History Main / UnrequitedTragicMaiden

** While [[spoiler: Sayaka]] has quite a bit of this trope, viewing her as such more often than not '''[[NeverLiveItDown flattens]]''' her personality and in-canon conflicts. [[PlayingWithATrope The truth is far more complex]]: [[spoiler: Sayaka already had serious self-esteem problems ''before'' she became a MagicalGirl, and when she offered to become one and mentioned that she wanted to use her wish for Kyousuke, CoolBigSis Mami questioned her purpose. She makes her wish for him against Mami's warning, since she believes it would still be worth it; only ''then'' Sayaka learns that [[BlessedwithSuck being a MagicalGirl is NOT as sparkly and beautiful as she thought it was]]; while losing in the LoveTriangle is a part of the reason why [[DespairEventHorizon she fell]] [[FaceHeelTurn out of grace]], is not her '''''only''''' reason.]] But go tell that to [[FanDumb several of her "fans"]], who peg the girl '''only''' as the local UnrequitedTragicMaiden and then make her a PossessionSue.

* Kaede Fuyou from ''{{Shuffle}}'' is a rather unusual example, as she plays this straight first... and then dips into ''{{yandere}}''.

* [[spoiler: Shirley Marks]] from CaptainTsubasa, to a degree. She loves [[spoiler: Stefan Levin]] deeply, can't tell him her feelings [[spoiler: because his dead fiancée Karen was her best friend]] and she clearly knows he simply can't love her back. This is [[LoveHurts a pretty sucky situation]], but the girl attempts to not wangst and complain about it.

** While [[spoiler: Sayaka]] has quite a bit of this trope, viewing her as such more often than not '''[[NeverLiveItDown flattens]]''' her personality and in-canon conflicts in the eye of fandom. [[PlayingWithATrope The truth is far more complex]]: [[spoiler: Sayaka already had serious self-esteem problems ''before'' she became a MagicalGirl, and when she offered to become one and mentioned that she wanted to use her wish for Kyousuke, CoolBigSis Mami questioned her purpose. She makes her wish for him against Mami's warning, and only ''then'' she learns that [[BlessedwithSuck is NOT as sparkly and beautiful as she thought it was]]; while losing in the LoveTriangle is a part of the reason why [[DespairEventHorizon she fell]] [[FaceHeelTurn out of grace]], is not the '''''only''''' reason.]] But go tell that to [[FanDumb several of her "fans"]], who peg the girl '''only''' as the local UnrequitedTragicMaiden and then make her a PossessionSue.

* Ahiru from ''Anime/PrincessTutu'' is in love with Mytho, [[spoiler: who never pursues a romantic relationship with her and eventually ends up with his childhood friend Rue instead.]] To futher add insult to injury, when it looks like [[spoiler: Fakir and Ahiru might have a happily ever after, Ahiru turns into a duck and cannot change back, ending any hopes of a romantic realtionship for the poor girl...err...duck girl.]].
** But this trope is [[AvertedTrope actually negated]] both by WordOfGod saying that Ahiru's feelings were less romantic and more like strong platonic admiration towards Mytho, and by how after [[spoiler: Rue's HeroicSacrifice ]], Ahiru confides in Fakir that [[spoiler: she wouldn've never been able to sacrifice her human form solely for Mytho's sake.]] Since [[spoiler: Tutu's magical pendant has one of Mytho's heart shards and Ahiru depends on it ''since she's a duck given a human form through said pendant'' (not a girl who turns into duck)]], deep down Ahiru ''very'' understandably [[spoiler: doesn't want to part from it, and she says she would've thought twice upon having to give it away]] - unlike [[spoiler: Rue, who upon being on the verge of losing her beloved Mytho forever, immediately told the Raven King to eat her heart instead, which liberated Mytho from the Raven's control.]] In a sense, we could say that [[spoiler: '''Rue''', despite being an AntiVillain DarkMagicalGirl, has more than one whiff of the trope, and only ''barely'' avoided either losing or dying.]]

* [[spoiler: Sayaka]] in ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica''. [[spoiler: She yearns for Kyousuke's love, but he shows no romantic interest in her and after Sayaka doesn't confess her love for him in time, he hooks up with Hitomi, who ''did'' come forward when she had the chance. Things do NOT end well for Sayaka.]]

* ''TheLadyOfShalott'' (the page image) from Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem of the same name which is based on the ArthurianLegend character Elaine of Astolat, who pined after Lancelot (who, of course, only had eyes for Guenivere) and eventually died of a broken heart.

