For the question of the day, yes I would go, my life contains little adventure. And I think chosen ones can be useful and good when used right, but you can't just say that someone is the chosen one with no background or reason to why.
Hello Future Me ohh hell yes I would I’d love to forget the struggles of the real world and fulfill my fantasy on the chosen I kind of think they’re overused but with good writing they can be really good character even more so if you can get attached to them
I'd love to see a story where the main character is the antagonist to the chosen one protagonist. I mean I'm technically writing one for RWBY maybe but..... I'm not fully sure where I want to take it. (My character is kinda not on the villains side but wont be accepted by the heroes)
One way that Avatar handles the Chosen One concept well is that it isn't a set in stone destiny, but a duty. Aang is fully capable of running away from his duty (though he probably knows fully well that there will be consequences), and he is also fully capable of failing said duty or even screwing up in some way, as Kyoshi did when she founded the Dai Li or as Roku felt he did. Harry Potter did another good version of this where its revealed that when the prophecy was made, there were two people it could have referred to, and it only referred to Harry because Voldemort went after him first. Even then, it is stated that the prophecy only means anything because Voldemort decides it has meaning, and that Harry does have a choice to run away from it all. And then there's the Elder Scrolls universe, where all prophecies can be traced, directly or indirectly, to the titular Elder Scrolls. Since the Elder Scrolls are described the librarian in Winterhold as being a record of all POSSIBLE pasts, presents, and futures, prophecy is a description of what may happen, not what will.
Jared Hite The best part about the elder scrolls, is that because destiny is so vague and not set in stone, it give the player the option to not be the chosen one. Nothing stops you from just not doing the main story and saying to hell with destiny. It's a really good concept that goes well with the sandbox nature of elder scrolls games.
@@maadtee6281 And they make each of your Wardens feel like a unique person with their own story besides their own "chosen one-ness", by having the origin stories and having them pay out in the game. Which is something that is sorely lacking in DAI, and makes me not want to replay it as often. The same with your companions, as supporting characters.
The Percy Jackson series “chosen one” plot was pretty good. Characters that were potentially as powerful like Thalia, Nico, & Bianca could’ve very well been the chosen one. The prophecy was worded in a way it had a different meaning in each book. In the end it made perfect sense why the villain was in fact the chosen one.
I really like how Rick Riordan continually reintroduces the readers to the ambiguity of prophecies, and sets up the characters' presumptions about them to manipulate the readers'; this all makes that final "Ooooh!" moment much more satisfying. But seriously, in over 70 years, not *one* person considered that the Great Prophecy never explicitly mentions the 'half-blood of the eldest gods' and the hero who's 'soul, cursed blade shall reap' being the same person?
There is also a since of claiming the chosen one title in Percy Jackson that I liked as well. In the third book, Thalia gives it up. She passes the weight to percy who then takes ownership to not pass it on to Nico. he refused to put it on Nico's shoulders.
@@KarenGomez-iv7bh at first it sounds like a copout so that the plot wouldn’t be so predictable, but with the chosen one itself flipflopping between multiple plausible characters and Percy’s role in the story being built pretty well, it actually became quite the stake to base the final conflict off of because it’s been implied from the VERY beginning. It built it up so well that you actually get invested the longer it goes.
Another rare scenario: The fact that there is no chosen one at all, but the protagonists are continually convinced (by others or even by themselves) that they are chosen.
Or, the chosen one was destined to return, so, when crisis came, everyone sat around and waited for him to return... but he didn't. The next hero of the story has to prove to everyone that he can save the day. That's also rare; in fact, I can only think of two stories that did this: Aang in ATLA to some extent, and Link in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
I think this also applies to your character in Dragon Age Inquisition, where everyone is convinced that they are some kind of divinely chosen one due to random circumstances that put them in the middle of the events
Hermione: She only likes you because she thinks you're the chosen one! Harry: But... I am the chosen one (grinning) Hermione: *Slams 500 page book on Harry's head*
I think JK Rolling handled the chosen one really well by making the prophecy self-fulfilling. Harry's only the chosen one because Voldermort got wind of the prophecy and chose Harry, remember Neville fit the prophecy too.
And the term 'chosen one' is even presented as something that sensations loving media calls him. The whole thing is almost like superstition in magical world, if that is even possible.
@@DamianDarkholme It should be possible. Humans wouldn't fundamentally change just because they know one more complicated "science"/"art" a bit better: there would always be room for old wives tales and "what if"s
Another cool subversion of the 'Chosen One' trope is how Katara ends up being a better waterbending student than Aang, as her ambition and perseverance proves more valuable than just "being the Avatar".
"I am the Dark Lord!" Oh... another Dark Lord? *rolls eyes* "I am the Chosen One." Third one I heard about today alone. *Eyes rolls harder* Darth Vader: "I am a Dark Lord AND the Chosen One." That doesn ....uck...rrrck... khkkk
Well, it really does. Ask any Philosophy or Psychology expert. A man can accomplish nothing noteworthy in his life that will change the world or make him rich, famous and powerful. But if he finds someone he genuinely loves and has a child with them born from love - not a need or societal pressures - then he will live and die content as any King would have.
I have seen Avatar five teams at least but only listening this I realized that there was poetic justice in Soka destroying the fire nation air fleet since he was one who helped creating them.
I really love the way J.K. Rowling handled the chosen one thread. There was never anything special about Harry that made him stand out. In fact, the one wizard who really was that gifted and powerful, Dumbledore, himself knew that he could only ever guide Harry and would never be the one to end the conflict. Instead, what made Harry the chosen one was... Voldemort. He hears an incomplete prophecy naming a boy who would have powers he knows not, who could bring his end. What he doesn't hear is that he himself will choose him. Two boys meet the criteria, and Voldemort's murder of Harry's parent and attempt on harry himself, turn harry into the unintended 8th horcrux, giving him power to rival Voldemort. And his mom's sacrifice imbues Harry with the capacity for the power Voldemort knows not... love. Here we have a chosen one, completely created by the actions of the antagonist as a way of showing that in the end, all tyrants, themselves create the tools by which they are brought down.
erzan Harry isn’t Gryffindors heir. Also, just because he inherited the Invisibility Cloak doesn’t mean he’s special. It’s just that he was lucky enough to to be born in the Potter family. Imo Dumbledore is more of a chosen one than Harry.
>The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... Harry being the 8th Horcrux is also the unknown power because Voldemort also never saw it coming.
Personally, I like how The LEGO Movie subverted the "Chosen One" story, where it's revealed how the entire concept of "The Special" was completely made up.
Avatar did use all their side kicks well in the last episode (not just Aang battling Ozai, but having Azula and the air fleet dealt with too) BUTT Iroh and the white lotus? Can we please have an Iroh series. Bless.
I do like Merlin's approach, where Merlin is the powerful chosen one to help the chosen one king Arthur. We see Merlin struggle with this as Arthur is an ass and the very kingdom Merlin is trying to save persecutes people with his powers. Also we see that some times we bring about the very thing we were trying to stop. So if a golden dragon tells you to let the kid and the witch die, let them die.
But then they became evil because the dragon told Merlin they would, causing him to hesitate to help them at key events. If Merlin just didn't listen to the dragon and did things a little differently, Mordred at the very least would probably have remained good and magic wouldn't be outlawed anymore, and there were paths he might have been able to take to help Morgana. It has been a really long time since I had watched the show, so I'm a little fuzzy on all the details.
Honestly, I feel like Merlin shouldn't have trusted the dragon as readily as he did. Throughout the show, we see that the dragon has some ulterior motive and at times, it seems like he only helps Merlin because it suits his needs (disregarding the fact that Merlin only used his commanding powers on Kilgharrah twice in all of their doze s of interactions and both times, the dragon was explicitly against whatever Merlin told him to do). The whole thing with Mordred and Morgana was ultimately a self-fulfilling prophecy, like the showwriters also explicitly show (the episode where Merlin makes Morgana fall down the stairs because he saw a possible version of the future, worked to combat it and instead caused it). Also, the show makes a point about not trusting too much in destiny and be completely passive.
It so clearly stopped having a main story to work out from..Like they had told their story and it was more or less perfect but it was way too populare to stop at that moment so they had to come up with some other bullshit plot..Really freaking sad!
The creators even said around the season 3 time frame at comic Con that they only wanted to do 5 seasons. Which is why it would have been a perfect ending. Alas greed and/or pressure from producers was too strong. In my mind the show stopped 5 seconds before season 5 did
Mmhm. I dont believe that. The face-to-face conversations betweeen both God and Metatron and God and the boys are some of the best words in a script. Plus the idea thatbgodncould also be afraid being vs nothingness.
partypiano0 I actually do like some of the newer seasons and ideas that you mentioned, but as stated by others, everything just feels like add-on content not original story. Also if you need proof that it got bad after season 5 sometimes one word ... leviathans.
Jessie Ward yeah but if you gave up on "Dick" you wouldnt have seen God vs Human Metatron. I dont own shares in the network, so it cost me nothing to hang and wait for the good bits.
Vicente Ortega Rubilar I liked the lego movie...until the end,i feel like the end just ruined it as it made it one of those "it was just a dream" stories which destroys the hopes of children.
wolf forces That's not what it was. As cynical as this sounds at first, The LEGO Movie was basically a commercial for LEGOs. Fun for all ages? Check? Brings the family together? Check? At the end, when Will Ferrel sees all the cool shit his son had made by not following the instructions, remembers all the cool shit he used to do, changes his mind about gluing it all in place, and just decides to have fun. So, as cynical as it sounds to say it was just a big LEGO commercial, you can see that I mean that in a good way.
Except when it is, in which either the character is incredibly badass to be able to _force_ the Powers That Be to make them the chosen one, or things get really, _really,_ complicated.
