguy being adopted as a Christian icon, with some jokingly characterizing the intense industrial metal soundtrack by Music/MickGordon as ChristianRock.

* ''Anime/VoltesV'' is big in the Philippines because [[BannedInChina it was banned there by a since-ousted president]], who is often claimed to have found its themes threatening - Wiki/TheOtherWiki [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltes_V#Influence_and_legacy_in_the_Philippines has more details]]. IIRC they have a statue of the eponymous SuperRobot somewhere.

* The character of Franchise/WinnieThePooh, specifically the Franchise/{{Disney|AnimatedCanon}} version, was used by Chinese internet users to mock their president, Xi Jinping, because of the similtudes with the character, usually getting photos of the president and compared with Pooh's poses. This was the reason that this character and the whole franchise were ''literally'' BannedInChina, and Chinese people who is against Xi Jinping still uses Pooh's image as a symbol against Chinese govenment in general and their unfair laws.