The Kid with the Remote Control: Difference between revisions

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''This must be the biggest discovery since, I don't know, television or something!"''|'''Hogarth''', ''[[The Iron Giant]]''.}}
''This must be the biggest discovery since, I don't know, television or something!"''|'''Hogarth''', ''[[The Iron Giant]]''.}}


{{quote|''"Cool, my own Terminator!"''|'''John Conner''', ''[[Terminator (Film)|Terminator]] 2''.}}
{{quote|''"Cool, my own Terminator!"''|'''John Conner''', ''[[Terminator (franchise)|Terminator]] 2''.}}


A child -- usually a young boy -- who has sole control over some fearsome creature or robot and uses it wisely, despite advice from all the well-meaning but fundamentally clueless adults around him.
A child -- usually a young boy -- who has sole control over some fearsome creature or robot and uses it wisely, despite advice from all the well-meaning but fundamentally clueless adults around him.
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This character can cause problems if the show bills the nonhuman as the star but then focuses on the kid [[Creator's Pet|to the point of being annoying]]. The trope originated in dawn-time Anime and Manga and is still strongest in those genres.
This character can cause problems if the show bills the nonhuman as the star but then focuses on the kid [[Creator's Pet|to the point of being annoying]]. The trope originated in dawn-time Anime and Manga and is still strongest in those genres.


Contrast with the [[Kid With the Leash]] and [[Guardian Entity]].
Contrast with the [[Kid with the Leash]] and [[Guardian Entity]].
{{examples}}
{{examples}}


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* ''[[Neo Ranga]]'''s titular monster is controlled by a trio of sisters, each with their own unique views on how to control him. This results in much confusion, though there are hints that Ranga doesn't ''just'' do what they tell it, but in fact has its own, more primal views on the world.
* ''[[Neo Ranga]]'''s titular monster is controlled by a trio of sisters, each with their own unique views on how to control him. This results in much confusion, though there are hints that Ranga doesn't ''just'' do what they tell it, but in fact has its own, more primal views on the world.
* ''[[Ambassador Magma]]'': Mamoru summons Magma and his family with a whistle.
* ''[[Ambassador Magma]]'': Mamoru summons Magma and his family with a whistle.
* ''[[Kenichi the Mightiest Disciple]]'': Nijima has an almost magical ability to summon Siegfried whenever he needs backup.
* ''[[Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple]]'': Nijima has an almost magical ability to summon Siegfried whenever he needs backup.
* ''[[Zettai Muteki Raijin Oh]]'': The titular robot is piloted and monitored by a class of fifth-graders.
* ''[[Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh]]'': The titular robot is piloted and monitored by a class of fifth-graders.
* ''[[Medabots]]'', with almost everyone (except the main character, early on) having 2-foot mecha armed to the teeth, voice commands transferred through a Watch.
* ''[[Medabots]]'', with almost everyone (except the main character, early on) having 2-foot mecha armed to the teeth, voice commands transferred through a Watch.
* ''[[Heroman]]'' has Joey Jones, the series itself is pretty much [[Stan Lee]] 's take on shows like [[Giant Robo]] and this trope in general.
* ''[[Heroman]]'' has Joey Jones, the series itself is pretty much [[Stan Lee]] 's take on shows like [[Giant Robo]] and this trope in general.
* ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh]]'': the Toei anime has {{spoiler|Haiyama, who manipulates Kujirada into doing what he wants }}
* ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh!]]'': the Toei anime has {{spoiler|Haiyama, who manipulates Kujirada into doing what he wants }}
* ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' appears to be a giant robot anime at first blush, but it doesn't take long for us to find out that the titular Evangelions have wills of their own and, despite NERV's safeguards, it's ultimately the teenage pilots who are in control. Unit 01, particularly, refuses to activate when Shinji isn't in the cockpit, and in the ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion|Rebuild]]'' continuity, it goes on to {{spoiler|nearly cause the apocalypse just so he can [[Always Save the Girl|save Rei]].}}
* ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' appears to be a giant robot anime at first blush, but it doesn't take long for us to find out that the titular Evangelions have wills of their own and, despite NERV's safeguards, it's ultimately the teenage pilots who are in control. Unit 01, particularly, refuses to activate when Shinji isn't in the cockpit, and in the ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion|Rebuild]]'' continuity, it goes on to {{spoiler|nearly cause the apocalypse just so he can [[Always Save the Girl|save Rei]].}}
* ''[[Rah Xephon]]'' takes the Evangelion concept even further: Ayato is the only one who can control the titular [[Physical God]]. And said [[Physical God]] has [[Reality Warper]] powers to the point the series finale sees Ayato [[Apocalypse Wow|unmaking Earth with it]] in favor of one where everyone lives [[Happily Ever After]].
* ''[[RahXephon]]'' takes the Evangelion concept even further: Ayato is the only one who can control the titular [[Physical God]]. And said [[Physical God]] has [[Reality Warper]] powers to the point the series finale sees Ayato [[Apocalypse Wow|unmaking Earth with it]] in favor of one where everyone lives [[Happily Ever After]].
** To a further extent, Haruka could be considered the one with the remote control. While she's an adult, she's [[Year Inside, Hour Outside|technically]] of the same age as Ayato. However, Ayato is repeatedly implied to be one of the human aspects of the RahXephon which is at least centuries old and if his [[UST]] with Haruka goes bad, the next Dolem usually dies very painfully at the RahXephon's hands.
** To a further extent, Haruka could be considered the one with the remote control. While she's an adult, she's [[Year Inside, Hour Outside|technically]] of the same age as Ayato. However, Ayato is repeatedly implied to be one of the human aspects of the RahXephon which is at least centuries old and if his [[UST]] with Haruka goes bad, the next Dolem usually dies very painfully at the RahXephon's hands.


