False protagonist

<h2 id="overview">Overview</h2>
In film, a character can be made to seem like the main protagonist through several techniques beyond focusing the plot on their role. <a href="/facts/Bankable_star/VsoXoCpc">Star power</a> is one such method, as the audience generally assumes that the biggest "name" in a film will have a significant role. An abundance of <a href="/facts/Close-up/SVQImtz7">close-ups</a> can also be used as a subliminal method, as generally the star of a film will get longer-lasting and more frequent close-ups than other characters, but this is rarely immediately apparent to viewers watching the film. Alternatively, the false protagonist can serve as a narrator to the film, encouraging the audience to assume that they survive to tell their story later.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2">2</a>
Many of the same techniques used in film can apply to television, but the episodic nature adds an additional possibility. By ending one or more <a href="/facts/Television_episode/xxqJdPq0">episodes</a> with the false protagonist still in place, the show can reinforce the viewers' belief in the character's protagonist status. As well, because TV shows often have changes in cast between seasons, some series can have unintentional false protagonists: characters who begin the series as the main character, but are replaced early on in the show's run by another character. When the series is viewed as a whole, this can lead to the appearance of a false protagonist.
In video games, a false protagonist may initially be a playable character, only to be killed or revealed to be the antagonist. One key way in which video games employ the method that differs from uses in non-<a href="/facts/Interactive/9LeFR3ru">interactive</a> fiction is by granting the player direct <a href="/facts/Game_controller/2PkNFsUX">control</a> over the false protagonist. Since most video games allow a player to control only the main characters and their success or failure is based on playing skill, not a pre-determined story, the sudden demise of the character that is being controlled serves to surprise the player.

<h2 id="examples">Examples</h2>
<h3>Literature</h3>
<ul><li>The <a href="/facts/Books_of_Samuel/Du7XzYM4">Book of Samuel</a> begins with <a href="/facts/Samuel/v52y3PpL">Samuel</a>'s birth and <a href="/facts/Yahweh/kIUcSQFb">God</a>'s call to him as a boy. At this point, readers are led to believe that Samuel is the central figure of the book. However, by the sixteenth chapter, the book begins to primarily focus on <a href="/facts/King_David/VrqSRP9a">David</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3">3</a></li>
<li>The story of <a href="/facts/Aladdin/qAT99tM4">Aladdin</a> in the <a href="/facts/Arabian_Nights/BPM1XkaC">Arabian Nights</a> begins with a wizard undertaking a <a href="/facts/Quest/X71Xqc9I">quest</a> from Morocco to China to recover a powerful magical lamp. Gradually, it becomes clear that the boy Aladdin, whom the Wizard meets in China, is the true protagonist, while the Wizard is the story's villain.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Robert_A._Heinlein/h0oY0898">Robert A. Heinlein</a>'s 1940 science fiction short story <a href="/facts/The_Roads_Must_Roll/JjNBfxf6">The Roads Must Roll</a> begins with an orator inciting rebellion among the workers of the story's "roadtowns" by enumerating their grievances, gaining their and the reader's sympathy. However, the rebelling workers then callously cause mass death and injuries among commuters, and the true protagonist is revealed to be the director, who is working to suppress the rebellion. By the end, the original orator is depicted as a cowardly and contemptible villain.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Juan_Rulfo/2BcXyeTe">Juan Rulfo</a>'s novel <a href="/facts/Pedro_P%25C3%25A1ramo/yv4n3yac">Pedro Páramo</a> initially features Juan Preciado, who is searching for his father as a final wish made to his dying mother, as the main protagonist of the story. Halfway through the novel, Preciado unexpectedly dies in the abandoned town of Comala, with the latter half of the novel focusing on the life of Pedro Paramo, his rise to power, and how his ambition and ruthlessness leads to Comala's demise.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/George_R._R._Martin/XXt2sJDp">George R. R. Martin</a>'s novel series <a href="/facts/A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire/EPRfHx4b">A Song of Ice and Fire</a> features chapters <a href="/facts/Multiperspectivity/a86GduVB">told from the point of view of various characters</a>. Each novel begins with a <a href="/facts/Prologue/4bpgolV8">prologue</a> chapter in which the point-of-view character dies. The most prominent point-of-view character in the first novel, <a href="/facts/A_Game_of_Thrones/j1R1Fw6Q">A Game of Thrones</a>, is <a href="/facts/Ned_Stark/mKDw91w2">Ned Stark</a>, who in combination with his heroic characteristics is thus generally assumed to be the series' main protagonist until the final chapters of the novel, where he is unexpectedly executed.
