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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
{{quote|'''Fry''': So, who's that weird-looking guy?<br />
{{quote|'''Fry''': So, who's that weird-looking guy?
'''Bender''': That's a human.<br />
'''Bender''': That's a human.
'''Fry''': What's he do?<br />
'''Fry''': What's he do?
'''Bender''': Eh, the usual human stuff. He laughs, he learns, he loves.<br />
'''Bender''': Eh, the usual human stuff. He laughs, he learns, he loves.
'''Fry''': Boring!|''[[Futurama (Animation)|Futurama]]'' - "I, Roommate"}}
'''Fry''': Boring!|''[[Futurama]]'' - "I, Roommate"}}


{{quote|'''Carlie''': But ''you're'' not an alien robot.<br />
{{quote|'''Carlie''': But ''you're'' not an alien robot.
'''Spike''': I'll fake it!|''[[Transformers Generation 1|The Transformers]]'' - "Hoist Goes Hollywood"}}
'''Spike''': I'll fake it!|''[[Transformers Generation 1|The Transformers]]'' - "Hoist Goes Hollywood"}}


Much like the [[Token Non-Human]], with a slight twist; in this case, almost the entire cast consists of non-humans, leaving only a single [[Token Human]] to round things out. He (or less commonly she) will be among a cast of [[Rubber Forehead Aliens]], [[Robot Buddies]], [[Starfish Aliens]] or other, similar beings. Sometimes, the cast will have to make allowances for their [[Token Human]] friend's [[Puny Earthlings|human failings]]; at other times, some human ability (such as the ability to reach the top shelf, or to immerse oneself in water safely, or simply an immunity to a deadly alien poison) will come in very handy at some point in the plot. These characters often tend to be [[The Hero]] (fantastic variant of [[All-American Face]]) or [[The Scrappy]]. (or in particularly bad cases, both) Sometimes they're only [[Ambiguously Human]].
Much like the [[Token Non-Human]], with a slight twist; in this case, almost the entire cast consists of non-humans, leaving only a single '''Token Human''' to round things out. He (or less commonly she) will be among a cast of [[Rubber Forehead Aliens]], [[Robot Buddies]], [[Starfish Aliens]] or other, similar beings. Sometimes, the cast will have to make allowances for their '''Token Human''' friend's [[Puny Earthlings|human failings]]; at other times, some human ability (such as the ability to reach the top shelf, or to immerse oneself in water safely, or simply an immunity to a deadly alien poison) will come in very handy at some point in the plot. These characters often tend to be [[The Hero]] (fantastic variant of [[All-American Face]]) or [[The Scrappy]]. (or in particularly bad cases, both) Sometimes they're only [[Ambiguously Human]].


Generally results from the fact that [[Most Writers Are Human]].
Generally results from the fact that [[Most Writers Are Human]].


If they're in a [[Five-Man Band]], it's probably a [[Five-Token Band]].
If they're in a [[Five-Man Band]], it's probably a [[Five-Token Band]].


See also [[Fantastic Sapient Species Tropes]] and [[Not Quite Human]]. Compare and contrast [[Token Non-Human]] and [[Token Minority]], as the situation in these universes is more or less the same as those tropes would be in ours. May or may not be an [[Unfazed Everyman]], depending on how they react to their circumstances. If the nonhumans are animal-like, may be a case of [[Lions and Tigers And Humans, Oh My!]]. Tends to be either [[The Load]] or a [[Badass Normal]]
See also [[Fantastic Sapient Species Tropes]] and [[Not Quite Human]]. Compare and contrast [[Token Non-Human]] and [[Token Minority]], as the situation in these universes is more or less the same as those tropes would be in ours. May or may not be an [[Unfazed Everyman]], depending on how they react to their circumstances. If the nonhumans are animal-like, may be a case of [[Lions and Tigers and Humans, Oh My!]]. Tends to be either [[The Load]] or a [[Badass Normal]]


