The Messiah: Difference between revisions

The main character, simply put, [[Love You and Everybody|loves everyone]]. Loves them with a deep, spiritual love that means they will shake heaven and earth, destroy gods and planets, bring nations to their knees, etc. [[The Dulcinea Effect|for the person they just met yesterday]]. They will [[Horrible Judge of Character|believe the best]] of [[The Ingenue|everyone]], and constantly give someone [[Last Second Chance|a second chance]] (though they ''will'' defeat the [[Big Bad]]). They repay [[Turn the Other Cheek|cruelty with kindness and anger with calm]], as long as the attacks are only against them-- they're ''not'' forgiving of harm done to others. They are the ones who will suffer for the sins of their loved ones. Most people think they're insane, but somehow they pull it off. Even [[Mary Sue]] and [[Marty Stu]] are impressed.

 

 

On the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism]], [[The Messiah]] is a heavily idealistic character. Even in a dark world, they are [[Incorruptible Pure Pureness|ideal]]. In the hands of a bad writer, the character can easily be mutated into a [[Mary Sue]].

The protagonist in a [[White Mans Burden]] story will often be [[The Messiah]]. For the character who only ''thinks'' they're [[The Messiah]], see the [[Love Freak]]. [[The Cutie]] shares a lot of [[The Messiah]]'s characteristic personality type, but isn't as much of a paragon of idealism and may or may not have their overpowering charisma. Similarly, [[The Pollyanna]] has the Messiah's optimism and good heart, but doesn't have the same kind of charisma or deep spiritualism.

 

 

In the context of methods of climax fulfillment, this may be referred to as a "Love Hero". May overlap with [[For Happiness]] as a character motivation.

 

 

== Anime and Manga ==

* Vash from ''[[Trigun (Anime)|Trigun]]'' often has to be prodded into shooting the bad guys instead of trying to reason the virtues of life with them. Even then, he refuses to kill humans, even if it means bandaging up the people he just took down.

** [[Badass Preacher|Wolfwood]] occasionally seems to see Vash in this light, and well beyond his [[Technical Pacifist]] stance above he ''will do anything'' to save people. From diving into blows that carved the scars all over him to stripping naked and barking like a dog to get a hostage free to training constantly so that his skills are up to pulling off his signature miracles. His whole identity is tied up in saving people.

** In a similar vein is Tendou Rushuna from ''[[Grenadier (Anime)|Grenadier]]'', who is a bit more [[Martial Pacifist]] than Vash, but has likewise never killed anyone{{spoiler|, even in the face of them apparently killing a new friend of hers}}. Even her name is a play on this: Rushuna is a play on a Rushana Buddha, a statue exemplifying the essence of the Buddha, while her surname, Tendou, translates to "Heavenly Path."

* Mai Tokiha from ''[[Mai-HiME (Anime)|Mai-HiME]]'' is an interesting case. She spends much of the series struggling to come to terms with her feelings, and is capable of expressing a wide range of negative emotions, ranging from mere disgust to violent rage. In spite of this, she seems to be the type who wants to see the best in people, and never seems to be able to bring herself to feel actual hatred towards anybody, even those who have tried to hurt her. Furthermore, despite her claims that she doesn't have "the time or energy to deal with other people's problems," when push comes to shove she's just not the type of person who can abandon others when she has a chance to help them. In the end, it's her love that allows her to {{spoiler|save her possessed best friend/veritable little sister Mikoto, as she chooses to meet Mikoto's berserk rage with open arms and hope that her feelings can reach the other girl.}}

* Yoh Asakura from ''[[Shaman King (Manga)|Shaman King]]''.

** Also subverted with Iron Maiden Jeanne, who's believed to be [[The Messiah]] but is more of a [[Knight Templar]].

** When she's drunk (on cola), she goes around causing small miracles to help animals, children, the elderly, stray animals, demons, inanimate objects, and pretty much anything else she lays eyes on.

* Lucia Nanami from ''[[Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch (Manga)|Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch]]''.