* Willow on ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' was this for a while, pining away for Xander, until she [[spoiler:got a boyfriend of her own. And then became (or realized she was) a lesbian or a lesbian-leaning bi.]]

* There's one in TenYoriMoHoshiYoriMo. [[spoiler: It's ''not'' the female lead Mio Mizumori, who actually has her feelings for Shou/Rei requited very soon. It's actually another girl, the local {{Ojou}}, who falls for Shou/Rei... and ends up dying in a plane crash caused by Tadaomi.]]

** But this trope is [[AvertedTrope actually negated]] both by WordOfgod saying that Ahiru's feelings were less romantic and more like strong platonic admiration towards Mytho, and by how after [[spoiler: Rue's HeroicSacrifice ]], Ahiru confides in Fakir that [[spoiler: she wouldn've never been able to sacrifice her human form solely for Mytho's sake.]] Since [[spoiler: Tutu's magical pendant has one of Mytho's heart shards and Ahiru depends on it ''since she's a duck given a human form through said pendant'' (not a girl who turns into duck)]], deep down Ahiru ''very'' understandably [[spoiler: doesn't want to part from it, and she says she would've thought twice upon having to give it away]] - unlike [[spoiler: Rue, who upon being on the verge of losing her beloved Mytho forever, immediately told the Raven King to eat her heart instead, which liberated Mytho from the Raven's control.]] In a sense, we could say that [[spoiler: '''Rue''', despite being an AntiVillain DarkMagicalGirl, has more than one whiff of the trope, and only ''barely'' avoided either losing or dying.]]

** While [[spoiler: Sayaka]] has quite a bit of this trope, viewing her as such more often than not '''[[NeverLiveItDown flattens]]''' her personality and in-canon conflicts in the eye of fandom. [[PlayingWithATrope The truth is far more complex]]: [[spoiler: Sayaka already had serious self-esteem problems ''before'' she became a MagicalGirl, and when she offered to become one and menioned that she wanted to use her wish for Kyousuke, CoolBigSis Mami questioned her purpose. She makes her wish for him against Mami's warning, and only ''then'' she learns that [[BlessedwithSuck is NOT as sparkly and beautiful as she thought it was]]; while losing in the LoveTriangle is a part of the reason why [[DespairEventHorizon she fell]] [[FaceHeelTurn out of grace]], is not the '''''only''''' reason.]] But go tell that to [[FanDumb several of her "fans"]], who peg the girl '''only''' as the local UnrequitedTragicMaiden and then make her a PossessionSue.

* Kaede Fuyou from {{Shuffle}} is a rather unusual example, as she plays this straight first... and then dips into ''{{yandere}}''.

* "TheLadyOfShalott" (the page image) from Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem of the same name which is based on the ArthurianLegend character Elaine of Astolat, who pined after Lancelot (who, of course, only had eyes for Guenivere) and eventually died of a broken heart.

No matter how painful her yearning for love is, the Unrequited Tragic Maiden never truly achieves her happily ever after with the one she loves. She endures it all with a sad smile and is often reduced to a tragic fate. She is the poster child of {{Unrequited Love|Tropes}}. In the end she will often sacrfice herself or her happiness [[IWantMyBelovedtobeHappy to make sure her beloved is happy]].

Fan reactions to her tend to be mixed. Many fans will cheer and push for the Maiden's succeess, to the extent of calling TheHero an UngratefulBastard if he doesn't fall to the girl's feet (because her often ''never asked for'' pining and sacrifices are seen by fans [[UnfortunateImplications as him owing her affection or sex no matter what he actually thinks or says]]) or SlutShaming any possible female love rival (because TheHero is seen as [[DoubleStandard a tool of women's validation]] and some think that women shouldn't act on their own romantic feelings if it interfers with others); and if the Maiden doesn't succeed, much bashing of ''the author'' shall be expected. On the other hand, others will turn '''against the Maiden''' and call her "spineless", "weak", "slut", "stupid bitch who pines for a man when she could go for someone else"; this is specially obvious if either TheHero has another prospect love interest or female friend [[RealWomenDontWearDresses wh's perceived as being "stronger" and "cooler"]] than the maiden herself, or the Maiden herself has a prospect male love interest whose (canon or not) feelings she passes up on to favor TheHero.

