Jumped At the Call: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

 

For some heroes, when they receive the [[Call to Adventure]], they [[Refusal of the Call|refuse the call]]. When they finally accept the call, they continue to complain that "[[I Just Want to Be Normal]]".

 

 

These heroes are excited when adventure comes calling. They never, ever, ''ever'' say "[[I Just Want to Be Normal]]". They already have a costume, already picked out a codename, and they have been practicing how to deliver a [[Pre-Ass-Kicking One-Liner]]. They're already swallowing the [[Red Pill, Blue Pill|red pill]] before you can even offer them the blue. About the worst thing you could do to them is to [[Brought Down to Normal|bring them down to normal.]] Or tell them someone else [[Missed the Call]]. They don't even care that [[Sour Supporter|more experienced people are reluctant]]; [[Least Is First]].

Often, had a [[Changeling Fantasy]] once upon a time, and generally has [[Otaku]] tendencies. He is truly [[Ascended Fanboy|living the dream]]. Such a hero is also the most likely to be [[The Unchosen One]], the Chosen hero that chooses himself.

 

 

 

 

Compare/Contrast [[The Team Wannabe]].

{{examples}}

* Takamachi Nanoha from ''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]''. At the age of nine, she was already [[Desperately Looking for a Purpose In Life]], though she certainly wasn't thinking "magical girl". [[Resigned to the Call|Though she has a hesitant beginning]], she soon becomes extremely enthusiastic about her new "destiny". Let's be honest here, the girl loves to fight as a magical girl.

* Yui Kasuga from ''[[Corrector Yui]]'' was an [[Otaku]] obsessed with [[Magical Girl]], and loved the idea of being one herself.

* Though Minto Aizawa in ''[[Tokyo Mew Mew]]'' wasn't happy about working with Ichigo at first, manga extras note that she thought it was her destiny to become Mew Mint and was even secretly delighted, which fits well with her reaction to her object of affection's [[Refusal of the Call]].

* Subverted in ''[[The Twelve Kingdoms]]'': the [[Genre Savvy]] Yuka Sugimoto is thrilled at the prospect of being the heroine of a [[Trapped in Another World]] adventure story when a mysterious blond [[Bishonen]] and a flying monster or two show up at her high school... except she isn't and they weren't there for ''her''. The ''real'' heroine of the story, her classmate Youko Nakajima, has a typical (and one might say extreme) [[Refusal of the Call]] reaction to the early events of the series. Unfortunately, {{spoiler|Yuka's stubborn insistence that ''she'' was the one being called causes her to act as an antagonist}} for a significant chunk of the first [[Story Arc]]. {{spoiler|To her merit, opnce she ''does'' realize how mistaken she was, Yuka conceeds and goes back home, letting Yoko take over.}}

* Kazuki from ''[[Parallel Trouble Adventure Dual]]'' provides an excellent example of this. The second-in-command of Sanada's organization prepares a long, overwrought speech trying to convince him to fight in a mecha on behalf of their organization, and she is barely able to get five words out before Kazuki readily agrees.

* Gai Daigoji from ''[[Martian Successor Nadesico]]'' (real name: Jiro Yamada, but he didn't think that sounded heroic enough) is so eager to be a [[Humongous Mecha|giant robot]] pilot that he arrives to his post three days ahead of schedule. He promptly breaks his leg from showing off (literally).

** When a shopkeeper informs him that the particular ARM he's looking for (Monpierre Blanc, which can send him back home) isn't in her selection and would probably be far too rare and expensive to just buy somewhere, he's relieved; he'd been worried his adventure would end too soon.

* Asuka from ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' has been a Mecha pilot most of her life and revels in it. In fact, facing alien invaders is about the only thing she doesn't complain about. Finding herself paired up with a reluctant hero who is all "[[I Just Want to Be Normal]]" (Shinji) leads to a certain amount of tension. Add in an [[Emotionless Girl]], and the whole gig starts to lose its luster. When it starts to become clear that she isn't [[The Chosen One]] and is likely to end up a [[Sidekick]] at best, she starts down the [[Hourglass Plot]] path, ending up in [[Mind Rape]] and [[Convenient Coma]].