@@philltheotherguy1868 well it’s not always anyone’s choice. Sometimes it’s just magic related, where no one but the chosen one has the abilities to do the thing.
In my book the main character is actually the chosen one because they chose to be before they were born but they grow up in a world where they dont need to do anything but for personal reasons they make a few choices and things work out anyway And there was never a prophecy in the first place :)
One element that I think would be useful in a Chosen One story is exploring the situations when a Chosen One buys into their own hype, when they get it into their head that their Choseness makes a victory guaranteed and then, naturally, having that cost them when their cockiness causes them to fail at a crucial moment result in Bad Stuff.
That actually happened in Ben 10....somewhat. He became intergalactically famous and reveled in it, his overconfidence caused constant problems that he was too cocky to admit was his arrogant fault. Until things got really bad and he had to admit he was being pompous and learned from it.
Personally I like the idea of the chosen one being genre savvy on how vague and twisted prophecy tend top be so they ignore they prophecy and focus and doing what they must and figure it will work out in the end. In the mean time the the details fall into place as the world building unravels.
I take a little issue with putting scenes from Eragon at that point in the video. One, because while he was indeed 'chosen' - it its emphasized that he was one of many possibilities - it was emphasized that there wasn't an outside-reality force keeping him alive and his sub-par quality and failings are indeed pointed out. Also Roran's storyline (much stronger than the main one, tbh) did a great job subverting the necessity of being a 'chosen one' pretty well as a side thread. Two, and far more importantly, because that movie doesn't exist so how the hell did you get clips from it?
I think Rand Al'Thor from the Wheel of Time has a very interesting "Chose One" Arc. Essentially it revolves around having to lose himself and become a villain in order to be what he needs to be. The central tension is not just whether or not he will succeed, but more importantly whether or not he can do it and remain sane/good.
Hey! You mentioned one of Rick Riordan's book series. :D He makes good books. Wait now you mentioned Spyro?......... Okay now I am beginning to wonder why I haven't subscribed to you yet. ........... and now you referenced American Dragon: Jake Long. Okay you may not have brought up Yugioh or Danny Phantom, but I think this plus other videos you did made you earn a subscription from me.
Supernatural seasons 1- 5 are absolutely the very best of the series. I still watch the show and enjoy it to a degree BECAUSE those five seasons managed to invest me so deeply in the story of Sam and Dean and the mythology of their world that I can't bear the thought of not knowing what's happening with them while the show is ongoing despite the, quite frankly, significant drop in quality in the later seasons. So, yeah, definitely #thebestseasons Also this was such a great video! You were right. There was actually quite a bit that I hadn't really thought about before when reading or even discussing this trope. So thank you for an enjoyable and informative essay! ^_^
Narita Zaraki I think that while Seasons 6-9 weren't nearly as perfect as 1-5, they're still very good. However I think our patience was rewarded because seasons 10-13 have so far been of the quality of Seasons 1-5. I honestly believe SPN is THE best tv show on the air right now, bar none.
First off, so sorry about the late reply! I somehow only just now saw your message. Sorry! (^_^") I'm glad that we agree that 6 - 9 aren't as bad as advertised especially seasons 6 and 7, which in my experience with the fandom seem to be the most hated. Definitely not as good as 1 - 5 but still enjoyable. *BUT* I wholeheartedly disagree that 10 - 13 are as good as the earlier seasons. For me, they're not even comparable. S11 is still my favorite from the later seasons but even then I have quite a bit of problems with it. And I've actually found myself struggling the most with S13. I don't want to be the jackass who ruins something you love for you but personally, the writing this season frustrated me to no end. I'm a huge fantasy fan, half the reason why I started watching the show before I even knew anything about it is because it's titled "Supernatural", I love stories that spend time world-building and enriching the mythology of the world our characters inhabit. In short, canon matters to me. A lot. And S13 spent almost it's entire runtime gleefully breaking and trampling all over established canon and the world's mythology. To the point that I'm honestly wondering if the new writers have actually watched all the previous seasons. I'm not saying that to hate on them or anything but I just honestly don't understand how they could've possibly written the season's major plotlines in a way that directly contradicts previously established canon unless there is a great deal of the show they haven't watched. Like the whole "angel grace recharges given time" bullshit that completely negates Castiel's storylines in seasons 8 and 9. That is one example among too damn many. The season was also cluttered with unnecessary resurrections - rendering death completely meaningless on the show - that went absolutely nowhere and unimaginative recycling of old storylines. Gabriel was brought back only to have his S5 storyline repeated almost beat by beat right up to his death that held no emotional weight whatsoever because it was simply done so much better the first time around. Gabe's story and how it was concluded was perfect and heartfelt but by bringing him back only to recycle the same storyline they did his character a massive disservice. Same with Ketch who in S12 was actually an interesting villain, brought back for no reason with a recycled Mick Davis storyline which again, is a disservice to both characters and the interesting impact they had in the previous season's arc and on our protagonists. Asmodeus could have been interesting if they had simply focused on him changing hell after Crowley's reign, raising his scarier than regular demons hellspawn, making them an actual force to be reckoned with like in the days of Azazel, Alistair and Lilith but instead they made his whole storyline about Gabe, which in turn made his storyline a complete waste of time with no impact on the major plots of the season. There is so much more that I hated about S13 but I'm gonna stop here and spare you because this rant has already went on for far too long and I'm honestly sorry if you actually read through all this. You did not deserve that. (^_^") That's not to say that there aren't things that I loved about the season like Jack, Rowena, doing a better job of showing and balancing Dean POV and Sam POV compared to S12, THE DEATH OF LUCIFER - yet another character who had a perfect completed arc brought back and ruined - regardless of the utterly embarrassing way it was executed etc. But overall ... yeah, S13 was a let down for me. And I'm genuinely worried about S14. Once again, really sorry about the long-ass reply.
Narita Zaraki Hey dude no worries about the long reply. It sucks to hear you don't like season 13 as much. I agree that season 11 was great but for me 11-13 are season 5 level good, though season 13 is slightly waning now because I completely agree that they fucked up by killing Gabe for no reason. All this trouble to come back for a meaningless sacrifice that's barely acknowledged? Come on. So don't worry, I get you. I still love the seasons because I actually think there's been some amazing character development and storytelling but Yes, some of the character's have definitely been mishandled. I still have to watch the final episode of the season but I'm hoping Bobby and Charlie get to stay. I still wish they hadn't killed Kevin again since I really liked him too. Anyway, hope you have a good day my dude! I appreciate the reply.
Replying really late like a douchebag again! I'm so terrible at checking my notifications it's not even funny. T_T Ah shit! I spoiled the finale for you! Sorry! We were talking about all the seasons in general so I just assumed you must've already seen everything. Really sorry man. I hate spoilers so much. Hope I didn't ruin your experience watching it. I agree there was a lot they did right but for me, the bad out weighed the good this season so ... yeah. I'm honestly glad you like it though. And I really hope I haven't ruined your enjoyment of the show with my bitter rant. (^_^") Let me know what you think about the finale. Would love to discuss it. :D
I am a massive sucker for the Chosen One trope. I love writing it, and I love reading it when it's done well (and I do love a good subversion). This video has given me a lot to chew on in terms of using it well, so thank you very much!
I personally love a good prophesy plot twist. Good examples would be Anakin from Star wars and mr.Smith from Matrix. In Anakin's case he is destined to "bring balance to the force". All of the jedies thought that would be a good thing but in the end balance meant the balance between dark and light which was better for the sith than it was for the jedies. In Smith's case we think Neo is the chosen one to make the world "better" but in the end mr.Smith fits the prophesy a lot better then Neo ever did. No one expected the villain to be the chosen one.
Or the first arc/five books of Wings of Fire, where [SPOILERS] The prophecy the group of main characters are in is revealed to be entirely fake. It was created by the NightWings to become more powerful and control the rainforest.
I blame Mattpat for this but Neo is the chosen one, not smith. The oracle herself told Trinity that she would fall in love with the One who is Neo not fucking Smith
I would love it if you did a video on writing sibling relationships. I think it is important because Avatar and Full Metal Alchemist place it in a central point of the story.
In the books, Eragon’s “Chosen One”-ness comes off much better and more interesting, namely because he’s not really a chosen one for any real reason. He’s just the guy who found a dragon egg in the woods, and because of that has to go on an adventure because now the government wants to kill him. A lot of his choices really don’t end up feeling empty as there’s no real prophecy behind it, and it’s mostly motivated by his wants as a character.
yeah, the prophecy isnt even that important to the plot, its more of a "well, that was interesting" though i do think polini wrote himself into a corner in the fourth book
That is the problem with big dark lord type villains. The rest of the story could be built up to defeating them. And most of the time the fight doesn't live up the hype. I do think last air bender did a good job by having other threats in play along with Ang not wanting to kill the Fire Lord, thus forcing Ang to come up with another way to end the fight.
Wasn't there two very specific prophecies in IC that only Eragon got to listen to(Won't spoil either)? Not to mention the thing in book 2 that solved a certain important something.
Uh. Eragon is the son of one of the main bad guys. Hes not just some guy in the woods. The plot of eragon is scene for scene the plot of the original star wars trilogy
My sister really liked that show. Said it was good. Never watched it myself. I'm more into anime because I can watch a whole season in like a few hours haha
The first season may be a little hard to watch, it looks like a cheap, B-horror type of thing, but from season 2 onwards it gets a lot better, and it's some of the best television ever made.