<ul><li>In the television adaptation, <a href="/facts/Game_of_Thrones/2jU7dXDT">Game of Thrones</a>, Ned Stark is portrayed by <a href="/facts/Sean_Bean/Q4xv7eGX">Sean Bean</a>, who received top billing among the cast for the first season, but following the character's execution in the episode "<a href="/facts/Baelor/wzlha8qC">Baelor</a>", the penultimate episode of the first season, he appears again only in flashback, portrayed by <a href="/facts/Sebastian_Croft/Mso7Kxvj">Sebastian Croft</a> as a child and <a href="/facts/Robert_Aramayo/sBU1HKeW">Robert Aramayo</a> as a young man.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a></li></ul></li>
<li>The light novel <a href="/facts/Goblin_Slayer/NLlvxqdc">Goblin Slayer</a> introduces a Warrior, Mage, and Monk, who recruit a Priestess and embark on a quest to kill goblins, only to be eaten, poisoned to death, and humiliated to the point of ending up in a <a href="/facts/Vegetative_state/EkAyEEU3">vegetative state</a>. The Priestess is rescued by the legendary Goblin Slayer, who replaces her escorts as the protagonist. The escorts were featured in promotional marketing material for the novel and its anime adaptation until the first episode was released.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a></li></ul>
<h3>Comics</h3>
The webcomic <a href="/facts/Sleepless_Domain/FFaKHQdr">Sleepless Domain</a> introduces a team of five <a href="/facts/Magical_girl/GkETEYvH">magical girl</a> characters, initially presenting Tessa, the team leader, as the main protagonist. However, in the second chapter, three of Tessa's teammates are killed in a battle with a powerful monster, and the fourth, Undine, is severely injured. Tessa sacrifices her powers to heal Undine, and the story shifts to focus on Undine as she struggles to cope with the loss of her friends. Tessa, now powerless, becomes a supporting character.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a>

<h3>Film</h3>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Psycho_(1960_film)/vxLkTw4a">Psycho</a> opens with <a href="/facts/Marion_Crane/He0xo5Cz">Marion Crane</a> as the main character. However, she is killed partway through the film, making the murder far more unexpected and shocking. Director <a href="/facts/Alfred_Hitchcock/LqkmpImQ">Alfred Hitchcock</a> felt that the opening scenes with Marion as the false protagonist were so important to the film that when it was released in theaters, he compelled theater owners to enforce a "no late admission" policy.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a></li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Arachnophobia_(film)/K1fE8XIh">Arachnophobia</a>, nature photographer Jerry Manley (<a href="/facts/Mark_L._Taylor/QBBAN5mW">Mark L. Taylor</a>) is initially portrayed as the protagonist. However, early on in the film, Manley is bitten and killed by a poisonous spider, and the focus shifts to Ross Jennings (<a href="/facts/Jeff_Daniels/Ar7ll4GN">Jeff Daniels</a>).</li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Executive_Decision/bhCSV1J8">Executive Decision</a>, Austin Travis, portrayed by <a href="/facts/Steven_Seagal/F3SMPe2z">Steven Seagal</a>, is introduced as a major protagonist only to be killed at the end of the first act, leaving David Grant as the film's true hero.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a></li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Sicario_(2015_film)/0xyGglFV">Sicario</a>, the story is told from the point of view of FBI agent Kate Macer who is enlisted for a government task force overseen by CIA officer Matt Graver and the mysterious Alejandro Gillick to take down the leader of a Mexican drug cartel. Although most of the story is told from Kate's perspective, she is kept in the dark about the purpose of the task force as she comes to learn that she is merely an observer who has no agency in the events unfolding around her. In the final act of the film, it is revealed that it is Alejandro's story, and the perspective switches to follow him as he seeks revenge on the cartel leader who murdered his family.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Laurie_Strode/U0qMfPoU">Laurie Strode</a> (portrayed by <a href="/facts/Jamie_Lee_Curtis/tIhnylgE">Jamie Lee Curtis</a>) is the false protagonist of <a href="/facts/Halloween%3a_Resurrection/K9MyHlsP">Halloween: Resurrection</a>, being killed in the film's first act.