{{examples}}
{{examples}}


== [[Anime and Manga]] ==
== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==
* ''[[Shirokuma Cafe]]'' has Sasako, the cafe's sole waitress and Mr. Handa, the zookeeper. The cafe is run by a polar bear and the zoo employs the majority of the cafe's animal patrons.
* ''[[Shirokuma Cafe]]'' has Sasako, the cafe's sole waitress and Mr. Handa, the zookeeper. The cafe is run by a polar bear and the zoo employs the majority of the cafe's animal patrons.
* This is half the premise of ''[[Rosario to Vampire]]''<ref>the other half being [[Unwanted Harem]]</ref>: A human gets enrolled in a school for monsters (Although they are [[Cute Monster Girl|CuteMonsterGirls]]).
* This is half the premise of ''[[Rosario + Vampire]]'':<ref>the other half being [[Unwanted Harem]]</ref> A human gets enrolled in a school for monsters (Although they are [[Cute Monster Girl]]s).
* [[Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep"|Sensei/Modern Lit]] is the only significant human in [[Upotte]]. All the other characters are anthropomorphized guns.
* [[Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep"|Sensei/Modern Lit]] is the only significant human in [[Upotte!!]]. All the other characters are anthropomorphized guns.


== [[Comic Books]] ==
== [[Comic Books]] ==
* The [[Big Bad]] of ''[[Usagi Yojimbo]]'', Lord Hikiji, is the only human in the setting. He's only been shown unmasked once, right at the start of the series, and creator Stan Sakai has since said he regrets making him human. (Since that time, barring a couple of brief flashbacks where he turns up so heavily armored that his species cannot be discerned, the character has only been alluded to.)
* The [[Big Bad]] of ''[[Usagi Yojimbo]]'', Lord Hikiji, is the only human in the setting. He's only been shown unmasked once, right at the start of the series, and creator Stan Sakai has since said he regrets making him human. (Since that time, barring a couple of brief flashbacks where he turns up so heavily armored that his species cannot be discerned, the character has only been alluded to.)


== [[Fan Works]]: ==
== [[Fan Works]] ==
* [[Ace Attorney|Phoenix Wright]] becomes this in ''[[Turnabout Storm (Fanfic)|Turnabout Storm]]'' after getting summoned to [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (Animation)|Equestria]] (allegedly by mistake), becoming the first human to have ever laid feet on Ponyville, much to his chagrin. {{spoiler|He doesn't get to stay alone for long though.}}
* [[Ace Attorney|Phoenix Wright]] becomes this in ''[[Turnabout Storm]]'' after getting summoned to [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|Equestria]] (allegedly by mistake), becoming the first human to have ever laid feet on Ponyville, much to his chagrin. {{spoiler|He doesn't get to stay alone for long though.}}
{{quote| '''Phoenix:''' Ugh... I've never felt like such a minority in my life!}}
{{quote|'''Phoenix:''' Ugh... I've never felt like such a minority in my life!}}


== [[Film]], Animated ==
== [[Film]] ==
* Christopher Robin in ''[[The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh]]''.
* Christopher Robin in ''[[The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh]]''.
* ''[[Treasure Planet]]'' has Jim and his mom.
* ''[[Treasure Planet]]'' has Jim and his mom.
* Ginormica in ''[[Monsters vs. Aliens]]'' counts as both a monster and a human. (As does Dr. Cockroach, although he's closer to the monster side of the scale.)
* Ginormica in ''[[Monsters vs. Aliens]]'' counts as both a monster and a human. (As does Dr. Cockroach, although he's closer to the monster side of the scale.)
* [[Cheerful Child|Boo]] from ''[[Monsters Inc.]]''.
* [[Cheerful Child|Boo]] from ''[[Monsters, Inc.]]''.
* Edmund and his family (who are live-action humans) from ''[[Rock a Doodle]]'', especially if you consider that the city nearest their farm is populated entirely by cartoon animals...
* Edmund and his family (who are live-action humans) from ''[[Rock-a-Doodle]]'', especially if you consider that the city nearest their farm is populated entirely by cartoon animals...


