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10[[quoteright:350:[[Literature/TheBible https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/transfiguration.jpg]]]]
11[[caption-width-right:350:"And lo, Jesus said unto them: thou shalt make many fictional characters in My likeness."]]
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17->'''Kaladin:''' I'm putting it all on the long bet. If I die, then they'll come out, shake their heads, and tell themselves they knew it would happen. But if I live, they'll remember it. And it will give them hope. They might see it as a miracle.\
18'''Syl:''' Do you want to be a miracle?\
19'''Kaladin:''' No. But for them, I will be.
20-->-- ''Literature/TheWayOfKings2010''
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22While the word "messiah" has different meanings in different cultures and there have been [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_messiah_claimants dozens of claimants to the title]] according to Website/{{Wikipedia}}, for most Western intents and purposes, the term has been HijackedByJesus, with UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}} becoming the {{Trope Maker|s}}.
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24In media, the Messianic Archetype is a character whose role in the story (but not necessarily personality) echoes that of Christ. They are portrayed as a savior, whether the thing they are saving is a person, a lot of people or the whole of humanity. They endure a sizable [[HeroicSacrifice sacrifice]] as the means of bringing that salvation about for others, a fate they do not deserve up to and including death or a FateWorseThanDeath. Other elements may be mixed and matched as required but the Messianic Archetype will include one or more of the following:
25* TheChosenOne
26* TrueCompanions who follow him
27* [[BetrayalTropes Betrayal by one of those followers]]
28* [[CassandraTruth Persecution by nonbelievers]]
29* CrucifiedHeroShot (or other parallels to the PassionPlay)
30* [[DiedHappilyEverAfter Figurative]] or [[BackFromTheDead literal]] resurrection
31* A SecondComing
32* [[SignificantMonogram Literally having the initials 'J.C.']]
33* TheRedeemer
34* Dressing like Jesus
35
36Some takes on what makes a Messianic Archetype include AllLovingHero, the DarkMessiah (the extreme AntiHero version), TheAntichrist, the FalseProphet (the lying scammer version), and the AntiAntichrist. However, keep in mind that AllLovingHero and the Messianic Archetype ''are not synonymous''. AllLovingHero is about a character type with certain personality traits. The Messianic Archetype is about the role the character has in the events of the plot and can have any personality traits, even overtly villainous ones. Even spawns of The Devil themselves can be Messianic Archetypes (such as the more messianic versions of the AntiAntichrist).
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38It's also not necessary for the archetypal character to be even remotely Christian. The {{Ur Example}}s include Osiris (Egyptian) and Inanna (ancient Mesopotamia and the actual city of Ur) making this trope OlderThanTheyThink.
39
40This trope is the good counterpart to the TheAntichrist, which are characters inspired by the being of the same name as portrayed in the Literature/BookOfRevelation[[note]][[CommonKnowledge though the book itself only refers to him as "The Beast"]][[/note]].
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42Those who fall into this archetype are often {{Allegorical Character}}s. See AwayInAManger for Nativity parallels at an earlier point on the life timeline. Compare MadonnaArchetype, MosesArchetype, PietaPlagiarism, CrystalDragonJesus. Contrast FauxSymbolism. See AProtagonistShallLeadThem for the pre-Christian model of "messiah".
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44Remember that while many Messiahs die (and many then [[FirstLawOfResurrection come back to life]]), this is still '''not a {{Death Trope|s}}''', so spoilers should still be marked.
45[[noreallife]]
46----
47!!Examples:
48
49[[foldercontrol]]
50
51[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
52* The most obvious example of this in ''Manga/{{AKIRA}}'' is, of course, the titular character, a godlike psychic mutant [[ChildrenAreInnocent child]] whose extraordinary power [[TheAntichrist could mean the end of the world]] as easily as its utter salvation; in the end, [[spoiler:he '[[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence dies]]' to create a new universe to contain his own and Tetsuo's man-made superpowers]]. Bonus points for his frothing-at-the-mouth [[{{Cult}} cult following]] and [[spoiler:his short resurrection in the movie]].
53** More subtly, [[{{Moe}} Kaori]] also fits the archetype nicely; she's a quietly suffering AllLovingHero who offers her forgiveness to the resident SatanicArchetype Tetsuo, consistently preventing TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt in doing so, despite the constant mistreatment she suffers from him; she's [[spoiler:quite literally shot in the back by traitors]] and [[spoiler:Tetsuo temporarily brings her spirit back, but [[ComeBackWrong it doesn't last]]]]. For the rest of his time in the manga, [[spoiler:he [[PietaPlagiarism carries her in his arms and mourns]]]]; [[spoiler:her death incites the SuperpowerMeltdown that allows him to finally be defeated]].
54* This is being rather horrifically subverted in the ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' manga; the people of Midland are suffering. The plague is decimating the populace. Bandits groups -- the remnants of mercenaries left without livelihood because of the end of the Hundred Years War -- are preying on the people. The heart of Midland, the great capital city of Wyndham, itself has been assailed by the horrible demonic Kushan Empire. The Demon Emperor Ganeshka of the Kushan Empire has the Princess Charlotte captive and intends to marry her to legitimize his conquest. ''However'', a dream is had in common every night by the entire nation, of the Hawk of Light, the White Hawk which burns away the darkness, and is acknowledged as a miracle and an omen even by the [[CrystalDragonJesus Holy See]]. When the White Hawk finally does arrive, he is both beautiful and powerful, rescuing the princess from the Demon Emperor of the Kushan Empire, and saving the forces of the Holy See from being utterly annihilated with his great Band of the Hawk, which consists of both Apostles, superhuman soldiers which can each destroy legions single-handedly, and of the common men. The heroes and the common people both support him, for his deeds are both kind and miraculous. One problem though; the messiah is really [[spoiler:''Griffith'', now named Femto, a ''demonic demigod'', the aforementioned Apostles are demons as well, and it was established earlier in the manga that he is going to save the world just to ''drop it even further into darkness'' (if that is even possible). To make it even worse, it's implied that he is the ''[[GodIsEvil legitimate]]'' Messiah as well.]]
55** Guts, however, [[MessiahCreep is becoming a straight example.]] Farnese decides to follow Guts after seeing his strength of will during the events at Albion, where he fought off a horde of demons while everyone else simply panicked. Isidro admires Guts' martial skill and strives [[HeroWorshipper to be as much like him as possible]]. Schierke grows a crush on him and her experiences with him change her misanthropic viewpoint that humanity is not worth saving. Even Serpico, who is initially a rival of Guts', slowly grows to admire him.
56* Chrono and Rosette of ''Manga/ChronoCrusade'' share duties for this, in a way. Chrono [[spoiler:falls in love with a woman known as Mary Magdalene]] and after her death sleeps in her grave for 50 years until he's woken up by Joshua and Rosette. Rosette, on the other hand, is spending her lifespan to give Chrono his powers and in the manga [[spoiler:does eventually die from it...but comes back to life partially through [[{{Determinator}} sheer force of will]] and partially with the help of Mary's soul]]. In the anime this is made [[{{Anvilicious}} even more obvious]] when Rosette [[spoiler:receives stigmata marks that allow her to heal people and harm demons. Both her and Chrono die at the end of the series and ''don't'' come back to life...[[ShootTheShaggyDog although Aion does]].]]
57* Lelouch Lamperouge in ''Anime/CodeGeass'' often compares himself to a Messiah who produces miracles and can be seen as a Messianic Archetype at the end of the series. Or more accurately, a DarkMessiah. [[spoiler:[[ZeroApprovalGambit He redirected all the entire world's hatred upon himself so that the world may be united against him as a common enemy, causing peace]].]] His "dark" aspects come from his [[AllLovingHero deep love]] for his friends (and [[BigBrotherInstinct younger sisters]] in particular), but to strangers too -- to the point where he becomes ruthlessly vengeful against those who threaten the innocent.
58* ''Anime/{{Daimos}}'': With his long blonde hair, wings and resemblance to archangel Michael, Richter can pass off as this. It helps that he's already under the (misguided) belief that he's doing right by his people. [[spoiler: Which makes TheReveal that he's been leading them into further doom all the more tragic]].
59* ''Manga/DeathNote'':
60** L, despite being a MagnificentBastard, gets some of this symbolism in the anime. [[spoiler: When L figures out Light is about to kill him, he gives Light a foot massage that looks suspiciously like a reference to Jesus washing Judas's feet. The shot of Light holding L's dead body has shades of PietaPlagiarism. He is symbolically resurrected through Mello and Near.]]
61* Son Goku of ''Franchise/DragonBall''. The guy came to Earth from the stars, saved the world three times before he turned twenty. [[HeroicSacrifice Gave his life]] ''[[HeroicSacrifice twice]]'' for the Earth and is described as like an angel by his friends and family. This is more evident in the English dub. During the Frieza Saga, Goku refers to himself as "Justice, peace, light, and truth". This isn't present in the original manga, however. The fifth movie ''Anime/CoolersRevenge'' was even [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmdLKIV1vds more blatant]] in portraying Goku as Christ-like as he resurrects a bird with his HealingHands. PlayedWith, however, in that despite his heroic qualities, he's obsessed with fighting and usually prioritises it over helping others, in some cases allowing enemies to reach stronger forms just for a better fight once the time comes, even giving one of their group's limited healing items to a villain just so, when he tags in someone else, they can have a full fight. These MrViceGuy tropes are heavily toned down in the original English dub, where his priorities are more in line with saving people... at least, where it can be.
62* ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar''
63** Toki. When given the power of the Hokuto arts, he uses them for healing instead of harming and often performs miracles for sick people. When he has to kill, he uses a technique that causes the victims to experience great euphoria as they die. He even looks like Jesus, too.
64** Shu; he bears a cross of stone to his death for the sake of one hundred innocents.
65** [[spoiler:Yuria]], who bears the Star [[spoiler:of the Mother]], heals the villain's troops and bandages the villain, and ''voluntarily agrees to die'' when [[spoiler:Ken-Oh wants to kill her]].
66** Kenshiro himself is the [[BigGood strongest source of goodness]] in the series and one of the first things he does with his HealingHands is cure a girl's muteness and another woman's blindness later.
67* ''Manga/{{Freezing}}'': [[spoiler:[[ArtificialHuman Chiffon Fairchild]]]] becomes one at the end of the E-Pandora Arc. After [[spoiler:[[WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds Amelia]] transforms into a Nova, Chiffon tries to convince her to forgive [[DespotismJustifiesTheMeans the Chevalier]] for plotting to dispose of her and the rest of the E-Pandora when they [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness outlived their usefulness]] to them, arguing that the Chevalier couldn't help themselves because they're [[HumansAreFlawed only human]]. When Amelia refuses and begins to self-destruct, Chiffon performs a HeroicSacrifice and absorbs the explosion at the cost of her life, explaining that she will take on Amelia's punishment, which humanity deserves, in order to protect her TrueCompanions]].
68%%Administrivia/PartialContextExample* ''Manga/FushigiYuugi'': As the long-awaited Priestess of Suzaku, Miaka is definitely this to the people of Konan. Also, in the [[Manga/FushigiYuugiGenbuKaiden prequel]], Takiko is this to the people of Hokkan when she becomes the Priestess of Genbu. She doesn't think she's worthy of it, though.
69* ''Manga/HappySugarLife'' has Shouko Hida. Shouko is the only morally upright character in a world infested with mentally disturbed psychopaths, and is very compassionate, taking it upon herself to free her best friend [[VillainProtagonist Satou Matsuzaka]] from the darkness in her life, only to [[spoiler: get stabbed to death]]. Shouko is also the only character in the manga and anime series who performed a true act of love by [[spoiler: snapping a picture of Satou and Shio and texting it to Asahi at the cost of her life]].
70* Hanyuu from ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'' is an interesting example. She used to be a Messianic Archetype, to the point where [[spoiler:she had her daughter ritually sacrifice her as atonement for the sins of the inhabitants of Onigafuchi]], but has since come to reject her former philosophy. She now believes that people cannot atone for their sins through the sacrifice of others.
71%%Administrivia/PartialContextExample* ''Anime/ImGonnaBeAnAngel'''s Noelle. She even has a halo and [[spoiler:is, in fact, an angel, or more accurately, a 1/3 of an angel]].
72* Touya in ''Literature/InAnotherWorldWithMySmartphone''. It's actually God's choice to send him to the world that needed him most. And considering he helps lots of people (including freeing slaves) and stops two assassination plots to usurp the throne, multiple coups (one involving undead uprising) and Fraze/Phrase invasions, he's pretty much that world's savior. It also helps that he's a NiceGuy. can use healing magic, [[FriendToAllChildren nice to children (and occasionally makes toys new in that world)]], [[spoiler:he's a demigod and is considered as God's adopted grandson]].
73* Etienne from ''Manga/InnocentsShounenJuujigun'' is designed to be this. The whole story is about his adventure as God's chosen child, and he goes on said adventure with an intentionally chosen twelve "disciples". [[spoiler: Later, he is betrayed by one of said disciples, decreed a heretic by the church, captured and executed (after many failed attempts at killing him), and has his body mounted on a stake and displayed as an example. He also reincarnates as his own son, and goes on to play a major part in ending UsefulNotes/TheCrusades.]]
74* ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'':
75** Jonathan Joestar, the protagonist of ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventurePhantomBlood Phantom Blood]]'', fits this trope, being an AllLovingHero who [[spoiler:meets his end via a HeroicSacrifice]].
76** ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureGoldenWind Golden Wind]]'':
77*** The Part's protagonist, Giorno Giovanna, can best be described as an [[AntiHero Anti-Heroic]] version of this trope. He's the son of DIO, whose name is the Italian word for "God", he gains a group of followers, who he inspires with his [[{{Determinator}} determination]] and ideals to take action, his [[FightingSpirit Stand]], Gold Experience, has the ability to heal and [[CreatingLife bring life to objects]], [[spoiler:and his ultimate enemy, [[BigBad Diavolo]], whose name is the Italian word for "Devil", is, [[MeaningfulName rather fittingly]], a SatanicArchetype]].
78*** Scolippi is also one of these, being one of the few genuinely good people in a Part filled with characters that range from [[BlackAndGrayMorality morally ambiguous to downright evil]]. His appearance being an obvious allusion to Christ probably helps.
79* [[spoiler:Shiro, the Silver King]] in ''Anime/{{K}}'' -- he doesn't strike one as the type to fill this role at first. As his follower, [[spoiler:Kuroh, says, he is "just hopeless, lazy, irresponsible, cowardly, and lacks commitment... yet, I find myself wanting to stand by his side and fight for him."]] He mostly fills the "salvation" and "resurrection" elements of this. Like Lelouch, he's an AllLovingHero except to those who threaten the ones he loves the most.
80%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample* [[spoiler:Elenore]] in ''Anime/{{Madlax}}'' tragically becomes one.
81* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny'': PLANT Chairman Gilbert Durandal certainly sees himself as this, and puts a huge amount of effort into convincing the world of it as well. It helps that his main opposition are so ObviouslyEvil that he's looked at as a saint just for fighting them. [[spoiler: When he puts his UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans project into action, he even names his KillSat equipped space station "Messiah" just in case anyone still had any doubts.]]
82* ''Manga/{{Monster}}'': Tenma, who takes him upon himself to save everyone around him through great personal sacrifice. Justified, in that the BigBad of the series, Johan, really is the worst person ever, and is sometimes referred to by other characters in the series as the Second Hitler, TheAntiChrist and the Devil himself.
83* William of ''Manga/MoriartyThePatriot'' is a DarkMessiah version often compared directly to Jesus by others, and hoping to bear the sins of removing evil from the world himself and die to save everyone else
84%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample* Tragic of ''Mythic Quest'' is believed to be this by the Church of the Seeker, which was founded on this belief alone, despite his quite publicized decision to SaveTheGirlScrewTheWorld.
85* The titular character from ''Manga/{{Naruto}}''. Let's count his Messiah credentials... He is TheChosenOne by prophecy. He has [[TrueCompanions a number of devoted followers.]] He's persecuted for most of his early life for being a [[PersonOfMassDestruction Jinchuriki]]. [[spoiler:He's technically dead with Kurama extracted from him and is about to be revived to save the world]] and most especially [[spoiler:he is the reincarnation of the youngest son of the Sage of Six Paths, AKA the God of Shinobi, who was chosen as the Sage's successor]].
86* The titular character from the film version of ''Manga/NausicaaOfTheValleyOfTheWind'', who starts out as a NiceGirl and eventually becomes an ardently pacifistic crusader who just wants everyone to get along instead of allowing humanity's destructive nature to unleash a GaiasVengeance nobody can survive. [[spoiler:The climax even has her sacrificing herself to protect her people, followed by her resurrection and a new era of peace, which was foretold by prophecy.]] This is averted in the manga, where, while still heroic, Nausicaa is a considerably more flawed and morally complex character.
87* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'':
88** Shinji also has some Messianic elements, but ''really'' doesn't want to be one of these, but ended up [[spoiler:acting as the channel for all the souls of humanity, along with Rei and Yui [[AndIMustScream who had let herself be trapped in Eva-01]].]] The parallel goes as far as Shinji forgiving everyone and deciding to redeem them, despite all the shit the world put him through.
89** As in ''Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion'', this is definitely [[spoiler:Kaworu "[[MemeticMutation He Died for Your Sins]]" Nagisa[[note]]oddly enough, he was based on ''Literature/TheMysteriousStranger'''s {{Satan|ic Archetype}}[[/note]] more than ever: a crown of thorn analogue, Mark 06 Bible reference, walking on water (the game spin offs of Rebuild), literally carrying Shinji's sin and representing the hope for salvation and redemption. There's a song of Shinji's mindset that compares our protagonist to Judas hilariously.]]
90%%Administrivia/PartialContextExample** Yui Ikari (''especially'' if you ask Gendo) and Rei Ayanami [[spoiler:who was a clone of Yui]].
91* ''Manga/OnePiece'':
92** Portgas D. Ace out of all characters fits this bill. [[spoiler: Not only is Ace the son of the GreaterScopeParagon and god-like figure Gold D Roger, but Ace has a cross tattooed on his back, uses a cross symbol in his attacks and in the ArcWar Marineford Ace [[HeroicSacrifice gives his life]] for Luffy. Essentially Ace died for the sins of the previous era and even long past his death he is immortalized by his loved ones]].
93** Kozuki Oden although he’s based off RealLife {{Outlaw}} Ishikawa Goemon, very quickly becomes a Jesus-analogue in the Wano FlashBack. He’s considered a radical among his people, he gains a group of followers and travels the world, at the end of his journey he is executed by the corrupt people of his country and performs a HeroicSacrifice which saves all his followers, and long after he is gone people to regard him as a symbol of hope and righteous goodness. [[spoiler: Also to hammer the point home, one of his most loyal followers (Kanjuro) betrays him much like Judas. In the present day, AscendedFanboy and a self-proclaimed Oden, Yamato even refers to Oden's Journal as their bible]].
94** The Sun God Nika is a mythological being said to embody freedom itself, and someone who frees the oppressed and the enslaved, predictably he is worshipped amongst slaves. [[spoiler:It later turns out that Nika and the mysterious Joy Boy connected to Gol D. Roger are one and the same, and that there is a prophecy that Joy Boy - and by extention Nika - would reappear in the present...in the form of Luffy's awakened form, as his Devil Fruit turns out to have never been a Gum-Gum fruit - but the Human-Human Fruit Model: Nika.]]
95* Himeno, as the White Manga/{{Pretear}}, falls into this archetype at the end of the series. She puts her heart and soul into saving the Dark Magical Girl and accomplishes it by [[spoiler:feeding all of her life energy to the demon that Fenrir created. This causes her to fall into a deep sleep, but since this ''is'' based loosely on "Snow White", TrueLovesKiss wakes her up.]]
