December 18, 2007
Is it Normal to Have a Crush on an Animated Character?
Written by Kimberly Logan in Jaunty PostI’ve just finished playing the video game Final Fantasy 7:Dirge of Cerberus, and I am here to make a confession. I now have a full-fledged fan-girl crush on Vincent Valentine. Sigh. What’s not to crush on? He’s just the kind of guy who has a tendency to make me melt. The tall, dark, and brooding anti-hero who has loved and lost in the past. A man who is in need of the love of a good woman to ease his pain. And oh yeah, something else I may have forgotten to mention. He’s a CGI animated character. (For a glimpse of Vincent, you can check out this fan-made video tribute at You Tube. Perfect song for him, BTW)
Of course, this isn’t the first time this has happened, and it’s quite possible I might need professional help, LOL. As someone who plays a lot of video games, reads comics, and watches her share of anime, I have to be honest and say that I’ve had crushes on animated characters before. Yes, it’s a sad state of affairs, but I just can’t seem to help it. I’m a nerd. 
My number one animated crush for several years has been Cloud Strife, also of Final Fantasy 7 fame. (He’s in the first FF 7 video game and the movie Advent Children) Once again, he is a strong, silent, and brooding loner who has loved and lost in the past. (Noticing a pattern here?) But hey, at least he’s a blonde anti-hero for once. Here’s another fanmade You Tube video tribute which showcases some of his more memorable moments. (Another awesome song there too!)
Next up would have to be Gambit of the X-Men comics. There’s just something about that cocky grin and that laid-back Cajun charm that gets me every time. Come on! Who wouldn’t love a man who can turn ordinary, everyday playing cards into lethal weapons? Plus, I can’t help but love the way he loves Rogue. I’m just sick, sick, sick that they have once again broken them up in the comics–and turned Gambit evil!–but I’m holding out hope that there’s more to the story than meets the eye and that they’ll get back together before too long.
And there have been others. Axel from Kingdom Hearts 2, Shrek. Okay, maybe not that last one. I just wanted to see if you were still paying attention. So, have you ever had any animated crushes? Or am I totally nuts? Please feel free to advise me to make an appointment with a good therapist. 
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RobynDeHart Says:
You know I would have said you were nuts, but I honestly can’t. Cause have you seen Mulan? Um, Shan-Yu is a total hottie! Can’t say that I’ve ever noticed in any other animated setting, but he certainly gets my attention. I have heard from others about Gambit’s appeal, but I’ve never seen anything but the live-action X-Men.
Kimberly Logan Says:
Yep. I’ve seen Mulan, and I agree. Shan-Yu is a definite hottie.
brownone Says:
Um, when I was little I had a MAD crush on the “driver” of the red lion in Voltron. I always thought He-Man was kinda “ick”. Oh, and I agree with you on Axel in KH2. Actually, alot of the KH secondary characters are well drawn and developed!
Margo Maguire Says:
Uh -oh … Looks like I need to break out and check out some other heros besides my Romance Novel ones!
Kimberly Logan Says:
Brownone, I loved Axel, and I definitely got teary-eyed during his last scene. (Sniff-sniff) There’s just something about a wise-cracking bad guy gone good.
If there are any further KH games, they’d better find a way to bring him back or I’ll be sorely disappointed. (Psst. Just between you and me, I have an action figure of him on my computer desk to give me inspiration.)
Yep, Margo, that’s just what I love about the Square-Enix video games. They know how to create really complex and fascinating characters, especially their heroes. And most of them usually involve some sort of love story. It’s very fertile ground for story ideas.
brownone Says:
I didn’t even know they had action figures! My younger sister has a crush on some character from Naruto and LOVES Inu Yasha. I never got into those shows. I’m more of a video game junkie. Love the Final Fantasy games! I think there is some talk about there might/might not being a KH3. If they do, I hope they find a way to bring Axel and his bad a#* back.
Taryn Raye Says:
I’ve always liked Wolverine, though once Hugh Jackman brought him to life on screen…shew! Makes me drool thinking about him.
I’ve also got a fondness for the warrior from God of War. Muscular and running around in barely anything…
Jane Says:
I love the animated Batman, he looks better without the mask as Bruce Wayne. Other animated crushes are Ryu from Street Fighter, Cyclops and Archangel from X-Men.
Nonny Says:
When I was a kid, I had a MAJOR crush on Wolverine from the animated X-Men. (Hugh Jackman ain’t bad looking, either.
)
Amanda Says:
When I was a little girl I wanted to marry Speed Racer. I guess I had no idea he was animated and I wasn’t. LOL I thought he was so cool, and drove such an awesome car.
Kimberly Logan Says:
Jane, I always thought poor Angel was sadly underrated. I loved him, and he just never seemed to get the attention he deserved. He could have been awesome in the X-3 movie. No offense to the actor who played him, but I think they could have done better casting the part. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, however…Yum!
You know, Amanda, I never got into Speed Racer, though I know some people who think he is the hottest thing ever.
Deborah Says:
I love wolverine love a man who has been there loved and lost and still trying to find himself. My daughter is into Kingdom of Hearts with Axel and also Final Fantasy she really likes Cloud…. She plays KH1 and KH2 and FF10 and 12 and I got her another version Final Fantasy 10 2 so she’ll be drolling over that one too. I loved Speed Racer when I was young and living in Hawaii it was the kind of Cartoon that was shown over there then. I had a thing for him then at age 10
Shana Says:
I’ve never had a crush on an animated character, but it sounds like you’re in good company, Kim!
Kimberly Logan Says:
Yep, it’s good to know I’m not alone in my lunacy, Shana.
Oh, and FF10 is probably my favorite game in the FF series, Deborah. I thought Tidus was a real cutie and I loved him with Yuna. FF10-2 is okay, and your daughter will probably enjoy it. It’s worth a play if only to see these two reunited at the end.
Jennifer Y. Says:
I used to have a crush on Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid…of course, I was seven.
Nicole G. Says:
yeah i happen to agree with you…i’ve basically had crushes on animated characters all my life.
and this may sound immature, but i sometimes watch the anime series Inu-Yasha, and sadly still infatuated with the pervert monk miroku… 