Compare to HopelessSuitor and RomanticRunnerUp, who is the brother of this trope but usually with a less tragic end. May wind up becoming TheLostLenore after death if the person they loved grieves for them, blames themselves for her death or else only discovers that he loved her until it is too late. Contrast to GreenEyedMonster, in which is more prone to sabtoge and a devious nature unlike the docile nature of the UnrequitedTragicMaiden. This is starting to become a DiscreditedTrope as romantic portrayals of females become less dependent on the male characters.

* Played with in ''[[Anime/AnoHanaTheFlowerWeSawThatDay Ano Hana]]''. Menma suffers a tragic death right after hearing Jintan deny having a crush on her. In reality, he returned her feelings while she was alive, and still liked her even when she was a ghost.

** But the first point to is negated both by WordOfgod saying that Ahiru's feelings were less romantic and more like strong platonic admiration towards Mytho, and by how after [[spoiler: Rue's HeroicSacrifice ]], Ahiru confides in Fakir that [[spoiler: she wouldn've never been able to sacrifice her human form solely for Mytho's sake. Since Tutu's pendant has one of Mytho's heart shards and Ahiru depends on it to keep even her basic human body, deep down Ahiru ''veru'' understandably doesn't want to part from it, and she confesses that she would've thought twice upon having to give it away - unlike Rue, who upon being on the verge of losing her beloved Mytho forever, immediately told the Raven King to eat her heart instead, which liberated Mytho from the Raven's control.]] In a sense, we could say that [[spoiler: '''Rue''', despite being an AntiVillain DarkMagicalGirl, has more than one whiff of the trope, and only ''barely'' avoided either losing or dying.]]

* There's one in TenYoriMoHoshiYoriMo. [[spoiler: It's ''not'' the female lead Mio, who actually has her feelings for Shou/Rei requited very soon. It's actually another girl, the local {{Ojou}}, who falls for Shou/Rei... and ends up dying in a plane crash caused by Tadaomi.]]

Fan reactions to her tend to be mixed. Many fans will cheer and push for the Maiden's succeess, to the extent of calling TheHero an UngratefulBastard if he doesn't fall to the girl's feet (because her often ''never asked for'' pining and sacrifices are seen by fans [[UnfortunateImplications as him owing her affection or sex no matter what he thinks or says]]) or SlutShaming any possible female love rival (because TheHero is seen as [[DoubleStandard a tool of women's validation]] and some think that women shouldn't act on their own romantic feelings if it interfers with others); and if the Maiden doesn't succeed, much bashing of ''the author'' shall be expected. On the other hand, others will turn '''against the Maiden''' and call her "spineless", "weak", "slut", "stupid bitch who pines for a man when she could go for someone else"; this is specially obvious if either TheHero has another prospect love interest or female friend [[RealWomenDontWearDresses wh's perceived as being "stronger" and "cooler"]] than the maiden herself, or the Maiden herself has a prospect male love interest whose (canon or not) feelings she passes up on to favor TheHero.

** But the first point to is negated both by WorOfgod sayig that Ahiru's feelings were less romantic and more like strong platonic admiration towards Mytho, and by how after [[spoiler: Rue's '''massive''' HeroicSacrifice ]], Ahiru confides in Fakir that [[spoiler: she wouldn've never been able to sacrifice her human form solely for Mytho's sake. Since Tutu's pendant has one of Mytho's heart shards and Ahiru depends on it to keep even her basic human body, deep down Ahiru ''veru'' understandably doesn't want to part from it, and she explain to Fakir that she would've thought twice - unlike Rue, who upon being on the verge of losing her beloved Mytho forever, immediately told the Raven King to eat her heart instead, which liberated Mytho from the Raven's control.]]

Fan reactions to her tend to be mixed. Many fans will cheer and push for the Maiden's succeess, to the extent of calling TheHero an UngratefulBastard if he doesn't fall to the girl's feet (because her often ''never asked for'' pining and sacrifices are seen by fans [[UnfortunateImplications as him owing her affection or sex no matter what He thinks or says]]) or SlutShaming any possible love rival (because TheHero is seen as [[UnfortunateImplications a tool of women's validation]] and some think that women shouldn't act on their own romantic feelings if it interfers with others); and if the Maiden doesn't succeed, much bashing of '''the author''' shall be expected. On the other hand, others will turn ''against the Maiden'' and call her "spineless", "weak", "slut", "stupid bitch who pines for a man when she could go for someone else"; this is specially obvious if either TheHero has another prospect love interest or female friend [[RealWomenDontWearDresses wh's perceived as being "stronger" and "cooler"]] than the maiden herself, or the Maiden herself has a prospect male love interest whose canon or not feelings she passes up on to favor TheHero..

