Fictional characters are like a gateway for the imagination. They allow us to see ourselves. They define our roles, our actions, our truths, our mindsets. In most cases, it might become hard to differentiate fiction from reality, but that's besides the point. Fictional characters can help people. But something that's exceedingly intriguing is how people can associate themselves with characters that are inherently bad or have no redeeming qualities.
Let's look at it from this perspective: within the past year or so, Patrick Bateman of American Psycho fame has garnered a widespread following. Now, why is that?
This all started with a TikTok trend in late 2021 in which characters were associated with themes of deep loneliness, isolation, and depression. Viewers were compelled to form a connection with them, which is how the “literally me” movement started. Since then, it's grown past Patrick Bateman–think about all of the major characters in your favorite movies. Batman, Spiderman, Blade Runner, The Taxi Driver, Rocky, Homelander, any character from Fight Club. These are all "literally me" characters because people can associate negative emotions with themselves.
However, in the past few months, the trend has taken on a more positive direction, mostly with the growing popularity of the manga/anime Vinland Saga. The story focuses on a young viking named Thorfinn Karlsefni, who embarks on a journey of revenge after his father is murdered. However, after a pivotal moment in the story, his goal switches from revenge to finding Vinland, a story known in folktales as the place where Vikings will come to live in peace and harmony. Thorfinn abandons all violence and adapts the phrase "I have no enemies." After the first arc of the story, it would make sense why a lot of people can connect to this character.
Thorfinn isn't the only major part of the positive aspect of this trend. Something that's interesting is that a lot of these characters come from Japanese manga. Take, for example, two other popular characters that people associate themselves with: Guts and Musashi. Guts is the protagonist of Berserk, and similar to Thorfinn, his character places emphasis on revenge and loneliness. Guts constantly has horrible things happening to him throughout the story, but the main notion around his character is his capacity to continue struggling despite adversity. Musashi is the protagonist of Vagabond, based on the actual real life Samurai, and his story arc revolves around the attempt to become the greatest Samurai known to man, but also finding peace with himself.
For a lot of people, “literally me” characters serve as an antithesis between two perspectives on life: the reality, filled with pain and suffering, and the indomitable human spirit: the ability to never give up. Although it seems like these are two opposing views, it's an anomaly how literally two words can connect them both, and communities of people as a whole.
Let's look at it from this perspective: within the past year or so, Patrick Bateman of American Psycho fame has garnered a widespread following. Now, why is that?
This all started with a TikTok trend in late 2021 in which characters were associated with themes of deep loneliness, isolation, and depression. Viewers were compelled to form a connection with them, which is how the “literally me” movement started. Since then, it's grown past Patrick Bateman–think about all of the major characters in your favorite movies. Batman, Spiderman, Blade Runner, The Taxi Driver, Rocky, Homelander, any character from Fight Club. These are all "literally me" characters because people can associate negative emotions with themselves.
However, in the past few months, the trend has taken on a more positive direction, mostly with the growing popularity of the manga/anime Vinland Saga. The story focuses on a young viking named Thorfinn Karlsefni, who embarks on a journey of revenge after his father is murdered. However, after a pivotal moment in the story, his goal switches from revenge to finding Vinland, a story known in folktales as the place where Vikings will come to live in peace and harmony. Thorfinn abandons all violence and adapts the phrase "I have no enemies." After the first arc of the story, it would make sense why a lot of people can connect to this character.
Thorfinn isn't the only major part of the positive aspect of this trend. Something that's interesting is that a lot of these characters come from Japanese manga. Take, for example, two other popular characters that people associate themselves with: Guts and Musashi. Guts is the protagonist of Berserk, and similar to Thorfinn, his character places emphasis on revenge and loneliness. Guts constantly has horrible things happening to him throughout the story, but the main notion around his character is his capacity to continue struggling despite adversity. Musashi is the protagonist of Vagabond, based on the actual real life Samurai, and his story arc revolves around the attempt to become the greatest Samurai known to man, but also finding peace with himself.
For a lot of people, “literally me” characters serve as an antithesis between two perspectives on life: the reality, filled with pain and suffering, and the indomitable human spirit: the ability to never give up. Although it seems like these are two opposing views, it's an anomaly how literally two words can connect them both, and communities of people as a whole.
chase jones