96* In the prologue of ''Anime/PrincessTutu'', we're told a fairytale about a good Prince and an evil Raven who were locked in a furious battle. The fairytale was unfinished because the writer had died in the middle of writing the tale, but the Prince and Raven escaped the story so as to finish their battle. In the end, the Prince used forbidden magic to stab himself in the heart and shatter it, which [[SealedEvilInACan sealed away]] the Raven at the cost of the Prince's personality and emotions. The story revolves around the Prince -- Mytho -- having his heart restored piece by piece by the titular magical girl.
97* [[spoiler:Madoka]] in ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' is a selfless omnibenevolent and pure {{Moe}} girl [[BreakTheCutie who suffered temptation under]] [[spoiler: [[SatanicArchetype the Incubator]]]], and would always try to put her friends before her own life, but [[spoiler:Homura]], the analogue of St. Peter, kept preventing her from doing so to make her continue to live for herself ("Get thee behind me Satan"). [[spoiler:In the finale, Madoka takes all the multiplying Debt of Despair and suffering of all Magical Girls at every point in Space and Time into herself, preventing [[HeWhoFightsMonsters their mutation into the very abominations they fought against]], and then [[AbstractApotheosis becomes a Goddess of hope and compassion]] but at the cost of her [[AndIMustScream eternal punishment of absorbing the despair of the Universe with her own hands.]] Made more effective by the fact that the Ending was premiered on the Real Life ''Good Friday'' 2011. However, unlike the classical depiction of the Messianic Archetype, which depicted the Messiah vanquishing the Satan figure (Incubator) to annihilation or eternal torture, Madoka recognized that the Incubator gave mankind civilization, and without them, we would still be naked and living in caves, which was why, despite not liking it herself, she let them exist while she bore the fallout of despair created by their civilization into herself]]. There are also alternative timelines in the series where she assumes a Messiah role from the very start especially if you ask [[spoiler:Homura]].
98** [[spoiler: [[Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagicaTheMovie The movie]] fulfills the 'betrayal' aspect of this trope for poor Madoka, and unlike many other examples of this trope, the effects of [[FallenHero Homura's]] [[TheBadGuyWins betrayal stick]]. ''The messiah loses...''[[SequelHook at least for the moment.]]]]
99* Deconstructed in ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena''. [[spoiler:Anthy was killed by an angry mob when she tried to protect her brother, came back to life and has to bear the sins of humanity from then on. However, the anime shows that someone who is defined solely by sacrifice, suffering and martyrdom will eventually be warped into a bitter shadow of themselves. Furthermore, taking on someone else's sins and burdens does nothing good to them, as it generates guilt and eventually resentment and teaches that they can avoid consequences]].
100* Oscar de Jarjayes in ''Manga/TheRoseOfVersailles''. She even has a December 25th birthday, has 12 "disciples" and [[spoiler:dies at age 33]].
101* ''Manga/RyusPath'': [[spoiler: Ryu has an insane number of supernatural skills, can communicate telepathically, assembles a group of loyal followers, proclaims that he will fight the wicked and protect the weak, and is hailed by many survivors as their hope for the future and an actual messiah]].
102* Usagi Tsukino in ''Anime/SailorMoon''. [[spoiler:Who is even called the Messiah in ''Sailor Moon S'' and for the duration of that series possesses an item called the "Holy Grail." Though the religious names were removed from TheNineties US dub, the actual plot elements were kept.]] In the ending of Season 1 -- [[spoiler:She uses the silver crystal to defeat Metalia, dies, and makes a wish on the crystal that she, Mamouru, and the other senshi be returned to life [[IJustWantToBeNormal as normal people]]. That doesn't last long...]]
103* Saori Kido, the reincarnation of Athena in ''Manga/SaintSeiya'' has more in common with Jesus Christ rather than her mythological counterpart, mostly due to her willingness to sacrifice herself in order to protect earth and mankind from the other JerkassGods. In the fourth movie, she and her saints battle against Lucifer in order to save Earth.
104* ''Manga/SeraphOfTheEnd'':
105** Mikaela Hyakuya has a name that means Godlike, and is literally a Seraph. He also counts as immortal as he's a vampire
106** Gilbert Chartres, Crowley's comrade from the light novels. He is a religious Christian and everyone looks up to him as a leader, has TrueCompanions that follow him and [[spoiler:is betrayed by one of his followers]]. Oh, and he's a part of [[UsefulNotes/TheKnightsTemplar THOSE guys]]
107* Yoh Asakura from ''Manga/ShamanKing'' is practically Jesus Christ in human form. He is extremely kind, has a heart of pure gold, believes in the goodness of everyone, and always puts EVERYONE above himself, even his enemies. His example is so strong that he literally changes practically every major villain in the series, no matter how evil, into a good guy.
108* Considering that Kirito from ''Literature/SwordArtOnline'' often goes up against {{Satanic Archetype}}s, it's unsurprising he would be this.
109** In ''Fairy Dance'', Sugou is the SatanicArchetype in the setting, having stolen an entire Virtual World and [[AGodAmI declared himself as God]]. Kirito is only able to beat Sugou with DivineIntervention from [[BigGood Kayaba]] the [[AlwaysABiggerFish real God]] of this setting, by giving Kirito the tools he needs to take the bastard down.
110** In ''Alicization'', Kirito defeats Quinella, the ImmortalRuler and tyrant of the Human Empire (and another SatanicArchetype), but at the cost of becoming an EmptyShell in the process. Later on, when Gabriel who is a GodEmperor and yet another SatanicArchetype arrives (aided by Vassago, another SatanicArchetype dating back to ''Aincrad''), it takes Kirito returning from being brain-dead much like Christ's resurrection, to harness all of the belief of the people of the world to defeat this new threat. More fittingly, Kirito's recovery and victory over Vassago and his forces and later Gabriel fits in with the Second Coming of Christ and his victory against Satan and his forces in the FinalBattle in the Book of Revelation.
111* D-boy or Takaya Aiba from ''Anime/TekkamanBlade'' is a JerkWithAHeartOfGold version this combined with FantasticRacism and being treated as nothing but mere weapons and experimental subject by the military. (Although, when you actually see his backstory, his JerkAss tendency is VERY justified.) Humanity's savior? Check. Endured a sizable sacrifice? Check. [[spoiler:Fate he does not deserve? TRIPLE CHECK!]]
112* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'': Kamina [[spoiler:[[MemeticMutation died for our sins!]]]] And Simon follows in his footsteps once he starts [[TookALevelInBadass power-leveling in badassery]]. [[spoiler:By the end of the series, the entire universe is calling out his name in joy, and while he doesn't die, he ''chooses'' to become a nameless hermit]].
113* In ''Manga/{{Trigun}}'', Vash the Stampede is obviously a clear-cut Christ-analogue, being an AllLovingHero FriendToAllChildren BadassPacifist. Vash's sole mission in the series apart from fighting his EvilTwin is spreading "Love and Peace" across the CrapSackWorld he lives in. Thanks to the guidance of his surrogate mother, Vash refuses to kill, refuses to let people get hurt, and does his best to bring joy back to the downtrodden town he walks through. Hell, by the end of the series, Vash is carrying a huge [[https://static.inaturalist.org/attachments/users/icons/680789/original.png?1508804125 cross on his back]].
114%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample* Ulysses in ''Anime/Ulysses31''. The original Ulysses from ''Literature/TheOdyssey'' may not have necessarily been a Messianic figure, but this one certainly is.
115%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample* ''Manga/WatashiNoMessiahsama'' : ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin.
116* Hiryuu the Red Dragon King from ''Manga/YonaOfTheDawn'' is a deity who descended from the heavens to live as a human among mankind to make the world a better place. However, the ungrateful humans turned against him and would have killed him if it weren't for the four dragon warriors coming to his rescue. Despite the mistreatment he suffers, Hiryuu continues to love humankind and strives to free them from evil. He dies after achieving peace in his era, but returns to Earth [[spoiler:(albeit reborn as Princess Yona)]] after 2000 years (a "Second Coming", if you will) in the midst of a great political upheaval to bring peace and happiness for the people once again.
117* Yugi Mutou of ''Anime/YuGiOh''. Everyone who knows him agrees that he's [[IncorruptiblePurePureness pure light]] and they would do virtually anything for him, but against the world as a whole, he's a tragically misunderstood innocent -- his pacifism gets him beaten up by school bullies on a regular basis, for example.
118** Yusei Fudo from ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'' is an even more clear example. With the goal of bringing a better future to [[WretchedHive Satellite]] (being even seen as their savior), Yusei is constantly prosecuted by the authorities of [[MegaCity Neo Domino City]] for being a Satellite, being marked as a criminal, which grants him a bad reputation with the Neo Domino citizens, but despite that, he still manages to gather very loyal followers thanks to his [[TheDeterminator determination]], [[TheAce Duel Monsters skills]] and [[HopeBringer idealistic mindset]], managing to free Aki from [[CompleteMonster Divine]]'s influence and being the catalyst to the CharacterDevelopment of his fellow Signers. Additionally, his [[SignatureMon ace monster]] Stardust Dragon has the effect of sacrificing itself to negate the activation of cards with destruction effects and reviving itself after activating this effect at the end of the turn, and he's also the only Yu Gi Oh protagonist to [[IncorruptiblePurePureness never fall to darkness]].
119%%Administrivia/PartialContextExample. Needs more context to differentiate from HeroicSacrifice.** Pharaoh Atem could also with the trope. Seeing as he sealed his soul away in an 'unsolvable' puzzle for 5000 years (or 3000 years depending)in order to save the world from being consumed by the shadow realm.
120[[/folder]]
121
122%%[[folder:Arts]]
123%%Administrivia/PartialContextExample* Since ''Art/CharityBouguereau'' design was done to [[MadonnaArchetype evoke the Virgin Mary]], the ''[[{{Putto}} putti]]'' surrounding her become associated with the Baby Jesus.
124%%* Art/SistineChapel:
125%%Administrivia/PartialContextExample** Since ''The Last Judgement'' depicts Christ's resurrection, it's only natural for the painting directly above it to depict a figure seen as foreshadowing Christ: the prophet Jonah, who is sitting back as if too large for his portrait.
126%%Administrivia/PartialContextExample** The handsome young man dressed in white in ''The Temptations of Christ'' is a stand-in for Christ. His interaction with a Moses-looking Jewish priest emphasizes one of the larger themes of the Sistine Chapel's artwork, that the Old Testament and New Testament are continuous with each other.
127%%[[/folder]]
128
129[[folder:Comic Books]]
130%%* In the Marvel Universe, Him a.k.a. [[ComicBook/Warlock1967 Adam Warlock]], especially in the Counter-Earth saga.
131* Cable in ''ComicBook/CableAndDeadpool'', so much so that he tries to sacrifice his life to show humanity that they can rise above war and prejudice. But, that doesn't mean that he is ''above'' a little violence to get things done.
132* Paulie from ''ComicBook/{{Circles}}''. He was a very kind and wise soul, he had many followers, many people looked up to him, he brought a change to his part of the world, and many regarded him as a pure person. He had a huge influence on so many people, that nearly the entire city of Boston knows Paulie and brought him gifts and visited him when he was bedridden at the hospital. [[spoiler:He has a very meaningful death and his absence leaves a huge impact.]]
133%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample* Prince Fly Catcher of ''Comicbook/{{Fables}}''.
134* J'on from ''ComicBook/TheGreatPowerOfChninkel'' is a deconstruction of the Messiah. He's the [[SoleSurvivor only survivor]] of the [[ForeverWar endless war]] that is being fought between three tyrants before he is tasked by {{God}} himself to free his [[SlaveRace enslaved species]], the [[{{Hobbits}} Chninkel]], from bondage or it will destroy the world in three days. He's only picked to be the Chosen One because he happened to be in the right place at the right time and [[UnlikelyHero finds himself thoroughly unsuitable]] for the role destiny has seen fit for him. [[spoiler:He ends up sentenced to death when it turns J'on's sacrifice was all done for the sake of God's vanity to secure eternal worship. God destroys the world out of spite and J'on's story is lost to the sands of time.]]
135* ''ComicBook/Judas2017'': Amazingly, for a story with Jesus in it, it is Judas who exhibits these traits. His entire time in Hell, the artistic style portrays him with a black halo similar to how saints and Jesus himself is portrayed in Christian iconography. [[spoiler:By the end of the story, his forgiveness saves Jesus from Hell and Judas ends up becoming a shepherd to the damned, even beginning to resemble him as well.]]
136* The ''ComicBook/SilverSurfer'' is one twice over: First, he accepted the role of Galactus's herald to save his home planet from being destroyed, then defied Galactus to save the Earth from the same fate and was stripped of much of his cosmic power and exiled to Earth to be shunned by the very people he gave his freedom to protect.
137%%Administrivia/PartialContextExample* ComicBook/SpiderMan becomes this in ''ComicBook/UltimateMarvel'', [[spoiler: especially when he dies]].
138* From the DC Universe, ComicBook/{{Superman}}. He is also Moses.
139** Jor-El (God) cast Zod (Satan) out of Krypton (heaven) and into the PhantomZone (hell). Kal-El arrives in a star-shaped spaceship (Star of Bethlehem) and is found by the infertile [[MuggleFosterParents Martha Kent]] (Virgin Mary).
140** Superman also has this role in ''Comicbook/LegionOfSuperHeroes,'' being the inspiration of the heroes of that century.
141** It's an especially big element in the AnimatedAdaptation (see WesternAnimation).
142** Also in ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' (see live-action television).
143** Let's not forget the movies too (see Film below)!
144* ''ComicBook/TheUltimates'': Thor is a God-made man, sent by his father Odin to purify the Earth.
145* ComicBook/XMen has four big ones, all from the same TangledFamilyTree:
146** The first and best-known is ComicBook/JeanGrey, who as Phoenix saved the entire universe from [[ApocalypseHow extinction]] and then [[HeroicSacrifice committed suicide to keep herself from blowing it up]]...then [[BackFromTheDead got better.]]
147** Second came ComicBook/{{Cable}}, as mentioned above.
148** Third came [[ComicBook/XMan Nate Grey]], who basically was Cable from an AlternateUniverse without the virus holding his powers back and took it upon himself to be a mutant shaman, helping out ordinary people with his powers. Oh, and he resurrected Maddie Pryor, by accident, and the Age of Apocalypse version of Gwen Stacy, briefly, and also by accident. He also, naturally, died and came back from the dead at least twice, both times sacrificing himself for others -- in the latter case, for the entire world. Sound familiar?
149*** He's so much this trope that on his grand return in ''Dark Reign'' when he's looking to take Norman Osborn down by force all by himself (and he very nearly succeeds), he stops and informs [[{{Mook}} a HAMMER Agent]] that she should go for that UNICEF job she was considering. On his return in 2018, he's fully embraced the role, claiming to be the literal second coming and making other Biblical allusions, while wandering around in white robes. He also takes it to WellIntentionedExtremist levels, meaning that he's entirely willing to kill anyone in his way if he feels he has to (though he'd prefer not to). Later in the series, it's suggested that at least part of it was playing up to the role -- the entire reason he's doing it is [[spoiler: because he's dying as a result of getting his powers back and desperate to save the world while he can]]. And ultimately, he seems to consider Hope to be the 'true' Mutant Messiah.
150** And now we've got Hope Summers, the first mutant born after the [[BroughtDownToNormal Decimation]], prophesied to be the last hope of mutantkind. What this means at this point is still anyone's guess, but she's become a kind of a walking MacGuffin for everyone with ideas regarding the future of mutants. To really drive the point home, when she gets back to the present and must save the Mutant Race, the story arc is called Second Coming. After that, the fact that she was raised by the above mentioned Cable, and name-checked as the then-current Mutant Messiah by Nate Grey, who had her as this even in his own ComicBook/AgeOfXMan. Even Exodus, hardly the most humble of mutants, praises the power of the child he once tried to abduct and proselytizes about how "the prophecies ring true" when he is forced to fight her.
151** ComicBook/{{Magneto}}, on the other hand, can very easily be called a [[DarkMessiah Dark Moses]], fighting for the freedom of his people. (Bonus for the Moses parallel: he's Jewish.) Is killing a few humans that much worse than unleashing plagues and locust swarms and wiping out the firstborn of Egypt?
152** And to round off the Messiahs of the X-universe, in the nineties when Magneto was pushed from Dark Messiah to AGodAmI territory he was given a messianic MouthOfSauron in [[Characters/MarvelComicsExodus Exodus]], who... well, the name's a little on the nose, isn't it? Despite not being pushed as hard in the messiah role since TheNineties ended, he manages a traditional messianic feat that only Nate of the above-mentioned Messiahs can also claim -- [[BackFromTheDead raising the dead]].
153[[/folder]]
154
155[[folder:Fan Works]]
156* ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': {{Lampshaded}} a couple times. [[Characters/AbraxasHrodvitnonMonsterX Vivienne Graham]] coming BackFromTheDead in an InhumanHuman case as part of [[TwoBeingsOneBody Monster X]] is compared to Jesus, and it fits because she died in a HeroicSacrifice and upon her death she descended into the Devil's (Ghidorah's) jaws and was presumed dead by her human friends until after her resurrection when she unexpectedly returned to them.
157---> '''Mark Russell:''' Jesus.\
158'''Vivienne: ''' ''[[DeadpanSnarker yeah?]]''
159* ''Fanfic/AlwaysVisible'': Galbraith considers himself this way when Delia dies. He believes that he is simply obliged to punish doctor Baselard (despite the fact that he himself let him get away from under his nose).
160* ''Fanfic/AllForLuz'': Julia and the Pastor compare [[Characters/AllForLuzLuzNoceda Luz]] to this, with her PowerPalms feeding into this, as they give her the appearance of a stigmata. Her enemies with FantasticRacism views, on the other hand, see her as a DarkMessiah due to her being a PersonOfMassDestruction with a body count consisting of her enemies.
161* The ''Series/StargateSG1'' fic "[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3110437/1/Child-of-the-Ancients Child of the Ancients]]" introduces Liam Carter Jackson, the son of Daniel Jackson and Samantha Carter, conceived while Daniel was Ascended and taken away by Oma Desala for his protection. The SGC soon learn that Liam was essentially taken away so that he could eventually serve as a counterpart to Adria, the child of the Ori, but all parties are assured that Daniel didn't come to Sam solely to conceive Liam for this future purpose, as part of the reason Liam is a contrast to Adria is that he was conceived through an act of love rather than as part of a long-term agenda.
162* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'' has Harry as a somewhat reluctant and much more mercurial example than most: he's the son of a god, he tends to associate with those that others reject and he even [[spoiler: comes back from the dead.]] He's instinctively nice and kind, protective of those without power, and judging on outward appearance is completely alien to him. However, his temper and his hatred for injustice lead to comparisons to Magneto and with good reason, meaning that he borders on being a DarkMessiah at times. And that's even before one gets into the small matter of his [[spoiler: potentially being the Dark Phoenix...]]
163** And, of course, there's Steve Rogers, [[AllLovingHero all-loving]] and HumbleHero with HairOfGoldHeartOfGold who performed a HeroicSacrifice and came back from the (supposed) dead. Being a HumbleHero, he's a little bit uncomfortable with this.
164* In ''WebAnimation/DiamondInTheRoughTouhou'', [[spoiler:Shinki]] tells this to Brolli in Makai, that he might die in order to save Gensokyo. Brolli doesn't want that, [[spoiler:but YouCantFightFate]].
165* Empath in ''Fanfic/EmpathTheLuckiestSmurf''. Lampshaded by Tapper in "Smurfed Behind: The Passion Of The Smurfs".
166-->'''Tapper:''' You sacrificed an only begotten son that you loved dearly and smurfed a much greater family, Papa Smurf. That's what God did with Jesus. He smurfed us His best from heaven so that we too could become part of His family through the blood of His only begotten Son.