</li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Mindhunters/PgjzK8So">Mindhunters</a>, J.D. (<a href="/facts/Christian_Slater/4YFXzsF0">Christian Slater</a>) is one of the central characters in the film's opening, alongside Sara (<a href="/facts/Kathryn_Morris/HRxm9Hu2">Kathryn Morris</a>). However, he is the first character to be killed, being killed early on in the film. <a href="/facts/Val_Kilmer/5gB95cc0">Val Kilmer</a>'s character, Jack Harris, is ubiquitous at the beginning of the film as a leader, but disappears from the plot until the other characters learn that he was killed.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Mars_Attacks!/uocRU50R">Mars Attacks!</a> had several notable actors, including <a href="/facts/Jack_Nicholson/hxyXjyyI">Jack Nicholson</a>, <a href="/facts/Pierce_Brosnan/aLqNzpWP">Pierce Brosnan</a>, and <a href="/facts/Michael_J._Fox/AeMDc5j6">Michael J. Fox</a>, who portrayed false protagonists, who either end up dying or being captured by aliens. The characters who survived were portrayed by actors who were less known at the time, such as <a href="/facts/Natalie_Portman/AF0DIScu">Natalie Portman</a>.</li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Scream_(1996_film)/7vW0twqj">Scream</a>, <a href="/facts/Casey_Becker/hkz92Cmd">Casey Becker</a> (<a href="/facts/Drew_Barrymore/QMtLgGom">Drew Barrymore</a>) is introduced as the main character in the opening scene of the film before she is killed by <a href="/facts/Ghostface_(Scream)/u6BstXTH">Ghostface</a>. <a href="/facts/Sidney_Prescott/6PKYuKEC">Sidney Prescott</a> (<a href="/facts/Neve_Campbell/upvFuJBl">Neve Campbell</a>) is then introduced as the film's actual protagonist. Barrymore was originally attached to play Sydney, but decided to play Casey, suggesting to the producers that her character be killed because "You kind of always have this tension, but you kind of know that your hero is going to make it. And I thought 'What if I die?', and then it'll be like all bets are off, anybody could get killed in this movie and would take away that cliché safety net of 'the girl always gets away.'"<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a></li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/The_Ring_(2002_film)/TEC8uXLx">The Ring</a>, Samara (<a href="/facts/Daveigh_Chase/yj2NrXTl">Daveigh Chase</a>) is introduced as a tragic protagonist during flashbacks where viewers are meant to sympathize with her, only for the film's ending to reveal that she is a malevolent entity.</li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/No_Country_for_Old_Men/vvnU8gRH">No Country for Old Men</a>, Llewllyn Moss (<a href="/facts/Josh_Brolin/StDSElQw">Josh Brolin</a>) appears to be the story's central character until he is killed offscreen near the end of the film and the narrative switches focus to the sheriff (<a href="/facts/Tommy_Lee_Jones/v4Qs4NMm">Tommy Lee Jones</a>).</li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/A_Perfect_Getaway/1abPCzJM">A Perfect Getaway</a>, a mild-mannered couple (portrayed by <a href="/facts/Steve_Zahn/bTHkGDc1">Steve Zahn</a> and <a href="/facts/Milla_Jovovich/LWp7CtKr">Milla Jovovich</a>), who are the main protagonists, discover that there are psychopaths stalking and murdering tourists in the Hawaiian islands. The ending reveals that they are the actual killers.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/The_Hunt_(2020_film)/q6X8gP1P">The Hunt</a> introduces a string of false protagonists beginning with <a href="/facts/Emma_Roberts/zSUd3fCF">Emma Roberts</a>, and continuing through <a href="/facts/Justin_Hartley/leLRpqvY">Justin Hartley</a> and <a href="/facts/Ike_Barinholtz/uJAjDADD">Ike Barinholtz</a>, before revealing <a href="/facts/Betty_Gilpin/dJ3kax6G">Betty Gilpin</a>'s character Crystal to be the true protagonist.</li></ul>
<h3>Video games</h3>
<ul><li>In <a href="/facts/Castlevania%3a_Symphony_of_the_Night/oxXdjG3M">Castlevania: Symphony of the Night</a>, the player takes control of <a href="/facts/Richter_Belmont/dbuwuBu3">Richter Belmont</a> throughout the prologue, which retells the epilogue of <a href="/facts/Castlevania%3a_Rondo_of_Blood/jkKopU12">Castlevania: Rondo of Blood</a> and his fight and subsequent victory against <a href="/facts/Dracula_(Castlevania)/81FQqmP6">Dracula</a>. Following a five-year time skip, the story is told from the perspective of <a href="/facts/Alucard_(Castlevania)/LrqyUnhv">Alucard</a>, Dracula's son. Richter subsequently appears as a non-playable character and as a boss.