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* Timmie and his pet robot in ''The Invisible Boy''.
* Timmie and his pet robot in ''The Invisible Boy''.
* In ''[[Terminator (Film)|Terminator]] 2'', a young John Connor plays around with the T-800 for a bit after learning it has to obey his commands, but later on, he uses his power over the machine for more serious purposes - most importantly, telling it [[Thou Shalt Not Kill]].
* In ''[[Terminator (franchise)|Terminator]] 2'', a young John Connor plays around with the T-800 for a bit after learning it has to obey his commands, but later on, he uses his power over the machine for more serious purposes - most importantly, telling it [[Thou Shalt Not Kill]].


== Literature ==
== Literature ==


* ''[[Ricky Ricottas Mighty Robot (Literature)|Ricky Ricottas Mighty Robot]]'', with the robot in question being an [[Empathic Weapon]].
* ''[[Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot|Ricky Ricottas Mighty Robot]]'', with the robot in question being an [[Empathic Weapon]].


== Live Action TV ==
== Live Action TV ==


* ''[[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Who]]'': Charlotte Abigail Lux in "Silence in the Library"/"The Forest of the Dead" has control of {{spoiler|a planet-sized library (and a data-checking device the size of a moon)}} via a literal TV remote.
* ''[[Doctor Who]]'': Charlotte Abigail Lux in "Silence in the Library"/"The Forest of the Dead" has control of {{spoiler|a planet-sized library (and a data-checking device the size of a moon)}} via a literal TV remote.
** In "The Empty Child"/"The Doctor Dances", Jamie had control {{spoiler|over an enire army.}}
** In "The Empty Child"/"The Doctor Dances", Jamie had control {{spoiler|over an enire army.}}