* Misaki of ''[[Kidou Tenshi Angelic Layer (Anime)|Kidou Tenshi Angelic Layer]]''; not only her core circle of friends but ''everyone she's ever fought'' comes to every one of her matches, cheers for her to win (even the ones that hated her at first) and tries desperately to find out what her opponent's secret is, even though she can't accept any help during the match.

* Judai Yuki of the [[Post Modernism]] ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh GX (Anime)|Yu-Gi-Oh GX]]''. Originally used straight and frequently [[Lampshade Hanging|noticed and discussed]] by characters like Sameshima, Saiou, Asuka, Ryo, and Edo; but then [[Deconstruction|deconstructed]] by Season 3, when the pressure of being everyone's source of strength and inspiration is finally too much for him. His [[True Companions]]' dependence on him was actually the key the next [[Big Bad]] used to kill them, and Judai's heartbreak at his failure to live up to being this character contributed to his fall to [[The Dark Side]]. {{spoiler|And it took him a lot to pull himself back from the despair.}}

** That time he elected to kill Ryou to save the world was choice, even if Ryou survived. Sorta. It might be a good thing they wrote the poor kid out; none of the main cast had the energy to help him with his trauma even if they'd been able to make sure he was actually him.

** Yes, but "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the British"

** Not only that. He's nice to everybody, he tries to save everybody, and even helps people who were killing him not five minutes before, even people who were killing him five minutes previously, then stop, then betray the truce, he'll still help them!

* Sora Naegino from ''[[Kaleido Star (Anime)|Kaleido Star]]'', despite being bullied by some of her companions and having to face [[Training From Hell]] to compensate for her lack of training compared to others, actually manages to win the hearts and respect to even her most bitter rivals.

* Sawada Tsunayoshi from ''[[Katekyo Hitman Reborn (Manga)|Katekyo Hitman Reborn]]'', though he was initially [[The Fool]] and the [[Butt Monkey]]. However, as the series [[Genre Shift|went on and got more serious]], he became this. Especially noticeable with his [[Easily Forgiven|relationship with Mukuro]].

* The ''[[Digimon (Franchise)|Digimon]]'' leads seem to have an element of this, more often than not. [[Digimon Savers (Anime)|Masaru]] manages to pick up where his father Suguru left off as far as reaching out to Digimon and trying to create the world where Digimon and humans can live together. [[Digimon Adventure 02 (Anime)|Daisuke]], [[Digimon Tamers (Anime)|Takato]], and [[Digimon Frontier (Anime)|Takuya]] also have their moments.

** Quatre also counts a lot toward this, being the [[Apologetic Attacker]] and kind heart of the 5 Gundam pilots. Unlike others, however, he ''does'' have his limits: when {{spoiler|his father dies, his favorite sister is injured ''and'' he's betrayed by his colony}}, he ''goes violently insane'' under the effects of the [[Mind Rape|ZERO System]] and doesn't recover until a friend makes a {{spoiler|borderline}} [[Heroic Sacrifice]]. ''Then'' he reaffirms his Messiah-ness by [[The Atoner|making what he can to atone]] and slowly but surely maturing into [[The Captain]] of the Gundam pilots, keeping the group together. {{spoiler|And snapping the aforementioned friend out of his [[Easy Amnesia]].}}

* Shu from ''[[Now and Then Here And There (Anime)|Now and Then, Here and There]]''. In a series so heavily on [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism|the cynical side of the sliding scale]], this is far less effective than it would be in other places.

* Mikan from ''[[Gakuen Alice (Anime)|Gakuen Alice]]''

* Ryuubi and Chuubou from ''[[Ikki Tousen (Manga)|Ikki Tousen]]''.

** In fact, apparently God {{spoiler|engineered him through several reincarnations for this. [[God Is Evil|Soushuu]] states that Yuuri himself was required to put the final seal of worthless mediocrity on his perfect vessel, but [[God Is Good|Shinou]] wanted him to outright surpass him so as to defeat Shoushuu.}}

* Mana Kirihara in ''Aquarian Age: Juvenile Orion''.

* Akira from ''[[Aoi Hana (Manga)|Aoi Hana]]'' has some of this, since she has the ability to be friends with most other girls. Later she is surpassed in that regard by Haruka, who drags everybody along [[Genki Girl|by sheer enthusiasm]].