<ul><li>In an alternate playthrough of the game, players control of Richter for the majority of the game, up until Richter fights <a href="/facts/Shaft_(Castlevania)/dbuwuBu3">Shaft</a>.</li></ul></li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Metal_Gear_Solid_2%3a_Sons_of_Liberty/jk6x5t5P">Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty</a>, the player initially plays as <a href="/facts/Solid_Snake/hG6jrXmN">Solid Snake</a>, protagonist of the original <a href="/facts/Metal_Gear_(series)/KA9INnLG">Metal Gear</a> games. However, the majority of the game afterward follows <a href="/facts/Raiden_(Metal_Gear)/wlH9Xlc9">Raiden</a>, with Snake becoming a <a href="/facts/Deuteragonist/8QIBtx4u">deuteragonist</a>.</li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Fatal_Frame_(video_game)/oHJDw14X">Fatal Frame</a>, the player assumes the role of Mafuyu in the prologue, after which her sibling Miku becomes the main protagonist.</li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Star_Fox_Adventures/G71jTXs9">Star Fox Adventures</a>, players initially control <a href="/facts/Krystal_(Star_Fox)/lPshga7C">Krystal</a> before she is captured by <a href="/facts/Andross/lPshga7C">Andross</a>, after which <a href="/facts/Fox_McCloud/X6kmQp1b">Fox McCloud</a> regains his position as protagonist.</li>
<li>In the prologue of <a href="/facts/Silent_Hill_4%3a_The_Room/N1MQkIj9">Silent Hill 4: The Room</a>, Joseph Schreiber is portrayed as the protagonist before being killed by Walter Sullivan. After the prologue, the game follows Henry Townsend, who comes to live in Schreiber's apartment.</li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Kingdom_Hearts_II/1phoEs6w">Kingdom Hearts II</a>, <a href="/facts/Roxas_(Kingdom_Hearts)/AvNk4L3c">Roxas</a> is initially portrayed as the protagonist in the first few hours of gameplay, but ceases to exist after learning of his nature as <a href="/facts/Sora_(Kingdom_Hearts)/AXvUu3y8">Sora</a>'s <a href="/facts/Nobody_(Kingdom_Hearts)/ynVUUzu6">Nobody</a> and merging with him, with Sora resuming his role as protagonist.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a> Roxas returns in the <a href="/facts/Interquel/HcopA9hC">interquel</a> <a href="/facts/Kingdom_Hearts_358%2f2_Days/VvIDbmq2">Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days</a>, where he remains a protagonist, and the sequel <a href="/facts/Kingdom_Hearts_III/QKUQcUjV">Kingdom Hearts III</a>, where he is resurrected and becomes a supporting character.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a></li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/The_Godfather_(2006_video_game)/HhNxNDpq">The Godfather</a>, players initially control a gangster working for the <a href="/facts/Corleone_family/o5pIgfrb">Corleone family</a>, who saves his son from a fire before being killed by thugs. Afterwards, players take control of his son, who seeks revenge for his death.</li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Call_of_Duty_4%3a_Modern_Warfare/XabDn8v6">Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare</a>, the player assumes the roles of alternating player characters: <a href="/facts/Special_Air_Service/aH7HDFdf">SAS</a> operative Sgt. John MacTavish and <a href="/facts/United_States_Marine_Corps/J8JDlJG2">U.S. Marine</a> Paul Jackson during the game's first act. At the end of the first act, Jackson is killed in an explosion, after which MacTavish is the sole player character.</li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Final_Fantasy_XII/HLNEqyqv">Final Fantasy XII</a>, the player starts the game playing as the young soldier Reks; after he is killed, the player switches control to <a href="/facts/Vaan_(Final_Fantasy)/oYDapG0d">Vaan</a>, his younger brother.</li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Xenoblade_Chronicles_(video_game)/kgyTpJC3">Xenoblade Chronicles</a>, Dunban is portrayed as protagonist during the prologue. After Dunban's right arm is severely injured, leaving him unable to wield the Monado sword, <a href="/facts/Shulk/WHsSJsh1">Shulk</a> becomes protagonist and the Monado's new wielder, with Dunban later joining as a party member.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a></li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Assassin%2527s_Creed_III/dG2jJHnh">Assassin's Creed III</a>, the player character during the prologue is <a href="/facts/Haytham_Kenway/CHRvLo8t">Haytham Kenway</a>, who is later revealed to be a member of the <a href="/facts/Knights_Templar/1IEETuMg">Templar Order</a>, the game's main antagonists. Following the revelation of Haytham's true allegiance, the perspective shifts to his son <a href="/facts/Ratonhnhak%25C3%25A9%3aton/g36uvaUk">Connor</a>, the main protagonist, while Haytham assumes the role of main antagonist.