Compare to HopelessSuitor and RomanticRunnerUp, who is the brother of this trope but usually with a less tragic end. May wind up becoming TheLostLenore after death if the person they loved grieves for them, blames themselves for her death or else only discovers that he loved her until it is too late. Contrast to GreenEyedMonster, in which is more prone to sabtoge and a devious nature unlike the docile nature of the UnrequitedTragicMaiden. This is starting to become a DiscreditedTrope as romantic portrayals of females become less dependent on the male characters.

* Ahiru from ''Anime/PrincessTutu'' is in love with Mytho, [[spoiler: who never pursues a romantic relationship with her and eventually ends up with Rue instead.]] To futher add insult to injury, when it looks like [[spoiler: Fakir and Ahiru might have a happily ever after, Ahiru turns into a duck and cannot change back, ending any hopes of a romantic realtionship for the poor girl...err...duck]].

* [[spoiler: Sayaka]] in ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica''. [[spoiler: She yearns for Kyousuke's love, but he shows no romantic interest in her and ends up with Hitomi instead. Things do NOT end well for Sayaka.]]

* Played with in ''[[Anime/AnoHanaTheFlowerWeSawThatDay Ano Hana]]''. Menma suffers a tragic death right after hearing Jintan deny having a crush on her. In reality, he returned her feelings while she was alive, and still liked her even when she was a ghost.

* In the original story of Creator/HansChristianAndersen's fairy tale, "Literature/TheLittleMermaid", the mermaid rescues and falls in love with a prince. He marries a different girl whom he believes had rescued him. Because she was unsuccesful in making the prince fall in love with her, the mermaid turns to sea foam, choosing his happiness over her own life. In some versions she is rewarded for her sacrifice with a new life as an air sprite, during which time she will earn a soul (mermaids don't naturally have them) and go to Heaven.

* Ophelia from ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}'' might be seen as one, since Hamlet's act made her believe that he did not love her.

* Played with in ''[[Anime/AnoHiMitaHanaNoNamaeOBokutachiWaMadaShiranai Ano Hana]]''. Menma suffers a tragic death right after hearing Jintan deny having a crush on her. In reality, he returned her feelings while she was alive, and still liked her even when she was a ghost.

* In the original story of Creator/HansChristianAndersen's fairy tale, ''TheLittleMermaid'', the mermaid rescues and falls in love with a prince. He marries a different girl whom he believes had rescued him. Because she was unsuccesful in making the prince fall in love with her, the mermaid turns to sea foam, choosing his happiness over her own life. In some versions she is rewarded for her sacrifice with a new life as an air sprite, during which time she will earn a soul (mermaids don't naturally have them) and go to Heaven.
* ''TheLadyOfShalott'' (the page image) from Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem of the same name which is based on the ArthurianLegend character Elaine of Astolat, who pined after Lancelot (who, of course, only had eyes for Guenivere) and eventually died of a broken heart.
* Rebecca of York to {{Ivanhoe}}, due entirely to the fact that she's [[ValuesDissonance Jewish]]. She warns Ivanhoe not to fall for her at their first meeting and does a graceful IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy bow out at the end allowing [[FirstGirlWins Rowena]] and Ivanhoe to be together and devotes the rest of her life to doing good works. Notable in that even the ''author'' [[FanPreferredCouple preferred]] Rebecca and Ivanhoe.

* Ophelia from ''{{Hamlet}}'' might be seen as one, since Hamlet's act made her believe that he did not love her.

* Namine from ''KingdomHearts'' is drawn to Sora and wishes she were Kairi. In the end, [[spoiler: she wants Sora and Kairi to be happy and merges with Kairi thus destroying her own identity and existence in some ways.]]

[[quoteright:337:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/waterhouseshalott4_8127.jpg]]

->'''Eponine''': He was never mine to lose.
-->-- ''Theatre/LesMiserables''

She is beautiful. She is sweet. She is sincere. So why can't she get the guy already? The Unrequited Tragic Maiden is (usually) a female character that seems to have all the perfect characteristics to make her the ideal romantic interest or even TheIngenue of the story, but alas, for some reason the object of her affections does not view her as such. Usually this is because she is [[OvershadowedbyAwesome overshadowed by another female character]] who has captivated the heart of the guy, placing the Unrequited Tragic Maiden on the sideline only to be seen as a [[JustFriends friend or ward]].