Jessie Ward There's still greatness in season 1, it's just that it's a little bit harder to watch. But the introduction episodes, the one about Angel and anything to do with the Master is great. I actually prefer it to most of season 4 (which also has GREAT things, but Adam is probably the worst villain and Riley is kind of boring)
One thing I like about the Star Wars chosen one, who would bring balance to the force, is that it was done by becoming evil and killing a lot, so that is something I like to try and include.
anakin kinda reminds me of those end time apocalypse predictions (which i’m sure was intentional since george lucas was super inspired by religion, especially things like a messiah wiping everyone out but the true believers that are super common between many religions). he brings balance by killing every force user but his son and daughter (and ig in the new stuff, his apprentice too, even if ashoka’s not in the movie.)
In ASOIAF books, George Martin is creating three kind of Chosen Ones, The last hero of the First Men, The prince that was promised and Azor Ahai, and all of them has mistery about who is "The Right Guy" and many characters fit into this archetype.
Alberto Carlos part of that too is the fact that multiple characters fit all of the Chosen One prophesies, meaning there's doubts on if it's multiple people saving the world in different ways, or if they're all referring to one character.
What do you think will happen with that though? GRRM knows the chosen one plot and hates it. He may do it with Dany and Jon and Aegon. I see those characters becoming religious figures And eventually wars because of them. I doubt there is an Azor Ahai or a prince that was promised because its lazy writing. Or maybe it's all time traveling Bran screwing with everyone.
Morgan Turner well I don't honestly believe Aegon is who he says he is. From a narrative perspective seems a little off the wall to invest us in Dany only for someone else to come in and take her place in the story. But I will admit I have no idea who he is. Not sure if you watch the show but the fact that it doesn't ever bring him into the story is enough for me to feel like he doesn't play a significant role in the endgame, however wrong I may be about his identity. On the subject of Azor Ahai and/or the prince that was promised, I believe GRRM is setting us up to believe that either Jon is one and Dany is the other, they are one and the same, or they both fit parts of each prophecy. I believe that the 3rd option is more likely, as it would fulfill the prophecies in a way that subverts the Chosen One trope by not having either fulfill either purpose alone. Again, I could be wrong because, let's face it this is GRRM we're talking about, but that does seem like the most satisfying conclusion from a narrative standpoint.
Aegon just took over Stormsend and has a massive army behind him. He has a part to play. Same with Doran, Stoneheart or Victarion. The show has a limited amount of resources, characters and time they can't shove a huge character like Aegon in 2/3s through the story. I agree Aegon most likely isn't Aegon because of the Golden Company Bittersteel's sellsword company's support. GRRM subverts expectations so do you really think he will have Jon or Dany the most obvious of obvious characters be Jesus and Luke Skywalker? No, no he won't.
Morgan Turner I'm not saying that Aegon doesn't have a role to play but I'm saying his role is different than what has explicitly been stated in the novels. Upon his introduction, his motivation is to marry Dany and use her army and dragons to conquer Westeros but that essentially takes her story and plants it onto him which makes no damn sense whatsoever. Even with his penchant for subverting expectations, I don't think it's in Martin's wheelhouse to give 5(ish) novels worth of story to Dany and her quest to reclaim her "rightful" kingdom just to have it stripped away from her as she is about to make her move west. And yes, I know Aegon went to Westeros instead but his motivation is still the same, which means that, to me at least, his role in the story remains generally the same. And since he wasn't important enough to introduce into the show, he probably isn't super important in the novels. To reiterate my point above, I don't know what Martin is going to do with the prophecies and I don't much care. From a narrative standpoint, it makes sense for Jon and Dany to be the ones to lead the living against the armies of the dead and the White Walkers. We've kind of come full circle where the story is becoming a bit more of a traditional fantasy story (basically all living people against the armies of evil monsters for the future of their world) and it's becoming harder and harder for Martin to avoid the narrative tropes involved in telling that sort of story. He isn't going to sacrifice sense for the sake of subverting expectations so while my argument for Jon and Dany may be wrong, he has to make something else make sense.
I feel like Robert Jordan's the Wheel of Time deserves its own video on the topic, seeing as the core premise of the series is what it would be like to be chosen to save the world, but potentially go crazy and kill everyone you love in the process.
I completely agree. WoT's take on the chosen one, and destiny in general, is great. It doesn't hit all the points in this video perfectly, but it does a pretty good job at most of them. It is easily my favorite take on the idea because of way it delves into just what being the chosen one would mean and what effect that prophecy could have on a person and the people around them.
+Morgan Turner I wouldn't say WoT is happily ever after. Everything in that world will start again some day. The 4th Age might be peaceful, or mostly peaceful, but it won't last forever. By the end of the 4th age or maybe into the 5th that peace will be long gone and the Dark One will be influencing the world again. Its all part of a cycle. The 3rd age begin with a time of great peace and prosperity, which then came crashing down due to the War of Power. The victory Rand and the forces of light achieved is only temporary and who knows what will cause the next collapse. Rand has fought the Dark One over and over and over across many ages as he is reborn into each age and he will do so again in another age. Or maybe he will end up joining the forces of evil the next time and bring about an age of death and darkness. WoT's ending is only "and they all lived happily ever after" until you actually take a moment to think about what the books have been saying about time from the get go.
Look at the potential future seen by Aviendha , one that is never actually confirmed to have been altered, and tell us it's all happiness. Heck, look at the main cast. Egwene is dead, mat is leading an empire that he doesn't understand, Rand can never go home, even if he has the ultimate out on child support payments, he has no way of enjoying it, and perrin is still married to faile. None of that constitutes what most would consider happy.
av willis LMAO at your take on the three farmboys' fate. Especially Perrin. I'm torn about how I felt about Egwene's death: she went out like a boss over a few books, but she has gotten way to high and mighty by that point and definitely needed to be taken down a peg. Which is odd, I started the series feeling that way about Nynaeve, but ended up loving her by the end.
One of my favorite "Chosen one" twists growing up comes from Dragonfable (Yes, that point-and-click RPG). Your character, proclaimed as a Hero in the first scene of the game, and the villain, who isn't trying to hide his evil because he knows, we know and everyone knows, both have a dragon egg which hatches at the exact same time. We learn that the dragons hatched from these eggs are both chosen ones; "One destined to destroy the world, the other to save it". But the villain, right after the birth of his dragon turns it into an undead, a dracolich, which means he's taken away its free will and now control all its power himself. When the two of you meet, you learn that the dracolich (Which is called Fluffy) is the dragon destined to save the world. Which means, as the villain say: "Now there is one dragon destined to destroy the world, and one to help it".
Would you consider the way "Dark Souls" uses the chosen one. In the game, Frampt tells many that they are the chosen one in order to manipulate them to take action. After that, the player can prove they are the chosen one by linking the fire. If the player does not finish the game, or usher in the age of dark; then the player character was not the chosen one after all. In short, using the "chosen one" as a manipulation.
"Avatar the Last Airbender: The Godsend of Storytelling." I'd watch that documentary. You mentioned one of my most favourite cartoons: Jake Long: American Dragon. Thank you! And I didn't know that bout the VA's. That's cool! Thanks for your note on Frodo. It made the Mordor scene at the climax of the trilogy when he temporarily kept the ring to himself have me burst into tears yelling, "No!" Not because it was anything to do with his 'powers' but because it had everything to do with what made a Hobbit 'human'.
I really like how Tales of Symphonia handled this. Right at the beginning, you learn that Colette Brunel is "The Chosen One", but it takes several reveals, unpacking several layers, before the player (and Colette herself) actually understands what that means. Without spoiling too much, I'll just quote a friend of mine: "That game has more twists than I have teeth." Also worth mentioning is that Colette isn't even the main protagonist. That would be her classmate and close friend, Lloyd Irving.
I like that Eragon and every Dragon Rider before and after him is a chosen one, but chosen by their dragon. Brom claims if Saphira didn’t like him, she would’ve hatched for someone else. It also creates a many chosen one situation and a chosen one among the chosen people. Eragon is the Varden’s best chance against Lord Galbatorix and the Riders’ chance at resurrection, but he is never guaranteed a victory.
I really liked Wings of Fire’s take on the Chosen One trope in its first arc. It explored a range of concepts, from what it’s like not to be special to the idea that it’s the belief in a prophecy that makes it real, not the actual prophecy. It also did a great job in explaining how being “the chosen ones” affected the lives of its characters.
To be fair with Boromir, the ring was effecting his mind... making him think that way... Frodo was the chosen one because he was one of the few that could handle it... and Sam was the second because unless if he held the ring for a while, he wouldn't be affected being near Frodo. If anything, Frodo was a twist. His role was nothing more than to carry something. It was everyone else that had to carry him...
But then you would just be a side character. Aaaand... there's the possibility that you are born without bending ability, or that you suck at being a Pokemon trainer.
NightFoxx99 Well... thank you NightFoxx99 for ruining my dreams. Yes not being able to bend would take the fun away but i'll take my chances and you know i will keep training to be the very best. I might meet ash someday and get an amazing arc. All that's left is the question: Would you join me on my adventure?
Thanks so much for this video! I'm currently trying to write a story about a chosen one character and I know I can trust the quality of your videos! Keep it up :)
I remember an interesting take on the Chosen One theme from the 2002 hack-and-slash game, The Bard's Tale. In it, the (otherwise nameless) Bard is told by a cryptic old man outside a tavern that he is the Chosen One, destined to free a fair and magical maiden from her dreadful imprisonment. He promptly tell the senile old codger to buzz off, and only shown any interest in the Quest after being assured that said maiden is not only incredibly rich, but will likely reward him quite... vigorously for freeing her. The twist is not the fact that he is not the only Chosen One, though along the way he does encounter a number of bright young lads of pure heart and poor sense, claiming to be the Chosen One who shall rescue the maiden because it is their Destiny! (the only ones who aren't dead by the time you reach them have all been locked up for their own safety) The actual twist is that ('SPOILER WARNING!') the criteria for being the Chosen One turns out to be "anyone who we can dupe into going for it," because the maiden in question is getting impatient and wants to get on with tearing down civilization in an orgy of blood and fire already (also, she's actually an evil demon). The Bard can either go through with the job anyway (and she does reward him quite... vigorously), turn on her and kill her, thus saving the world (he gets a pat on the back), or wash his hands of the whole ordeal and go party with the zombies (they're surprisingly good dancers).