== Literature ==
== [[Literature]] ==
* Tully, from C.J. Cherryh's Chanur series.
* Tully, from [[C. J. Cherryh]]'s ''[[Chanur]]'' series.
* Alan Dean Foster's Spellsinger novels have only two ( {{spoiler|three, if you count the Son of Spellsinger}}) major human characters, including [[The Hero]] Jon Tom. All others are anthropomorphic animals.
* [[Alan Dean Foster]]'s ''[[Spellsinger]]'' novels have only two ({{spoiler|three, if you count the Son of Spellsinger}}) major human characters, including [[The Hero]] Jon Tom. All others are anthropomorphic animals.


== [[Live Action TV]] ==
== [[Live-Action TV]] ==
* Xander of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''. His friends include a Slayer, a Watcher, a pair of witches, an ex-demon, a werewolf, a super-soldier, an [[Artificial Human]], and a couple of vampires.
* Xander of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''. His friends include a Slayer, a Watcher, a pair of witches, an ex-demon, a werewolf, a super-soldier, an [[Artificial Human]], and a couple of vampires.
* John Crichton in ''[[Farscape (TV)|Farscape]]''. Though it eventually turns out that the {{spoiler|Peacekeepers evolved from [[Transplanted Humans]]}}
* John Crichton in ''[[Farscape]]''. Though it eventually turns out that the {{spoiler|Peacekeepers evolved from [[Transplanted Humans]]}}
* Stephanie from ''[[Lazy Town]]''. She's the only human child, and the only female human, even though her uncle and every other townsperson is a puppet. The other two humans are the hero and the villian. Extra points for being the new kid, totally unfamiliar with the puppets' weird ways.
* Stephanie from ''[[LazyTown]]''. She's the only human child, and the only female human, even though her uncle and every other townsperson is a puppet. The other two humans are the hero and the villian. Extra points for being the new kid, totally unfamiliar with the puppets' weird ways.
* Every now and then, ''[[Doctor Who]]'' has a situation like this. At one point, the Team TARDIS was three [[Human Alien|Human Aliens]] and Tegan, a human from Australia.
* Every now and then, ''[[Doctor Who]]'' has a situation like this. At one point, the Team TARDIS was three [[Human Alien]]s and Tegan, a human from Australia.
* Mike/Joel on ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]'', not counting the various crazy people sending him movies. They both spend most of their time surrounded by [[AI Is a Crapshoot|highly neurotic]] [[Robot Buddy|robot "friends"]], occasionally leading to jokes (typically in the host segments) about the 'bots not understanding a human custom or vice-versa.
* Mike/Joel on ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]'', not counting the various crazy people sending him movies. They both spend most of their time surrounded by [[A.I. Is a Crapshoot|highly neurotic]] [[Robot Buddy|robot "friends"]], occasionally leading to jokes (typically in the host segments) about the 'bots not understanding a human custom or vice-versa.
* [[The Muppet Show]] usually had one human guest and all muppets otherwise, though some muppets are human-like muppets.
* ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' usually had one human guest and all muppets otherwise, though some muppets are human-like muppets.
* Every so often, the cast of ''[[Being Human]]'' picks up one. They tend to not last, though. The most prominent would be Nina (until she is turned into a werewolf) and Lucy (until she {{spoiler|was murdered}})
* Every so often, the cast of ''[[Being Human (UK)|Being Human]]'' picks up one. They tend to not last, though. The most prominent would be Nina (until she is turned into a werewolf) and Lucy (until she {{spoiler|was murdered}})
* ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' has in its main and recurring cast of characters Bajorans, Ferengi, Cardassians, a Trill, a Klingon, a shapeshifter ... and a couple of humans.