** Admittedly, this seems to be a family trait - her father does exactly the same thing.

** Prince Phil (Ameila's dad) went so far as to fake his death and start running around the rooftops in a ''frikkin' Batman costume''. Despite being the bloomin' ''King''!!

* Who could forget (the great) Kamina(-sama) of ''[[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]]''? When a giant mech, technology that was completely unknown, drops into their underground village, he stands up to it and threatens it with a completely ordinary katana, heroic speech at hand. Even after the girl with the absurdly powerful rifle, also unknown technology to the village, barely damages it. Then again, ''[[Katanas Are Just Better]]''. This is just the start - his entire job in the series seems to be heroic speeches and epic-but-ridiculous action, down to [[Calling Your Attacks|called attacks]] like the "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM?! KICK!".

* After seeing Shizuru effortlessly demolish a fleet of battleships in the first episode of ''[[Mai-Otome]]'', Arika made the decision on the spot to start her path toward becoming a full-fledged Otome just like Shizuru, as part of her journey to find her long-missing mother.

* While it would be considered normal within the context of the involved world, Ash Ketchum of ''[[Pokémon (anime)|Pokémon]]'' jumps at any chance to test his skills as a Pokemon Trainer, visiting whatever lands on his [[The Quest|quest]] [[To Be a Master|to become the Pokemon Master]].

* Chiko, from ''[[The Daughter of Twenty Faces]]''. Never has a "kidnapping victim" been so willing.

* Monkey D. Luffy from ''[[One Piece]]''. Can you picture him wanting to be anything but a pirate?

** Interestingly, a early short story that would later evolve into ''[[One Piece]]'' exists. After eating the Devil Fruit and losing the ability to swim, he tells his grandfather (who owned the fruit) he's fine with it since he doesn't want to become a pirate anyway. However, at the end of the story his cool slips and he admits he's devastated since he wants to become a pirate more than anything. (As this doesn't match Luffy's backstory in the series, this cannot be considered canon.)

* Several characters in ''[[Mahou Sensei Negima]]'', [[Loads and Loads of Characters|unsurprisingly]]. Haruna stands out, as when the [[Masquerade]] is broken for her, she ''threatens to torture her three best friends'' for not letting her in on it sooner.

== Comic Books ==

 

* Jakita Wagner in Warren Ellis's comic-book series ''[[Planetary]]'' is an example of this, but not out of a sense of heroism. At one point in the series, she gets to destroy several thirty-foot mutant ants with her bare hands. Though she doesn't say anything, the expression on her face in the close-ups clearly reads "I have the best job in the world."

'''Jakita:''' Neither. I get bored easily. Planetary stops me getting bored. }}

** In a nice cross-trope subversion in one issue, she's all happy and feeling good after saving the [[Red Shirt]] helicopter pilot from exploding.

* Beast Boy of the [[Teen Titans (Comic Book)|Teen Titans]] is a green freak who can shape-shift, and wouldn't have it any other way. Being able to date Raven was probably a plus too.

* When [[The Mighty|Gabriel Cole]] got the opportunity to help his hero, Alpha One, out. He accepted the promotion to Section Omega Captain.

* [[Empowered]], full stop. You can see how much she wanted to become a superheroine if you consider that she gets her powers from a [[Stripperiffic]] super suit which loses powers immediately when ripped (which happens constantly) and still doesn't give up.

* [[Wonder Woman|Cassie Sandsmark]] went to great lengths to become a superhero, starting at stealing enchanted artifacts to empower herself, and eventually marching right up to the king of the gods and asking him for powers.

 

== Fan Works ==

* Sort of, in ''[[With Strings Attached]]''. In the Prologue, Varx offers Paul the chance to go on “a great adventure.” Paul, thinking he's dreaming, readily accepts. Except Varx then reveals he's not dreaming, so he suddenly has second thoughts—but whoops, too late.