Anakin/Darth vader is my favorite chosen one, someone who is known as the chosen one but doesn’t really care, when his personal situation is threatened he tries to make it better at the cost of the entire universe. Eventhough he did so many bad things at the end he still saves the world by killing the emperor
If anyone is interested in reading The Dresden Files, which is worth a read, I would suggest actually listening to the audio book. It is read brilliantly by James Marsters who you most likely know as Spike from Buffy and Angel. It is probably the best audio book performance I have heard.
YAS RICK RIODAN REF Also, shocked you never mentioned Mistborn in this, it was a great spin on the classic "Chosen One" where arguably the chosen one failed.
Finally someone else who has read The Wind on Fire books. Can you please do a video on those. It was my favourite book series as a child and I feel they don't get enough publicity.
Can you make a Merlin Review? man I love your videos and you have such a great taste in tv shows and movies. Also please Watch Monk (TV show about an OCD detective) you will love it if you like Avatar, Harry Potter and Merlin. Merlin and Monk are so underated and you can show loads of people how good they are. 😁
You just gave me an idea (most likely not original, but hey, I have a world for it so I will try to make something of it) and that is killing the chosen one, starting the story, and never reviving him, with the right wording it can be right.
The best example of the chosen one whose destiny isn't inherently good or bad who we do not even know whether or not it should be fulfilled at all is definitely Death Note.
The best chosen one story I’ve come across is the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. (The later ones don’t count because they’re technically filler until the next trilogy, and because of this aren’t quite as good). I won’t say specifically why it’s the best because spoilers, but it’s great and you should read it if you haven’t.
I like making the chosen one a villain instead of the hero. Our expectations of a chosen one and of heroes beating villains clash at once. They're almost mutually exclusive.
4:38 An interesting way to subvert this without subverting this is to basically have the outcome come about in a weird, and unexpected way. My favorite example comes from Star Wars (not the Anikan prophecy). In the video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic on Xbox, there is a Gray Jedi you can recruit to your team. One of his dialogues is a story about a chosen one who was meant to defeat an Alien Warlord. Due to this prophecy ensuring that the CO will dfeat the AW, the Chosen One didn't prepare or even train all that hard since he was told from the beginning he would win. So when he faced the Warlord he got his ass kicked and was killed and tossed down the ships reactor port. Which caused it to explode, thus killing the Warlord. Thus fulfilling the prophecy. This was meant as a warning that one's destiny, although set, may not end as one thinks. Edit: Ok then, I should really wait till the video finishes before opening my mouth
I think the two most interesting variations of this are 1) having the chosen one be a villain, and 2) having the chosen one fail, meaning the task needs to be accomplished by someone else.
I like the idea of having more than one "Chosen One", with all of them equally fitting "The Prophecy", but with different backgrounds and intentions. And leving it open until the last moment in the final act hichone of them will fulfill destiny.
Great vid, but my favourite kind of “chosen one” is the kind that earns being chosen (only halfway through the vid so not sure if u mention it). Think of Kaladin Stormblessed. He wasn’t chosen from birth and was destined to be a chosen one, but became a chosen one due to his honourable actions. My story will be based around that kind of thing, but the chosen one will just be dancing to the tune of the gods the whole time. Anyway, I feel that you need to read Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time. Maybe you have but you haven’t mentioned it in my experience on the channel. I understand that it is a 15 book commitment, but that is the story you need to mention for “the chosen one. Rand Al’Thor is probably the best character ever written, and is a perfect example of a chosen one done right. Haven’t finished it but I already see it and hear the praise.
I got to the ad part of the video and well, funny you used RWBY as an example, because I started watching your video in preparation of writing a RWBY fanfiction. Maybe this is a sign I should finish it. Anyway, love your On Writing series. Not only do they point out interesting aspects of shows/movies that I never thought of before, but they also inspire ideas for my own creative projects. Keep up the good work! Will try to help out next time.
I wish you mention Buffy The Vampire Slayer, i feel like even thou they said you are the Chosen One through out the series. Buffy always struggle about it and all the side characters are important and later in the series there another Chosen and it plays with it.
I don’t know if you’ve seen the show before, but I like the way they do the Chosen One element in “Voltron: Legendary Defender.” The Paladins are chosen not because they’re just “destined to.” They become the Paladins because the Lions deem them worthy. They demonstrate these qualities that each of the Lions look for in a pilot. Theoretically, anyone could be a “Chosen” Paladin if they demonstrate those qualities
as a reply to both of you, that doesnt necessarily mean she reproduce with a centipede, should could have created him with magicy spirit powers, and calling herself mum for that reason
The Mistborn Saga has a good twist on prophecy and The Chosen.... [SPOILER] In that story, the main character comes to believe that she is the Chosen One, and devices to do what the prophecy says. However, she finds out too late that the villain has twisted and altered the prophecy over a thousand years, and following the prophecy actually sets him free, where he promptly starts the end of the world.
In the Bionicle books,the 8th one,we find out Toa Likhan was influenced to give the Toa Stones to a different set of Six Matoran. So Makuta caused the Toa Metru.
![On Writing: magic systems and storytelling [ Avatar TLA/LOK bending analysis ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1fUKBrkDsOw/mqdefault.jpg)
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GET ON WRITING AND WORLDBUILDING VOL II (the book with ALL the discussions we've had + tons of extra depth and detail) I linktr.ee/timhickson
~ Tim
I tried vrv once, it was really good but my phone has 0 storage so I deleted it
All hail MISHKA Kawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
For the question of the day, yes I would go, my life contains little adventure. And I think chosen ones can be useful and good when used right, but you can't just say that someone is the chosen one with no background or reason to why.
Hello Future Me I would. Fantasy worlds offers so much, and are so awesome! :)
Hello Future Me what about thor in Thor ragnarok
Hello Future Me ohh hell yes I would I’d love to forget the struggles of the real world and fulfill my fantasy on the chosen I kind of think they’re overused but with good writing they can be really good character even more so if you can get attached to them
I've just started writing a story where the main character is the Chosen One's bodyguard.
I've always wanted to a read a story where the main character isn't the chosen one.
~ Tim
poor guys XD
Everyone's the main character in their own lives.
Once I actually have the dang thing finished and selected a publisher, I'll be gushing about it constantly on my own channel, so stay tuned. ;)
I'd love to see a story where the main character is the antagonist to the chosen one protagonist. I mean I'm technically writing one for RWBY maybe but..... I'm not fully sure where I want to take it.
(My character is kinda not on the villains side but wont be accepted by the heroes)
One way that Avatar handles the Chosen One concept well is that it isn't a set in stone destiny, but a duty. Aang is fully capable of running away from his duty (though he probably knows fully well that there will be consequences), and he is also fully capable of failing said duty or even screwing up in some way, as Kyoshi did when she founded the Dai Li or as Roku felt he did.
Harry Potter did another good version of this where its revealed that when the prophecy was made, there were two people it could have referred to, and it only referred to Harry because Voldemort went after him first. Even then, it is stated that the prophecy only means anything because Voldemort decides it has meaning, and that Harry does have a choice to run away from it all.
And then there's the Elder Scrolls universe, where all prophecies can be traced, directly or indirectly, to the titular Elder Scrolls. Since the Elder Scrolls are described the librarian in Winterhold as being a record of all POSSIBLE pasts, presents, and futures, prophecy is a description of what may happen, not what will.
Jared Hite was about to comment that first part
Jared Hite The best part about the elder scrolls, is that because destiny is so vague and not set in stone, it give the player the option to not be the chosen one. Nothing stops you from just not doing the main story and saying to hell with destiny. It's a really good concept that goes well with the sandbox nature of elder scrolls games.
What about Star Wars?
Don't forget about dragon age where any character who is a Warden can defeat the big bad and it does have to be the main character
@@maadtee6281 And they make each of your Wardens feel like a unique person with their own story besides their own "chosen one-ness", by having the origin stories and having them pay out in the game. Which is something that is sorely lacking in DAI, and makes me not want to replay it as often. The same with your companions, as supporting characters.
The Percy Jackson series “chosen one” plot was pretty good. Characters that were potentially as powerful like Thalia, Nico, & Bianca could’ve very well been the chosen one. The prophecy was worded in a way it had a different meaning in each book. In the end it made perfect sense why the villain was in fact the chosen one.
Also the prophecy didn't say he would save the world, it said his choices would either save or destroy it, which i loved
I really like how Rick Riordan continually reintroduces the readers to the ambiguity of prophecies, and sets up the characters' presumptions about them to manipulate the readers'; this all makes that final "Ooooh!" moment much more satisfying.
But seriously, in over 70 years, not *one* person considered that the Great Prophecy never explicitly mentions the 'half-blood of the eldest gods' and the hero who's 'soul, cursed blade shall reap' being the same person?
There is also a since of claiming the chosen one title in Percy Jackson that I liked as well. In the third book, Thalia gives it up. She passes the weight to percy who then takes ownership to not pass it on to Nico. he refused to put it on Nico's shoulders.
@@KarenGomez-iv7bh at first it sounds like a copout so that the plot wouldn’t be so predictable, but with the chosen one itself flipflopping between multiple plausible characters and Percy’s role in the story being built pretty well, it actually became quite the stake to base the final conflict off of because it’s been implied from the VERY beginning. It built it up so well that you actually get invested the longer it goes.
Another rare scenario: The fact that there is no chosen one at all, but the protagonists are continually convinced (by others or even by themselves) that they are chosen.