* Marin from ''[[Umi Monogatari (Anime)|Umi Monogatari]]'' is prone to randomly hugging people and saying that she loves them. Kanon, her sister, a giant turtle. It doesn't matter. The girl's got plenty of love to spread around.

** His attitude is much more [[Be All My Sins Remembered]] and somewhere between bemused and irritated that people are looking to him to save the day.

** {{spoiler|Kanna}} also becomes a messiah as well as the story progresses.

* Nao from ''[[Liar Game (Manga)|Liar Game]]'', who is incredibly selfless and honest and willing to use the money that she has won to pay off the debts of people who had previously schemed, lied and tricked her. Her reason for continuing in the game is to essentially save everyone in the game.

* Tokidoki Rikugou of ''[[Amatsuki (Anime)|Amatsuki]]'' is either this or is taking the positive shell of [[Stepford Smiler]] to extremes. He has [[No Good Deed Goes Unpunished|gotten in trouble trying to help other people]] several times, with devastating consequences for him and his friends, but he still keeps it up.

* Pfil of ''[[Bondage Fairies (Manga)|Bondage Fairies]]''.

* In ''[[Koi Cupid (Manga)|Koi Cupid]]'', Ai can connect to almost anyone, and her greatest wish is to be friends with people. She even warmed a demon's heart.

* Nausicaa, from the ''[[Nausicaa of the Valley of The Wind (Manga)|Nausicaa of the Valley of The Wind]]'' manga/anime quoted above, fits this trope to a T. Besides being nearly a [[Purity Sue]], she explicitly plays the foretold role of a Messiah by wearing blue garments (stained with Ohmu blood) and walking on a "field of gold" (a bunch of shiny Ohmu tentacles). The Dorok priest has a revelation that she is the "Angel of Light" who will lead the people to the "Pure Land."

** An example: In a scene near the beginning of the manga she meets a cute squirrel-creature. It bites her hand, but she just smiles at it as it gets the biting out of its system, then feeds it. And the next thing you know it's her cute animal companion.

* Zayne Carrick from ''[[Star Wars]] [[Knights of the Old Republic (Comic Book)|Knights of the Old Republic]]'' is a good example of a fool who is actually an embryonic messiah. Initially a failing Jedi Padawan whose only power seems to be literal good luck (as in, he {{spoiler|spent an hour trying to catch a petty thief for the half-dozenth time, and thus arrived late to what should have been his own murder}}), over the course of the series he saves first himself; then a junk scavenger and his adopted daughter; then a bunch of captured Jedi; then several million people from {{spoiler|an orbital nuclear bombardment}}; then he tries to save one of the Jedi masters who were {{spoiler|trying to kill him}}. As one of them says:

{{quote| "You...''You''... would save ''me''?"}}

* From the [[Marvel Comics]] series ''[[Agents of Atlas (Comic Book)|Agents of Atlas]]'', Venus -- hey, it befits a goddess of love!

* Ice, of ''[[Justice League of America|Justice League International]]'', is noted for her optimism and kindness, which remain steadfast even in the face of her death and resurrection.

* Po from ''[[Kung Fu Panda]]'' is another great example he is an [[Idiot Hero|idiot]], [[The Fool|a fool]] and [[The Chosen One|a chosen one]], but what really makes him a Messiah is that he doesn't hate anybody, Not even [[Big Bad|Shen]] {{spoiler|Who killed his parents, and trying to kill him, and yet he still forgave by telling to let go of the past}}.

* Moses from ''[[The Prince of Egypt]]'' is more of a [[Messiah Creep]] because he started as a [[Spoiled Brat|spoiled brat]] to a [[Messianic Archetype|profit]], but still his most messianic moment was when {{spoiler|He told Rameses to Let his People Go}}. AND it's the story of Moses after all.

** He more puts himself in the roll of the [[The Bible|Biblical]] John the Baptist. Someone who prepares the way for a true leader to come forth and bring about a new world. Not quite as egocentric but still not a good sign for his self perception.

* Poppy from ''[[Happy Go Lucky]]''. It was half the point of the movie.