 

 

* Trish from ''[[Angels Revenge]]''. You do have to wonder about the wisdom of a teenaged scholgirl with no combat skills deciding to force her way on to a team plannning to take on a ruthless drug cartel.

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VFPtY7hiGw Lampshaded] by Rhino the Hamster, the [[Ascended Fanboy]] from ''[[Bolt]]''.

* Robert Parr aka Mr. Incredible from ''[[The Incredibles]]''. When he was forced to retire, he didn't fall into civilian life like other heroes did (like his wife Helen, alias Elastigirl, and his best friend Lucius alias Frozone) and missed the action. So much in fact, that he jumped at an opportunity that turned out [[Be Careful What You Wish For|too good to be true]].

** This was subverted in the opening act, with Mr. Incredible saying in an interview that he doesn't see himself doing superhero work forever, and Elastigirl boasting about being on top of her game and not about to quit. They end up switching attitudes when they're later forced to act normal.

* Until fairly recently, any [[James Bond]] film fits this trope; Bond is briefed on some threat to the world and, without more than a few moments flirting with Moneypenny and collecting Gadgets from Q, dives straight into the fray. The few times when he's dodged the orders he's been given are still, mostly, him answering the call; his bosses are the ones who've misheard it. The Call has, however, been very, very personal in a few movies, most notably ''[[Quantum of Solace]]'', where Bond runs off chasing a relatively minor bad guy with disproportionate interest, just because that bad guy is connected to the death of {{spoiler|Vesper}}. He still hits the big bad guys where they live, but he almost stumbles on them by accident along the way. A similar pattern was last seen in ''[[Licence to Kill]]'', which was followed by the Bond series stalling for six years. Thankfully, MGM/EON has overcome their financial difficulties enough to announce that the next film [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1074638/ should be released in 2012].

* In the reboot of [[Star Trek]], the young Jim Kirk doesn't get the call for a few years after his peers. But once he does, he wastes no time in answering it.

* Though the call in question is [[Black and Grey Morality|dubiously heroic]], the Schofield Kid from ''[[Unforgiven]]'' not only eagerly accepts it, but enthusiastically spreads it to the [[Retired Badass|baddest ass]] he knows. {{spoiler|He has a change of heart after he finally kills someone.}}

* Steve Rogers in ''[[Captain America: The First Avenger|Captain America the First Avenger]]'' was very eager to answer the call, despite being put on hold multiple times due to his poor health. When offered the chance, he jumps at it with all his might and does everything he can to make sure he uses his powers for good. This logic also extends to his friends, who are only too happy to follow him into battle even after just escaping near certain Death.

* This is part of the reason why the ''[[Iron Man (film)|Iron Man]]'' films have been so successful. In contrast to heroes like Spider-man and Batman, Tony Stark is a man who seems to genuinely enjoy being a hero and makes the most of his talents. Its refreshing to see a film where being a superhero actually looks fun and not like a chore.

 

 

* Lampshaded in one of ''[[The Executioner]]'' novels. A female journalist asks [[Vigilante Man]] Mack Bolan why he's engaged in his [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge]] against [[The Mafia]]. Bolan replies that he was "simply the one there when the duty roster was handed out". When she scoffs at this answer, Bolan replies that, just as it's ridiculous for him to assume she should give up her career in journalism and become a housewife, it's ridiculous for her to think he'll forsake his far-more extensive military skills (which he lists in detail) and ignore what the mob is doing to his own country.

* Sam Gamgee in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' is thrilled by the prospect of "going to see Elves and all." Merry and Pippin are also insist on coming along - and even have a "conspiracy" set up to keep Frodo from leaving the Shire without them - but that's more the [[Power of Friendship]].

* [[Harry Potter]] gets to adventure even before the call, then when the call actually comes it's his uncle who tries to prevent him from recieving it, but [[The Call Knows Where You Live]], (in the form of Hagrid) then during the second book Dobby tries to prevent him from going back to his school of adventure. Interestingly enough, even after accepting the call he is reluctant about having to fight Voldemort, that's until he realizes how much fun he has fighting evil (and even gets his own little army), he's also willing to hurt anyone who gets in the way of his adventure (even his own friends).