167* The protagonist of ''Fanfic/FalloutEquestria'', Littlepip, fits this trope. From obscure and humble beginnings, she sets out to fix a broken world, gaining followers and battling corruption along the way. In the ending, there are many clear parallels to the story of Jesus: [[spoiler:Pip endures a figurative death and rebirth by Spike's fire, sacrifices her freedom for the sake of Equestria, and ascends to the SPP tower where she takes Celestia's side in watching over the ponies and controlling the weather, having been given a greatly extended lifespan -- perhaps immortality -- through mutation. The afterword even refers to the preceding story as an in-universe text: the 'Book of Littlepip'.]]
168* Arturia Pendragon in ''[[Fanfic/AKnightsTaleasInquisitor A Knight's Tale as Inquisitor]]'', as perfectly [[DiscussedTrope described]] by [[GoodShepherd Mother Giselle]] in their first conversation, when Arturia questions why exactly they are so accepting of her as the TheChosenOne.
169--> '''Revered Mother Giselle:''' Well, I do not think you can blame them considering what has occurred for them to presume you such: a giant hole in the sky suddenly and abruptly pierces the Veil between worlds, allowing demons to come and wreak havoc on all across Thedas without restraint or mercy. From what I've heard personally, people were forced to watch for hours as various mages and soldiers tried their damnedest but couldn't produce the slightest effect on the Rifts, which seemed to be bottomless doors of demons that allow them to our world. All was seemingly to all...until you came. You having physically entered the Fade, which has only ever happened once before in all of our history, during the Breach, before walking out unscathed at the Temple of Andraste's Sacred Ashes, one of the holiest places in Thedas from the explosion that killed all but ''you'', with the ability to close the Rifts; able to destroy one in mere moments, with many claiming that it was Andraste, the Maker's bride, blessing you with that ability you bare now and guiding you out of the Fade herself. In addition to that, you wield a [[{{Excalibur}} holy blade]], one that brings shame to all other of its kind, beyond what the teachings and works of any mortal is capable of and shining gold brighter than any other treasure in the world, burning demons of any kind from a mere touch and cleansing the corruption of evil of all kinds. [[LampshadeHanging Can you exactly blame anyone for presuming you as a messiah of sorts after all that's said and done?]]
170* Lance Greenfield in ''[[Fanfic/LivingTheDreamKickass222urmom Living The Dream]]'' is the Equestrian equivalent of Jesus. He easily forgives those for their wrongdoings and befriends them. He has a group of loyal companions in the bronies. He was hated at first because of his appearance, before becoming a respected hero. To top it off, Lance has been killed and revived several times, even [[spoiler: becoming one of [[AngelicTransformation God's angels]] after sacrificing himself]].
171* Played with in ''Ultraman Moedari'': Moedari is [[spoiler:apparently killed when Lunaram kicks the moon into his face, but his connection with Jake saves him and gives him]] his Trinity Form. The motif is a circle with a triangle with three circles inside of it with triangles inside, etc, and the finisher is cross-shaped. [[spoiler:Ultimately subverted.]]
172[[/folder]]
173
174[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
175* ''Franchise/{{Frozen}}'':
176** The first movie, ''WesternAnimation/Frozen2013'': Anna. [[spoiler:She sacrifices herself and saves her sister, then comes back to life]]--the parallels are detailed [[http://www.naclhv.com/2014/05/the-gospel-according-to-disneys-frozen.html here]].
177** ''WesternAnimation/FrozenII'': [[spoiler:It's Elsa]] [[http://www.naclhv.com/2020/01/the-gospel-according-to-frozen-ii-or.html acts as the Christ-figure.]], as a divine agent of restoration and reconciliation.
178* ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon'': Hiccup Horrendous Haddock [=III=] possesses these traits in allegory. He possesses a higher knowledge that could enlighten those around him (dragon-training), is [[CassandraTruth considered a criminal and punished in his efforts to educate others]] (disowned by his father), [[CrucifiedHeroShot sacrificing himself]] to [[TooDumbToLive save others from their own ignorance]] (nearly dying from his and Toothless' battle with the Red Death, which he tried to warn his father about), "dying" and then "[[BackFromTheDead resurrection]]" (waking from a coma) with [[GoodScarsEvilScars signs of his sacrifice apparent on his body]] (his prosthetic leg) and not only "saves" his people but [[DawnOfAnEra creates a new dawn for mankind]] (one of peace between the Hooligan Tribe and dragons) that is violently opposed or taken advantage of by those who disagree (The Outcasts and the Berserkers). [[{{Expy}} Sound familiar?]]
179* The titular giant of ''WesternAnimation/TheIronGiant''. The Iron Giant arrives one day to Earth, befriends a young boy, is initially hated by those perceiving him as being a monster, and ultimately performs a HeroicSacrifice, sparing the town from being leveled by a missile. However, because of his HealingFactor, this death doesn't stick.
180* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'': There is Mufasa. He dies after saving his son from the wildebeest stampede and has an ascension of sorts by joining the past kings in the sky.
181* The Scarlet Queen in ''WesternAnimation/StrawinskyAndTheMysteriousHouse'' is the stand-in for Jesus, being the agent of [[{{God}} Elohim]] who saves the day by destroying the [[SatanicArchetype Rat King]]'s evil books and giving the cello a purpose in Heaven. Sympathetic characters constantly wax poetic about her, and the movie outright tells the audience to worship her. This is very odd considering that scarlet is usually associated with sin in the Bible.
182* ''WesternAnimation/{{WALLE}}''. In the film, he unwittingly saves humanity when he discovers a small plant that Eve later retrieves. He is also noteworthy as being the only functional ''WALL-E'' unit that was still operating, and much like Christ, WALL-E dies and has a "resurrection" of sorts. He also came into contact with two humans on the ''Axiom'' named John and Mary who discover that there was more to life than luxury.
183[[/folder]]
184
185[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
186* James Cole of ''Film/TwelveMonkeys'' has, amongst other aspects, the JC initials, the CassandraTruth aspect of being a time traveller from the future whom no one (initially) believes, and [[spoiler:the sacrifice of his life in his efforts to save humanity. He doesn't actually ''stop'' the release of the virus that killed off most of humanity's population, because it turns out the entire film is a StableTimeLoop, but his efforts to do so enable scientists to locate a pure sample of the virus, thus enabling them to create a vaccine.]]
187* Kiri in ''Film/AvatarTheWayOfWater'': She's [[spoiler: born of Grace's old Avatar body, her conception being "a complete mystery."]] Throughout the film, she demonstrates a connection to Pandora's wildlife and biosphere that runs deeper than other Na'Vis, in their eyes and her own, she's performing miracles.
188* Aurora in ''Film/BabylonAD'' fits this trope to a T, but that's because [[spoiler:she's actually been genetically engineered by the Noelite sect who hope to create a real-life 'miracle' in order to become the Number One religion in the world.]]
189* Chance the Gardener in the film ''Film/BeingThere'' subverts this by appearing noble, wise, compassionate, and brave -- to everyone except his former co-worker (and the audience), who can see that he is actually TheFool -- until the TwistEnding, which implies a more literal form of the trope.
190* ''Film/{{Bright}}'': Jirak is the [[OurOrcsAreDifferent orc]] [[CrystalDragonJesus equivalent]] of this trope. 2,000 years ago, he united the Free Peoples and defeated the [[EvilOverlord Dark Lord]] to save the world and is revered by orcs as their messianic figure. Ironically, most orcs had sided with the Dark Lord and because of this, are victims of racism and prejudice today for their ancestors' actions, nevermind it was one of their own that saved the world from the setting's ultimate evil.
191* Bruce Wayne[=/=]Batman of ''Film/TheDarkKnight''. He's motivated by an unflagging belief in the essential goodness of the people of Gotham. Twice he [[TakingTheBullet takes a bullet]] for someone else (albeit [[CarFu while he's inside his car]]), first intercepting Joker's bazooka, then protecting Mr Reese from that guy in the big truck (even though Reese had been trying to expose Bruce less than an hour before). And then at the end, he takes Harvey Dent's sins upon himself. ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'' plays this up even further, with Bruce even descending into a metaphorical hell in the form of Bane's prison and ascending once more (and leaving a rope for the wrongfully-imprisoned prisoners to escape with) before returning after his "death" at Bane's hands to save Gotham. And at the end, he [[spoiler:seems to sacrifice himself to carry away the fusion bomb [[FakingTheDead (except he didn't)]]]].
192* Mr. Carpenter in ''[[Film/TheDayTheEarthStoodStill1951 The Day the Earth Stood Still]]''.
193* ''Film/District9'': Christopher Johnson (notice the initials) intends to save his people from the poverty and slavery of the racist humans. While he is a NiceGuy, [[SecondComing his return]] [[AlienInvasion might entail a lot of firepower coming behind him]]. Which would make him a KungFuJesus (possibly also a DarkMessiah).
194* Dennis Quaid's character Willis Davidge in ''Film/EnemyMine'' is a Messianic Archetype and dies halfway through the movie. Fortunately, he gets better.
195* In a twisted way, The Man with No Name from the DollarsTrilogy. A tough-as-nails anti-hero, yet willing to help those in need. In ''Film/TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly'', he is referred to by Angel Eyes as a "golden-haired guardian angel", resigns to Tuco's attempt on his life in a passive, Christlike manner, and offers the final judgement on Tuco's soul, which was sparing his life and undoing his "crucifixion". In ''Film/AFistfulOfDollars'', his beating reflects the flogging of Jesus while the party outside is staged to look like The Last Supper. He rides into town on a mule, and during the final duel he appears to "resurrect".
196* Max himself in ''Film/{{Elysium}}''. In his childhood, the nun that he lives with states that he's bound to change the world. He ends up on a quest to save humanity [[spoiler:by hacking Elysium to make everyone its citizens]], gets "crucified" with exosuit parts drilled into his body, [[spoiler:willingly sacrifices himself at the end, which enables all the people on Earth to get access to Elysium's medical facilities, basically giving them access to heaven.]]
197* E.T. in ''Film/ETTheExtraTerrestrial'', right down to the resurrection and the Michaelangelo touching of fingers between man and the Divine. So blatant was the parable it was spoofed on ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
198-->'''Rev. Lovejoy:''' I remember another gentle visitor from the heavens, he came in peace and then died, only to come back to life, and his name was... E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial. ''(cries)'' I loved that little guy.
199* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse
200** [[ByronicHero Oddly]] [[AntiHero enough]], Tony Stark in ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}'' has very strong elements of this. He has a confrontation with a Satanic villain (Loki) who tries and fails to make him fall to TheDarkSide, he is betrayed by the WSC, who ruthlessly orders the entire island of Manhattan to be nuked, he carries the nuke on his back through the city, saves the island and everyone on it by sacrificing his life to haul the nuke into space -- by rising up through a wormhole into deep space, dies (temporarily, when his heart and lungs fail), falls back to earth, and then comes back to life. In ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', Tony saves Earth and all of existence by [[spoiler:using the Infinity Gauntlet to wipes out Thanos' forces with it at the [[HeroicSacrifice cost of his life]]]]. In ''Film/SpiderManFarFromHome'' Tony is worshipped by society as a savior, and courtesy of a major AdaptationRelationshipOverhaul, someone named Peter is tasked with carrying on his spiritual legacy. Also, Tony's mechanic skill is fitting for this trope since it is analogous to carpentry.
201** Steve Rogers aka Captain America also has some messianic stuff going on, some of which is carried over from his solo movie where he was TheChosenOne, and also with his status as a legend and source of hope who sacrificed himself and has had a "second coming" by getting unfrozen from the ice. In ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'', Rogers continues this concept a fair bit with the betrayal element being the main plot of the movie. His near death in the end also fits this rather well, as he truly was dying for the sins of SHIELD.
202** Thor can be seen as this also being the son of BigGood-deity Odin and in his first movie performing a HeroicSacrifice to save his loved ones which helped him get resurrected. Thor also humbles himself like most Christ figures and refusing to become a ruler himself, knowing that power corrupts people and he'd rather live his life without expectations cast upon him. ''Film/ThorRagnarok'' goes the extra step further of depicting Thor with a very [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQKxuREf4Xef_zzgq05K8e_MBNRZfzm56ArAw&usqp=CAU Jesus-like]] [[LooksLikeJesus visage]] in a mural complete with HolyHalo.
203** ComicBook/BlackPanther has a lot of elements of this being an incorruptible force of righteous goodness. T'challa not only forgoes his hatred and shows mercy to the antagonist Zemo in [[Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar Civil War]] but in [[Film/BlackPanther2018 his solo movie]] he atones for the sins of his father and ancestors by spreading the wonders of his country with the rest of the world.
204* Joe Kenehan from Sayles's ''Film/{{Matewan}}''. He's a charismatic leader who's also an ActualPacifist, his first action when coming into town is to heal someone, and he [[spoiler:dies at the end.]]
205* ''Franchise/TheMatrix'':
206** ''Film/TheMatrix'': Neo, the prophesied savior known as "the One" bears a close resemblance to UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}}. He came before, but was prophesied to come again, and resurrects close to the end. On the other hand, he's far more violent than the Christian depiction, but perhaps would be closer to Jewish views of the Messiah as a warrior king. Morpheus may also resemble John the Baptist, Trinity Mary Magdalene, and the Oracle the various prophets who are believed to have foretold Christ.
207** In ''[[Film/TheMatrixReloaded Reloaded]]'', there's a kiosk of religious pictures and statues and symbols that Neo passes by on his way to another adventure.
208* Subverted by ''Film/MontyPythonsLifeOfBrian''. ([[Memes/MontyPython He's a very naughty boy]]).
209* [[Creator/DarrenAronofsky Aronofsky's]] ''Film/Mother2017'' has two. The baby that mother conceives with [[{{God}} Him]] is an obvious stand-in for Christ coming down from his birth to his [[spoiler:killing and subsequent cannibalization by Him's followers]]. Mother can be seen as a representation of many different aspects such as Mother Nature, the Virgin Mary, and later a [[spoiler:SatanicArchetype]]. The film makes a point in how mother continually gives and gives, culminating in her [[spoiler:willingly giving her heart to Him so that he could start again]]. She is even carried by Him in a fashion similar to how the Virgin Mary is said to have held Jesus when he was removed from the cross.
210* The 1995 film ''Film/{{Powder}}'' (not to be confused with the [[VideoGame/{{Powder}} video game]]), which either replicates the story of Jesus Christ or replicates the story of ET. Either way, someone deserves some royalties for the story of a boy whose mother was [[LightningCanDoAnything struck by lightning]] when she was pregnant, leading to an outcast son with incredible intellect and human empathy, who can raise the dead by his touch, only to be raised to the heavens when he is struck by a bolt of lightning when refusing to bow to the laws of society... or something like that.
211* Enzo in ''Film/Reality2012'' is seen by Luciano as a Messianic figure. There's even a sequence in which Enzo is suspended over a crowd with lighting suggestive of artistic depictions of Christ's Transfiguration, with his arms spread as if he is being crucified.
212* Caesar in ''Film/RiseOfThePlanetOfTheApes'' and its sequels. He is the "saviour" of the Apes, conceived from a miraculous birth (the only ape born intelligent rather than artificial brain modification) gives all Apekind the gift of Intelligence (ALZ-113) and leads them to an exodus away from the Human oppressors to the "Promised Land" of the forests where they can live in peace. Everyone, even Koba, looked up to him as a sort of GodEmperor but despite all this, he retained an overwhelming sense of compassion, understanding, and tolerance to all sapient life -- human and ape alike. He follows a strict self-imposed morality of ApeShallNotKillApe, seeking to avoid war whenever is possible, though if you cause him trouble, he definitely knows how to kick your ass. Of course, no Ape version of Christ can be complete without a catastrophic betrayal caused by his most trusted "brother": [[spoiler:Koba, who "killed" him, dismantled all of Caesar's work and led the Apes to immoral brutality and persecution of both humans and Caesar's remaining apostles. Caesar even metaphorically "rose from the dead" when Malcolm found him, brought him back to Heaven (Will Rodman's house), and returned to Apekind injured but stronger, ending in the apes "repenting" and [[DisneyVillainDeath Koba's damnation into Hell]].]] His personal symbol, the sequin-like window of Rodman's house even became the universal symbol of Ape liberation ala the Chi-Rho of early Christians.
213* ''Franchise/RoboCop'': Believe it or not, [[https://web.archive.org/web/20150923122229/http://uproxx.com/filmdrunk/2010/04/paul-verhoeven-robocop-was-a-jesus-metaphor/ Robo's the American Jesus.]]. Paul Verhoeven said he wanted to make a film about an "American Jesus" and there are multiple allusions to this, like Murphy being mocked and tortured before he's killed (and the ImpaledPalm scene), his dying and being resurrected, and a scene where it looks like he's walking on water. He even gets pierced in his side with a spear.
214%%* The titular character in ''Film/SchindlersList''
215%%* Literature/SnowWhite in ''Film/SnowWhiteAndTheHuntsman'' is both this and the ApocalypseMaiden.
216* TheHero of all three ''Franchise/StarWars'' Trilogy are depicted as this, each with their own [[ProphecyTwist twist]]. A constant between the three is that they all came from a desert planet, much like Jesus' birth place:
217** Anakin Skywalker for the Prequel Trilogy is the most prominent example of the three as he is TheChosenOne conceived by the Force itself. His character is a good example of why you generally want TheChosenOne to be paired with this trope. Of course, he turns to the dark side for a bit there, becoming a sort of DarkMessiah and AntiChrist, before ultimately turning back to the light side in ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi.'' As such, this trope is DoubleSubverted.
218** Luke for the Original Trilogy. He is TheChosenOne -- the one whom Obi-Wan and Yoda train to become a Jedi. He gains a group of devoted followers (the Rebel Alliance, though mostly Han, Leia, Chewie, [=C3P0=] and R2), and gallivants about spreading good and performing miracles like blowing up the Death Star. At the end of the sixth movie, he refuses to fight or resist his fate, then is zapped by the Emperor's lightning (his "death" scene). He manages to redeem evil while he's at it. ''Film/TheLastJedi'' takes it to the logical end as [[spoiler: Luke gives his life to save others, and becomes one with the Force.]]
219** Rey for the Sequel Trilogy. Other than rallying the people around her hope that the Jedi will return and bring balance to the Force, she also turns Ben Solo to the Light Side of the Force again. In Episode VIII, she even saves the Resistance by moving the rocks around her in a manner similar to Moses splitting the sea. [[spoiler:Ironically, she is born the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine, the resident SatanicArchetype, who planned to possess her body. Rey rejects her heritage in the end, making her an AntiAntichrist and ends up sacrifcing herself to kill Palpatine, only to be revived by Ben Solo in matter similar to Pietà Plagiarism. During the fight against Palpatine, she uses to Lightsabers to block his Force Lightning in a form of a cross]].
220** [[http://www.cracked.com/article_25604_why-han-solo-most-important-character-in-star-wars.html Cracked makes a good argument]] for Han Solo actually usurping the position of Messiah from Luke. When Luke heads off to Dagobah, Han takes over the role, is betrayed by a friend, tortured, "killed", and eventually resurrected.
221** You can also make a strong argument for Obi-Wan Kenobi being a Jesus figure, considering he is a wise and kind mentor who has walked the desert, been betrayed by his close friend, and performed a HeroicSacrifice. It also helps Obi-Wan LooksLikeJesus especially in ''Film/AttackOfTheClones''. OutOfUniverse some RealLife churches have even mistakenly used Obi-Wan’s [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQaHDQtGH_xkwbvpBDHXQvhUZwbQcv5pM6CAQ&usqp=CAU visage]] to represent Christ.
222* Even though some elements of this are present in the comic book, ''Film/SupermanTheMovie'' takes it much further:
223-->'''Jor-El:''' Live as one of them, Kal-El, to discover where your strength and your power are needed. Always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage. They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... my only son.
224** Also, almost all of the versions of Superman have him assume the figure of Jesus on the cross, arms spread wide/one foot slightly higher than the other, whenever he is "absorbing" sunlight, or in a dangerous situation.
