Toonophilia (romantic attraction to characters)

**SassySnivy** · 02-26-2016, 11:16 PM

I definitely don't want this to get into the sexual territory, but I think it's an interesting subject. I think maybe more people than we think have to go through this. Philia doesn't always relate to sex! It related to attraction as well, INCLUDING romantic attraction! :o So get your head out of the clouds. >:O

Hell, I even become attracted to / have crushes on pairings and OTPs! I know it sounds weird, but. Yeah. I think it's more warm fuzzies than anything else. Eye-dee-kay.

This is a really personal part of me, but I don't mind sharing this with you guys since I've come to terms with it for a while now.

Ever since I was little, I've always been able to form romantic feelings towards fictional characters. Video games, anime, cartoons, whatever! I've gone through so many fictional character crushes.

For those of you that might be a little unclear about what I mean, I think this statement will help clear it up: I get infatuated and form these made-up emotional bonds and the like towards fictional characters just like I would with anyone in the waking world. To me, there's no difference. A character can be just as life-like as any normal person, especially in personality. And where the canon lacks, there's always headcanon.

I'm not referring to the, "Oh that character is attractive" kind of thing. Sure, we've ALL found a fictional character attractive to some degree.

20-something years later, it's just something that I haven't been able to get over. But you know what? I'm okay with that, because it's a part of me. I have crushes on fictional characters now, and my outlet is via my dreams, via reading fanfics and reader inserts, and looking for artwork related to the character or pairing. Stuff like that. Do you guys remember when I was obsessed with Hiro from BH6? That was a crush. A pretty big one. Not just me being a "omg squee fangirl."

Don't get me wrong, though! Obviously I still form attractions towards real people. I mean, I'm married for a reason! :o And yes, I still form crushes even being married. Just because I'm devoted doesn't mean I can't feel normal, completely human feelings! I just don't let them get in the way. And they don't.

I dunno, maybe this is wayyyy more normal than I think. Is there anyone else that can relate in some way? If you've got a story to share, let's hear it! :o

**Chakramaster** · 02-26-2016, 11:58 PM

Well not so much "infatuation" or crushing as it is a "connection." In many games I can put myself in the MC place and feel the setting or emotion. Especially when it comes to some character you create or if the MC is literally supposed to be YOU. I can make those bonds with characters or connections with the friends you make. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's an attraction to them (though they try to make them like that in many games. Both males and females). So don't get me wrong, it's a totally normal human emotion to make those connections and feelings.

**Corey** · 02-27-2016, 12:04 AM

This has never happen to me, but I have a friend who gets infatuated with characters from Assassin's Creed, Star Wars, and various Marvel movies. That said, I don't find it strange or weird at all!

**Suicune's Fire** · 02-27-2016, 01:55 AM

This has happened to me. xD Not much, but it has happened.

When I was little, I used to have a big crush on Ritchie from the Pokemon anime, so much so that one morning I got up really early just to watch the previous night's repeat episode to see him. XD

Spoiler:

Yes, I admit it--when I was about 10, I had a crush on Shadow. I don't know why. I just thought he was cool and emo. XD

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Then when I saw Star Wars, I had a maaaaaaaaaaaaassive crush on Han Solo. Still sorta do. He's my straight go-to.

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My most recent one was when I played Mass Effect in 2012/2013...and I met Ashley. And hooo boy did I get a massive-a$$ crush on that woman. In Mass Effect 1, I mean. Not ME3. They ruined her in that. -_- I was so upset that FemShep couldn't romance her.

Spoiler:

I think it's normal. xD If they seem genuine and like they could actually be real people (i.e. well fleshed out characters) then it makes sense!

**Chibi Altaria** · 02-29-2016, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by Suicune's Fire

This has happened to me. xD Not much, but it has happened.