* Most of the main characters of ''[[The Wheel of Time]]'' were terrified at having to flee their isolated little village in order to [[The Call Knows Where You Live|lead the ravening monsters away from their loved ones]]. Egwene hid in a hayloft to make sure they didn't leave without her.

* In ''[[Doctor Who]]'', the Doctor didn't jump at the call, he stole a TARDIS and went looking for it.

** In terms of the Doctor's companions, this serves as a distinction between the old and the new series. Becoming a companion in the old series is much less voluntary, a moment of [[Curious as a Monkey|what's in that box]] and sometimes continues under some duress. In the current series, the Doctor seems to choose his companions based on this trope.

* Faith's far more enthusiastic acceptance of being [[The Chosen One]] compared to Buffy in ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''.

* Mack from ''[[Power Rangers Operation Overdrive]]'' jumps at the call to become Red Ranger. This is against his father's wishes, as said father was originally going to be Red himself before his son snuck the morpher out from under him. This is notable within PR because 95% of Rangers over the course of the franchise either [[Refusal of the Call|refuse the call]] initially or accept with [[I Just Want to Be Normal]] undertones.

* ''[[Supernatural]]'':

** While his brother, Sam, instead jumped at the chance to go to college, Dean stayed on with hunting and loved it. (This was before he [[Break the Cutie|got broke]]. Now he's not exactly so eager about it.) Arguably this could be more because he followed his Dad's orders without question and couldn't even comprehend disobeying than anything to do with noble heroics.

* ''[[The X-Files]]'': Special Agent Leyla Harrison, who had been following Mulder's and Scully's adventures through their expense reports, was thrilled to team up with Doggett in the episode "Alone"

* John Watson in [[Sherlock]].

'''John''': Oh God, yes. }}

* ''[[Kamen Rider Fourze]]'' Gentaro Kisaragi jumpped so fast he forgot to ask what he was being called for. [[How Do I Shot Web?|Or how to use his newly aquired]] [[Transformation Trinket]]...

* Dante of the ''[[Devil May Cry]]'' series loves his work and actively flaunts his powers whenever possible.

* Joe of ''[[Viewtiful Joe]]'', who had watched ''tokusatsu'' films and TV shows all his life and actively embraced his own chance to be an action hero.

* ''[[Betrayal at Krondor]]'': After initially trying [[Refusal of the Call|not to get himself involved]] in the situation, Owyn has a chance to continue with the quest - and eagerly takes it. When Gorath and James sneak out of Krondor to go and investigate the moredhel threat, Owyn intercepts them and insists that if he isn't taken along, he'll surely talk to the wrong person by accident on the way home and jeopardize their mission - essentially throwing the reason he was initially forced to come along back in their faces.

* Zack Fair from the ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' prequel ''[[Crisis Core]]'', and to an initially less-successful extent, Cloud, in the original ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' game.

** Zack more went out looking for the call. He ran away from home (from his letter home, he apparently didn't tell his parents what he was doing), apparently at thirteen, and joined SOLDIER. And three years later when the game starts he's still going at it full blast.

* Tidus in ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'' is generally unconcerned about suddenly being yanked out of his world, and eagerly follows Yuna around even after initially being told he can't be one of her guardians.

** In the sequel, all it takes is one blurry, ancient sphere of someone who looks kind of like Tidus for Yuna to put on a [[Stripperiffic]] outfit, strap on a pair of pistols, and start globetrotting.

* Riku of ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]'' felt that there was something more for him beyond his homeworld. He was right. Unfortunately, [[The Dark Side]] was apparently aware of this as well, and Riku was too impatient to wait ''one more night''.