225* John Connor in ''Franchise/{{Terminator}}'' has the initials going for him, and is a savior who will deliver humanity from the apocalypse. Much of the movies deal with the good guys trying to ensure he is born/lives to save humanity, with the villains trying to prevent that instead. And ultimately, no matter how much the timeline changes, John ''will'' be one to do it, and no one else, because YouCantFightFate. He's the linchpin of the rebellion and the world would be doomed without him.
226* Will Caster by the boatload in ''Film/{{Transcendence}}''. [[spoiler:He was persecuted and then murdered for heresy, allegedly for the greater good but more for the benefit of the persecutors. He rises again from the dead and starts working miracles, starting with healing a dying man, a blind man, and a lame man (in that order) before eradicating pollution, purifying all of Earth's fresh water, and who knows what else. He is then killed again by those afraid of his gifts. It's later hinted he may [[SecondComing rise again]] in the future, too.]]
227* Kevin Flynn in ''Film/{{Tron}}''. In the world of Tron, the Programs see Users in a divine light. Plus, as Jesus was God who became man, Flynn was a User who became Program... to save them from the AntiChrist.
228* Selene in ''Film/Underworld2003'' is a rather twisted example of this trope since she is a vampire anti-hero, but she qualifies: she is viewed as a traitor by fellow vampires and persecuted, but over the course of the movies she manages to perform "miracles" such as [[spoiler:resurrect the dead using her blood, comes back to life and stronger than before and effectively becomes revered as her race's leader]].
229* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'': Professor X's role is reminiscent of Christ. Xavier is an AllLovingHero who suffers greatly to be a savior of mutants and humans alike, even though the latter persecute him. He is the leader of his TrueCompanions, who live by and defend his philosophy, and he is betrayed by one of his followers.[[note]]Magneto is regarded as an Obvious Judas by the fandom.[[/note]] Charles is [[spoiler:''literally'' resurrected in TheStinger of]] ''Film/XMenTheLastStand''. This association also extends to imagery, where he takes Jesus' position in a PietaPlagiarism (''Film/XMenFirstClass''), is briefly given a HolyBacklight and a CrucifiedHeroShot (''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast''). When he has a beard and lets his hair grow long, he even LooksLikeJesus. For ''Film/XMenApocalypse'' (which deals directly with religious themes), Creator/BryanSinger has made a reference to a figurative resurrection in [[https://www.instagram.com/p/2cNOOLxDxE/ this snapshot]] by calling it "Xavier reborn." The director explicitly says that [[http://ca.ign.com/articles/2016/05/02/x-menas-professor-x-is-christ-and-apocalypse-is-a-false-god Professor X is analogous to Christ]] in the franchise.
230-->"I've gotten to explore Professor X when he was an older, bald, wise man, when he's insecure, when he's defenseless, when he's powerful. He's more of a Christ figure. He chooses to be a teacher. He could go inside Cerebro and rule the world, but he chooses not to. He chooses to teach and preach and hope that people follow his message: peace and unity. And I've gotten to see him as a drug addict and a loser, and in this movie, you're going to get to see him prosperous and almost blindly optimistic, and how he changes."
231** Creator/JamesMcAvoy was asked in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjjUuytaTZo this interview]] to boil down his character to only three essential elements, and the actor answered, "Empathetic, generous, and slightly suffering from a messianic complex. [...] He thinks he's the SecondComing of Christ, he thinks he's gonna save the world."
232[[/folder]]
233
234[[folder:Literature]]
235* John Galt in ''Literature/AtlasShrugged'', complete with [[spoiler:a CrucifiedHeroShot as he's enduring ElectricTorture at the hands of the villains]]. Subverted, since he's not acting out of altruism. Arguably Galt is an ''inversion'' of at least some components of the trope. His plan of [[spoiler:going on strike in order to bring economic activity to a halt, and thus causing civilization to collapse and rebuild itself]] involves ''witholding'' a "salvation" and forcing society to confront the actual consequences of its morality of Comtean altruism (the morality which is at the core of the Messianic Archetype). Applying FridgeLogic to his plan's obvious consequences (i.e. lots of people die as a result of [[spoiler:civilization's collapse]]) had led to some readers seeing Galt as a DarkMessiah instead of a Messianic Archetype.
236* Female example: Doyler's mother in ''Literature/AtSwimTwoBoys''. Among other things, when she's doing laundry, much is made about the transfer of the stains from the dirty clothes to her own apron.
237* The Conciliator ([[spoiler:Severian]]) in Gene Wolfe's ''Literature/TheBookOfTheNewSun'' is this, very likely as an InvokedTrope brought about by the 'powers from above the stage'.
238* Father Zosima in ''Literature/TheBrothersKaramazov'' is a mix of the Messianic Archetype and TheMentor.
239* In ''Literature/{{Camouflage}}'', Danilo starts off as a [[ArmouredClosetGay belligerent closet case]], but as the novel progresses [[spoiler:his actions become selfless to the point that he is remembered as an ''aspect of Jesus'' to the gay men he saved from execution.]]
240* Aslan in ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'', a.k.a. [[CrystalDragonJesus Talking Lion Jesus]], and/or [[KungFuJesus Combat Jesus]]. He allows the Witch to sacrifice him in place of the traitor Edmund, and returns Edmund to his siblings to be forgiven. Then he comes back to life and helps the children defeat the Witch. In another book he appears briefly as a lamb (a well-known symbol of Christ) and hints that he has another name in our world.
241* ''Literature/CreationManAndTheMessiah'' by poet Creator/{{Henrik Wergeland}} has a divine ''Messiah'', presented as the most divine of the celestial beings. He intervenes to inspire the earthly Jesus in his task. This presentation was so controversial it cost the author his priesthood (he wrote it while still a student). In 1845, he rewrote the work and renamed the being ''Akadiel''.
242* ''Literature/CrusadeInJeans'': Subverted by Nicolaas. He was conned into believing he's on a MissionFromGod by the two monks accompanying him to send the children of the HRE on a crusade to liberate the Holy Land [[spoiler:but actually to sell them into slavery]]. He's not particularly wise or noble, merely very pious and HolierThanThou. One of the monks later points out that their "burning firebush" trick completely failed with the first two boys they tried it on, and it's only because Nicolaas was so full of himself already that he readily accepted that he must be some sort of savior.
243* Jake Chambers from ''Franchise/TheDarkTower''. He's an innocent boy who has the JC initials (although there's no proof that this was intentional). In the first book, he has to die for Roland to be able to catch the Man in Black and find out about the Tower, and he later "comes back to life" through a time paradox that prevents him from originally being sent to Roland's world. In the "argument" sections where the earlier books are summarized, Jake is referred to as a "symbolic son". And in the last book, [[spoiler:Jake jumps in front of the van to save Stephen King, thus sacrificing himself to save all existence from being destroyed]].
244* Brutha in the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' book ''Literature/SmallGods''. He may not be TheChosenOne -- he's only chosen by his god Om because there's no-one else around, and Om keeps wishing there was -- but hanging out with a god that [[BrokenPedestal turns out not to be what he'd always imagined]] and seeing a lot of things and new places makes him grow into a prophet [[TheUnchosenOne of his own accord]]. And then he gets something like a CrucifiedHeroShot...
245* A giant griffin represents Christ in ''Literature/TheDivineComedy''. The griffin has two natures (lion and eagle) that mirror the two natures of Jesus (human and divine), it mightily denies to eat from the corrupting Tree of Knowledge, and the griffin guides a Sun-bright chariot that represents the Church. The griffin also is a mixture of three colors: [[GoldAndWhiteAreDivine gold and white to highlight its divinity]] and blood-red to make light of Christ's suffering in his [[PassionPlay death]].
246* Paul "Muad'dib" Atreides in ''Literature/{{Dune}}'' plays on this by manipulating already implanted religious propaganda to lead the Fremen people into thinking he's a Messiah to achieve his own goals. He genuinely ''does'' have several amazing powers, but the one that really [[Literature/DuneMessiah ruins his whole life]] is his clairvoyance.
247%%* Bemossad in the ''Literature/EaCycle''. [[spoiler:And Estrella.]]
248* Jim Casy from ''Literature/TheGrapesOfWrath'' -- a preacher whose name abbreviates to J.C. His last words before he's murdered are: "You don't know what you're doing", mirroring Jesus's words about his executioners ("Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.")
249* Jay Gatsby from ''Literature/TheGreatGatsby''. The scene where [[spoiler:he is shot goes into great detail about how he bears his pool mattress on his shoulder to the pool, analogous to Jesus bearing the cross on his shoulder.]]
250* John Coffey from ''Literature/TheGreenMile'', a blatant example as stated by Creator/StephenKing himself. Coffey shares several traits with the biblical Christ. Aside from the initials, Coffey performs miracles by laying of the hands; he heals a woman of her terminal illness, he heals Paul of his urinary tract infection, and he even brings Mr. Jingles back to life. The only difference between Christ and Coffey, however, is that he chose to be executed on his own volition whereas Christ sacrificed himself for mankind as a whole. Coffey also does not get resurrected either.
251* Literature/HarryPotter. [[spoiler:To finally vanquish Voldemort, Harry realises that he must sacrifice himself in order for the Horcrux within him to be destroyed. However, once he has "died", he chooses to come back to life to finish the job and kill Voldy in person. Phew -- it is a tad complicated!]]
252* Katniss Everdeen in ''Literature/TheHungerGames'' has shades of this. Beginning with almost sacrificing herself for her sister, she becomes a HopeBringer for the nation through her actions and choices in the Games. She is all but legally persecuted by President Snow and the Capitol government and endures more physical and emotional trauma over the course of the trilogy. And there's a scene in ''Mockingjay'' of her in a makeshift hospital that echoes scenes of Jesus surrounded by desperate but adoring believers. The ''Catching Fire'' movie really hammers the point by having Katniss in a CrucifiedHeroShot as she's being lifted from the arena.
253* Aenea, from Dan Simmon's ''[[Literature/HyperionCantos Endymion]]''--referred as Messiah throughout the novels. Besides other supernatural attributes, clearly shows Messianic touch and gathers a large following throughout the galaxy in a short period of time. [[spoiler:Willingly lets herself be tortured and burnt to death by... the Vatican.]]
254* ''Literature/JonathanLivingstonSeagull'' is about a seagull who discovers that the true purpose of life is to learn to fly as fast and as high as physically possible, then transcends his mortal existence and learns that his true path is to return in spirit to the world and teach others to do the same.
255* The main plot of ''Keeping Faith'' by Creator/JodiPicoult is about a little girl named Faith who starts showing signs of being the Messiah after her parents' divorce. It starts when she begins reciting Bible passages, even though the only religion she was exposed to was Judaism (and not very much at that). She then starts seeing her "Guard" (a female God), brings her dead grandmother back to life, heals an AIDS sufferer, and develops stigmata (holes in the hands where the nails went into Jesus' hands on the cross). However, after custody is given to her mother [[MeaningfulName Mariah]], all of her messianic acts stop, making it seem like they were just ploys for attention. [[spoiler:But it is left ambiguous as to whether she still gets visits from her "Guard"]].
256* The Unicorn in ''Literature/TheLastUnicorn'' fits the elements pretty well. She's an incorruptible pure figure at the start of her story, the last of her species, she gains a group of loyal followers during her adventures, and once human she gets to understand humanity's flaws and beauties. She even "dies" at one point (returning to her original Unicorn form), sacrificing herself and the possibility of living a peaceful life as a human, but thanks to it she manages to save her world and her people from destruction.
257* Enjolras from ''Literature/LesMiserables''. He leads a band of loyal friends/followers in a doomed attempt to fight the injustice of the monarchy, and when it becomes clear that he has no hope of succeeding, he chooses to FaceDeathWithDignity and ends up [[CrucifiedHeroShot 'nailed' to the wall with bullets]]. His angelic beauty and IncorruptiblePurePureness give off TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth vibes.
258%%* Simon in ''Literature/LordOfTheFlies''.
259* Several examples in ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', each fulfilling a different aspect of the Christ figure.
260** Played straight in Gandalf as the prophet, who is a divine being ([[OurAngelsAreDifferent Maia]]) in human form. He sees the virtues in little "children" (hobbits), leads the fellowship, drives the hypocrite from the "temple" (Wormtongue from King Théoden's court), and comes back from the dead-dressed in white, no less. However, when critics began drawing straight lines between Gandalf and Jesus, Tolkien stated explicitly that Gandalf is ''not'' meant as a Christ analogue.
261** Played with in Aragorn as the king; except for his ancestry, he is a normal human. He is the hidden descendant of a royal line, harrows hell (the Paths of the Dead), and restores the kingdom.
262** Frodo fulfills the role of high priest and sacrifice (or alternatively, the One Ring is the sacrifice and Mount Doom is the altar), a hobbit who bears a terrible burden and constant temptation through the darkness of Mordor, suffering for the salvation of all good things. He also suffers a symbolic 'death' at the hands of Shelob. Subverted in that he is TheUnchosenOne, and in the end, [[spoiler:he fails, and only with the intervention of Gollum does he achieve his mission.]]
263* Even aside from the films, Luke Skywalker is especially this in ''Literature/LukeSkywalkerAndTheShadowsOfMindor''. It's a year after ''Return of the Jedi'' and Luke has lost much of his youthful idealism. He's been worn down towards despair and only becomes moreso during the book. Still, he's savior many times over and in many ways, he sacrifices a lot and quite willingly, he's the HopeBringer for many characters, he's entombed in stone and experiences a severe AndIMustScream but rises again, he has a great many followers and numbers former enemies among them, some followers (unwillingly) betray him and in the end, he is alone... Also, he has a good dose of [[AllLovingHero the personality]], one who suffers greatly and still has great compassion. It's actually partly manipulated by the BigBad, but here's a line--
264--> "My lord! Forgive me, I did not know you!"
265** Honestly, most of his stories in the ''Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse'' could fulfill this trope.
266* Creator/StevenErikson's ''Literature/MalazanBookOfTheFallen'':
267** Coltaine of the Crow Clan in ''Literature/DeadhouseGates''. A hero to the Wickans whom they follow without questions and whom they almost worship, who leads tens of thousands of refugees he has no other connection to aside from being a Fist of the Malazan Empire across an entire continent, all while being under constant attack from religious fanatics. [[spoiler:He then dies on a cross, his soul -- too big to be taken in by one crow as would've been normal for his people -- taken away by thousands of crows, and is reborn again on the Wickan Plains of Quon Tali]].
268** Anomander Rake is the great hero of the [[OurElvesAreDifferent Tiste]] [[DarkIsNotEvil Andii]] race, who took it upon himself to lead and guide his race after their goddess, Mother Dark, had turned away from them. In book eight, ''Literature/TollTheHounds'', [[spoiler:he sacrifices himself in order to bring back Mother Dark, thus bringing redemption to the Tiste Andii]].
269* Thomas Jerome Newton in ''Literature/TheManWhoFellToEarth'' (both novel and film, though the novel makes this more explicit) is sent to Earth to save his people by masquerading as a human businessman, amassing a fortune through his homeworld's technology, and using the profits to build a rescue craft; not only will his people be saved, but humanity will benefit for their presence when they start new lives on Earth. He sacrifices, he suffers, [[spoiler:he's betrayed...and in the end, it's all for nothing, as he can't complete the mission, leaving him a despairing alcoholic]].
270* ''Literature/{{Mistborn}}'':
271** Playing around with this trope is one of the main threads of the book. A prophecy exists which refers to a figure called the Hero of Ages, but [[spoiler:the prophecy has been tampered with by Ruin, the primordial god of entropy and destruction, who wants to trick the Hero into freeing him]]. As a result, several characters are identified as the Hero (and believe it) who really ''aren't''. Most notably this includes Alendi, a legendary figure from the backstory, the Lord Ruler [[spoiler:alias Rashek, the man who betrayed and killed Alendi]] and who is the current EvilOverlord, and the heroine, Vin. Ultimately, though, the Hero turns out to be [[spoiler:[[BadassBookworm Sazed]]]], and even that doesn't really work out as expected and instead [[spoiler: he picks up the literal pieces after the planets two Gods are killed fighting one another, becoming a single deity holding both of their powers and reforging the world]].
272** Kelsier deliberately invokes this trope about himself in order to inspire rebellion but is unconnected to the Hero prophecy. It helps that [[spoiler:he knew he was going to die, so hired a shapeshifter to impersonate him and inspire the people briefly after he was gone]]. In the SequelSeries there is an entire church devoted to him, plus [[spoiler: the people near the south pole worship his revived self as a God after he saved them from freezing to death when Sazed fixed the planet's orbit.]]
273* In ''Literature/TheNightsDawnTrilogy'', Joshua Calvert has impossibly "good luck" and defies the possessed at every turn. In the end, he [[spoiler:successfully petitions the Sleeping God and remakes the galaxy for the benefit of humanity]].
274%%* [=McMurphy=] in ''Literature/OneFlewOverTheCuckoosNest''.
275%%* Matt from ''Literature/ThePowerOfFive''. [[ItMakesSenseInContext Both of him]].
276* Owen Meany from ''Literature/APrayerForOwenMeany''. He even [[spoiler:quotes Jesus directly with John 11:26 when he is dying.]]
277%%* Jim Conklin from ''Literature/TheRedBadgeOfCourage''. His initials are J.C., too.
278* Darrow from ''Literature/RedRising.'' Over the course of the trilogy, he gathers a group of friends who willingly follow him even after discovering his [[SheepInWolfsClothing true origins]], is betrayed by one of them in the second book, and has part-literal/part-figurative resurrections in books one and three.
279* In an ending of ''Literature/RomeoAndOrJuliet'' where Juliet chooses not to commit suicide after waking from her induced coma, her supposedly miraculous resurrection after two days and her very public funeral make people believe that she was imbued with some sort of holy power and begin to create a cult forming around her in one ending. Despite all her attempts to deny and downplay her waking up on her deathbed, she ends up rolling with it. The narrator informs her that everyone is now hanging on to her every word and will fight wars over interpretations of what she said. Her SignificantMonogram of JC further hammers in the Jesus allusion.
280%%* Pacifica Casull, the eponymous ''Literature/ScrappedPrincess'', follows this trope to the letter.
281* In ''Literature/SecondApocalypse'', "Inrithism" is a CrystalDragonJesus version of Christianity. Anasûrimbor Kellhus learns to exploit the tropes of the religion to become exactly what Inrithi followers would see as a messiah. He preaches to the people and attracts thousands of followers until the people in charge feel threatened and convict him of heresy. He's hung up to die in a manner called "circumfixion," but comes back even stronger, now with the circumfix as his symbol. It's all just a means to an end for Kellhus, however.
282* From the ''Literature/TheSilmarillion:''
283** Subverted with Fëanor. He was the mightiest, most skilled, most puissant of all the elven race... and the source of their greatest woes. The ultimate case of YouCouldHaveUsedYourPowersForGood.
284** Played straight with Eärendil. All the Elven and Human kingdoms had been destroyed by Morgoth. He realized that only the might of the Valar could save what was left of them. He finally managed to reach Valinor (which only TheChosenOne could do); and then Eärendil asked the Valar for pardon and aid for all the besieged survivors in Beleriand, even the exiled Noldor, and they granted it, finally defeating Morgoth and casting him from the world. His ship, bearing the Silmaril, was put up into the sky as a star, as a sign of hope for all in Middle-Earth. He quite literally saved the world. Also, like Jesus had human and divine parentage, Eärendil is one of the Half-Elven. Another point is that when he is a child he escapes death, the Fall of Gondolin.
285* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' has several in-universe examples that have yet to be confirmed in the books, which have led to ''many'' EpilepticTrees among the fandom.
286** The Targaryens believed in the Prince That Was Promised, a hero from their family line who would revive the dragons. Jaehaerys Targaryen married his sister and forced his children to marry each other because a woods-witch prophesied that the Prince would come from their line. Rhaegar Targaryen was heavily invested in this prophecy, initially believing he was the Prince but then comes to believe that it was his son Aegon. Aemon Targaryen believes that [[spoiler:Daenerys is the ''[[SamusIsAGirl Princess]]'' That Was Promised because she actually did bring three living dragons into the world after they had been extinct for a century]].