== [[Music]] ==
== [[Music]] ==
* For a while, Mr. Reed was the only "human" member of [[Steam Powered Giraffe (Music)|Steam Powered Giraffe]].
* For a while, Mr. Reed was the only "human" member of [[Steam Powered Giraffe]].


== [[Tabletop Games]] ==
== [[Tabletop Games]] ==

* Can happen in about any fantasy/sci-fi roleplaying game where humans are only one of the playable races.
* Can happen in about any fantasy/sci-fi roleplaying game where humans are only one of the playable races.


== [[Video Games]] ==
== [[Video Games]] ==
* Mike in [[Drawn to Life]].
* Mike in ''[[Drawn to Life]]''.
* The player in [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon]]. While not exactly a human at the moment, you were in the future, before you transformed, and are the only human even mentioned.
* The player in ''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon]]''. While not exactly a human at the moment, you were in the future, before you transformed, and are the only human even mentioned.
* [[Kirby]] has [[Kirby 64 The Crystal Shards (Video Game)|Ado and Adeleine.]]
* [[Kirby]] has [[Kirby 64 The Crystal Shards|Ado and Adeleine.]]
** Subverted with [[The Dragon|Customer Service]] from ''[[Kirby of the Stars]]'' where it's revealed in the show's final episode that he is actually the same height as Kirby.
** Subverted with [[The Dragon|Customer Service]] from ''[[Kirby: Right Back at Ya!]]'' where it's revealed in the show's final episode that he is actually the same height as Kirby.
* BB Hood in ''[[Darkstalkers (Video Game)|Darkstalkers]]''. Strangely enough, despite being the only human in a game full of [[Monster Mash|bona fide monsters]], she's arguably the most [[Humans Are Bastards|monstrous one]] of them all.
* BB Hood in ''[[Darkstalkers]]''. Strangely enough, despite being the only human in a game full of [[Monster Mash|bona fide monsters]], she's arguably the most [[Humans Are the Real Monsters|monstrous one]] of them all.
* In ''[[Final Fantasy IX]]'', Steiner is the only full human (if not counting blue-skinned Amarant who might be human) on your team.
* In ''[[Final Fantasy IX]]'', Steiner is the only full human (if not counting blue-skinned Amarant who might be human) on your team.
* YOU, the player, in ''[[Animal Crossing]]''. (In [[The Terrible Secret of Animal Crossing]], however...)
* YOU, the player, in ''[[Animal Crossing]]''. (In ''[[The Terrible Secret of Animal Crossing]]'', however...)
* Neo Cortex and his lab assistant in ''[[Crash Bandicoot]].''
* Neo Cortex and his lab assistant in ''[[Crash Bandicoot]].''
* Sabreman and Humba-Wumba in ''[[Banjo Tooie]].''
* Sabreman and Humba-Wumba in ''[[Banjo Tooie]].''
* Karn in the first ''[[Breath of Fire]]'' game. The protagonist comes closest in ''Breath of Fire II'' but is at least half-dragon.
* Karn in the first ''[[Breath of Fire]]'' game. The protagonist comes closest in ''Breath of Fire II'' but is at least half-dragon.
** Third game in the series has this also, given that the protagonist is a dragon in human form, other characters include Nina the wyndian (winged human), Rei the Woren (anthro tiger), Garr the Guardian (rather demonic-looking fella), and Peco the mutant (sentient onion?), this leaves us just Momo. Teepo could count, but he is only in the players party for the first few parts of the game and {{spoiler|is actually a dragon like the main character}}.
** The third game in the series has this also, given that the protagonist is a dragon in human form; other characters include Nina the wyndian (winged human), Rei the Woren (anthro tiger), Garr the Guardian (rather demonic-looking fella), and Peco the mutant (sentient onion?) -- this leaves us just Momo. Teepo could count, but he is only in the player's party for the first few parts of the game and {{spoiler|is actually a dragon like the main character}}.
*** Momo has kitsune ears, so definitely not the token human.
*** Momo has kitsune ears, so definitely is not the token human.
** The fourth game in the series averts this, as there are no humans in the players party! Protagonist looks like a human but is actually {{spoiler|second half of an ancient dragon god}} and the others being a wyndian, woren, sentient armor, anthropomorphic dog and a humanoid with kitsune-like features.
** The fourth game in the series averts this, as there are no humans in the players party! Protagonist looks like a human but is actually {{spoiler|second half of an ancient dragon god}} and the others being a wyndian, woren, sentient armor, anthropomorphic dog and a humanoid with kitsune-like features.
* Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik in the [[Sonic the Hedgehog]] series until ''[[Sonic Adventure (Video Game)|Sonic Adventure]]'' (except for [[Tails Sky Patrol|Wendy Witchcart]]). Even now, Eggman continues to be the only human main character.
* Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik in the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series until ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' (except for [[Tails Sky Patrol|Wendy Witchcart]]). Even now, Eggman continues to be the only human main character.