Or, the chosen one was destined to return, so, when crisis came, everyone sat around and waited for him to return... but he didn't. The next hero of the story has to prove to everyone that he can save the day. That's also rare; in fact, I can only think of two stories that did this: Aang in ATLA to some extent, and Link in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
Kung fu panda does this one already
Why does that make me imagine Don quixote? Lmao
Game of throooones
I think this also applies to your character in Dragon Age Inquisition, where everyone is convinced that they are some kind of divinely chosen one due to random circumstances that put them in the middle of the events
Hermione: She only likes you because she thinks you're the chosen one!
Harry: But... I am the chosen one (grinning)
Hermione: *Slams 500 page book on Harry's head*
Tbh I thought the title was referenceing the fifth torchwood episode in season 1
I loved this lol
The Anti-Christ lol I loved that part
Book Harry would never have checked her out in the first place even if he could have made the comment.
The most savage Hermione moment in that book.
I think JK Rolling handled the chosen one really well by making the prophecy self-fulfilling. Harry's only the chosen one because Voldermort got wind of the prophecy and chose Harry, remember Neville fit the prophecy too.
Which makes you wonder what would have happened if Voldemort considered both of them a threat? Would there have been two chosen ones?
And the term 'chosen one' is even presented as something that sensations loving media calls him. The whole thing is almost like superstition in magical world, if that is even possible.
@@DamianDarkholme It should be possible. Humans wouldn't fundamentally change just because they know one more complicated "science"/"art" a bit better: there would always be room for old wives tales and "what if"s
Another cool subversion of the 'Chosen One' trope is how Katara ends up being a better waterbending student than Aang, as her ambition and perseverance proves more valuable than just "being the Avatar".
"I am the Dark Lord!"
Oh... another Dark Lord? *rolls eyes*
"I am the Chosen One."
Third one I heard about today alone. *Eyes rolls harder*
Darth Vader: "I am a Dark Lord AND the Chosen One."
That doesn ....uck...rrrck... khkkk
"Destined to kill.... MYSELF!"
@@pissedoffturtle7333
he did indeed
As abridged Frieza: "One thousand two hundred and eighty six. Can't you at least come up with something original before I reduce your planet to dust?"
Hugh Mann “Imma deck you in the schnoz!”
If you think about it... the Original Trilogy was just Luke making his dad complete his destiny...
"Love conquers all but I swear we're not gay" XD
I pretty accurate representation of the show lols
There is no power stronger then the power of love
Except for a 30mm rotary grenade launcher
Well, it really does. Ask any Philosophy or Psychology expert. A man can accomplish nothing noteworthy in his life that will change the world or make him rich, famous and powerful. But if he finds someone he genuinely loves and has a child with them born from love - not a need or societal pressures - then he will live and die content as any King would have.
Now it's "Love conquers all but we're gay but also homophobic"
I have seen Avatar five teams at least but only listening this I realized that there was poetic justice in Soka destroying the fire nation air fleet since he was one who helped creating them.
I really love the way J.K. Rowling handled the chosen one thread. There was never anything special about Harry that made him stand out. In fact, the one wizard who really was that gifted and powerful, Dumbledore, himself knew that he could only ever guide Harry and would never be the one to end the conflict. Instead, what made Harry the chosen one was... Voldemort. He hears an incomplete prophecy naming a boy who would have powers he knows not, who could bring his end. What he doesn't hear is that he himself will choose him. Two boys meet the criteria, and Voldemort's murder of Harry's parent and attempt on harry himself, turn harry into the unintended 8th horcrux, giving him power to rival Voldemort. And his mom's sacrifice imbues Harry with the capacity for the power Voldemort knows not... love. Here we have a chosen one, completely created by the actions of the antagonist as a way of showing that in the end, all tyrants, themselves create the tools by which they are brought down.
Yep. The equivalent to the "you just played yourself" meme.
Ordinary? He was still dressed in typical choosen one tropes. He's an Heir to Gryffindor and inherited one of Invisible cloak.
Thats why he is boring, If I were tô choose a better characters, would be dambledore
erzan Harry isn’t Gryffindors heir. Also, just because he inherited the Invisibility Cloak doesn’t mean he’s special. It’s just that he was lucky enough to to be born in the Potter family. Imo Dumbledore is more of a chosen one than Harry.
>The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...
Harry being the 8th Horcrux is also the unknown power because Voldemort also never saw it coming.
Personally, I like how The LEGO Movie subverted the "Chosen One" story, where it's revealed how the entire concept of "The Special" was completely made up.
I love the Lego movie as well 😍😍😍
and he still saved the universe even if he wasn’t “chosen” to
@@wren_. You don't need a prophecy to do good, you just need a will to do it.
Avatar did use all their side kicks well in the last episode (not just Aang battling Ozai, but having Azula and the air fleet dealt with too)
BUTT
Iroh and the white lotus? Can we please have an Iroh series. Bless.
I stan Iroh more than Kora yes pls
This is a very good example since we all know the storyline would've been complete garbage if not the cabbage man
I do like Merlin's approach, where Merlin is the powerful chosen one to help the chosen one king Arthur. We see Merlin struggle with this as Arthur is an ass and the very kingdom Merlin is trying to save persecutes people with his powers. Also we see that some times we bring about the very thing we were trying to stop. So if a golden dragon tells you to let the kid and the witch die, let them die.
But then they became evil because the dragon told Merlin they would, causing him to hesitate to help them at key events. If Merlin just didn't listen to the dragon and did things a little differently, Mordred at the very least would probably have remained good and magic wouldn't be outlawed anymore, and there were paths he might have been able to take to help Morgana.
It has been a really long time since I had watched the show, so I'm a little fuzzy on all the details.
Honestly, I feel like Merlin shouldn't have trusted the dragon as readily as he did. Throughout the show, we see that the dragon has some ulterior motive and at times, it seems like he only helps Merlin because it suits his needs (disregarding the fact that Merlin only used his commanding powers on Kilgharrah twice in all of their doze s of interactions and both times, the dragon was explicitly against whatever Merlin told him to do). The whole thing with Mordred and Morgana was ultimately a self-fulfilling prophecy, like the showwriters also explicitly show (the episode where Merlin makes Morgana fall down the stairs because he saw a possible version of the future, worked to combat it and instead caused it). Also, the show makes a point about not trusting too much in destiny and be completely passive.
If Supernatural had only ended after season 5 it would have been the one of the best TV series ever.
It so clearly stopped having a main story to work out from..Like they had told their story and it was more or less perfect but it was way too populare to stop at that moment so they had to come up with some other bullshit plot..Really freaking sad!
The creators even said around the season 3 time frame at comic Con that they only wanted to do 5 seasons. Which is why it would have been a perfect ending. Alas greed and/or pressure from producers was too strong. In my mind the show stopped 5 seconds before season 5 did
Mmhm. I dont believe that. The face-to-face conversations betweeen both God and Metatron and God and the boys are some of the best words in a script. Plus the idea thatbgodncould also be afraid being vs nothingness.
partypiano0 I actually do like some of the newer seasons and ideas that you mentioned, but as stated by others, everything just feels like add-on content not original story. Also if you need proof that it got bad after season 5 sometimes one word ... leviathans.
Jessie Ward yeah but if you gave up on "Dick" you wouldnt have seen God vs Human Metatron. I dont own shares in the network, so it cost me nothing to hang and wait for the good bits.
Avatar?
Merlin?
Supernatural?
Harry Potter?
The Lord of the rings?
Damn right I'm gonna watch
Sadek Miah well, first five seasons of Supernatural. Rest of the seasons are just horrendous.
Can Coşkun Ikr but I can't help but watch even the SFX and acting has got worse.
Yes, it's terrible. But I guess I turned out to be a fan, so I can't just stop
Darllington Wesley Same
100th like and same
Shrek is the pinnacle of character development smh
A fully developed and LAYERED character like no other
Meh, he un-learns a lot of his lessons between films. But I suppose old habits die hard.
Chosen-ness has a lot if layers, like an onion
Random Commenter like an onion!!!
@@torredurant1523 Why not a cake?
The best subversion of the Chosen One is when The Guy dies less than a minute after we meet him in Spy Kids 3D.
The lego movie is my favourite the choosen one history.
Vicente Ortega Rubilar I liked the lego movie...until the end,i feel like the end just ruined it as it made it one of those "it was just a dream" stories which destroys the hopes of children.
wolf forces I understand that. But for me it was more like an history that existed in two different planes of existence
Vicente Ortega Rubilar fair enough,we all have our different views😆
wolf forces
That's not what it was. As cynical as this sounds at first, The LEGO Movie was basically a commercial for LEGOs. Fun for all ages? Check? Brings the family together? Check? At the end, when Will Ferrel sees all the cool shit his son had made by not following the instructions, remembers all the cool shit he used to do, changes his mind about gluing it all in place, and just decides to have fun. So, as cynical as it sounds to say it was just a big LEGO commercial, you can see that I mean that in a good way.
Joshua Caine it may have been a big commercial, but I really felt like the writers and animators put a lot of heart into it
Ironic that being the Chosen One isn't a choice.
Except when it is, in which either the character is incredibly badass to be able to _force_ the Powers That Be to make them the chosen one, or things get really, _really,_ complicated.
How is that ironic? That’s exactly what the phrase means. Someone else chose for them, they never chose.
@@philltheotherguy1868 well it’s not always anyone’s choice. Sometimes it’s just magic related, where no one but the chosen one has the abilities to do the thing.
I mean, it was an external choice.
The whole point is that someone was given such a role. Though sometimes the character's own choices do play a part.
