“Pikachu, I choose you!”
One dialogue, and you’re met with a whirlwind of emotions. You’re suddenly visualising your childhood and all the times you’ve missed your study hours to watch an episode of Pokèmon. Even after all these years, you wouldn’t mind watching an episode or a clip online for whatever reason, nostalgic or otherwise.
Delving deeper, it’s clear that this human attachment to fictional characters is more than just nostalgic. People have been involved with their beloved fictional characters through multiple mediums like anime, cartoons and video games (both passively — watching & actively — playing).
The Formation of Parasocial Relationships
According to a research paper titled “Mass Communication & Para-Social Interaction” (Horton & Wohl, 1956), individuals tend to develop parasocial relationships with media characters, forming bonds and treating them as if they were real individuals, despite knowing they’re not real. Every famous anime/cartoon you’ve watched or game you’ve played has been created with a high degree of depth and complexity for a specific audience. They have intricate backstories, multi-layered character personalities, and internal conflicts. This complexity allows for nuanced and realistic portrayals that resonate with you as a viewer or player on a deeper level.
With longer-running shows or games, we also experience significant character growth. Witnessing a character’s progression can be inspiring and lead to a stronger attachment as we root for their success. Attachment also stems from characters that represent diverse identities, experiences and struggles. Seeing yourself represented in a fictional character can foster a strong sense of validation, belonging and empowerment. This is validated by the “Attachment Theory” (Bowlby, 1969), which states that individuals seek proximity to attachment figures for emotional support and a sense of security.
Coping Mechanisms
Another strong reason for the attachment towards fictional characters is the escapism that they provide. This escapism is considered soothing, almost therapeutic, for a lot of people. It is used as a coping mechanism by a lot of people, providing them with a sense of autonomy and allowing them to explore different identities or narratives beyond their own. Taking a look at video games specifically, the research paper titled “The Motivational Pull of Video Games: A Self-Determination Theory Approach” (Ryan et al., 2006) states that video games can enhance feelings of competence, autonomy, and mastery. For individuals facing challenges or lacking control in other areas of their lives, this is empowering.
Does this translate to the Metaverse?
Taking into account the nature of the Metaverse, it is highly possible that this attachment with fictional characters and parasocial relationships could be enriched in a few ways. Although we’d still be interacting with a virtual representation of the characters we love, the Metaverse provides a unique playground that would transcend the boundaries of traditional media. Here are a few reasons how:
- Personalised Experiences — The personalised experiences provided by the Metaverse can contribute to stronger parasocial relationships as users feel a sense of individual attention and relevance within the virtual environment.
- Enhanced Immersion — The Metaverse’s heightened immersive nature provides a sense of presence and interactivity, thus blurring the boundaries between the physical and virtual worlds.
- Direct Interaction — The possibility of direct interactions enable users to feel a deeper connection, reinforcing or even surpassing the experience of traditional media.
With the development and possibilities of the Metaverse, the bond between people and their beloved fictional characters is bound to evolve and flourish in exciting new ways within the virtual realm.