== [[Web Comics]] ==
* In ''[[Hanna Is Not a Boy's Name]]'', Lamont and Worth are basically the only normal humans.
* ''[[Furthia High]]'': Not only the sole human in the cast but possibly ''the sole human in the world''.
* Tip, token human of ''[[Skin Horse]],'' is just as eccentric as his friends, being a [[Wholesome Crossdresser]]. Though the rest of the team consists of a transgenic superdog, a crazy zombie, a clockwork killer robot, a swarm of bees, and a helicopter with a human brain in a jar.
* Billy the Bell Suit Diver from ''[[Homestuck|Squiddles]]''.
* Crack Stuntman from ''[[Homestar Runner]]''.


== [[Western Animation]] ==
== [[Western Animation]] ==
* Megan's the only human around for miles in ''[[My Little Pony]]'', and even lives in [[Another Dimension]].
* Megan's the only human around for miles in ''[[My Little Pony]]'', and even lives in [[Another Dimension]].
** In ''[[My Little Pony and Friends (Animation)|My Little Pony and Friends]]'', two other humans from her world were added, Molly and [[The One Guy|Danny]].
** In ''[[My Little Pony and Friends]]'', two other humans from her world were added, Molly and [[The One Guy|Danny]].
* There were two in ''[[Adventures of the Gummi Bears (Animation)|Adventures of the Gummi Bears]]'', Kevin the squire and Princess Calla.
* There were two in ''[[Adventures of the Gummi Bears]]'', Kevin the squire and Princess Calla.
** Also the [[Big Bad]], Duke Igthorn, whose castle is otherwise inhabited by ogres.
** Also the [[Big Bad]], Duke Igthorn, whose castle is otherwise inhabited by ogres.
* Christopher Robin in ''[[The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh]]''.
* Christopher Robin in ''[[The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh]]''.
** Likewise, Darby in ''[[My Friends Tigger And Pooh]]''.
** Likewise, Darby in ''[[My Friends Tigger And Pooh]]''.
* ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants (Animation)|SpongeBob SquarePants]]'' has Mermaidman and Barnacleboy. (Not counting the human characters in [[The Movie]]) Why are they the size of fish? [[Fridge Brilliance|Well, Mermaidman has a shrink ray, doesn't he?]]
* ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'' has Mermaidman and Barnacleboy. (Not counting the human characters in [[The Movie]]) Why are they the size of fish? [[Fridge Brilliance|Well, Mermaidman has a shrink ray, doesn't he?]]
* ''[[Chowder]]'' has the [[Author Avatar]].
* ''[[Chowder]]'' has the [[Author Avatar]].
* Adam Lyon from ''[[My Gym Partner's a Monkey (Animation)|My Gym Partners a Monkey]]''.
* Adam Lyon from ''[[My Gym Partner's a Monkey|My Gym Partners a Monkey]]''.
* Mac, Frankie, and Madame Foster are the only three humans who frequent [[Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends]]. Goo shows up occasionally.
* Mac, Frankie, and Madame Foster are the only three humans who frequent [[Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends]]. Goo shows up occasionally.
* ''[[Adventure Time (Animation)|Adventure Time]]'' has Finn. All the other humanoid characters are either [[Ambiguously Human]] or are [[Not Quite Human]], some of which even call Finn human.
* ''[[Adventure Time]]'' has Finn. All the other humanoid characters are either [[Ambiguously Human]] or are [[Not Quite Human]], some of which even call Finn human.