* Midori 'Dolly' Komaki of ''[[Devil Survivor]]'' is a cosplaying camgirl. Once she witnesses your small band of survivors battling demons with your own summoned [[Mons]], she squeals at the thought of "real heroes!" and literally snatches up a COMP of her very own. Unfortunately, she apparently snags an [[Idiot Ball]] along with it...

* The protagonist in ''[[Quest for Glory I]]: So You Want To Be A Hero'' goes out looking for quests to complete so that he can gain the title of hero after graduating from the "Famous Adventurer's Correspondance School".

* All the [[Villain Protagonist]] leads in the ''[[Overlord]]'' series eagerly embrace their destinies. Even the Overlord of the original game {{spoiler|completely ignores the reveal that he's actually a literal Hero groomed to be the previous Overlord's puppet placeholder, and instead kicks his predecessors butt and keeps the title and power for himself}}

* Most of the Origin stories in ''[[Dragon Age]]: Origins'' allow the player character to either drag his/her feet and try to reject recruitment by the Grey Wardens, or eagerly badger authority figures to be allowed to join.

* Twilight Sparkle eagerly decides to investigate Rarity's case in ''[[My Little Investigations]]''

* ''[[Dragon Quest V]]'', the speechless hero either wanders or sneaks off to adventures to save people ''three times'' during his childhood, much to his father's worry.

 

== Webcomics ==

 

'''Torg''': And Lot 206 looks like it's been partially liquefied! }}

* Rowan in ''[[Hi To Tsuki To Hoshi No Tama]]'' is [http://htht.comicgenesis.com/d/20070531.html a straightforward example].

* Mr. Mighty from ''[[Everyday Heroes]]''. Superpowers run in his family, and he was eager to inherit the name. His daughter, on the other hand, would [[I Just Want to Be Normal|rather just be normal]].

* [[Megatokyo|Largo]] not only actively seeks [[The Call]], he is one of the few people who hears it.

* Monica and Shelly, of ''[[Wapsi Square]]'' are currently experiencing this after trying to settle back into normal life.

* ''[[Spinnerette]]'' has wanted nothing more than to be a superhero her entire life. The first thing she does after getting mutated with spider DNA and gaining four extra arms? Try to figure out what name she'll use.

* [[Touhou Project|Reimu]] in ''[[Touhou Nekokayou]]'' seems to enjoy her job, to say the least.

'''Sakuya''': Um, okay, the geyser incident was less than a year ago. Could you not act like you're physically addicted to incidents, please? }}

 

 

* Himei of ''[[Sailor Nothing]]'' initially jumped at the chance to be a magical girl just like on TV and fight [[The Heartless]]. Unfortunately for her, this turns out to have been a Bad Idea and completely irreversible.

* Chaka, from the webfiction [[Whateley Universe]]. She was a very unhappy transgendered boy who finally got the hot (female) body she had always dreamed of, ass-kicking Ki powers, the chance to finally tell off her two older siblings, and the chance to <s> be a superhero</s> go to [[Super-Hero School]] and drag her new friends into mishaps and adventures.

* As much as Rob from the web fiction serial ''[[Dimension Heroes]]'' was reluctant at first, it didn't take him long to realize that kicking inter-dimensional monster butt with futuristic super powers is a lot more fun than sitting around the house all summer.

 

* So completely inverted in the Pandemic episodes of ''[[South Park]]''. The boys and Craig experience an end of the world scenario, and then find an ancient prophecy saying that Craig is the chosen one who will save everybody; except Craig's spent the entirety of the two episodes complaining about the whole situation, and stating that he wants nothing to do with any of it. He literally refuses to explore an ancient ruin in one part, noting that nothing is forcing them to go further in. {{spoiler|Subverted when, by walking away from the ancient ruins, Craig inadvertently walks into the episode's [[Big Bad]] and [[You Can't Fight Fate|steps onto a mystic stone that converts Craig against his wishes]] into a living laser beam.}}

* 'Tis the whole point of ''[[Adventure Time]]'' (hence the title of the show).

 

== Truth In Television ==

[[Category:Call to Adventure]]

[[Category:Hero Tropes]]