* Luke Skywalker in ''[[Star Wars]]''. [[Star Wars Expanded Universe|Expanded Universe may differ]], but consider that upon discovering his father is a Sith Lord and one of the galaxy's most ruthless killers, he decides--against the advice of everyone--that Dad can be saved from the Dark Side. He turns out to be right.

** Anakin Skywalker/ Darth Vader could be a more traditonal messiah, basically becoming a sith, and then killing the emperor (at that time the last other sith) and himself, [[Heroic Sacrfice]] and all.

* The eponymous character of ''[[The Golden Child]]''.

* In Anne Bishop's ''[[Black Jewels]]'' trilogy, Jaenelle is the most recent (and implied to be the most powerful ever) incarnation of Witch, essentially born from the collective dreams of the races who facilitates their reconciliation {{spoiler|and eventually nearly kills herself in order to save her people.}}

* In ''[[The Lord of the Rings (Literature)|The Lord of the Rings]],'' Both Frodo and Aragorn's attachment to the other members of the Fellowship, as well as a large number of people they encounter during the books, qualifies them for this trope.

* Adil, one of the main characters in Sahar Khalifeh's ''Wild Thorns''. A Palestinian who works in Israel (the book was written in the 70s') to support his nine family members, and always looking out for his fellow workers. He's more than once described as trying "to solve the Middle East conflict all by himself." Even his cousin who considers him a traitor for working in Israel cares strongly about him.

* Rand Al'Thor in [[The Wheel of Time]] is a ''fantastic'' deconstruction of both this trope and [[The Chosen One]].

** Ten in particular has been pulling this one, both playing it straight and subverting. Generally characters either adore him within ten minutes, are terrified/in awe of him, or want to kill him. Occasionally all three. One quote from the episode "Last of the Time Lords" makes this [[Anvilicious|painfully clear]] about the Doctor. "You wouldn't listen. Because you know what I'm going to say... {{spoiler|I forgive you.}}"

*** This is shown very clearly by the lines of the [[Chameleon Circuit]] song 'Regenerate Me'; ''" King of Sacrafice, and Bearer of Justice/ I am your last chance to repent!"''

** Eleven too is written to be extremely compassionate, especially when he's infatuated with someone (actually one man plus one woman by default). Amy Pond is usually the woman, and Eleven seems to love her the most. Eleven's allies are devoted to him as Ten's were. {{spoiler|Rory even dies to save Eleven, and ends up getting [[Ret Conned]] out of existence.}}

* Constable Benton Fraser from ''[[Due South]]'' makes himself something of a local hero in the slum neighborhood of Chicago he lives in, unwittingly and unerringly winning the hearts of nearly everyone around him due to his constant, unwavering kindness to his fellow man. His partner, Ray Vecchio (and later Ray Kowalski), his friends, and even his boss are fiercely protective of him when danger arises. His lack of street smarts and general naievete can cause problems, though, and they sometimes wonder about his sanity.

'''Ray:''' Welcome to the United States of America, Fraser. }}

* Despite being an [[The Atoner|atoning petty criminal and]] [[Jerkass]], and a [[Book Dumb]] hick, the titular character of ''[[My Name Is Earl]]'' has a real knack for getting along with people, is actively working hard to become a better person by righting all his past wrongs, in the process making his town a better place, and is willing to make great sacrifices for the people he cares about. Sometimes he relapses, but he brings up some interesting questions on morality and what makes a good person.

* [[Sesame Street|Abby Cadabby]]. Her faith in Oscar the Grouch's heart is unshakable.

* Hakuya Ryouga / AbaRed of [[Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger]]. He was immune to the mind-screwing abilities of a [[Monster of the Week]] specifically because, in his niece's words, "he doesn't hate anyone or anything." Naturally, evil Ranger Nakadai Mikoto does everything in his power to crush the idealism out of him, but Ryouga never stops believing that Mikoto can be redeemed - and he's proven right.

* Talim from ''[[Soul Series]]''. It's most obvious when you play as her as protagonist, but in any case, she actually doesn't like violence and tries to find peaceful solutions, fights unreservedly for what's right when she has to, and can usually be counted on to help her opponent up, full of concern for their well-being, when the fight is over. It's arguably enough to make you wish the plot were a bit deeper.