In my book the main character is actually the chosen one because they chose to be before they were born but they grow up in a world where they dont need to do anything but for personal reasons they make a few choices and things work out anyway
And there was never a prophecy in the first place
:)
One element that I think would be useful in a Chosen One story is exploring the situations when a Chosen One buys into their own hype, when they get it into their head that their Choseness makes a victory guaranteed and then, naturally, having that cost them when their cockiness causes them to fail at a crucial moment result in Bad Stuff.
Didn't Digimon try that a few times?
That actually happened in Ben 10....somewhat. He became intergalactically famous and reveled in it, his overconfidence caused constant problems that he was too cocky to admit was his arrogant fault. Until things got really bad and he had to admit he was being pompous and learned from it.
Personally I like the idea of the chosen one being genre savvy on how vague and twisted prophecy tend top be so they ignore they prophecy and focus and doing what they must and figure it will work out in the end. In the mean time the the details fall into place as the world building unravels.
You should do on writing about weapons of power like the 1 ring and mjoilnier and king Arthur`s sword
#macguffin
@@hirosmirnov8287 the ring has very specific powers so he's not a McGuffin
I take a little issue with putting scenes from Eragon at that point in the video.
One, because while he was indeed 'chosen' - it its emphasized that he was one of many possibilities - it was emphasized that there wasn't an outside-reality force keeping him alive and his sub-par quality and failings are indeed pointed out. Also Roran's storyline (much stronger than the main one, tbh) did a great job subverting the necessity of being a 'chosen one' pretty well as a side thread.
Two, and far more importantly, because that movie doesn't exist so how the hell did you get clips from it?
I think Rand Al'Thor from the Wheel of Time has a very interesting "Chose One" Arc. Essentially it revolves around having to lose himself and become a villain in order to be what he needs to be. The central tension is not just whether or not he will succeed, but more importantly whether or not he can do it and remain sane/good.
Hey! You mentioned one of Rick Riordan's book series. :D
He makes good books.
Wait now you mentioned Spyro?......... Okay now I am beginning to wonder why I haven't subscribed to you yet.
........... and now you referenced American Dragon: Jake Long. Okay you may not have brought up Yugioh or Danny Phantom, but I think this plus other videos you did made you earn a subscription from me.
I can never get enough of these freaking fantastic On Writing videos!!! :)
Agreed 100%!
Supernatural seasons 1- 5 are absolutely the very best of the series. I still watch the show and enjoy it to a degree BECAUSE those five seasons managed to invest me so deeply in the story of Sam and Dean and the mythology of their world that I can't bear the thought of not knowing what's happening with them while the show is ongoing despite the, quite frankly, significant drop in quality in the later seasons. So, yeah, definitely #thebestseasons
Also this was such a great video! You were right. There was actually quite a bit that I hadn't really thought about before when reading or even discussing this trope. So thank you for an enjoyable and informative essay! ^_^
Narita Zaraki I think that while Seasons 6-9 weren't nearly as perfect as 1-5, they're still very good. However I think our patience was rewarded because seasons 10-13 have so far been of the quality of Seasons 1-5. I honestly believe SPN is THE best tv show on the air right now, bar none.
First off, so sorry about the late reply! I somehow only just now saw your message. Sorry! (^_^")
I'm glad that we agree that 6 - 9 aren't as bad as advertised especially seasons 6 and 7, which in my experience with the fandom seem to be the most hated. Definitely not as good as 1 - 5 but still enjoyable. *BUT* I wholeheartedly disagree that 10 - 13 are as good as the earlier seasons. For me, they're not even comparable. S11 is still my favorite from the later seasons but even then I have quite a bit of problems with it. And I've actually found myself struggling the most with S13. I don't want to be the jackass who ruins something you love for you but personally, the writing this season frustrated me to no end. I'm a huge fantasy fan, half the reason why I started watching the show before I even knew anything about it is because it's titled "Supernatural", I love stories that spend time world-building and enriching the mythology of the world our characters inhabit. In short, canon matters to me. A lot. And S13 spent almost it's entire runtime gleefully breaking and trampling all over established canon and the world's mythology. To the point that I'm honestly wondering if the new writers have actually watched all the previous seasons. I'm not saying that to hate on them or anything but I just honestly don't understand how they could've possibly written the season's major plotlines in a way that directly contradicts previously established canon unless there is a great deal of the show they haven't watched. Like the whole "angel grace recharges given time" bullshit that completely negates Castiel's storylines in seasons 8 and 9. That is one example among too damn many.
The season was also cluttered with unnecessary resurrections - rendering death completely meaningless on the show - that went absolutely nowhere and unimaginative recycling of old storylines. Gabriel was brought back only to have his S5 storyline repeated almost beat by beat right up to his death that held no emotional weight whatsoever because it was simply done so much better the first time around. Gabe's story and how it was concluded was perfect and heartfelt but by bringing him back only to recycle the same storyline they did his character a massive disservice. Same with Ketch who in S12 was actually an interesting villain, brought back for no reason with a recycled Mick Davis storyline which again, is a disservice to both characters and the interesting impact they had in the previous season's arc and on our protagonists. Asmodeus could have been interesting if they had simply focused on him changing hell after Crowley's reign, raising his scarier than regular demons hellspawn, making them an actual force to be reckoned with like in the days of Azazel, Alistair and Lilith but instead they made his whole storyline about Gabe, which in turn made his storyline a complete waste of time with no impact on the major plots of the season. There is so much more that I hated about S13 but I'm gonna stop here and spare you because this rant has already went on for far too long and I'm honestly sorry if you actually read through all this. You did not deserve that. (^_^")
That's not to say that there aren't things that I loved about the season like Jack, Rowena, doing a better job of showing and balancing Dean POV and Sam POV compared to S12, THE DEATH OF LUCIFER - yet another character who had a perfect completed arc brought back and ruined - regardless of the utterly embarrassing way it was executed etc. But overall ... yeah, S13 was a let down for me. And I'm genuinely worried about S14. Once again, really sorry about the long-ass reply.
Narita Zaraki Hey dude no worries about the long reply. It sucks to hear you don't like season 13 as much. I agree that season 11 was great but for me 11-13 are season 5 level good, though season 13 is slightly waning now because I completely agree that they fucked up by killing Gabe for no reason. All this trouble to come back for a meaningless sacrifice that's barely acknowledged? Come on.
So don't worry, I get you. I still love the seasons because I actually think there's been some amazing character development and storytelling but Yes, some of the character's have definitely been mishandled. I still have to watch the final episode of the season but I'm hoping Bobby and Charlie get to stay. I still wish they hadn't killed Kevin again since I really liked him too.
Anyway, hope you have a good day my dude! I appreciate the reply.
Replying really late like a douchebag again! I'm so terrible at checking my notifications it's not even funny. T_T
Ah shit! I spoiled the finale for you! Sorry! We were talking about all the seasons in general so I just assumed you must've already seen everything. Really sorry man. I hate spoilers so much. Hope I didn't ruin your experience watching it.
I agree there was a lot they did right but for me, the bad out weighed the good this season so ... yeah. I'm honestly glad you like it though. And I really hope I haven't ruined your enjoyment of the show with my bitter rant. (^_^") Let me know what you think about the finale. Would love to discuss it. :D
Personally Season 10 is tied for my favorite season with 5. And I enjoyed Season 11 I suppose but so far Seasons 12 and 13 have fallen short to me
I am a massive sucker for the Chosen One trope. I love writing it, and I love reading it when it's done well (and I do love a good subversion). This video has given me a lot to chew on in terms of using it well, so thank you very much!
Why didn't Hello Future Me just make the whole video on Lord Mishka's life story?
SINCE MISHKA IS CLEARLY THE CHOSEN ONE!!!
I personally love a good prophesy plot twist. Good examples would be Anakin from Star wars and mr.Smith from Matrix. In Anakin's case he is destined to "bring balance to the force". All of the jedies thought that would be a good thing but in the end balance meant the balance between dark and light which was better for the sith than it was for the jedies. In Smith's case we think Neo is the chosen one to make the world "better" but in the end mr.Smith fits the prophesy a lot better then Neo ever did. No one expected the villain to be the chosen one.
Or the first arc/five books of Wings of Fire, where
[SPOILERS]
The prophecy the group of main characters are in is revealed to be entirely fake. It was created by the NightWings to become more powerful and control the rainforest.
I blame Mattpat for this but Neo is the chosen one, not smith. The oracle herself told Trinity that she would fall in love with the One who is Neo not fucking Smith
I would love it if you did a video on writing sibling relationships. I think it is important because Avatar and Full Metal Alchemist place it in a central point of the story.
In the books, Eragon’s “Chosen One”-ness comes off much better and more interesting, namely because he’s not really a chosen one for any real reason. He’s just the guy who found a dragon egg in the woods, and because of that has to go on an adventure because now the government wants to kill him. A lot of his choices really don’t end up feeling empty as there’s no real prophecy behind it, and it’s mostly motivated by his wants as a character.
It helps that his status comes from being chosen by the object, Saphira, much like character tests
yeah, the prophecy isnt even that important to the plot, its more of a "well, that was interesting"
though i do think polini wrote himself into a corner in the fourth book
That is the problem with big dark lord type villains. The rest of the story could be built up to defeating them. And most of the time the fight doesn't live up the hype. I do think last air bender did a good job by having other threats in play along with Ang not wanting to kill the Fire Lord, thus forcing Ang to come up with another way to end the fight.
Wasn't there two very specific prophecies in IC that only Eragon got to listen to(Won't spoil either)? Not to mention the thing in book 2 that solved a certain important something.
Uh. Eragon is the son of one of the main bad guys. Hes not just some guy in the woods. The plot of eragon is scene for scene the plot of the original star wars trilogy
I think Buffy the Vampire Slayer did the "Chosen One" thing really well, I'd love to see an "on writing" episode about that show.