</li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/The_Bureau%3a_XCOM_Declassified/Fhn06UvE">The Bureau: XCOM Declassified</a>, you play as William Carter for most of the game, but it is eventually revealed that you are actually playing an Ethereal, Asaru, who is controlling him. After Carter rejects him, Aasru has a choice to take control of three other characters in the final mission that determines the ending. Carter can be killed in the final mission as well.</li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Danganronpa_V3%3a_Killing_Harmony/Glt3SLYu">Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony</a>, Kaede Akamatsu is initially portrayed as the protagonist of the game. However, she is killed at the end of chapter 1, and her role as protagonist is replaced by Shuichi Saihara.</li>
<li>The indie game <a href="/facts/Snufkin%3a_Melody_of_Moominvalley/md4NXgTT">Melody of Moominvalley</a> involves the disappearance of <a href="/facts/Moomintroll/Bkewy2K9">Moomintroll</a>, after which his best friend <a href="/facts/Snufkin/j1YVkgcm">Snufkin</a> takes over as protagonist.</li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/The_Legend_of_Zelda%3a_Echoes_of_Wisdom/rvHp9aa1">The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom</a>, the player initially controls <a href="/facts/Link_(The_Legend_of_Zelda)/VTVDqoGV">Link</a>, who rescues <a href="/facts/Princess_Zelda/FxQyA4YH">Princess Zelda</a> from <a href="/facts/Ganon/pysll6ud">Ganon</a> before being sucked into a rift. However, he frees Zelda from her crystal prison beforehand, allowing her to assume the role of protagonist as she sets out to save <a href="/facts/Hyrule/YMP5wkas">Hyrule</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a></li>
<li>In <a href="/facts/Clair_Obscur%3a_Expedition_33/SAlJQQp6">Clair Obscur: Expedition 33</a>, Gustave is the protagonist for the first act, but he is killed by a painted version of Renoir at the end of the act, and Verso takes his place in the party and becomes the protagonist of the second act. It is Maelle however, who is the protagonist of the third act and the entire story. Verso opposes Maelle in a duel at the very end for the fate of the canvas and Maelle's future, the player selecting who to fight as.</li></ul>
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Antihero/GMgF4uRa">Antihero</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/False_hero/96ySr00j">False hero</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Plot_twist/zf3UE6Ya">Plot twist</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Red_herring_(narrative)/T1dHfwHr">Red herring (narrative)</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">Christopher W. Tindale (2007). Fallacies and Argument Appraisal. Cambridge University Press. pp. 28–33. ISBN 978-0-521-84208-2. <a href="978-0-521-84208-2" target="_blank">978-0-521-84208-2</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">Jonason, Peter K.; Webster, Gregory D.; Schmitt, David P.; Li, Norman P.; Crysel, Laura (2012). "The antihero in popular culture: Life history theory and the dark triad personality traits". Review of General Psychology. 16 (2): 192–199. doi:10.1037/a0027914. S2CID 53478899. <a href="http://doi.apa.org/getdoi.cfm?doi=10.1037/a0027914" target="_blank">http://doi.apa.org/getdoi.cfm?doi=10.1037/a0027914</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">The False Protagonist: Don't Be Afraid to Fool Your Readers Tonya Thompson from servicescape.com. Retrieved 5 November 2022. <a href="https://www.servicescape.com/blog/the-false-protagonist-dont-be-afraid-to-fool-your-readers#:~:text=This%20momentous%20defeat%20does%20not,Holy%20Bible%20as%20a%20whole." target="_blank">https://www.servicescape.com/blog/the-false-protagonist-dont-be-afraid-to-fool-your-readers#:~:text=This%20momentous%20defeat%20does%20not,Holy%20Bible%20as%20a%20whole.