* ''[[Yggdra Union]]'' has ''three.'' Yggdra, the titular character, becomes a wise and loving monarch over the course of the story; the main antagonist, Gulcasa, is one to his own people {{spoiler|to the point of dying trying to save them in a really twisted and tragic way}}; and then there's Nessiah, Gulcasa's friend and tactician (and {{spoiler|fallen angel, let's not forget}}), who is actually something of a fallen messiah figure--he was the real deal once, but {{spoiler|he essentially had the idealism and love for all living things [[Break the Cutie|tortured out of him]] when he was thrown out of Asgard for refusing to fight in its wars}}.

* Elly/Sophia from ''[[Xenogears (Video Game)|Xenogears]]'' who embodies selfless love and self-sacrifice across dozens of incarnations. At one point she even offers up ''her own flesh as food'' to a horde of mutated humans. [[Faux Symbolism|What do you mean, "it's not symbolic]]?"

* Jaina Proudmoore in the ''[[War Craft]]'' series. She's probably the most basically decent person (that doesn't go crazy and try to kill everyone) in the entire series, even helping a race she was raised to hate kill her father for peace and to genuinely honor the bond that Theramore acquired with the orcs. This even carries into ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' where it seems everyone has taken a level in jerkass/incompetent.

** Open Palm Spirit Monk in ''[[Jade Empire]]'', who can {{spoiler|get a ''victory'' by sacrificing him/herself to the [[Big Bad]] for the good of the Empire.}}

** The Lightside PC of ''[[Knights of the Old Republic (Video Game)|Knights of the Old Republic]]'', most obviously in his/her interactions with Juhani on Dantooine and with Bastila on the Star Forge.

*** The Light-Side Exile in the sequels would probably be this, if not for, [[Your Soul Is Mine|well]]...

*** Also, [[Minovsky Physics|Element Zero]], because it can ''make'' your [[Incredibly Lame Pun|Mass higher]].

** [[Dragon Age]] is notable as an exception, while there are usually 'right' options ({{spoiler|getting Zathrian to let go of his hate and release the werewolves from their curse}}, {{spoiler|destroying the Anvil of the Void and allowing Caridin to depart from his [[And I Must Scream|doomed existence]]}}, {{spoiler|going out of your way to ensure that Eamon, Connor, and Isolde all survive}}), almost every choice is in [[Grey and Grey Morality|the grey area]] and many seemingly 'right' decisions (backing the honest, honorable dwarven lord over the {{spoiler|fratercidal}} tyrant of a Prince, helping a dwarven girl go off to study on the surface) have far-reaching and negative consequences ( {{spoiler|destroying dwarven civilization}}, {{spoiler|setting the stage for a Chantry crusade against the dwarves}}).

* Sera from the [[Digital Devil Saga]]. She's a [[Mysterious Waif]] in your party whose singing soothes demonic beasts.

* Marona from ''[[Phantom Brave (Video Game)|Phantom Brave]]'' is a [[The Pollyanna|Pollyanna]] believes the best in everybody. [[Untrusting Community|Her kindness]] [[Bullying a Dragon|is not repaid.]]

** In the backstory, the member of the Twelve Crusaders who fits the most is Blaggi the Arch bishop, who not only has a Holy Weapon able to resurrect the death (the Valkyrie Staff) but shows kindness even to the members of [[Religion of Evil|the Lopto Sect]].

* [[Fire Emblem Elibe]] has four straight-up examples, only one of them being a main character.

*** There's also the main character, Eliwood. He goes through incredible hardships and not only he manages to retain about 80% of his idealism, but he refuses to hate the [[Big Bad]] even after {{spoiler|he kills his father Elbert ''and'' causes the death of his prospect love interest Ninian}} and constantly shows sweetness to his troupe.

** And in the backstory, the Seven Heroes of the Scourging have their own Messiah: Saint Elimine, their [[Magical Girl Warrior]] and [[Church Militant]]. She even founded both her own nation (Etruria) and her own religion (the Elimine church -- which still goes strong after centuries)!