No matter how painful her yearning for love is, the Unrequited Tragic Maiden never truly achieves her happily ever after with the one she loves. She endures it all with a sad smile and is often reduced to a tragic fate. She is the poster child of {{Unrequited Love|Tropes}}. In the end she will often sacrfice herself or her happiness [[IWantMyBelovedtobeHappy to make sure her beloved is happy]].

Compare to HopelessSuitor and RomanticRunnerUp, who is the brother of this trope but usually with a less tragic end. May wind up becoming TheLostLenore after death if the person they loved grieves for them, blames themselves for her death or else only discovers that he loved her until it is too late. Contrast to GreenEyedMonster, in which is more prone to sabtoge and a devious nature unlike the docile nature of the UnrequitedTragicMaiden. This is starting to become a DiscreditedTrope as romantic portrayals of females become less dependent on the male characters.

!!Examples:

[[AC:Anime and Manga]]
* Ahiru from ''Anime/PrincessTutu'' is in love with Mytho, [[spoiler: who never pursues a romantic relationship with her and eventually ends up with Rue instead.]] To futher add insult to injury, when it looks like [[spoiler: Fakir and Ahiru might have a happily ever after, Ahiru turns into a duck and cannot change back, ending any hopes of a romantic realtionship for the poor girl...err...duck]].
* [[spoiler:Beatrice]] from ''VisualNovel/UminekoNoNakuKoroNi'' may qualify, depending on [[MindScrew which versions of reality you believe]].

[[AC:Literature]]
* In the original story of HansChristianAndersen's fairy tale, ''TheLittleMermaid'', the mermaid rescues and falls in love with a prince. He marries a different girl whom he believes had rescued him. Because she was unsuccesful in making the prince fall in love with her, the mermaid turns to sea foam, choosing his happiness over her own life. In some versions she is rewarded for her sacrifice with a new life as an air sprite, during which time she will earn a soul (mermaids don't naturally have them) and go to Heaven.
* ''TheLadyOfShalott'' (the page image) from Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem of the same name which is based on the ArthurianLegend character Elaine of Astolat, who pined after Lancelot (who, of course, only had eyes for Guenivere) and eventually died of a broken heart.
* Rebecca of York to {{Ivanhoe}}, due entirely to the fact that she's [[ValuesDissonance Jewish]]. She warns Ivanhoe not to fall for her at their first meeting and does a graceful IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy bow out at the end allowing [[FirstGirlWins Rowena]] and Ivanhoe to be together and devotes the rest of her life to doing good works. Notable in that even the ''author'' [[FanPreferredCouple preferred]] Rebecca and Ivanhoe.

[[AC:Live Action Television]]
* Willow on ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' was this for a while, pining away for Xander, until she [[spoiler:got a boyfriend of her own. And then became (or realized she was) a lesbian or a lesbian-leaning bi.]]

[[AC:Theater]]
* ''{{Giselle}}'' from the ballet of the same name. In some versions, Giselle falls in love with Albretch, but Albretch is engaged to Bathilde. After dying of a broken heart, Giselle becomes TheLostLenore.

[[AC:Video Games]]
* Namine from ''KingdomHearts'' is drawn to Sora and wishes she were Kairi. In the end, [[spoiler: she wants Sora and Kairi to be happy and merges with Kairi thus destroying her own identity and existence in some ways.]]
* ''FireEmblem'' has a few of these [[LauncherOfAThousandShips due to most characters being given multiple romantic partners]].
** ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTellius Path of Radiance]]'' has [[LadyOfWar Titania]], second-in-command and TeamMom of the Greil Mercenaries. It's revealed in her Supports with Ike that she grew close to and became with enamored with Ike's father Greil while training under him, but [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy she pushed away her feelings for Greil]] when she discovered that he was already married with children. It should be no surprise that she (along with Ike and Mist) is hit the hardest by his death at the hands of the Black Knight (to the point that she breaks down into tears in their A Support when Ike thanks her for taking care of his father in his final years). She ''does'' have ShipTease with Ike, Boyd, and Rhys in ''Radiance'', but ultimately ends up single by the end of ''Dawn''.
** [[FireEmblemElibe Blazing Sword]] has a {{double subversion}} in [[WhiteMagicianGirl Priscilla]]. She ''does'' have a number of possible lovers she can Support with, but due to her status as nobility, she ultimately ends up in a StarCrossedLovers situation -- with all but one of them [[spoiler:the magician Erk, who has peerage only due to his tutelage under Pent, the Count of Reglay]].

[[AC:Film]]
* Though not meeting a tragic end like most of the examples in this trope, Eowyn in ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' pines for Aragorn, but her love is ultimately never returned.

