History Main / TheWoobie

[[quoteright:350:[[Webcomic/{{Nedroid}} http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sadbear_3175.jpg]]]]

If the character is TheChewToy, a {{Jerkass}}, or evil he is not the Woobie ([[JerkassWoobie unless the character is also meant to be sympathetic]]). If the character doesn't let bad events faze him, he is not the Woobie. A small, one-off bad event does not make the character the Woobie, though it may qualify as a TearJerker.

If the character is TheChewToy or a {{Jerkass}}, he is not the Woobie ([[JerkassWoobie unless the character is also meant to be sympathetic]]). If the character doesn't let bad events faze him, he is not the Woobie. A small, one-off bad event does not make the character the Woobie, though it may qualify as a TearJerker.

In LighterAndFluffier fiction, the Woobie can sometimes [[EarnYourHappyEnding earn his/her happy ending]].

* Woobie/{{Film}}

* Woobie/{{Documentary}}

* Woobie/Documentary

* Woobie/{{Roleplay}}

A "woobie" is a name for any type of character who makes you feel extremely sorry for them. Basically, the first thing you think to say when you see the woobie is: "Aw, poor boy/girl!" Woobification of a character is a curious, audience-driven phenomenon, sometimes divorced from the character's canonical morality.

A "woobie" is a name for any type of character who makes you feel extremely sorry for them. Basically, the first thing you think to say when you see the woobie is: "Aw, poor boy!" Woobification of a character is a curious, audience-driven phenomenon, sometimes divorced from the character's canonical morality.

** ''Woobie/{{Tintin}}''

** ''Woobie/StarWars''

** ''Woobie/HarryPotter''

** ''Woobie/DeadliestCatch''
** ''Woobie/DoctorWho'' and spin-offs (''Torchwood'' and ''The Sarah Jane Adventures'')
** ''Woobie/CriminalMinds''

** ''Woobie/FinalFantasy''
** ''Woobie/MortalKombat''
** ''Woobie/{{Persona}}'' series

** ''Woobie/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic''

A story with TheWoobie allows the audience to vicariously experience relief from some pain by fantasizing about relieving TheWoobie's pain. (No, not ''[[IntimateHealing that]]'' way! Well, okay, [[RuleThirtyFour sometimes]].) Woobification can also tie into a disturbing hurt/comfort dynamic, in which fans enjoy seeing the Woobie tortured so they can wish the hurt away. This is often explored in HurtComfortFic.

An important aspect of TheWoobie is that their suffering must be caused by external sources. A character who suffers as the result of their own actions is a TragicHero and does not qualify.

In LighterAndFluffier fiction, TheWoobie can sometimes [[EarnYourHappyEnding earn his/her happy ending]].

In many versions there is also something about the Woobie's suffering that is notably heroic or noble. In this case the character is an IronWoobie. When TheWoobie does not show much outward emotion about their hurts (or anything else, for that matter), they are a StoicWoobie.

In {{anime}}, TheWoobie makes up a large part of {{Moe}} characters. Part of their appeal can come from them constantly striving against [[YankTheDogsChain their chains]]. Can be taken to the point of BreakTheCutie, and if the amount of misfortune seems too great it may result in DeusAngstMachina.

If the character is TheChewToy or a {{Jerkass}}, he is not TheWoobie ([[JerkassWoobie unless the character is also meant to be sympathetic]]). If the character doesn't let bad events faze him, he is not TheWoobie. A small, one-off bad event does not make the character TheWoobie, though it may qualify as a TearJerker.

Subtropes include WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds, IronWoobie, StoicWoobie, JerkassWoobie, MonsterSobStory, and WheelchairWoobie. If you're listing a character as one of these subtropes, do not link to the main trope (TheWoobie).

** ''Woobie/DoctorWho'' and ''Torchwood''