If you were to look through the mainstream of fantasy and sci-fi anime, cartoons, movies, and books, you would not be remiss if you thought that once a teenager “came of age”, that they were done, that their adventures were over. I struggled for almost a decade after becoming a young adult, grappling with the dreaded idea that the “real world” held no drama or whimsy, now that I had aged out of that world.
After all, my absolute favorite stories usually come from fantasy anime and manga – the first big book I got super into was Eragon, and I did enjoy watching the hero grow with me. However, as an aging millenial who ended up having to shave his head and watch his blood sugar numbers, it became increasingly difficult to see myself as a character, any character, in a fantastical story.
Don’t get me wrong, I love coming of age stories for what they offer to the youth. They’re a classic for a reason, and it’s a storyline that was very formative for my identity, even now.
But I want to see more stories about older protagonists! I think that’s why I try to write so many adult protagonists in stories that I create. It’s beautiful to see older people discover things about themselves that they may not have as a younger person. You can question your career choice, gender identity, dreams, or anything else at any given time – you don’t have to stop once you turn 18!
When you become a more mature adult, there’s no guarantee that you will have your lifestyle more together. I want to see more aging heroes in roles that are not typical for their age bracket!
My story, Haunts of Loarne, is about an adult character who is finding their way – and lost memories – in a world where nothing is certain except for your Fate – a magic power based on a literary/storytelling tool that comes with its own danger. You’ll have to look out for the light novel to learn more!
What stories are you telling for your identity group?