* Ahiru from ''PrincessTutu'' is in love with Mytho, [[spoiler: who never pursues a romantic relationship with her and eventually ends up with Rue instead.]] To futher add insult to injury, when it looks like [[spoiler: Fakir and Ahiru might have a happily ever after, Ahiru turns into a duck and cannot change back, ending any hopes of a romantic realtionship for the poor girl...err...duck]].
* [[spoiler:Beatrice]] from ''UminekoNoNakuKoroNi'' may qualify, depending on [[MindScrew which versions of reality you believe]].
* [[spoiler: Sayaka]] in ''PuellaMagiMadokaMagica''. [[spoiler: She yearns for Kyousuke's love, but he shows no romantic interest in her and ends up with Hitomi instead. Things do NOT end well for Sayaka.]]
* Shirley Fenette from CodeGeass. [[spoiler: And right when it looks like she ''may'' have the chance to get Lelouch's love... BAM! Bullet to the gut, pool of her own blood, death in front of Lelouch.]]

* Shirley Fenette from CodeGeass. [[spoiler: And right when it looks like she ''may'' have the chance to get Lelouch's love... BAM! Knife to the gut, pool of her own blood, death in front of Lelouch.]]

* Hinata Hyuuga from ''{{Naruto}}'' looks like a good candidate for the trope... but there has been virtually no confirmation in regards to pairings in the series, after all. [[ShipToShipCombat And this is all we shall say about it.]]

* Willow on ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' was this for a while, pining away for Xander, until she ([[spoiler:got a boyfriend of her own. And then became (or realized she was) a lesbian or a lesbian-leaning bi.]])

* Namine from ''KingdomHearts'' is drawn to Sora and wishes she were Kairi. In the end, ([[spoiler: she wants Sora and Kairi to be happy and merges with Kairi thus destroying her own identity and existence in some ways.]])

** [[FireEmblemElibe Blazing Sword]] has a {{double subversion}} in [[WhiteMagicianGirl Priscilla]]. She ''does'' have a number of possible lovers she can Support with, but due to her status as nobility, she ultimately ends up in a StarCrossedLovers situation -- with all but one of them ([[spoiler:the magician Erk, who has peerage only due to his tutelage under Pent, the Count of Reglay]]).

* Ahiru from ''PrincessTutu'' is in love with Mytho, ([[spoiler: who never pursues a romantic relationship with her and eventually ends up with Rue instead.]]) To futher add insult to injury, when it looks like ([[spoiler: Fakir and Ahiru might have a happily ever after, Ahiru turns into a duck and cannot change back, ending any hopes of a romantic realtionship for the poor girl...err...duck]]).

Compare to HopelessSuitor and RomanticRunnerUp, who is the brother of this trope but usually with a less tragic end. May wind up becoming TheLostLenore after death if the person they loved grieves for them, blames themselves for her death or else only discovers that he loved her until it is too late. Contrast to GreenEyedMonster, in which is more prone to sabtoge and a devious nature unlike the docile nature of the UnrequitedTragicMaiden. This is starting to become a DiscreditedTrope as romantic portrayals of females become stronger and less dependent on the male characters.

* Hinata Hyuuga from ''{{Naruto}}''
** Debatable. There has been virtually no confirmation in regards to pairings in the series, after all.

* Willow on ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' was this for a while, pining away for Xander, until she ([[spoiler:got a boyfriend of her own. And then became (or realized she was) a lesbian.]])

** [[FireEmblemElibe Priscilla]] is a {{double subversion}} in that she has a number of possible lovers she can Support with, but due to her status as nobility, she ultimately ends up in a StarCrossedLovers situation with all but one of them ([[spoiler:the magician Erk, who has peerage due to his tutelage under Pent, the Count of Reglay]]).

** ''[[FireEmblemTellius Path of Radiance]]'' has [[LadyOfWar Titania]], second-in-command and TeamMom of the Greil Mercenaries. It's revealed in her Supports with Ike that she grew close to and became with enamored with Ike's father Greil while training under him, but [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy she pushed away her feelings for Greil]] when she discovered that he was already married with children. It should be no surprise that she (along with Ike and Mist) is hit the hardest by his death at the hands of the Black Knight (to the point that she breaks down into tears in their A Support when Ike thanks her for taking care of his father in his final years). She ''does'' have ShipTease with Ike, Boyd, and Rhys in ''Radiance'', but ultimately ends up single by the end of ''Dawn''.