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* ''[[Twisted Metal|TwistedMetal: Black]]'': Literally a kid with a remote control; picking the vehicle Yellow Jacket sees the player controlling the corpse of Charlie Kane, who in turn is being controlled by his autistic son, [[Gadgeteer Genius|who constructed a device to reanimate his murdered father.]] In his ending, {{spoiler|Calypso breaks the remote control and adopts the boy, as he needs an heir. He would have used the boy's brother, [[Monster Clown|Needles]], but he was killed in the contest.}}
* ''[[Twisted Metal|TwistedMetal: Black]]'': Literally a kid with a remote control; picking the vehicle Yellow Jacket sees the player controlling the corpse of Charlie Kane, who in turn is being controlled by his autistic son, [[Gadgeteer Genius|who constructed a device to reanimate his murdered father.]] In his ending, {{spoiler|Calypso breaks the remote control and adopts the boy, as he needs an heir. He would have used the boy's brother, [[Monster Clown|Needles]], but he was killed in the contest.}}
* The character Lymle in ''[[Star Ocean the Last Hope]]'' has control over a giant hell-hound she calls 'Doggy'. Precis of ''[[Star Ocean the Second Story]]'', was literally this, using a robotic backpack for combat.
* The character Lymle in ''[[Star Ocean the Last Hope]]'' has control over a giant hell-hound she calls 'Doggy'. Precis of ''[[Star Ocean the Second Story]]'', was literally this, using a robotic backpack for combat.
* Alice and Ape III are the next to last opponent in Nintendo's ''[[Punch Out (Video Game)|Arm Wrestling]]'' arcade game. You beat them by sticking a magnet against Ape III's head...
* Alice and Ape III are the next to last opponent in Nintendo's ''[[Punch Out|Arm Wrestling]]'' arcade game. You beat them by sticking a magnet against Ape III's head...
* Yuna from ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'', in the past in the series the "summons" have been simply really impressive magic spells, Yuna actually calls down whatever the magic creature of the day is and directly controls the dragon/devil/half-naked ice-woman in battle.
* Yuna from ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'', in the past in the series the "summons" have been simply really impressive magic spells, Yuna actually calls down whatever the magic creature of the day is and directly controls the dragon/devil/half-naked ice-woman in battle.
* ''[[Scribblenauts]]'': The player has the power to summon anything in the in-game dictionary (which is incredibly huge), thus by extension Maxwell holds this power as well.
* ''[[Scribblenauts]]'': The player has the power to summon anything in the in-game dictionary (which is incredibly huge), thus by extension Maxwell holds this power as well.
* ''[[Blaz Blue]]'' has Carl Clover and Nirvana/Ada, his [[Magitech]] [[Forgotten Superweapon]]/[[Dead Little Sister|big sister]].
* ''[[Blaz Blue]]'' has Carl Clover and Nirvana/Ada, his [[Magitech]] [[Forgotten Superweapon]]/[[Dead Little Sister|big sister]].
* ''[[Darkstalkers (Video Game)|Darkstalkers]]'': The video game series features a robot named Huitzil (known as Phobos in Japan.) Though originally programmed to destroy all life on earth, a malfunction changes his prime directive to protect a little boy named Cecil. In his ending, {{spoiler|he also changes the directives of all other huitzil units so that they protect Cecil as well...to the detriment of everyone else on the planet.}}
* ''[[Darkstalkers]]'': The video game series features a robot named Huitzil (known as Phobos in Japan.) Though originally programmed to destroy all life on earth, a malfunction changes his prime directive to protect a little boy named Cecil. In his ending, {{spoiler|he also changes the directives of all other huitzil units so that they protect Cecil as well...to the detriment of everyone else on the planet.}}
* Any [[Mon]] games including [[Pokémon]], [[Shin Megami Tensei|Demikids,]] [[Dragon Quest Monsters]], etc... especially since the heroes of these games are kids, yet they have ability to control, raise, and breed monsters that are as tall as or even taller than them.
* Any [[Mon]] games including [[Pokémon]], [[Shin Megami Tensei|Demikids,]] [[Dragon Quest Monsters]], etc... especially since the heroes of these games are kids, yet they have ability to control, raise, and breed monsters that are as tall as or even taller than them.
* ''[[Mega Man Battle Network (Video Game)|Mega Man Battle Network]]'' and it's anime adaptation ''[[Mega Man NT Warrior (Anime)|Mega Man NT Warrior]]'': each Net Navi has an Operator who sends their Navi Battle Chips using a device called a Personal Terminal, or PET. The main characters are 5th graders at elementary school.
* ''[[Mega Man Battle Network]]'' and it's anime adaptation ''[[Mega Man NT Warrior]]'': each Net Navi has an Operator who sends their Navi Battle Chips using a device called a Personal Terminal, or PET. The main characters are 5th graders at elementary school.
* ''[[Xenogears (Video Game)|Xenogears]]'': Maria Balthasar is explicitly that, a little girl that commands, rather than pilots, a giant, at least partially sentient robot, including being able to call on it's help in a battle that otherwise happens without the use of mecha, even indoors. Much of that robot's design, in-game history and abilities are very similar the aforementioned Daisaku Kusama with his robot, almost to the point of her being an ''[[Expy]]''.
* ''[[Xenogears]]'': Maria Balthasar is explicitly that, a little girl that commands, rather than pilots, a giant, at least partially sentient robot, including being able to call on it's help in a battle that otherwise happens without the use of mecha, even indoors. Much of that robot's design, in-game history and abilities are very similar the aforementioned Daisaku Kusama with his robot, almost to the point of her being an ''[[Expy]]''.




== Webcomics ==
== Webcomics ==
* In [[Zodiac (Webcomic)|Zodiac]], Cancer is a 13-year-old kid who controls a massive power suit with game controller. He designed and built the suit.
* In [[Zodiac (webcomic)|Zodiac]], Cancer is a 13-year-old kid who controls a massive power suit with game controller. He designed and built the suit.




== Western Animation ==
== Western Animation ==
* ''[[Frankenstein Jr]]'' is a [[Hanna-Barbera]] cartoon strongly influenced by ''[[Gigantor]]''. [[Captain Ersatz]] Frankie is a 50-ft robot with a cape.
* ''[[Frankenstein, Jr.]]'' is a [[Hanna-Barbera]] cartoon strongly influenced by ''[[Gigantor]]''. [[Captain Ersatz]] Frankie is a 50-ft robot with a cape.
* ''[[Batman Beyond]]'': Villainous example: Willie Watt had first the remote control for, and later mental command of, a massive humanoid construction machine known as a Golem. He did ''not'' use it wisely.
* ''[[Batman Beyond]]'': Villainous example: Willie Watt had first the remote control for, and later mental command of, a massive humanoid construction machine known as a Golem. He did ''not'' use it wisely.
* ''[[Fairly Oddparents]]'': Timmy Turner. He has [[Fairy Companion|fairy godparents]] that grant his every wish (that's not against the rules). Whether he uses them wisely is debated. Almost a trope-namer since in one movie he had a pair of magical remote controls, but loses one to the villain.
* ''[[Fairly Oddparents]]'': Timmy Turner. He has [[Fairy Companion|fairy godparents]] that grant his every wish (that's not against the rules). Whether he uses them wisely is debated. Almost a trope-namer since in one movie he had a pair of magical remote controls, but loses one to the villain.
Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/The_Kid_with_the_Remote_Control"