** The "Hyoo-mans", a type of fish-human hybrid, were probably once fully human. It is most likely a result of the Mushroom War, whose title implies a nuclear war. Also, there is still no solid confirmation on whether {{spoiler|Susan Strong}} is indeed a human.
** The "Hyoo-mans", a type of fish-human hybrid, were probably once fully human. It is most likely a result of the Mushroom War, whose title implies a nuclear war. Also, there is still no solid confirmation on whether {{spoiler|Susan Strong}} is indeed a human.
* Doctor Eggman in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' pre-''[[Sonic X (Anime)|Sonic X]]'' and ''[[Sonic Adventure (Video Game)|Sonic Adventure]]''
* Doctor Eggman in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' pre-''[[Sonic X]]'' and ''[[Sonic Adventure]]''
* Eddie in ''[[Lloyd in Space]]''.
* Eddie in ''[[Lloyd in Space]]''.
* Ranger Woodlore from the [[Classic Disney Shorts]].
* Ranger Woodlore from the [[Classic Disney Shorts]].
* Doyle and Aimee are the only human students in ''[[Galaxy High (Animation)|Galaxy High]]''.
* Doyle and Aimee are the only human students in ''[[Galaxy High]]''.
* The titular character of ''[[Jimmy Two-Shoes]]''. The only other human shaped character is Heloise, [[Ambiguously Human|and the fandom wonders...]]
* The titular character of ''[[Jimmy Two-Shoes]]''. The only other human shaped character is Heloise, [[Ambiguously Human|and the fandom wonders...]]
* Carl from ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force (Animation)|Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]''.
* Carl from ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]''.
* In ''[[Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (Animation)|Buzz Lightyear of Star Command]]'', Buzz is [[Ambiguously Human]] (the top of his head is never uncovered and his planet of origin never revealed), but his three teammates are clearly not human at all.
* In ''[[Buzz Lightyear of Star Command]]'', Buzz is [[Ambiguously Human]] (the top of his head is never uncovered and his planet of origin never revealed), but his three teammates are clearly not human at all.
* ''[[The Transformers (Animation)|The Transformers]]'' always have a couple of these, at least in stories set on Earth. Spike and Sparkplug in the original series, ''Buster'' and Sparkplug in the Marvel comic, Sari and Isaac Sumdac in ''[[Transformers Animated]]'' {{spoiler|although Sari isn't human.}}
* ''[[The Transformers (animation)|The Transformers]]'' always have a couple of these, at least in stories set on Earth. Spike and Sparkplug in the original series, ''Buster'' and Sparkplug in the Marvel comic, Sari and Isaac Sumdac in ''[[Transformers Animated]]'' {{spoiler|although Sari isn't human.}}
* Elisa from [[Gargoyles]] for a time until other human characters become engraved in the story.
* Elisa from [[Gargoyles]] for a time until other human characters become engraved in the story.
* [[Badass Normal|Robin]] is the only vanilla human member of the ''[[Teen Titans (Animation)|Teen Titans]]''. Cyborg and Beast Boy ''started'' as humans, but nowadays the former is, well, a cyborg and the latter is a green-skinned shapeshifting mutant. Raven is half-human, half demon lord, and Starfire is a flat-out alien.
* [[Badass Normal|Robin]] is the only vanilla human member of the ''[[Teen Titans (animation)|Teen Titans]]''. Cyborg and Beast Boy ''started'' as humans, but nowadays the former is, well, a cyborg and the latter is a green-skinned shapeshifting mutant. Raven is half-human, half demon lord, and Starfire is a flat-out alien.

