general media Do you feel for characters as if they were real people?

[Vefka 1,499]

For some reason I can't really feel for characters (though I'm very soft irl), they're not more than, well, characters for me. So because of this I've never cried over a movie/book/game. But I've seen some people who get really emotional and react to deaths/similar things as if characters were their real close friends

What kind of person are you? I've been wondering if there are people like me

[abronymouse 5,492]

I have teared up of MLP occasionally   not quite as if they are real characters and also more for the themes in the ep or what the ep represents than for the character exactly.

Perfect Pear is a teary ep ofc and Pinkie's Pride has its moments  Pinkie and AJ are the characters that I most get teary over, while Flutters and Rarity are more characters I feel pride for. Dashie is the one I feel friendliest to. Twi has elements of all them. Prolly a reason for that. 

Spoiler

For some reason I read that as 'veal people' and couldn't stop giggling  Every attempt I have to explain why is fail so I won't bother.

 

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

I sure do! I have plenty of examples. I could just list the movies/shows to avoid potential spoilers

• Toy Story 3
• Toy Story 4
• Coco
• MLP:FIM
• Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends
• Powerpuff Girls

In MLP:FIM, my heart dropped when everyone walked away from Twilight after the mistake she made in A Canterlot Wedding Part 1. 

[The Kaeya Simp 13,989]

2 hours ago, Vefka said:

For some reason I can't really feel for characters (though I'm very soft irl), they're not more than, well, characters for me. So because of this I've never cried over a movie/book/game. But I've seen some people who get really emotional and react to deaths/similar things as if characters were their real close friends

What kind of person are you? I've been wondering if there are people like me

I'm exactly the same tbh

[Misty Shadow 7,915]

I don't get super sentimental over fictional characters generally, but there are definitely some exceptions. What those exceptions may be, you'll never know! 

...Okay, with the exception of a few that are kind of obvious. 

[Tom Gallagher 33,588]

This will sound really cheesy. 

They may not be real, but the Mane Six are constantly with me.  If anypony ever offends them, I get offended too.  When they get emotional, I get emotional.  If any of them fall, I wish I could be there to catch them.  So I always feel for them like they’re real. 

I love them too much! 

Edited May 14, 2021 by TomDaBombMLP

[ExplosionMare 18,065]

I can get really emotional over characters if I’ve watched the show for a long time like MLP, Modern Family, or Heartland. Some characters are so realistic that you feel bad for anything sad happening to them even if the plot feels a bit forced.

I am sometimes that way with my own characters as well. I will celebrate their happy moments and cry during their sad moments even though I have full control over what happens to them. That’s just what happens when you dedicate a lot of time and emotion into your creations.

[They call me Loyalty 1,948]

My reaction will depend on how effective is the work of fiction. Similar with real life. Sometimes there are people I cannot believe to be real.

[Narcissus 355]

For me, fictional characters are often more real to me than real people. So yeah, I feel for them deeply. 

[JMTV99 1,354]

Yes, because the writing of the characters got me attached to the characters. Usually, I watched cartoons to be entertained until I saw FiM, it gravitates me through the characters' emotions and their struggles even if it's a show filled with pastel colored horses. I can get pretty emotional whenever the characters gets upset or feeling happy whenever the characters are joyful and cheering. Plus, the characters are so relatable to me and it makes me want to be there by their side.

The greatest thing about Friendship is Magic and the main reason why a lot of people got into the show in the first place was because it was a show that wasn't trying to talk down to it's audience nor it wasn't a show trying to sell toys for 5 year olds*. It was characters and story first, toys second.

*Okay, for the most part, it always has been, but at least it put it to good use with smart and clever writing.

[Dreambiscuit 9,933]

Yes. When I was growing up I didn't have a lot of friends, so I considered my movie, TV and cartoon friends my extended family (and I still do). They have personalities just like anyone else and were derived from the lives and experiences of other human beings. They have histories, interests, weaknesses, strengths and fears, and that makes them special to me. I take an invested interest in their lives and want to know more about them. Whether they're considered real by others or not, they're real to me. I don't need to split hairs over how they came to be.  

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

In my heart, The Doctor is real. If I ever hear the sound of the TARDIS engines, I drop everything and RUN anywhere to get to that fantastic ship!

[Prospekt 11,018]

Depends on the character. Are they believable? Are they a memorable character I've come to know and love? If so, I may get sentimental or teary-eyed if either the show/movie series is ending, the character dies, or the character ends up in some sort of sad situation. I even cried when Vegeta sacrificed himself in Dragon Ball Z so I can get emotional over all sorts of characters. I'm a softie like that.

[JMTV99 1,354]

9 hours ago, Dreambiscuit said:

Yes. When I was growing up I didn't have a lot of friends, so I considered my movie, TV and cartoon friends my extended family (and I still do). They have personalities just like anyone else and were derived from the lives and experiences of other human beings. They have histories, interests, weaknesses, strengths and fears, and that makes them special to me. I take an invested interest in their lives and want to know more about them. Whether they're considered real by others or not, they're real to me. I don't need to split hairs over how they came to be.  

Yeah, I feel the same way as you do.

[Clawdeen 14,852]

Oh I definitely do. I’ve had times where I’ve cried for characters or where I’ve felt embarrassed or heartbroken for them. 

[Northern Star 1,024]

There are some, yes, usually when I've followed it for a long time.

Most of the time it has to deal with a series end though, like one series ends with the group getting broken up and each sent in a different way, or when it's an actor's last role, like in The Shootist, but not always.