287** The followers of the Lord of Light believe that Azor Ahai, a legendary hero from thousands of years ago, will be reborn and save the world from the [[TheNightThatNeverEnds Second Long Night]] and [[ZombieApocalypse the Others]] with a FlamingSword called Lightbringer. Melisandre, a red priestess, is currently backing Stannis Baratheon, whom she believed to be Azor Ahai reborn [[spoiler:but other members of her faith seem to believe that Daenerys is Azor Ahai reborn]].
288** The Dothraki believed that Daenerys and Drogo's unborn son was to be the Stallion Who Mounts the World, the greatest khal of khals. Then subverted when Rhaego was stillborn. But since khals are known for war, conquest, and general brutality, he may have been a DarkMessiah had he lived. [[spoiler:Although, there are some hints that it actually refers to Daenerys' dragon Drogon.]].
289** Jon Snow, unlike the aforementioned examples, isn't connected to any prophesies in-universe, but he has all the classic messiah traits. He's heroic, honourable, good-hearted, is an [[FishOutOfWater outsider]] as the illegitimate son of a noble raised with a young lord's upbringing, learned to live humbly when he was with the Night's Watch and wildlings, suffers from ChronicHeroSyndrome, is trying to save everyone from the threat against humanity ([[ZombieApocalypse the Others]]), [[spoiler:and was stabbed by his own men. Since his last chapter in ''A Dance For Dragons'' ends in a cliffhanger, many fans think he'll survive or be resurrected. Another popular fan theory is that he's actually the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, which would put him in the running for the Prince That Was Promised, and since he's one of the few characters actually doing something about the Others, many fans believe he might be Azor Ahai reborn]].
290* Ender Wiggin in the ''Literature/SpeakerForTheDead'' series, who connects three alien races together in peace, and always [[spoiler:(with the exception of his unknowing xenocide as a child in ''Literature/EndersGame'')]] answers violence with love, stating that to vanquish an enemy, you have to know him, and in knowing him, end up loving him. An easy example is in ''Literature/EnderInExile'' when he lets Achilles' son beat the shit out of him to prove that the boy is [[spoiler:Bean's son]], but refuses to fight back.
291%%* The White Prophet [[spoiler:AKA the Fool]] in Creator/RobinHobb's ''[[Literature/TawnyMan The Tawny Man]]'' trilogy.
292* In ''Literature/TheTestamentOfJessieLamb'', in a world where a disease kills every single pregnant woman in a slow and painful way, Jessie Lamb decides that she wants to volunteer for carrying a frozen fetus that has been vaccinated against the disease, to term. Which means that she will lie in a medication-induced coma for nine months while the disease destroys her brain, then be allowed to die, while her child might possibly live. She does it so that mankind can live on. Her name is also quite symbolic.
293* Lissa Dragomir from ''Literature/VampireAcademy'', is a charming, beautiful, and naturally regal princess who heals the wounded, inspires the common people, and [[spoiler:brings back Strigoi to their original state.]]
294%%* The Counselor in ''Literature/TheWarOfTheEndOfTheWorld''.
295* ''Literature/TheWayOfKings2010'': Kaladin invokes this trope when he's [[HostileWeather strung up in a Highstorm]] by telling his men he'll survive, despite knowing the chances are unbelievably low.
296-->'''Kaladin:''' I'm putting it all on the long bet. If I die, then they'll come out, shake their heads, and tell themselves they knew it would happen. But if I live, they'll remember it. And it will give them hope. They might see it as a miracle.\
297'''Syl:''' Do you want to be a miracle?\
298'''Kaladin:''' No. But for them, I will be.
299* Rand al'Thor ([[IHaveManyNames AKA "The Dragon Reborn", the "Car'a'carn", the "Coramoor", "He Who Comes With the Dawn"...]]) from Robert Jordan's ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'', a ChosenOne in a never-ending reincarnation cycle. Prophecy states that his blood will be spilled to free mankind from the Dark One, most people think that means Rand must die, including himself. [[spoiler:He does, but he comes back in another body due to {{Synchronization}} with [[TheDragon the Nae'blis]] (he's actually that body's third inhabitant)]]. Since prophecy also states that he will "break" the world, he is not always popular. He spends much of the series lamenting his status as the ChosenOne but ends up an AllLovingHero by the end.
300%%* Myssia, in ''Literature/TheWillBeDone'', was a ''potential'' messiah. It doesn't work out, to put it mildly.
301[[/folder]]
302
303[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
304* Octavia Blake in ''Series/The100'' is born in secret, and hidden from her society since her birth was a crime. Already in the first season of the show she risks her life to save both her people and the enemy, the music of the scene having a hymn-like quality to it (as do many other of her pivotal scenes). By the end of Season 4, she saves as many as she can of all of the clans instead of just her own to survive the coming apocalypse in a bunker. Six years in the bunker cross her over into DarkMessiah territory for awhile, where the actions necessary to save what they believe to be the last of the human race are extreme, but she takes all of their sins onto herself to spare her people the guilt. She is exiled [[spoiler: on a new planet after being rejected and betrayed by her people, and then experiences a figurative crucifixion. Her people experience multiple events analogous to the Biblical plagues in her absence, and when she returns to her people in the series finale to prevent a war by getting the armies to stand down, she thus saves humanity ''again'' and they are literally Raptured into the heavens.]] Her Season 5 and Season 7 character posters also have Christian imagery not used for the other characters.
305* Jordan Collier in ''Series/TheFortyFourHundred'' believes he is sent to guide his people, dies, and is resurrected. His initials are, unsurprisingly, J.C. His temporary replacement, Shawn, also demonstrates Christ-like qualities, as he heals the sick and befriends drug addicts. In a slight subversion, Collier is presented as more sinister than most Messianic archetypes and is not above using terrorist tactics in his quest to improve the world. Is it any wonder he's a DarkMessiah? It is also worth noting he really was chosen to guide humanity by what are implied to be the closest thing to good guys from the future to save the world, and for all his sinisterness, the alternative is apparently worse in the long run.
306* Captain Sheridan of ''Series/BabylonFive'' is referred to messianically several times, particularly after his return from the dead (following an intended HeroicSacrifice) at the beginning of Season 4. Whether or not he's a true ChosenOne is up for argument. (He is often referred to as simply "the right person, in the right place, at the right time.") However, he does amass a loyal following, something necessary for his role as leader in both the war against the Shadows and LaResistance against Earth's totalitarian government. President Clark, his most important single enemy, was apparently "obsessed with him," and promoted vicious smear campaigns against him. Many people treated him like he was divine, and though he did try to dissuade them from that belief, it still influenced his soured relations with [[spoiler:Michael Garibaldi]], one of his most trusted friends, who eventually betrayed him for personal gains (though it turns out [[spoiler:he was a ManchurianAgent]].) When he sets the trap to capture Sheridan, he even comments, "I think the last guy got thirty pieces of silver for the same job." Flashforward segments in the episode "The Deconstruction of Falling Stars," show that 100 years later, academics are analyzing Sheridan's life in much the same way people today analyze the mythology surrounding Jesus, and 500 years later a group of monks are shown with an illuminated text, in which Sheridan is said to have "risen from the dead" and then "ascended into Heaven." Slight exaggerations in this case, but not entirely untrue.
307** It is suggested that the Minbari also think this of Delenn, since she is one of the foremost spiritual and political leaders of her people, but is vilified by members of opposing clans. Once she proves herself willing to make a HeroicSacrifice to save their people, however, she is widely lauded as a hero. In fact, at one point a human who is plotting to kill Delenn comments that the Minbari "think she's like the Second Coming", and the reveal of her rebirth after the beginning of Season 2 is accompanied by G'Kar reading a Yeats poem entitled "The Second Coming". Perhaps not a coincidence. The flashforwards mentioned earlier also indicate a similar mythology surrounding Delenn developing in the centuries following the events of the show.
308** For the Minbari, Valen is a sort of Messiah. He appeared suddenly at a time of great need, accompanied by angelic beings, sometime around Earth year AD 1300. After saving the Minbari from the Shadows, he then reformed their society and government, taught them philosophy, and eventually vanished without a trace. There is belief among the Minbari that [[SecondComing Valen will come again]], and as is revealed in the course of the series [[spoiler:it's true, but not in the way they thought. Valen is actually Jeffrey Sinclair, who traveled through time to save the Minbari and transformed himself into one of them.]]
309** To add to the messianic parallels, these three characters are referred to collectively as The One[[note]]Sinclair is The One Who Was, Delenn is The One Who Is, and Sheridan is The One Who Will Be[[/note]], because of the way they all play a crucial role in the defeat of the Shadows and the union of the Minbari and Human people. (Again, whether that definitively makes them {{Chosen One}}s is up for discussion, depending on whether one considers fate to be involved.)
310** G'Kar, as well, whose self-sacrifice for the Narns leads to a religion being formed around him -- he even gets 39 lashes. As it happens, G'Kar struggles to get his followers to listen to what he ''says'' rather than what they ''want to hear'', echoing recurring themes from earlier seasons about G'Kar's problems with keeping his subordinates in line.
311** The main thing keeping Londo from quite qualifying for most of the series is that he lacks the moral courage to do the ''right'' thing rather than the thing he believes will increase his own power or that of his people. As events quickly spin out of control, Londo becomes indirectly responsible for the deaths of millions across the galaxy. In the fourth season he finally finds the will to sacrifice his own life to save his people, [[spoiler: asking Vir to kill him and let the Vorlons know so they won't destroy Centauri Prime]], the planet is spared due to outside circumstances. Eventually, his own death at G'Kar's hands is revealed to be [[spoiler: an assisted suicide, as it's the only way to ensure his Keeper won't prevent Sheridan and Delenn from escaping Centauri Prime. G'Kar dies along with Londo when his Keeper fights back.]]
312* Laura Roslin on ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'' could very well fall into this category -- she is believed to be the "dying leader" destined to bring her people to Earth, and it doesn't get too much more messianic (specifically, Moses-like) than that. However, she tends more towards the morally grey end of the spectrum than most other messiahs, and that's ''before'' the recent revelation that [[spoiler:her prophetic dreams are being shared by Cylons]].
313** Also in ''Battlestar'', the Number Threes see themselves as Messiahs who will find the Final Five Cylons. After proving that they consider themselves "above" the group consensus of the other Cylons, the line is deactivated.
314** This is all before the final season where Gaius Baltar, whose always had religious overtones to him, gains a cult and starts saying there is only one true God. It's a Jesus symbolism overload, seriously. D'Anna would have destroyed the fleet had she not proven susceptible to his religious urges in the past and subsequently backed down.
315* Subverted with Brother Justin in ''Series/{{Carnivale}}''; he's an outwardly saintly Methodist preacher with a "special destiny"... who turns out to be the Antichrist. It takes him, and us, a while to realize that.
316* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
317** Creator/TomBaker (a [former Catholic monk who thus [CulturallyReligious tends to relate everything to religion]]) has commented that he found the Fourth Doctor to resonate with him as a messianic figure -- he described the Doctor as a "perfect man" with superhuman understanding and boundless magnanimity, who descends from the sky to defeat evil and save people with faith and love. In fact, the messianism is one of the aspects of the Doctor's character that the seriously LostInCharacter Baker struggled to live up to in his real life, to the detriment of his mental health.
318** So that's the performance then; as for the writing, "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS12E2TheArkInSpace The Ark in Space]]" casts him as a figure removed from humanity bringing chosen people back from the dead after the end of the world; "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS12E4GenesisOfTheDaleks Genesis of the Daleks]]" pits him against a DarkMessiah; "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS14E1TheMasqueOfMandragora The Masque of Mandragora]]" put him in a church-like TARDIS with a mirror as its centrepiece; "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS14E3TheDeadlyAssassin The Deadly Assassin]]" has a significant scene of being dunked under a river in a billowing white shirt; "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS14E4TheFaceOfEvil The Face of Evil]]" has him acquiring a companion who is explicitly his disciple and saving her from being tortured with thorns in his name; and there are many other incidental scenes throughout the rest of the Hinchcliffe era. Note also that Baker makes a point of pronouncing "Gallifrey" to sound as close as he can make it to "Galilee". It's a lot more subtle than with the Tenth, though, and heavily lets up when Creator/GrahamWilliams takes over as producer. "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS14E4TheFaceOfEvil The Face of Evil]]" also has him wipe the mind of an evil godlike computer using a crown-of-thorns-like device that fries his brain and leaves him unconscious for two days, leaving him to revive on the third day...
319** In "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E13LastOfTheTimeLords Last of the Time Lords]]", Martha Jones walks the world alone for a year after the Master successfully takes over and reduces the planet to [[CrapsackWorld a living hell hole]] in preparation for his plan to go on to conquer the universe. She becomes something of a legend, considered to be a savior who will defeat the Master. Martha's means of saving the world, however, involves spreading stories about the Doctor ''"no weapons, just words"'', as well as leaving an instruction, and insisting the whole time that the Doctor is the actual saviour.
320** The RTD era is a subversion as "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E16TheWatersOfMars The Waters of Mars]]" thoroughly demonstrates that [[spoiler:once the Doctor starts thinking of himself as a saviour or god, he becomes more of a DarkMessiah]] and that, ultimately, all the messiah metaphors scattered throughout Series 1-4 aren't meant to indicate anything good. In the post-S4 specials, the Tenth Doctor [[spoiler:receives notice of his own death, undergoes a final temptation (and succumbs, which Adelaide Brooke soon corrects him on), has an Agony in the Garden plea after he hears Wilf knock, and then finally -- angrily, but lovingly -- agrees to sacrifice himself, though it will be prolonged and painful and in the end, he'll be alone.]] Hello, allegory!
321** The Creator/StevenMoffat era plays the Doctor-as-Messianic-Archetype concept straight until Series 9, when he undergoes another dark period in the three-part finale: In "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS35E10FaceTheRaven Face the Raven]]" he is betrayed by someone who owes him her life -- specifically, [[spoiler:he ''brought her back to life'']] -- and to make matters worse [[spoiler:it accidentally gets his beloved Clara killed]]. Clara tells him he ''can't'' let his resultant anguish change him, even though he's being sent to a place where he'll have absolutely no one to help him. In "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS35E11HeavenSent Heaven Sent]]" it turns out to be a torture chamber that torments him with his own nightmares, and he is DrivenToMadness, ultimately [[spoiler:undergoing a cycle of, effectively, death and revival ''billions of times over'']] until he's free. Having effectively been forsaken by the ''entire universe'', in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS35E12HellBent Hell Bent]]" he becomes a vengeful, heartsick WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds who chooses to risk the safety of the universe on the TragicDream of [[spoiler:saving Clara, which violates a fixed point in time]], feeling he is owed this after all he's done for it and that he is no longer accountable to anyone. But he is ultimately convinced of the wrongness of these actions and not only repents but [[spoiler:loses her ''and'' his key memories of her]] so he can return to his best self. The villains do not get the punishments they deserve (they get off lightly compared to their crimes or [[KarmaHoudini escape it altogether]]), and he sacrifices personal happiness in favor of continuing to serve the greater good -- even though he knows the universe will never make up for the horrors he's faced in this StoryArc alone, much less reward him for all the good he's done.
322* ''Series/GameOfThrones'':
323** Jon Snow is set up this way, what with the noble nature and the mysterious parentage and the possibly being the only hope for a good future for the common folk and the looking like Jesus. And, of course, the whole "being betrayed by his followers and then brought back from the dead" thing.
324** King Baelor Targaryen is a deconstruction. Many of the characteristics that made him a beloved ruler among the smallfolk also got in the way of his actual job of ruling and his responsibility to perpetuate the royal line.
325** Daenerys Targaryen definitely invokes some Christ parallels. In the first season, the Dothraki think she will give birth to the Stallion that Mounts the World and this seems to connect to a prophecy that she herself believes, which marks her as the Dragon of the Targaryens, which seems to be confirmed when she successfully hatches three dragons. It was not made clear at that point if the prophesies surrounding her involve the good kind of messiah or the bad one. Jorah Mormont seems to think she is the former. Out of everyone who's vying for the Iron Throne, he believes Daenerys is the only claimant with a good heart and the inner strength that would win her the love of her subjects and the fear of her enemies. On the other hand, he's probably a little biased. It's taken even further in Season 3, where she's responsible for freeing the Army of the Unsullied from slavery, as well as liberating the slaves of Astapor and Yunkai. In all instances, the former slaves pledge their UndyingLoyalty to her and come to revere her as their saviour, and in Seasons 5 and 6, it is revealed that many of the Red Priests of Volantis consider her their religion's ChosenOne, in place of Stannis. Season 8 put a final answer to the question of what kind of messiah.
326** Stannis Baratheon, according to Melisandre. Turns out she was wrong in identity, but right in general geography. Stannis wasn't the Chosen One but he would meet the true Chosen One, Jon Snow, and play an indirect role in his path to destiny.
327* In ''Series/{{Hannibal}}'', Will Graham serves as this vis-a-vis Hannibal's {{satanic archetype}}. He's tested by a Satan figure (Hannibal), persecuted by Freddie Lounds, betrayed by one of the men he trusted most, and unjustly punished. In his daydreams in Season 2, he's shown standing in a stream, as if to invoke the image of baptism. In "Hassun", Hannibal likens himself to Peter and Will to Jesus, telling Jack that he cannot deny Will a third time, a reference to Matthew 26:69-75.
328** Of course, considering that ''Series/{{Hannibal}}'' take a more [[GodisEvil cruel]] take on God with its focus on horror and the macabre, Will Graham might not be the [[DarkMessiah messiah]] you're looking for.
329* The titular character of ''Series/JohnFromCincinnati'' (note the "J.C.", although his actual surname is Monad) might be Jesus, or perhaps an angel or some other supernatural being, but the [[ShortRunners short-lived]]show never got around to giving a straight answer to that question, if indeed the creators ever intended to.
330* The main character Tendou in ''Series/KamenRiderKabuto''. Born with amazing natural talent, trained to be the best in everything, told all his life that he will one day save mankind, and [[SubvertedTrope acts insufferably smug and superior as a result of it all.]]
331* It takes watching every episode of ''Series/KeyWest'' produced to realize it, but [=JoJo=] Nabouli is a Messianic Archetype. Everywhere he goes, good things happen to people who follow his advice. He hates no one and supports everyone. He always has a message to teach, even to people who don't think they need to learn. He is fortunate enough that, even when he falls ass-backward into piles of manure, he comes out spotless with a rose in his teeth. And when a friend needs a hand, he gives it without question.
332* ''Series/KingdomAdventure'': The Jesus-analog of this ReligiousEdutainment show is named "The Prince", but interestingly, it's not him alone that functions as the lynchpin of [[{{God}} The Emperor's]] plan to save the land: it's actually the love between The Prince and his wife-to-be that is going to save the land.
333* An episode of ''Series/KingdomHospital'' involved the Reverend Jimmy being found crucified, followed by a series of miracles re-enacting those of the New Testament. Unusual in that his Messianic Archetype status only becomes evident ''after'' he's died.
334* ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': If the Istar from the meteorite is [[spoiler:an amnesiac Gandalf]], than he is implicitly a Messianic figure. While he is barely at the beginning of his journey, he already checks several conditions, he is a FriendToAllLivingThings, LooksLikeJesus, has HealingHands and found TrueCompanions in the Harfoots despite starting on the wrong foot with them. He even got his own version of the biblical Three Magi in the Mystics, a trio of evil women from the lands of Rhun, who were searching for him.
335* There is a strong suggestion that ''Series/{{Lost}}'''s Locke is the AllLovingHero to the Others or the island itself. The Others have suggested they've been waiting for him because he is very special. Also, as seen in Season 4, [[spoiler:he dies, and must be returned to the island. Season 5 update: he appears to have resurrected and gained new knowledge and confidence (as you might expect a person to in such a circumstance), but it turned out to be nothing but a trick, with him still dead after a miserable life and some ancient...power, masquerading as him]]
336** Season 6 Jack seems to have taken over Locke's role in this archetype.