David Del Pozo Filíu It's just too bad so many people have never even given the show a look lol
My sister really liked that show. Said it was good. Never watched it myself. I'm more into anime because I can watch a whole season in like a few hours haha
The first season may be a little hard to watch, it looks like a cheap, B-horror type of thing, but from season 2 onwards it gets a lot better, and it's some of the best television ever made.
David Del Pozo Filíu ,But the master always makes my top 5 villains of any list. The rest of season 1 I'll agree with you on.
Jessie Ward There's still greatness in season 1, it's just that it's a little bit harder to watch. But the introduction episodes, the one about Angel and anything to do with the Master is great.
I actually prefer it to most of season 4 (which also has GREAT things, but Adam is probably the worst villain and Riley is kind of boring)
YOU MENTIONED PERCY JACKSON!!!!!!!! OFICIALY MY FAVOURITE CHANEL (of the week if I know my chaotic self)
One thing I like about the Star Wars chosen one, who would bring balance to the force, is that it was done by becoming evil and killing a lot, so that is something I like to try and include.
anakin kinda reminds me of those end time apocalypse predictions (which i’m sure was intentional since george lucas was super inspired by religion, especially things like a messiah wiping everyone out but the true believers that are super common between many religions). he brings balance by killing every force user but his son and daughter (and ig in the new stuff, his apprentice too, even if ashoka’s not in the movie.)
I feel so enlightened after watching your videos... Maybe it's just your voice 😂
I think it also has something to do with the low-key soundtrack.
He does have a great voice.
Zippy DaFish no,it must be the short clips of Mishka, once you see the magnificent Mishka you must feel enlightened!
This youtuber should read a book aloud I'd listen xD
wolf forces so true
In ASOIAF books, George Martin is creating three kind of Chosen Ones, The last hero of the First Men, The prince that was promised and Azor Ahai, and all of them has mistery about who is "The Right Guy" and many characters fit into this archetype.
Alberto Carlos part of that too is the fact that multiple characters fit all of the Chosen One prophesies, meaning there's doubts on if it's multiple people saving the world in different ways, or if they're all referring to one character.
What do you think will happen with that though? GRRM knows the chosen one plot and hates it. He may do it with Dany and Jon and Aegon. I see those characters becoming religious figures And eventually wars because of them. I doubt there is an Azor Ahai or a prince that was promised because its lazy writing. Or maybe it's all time traveling Bran screwing with everyone.
Morgan Turner well I don't honestly believe Aegon is who he says he is. From a narrative perspective seems a little off the wall to invest us in Dany only for someone else to come in and take her place in the story. But I will admit I have no idea who he is. Not sure if you watch the show but the fact that it doesn't ever bring him into the story is enough for me to feel like he doesn't play a significant role in the endgame, however wrong I may be about his identity. On the subject of Azor Ahai and/or the prince that was promised, I believe GRRM is setting us up to believe that either Jon is one and Dany is the other, they are one and the same, or they both fit parts of each prophecy. I believe that the 3rd option is more likely, as it would fulfill the prophecies in a way that subverts the Chosen One trope by not having either fulfill either purpose alone. Again, I could be wrong because, let's face it this is GRRM we're talking about, but that does seem like the most satisfying conclusion from a narrative standpoint.
Aegon just took over Stormsend and has a massive army behind him. He has a part to play. Same with Doran, Stoneheart or Victarion. The show has a limited amount of resources, characters and time they can't shove a huge character like Aegon in 2/3s through the story. I agree Aegon most likely isn't Aegon because of the Golden Company Bittersteel's sellsword company's support. GRRM subverts expectations so do you really think he will have Jon or Dany the most obvious of obvious characters be Jesus and Luke Skywalker? No, no he won't.
Morgan Turner I'm not saying that Aegon doesn't have a role to play but I'm saying his role is different than what has explicitly been stated in the novels. Upon his introduction, his motivation is to marry Dany and use her army and dragons to conquer Westeros but that essentially takes her story and plants it onto him which makes no damn sense whatsoever. Even with his penchant for subverting expectations, I don't think it's in Martin's wheelhouse to give 5(ish) novels worth of story to Dany and her quest to reclaim her "rightful" kingdom just to have it stripped away from her as she is about to make her move west. And yes, I know Aegon went to Westeros instead but his motivation is still the same, which means that, to me at least, his role in the story remains generally the same. And since he wasn't important enough to introduce into the show, he probably isn't super important in the novels. To reiterate my point above, I don't know what Martin is going to do with the prophecies and I don't much care. From a narrative standpoint, it makes sense for Jon and Dany to be the ones to lead the living against the armies of the dead and the White Walkers. We've kind of come full circle where the story is becoming a bit more of a traditional fantasy story (basically all living people against the armies of evil monsters for the future of their world) and it's becoming harder and harder for Martin to avoid the narrative tropes involved in telling that sort of story. He isn't going to sacrifice sense for the sake of subverting expectations so while my argument for Jon and Dany may be wrong, he has to make something else make sense.
Oh my gosh, I laughed for a whole minute at the Who's Line clip! Everything is better with more Colin!
I feel like Robert Jordan's the Wheel of Time deserves its own video on the topic, seeing as the core premise of the series is what it would be like to be chosen to save the world, but potentially go crazy and kill everyone you love in the process.
I completely agree. WoT's take on the chosen one, and destiny in general, is great. It doesn't hit all the points in this video perfectly, but it does a pretty good job at most of them. It is easily my favorite take on the idea because of way it delves into just what being the chosen one would mean and what effect that prophecy could have on a person and the people around them.
I didn't really like it considering what happens in the end, it's too happily ever after. The Chosen One thing is lazy and terrible writing.
+Morgan Turner I wouldn't say WoT is happily ever after. Everything in that world will start again some day. The 4th Age might be peaceful, or mostly peaceful, but it won't last forever. By the end of the 4th age or maybe into the 5th that peace will be long gone and the Dark One will be influencing the world again. Its all part of a cycle. The 3rd age begin with a time of great peace and prosperity, which then came crashing down due to the War of Power. The victory Rand and the forces of light achieved is only temporary and who knows what will cause the next collapse. Rand has fought the Dark One over and over and over across many ages as he is reborn into each age and he will do so again in another age. Or maybe he will end up joining the forces of evil the next time and bring about an age of death and darkness. WoT's ending is only "and they all lived happily ever after" until you actually take a moment to think about what the books have been saying about time from the get go.
Look at the potential future seen by Aviendha , one that is never actually confirmed to have been altered, and tell us it's all happiness. Heck, look at the main cast. Egwene is dead, mat is leading an empire that he doesn't understand, Rand can never go home, even if he has the ultimate out on child support payments, he has no way of enjoying it, and perrin is still married to faile. None of that constitutes what most would consider happy.
av willis LMAO at your take on the three farmboys' fate. Especially Perrin. I'm torn about how I felt about Egwene's death: she went out like a boss over a few books, but she has gotten way to high and mighty by that point and definitely needed to be taken down a peg. Which is odd, I started the series feeling that way about Nynaeve, but ended up loving her by the end.
"...it can add layers-
*mini Shrek appears*
-to the narrative..."
The footnote you flashed at 12:22 is absolutely brilliant. I love this thought about Frodo so much.
Rand al'Thor from the Wheel of Time series literally checks everthing on the list.
That blurb you inserted about Rey is 100% where I am on the subject. Well done.
One of my favorite "Chosen one" twists growing up comes from Dragonfable (Yes, that point-and-click RPG). Your character, proclaimed as a Hero in the first scene of the game, and the villain, who isn't trying to hide his evil because he knows, we know and everyone knows, both have a dragon egg which hatches at the exact same time. We learn that the dragons hatched from these eggs are both chosen ones; "One destined to destroy the world, the other to save it". But the villain, right after the birth of his dragon turns it into an undead, a dracolich, which means he's taken away its free will and now control all its power himself. When the two of you meet, you learn that the dracolich (Which is called Fluffy) is the dragon destined to save the world. Which means, as the villain say: "Now there is one dragon destined to destroy the world, and one to help it".
Would you consider the way "Dark Souls" uses the chosen one. In the game, Frampt tells many that they are the chosen one in order to manipulate them to take action. After that, the player can prove they are the chosen one by linking the fire. If the player does not finish the game, or usher in the age of dark; then the player character was not the chosen one after all.
In short, using the "chosen one" as a manipulation.
"Avatar the Last Airbender: The Godsend of Storytelling." I'd watch that documentary.
You mentioned one of my most favourite cartoons: Jake Long: American Dragon. Thank you! And I didn't know that bout the VA's. That's cool!
Thanks for your note on Frodo. It made the Mordor scene at the climax of the trilogy when he temporarily kept the ring to himself have me burst into tears yelling, "No!" Not because it was anything to do with his 'powers' but because it had everything to do with what made a Hobbit 'human'.
I really like how Tales of Symphonia handled this. Right at the beginning, you learn that Colette Brunel is "The Chosen One", but it takes several reveals, unpacking several layers, before the player (and Colette herself) actually understands what that means. Without spoiling too much, I'll just quote a friend of mine: "That game has more twists than I have teeth."
Also worth mentioning is that Colette isn't even the main protagonist. That would be her classmate and close friend, Lloyd Irving.
I like that Eragon and every Dragon Rider before and after him is a chosen one, but chosen by their dragon. Brom claims if Saphira didn’t like him, she would’ve hatched for someone else. It also creates a many chosen one situation and a chosen one among the chosen people. Eragon is the Varden’s best chance against Lord Galbatorix and the Riders’ chance at resurrection, but he is never guaranteed a victory.
I really liked Wings of Fire’s take on the Chosen One trope in its first arc. It explored a range of concepts, from what it’s like not to be special to the idea that it’s the belief in a prophecy that makes it real, not the actual prophecy. It also did a great job in explaining how being “the chosen ones” affected the lives of its characters.