</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">Hibberd, James (12 June 2011). "Game of Thrones recap: The Killing". Entertainment Weekly. p. 1. Retrieved 17 August 2014. <a href="http://tvrecaps.ew.com/recap/game-of-thrones-episode-9/" target="_blank">http://tvrecaps.ew.com/recap/game-of-thrones-episode-9/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">Poniewozik, James (13 June 2011). "Game of Thrones Watch: The Unkindest Cut". Time. Retrieved 13 August 2014. <a href="/wiki/James_Poniewozik" target="_blank">/wiki/James_Poniewozik</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">Gardner, Jack (12 December 2018). "Goblin Slayer Backlash Explained: Why It's The Most Controversial Anime This Season". Screen Rant. Retrieved 12 January 2022. <a href="https://screenrant.com/goblin-slayer-backlash-explained-controversial-anime/" target="_blank">https://screenrant.com/goblin-slayer-backlash-explained-controversial-anime/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">Nic (23 November 2021). "Sleepless Domain, Book One: The Price of Magic – No Flying No Tights". No Flying, No Tights. <a href="https://noflyingnotights.com/blog/2021/11/23/sleepless-domain-book-one-the-price-of-magic/" target="_blank">https://noflyingnotights.com/blog/2021/11/23/sleepless-domain-book-one-the-price-of-magic/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">Leigh, Janet. Psycho : Behind the Scenes of the Classic Thriller. Harmony Press, 1995. ISBN 0-517-70112-X. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">Ebert, Roger (15 March 1996). "Executive Decision". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 27 September 2014. <a href="/wiki/Roger_Ebert" target="_blank">/wiki/Roger_Ebert</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">Flynn, Justin (13 December 2022). "10 Movies That Have Decoy Protagonists". Game Rant. Retrieved 26 September 2024. <a href="https://gamerant.com/movies-false-decoy-protagonists/" target="_blank">https://gamerant.com/movies-false-decoy-protagonists/</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">Cannon, Eoghan (20 October 2021). "Drew Barrymore reveals she was originally cast as Sidney in 'Scream'". Entertainment.ie. Retrieved 26 September 2024. <a href="https://entertainment.ie/movies/movie-news/drew-barrymore-scream-sidney-497020/" target="_blank">https://entertainment.ie/movies/movie-news/drew-barrymore-scream-sidney-497020/</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">Glasser, AJ; Reed, Ashley (3 December 2014). "Kingdom Hearts history - One of gaming's most complicated stories explained". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 8 April 2025. <a href="https://www.gamesradar.com/kingdom-hearts-explained/2/" target="_blank">https://www.gamesradar.com/kingdom-hearts-explained/2/</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">Frank, Allegra (25 January 2019). "Kingdom Hearts is complicated — so we've summarized the first two games for you". Polygon. Retrieved 8 April 2025. <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2019/1/25/18197545/kingdom-hearts-story-explained-recap" target="_blank">https://www.polygon.com/2019/1/25/18197545/kingdom-hearts-story-explained-recap</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">Frank, Allegra (28 January 2019). "All the Kingdom Hearts backstory you need to fully understand Kingdom Hearts 3". Polygon. Retrieved 8 April 2025. <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2019/1/28/18197797/kingdom-hearts-3-explained-lore-characters" target="_blank">https://www.polygon.com/2019/1/28/18197797/kingdom-hearts-3-explained-lore-characters</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">"Kingdom Hearts DS Update". IGN. 26 September 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2025. <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/09/26/kingdom-hearts-ds-update" target="_blank">https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/09/26/kingdom-hearts-ds-update</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">Hashimoto, Kazuma (11 April 2022). "Xion and Roxas Reappeared in Kingdom Hearts 3 Because of the Fans". Siliconera. Retrieved 8 April 2025. <a href="https://www.siliconera.com/xion-and-roxas-reappeared-in-kingdom-hearts-3-because-of-the-fans/" target="_blank">https://www.siliconera.com/xion-and-roxas-reappeared-in-kingdom-hearts-3-because-of-the-fans/</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">Ponthier, Matthew (6 July 2022). "The Story of Xenoblade Chronicles: A Full Recap". Goomba Stomp Magazine. Retrieved 8 April 2025. <a href="https://goombastomp.com/xenoblade-chronicles-story-recap/" target="_blank">https://goombastomp.com/xenoblade-chronicles-story-recap/</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">Machkovech, Sam (25 September 2024). "The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom review – "A refreshing, magic-filled retool of the Link's Awakening engine"". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 8 April 2025. <a href="https://www.gamesradar.com/games/the-legend-of-zelda/the-legend-of-zelda-echoes-of-wisdom-review/" target="_blank">https://www.gamesradar.com/games/the-legend-of-zelda/the-legend-of-zelda-echoes-of-wisdom-review/</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

False protagonist open-in-new

False protagonist