== [[Web Comics]] ==
* In ''[[Hanna Is Not a Boys Name]]'', Lamont and Worth are basically the only normal humans.
* ''[[Furthia High]]'': Not only the sole human in the cast but possibly ''the sole human in the world''.
* Tip, token human of ''[[Skin Horse]],'' is just as eccentric as his friends, being a [[Wholesome Crossdresser]]. Though the rest of the team consists of a transgenic superdog, a crazy zombie, a clockwork killer robot, a swarm of bees, and a helicopter with a human brain in a jar.
* Billy the Bell Suit Diver from ''[[Homestuck|Squiddles]]''.
* Crack Stuntman from ''[[Homestar Runner]]''.


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Token Index]]
[[Category:Token Index]]
[[Category:Animal Anthropomorphism Tropes]]
[[Category:Animal Anthropomorphism Tropes]]
[[Category:Token Human]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Latest revision as of 15:49, 22 June 2021

Fry: So, who's that weird-looking guy?
Bender: That's a human.
Fry: What's he do?
Bender: Eh, the usual human stuff. He laughs, he learns, he loves.

Fry: Boring!
Futurama - "I, Roommate"

Carlie: But you're not an alien robot.

Spike: I'll fake it!
The Transformers - "Hoist Goes Hollywood"

Much like the Token Non-Human, with a slight twist; in this case, almost the entire cast consists of non-humans, leaving only a single Token Human to round things out. He (or less commonly she) will be among a cast of Rubber Forehead Aliens, Robot Buddies, Starfish Aliens or other, similar beings. Sometimes, the cast will have to make allowances for their Token Human friend's human failings; at other times, some human ability (such as the ability to reach the top shelf, or to immerse oneself in water safely, or simply an immunity to a deadly alien poison) will come in very handy at some point in the plot. These characters often tend to be The Hero (fantastic variant of All-American Face) or The Scrappy. (or in particularly bad cases, both) Sometimes they're only Ambiguously Human.

Generally results from the fact that Most Writers Are Human.

If they're in a Five-Man Band, it's probably a Five-Token Band.

See also Fantastic Sapient Species Tropes and Not Quite Human. Compare and contrast Token Non-Human and Token Minority, as the situation in these universes is more or less the same as those tropes would be in ours. May or may not be an Unfazed Everyman, depending on how they react to their circumstances. If the nonhumans are animal-like, may be a case of Lions and Tigers and Humans, Oh My!. Tends to be either The Load or a Badass Normal

Examples of Token Human include:


Anime and Manga

  • Shirokuma Cafe has Sasako, the cafe's sole waitress and Mr. Handa, the zookeeper. The cafe is run by a polar bear and the zoo employs the majority of the cafe's animal patrons.
  • This is half the premise of Rosario + Vampire:[1] A human gets enrolled in a school for monsters (Although they are Cute Monster Girls).
  • Sensei/Modern Lit is the only significant human in Upotte!!. All the other characters are anthropomorphized guns.

Comic Books

  • The Big Bad of Usagi Yojimbo, Lord Hikiji, is the only human in the setting. He's only been shown unmasked once, right at the start of the series, and creator Stan Sakai has since said he regrets making him human. (Since that time, barring a couple of brief flashbacks where he turns up so heavily armored that his species cannot be discerned, the character has only been alluded to.)

Fan Works

  • Phoenix Wright becomes this in Turnabout Storm after getting summoned to Equestria (allegedly by mistake), becoming the first human to have ever laid feet on Ponyville, much to his chagrin. He doesn't get to stay alone for long though.