To be fair with Boromir, the ring was effecting his mind... making him think that way... Frodo was the chosen one because he was one of the few that could handle it... and Sam was the second because unless if he held the ring for a while, he wouldn't be affected being near Frodo.
If anything, Frodo was a twist. His role was nothing more than to carry something. It was everyone else that had to carry him...
YOU MENTIONED THE DRESDEN FILES! I'm so happy. You've earned yourself a sub sir.
I would leave this world to go the the avatar or pokemon universe in a heartbeat. I wont even think about returning
veronica lodge I don't know... I would love to be a bender, but I'd REALLY miss air-conditioning
maripaz not if you're an airbender😉
veronica lodge Truuuuuuue xD
But then you would just be a side character. Aaaand... there's the possibility that you are born without bending ability, or that you suck at being a Pokemon trainer.
NightFoxx99
Well... thank you NightFoxx99 for ruining my dreams.
Yes not being able to bend would take the fun away but i'll take my chances and you know i will keep training to be the very best. I might meet ash someday and get an amazing arc.
All that's left is the question: Would you join me on my adventure?
I did not expect you to use Spyro and Dresden Files in a video but it is SO welcome
Thanks so much for this video! I'm currently trying to write a story about a chosen one character and I know I can trust the quality of your videos! Keep it up :)
And thank you for watching!
~ Tim
Polka will never die! You lovely man, mentioning the Dresden Files.
I remember an interesting take on the Chosen One theme from the 2002 hack-and-slash game, The Bard's Tale. In it, the (otherwise nameless) Bard is told by a cryptic old man outside a tavern that he is the Chosen One, destined to free a fair and magical maiden from her dreadful imprisonment.
He promptly tell the senile old codger to buzz off, and only shown any interest in the Quest after being assured that said maiden is not only incredibly rich, but will likely reward him quite... vigorously for freeing her.
The twist is not the fact that he is not the only Chosen One, though along the way he does encounter a number of bright young lads of pure heart and poor sense, claiming to be the Chosen One who shall rescue the maiden because it is their Destiny! (the only ones who aren't dead by the time you reach them have all been locked up for their own safety)
The actual twist is that ('SPOILER WARNING!') the criteria for being the Chosen One turns out to be "anyone who we can dupe into going for it," because the maiden in question is getting impatient and wants to get on with tearing down civilization in an orgy of blood and fire already (also, she's actually an evil demon).
The Bard can either go through with the job anyway (and she does reward him quite... vigorously), turn on her and kill her, thus saving the world (he gets a pat on the back), or wash his hands of the whole ordeal and go party with the zombies (they're surprisingly good dancers).
Utterly brillant. Thanks again, Tim !
This was so well thought out and entertaining I didn't think to start a reading list until the end!
I really like the way you worked that add in. It felt more natural.
Anakin/Darth vader is my favorite chosen one, someone who is known as the chosen one but doesn’t really care, when his personal situation is threatened he tries to make it better at the cost of the entire universe. Eventhough he did so many bad things at the end he still saves the world by killing the emperor
i love that in many on writing videos avatar is the first one that stands in the list of films/series
All of this talk of chosen one is reminding me of an old forever story I was writing back in middle school.
(ಠ⌣ಠ) Never again...
I FREAKING LOVE RWBY. How have I been watching your videos for so long and only now heard you reference it??
If anyone is interested in reading The Dresden Files, which is worth a read, I would suggest actually listening to the audio book. It is read brilliantly by James Marsters who you most likely know as Spike from Buffy and Angel. It is probably the best audio book performance I have heard.
nateslovebug Currently working on those myself. James does such a good damn job.
thanks a lot for all of these "on writing" videos I use them alot
YAS RICK RIODAN REF
Also, shocked you never mentioned Mistborn in this, it was a great spin on the classic "Chosen One" where arguably the chosen one failed.
Finally someone else who has read The Wind on Fire books. Can you please do a video on those. It was my favourite book series as a child and I feel they don't get enough publicity.
I would have loved to see Mistborn included in this. I believe the trilogy actually had a really interesting chosen one threat.
Cool that you mentioned Thomas Convent, really like those books.
Can you make a Merlin Review? man I love your videos and you have such a great taste in tv shows and movies.
Also please Watch Monk (TV show about an OCD detective) you will love it if you like Avatar, Harry Potter and Merlin. Merlin and Monk are so underated and you can show loads of people how good they are. 😁
You just gave me an idea (most likely not original, but hey, I have a world for it so I will try to make something of it) and that is killing the chosen one, starting the story, and never reviving him, with the right wording it can be right.
Can you please do an on writing involving science, like teleportation, dimensions, aliens, and stuff like that. Pleaseeeeee
Love your vids btw
Hellboy is a really good example of this. Giving a character a destiny that they are fighting desperately to stop.
No one:
Not a damn soul:
Hellofutureme when writing a script:
*AVATAR*
The best example of the chosen one whose destiny isn't inherently good or bad who we do not even know whether or not it should be fulfilled at all is definitely Death Note.
YOU GOT A SPON I'M SO PROUD
I love the way it’s done in both Dune and Enders Game
The best chosen one story I’ve come across is the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. (The later ones don’t count because they’re technically filler until the next trilogy, and because of this aren’t quite as good).
I won’t say specifically why it’s the best because spoilers, but it’s great and you should read it if you haven’t.
I like making the chosen one a villain instead of the hero. Our expectations of a chosen one and of heroes beating villains clash at once. They're almost mutually exclusive.
4:38 An interesting way to subvert this without subverting this is to basically have the outcome come about in a weird, and unexpected way. My favorite example comes from Star Wars (not the Anikan prophecy). In the video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic on Xbox, there is a Gray Jedi you can recruit to your team. One of his dialogues is a story about a chosen one who was meant to defeat an Alien Warlord. Due to this prophecy ensuring that the CO will dfeat the AW, the Chosen One didn't prepare or even train all that hard since he was told from the beginning he would win. So when he faced the Warlord he got his ass kicked and was killed and tossed down the ships reactor port. Which caused it to explode, thus killing the Warlord. Thus fulfilling the prophecy. This was meant as a warning that one's destiny, although set, may not end as one thinks.
Edit: Ok then, I should really wait till the video finishes before opening my mouth
You are the Chosen One of all Nerds, no doubt. Also, was cool to see that Shannarra Chronocles clip in there lol
I think the two most interesting variations of this are 1) having the chosen one be a villain, and 2) having the chosen one fail, meaning the task needs to be accomplished by someone else.
I like the idea of having more than one "Chosen One", with all of them equally fitting "The Prophecy", but with different backgrounds and intentions. And leving it open until the last moment in the final act hichone of them will fulfill destiny.
They did that in Harry Potter everyone thought it was Harry but in the end I think it ended up being Neville (i may not be remembering this correctly)
“Love conquers all but I swear we’re not gay” bUT THEY’RE BROTHERS
Literally clapped my hands as you mentioned Dresden Files
#chosenlivesmatter
Great video bud. All hail our true Chosen One Mishka! Hero to all!
I love this series that you’ve been doing!
Totally agree that Supernatural 1-5 was the best. I pretend anything after that didn't happen.
Bladerunner 2049 (spoilers) went about this in an interesting way when the chosen one wasn't the chosen one at all!
A superb example of subverting the expectations on the chosen one -trope is Blade Runner 2049 IMO.
Great vid, but my favourite kind of “chosen one” is the kind that earns being chosen (only halfway through the vid so not sure if u mention it). Think of Kaladin Stormblessed. He wasn’t chosen from birth and was destined to be a chosen one, but became a chosen one due to his honourable actions. My story will be based around that kind of thing, but the chosen one will just be dancing to the tune of the gods the whole time. Anyway, I feel that you need to read Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time. Maybe you have but you haven’t mentioned it in my experience on the channel. I understand that it is a 15 book commitment, but that is the story you need to mention for “the chosen one. Rand Al’Thor is probably the best character ever written, and is a perfect example of a chosen one done right. Haven’t finished it but I already see it and hear the praise.
I got to the ad part of the video and well, funny you used RWBY as an example, because I started watching your video in preparation of writing a RWBY fanfiction.
Maybe this is a sign I should finish it.
Anyway, love your On Writing series. Not only do they point out interesting aspects of shows/movies that I never thought of before, but they also inspire ideas for my own creative projects.
Keep up the good work! Will try to help out next time.
I wish you mention Buffy The Vampire Slayer, i feel like even thou they said you are the Chosen One through out the series. Buffy always struggle about it and all the side characters are important and later in the series there another Chosen and it plays with it.
I don’t know if you’ve seen the show before, but I like the way they do the Chosen One element in “Voltron: Legendary Defender.” The Paladins are chosen not because they’re just “destined to.” They become the Paladins because the Lions deem them worthy. They demonstrate these qualities that each of the Lions look for in a pilot. Theoretically, anyone could be a “Chosen” Paladin if they demonstrate those qualities
reminder:
Do ATLA spirits reproduce??
Koh has a mother the mother of faces
Evidence 1:Koh’s mother
as a reply to both of you, that doesnt necessarily mean she reproduce with a centipede, should could have created him with magicy spirit powers, and calling herself mum for that reason
I would go to Equestria in a one way trip in a heartbeat, no hesitation.
The Mistborn Saga has a good twist on prophecy and The Chosen.... [SPOILER]
In that story, the main character comes to believe that she is the Chosen One, and devices to do what the prophecy says. However, she finds out too late that the villain has twisted and altered the prophecy over a thousand years, and following the prophecy actually sets him free, where he promptly starts the end of the world.
In the Bionicle books,the 8th one,we find out Toa Likhan was influenced to give the Toa Stones to a different set of Six Matoran. So Makuta caused the Toa Metru.