Fridge anything doesn't go here, as doesn't "for the reader" information.
You can look at how other examples look through the "source" button in the sidebar.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Life is like Betty Crocker frosting. Mediocre.
Corrected May Chang (Fullmetal Alchemist example); 13, not 8. Was:
Fullmetal Alchemist: May Chang looks to be around 8 years old, but she has the mentality, mannerisms, and fighting skills of an adult. She was even able to decode Scar's brother's research notes mostly by herself. Justified in that she is a Child Prodigy out of necessity rather than genetics as being the Fallen Princess and only hope of a dying clan and being charged with such clan's future, besides probably dealing with assassination attempts that Ling says are common for people in such position, makes you mature fast.
Now: Fullmetal Alchemist: May Chang is about thirteen, but she has the mentality, mannerisms, and fighting skills of an adult. She was even able to decode Scar's brother's research notes mostly by herself. Justified in that she is a Child Prodigy out of necessity rather than genetics as being the Fallen Princess and only hope of a dying clan and being charged with such clan's future, besides probably dealing with assassination attempts that Ling says are common for people in such position, makes you mature fast.
You are a lovely human being.
Korodzik: Rewritten on 13.III.2010 9:25 AM GMT as per this thread
. Previous description was:
Want to appeal to younger demographic? Then hire a younger actor! But, how do you explain the character's appearance in areas/settings that usually have a higher average age? Simple! Make them a Child Prodigy!
More often a Live Action Trope, but comes up in other mediums as well. Basically, having a Child Prodigy allows a much younger actor (and character, for that matter) be associated with the core cast in a High School, Army, or whatever.
Typically, they have the following rules:
- Highly intelligent kids (12 years old or less)
- Who are considerably younger than the rest of the cast
Korodzik: Removed, as it doesn't fit the trope: " * Commander Keen! He's, what, 10? And he's already built a rocketship capable of interstellar travel (Dubbed the 'Beans-with-Bacon-Megarocket!)
- Keen's archenemy - Mortimer McMire. The final boss in the original trilogy; Keen's got an IQ of 314, Mortimer has an IQ of 315.
- His spiritual successor, Andy of Heart of Darkness, one-ups him by building an INTERDIMENSIONAL craft... and a plasma-cannon. (Keen's zap-gun is not his own invention - he 'borrowed' it from the Vorticon base on Mars.) "
...Come to think of it, the vast amount of examples here seem to be unfitting.
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I just joined up and I'm unsure how to properly post a bit here.
I would very much like to suggest Tiffany Aching from "Wee Free Men" as a very good example of Child Prodigy. A nascent witch at the tender age of 9, she proves her mettle most satisfactorily by becoming the (temporary)leader of the Nac Mac Feegles and rescuing her baby brother from the Queen of the fairies.
In a Fridge moment of Stealth Punnage - Sir Terry has a very good scene of the Queen remonstrating Tiffany for using her baby brother as a lure to overcome the monster, Jenny Greenteeth. I'm sure it's very natural - if a bit precocious - for a nine year old girl to engage in 'monster baiting.' It's just squicky for a reader old enough to be her grandfather to be thinking about a nine year old girl 'monster baiting.'
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