Phoenix: Ugh... I've never felt like such a minority in my life!

Film

Literature

Live-Action TV

  • Xander of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. His friends include a Slayer, a Watcher, a pair of witches, an ex-demon, a werewolf, a super-soldier, an Artificial Human, and a couple of vampires.
  • John Crichton in Farscape. Though it eventually turns out that the Peacekeepers evolved from Transplanted Humans
  • Stephanie from LazyTown. She's the only human child, and the only female human, even though her uncle and every other townsperson is a puppet. The other two humans are the hero and the villian. Extra points for being the new kid, totally unfamiliar with the puppets' weird ways.
  • Every now and then, Doctor Who has a situation like this. At one point, the Team TARDIS was three Human Aliens and Tegan, a human from Australia.
  • Mike/Joel on Mystery Science Theater 3000, not counting the various crazy people sending him movies. They both spend most of their time surrounded by highly neurotic robot "friends", occasionally leading to jokes (typically in the host segments) about the 'bots not understanding a human custom or vice-versa.
  • The Muppet Show usually had one human guest and all muppets otherwise, though some muppets are human-like muppets.
  • Every so often, the cast of Being Human picks up one. They tend to not last, though. The most prominent would be Nina (until she is turned into a werewolf) and Lucy (until she was murdered)
  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine has in its main and recurring cast of characters Bajorans, Ferengi, Cardassians, a Trill, a Klingon, a shapeshifter ... and a couple of humans.

Music

Tabletop Games

  • Can happen in about any fantasy/sci-fi roleplaying game where humans are only one of the playable races.

Video Games

  • Mike in Drawn to Life.
  • The player in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. While not exactly a human at the moment, you were in the future, before you transformed, and are the only human even mentioned.
  • Kirby has Ado and Adeleine.
  • BB Hood in Darkstalkers. Strangely enough, despite being the only human in a game full of bona fide monsters, she's arguably the most monstrous one of them all.
  • In Final Fantasy IX, Steiner is the only full human (if not counting blue-skinned Amarant who might be human) on your team.
  • YOU, the player, in Animal Crossing. (In The Terrible Secret of Animal Crossing, however...)
  • Neo Cortex and his lab assistant in Crash Bandicoot.
  • Sabreman and Humba-Wumba in Banjo Tooie.
  • Karn in the first Breath of Fire game. The protagonist comes closest in Breath of Fire II but is at least half-dragon.
    • The third game in the series has this also, given that the protagonist is a dragon in human form; other characters include Nina the wyndian (winged human), Rei the Woren (anthro tiger), Garr the Guardian (rather demonic-looking fella), and Peco the mutant (sentient onion?) -- this leaves us just Momo. Teepo could count, but he is only in the player's party for the first few parts of the game and is actually a dragon like the main character.
      • Momo has kitsune ears, so definitely is not the token human.
    • The fourth game in the series averts this, as there are no humans in the players party! Protagonist looks like a human but is actually second half of an ancient dragon god and the others being a wyndian, woren, sentient armor, anthropomorphic dog and a humanoid with kitsune-like features.
  • Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik in the Sonic the Hedgehog series until Sonic Adventure (except for Wendy Witchcart). Even now, Eggman continues to be the only human main character.

Web Comics

  • In Hanna Is Not a Boy's Name, Lamont and Worth are basically the only normal humans.
  • Furthia High: Not only the sole human in the cast but possibly the sole human in the world.
  • Tip, token human of Skin Horse, is just as eccentric as his friends, being a Wholesome Crossdresser. Though the rest of the team consists of a transgenic superdog, a crazy zombie, a clockwork killer robot, a swarm of bees, and a helicopter with a human brain in a jar.
  • Billy the Bell Suit Diver from Squiddles.
  • Crack Stuntman from Homestar Runner.

Western Animation

  1. the other half being Unwanted Harem