Yes, I admit it--when I was about 10, I had a crush on Shadow. I don't know why. I just thought he was cool and emo. XD

Spoiler:

I STILL have a crush on Shadow! <3 :p

Spoiler:

Yeah, this has happened to me a lot. Especially in games (RPGs mostly) where you can choose a romantic interest and such. (SQUEE CULLEN IN DAI <3 or Garrus in Mass Effect <3) In fact, I usually find I'm attracted to the those that are different from the usual 'sterotype'. I like different. I mean take Garrus for instance, some people would be all like "EW, UGLY ALIEN CREATURE WTF?!". Whereas I'm here like "GARRUS IS SO AWESOME I CAN'T EVEN *heavy breathing*". xD

See below for pics <3

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And my current shipping pair, Kazuma x Bishamon from Noragami! :D

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**Suicune's Fire** · 02-29-2016, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by Lunar Latias

Spoiler:

You mean if you were gay and a man? XD lelel.

ALSO GARRUS OMF. <3 Certainly a favourite of mine. I still gotta romance him! I remember I was going to in one playthrough, but it got really awkward and he was like "Erm, so, like, so, um, so, are you sure this is a good idea?" and I was like "o_o nope." XD But I'll do it next time.

also lel @ shadow

HAHAHAHA @Caite-chan THAT'S AMAZING.

**Chibi Altaria** · 03-01-2016, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by Suicune's Fire

You mean if you were gay and a man? XD lelel.

ALSO GARRUS OMF. <3 Certainly a favourite of mine. I still gotta romance him! I remember I was going to in one playthrough, but it got really awkward and he was like "Erm, so, like, so, um, so, are you sure this is a good idea?" and I was like "o_o nope." XD But I'll do it next time.

also lel @ shadow

Right, right. And a man. Forgot that detail :p I WAS TOO EXCITED.

DO EEEEEET. We need a future game with Garrus kiddies running around. ;u; Urgh I would kill to play that. And yeah he is so awkward. xD BUT IT'S ADORABLE. Except for his always wanting to do calibrations when I need to talk to him... >.>

I also really liked Thane. C: So cute.

EDIT: AAW, CRAP. I FORGOT ZUKO. /shame

**Noblejanobii** · 02-27-2016, 04:15 AM

Mkay I want to start this off by saying that Xanthe has great taste in men since I was madly in love with two of those characters too.

So, I think I've somewhat grown out of it, but four + years ago I definitely had this. For the longest time I was madly in love with the main character from An no Exorcist, Rin Okumura. This probably stemmed from a roleplay involving the show but nonetheless, I ended up crushing hard on the character. Following that, I went to watch the Pokemon series again and Ritchie became my darling. I still love him to this day and think they should totally bring him back. Hm… I also had a huge crush on N when he was first revealed. That one died fairly quickly though. Then for a short while I also had a crush on Yellow from Pokemon Special until I found out Yellow wasn't actually a guy… haha. Um… there's probably been others I can't think of. Han Solo is always the man and he's just a hunky hunk. OH!! And I forgot my current crush, Chiba from Assassination Classroom. Huh, guess I haven't grown out of it.

**SassySnivy** · 02-27-2016, 06:00 AM

Hah, I'm so glad this is way more normal than I thought. Thanks for sharing all your experiences! To be honest, let's see who I had crushes on when I was a kid.

Ash, Brock, Spyro (yes, Spyro the Dragon), umm...umm...Mono from Magic Pengel, Joey Wheeler from YuGiOh, Wally from Pokemon (this has only gotten worse / refueled with ORAS xD ), Cheren, Trevor, oh, I was madly in love with Rock Lee for a few years. xD that's all I can recall at this moment. Also Hiro from BH6, and almost every Hetalia character. Mainly Prussia, England, Italy, Japan, and Russia xD

These are in no particular order and are just how I remember them.

**Pokemon Trainer Sarah** · 02-27-2016, 12:53 PM

When I was 10 I was in love with Ash xD I was obsessed with Ash x Misty shipping for ages as well. And I loved Steven Stone when RS came out. He is still prob the most eligible bachelor in Pokemon IMO ;) I don't really watch many cartoons/anime anymore but fictional characters are awesome and just cos they were animated wouldn't stop me liking them. :)