* ''[[Fire Emblem the Sacred Stones (Video Game)|Fire Emblem the Sacred Stones]]'' gives us the almost unfailingly plucky, kind and sensible Princess Eirika of Renais. Even when her naivete sometimes gets the worst of her (like when {{spoiler|Fomortiis in Lyon's body tricks her into giving him the Stone of Renais}}), Eirika keeps being sweet and gentle and willing to fight for the sake of Magvel. She also shows a spiritual side when talking to the local [[Badass Bookworm]], Saleh, and comforts Princess L'Arachel when she {{spoiler|gets depressed over the death of her parents when she was a little girl}}.

** The aforementioned L'Arachel claims to be [[The Messiah]] and has been raised as a [[Church Militant]], but she's more of a [[Love Freak]]. She ''does'' show genuine Messiah traits when she {{spoiler|helps Eirika get over the [[Heroic BSOD]] caused by the Lyon/Fomortiiis incident described above}}, though.

* Elan from ''[[The Order of the Stick (Webcomic)|The Order of the Stick]]''. He didn't even kill [[Smug Snake]] Kubota and called V out when he/she did.

** He probably gets that from his Mother, who is/was the sweetest, kindest person in his hometown

** Karkat starts out as a subversion and John's foil, being perpetually angry, derogatory, unforgiving, and just plain mean to everyone. Then it turns out that he's actually a decent guy who cares about others, was the only thing keeping the trolls all working together instead of killing each other, convinced villains to work in his best interest, and is ultimately the least threatening or dangerous member of his group. Played completely straight when he stops a rampaging murder clown with the power of hugs and it's revealed that his Ancestor was literal Jesus Christ figure.

*** Said ancestor started out as a messiah too, but became a [[Dark Messiah]] while being tortured to death.

* The leading ladies in [[Disney Animated Canon]] movies usually fall into the trope, when they aren't portrayed as [[Action Girl|action girls]] (and sometimes even when they are).

* [[Transformers|Optimus Prime]]. There's a reason why the Autobots lookup to him and want him as their leader.

** Aang himself is also one because not only he is [[The Chosen One|destined to savior the world]] or look as a [[A God Am I|God like figure]], he offered {{spoiler|[[Big Bad]] Fire Lord Ozai a chance of redemption by telling him to he has the to end all of this during Sozin's Comet}}

* Kyle in ''[[South Park (Animation)|South Park]]'' is often used with this trope in various forms. While a bit of a lower end [[Jerkass]] (compared to Cartman particularly) at times, he has the strongest moral code of [[Crapsack World|anybody on the show]]. Veers toward [[Insufferable Genius]] [[Knight Templar]] territory, [[He Who Fights Monsters|particularly when Cartman is involved]].

'''Lazlo:''' I don't hate you, Edward. I love all creatures, even whatever you are! }}

* In ''[[Ben 10 Alien Force (Animation)|Ben 10 Alien Force]]'', Ben Tennyson has borrowed not only [[Sailor Moon]]'s [[Transformation Sequence]] but her steadfast refusal to sacrifice lives and her power to heal the villains' victims with the [[Empathic Weapon]]. He even once instantly handed over the [[MacGuffin]] ''with no hesitation'' to save his captured friends, just like Sailor Moon once did for Molly/Naru.

* Optimus Primal of ''[[Transformers]] [[Beast Wars (Animation)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines (Animation)|Beast Machines]]''.

* Waffle from ''[[Catscratch]]''. He (a cat) even befriends a dog that hates cats.

* T.J., Mikey, Gus, Cornchip Girl, and Miss Grotke from ''[[Recess]]''

* ''[[Hey Arnold (Animation)|Hey Arnold]]!'': Arnold. For that matter Lila, although she came off as an intentional [[Parody Sue]].

** Doubted, Twilight Sparkle might qualifies more since she was the only one that didn't suffer [[Mind Rape]] from Discord and was the only was who saw {{spoiler|imposter}} Candece. Granted, she did went nutso in "Lesson Zero." But that doesn't count.

 

[[Category:Needs Wiki Magic Love]]

[[Category:The Messiah]]