When a Manic Pixie Dream Girl is also an alien.
Down to Earth
is a romance webcomic published on Webtoon by Pookie Senpai. It follows Kade, an anti-social introvert who is still trying to move on from a previous relationship. One night an alien girl crash lands outside his house. She introduces herself as Zaida, and wishes to live on Earth but has a lot to learn. With nowhere else for her to go Kade allows her to stay with him and he'll teach her everything she needs to know. Despite one of his rules being "No Feelings" he and Zaida slowly fall for each other.
Some "earthly" tropes included are:
- Affectionate Nickname: Kade eventually starts calling Zaida 'Zay' much to her joy. Later Cherri calls her Zee.
- All Abusers Are Male: Averted as Delilah is eventually shown to be quite emotionally and psychologically abusive and manipulative to Kade while they were dating. Kade struggles to show Zaida a "Happy" memory that proves Delilah was good to him, instead proving the opposite.
- Notably its implied that Delilah pushed Kade into intimacy more quickly that he was comfortable. It was also implied that she forced him to cut himself off from his friends and mom and then insulted him for not having friends later on. Even Zaida who doesn't understand human relationships completely is absolutely horrified at how Delilah actually treated Kade and finds herself to be very uncomfortable and distrustful of her.
- Big Damn Kiss: After almost 100 chapters Kade and Zaida finally kiss while on a ride at the amusement park. Later that night Zaida wonders if this kiss signifies a Relationship Upgrade.
- Bland-Name Product: Spender's, a parody of Spencer's mall stores.
- Brooding Boy, Gentle Girl: Zaida and Kade have this dynamic with each other, which is slowly helping Kade break out of his emotional shell.
- Cannot Spit It Out: Both Kade and Zaida repeatedly refuse to admit their feelings towards each other, constantly denying them despite how obvious they are.
- Destructive Romance: Though not unexpected Kade's relationship with Delilah is eventually revealed to have been quite toxic making all subsequent relationships all end badly.
- Everyone Can See It: Despite Kade constantly telling people he and Zaida are not a couple, nobody believes him, as thier feelings for each other are way too obvious.
- Glowing Eyes: When Zaida feels particularly happy or a strong emotion her eyes glow.
- Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: Kade is more than a head taller than Zaida, though she compensates by being able to fly.
- Identical Stranger: Zaida looks almost exactly like Kade's ex-girlfriend, except with a completely different personality.
- Innocently Insensitive: After Zaida accidentally spills something on Kade's game console or his "precious child" she tries to clean it by imitating Kade clean a dish. When Kade comes home to find it in the sink and soaked he goes almost catatonic.
- Interspecies Romance: A romance between a common male earthling and an adorable female alien.
- Luminescent Blush: Kade and Zaida are both guilty of this, especially Zaida.
- Manic Pixie Dream Girl: Zaida fits all the criteria, though she does have her own insecurities and issues to deal with too.
- Meet Cute: Kade and Zaida meet after her ship literally crashes right outside his house.
- Not Quite the Right Thing: Suzy and Ellie both convince Zaida to move out of Kade's house and "give him space". Except Zaida leaving seriously hurts both her and Kade.
- Passive Aggressive Combat: During a photo session between Zaida and Delilah, Stace urges Zaida not to be overconfident, encouraging her to think of something that makes her feel mad and to overcome those feelings. She focuses on the flashback memories between Kade and Delilah, posing with a new-found confidence while keeping a calm composure.
- Ship Tease: So, so many little moments between Kade and Zaida that clearly show how good they are for each other.
- She's Not My Girlfriend: Kade constantly tells people he is not dating Zaida, despite his feelings for her being obvious. Averted with his mother who he lies to and says Zay is his girlfriend so his mom doesn't think he hasn't gotten over Delilah.
- True Companions: Kade, Zaida, Ethan and Suzy start to look out for each other especially Zaida who they all try to keep her secret from getting out. Cherri also tries to insert herself into the group as well though she doesn't know Zay is an alien.
- Queer Establishing Moment: When Zaida asks Suzy if she has a "Kade" in her life, Suzy responds by admitting that she's only ever been attracted to and dated girls. Zaida reacts with her usual enthusiastic curiosity which surprises Suzy.
- What Beautiful Eyes!: Almost everyone comments on Zaida's golden eyes, Kade saying they look like mini galaxies.
