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{{trope}}
[[File:Data-
Common in science fiction and fantasy, the
These can be robots, demons, clones, fallen angels, or nearly any other sort of being stuck in human form; any character for whom [[Younger Than They Look|life as a human only began very recently]] is susceptible to this trope.
What matters is despite appearing human and living among us, they are essentially [[Naive Newcomer|naive newcomers]] to the human condition. More than mere [[Fish Out of Water|cultural outsiders]], they are treated as walking blank slates, largely free of any relevant or irrelevant knowledge, experience, or biases.
Expect this character type to have difficulty with figuring out how to handle everything from [[Extreme Omnivore|basic bodily functions]] to [[What Is This Thing You Call Love?|common emotions]] to [[Navel Gazing|complex philosophical or spiritual questions that no one will answer to their satisfaction]]. Their stunning naivety is frequently matched with an insatiable curiosity and lack of inhibitions that puts their lack of experience on full display; however, they are rarely dumb. In fact, the
Though not commonly evil, in darker works, this character may [[Obliviously Evil|commit evil acts without full understanding of the ramifications of their actions]]. More commonly, they may be unfairly persecuted by [[We Come in Peace, Shoot
It s common for an Emergent Human to start off with [[No Social Skills]]. Usually adult in form to contrast with their psychological immaturity and lack of self-understanding, their character arc may mirror that of a child growing into maturity. Then again, if this is a comedy, or the character's usual way of seeing things makes them popular, or if their [[Moe|innocence]] or [[The Woobie|helplessness]] is sufficiently [[Fetish Fuel|fetishized]], their progress as individuals is likely to be hampered by the fact that [[Status Quo Is God]].
May be an [[Alien Among Us]] when a character's alien experiences are [[Starfish Alien|so irrelevant that they're more or less starting from scratch]]. If this character [[I Just Want to Be Normal|just wants to be like everyone else]] they may have [[Pinocchio Syndrome]]; conversely, they may be working on getting along as a human [[Humanity Ensues|reluctantly, because they haven't got another option]]. Contrast with [[Become a Real Boy]], where becoming a fully fledged and well-socialized human is instantaneous following a suitably dramatic plot point.
{{examples}}
== Anime & Manga ==
* Chii from ''[[
== Television ==
* Data from ''[[Star Trek:
* The Doctor from ''[[Star Trek: Voyager
* Seven Of Nine, also from ''Voyager'', proves that ''[[
* Odo from ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
* Anya Jenkins from ''[[
* Cameron from ''[[The Sarah Connor Chronicles]]'', and terminators in general.
* Kyle {{spoiler|and later Jessi}} from ''[[Kyle XY]]'', which seems to be an entire series built around this trope.
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* When unimprinted, Echo from ''[[Dollhouse]]'' appears to be this... {{spoiler|at least until she takes a level in humanity between seasons.}}
* The title android in [[Gene Roddenberry]]'s ''[[The Questor Tapes]]''.
* Cat from ''[[
* Illyria from ''[[
* Token [[All Works Are Notable|ridiculously obscure example]]: 80s Canadian children's show ''Today's Special'' included a newly-living department store mannequin, and used his cluelessness about life as an excuse to discuss preschool-friendly topics.
* Cole, from ''Tracker''. He had little experience with living as a human and had to learn by what he saw and heard.
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== Film ==
* [[Jeff Bridges]] played this role in ''[[Starman (
* Sonny, from the film version of ''[[I, Robot (
* [[Edward Scissorhands]] from the film of the same name, arguably.
* ''[[Bicentennial Man]]'': The android spends decades of his life becoming progressively more human first in mind then in body, up to and including self imposed mortality.
* In ''[[The Last Unicorn (
== Literature ==
* Andrew Martin in ''[[The Bicentennial Man]]''. The film version, too.
* The title character of ''Raphael'' by [[
* Lily from [[Argo]] starts to contemplate her "humanity" more as she's upgraded by Eo, leading to a lot of questions and confusion.
== Comics ==
* The Beyonder in [[Marvel Comics]]' ''Secret Wars II''
* [[Martian Manhunter]] whenever his early days are shown. In the present he's generally shown as having acclimated.
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* White Wolf's ''[[Promethean: The Created]]'' is all about artificial human characters looking to become human one way or another. Several refinements, particularly the Refinement of Gold, emphasize roleplaying this kind of character.
* [[Eberron]]'s Warforged. Constructs created with sentience and sapience and designed to be soldiers. They run into this particularly after war when they are no longer all needed for the purpose they were created for.
* ''[[Cthulhu Tech]]'' gives us the Nazzadi, originally created as clone soldiers for the Migou before they defected to join humanity. They're currently dealing with the existential weight of being two generations old as a species/culture, and the game line mentions that Nazzadi who pursue a career in the arts are ''extremely'' respected by their elders, as it means they're taking steps to set up a cultural identity.
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== Webcomics ==
* ''[[
* Grace from ''[[
* Crops up a ''lot'' in ''[[The Inexplicable Adventures of Bob]].'' [[Cute Monster Girl|Molly]] was a spontaneously generated lab accident who grew to maturity in a month; she was raised by Bob and came out sweet and innocent. A scientist cloned her to make Galatea/Golly, but raised her very badly and she came out as a [[Woobie, Destroyer of Worlds]]. Golly, in turn, cloned Molly ''again'' and accidentally produced the [[Our Giants Are Bigger|giantess]] Jolly, who has been raised by aliens and is gentle, if a bit lonely. All three girls are geniuses, allowing them to learn enough to survive in only a month's time. Molly also built a robot, Roofus, who [[Instant AI, Just Add Water|surprised her by turning out sentient.]] Roofus is simpleminded but deeply soulful.
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