The Xenophile: Difference between revisions

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Aliens can be [[Intrigued by Humanity]] or a [[Fantastic Anthropologist]], but what about the inverse - when a ''human'' character is obsessed with everything alien? This is often an evolved [[Naive Newcomer]] character in [[Speculative Fiction]], and serves the same function in being a go-between and (sometimes literal) translator between a strange alien culture and the reader/viewer. Unlike a [[Naive Newcomer]], however, the Xenophile doesn't need another character to tell him or her about the alien culture we meet - they can provide all (or at least, most) of the exposition themselves, cheerfully and enthusiastically! In fact, they're so enthusiastic they probably have neglected their relationships with their fellow humans. In addition to appearing in [[Science Fiction]], this trope can also appear in Fantasy literature where a human character is enthusiastic about non-human races and cultures.

 

Note, This is not about a character who is attracted to aliens in another way... there's [[Boldly Coming|a different trope]] for that, although the two can easily be combined. Contrast [[Aliens Are Bastards]]. Also contrast [[Absolute Xenophobe]]. Again, aliens-liking-human-culture examples are a different trope and belong in [[Intrigued by Humanity]] or [[Fantastic Anthropologist]]. Compare [[Nightmare Fetishist]]; if the aliens are [[Starfish Aliens|weird]] [[Eldritch Abomination|enough]], both can apply to the same character. Compare [[Admiring the Abomination]], where a character (often [[The Smart Guy]]) reacts to an alien threat with both excitement and fear.

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== Anime and Manga ==

* The eponymous character from ''[[Haruhi Suzumiya]]''.