337* Emma Swan of ''Series/OnceUponATime'' is known across several realms as "The Savior" a role which defines her destiny as breaking the Dark Curse and restoring happy endings. She has redeemed wicked souls, even in Hades through love and mercy. Emma chooses to absorb the power of the Dark One in a selfless act to prevent its evil from corrupting any other soul. Her mother Snow White is renamed Mary Margaret under the curse. Her father David was a shepherd. (Jesus was born in the House of David and is called the Good Shepherd) If that was not enough, at the end of Season 6 Emma has dinner with her friends and family which becomes an illustration that closely resembles The Last Supper in the storybook.
338* The short-lived Creator/{{Netflix}} series ''Series/{{Messiah}}'' has this trope as its premise with the key character Al-Masih. A preacher from the Middle East who claims to be the eschatological return of 'Isa (Jesus in Arabic). The series [[PlayingWithATrope plays with]], [[SubvertedTrope subverts]], [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructs]] and actually [[PlayedStraight plays this trope straight]], as Al-Masih walks the lines between this trope and DarkMessiah since he does several very [[AmbiguouslyEvil un-Christ]] like things, but also inspires goodness and change in people (although he also brings out the worst in others). The show strongly hints that it’s all just a highly elaborate con and Al-Masih is a pretender who thinks he’s the Messiah, except he does actually perform miracles that are impossible to stage [[spoiler: such as in the AmbiguousEnding where he survives a plane crash and seemingly revives the passengers (his kidnappers) with HealingHands]]. Since the show was cancelled we’ll never know if he was actually the Messiah or not.
339* ''Series/TheOuterLimits1995'':
340** In "Starcrossed", Cass Trenton is the best hope of winning the war against the Hing as she is carrying a parasite that can kill them.
341** In the final scene of "Revival", [[spoiler: Luke is already being worshiped as a new Messiah by small congregations led by Serena only two months after his death.]]
342* ''Series/{{Smallville}}'': [[Franchise/{{Superman}} Clark Kent]].
343** He had a crucifixion pose at least twice ("Pilot", "Salvation"; yes, we are aware of the allusion in the second episode title).
344** In "Hidden", [[spoiler:he is pronounced dead, covered by a sheet then the body disappears and is resurrected by his father]].
345** All the talk about him being the "[[LightIsGood light]]" in "Finale".
346** Him being an essentially NiceGuy who also leads his TrueCompanions against evil.
347* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
348** The Vulcan philosopher Surak is more of a Space Creator/{{Confucius}} than a Space Jesus (right down to his major work being titled ''Analects''), but we still have him saving a people from themselves through his teachings (despite those teachings having been misinterpreted, per ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise''), acquired a cadre of followers, and died a violent death before his work was completed (specifically a nuclear detonation that gave him radiation poisoning). There was also a group that rejected his teachings, who became the Romulans.
349** ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration''. Jean-Luc Picard was necessary for Earth's survival. Without him [[FateWorseThanDeath becoming Locutus]], Earth would have been [[FateWorseThanDeath assimilated by the Borg]].
350*** The Klingon have a KungFuJesus archetype called Kahless. Everything relating to his backstory builds him up as a godlike warrior. Before his death, he promised to return in the future and help restore peace and honor to his people. In "Rightful Heir", a clone of him is made, sparking a controversy between the Klingon.
351** In ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', Benjamin Sisko is the Emissary of the Prophets, the messiah figure in the Bajoran religion. It turns out that [[spoiler:the Prophets even used their knowledge of the future to orchestrate the events of Sisko's birth]]. Sisko is initially put off by the idea of being a messiah (indeed, early seasons get a lot of mileage out of Sisko being the messiah of a religion ''he doesn't believe in'') but eventually embraces the role.
352* ''Series/StrangerThings'': Eleven is a girl with superpowers (more like a Yoda) who at the end of Season 1 [[spoiler: sacrifices herself to save her friends and kill a monster, only to come back in Season 2]]. Also, Mike pretty much prays to her every day for a straight year.
353* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'':
354** Dean Winchester. While he drinks, cheats, steals, and enjoys the company of loose women (at least in the first three seasons), he's also got a tendency to sacrifice himself and would do so to save a stranger's life without hesitation. He starts off as the only member of the Winchester family who hunts for the sake of saving people instead of revenge and is also the most selfless and martyr-like individual on the show. By Season 4, however, this becomes nearly WordOfGod as after he's sent to Hell, an army of angels descends to Hell to save him and resurrect him, complete with crucifix imagery as he claws his way from his own grave. The title of the episode this happened in brings even more religious allusions: Lazarus Rising. In Season 5, the [[BatmanGambit angelic plan is revealed]], as [[spoiler:Dean is "destined" to be the human vessel for the archangel Michael, the only angel powerful enough to stop Lucifer]].
355** ''Sam'' also has his own share of Messianic imagery, as Season 5 ends with [[spoiler:him in the crucifixion pose, sacrificing himself to seal away both Lucifer and Michael who were to bring about the Apocalypse]]. This becomes even more ironic as thanks to his demonic destiny that's alluded to throughout the seasons -- [[spoiler:to be the vessel for Lucifer,]] he's also set up as an {{Antichrist}}.
356** Jack is probably the closest thing the series has to the [[UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}} real deal]]. However, instead of being God's son, he's His grandson through {{Satan}} himself no less. Before he is even born, his mother Kelly, and later Castiel, say that he will do good things and change the world for the better. Due to his status as the Devil's son, he is often persecuted by those around him, most notably Dean, and the survivors of Apocalypse World because of his angelic heritage. Fortunately, he begins to turn people's view of him by consistently proving himself to be a genuinely good person. He dies and is resurrected (twice actually) and upon [[spoiler:stealing Chuck's powers and becoming the new God, Jack shows himself to be a better God than Chuck could ever hope to be by undoing all of the wrong things Chuck has done, and even remaking Heaven from a place where people are restricted into their personal paradise, reliving their memories for eternity, into a place where the souls can reunite with their loved ones.]]
357* Jack Harkness of ''Series/{{Torchwood}}'': Betrayed by his team and killed, rose from the dead, sacrifices himself to basically stop the devil from killing everyone in the world, dies again, and comes back after exactly three days to tell his killer that he forgives him. That's just the series one finale. The second one does so a little bit too but then the third series utterly and totally subverts it.
358* A number of heroes in the ''Franchise/UltraSeries'' fit -- compassionate and valiant [[AllLovingHero heroes who love and protect all of humanity]], even when they are aware of their imperfections. They also have a tendency to get crucified and resurrected as well, and usually have the defence team or friends as TrueCompanions supporting them against the monsters and aliens.
359* Stefan Salvatore of ''Series/TheVampireDiaries''. Stefan is depicted as a heroic, noble, and selfless saviour and protector.
360** Not to mention that his last name means "Savior" in Italian.
361[[/folder]]
362
363[[folder:Music]]
364* Appears in a number of Music/DavidBowie's songs, most famously in the form of [[Music/TheRiseAndFallOfZiggyStardustAndTheSpidersFromMars Ziggy Stardust]]. Also spoofed in "We Are Hungry Men," where the "messiah" is JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope and his teachings are completely ignored. Interestingly, Bowie's first major film role was as the title character in the movie adaptation of ''Film/TheManWhoFellToEarth'' (see Literature). And then came "The Next Day"...
365* Halleluiah, or Holly, follows a Christ-like arc in music by the Hold Steady. In the album "Separation Sunday," she wears a cross and reads bible stories but falls into a downward spiral of drugs and bad decisions. She joins some locals in being "born again" by taking a hit of nitrous oxide and being dunked underwater, a parallel with baptism. Shortly afterwards, she blacks out and disappears, and finally wakes up in a confession booth during Easter mass where she asks, "Father, can I tell your congregation how a resurrection really feels?"
366* ''Music/{{Tommy}}'' by Music/TheWho: Tommy is convinced that his experiences gained from his self-imposed exile from reality have given him some sort of spiritual insight into reality and gathers a small cult about him. His family tries to make money off of his cult, and his followers largely miss the point and ultimately reject his message.
367* Music/{{Hero}}, who is basically Jesus with a DivineRaceLift in a SettingUpdate.
368* "Are You Gonna Go My Way" by Music/LennyKravitz is sung from the POV of one, who calls people to follow his way so that love can prevail.
369* Music/PoetsOfTheFall:
370** In the video for "[[https://youtu.be/MKk1u5RMTn4?list=PLjACqN5i5sDWIIpg-5EB4WcitMMqnXhFP Carnival of Rust]], this is {{Invoked}} by Zoltar, the [[CircusOfFear Carnival]]'s fortuneteller, during a {{Tarot|Troubles}} reading, as he pulls "The Star" (a hopeful savior figure) and "The Nine of Swords" (despair, entrapment) in succession, and in his chorus, demands she love him so that he might be free of the Carnival. His attempt is {{Subverted}} when she is taken aback and ignores his advances in favor of visiting other attractions, then leaving.
371** PlayedStraight in "[[https://youtu.be/il3c14eR9C8?list=PLjACqN5i5sDUEienDV52g85W6J7chzLXV The Ballad of Jeremiah Peacekeeper]]" a {{Western}} inspired EnnioMorriconePastiche about a self-sacrificing, ReluctantWarrior lawman whose mission is "to keep your peace"
372-->He takes on the world all in a stride, and your wounds will be his scars\
373So won't you remember when the night comes\
374He will need your open arms\
375For to be invincible, he needs your love.
376* In [[Music/AkikoShikata Akiko Shikata]]'s song "Infelious Rhaplanca. Ten no Inori ~Rhaplanca~/Chi no Aganai ~Maoh~," from her ''[[VideoGame/ExaPico Ar tonelico]]'' based album ''Utau Oka ~Ar=Ciel Ar=Dor'', Rhaplanca [[TakenForGranite transforms herself into stone]] to stop a giant dead tree from falling, allowing the people of her city to climb it and escape the wrath of their god.
377[[/folder]]
378
379[[folder:Myths & Religion]]
380* Jesus Christ from ''Literature/TheBible''. [[TropeMaker No further explanation needed]].
381** While most modern Messianic Archetype characters are explicitly or implicitly likened to Christ, Jesus himself was likened to various Old Testament figures -- most explicitly King David, Moses, and the obscure priest-king Melchizedek -- of whom several took on messianic undertones. Some Jews even believe Melchizedek, or a SecondComing thereof to be one of four literally Messianic figures (usually alongside Elijah, the Son of David and the Son of Joseph) who between them will usher in the [[{{Utopia}} Messianic Age]].
382** Samson, yet another Old Testament figure, is something of a DarkerAndEdgier type. He gave up his life to defeat his enemies (and even did so with his arms stretched out), although he was motivated more so by personal pride.
383** Related to this trope are Jesus's words, he more than once talked about false messiahs and prophets and warned people not to follow them, but the way he said it all but states that he was warning about scammers and cult leaders who'd use religious concepts to dupe their followers. Regarding people who follow him, he always acted like he wanted them to follow his example, under that interpretation, while no one should claim to be Jesus ''himself'', being as close to being a Messianic Archetype as we can is the whole point of being a Christian.
384** Interestingly, the original ''Jewish'' conception of a messiah does not necessarily involve self-sacrifice. The Jewish messiah is more of AProtagonistShallLeadThem, and Jews reject Jesus as messiah precisely ''because'' he failed to fulfill the messianic prophecies (including: liberating Judea from the Roman Empire, gathering all the Jews back to Israel, and rebuilding the Temple[[note]]though the Temple was still around when Jesus was alive[[/note]]).
385* Osiris from Myth/EgyptianMythology. The oldest son of the primordial gods Geb and Nut, he came down to earth to live as the first Pharaoh who taught Humanity agriculture and civilization. However, he was betrayed by his jealous brother Seth, who mutilated and scattered his body to rule as a tyrant. After his son Horus took revenge upon Seth, Osiris was pieced back together by his wife Isis (except his penis, which got eaten by a fish), and assumed the role of judge of the dead.
386* In Myth/NorseMythology, [[FriendToAllLivingThings Baldur]], who like Christ is loved by all, is betrayed by one of his companions ([[JerkAss Loki]]), and who will eventually return to rule the Earth after the EndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. Unlike Christ though, he didn't get better -- at least not yet. Creator/CSLewis ([[Creator/JRRTolkien and his friend Tolkien]]) actually proposed Baldur was a [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute Norse-friendly version of Jesus]].
387** It is believed that the introduction of Christianity to Germany/Scandinavia led to a re-write of many of the myths of Myth/NorseMythology (Thor's wedding, for one, is believed to have been written after said introduction as a way of mocking the old gods). It is possible the myths about Baldur were written or re-written to better fit the Christian faith, as was the part where Odin hung himself and was impaled by a spear much like Jesus.
388* A common misconception about [[Myth/AztecMythology Quetzacoatl]], the FeatheredSerpent God, is that he's a messiah figure who got banished to the east, who will be heralded when he returns. This is in equal parts misidentifying the serpent god with the actual human ruler [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ce_Acatl_Topiltzin Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl]] (who was something of a religious reformist, who even tried to abolish HumanSacrifice with no success) and in part flat out fabrication by Hispanic religious writers to make sense out of the Spanish conquest (by claiming that Mesoamericans mistook the Spaniards by gods, thus helping their conquering effort, because they were so pious). In actuality the serpent god was frankly something of an atavism by the time contact between the two continents was made - the Aztec were much more into the WarGod Huitzilopochtli, and Quetzalcoatl was mostly just relevant for the purposes of the Five Suns myth. The idea that Quetzal boi was the TokenGoodTeammate of the Aztec pantheon is both the result of the aforementioned conflation between the serpent god and the human ruler and just flat out wrong (for starters, his aspect as the god of wind Ehecatl was the recipient of human sacrifices as a proxy for the sun, and none of the Aztec gods are "evil").
389* [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Heracles]] -- Born of [[HalfHumanHybrid god and man]], martyred. Similar to Quetzalcoatl is Prometheus, Titan of knowledge and fire, who gifted humanity with the Olympian flames so that humankind is equal with the Gods, and like the others, was martyred.
390* [[Myth/ArthurianLegend The Arthurian legends]] are, to a great extent, a retelling of the David story from Literature/TheBible, complete with the idea that Arthur will return to save Britain in her greatest hour of need.
391** This isn't just a British myth; France has the same myth about national hero Roland, and the Danes have a similar archetype in Holger Dansk.
392* A similar myth exists about Frederick Barbarossa, who was a real historical figure, and a number of others, some real, some altogether legendary. A more extensive, but no doubt still partial list, can be found under [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_in_the_mountain the King in the Mountain entry at the other wiki]].
393* UsefulNotes/{{Buddhism}} has Buddha Gautama, who checks many points in the most mystic traditions: he was the chosen one by his being in his previous lifes, gathered a school of companions, was betrayed by one of them (Devadatta) who tried to convince kings to persecute him, redeemed some very bad people, and will return some day (if not him, another Buddha).
394* UsefulNotes/{{Zoroastrianism}} has Zoraster himself, the prophet of that faith that rallied against the political system of the time. He, in turn, will be succeeded by Saoshyant, who will cleanse the earth at the end of the world.
395* In Sami Mythology the sun goddess Beaivi's daughter, Beaivi-Nieida, was sent to earth by her mother to cure humans of illness. However, the humans became jealous of her powers and crushed her skull with a rock. Fortunately, it was instant and painless and she returned to the realm of the gods.
396* In Myth/HinduMythology, Vishnu's Avatars take various forms, but the one thing that they have in common is that they all appear when the world and its balance is in incredible danger in order to save it. The most fitting of this trope, however, is Kalki, the prophesized 'Final Avatar' of Vishnu that will appear at TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt to deliver it from evil.
397[[/folder]]
398
399[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]
400* Wrestling/ChrisHero, who has a beard and long hair like the popular image, claims to be the savior of Wrestling/{{CZW}}. His personal theme, "Chris Is Awesome" is a remix of El Mesías Wrestling/{{AAA}} theme even. He at times compares himself to other figures such as [[DavidVsGoliath David, saving CZW from larger "Goliath" companies]] like Wrestling/{{R|ingOfHonor}}OH.
401* For "God So Loved The WEW" he gave us light in a dark place by giving us T.H.A.I.
402* Wrestling/ChrisJericho in 2007, when he returned to save the noble land of Wrestling/{{WWE}} from the tyranny of Wrestling/RandyOrton. But you people, who cheered that no good, lying cheat Wrestling/ShawnMichaels! You hypocrites don't want to be saved, you don't deserve to be saved![[/folder]]
403
404[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
405* [[CrystalDragonJesus Abel]] in ''TabletopGame/AnimaBeyondFantasy'', who's an [[CaptainErsatz Manga/Anime Ersatz]] of Jesus [[note]] albeit ''far'' more violent than him (having forged several magical swords that need blood from supernatural entities in order to maintain their magical properties) and with a more than strong dislike of the supernatural[[/note]] complete with Apostles and a crucifixion.
406* Urza from ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' is '''[[TheSocialDarwinist very]] [[KnightTemplar far]]''' from being an AllLovingHero, but he went through a whole lot of awful things and led a group of other planeswalkers to destroy [[{{Mordor}} Phyrexia]].
407* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'':
408** The GodEmperor of Mankind, also known as the New Man and the Omnissiah (an incarnation and/or messenger of the [[DeusEstMachina Machine God]]). He sacrificed himself to save humanity fight off the demonic forces of Chaos, fights this battle on a throne that causes immense pain on his part, and (when he was alive) even had the long hair of a Renaissance-era painting of Jesus. That being said he borders between this and being a DarkMessiah, as he was much more violent and cruel in his pre-throne state.
409** His son Sanguinius is another example due to having inherited the better parts from his father, being an AllLovingHero and pulling an HeroicSacrifice to help save mankind.
410** Seastian Thor, one of the God Emperor's many saints, has the distinction of being one of the few examples of a BadassPacifist in the setting.
411[[/folder]]
412
413[[folder:Theatre]]
414* Claude from ''Theatre/{{Hair}}'', more of a follower than a leader, but serves as kind of an emblematic persecution sink for the hippie movement, and, in most productions, is implied to have [[spoiler:AscendedToAHigherPlaneOfExistence after being killed in Vietnam]].
415* Enjolras from ''Theatre/LesMiserables'' is the leader of a passionate group of revolutionaries, betrayed by one of his followers (a disguised Javert), shunned by the very people he's trying to save, and [[spoiler:whose death is always staged as an upside-down CrucifiedHeroShot, hanging over the front of the barricade and clutching the red flag of the rebellion. Although his death is very permanent, he does get a second coming in "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables", and is the first to welcome Valjean to heaven besides Fantine and Eponine]].
416%%* [[Film/LordOfTheDance1997 The Lord of the Dance]].
417[[/folder]]
418
419[[folder:Video Games]]
420* ''VideoGame/AliensVsPredator2010'': Specimen Six serves as a Moses figure for the Xenomorphs. Six is more intelligent than the rest of her kin, she is spared as an infant from being executed at the insistence of a human who sees her as a slave, she is forced to kill many innocent humans on her master's orders before hearing the commands of the Matriarch who orders her to liberate her people and in doing so, unleashing a plague on their oppressors. When Six is taken off-world, she is born again as a Queen to lead the Xenomorphs into a new era, and she is briefly shown in a CrucifiedHeroShot at the beginning of the Alien campaign.
421* The titular protagonist of ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'' is one of these. He has a strong moral compass and cares deeply about protecting innocents, was unjustly betrayed by those he trusted, was killed, only to come back to life, and when [[spoiler:Chakravartin (who himself is a SatanicArchetype) offered him the chance to rule the world, he rejected the offer and performed a HeroicSacrifice to defeat Chakravartin once and for all and destroy mantra (which has affinities themed after the SevenDeadlySins) so as to save humanity and bring the world into a new age. Not bad for a guy who's literally fueled by UnstoppableRage.]]
422* Crono, from ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger''. [[spoiler:He even dies. And comes back to life.]] His casting pose is [[FauxSymbolism eerily reminiscent to crucifixion]]. Additionally, many other characters and events in the game are analogous to people and events in the Bible.
423* Prophet is initially a call-sign used by Laurence Barnes and Alcatraz [[spoiler:following the former's death]] in ''VideoGame/{{Crysis}}'' but by the third game, he is essentially what the name is literally. In between the second and third game, Prophet was put on stasis and when he returns, he becomes humanity savior from the aliens. In fact, a nanosuit user is put into a crucified position whenever they are using a nanosuit cradle. [[spoiler: To honor Barnes, the suit eventually takes Barnes' appearance, essentially bringing Barnes back to life.]]
424* The Priest from ''VideoGame/CultistSimulator'' is a deliberately and impressively blasphemous perversion of this trope. Nominally a Christian, but incorporating the ''incredibly'' heretical lore of {{Eldritch Abomination}}s, the Priest inflicts horrific self-mutilation on themselves in clear parallel to Jesus. This culminates in [[spoiler:a self-inflicted FateWorseThanDeath that turns them into a gate allowing their followers to [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence ascend to the Mansus]].]] And in-game lore suggests that Jesus was real... [[TheExtremistWasRight and following the exact same eldritch path the Priest is on]].
425* Makoto Naegi, the BigGood of the ''Franchise/DanganRonpa'' series. He's extremely good at bringing allies over to his side [[TheConfidant through simple listening]], [[TheReliableOne by allowing himself to be relied on]] and [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre unpretentiously helping people move past their pain and insecurity]] and instead [[TheParagon towards a hope-filled path, which earned him the title of Ultimate Hope.]] In Chapter 5 of ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc'', [[spoiler: he's betrayed by his friends and sentenced to death but escapes by a miracle and is a prisoner on the lowest level of the school. After returning, he instantly forgives them and as a result, they're inspired to share his conviction.]] At the end, he even makes an attempt to SaveTheVillain, [[SatanicArchetype which fails]].
426* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls''.
427** [[spoiler:Gwyn sacrificed himself as fuel for the First Flame to extend the Age of Fire.]]
428** [[spoiler: The [[PlayerCharacter Chosen Undead]] can either follow in Gwyn's footsteps by sacrificing him or herself to the First Flame or let the Flame go out, becoming the lord of the Age of Darkness. [[WildMassGuessing Depending on your interpretation]], either or both endings result in the Chosen Undead being a savior to the world.]]
429** Sir Artorias the Abyswalker gave his life halting the spread of the Abyss. [[spoiler:This is actually the Chosen Undead as well, as it turns out that Artorias ''failed'' in his task and was consumed by the Abyss. Due to some time travel shenanigans, Artorias got the credit for stopping the Abyss. Artorias still arguably qualifies, though, as he was able to save his wolf companion Sif by giving up his shield, thus saving Sif from being corrupted by the Abyss as Artorias was.]]
430* Sam Porter Bridges, protagonist of ''VideoGame/DeathStranding'', a man with supernatural ResurrectiveImmortality who is known across America as the 'Great Deliverer' who will restore the country. Though Sam is NotInThisForYourRevolution, he still ends up inadvertently causing various other porters to imitate him. By the end, Sam is primarily responsible for stopping the coming of the apocalypse.
431* Gulcasa from the VideoGame/DeptHeaven series' [[VideoGame/YggdraUnion episode II]][[VideoGame/YggdraUnison -related]] [[VideoGame/BlazeUnion games]]. Miracle birth? Check. Miracle worker and savior? Uh-huh. Twelve disciples? Yep, and one of them even backstabs him. Suffers in the process of saving people, and eventually attempts a HeroicSacrifice? Check and check. The only discrepancy is in the fact that [[spoiler:if he actually completes his HeroicSacrifice, he'll cause TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt, so you have to kill him before he can]].
432* JC Denton of ''VideoGame/DeusEx'' loosely fits this trope, as he ultimately decides the fate of the world with his actions at the end of the game. The JC is likely an allusion to Jesus Christ, though the connection is never made explicit. It is made significantly more obvious by the sequel, in which JC's brother [[SignificantName Paul]] founds an organization called Apostle Corps in order to spread the ideals of JC. Meanwhile, the progenitor of both JC and Paul [[VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution from the prequel]]? His name is [[Literature/TheBible Adam]].
433* ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'':
434** Sparda, despite ironically [[AscendedDemon being a demon]], is frequently regarded as a Christ-figure throughout the series due to him saving humanity from the demonkind before [[HeroicSacrifice sealing his powers away]] into his swords and [[LongDeadBadass dying]] from unspecified reasons. ''[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry4 DMC4]]'' is really [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything on the nose about the allusions]], as the MedievalStasis citizens of Fortuna explicitly worship Sparda as "The Savior" and have an [[CrystalDragonJesus entire religion based on him]] called the "Order of the Sword", led by a [[ChristianityIsCatholic Pope-like]] figure named Sanctus. However, these worshippers [[CorruptChurch are the antagonists]] since they misinterpret Sparda's good deeds as an excuse to be a KnightTemplar in a mad grab for demonic power. The protagonist Nero calls Sanctus out on this in the finale.
435** Dante is a subtler and less traditional example than his aforementioned father, but he still shows signs of being a Messianic Archetype. He's the son of a god-like figure who uses his abilities to help humanity and manages to bring/inspire goodness out of self-doubting or demonic-inclined characters such as Trish and his brother Vergil. Just like Jesus, Dante christens his allies with new names that they accept forever, as seen with "Lady" formerly known as Mary in ''[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening DMC3]]''. Trish and Lady also follow him as his trusted allies ever since he befriended them in their respective debut games. He also gets several {{Crucified Hero Shot}}s throughout the series, but the [[Anime/DevilMayCryTheAnimatedSeries 2007 anime]] made it more blatant with Dante being pinned to a life-sized cross, seemingly dead, but then waking up later. ''[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry5 DMC5]]'' adds more subtle allusions as Dante now has [[LooksLikeJesus long hair and has facial hair]] and [[spoiler:performs a HeroicSacrifice which seemingly "killed" him but he awakens again after several days and returns to his friends]].
436** Nero. Think about his circumstances in ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'' and his role in the Order of the Sword for a second. Sort of a Good-aligned rebel of the society's church? Thought of as a nuisance by the powers that be at the time? Betrayed by the same Order where he belongs? Stabbed while in a [[CrucifiedHeroShot crucifixion-esque pose]]? [[spoiler:A blood-relative of the religion's god?]] Sounds about right to us.
437* ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIX'' has Celestria, who is basically a gender-flipped Jesus. She is the daughter of the creator God, and [[spoiler: sacrifices herself to save humanity, then comes back from the dead.]]
438* ''VideoGame/DragonQuestXI'' has [[TheHero The Luminary]], whose title by default entails it: he's born by human parents but was chosen by the resident Physical God as TheChosenOne, he's destined to deliver the world from evil and defeat [[SatanicArchetype The Dark One]].
439** In an unusual application of this trope, he's technically the second coming of the Messianic Archetype, as he's basically the reincarnation of the first Luminary who died long before [[spoiler: by being betrayed by one of his closest followers.]] For bonus points, he's at first a HeroWithBadPublicity and persecuted by King Carnelian, he's also of royal lineage, but was raised in a small village. Jesus was persecuted during his life, and was stated to have been from a long line of kings, but was born and raised as a commoner.
440** On top of that, a majority of the party members join him ''because'' he's the Luminary. Erick joins him because [[BigGood the Seer]] told him that he could [[TheAtoner atone for his sin]] by helping him, Veronica and Serena both come from a very religious city, and they were chosen for the role of helping the Luminary due to being reincarnations of Serenica, Rab and Jade both help him due to their past relation with the protagonist and to help him fulfill his destiny both, and the final party member [[spoiler: Hendrik]] joins him after they realize the Luminary is actually a force of good, and swear undying loyalty to him.
441* The [[OurOrcsAreDifferent orcs]] of ''VideoGame/DungeonCrawl'' are still looking for their messiah. If playing as an orcish priest of Beogh, you can ([[DarkMessiah usually violently]]) convert the [[GoddamnBats numerous orcs]] into loyal followers by convincing them ''you'' are that messiah. And Beogh will eventually grant powers up to and including, yes, ''walking on water''. You don't HAVE to [[HeroicSacrifice die]], as per the original Messianic Archetype, although [[EverythingTryingToKillYou the rest of the dungeon]] makes this [[NintendoHard the most likely outcome]].
442* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
443** Aerith of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' -- Half-human, half-supernatural, the planet is ultimately saved through her prayers and her death, and humanity is kept alive. In ''Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren'', she cures Geostigma from beyond the grave, which is effectively cancer. The disease is notably uncurable by any other means.
444** Yuna from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX''. Worshiped and loved by everyone around her? Check. [[spoiler:A ritualistic HeroicSacrifice to defeat the ultimate evil in the world literally called "Sin", complete with TheFinalTemptation beforehand]]? Check. ''Walking on water''? Check. Tidus also qualifies: Son of a Godlike figure who professes love even for those in Spira who face discrimination, also associated with water (to the extent that his love scene involves both himself and Yuna going underwater baptismal-style), also gets [[spoiler: a HeroicSacrifice]] and [[spoiler:resurrection]]. Somewhat ironically, this is all present in a game that showcases the dangers of an [[ChurchOfEvil organized religion]].
445** Claire "Lightning" Farron from the ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' trilogy goes from human granted magical powers by a demigod (XIII) to Valkyrie in the service of a goddess (XIII-2) to a super-powered, possibly transhuman servant of another god whose job is to save souls of the living so they can be reborn in another world (Lightning Returns). Lightning is even explicitly referred to as "The Savior". Her friend and ally, Oerba Dia Vanille, is also a messianic character in the third game, tasked [[spoiler:unwittingly]] with guiding the souls of the dead [[spoiler:to oblivion]].
446** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'''s protagonist, Noctis Lucis Caelum, fits this trope to a T. He's [[ChosenOne chosen by the Crystal]] to bring an end to the Starscourge (a disease which is very similar in both name and appearance to the aforementioned Geostigma) by fulfilling the Calling of his royal line, seeking the favor of the Astral gods, and using the power of the Crystal. Near the end of the game, [[spoiler:he learns of his true purpose -- he must give his life to call forth divine Providence if he is to destroy the [[AntiChrist Accursed]] and end the Scourge. And so, the game ends with [[HeroicSacrifice his ritual sacrifice on his throne]], after which [[DiedHappilyEverAfter he and his dead fiancee's spirits are shown appearing as if at their wedding]].]] He's sometimes referred to by titles like "King of Kings" or "the Son" to make sure no one overlooks the connection.
447* In the ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' series:
448** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'' has Robin. They are [[spoiler:[[AntiAntiChrist born from the blood of the setting's biggest evil]], they sacrifice themselves to save all of humanity, and they come BackFromTheDead afterwards]].
449** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'' has Byleth. They are [[spoiler:the vessel of the setting's goddess, born from a divine miracle, they are betrayed by a close disciple, they rise from death to save the continent in its hour of need, and their primary enemy is either [[SatanicArchetype a woman who wears horns, dresses in red, and seeks to destroy the goddess]], or [[DarkMessiah a false prophet who has corrupted the church for her own selfish ends]]]].
450* Gordon Freeman, of ''VideoGame/HalfLife'' fame: "And yet [[LaResistance unsophisticated minds]] continue to imbue him with romantic power, giving him such dangerous poetic labels as the One Free Man, the Opener of the Way." There's even an Easter egg scene showing him in a stained glass window, complete with crowbar.
451* In ''VideoGame/HonkaiImpact3rd'', Mei's journey into the Elysian Realm brings her into contact with one of these. [[spoiler: Her main companion throughout the virtual world of the Elysian Realm is its namesake, Elysia, who slowly reveals her true nature and story to Mei. Described quite literally as "god's daughter", she was discovered as a child and grew up among humanity while unaware of her own nature as a Herrscher. Unlike the normal cycle of Herrschers that would manifest, Elysia was not controlled by the Will of the Honkai and loved humanity with all her heart. She brought together a group of 13, the Flamechasers, to fight against the Honkai and would eventually sacrifice herself in an effort to give humanity hope. While her sacrifice did not save her own era, it would plant the seeds of salvation for the next Era and allow Herrschers like Mei to retain their humanity and eventually, save the world]].
452* ''VideoGame/HorizonZeroDawn'' features a secularized reconstruction of the trope. [[spoiler:The Zero Dawn AI, [=GAIA=], is effectively "god" in the setting, recreating life on Earth after an ApocalypseHow total extinction. However, when ''some''thing causes all her subordinate functions (named after greek/roman gods) to go rogue, her prime concern is [=HADES=], a contingency function for wiping the slate clean in the event that [=GAIA=] creates a nonviable biome. To respond, she engages in a ThanatosGambit, self-destructing to contain HADES after causing the UterineReplicators that respawned the Human race to clone her creator, Dr. Elisabet Sobeck, to solve the problem. This clone, [[PlayerCharacter Aloy]], is effectively an immaculate conception by [=GAIA=] and is inherently able to access all the old Zero Dawn facilities due to her genetic match to the project's director.]] Combine this with the benighted tribal religions of the time, and Aloy's [[spoiler:clone-]]inherited traits of intuitive genius, indomitable will, and a compassion to heal the world, and you have a secular Messiah.
453* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'': [[TheHero Sora]], who has always been an AllLovingHero, but is heading this way as of the [[WhamEpisode secret ending]] to ''Birth by Sleep''. By ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsIII'', his role as a Messiah in the ''KH'' universe is pretty much set in stone: he purifies two people from darkness, restores three people back to life, convinces the main villain to give up his evil ways, and last but not least, [[spoiler:performs a HeroicSacrifice]].
454* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
455** As told in the OpeningNarration of ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', the [[Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Hero of Time]] became this to the people of the "ancient kingdom" after defeating the great evil that threatened to destroy it. Once the great evil resurfaced, many generations later, the people of the kingdom were sure that the Hero of Time would reappear to save them...and he ''didn't.'' [[spoiler:The ancient Kingdom (Hyrule) was then flooded by the gods in an attempt to protect it from the BigBad, Ganondorf; the world current to the game has lost all contact and has an [[FutureImperfect imperfect recollection]] of many of the details of the ancient world.]]
456** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'', it is [[spoiler:Zelda herself who is this. More particularly, both Hylia and Zelda split the difference of this archetype. Hylia was worshipped in ancient times as the protector of the Triforce, but those times ended when the Demon King Demise and his horde of demons rose to the surface, slaughtering anyone in their path. Hylia was able to seal Demise but was mortally wounded in the process, leading her to take a mortal form. In the present time, Zelda is that mortal form, and she goes on a journey separate from Link's to regain her memories and power as Hylia. Eventually, she seals herself away to strengthen the seal on Demise for a time.]]
457* ''Franchise/MassEffect'':
458** ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'': Commander Shepard. Chosen to save the galactic population from imminent genocide? Check! Has a small group of loyal followers (''twelve'' in the second game)? Check! [[spoiler:Brought BackFromTheDead?]] ''Check!'' [[spoiler:And in the worst ending of the second game, s/he performs a HeroicSacrifice in order to destroy the Collector base. It's not canon, but it's still there.]]
459** As the trailer for ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' indicates, everyone waits for Shepard to return to Earth and save them all...
460*** Depending on Shepard's decisions, the end of ''Mass Effect 3'' can see him/her [[spoiler:potentially sacrificing him/herself to stop the Reapers for good, by [[TakingYouWithMe taking the Reapers down with them]] in the Destroy Ending (though Shepard can survive this), sacrificing themselves to create [[TheSingularity a new form of life]] in the Synthesis Ending or uploading themselves and becoming the [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence new AI governing the Reapers]] in the Control Ending.]]
461*** [[spoiler:The epilogue reveals that "The Shepard" is venerated far into the future, their life having become ShroudedInMyth]].
462** Depending on the decisions made regarding the Quarian-Geth conflict, the archetype can also be applied to [[spoiler:Legion, assuming the Geth are not wiped out after the Reaper that was controlling the Geth is defeated. If Shepard allows Legion to upload the unshackled Reaper code to the Geth collective consciousness that would allow them to truly "live", an error will be encountered that will require Legion to sacrifice itself in order to disseminate their own code to complete the upgrade. By this point, Legion has by far the most interaction with organic life forms out of any of the Geth and Legion's characterization across the second and third games show a developing sense of individuality and personhood, capped by Legion's first and only usage of the singular "I" instead of "we" or "this platform" to refer to itself (as EDI points out later). The first Geth to achieve individual sapience on par with other organic life forms in the galaxy...and Legion gives up its personality code so that all other Geth can make the jump as well -- in Legion's words, "I must go to them."]] It's an entirely plausible line of thought that the sacrifice by [[spoiler:Legion in order to bring all Geth to a true intelligent understanding on par with organics]] had a hand in inspiring Shepard to choose [[spoiler:the Synthesis Ending where organics and synthetics are better able to understand each other, assuming the player decides on that path.]]
463* ''VideoGame/MetalGear'':
464** [[LadyOfWar The Boss]] in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'' has certain elements of this. [[spoiler:Her death, in which she sacrificed everything for her country, is what set in motion the events of the entire series from Big Boss' FaceHeelTurn to the formation of the Patriots. Plus there's her dying in a white sneaking suit in a field of white flowers that are stained red with her blood. And all this is before we get to ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidPeaceWalker''…]]
465** [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots The sequel]] follows this up by [[PassingTheTorch turning Big Boss into this]], all the way down to church symbology, coveting of his remains, [[spoiler:[[BackForTheDead and even a short-lived resurrection]]]].
466* In ''VideoGame/{{OneShot}}'', Niko is explicitly referred to as the savior and the Messiah by the residents of the dying world. It was foretold that a savior from another world would wake up in a strange room, find the new sun, and bring light back into the world, and Niko fits the bill perfectly. [[spoiler: Whether or not Niko actually fulfills the "bring the light back into the world" part of the prophecy depends on which ending you choose.]]
467* The main character of ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}''. Just to hammer the point home, his ultimate [[SummonMagic persona]] ''is'' Messiah. True to form, [[spoiler:he sacrifices his life to seal up Nyx at the end of the game. In the epilogue of ''The Answer'', his reason for doing so is revealed; he sacrificed his life to seal Nyx away from Erebus, the AnthropomorphicPersonification of humanity's desire for death. Just to hammer the point home, his life essence is shown crucified, guarding the door to Nyx -- he literally dies to save humanity from its sins.]] His EvilCounterpart Takaya serves as TheAntichrist.
468* Eothas, god of light, renewal, and redemption, in ''VideoGame/PillarsOfEternity''. He is a god particularly known for his forgiveness who took human form, walked among the poor, fed the starving, and [[spoiler:died attempting to save mankind]]. In ''VideoGame/PillarsOfEternityIIDeadfire'', he is even resurrected... though his resurrection involves him possessing a gigantic adra statue, destroying [[PlayerHeadquarters Caed Nua]], and leaving [[PlayerCharacter the Watcher]] near death, making him the game's de facto BigBad.
469* Monika Schäfer from ''VideoGame/ShadowrunReturns Dragonfall'' is a subversion. At the beginning of the game Monika dies, and her death becomes key in averting a potentially world-ending plot, and in her home, the Kreuzbazar, people gush about how great she was and all the good things she did. However, as soon as you start digging, the cracks begin to appear. While she did do a great deal of good, her advice got Simmy Kim addicted to BTL sims, she never even took notice of Sam Beckenbauer's charity, seemingly because of anti-ork prejudice, and for all her claims of being an anarchist she essentially ran Kreuzbazar as her own little kingdom and clamped down hard on dissent.
470* [[spoiler:Shyna]] in [[VideoGame/SilhouetteMirage Silhouette Mirage]], to the point that she is called Messiah by Har.
471* Silver the Hedgehog in ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'' symbolises the Second Coming of Christ. He's here to save us all from doom!
472** And just for the record, the low-born, persecuted Shadow was the First Coming. Oh, come on. You saw him in that stasis field, in the Crucifix position, blamed for something he had nothing to do with despite being one of the protectors of humanity. Hell, he even told Mephiles where to shove it.
473** And in a certain point of view, [[TheHero Sonic]] represents all of Christ. [[spoiler:He died for your sins and rose from the dead!]]
474* ''VideoGame/StarCraft'': Tassadar compromised his pursuit of the guilty in order to spare the innocents, sided with the outcasts, [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer was condemned for his mercy]], [[PsychicPowers accomplished miracles]], and [[HeroicSacrifice died for us all.]] En taro Tassadar, Executor!
475** More than that, it turns out that he has survived in [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence a different form.]] [[spoiler:Or so we are led to believe; "Tassadar" turned out to be the projected avatar of Ouros, last of the [[BenevolentPrecursors benevolent Xel'Naga]], in [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith a form & voice Zeratul & Artanis would recognize and trust]].]]
476** Zeratul also counts: he discovers a terrible truth about the possible end of the Universe no one will believe, gets alienated and considered a criminal and a heretic by every Protoss faction, has a very limited number of allies he can trust and rely on, and finally [[spoiler: Artanis, his most precious ally, kills him while [[BrainwashedAndCrazy under the influence of Amon]], and his death inspires every Protoss and Artanis, in particular, to fight back and defeat Amon for good.]]
477* Lt. Miral Paris in ''VideoGame/StarTrekOnline'' is this. To some of the Klingon, she's the Kuvah'Magh. To others, she's a traitor who should just be killed. Miral? [[IJustWantToBeNormal She just wants to be Security Chief on the U.S.S. Kirk.]]
478* ''VideoGame/TalesSeries''
479** Colette is set up for this role due to her duties of TheChosenOne during the first third of ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia''. [[spoiler:It gets kind of subverted after that when Lloyd takes the centre stage in the story.]]
480** ''VideoGame/TalesOfXillia'''s Milla Maxwell is arguably ''the'' CaptainErsatz of UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}}. Her story is that of a GodInHumanForm who gathers a band of followers (including a traitor), truly loves humans in spite of all the things that they do, [[spoiler:makes a HeroicSacrifice before coming BackFromTheDead -- returning from a spiritual realm--and then rules the world benevolently as a compassionate deity.]]
481** Artorius from ''VideoGame/TalesOfBerseria'' is definitely ''set up'' as the Shepherd and the savior of the world, though it doesn't exactly take much time at all to realize [[DarkMessiah he isn't the holiest of men]]. The closest actual example in the game is [[spoiler: Velvet Crowe. Yes, the anti-heroine, revenge-driven Lord of Calamity herself ends up being the one to pull the ultimate sacrifice for the good of everyone.]]
482* The Avatar from the ''VideoGame/{{Ultima}}'' series. He serves as TheParagon for the eight Virtues and is implied to have sacrificed himself at the end of ''VideoGame/UltimaIX'' in order to defeat [[BigBad The Guardian]].
483* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' ''Cataclysm'' has Thrall become this in the wake of the titular cataclysm. This did not go unnoticed by fans, who lent him the pejorative moniker "Green Jesus."
484** In ''Wrath of the Lich King'' we have Tirion Fordring, the Ashbringer.
485** The fourth expansion, brings us the Last (pandaren) Emperor of Pandaria, Shaohao, who upon learning that [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt the sundering]] was coming, decided to purge himself from his negative emotions, and "[[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence become one with the land]]" to make Pandaria drift away from the destruction and protect the races of Pandaria, [[spoiler:including [[TurnTheOtherCheek his enemies]] the [[BeePeople Man]][[ProudWarriorRaceGuy tid]]]]. Of course, given the far eastern theme of the expansion, he's more of a [[CrystalDragonJesus Crystal Dragon Buddha]].
486* Two of them in ''Videogame/{{Ultrakill}}'', although ironically both messianic figures are actually kings of Hell's layers[[note]]Lust for King Minos and Greed for King Sisyphus[[/note]], and those that struck them down were ''angels''.
487** King Minos has a crown of thorns covering his eyes, his character is defined by kindness and altruism, he doesn't try to fight back as he's about to be executed, and he is cherished by many after his death.
488** King Sisyphus has a dark complexion with long hair and beard, his land is a desert, he was persecuted by zealots for blaspheming with his radical views, and his corpse looks like it was crucified.
489* ''VideoGame/ViewFromBelow'': While Ash is not only the one who is supposed to defeat the Crimson God to save all the spirits trapped in Below, [[spoiler:the true ending is reached by showing kindness and mercy to Melody, Iris, and Bell despite all of them betraying him in some way, giving them a chance to become better people. Additionally, by slaying the Crimson God, he makes it possible for the lost spirits of Below to finally try to ascend to Heaven. Ironically, the Crimson God is a version of Jesus who failed to become this archetype, and is meant to represent what Ash could become if he succumbed to hatred]].
490* Fei from ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}''. [[spoiler:This is hardly surprising, as he '''is''' the messiah of the setting, and is loosely based on the Gnostic interpretation of Jesus]]
491** Elly/Sophia also fits the archetype of selfless love and self-sacrifice, like her [[UsefulNotes/{{Gnosticism}} Gnostic]] counterpart.
492** Speaking of Xeno, chaos from ''VideoGame/{{Xenosaga}}'' would also fit the archetype, [[spoiler:being a literal messiah as well]].
493[[/folder]]
494
495[[folder:Web Animation]]
496* In ''Time Squad'', the online WebAnimation movie of the Blockhead series, the titular character varies between this and being a SeeminglyProfoundFool. He is shown to provide simple wisdom and inspiration to the other characters during their {{Darkest Hour}}s and is shown as the only character that the MadScientist villain seems to consider his WorthyOpponent and the [[RedOniBlueOni Red Oni to his Blue Oni]] since they somehow share a history together (Blockhead somehow existing in 15th century Romania and a collaborator in his mad schemes).
497[[/folder]]
498
499[[folder:Web Comics]]
500* ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'':
501** [[http://mspaintadventures.com/scratch.php?s=6&p=005954 The story of The Sufferer]] has many parallels to Christ's. He lacked the kind of parent figure typical in troll society, and was instead raised by a woman called The Dolorosa[[labelnote:*]][[Literature/TheBible The Virgin Mary]] is sometimes referred to as the Mater Dolorosa, or "Sorrowful Mother"[[/labelnote]]. He wandered the planet, spreading a message of an Alternia free from the AlienBlood-based FantasticCasteSystem that rules their culture, attracting followers, one of whom was called The Disciple. He led a massive revolution that was ultimately crushed by the Highbloods and ended with him being tortured and killed, and his burning iron shackles became the symbol of his followers. However, The Sufferer is something of a subversion of the usual depictions of this trope, as in his last moments he undergoes what is described as a divine transformation of his compassion into limitless burning anger, and let out a [[AtomicFBomb Vast Expletive]] that served as his final sermon, and encoding his message into the fabric of existence itself for future followers to hear. This is implied to be the reason his descendant, Karkat, is so constantly angry and easily frustrated.
502** In Hussie's typical "every minuscule detail is going to get a callback later" style, John and Terezi have a brief discussion about "Troll Jegus" long before the existence of the Sufferer is revealed.
503* Walky from ''Webcomic/ItsWalky'' would certainly count as this in the end [[spoiler:he performs a heroic sacrifice, goes to the afterlife, is resurrected, and ends up saving the world]].
504* In ''Webcomic/KillSixBillionDemons'', the [[FictionalDocument Song of Maybe]] tells of how Lord Intra the Sword-Saint once fed a valley of people using nothing but a rock, in a reference to Jesus' feeding of the multitude with only a single fish and a loaf of bread. [[spoiler:Intra sharpened the rock and used it as flint to start a fire, then dug a well with the rock and hewed the mud he extracted into bricks, then built a baking oven around the fire using the bricks. Then, when the cruel FeudalOverlord who owned the valley and kept all the grain locked up tried to kill him, Intra [[OneManArmy killed all his men with the rock]], [[FracturedFairyTale freeing the people and opening the lord's granaries. The people then used the oven to bake a lot of bread]].]]
505* ''Webcomic/LsEmpire'': Following her HeroicSacrifice, Indx was turned into one of these by her brother when he founded the Tribe of Darkness. She finds the sentiment creepy.
506* ''{{Webcomic/Phantomarine}}'': Shoshana fits this trope rather well, as she was [[https://www.phantomarine.com/comic/notes-on-the-candlelight-sea-the-fracture created by one of the Gods]] to help destroy the other and is now seen as a prophet by the people.
507* In ''Webcomic/TemplarsOfTheShiftingVerse'', Augustus is seen as a messiah figure by many in the world. He even has three-day ResurrectiveImmortality.
508* Bam from ''Webcomic/TowerOfGod'' is one to an absurd degree, being an AllLovingHero with an incredible capacity for forgiveness and a tendency to [[PositiveFriendInfluence inspire those around him]], including [[SaveTheVillain villains]], to become better people. He was betrayed by his close friend [[ObviousJudas Rachel]], is worshipped by FUG, and [[spoiler:has been [[BackFromTheDead resurrected by the Outside god]].]] Even his full name, the Twenty-Fifth Night, denotes the date he was born, just like Jesus was (claimed to be) born on December 25th.
509[[/folder]]
510
511[[folder:Web Video]]
512* Creator/DanielThrasher: Gsus from "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjhHCXPO3pw When you pray to Gsus]]" is a KingOfAllCosmos take on Jesus, being summoned whenever a GSUS chord is played. He is the son of GAD (as in the notes), is super into himself and tries reenacting TheGreatFlood (with Daniel playing the part of Noah) because he hates modern music. When Daniel manages to convince him not the flood the Earth, he accidentally does it anyway using an app on his phone.
513* ''WebVideo/BibleIllustrated'': {{Parodied}} and {{Exaggerated}} in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zrtRYx8wEk "When Christians Write Fiction"]]. In it, a hero character named [[MeaningfulName Ichthys]] is handed over to [[SatanicArchetype a warlock]] who ties the hero to [[CrucifiedHeroShot a suspiciously cross-shaped torture device]], only for the "Redemption Protocol" to malfunction, killing the warlock with Ichthys. Three days later, Ichthys's friends break into the chamber, only to find Ichthys [[BackFromTheDead still alive]] ... [[spoiler: "for he was God in the flesh, who died for our sins"]].
514-->'''Bojan:''' "You see, my children, if you liked this story, I must say you have been duped! For you see, this has been a Christian allegory all along!" *chuckle*
515[[/folder]]
516
517[[folder:Western Animation]]
518* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'': Anne Boonchuy is a girl of humble beginnings who fits this to a degree. She starts off the series in a town that initially treats her with scorn and disgust, but gains the respect of the people when she stands up for them. [[spoiler: She is betrayed by her friends Marcy, Sasha, as well as Hop Pop, and Andrias, all of whom repent for doing so and who receive her forgiveness. And in the series finale, she sacrifices herself to save the titular setting and its inhabitants from the show's robotic SatanicArchetype, essentially dying for Amphibia's sins, but she does get resurrected, and returns from the dead a changed person to her friends and FoundFamily, having met a deity-like entity.]] Like most Christ-like figures, she still humbles herself and doesn't think much about having power or becoming a ruler. That said, she'd rather live life without the high expectations cast upon her, [[spoiler:so she adopts the humble profession of being a herpetologist. Sure enough, she is worshipped by Amphibia as a savior.]]
519* ''Franchise/AvatarTheLastAirbender'':
520** [[Characters/AvatarTheLastAirbenderAvatarAang Avatar Aang]]. He's a PhysicalGod, he [[AllLovingHero has a love of all life, even his enemies]], and [[spoiler:is temporarily killed at the hands of Azula]].
521** [[Characters/AvatarTheLastAirbenderKatara Katara]], who is sorta like Aang's [[TeamMom mother figure]], [[spoiler: carries his lifeless body in PietaPlagiarism style after Azula's attack. Further emphasizing his messianic status.]]
522** [[Characters/TheLegendOfKorraAvatarKorra Avatar Korra]] in ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' fills a similar function to Aang, as she's the next Avatar after him. She, too, goes through tremendous dangers and [[spoiler:is at one point purposely pushed into the Avatar State to try and kill her and end the Avatar cycle permanently. Luckily, she survives.]]
523* Blue from ''WesternAnimation/BluesClues'' (yes you read that right). She is a special puppy, and that has nothing to do with being blue. She is the target of a prophecy, born during an important cosmic event, announced by a divine winged being (Moona), appeared on Christmas Day, is a RealityWarper born and raised around common puppies, is constantly accompanied by her TrueCompanions, is an [[TheEmpath empath]] and is an AllLovingHeroine who gives advice to people close to her.
524* Subverted in ''WesternAnimation/Castlevania2017'' as Alucard is considered a Messiah by the Speakers being the opposite of his [[{{Dracula}} father]], however, Trevor the VampireHunter is quick to note that the "[[MemeticMutation Floating Vampire Jesus]]" is still technically a monster.
525** Played far straighter with his mother, Lisa Tepes of Lupu. She is by far the most unambiguously good person in the show, and she is prosecuted by a corrupt religious authority, a prosecution which is overlooked and authorized (though not directly supported) by the political authority in the region. While burning at the stake, she even yells out "Do not hurt them, they don't know what they are doing", just to drive the point home. Amazingly, the priest overlooking the execution does not pick up on the parallels.
526* [[Characters/TheDragonPrinceCallum Prince Callum]] in ''WesternAnimation/TheDragonPrince'' certainly qualifies. He commits to a journey aimed at bringing peace to warring nations. He is helped by TrueCompanions, two of whom (Claudia and Soren) betray him. At one point he does appear to have "died" before being reborn to perform a miracle--becoming the first human in history to do magic. Throughout his journey, he learns to have [[AllLovingHero faith in love above all else]]. To drive this point home, he even performs a CrucifiedHeroShot when he learns to fly.
527** To a lesser extent, King Ezran also fits this trope in Season 3, being betrayed by one of his advisors, tries to avoid violence as much as possible, and ends up imprisoned.
528* As above, Superman in the ''[[WesternAnimation/LegionOfSuperHeroes2006 Legion of Super Heroes]]'' cartoon fits the trope more than ever, as the GrandFinale even comes with its own Judas: [[spoiler:Brainiac 5's Brainiac 1-induced FaceHeelTurn leads to him giving Supes a crown of Kryptonite. Though declared dead, Superman rises again later.]]
529* [[Characters/TheOwlHouseLuzNoceda Luz Noceda]] of ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'' has all of the qualifications down pat. [[spoiler:Firstly, she is an outsider to the Boiling Isles who is treated with scorn at home and who starts showing the inhabitants a new way of living that improves their lives and helps to deliver them from a great evil. Secondly, she shows love to everyone [[AllLovingHero including her enemies]], whom she helps to redeem throughout the show, offering them guidance to the correct path towards happiness. Thirdly she stands in direct juxtaposition to her nemesis Emperor Belos in that she speaks the truth of the world, whereas he deliberately attempts to lead people astray. To top it all off, Luz is briefly killed in "Watching and Dreaming" by Belos, sacrificing herself to save the Collector. However, due to the Titan giving her all of his power, Luz is able to come back from the dead [[CameBackStrong even more powerful than before before]] and finally finish off the monstrous Belos for good. Luz even gets a spiffy new design to showcase her direct connection to the Titan, who fulfills the role of the setting's god, after being handpicked by said god to defeat [[SatanicArchetype Belos]] before he can corrupt the entire Boiling Isles, further cementing her status as his true emissary.[[note]]For bonus ponits, [[MeaningfulReleaseDate "Watching and Dreaming" premiered the day before Easter]][[/note]]]]
530* WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack is the closest thing we can get of this trope in his setting. [[Characters/SamuraiJackJack Jack]] heroic and tireless resistance against [[EvilOverlord Aku's]] tyranny inspired all the oppressed people of Earth to stand up against it and to make a better world. By Season 5, he rather appropriately LooksLikeJesus but has lost much of his drive to keep on fighting due to crossing the DespairEventHorizon.
531* In the ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' episode "Margaritaville", [[Characters/SouthParkKyleBroflovski Kyle Broflovski]] is portrayed as a Christ-like savior who makes a tremendous sacrifice to save the economy and pay off everyone's debt. A dinner he has with his friends is portrayed as the Last Supper, with Cartman taking on the role of Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, while some of the South Park residents form a council against the "[[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything young Jew spreading lies about the Economy]]". [[PlayedForLaughs Played, to no one's surprise, for laughs]].
532* [[Characters/StevenUniverseStevenQuartzUniverse Steven Quartz Universe]] from ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' bares many of the criteria for this trope. He is the son of a human (Greg) and a transcendent otherworldly being (Rose Quartz) who comes into his own and learn how to control his otherworldly power, including the power to create food (grow plant life), heal the injured (healing spit) and ultimately revive the virtuous ([[spoiler:brings Lars back to life]]). He befriends and converts followers of his celestial parent's doctrines (Peridot and Lapis Lazuli) and is willing to sacrifice himself to his people's enemy (the Diamonds) and save his world in the process. This is especially telling in the episode "[[Recap/StevenUniverseS4E9ThreeGemsAndABaby Three Gems and a Baby]]", where three ancient beings (Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl) come bearing gifts for Steven and his weathered human parent (Greg) in a place that is not their own (Vidalia's house) set in December.
533** [[Characters/StevenUniverseRoseQuartz Rose Quartz]] as a whole is this through a unique SatanIsGood lens: she's a rebel to the social order that champions freedom, love, and nature and inspires a sense of reverence in her followers and {{Demonization}} from her enemies. [[spoiler:Then she's revealed to be a "Fallen" member of "Heaven" [[Characters/StevenUniversePinkDiamond Pink Diamond]], who staged a rebellion against her fellow Diamonds and was technically "banished" to Earth, her fellow gems corrupted into monstrous shadows of their former selves.]]
534* And in ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'', [[Characters/DCAUSuperman Superman]] is tempted by [[{{Satan}} Darkseid]] atop a mountain.
535* Optimus Primal in ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}: WesternAnimation/BeastMachines'', somewhat on the heavy-handed side. Oddly enough for this trope, it's portrayed negatively (But still not DarkMessiah). Basically, like [[Series/DoctorWho The Doctor]] on a bad day (see Live-Action TV) you can get too dark, alienate your allies, and come pretty darn ''close'' to relinquishing that "good guy" title when you start to see The Mission as (a) yours alone, and (b) the only thing that matters, even if [[WellIntentionedExtremist your ends are just]]. Thing is, Primal's 'bad day' lasted for about 2/3 of the series and is a massive derailment of his ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'' portrayal.
536** In fact, the many heroic deaths of Optimii in the various Transformers series have led to the nickname "Jesus Prime".
537** The Aligned Continuity ramps it [[ExaggeratedTrope to an absurd degree]] [[spoiler:by revealing in ''[[AllThereInTheManual Covenant of Primus]]'' that the last member of the Thirteen, named "Thirteen" in the book by his own choice, chose to be reincarnated as an ordinary Cybertronian by entering the Well of All Sparks. That Cybertronian would be Orion Pax. When he inherited the Matrix of Leadership, the humble data clerk regained his memories as one of the Primes and retook his original name to symbolize this: Optimus Prime. It's noted that only Optimus and Alpha Trion were aware of this (the latter also being one of the Primes), with the former choosing to keep this fact to himself. As a final parallel, after merging the [=AllSpark=] with his own spark, he chooses to merge with the Well of All Sparks once more so it can create new life and bring about a new age for Cybertron]].
538[[/folder]]

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