Over the years we all consumed various media. Specifically movies, tv shows, games, books. Things like that. And as a result of shaping our identities whether we know it or not we taken our cues from certain characters of those works. Mainly because something about them clicks. Be it hero, villain or supporting characters like parents, siblings, friends and that occasional wise character that pops up with few words, but sophisticated words, there is always something about them that we can relate to. So I decided to list some from each category that I can relate to. Now before I say mine, just so you know. The characters don't have to be the same sex as you, the same race as you, the same religion as you or even the same name as you. They merely have to be characters you've watched, played or read over the years that seem to click with you.

Books

Ponyboy Curtis, The Outsiders:

Now when people watch The Outsiders they'll automatically say Darry or Dallas because they're tough motherfuckers. Or they'd pick Johnny because he was cute. However if I am being honest with myself I relate more to Ponyboy. I grew up in a tough neighborhood. I wasn't as brave or outspoken or even remotely controversial as most of you see me now. I much like Ponyboy was an innocent kid whom would have gotten a better life had things not go so horribly wrong. And much like him I get caught up in shit that shouldn't even have anything to do with me. Much like him I've lost friends over the years as well. Through disagreements, our own personal problems or even death. Yet despite all that, much like him I am optimistic in that things may end up being ok. In case people wondered what happened to him. He was the lucky greaser that got out. Not many of us, are that lucky.

Harry James Potter......Harry Potter series:

Say what you will about Rowling but you cannot deny when it comes to writing characters like Harry, Ron, Hermione, Snape and the other billions that are now scattered in the Potterverse, she knew her stuff. However if I'm being honest with myself I relate to Harry Potter. Not the famous Harry Potter or the badass Auror wizard he came to be. I'm talking before all that. He was an outcast, not just because of the magic moments dismissed as him being an odd child, but up until he met Ron and Hermione, Harry was treated like a freak simply for existing. Which is something we all could relate to.

Comics:

Rachel Roth aka Raven Teen Titans:

Not a specific one, but all of them. Many people don't realize that the snarky demon witch we know and love was mostly the result of the 2003 series and it's comedic spin-off Go. Anyone that's ever read the comics would know that Raven was more than just attitude and magic. For a brief history lesson. Raven born Rachel Roth, was the result of every bad thing you could throw at someone at once. She was conceived in Gotham City, that's bad enough. Her mother Angela Roth aka Arella, was a suicidal teenage outcast that wanted to look for a place to fit in, fell in with the wrong crowd, met a certain kind of man whom seemed charming at first, but then turned out to be rapist. Now that would have just been typical Gotham City even with Superbeings around. But said rapist turned out to be one of DC's famous incarnations of the Devil before Lucifer Morningstar stole that spotlight. Trigon the Terrible. As a result Raven was born half demon and considered an outcast by an entire universe. The Monks of Azarath save for Azar were afraid of her. Her mother wanted to kill her and herself when she realized what Trigon wanted her for. Even the Justice League of America refused to help her because Zatanna who was leader at the time judged her by her origin. Yet despite all that and a few slip ups, Raven still strived to do good in hopes it would make up for the bad Trigon would wrought. Raven was created because Wolfman-Perez wanted a character that was born of the worst of Evils, yet never let it define them. I myself grew up in a place that would give Hell a run for their money and save for a few fights I try to do good myself. The key word try, jury's out if some of you fuckers still think I'm an evil bastard.

Movies:

Marty McFly Back To The Future:

Part of the reason why I wanted to do music was because of this man. Part of the reason why I don't question inter-generational friendships unless there was a very good reason to, was because of his own relationship with Doc Brown. We all started as Martys and as we aged we became Docs in are own way. But most of all, it's because we're very much alike. Despite having courage, selflessness and a determination to do the right thing, Marty is insecure, has faults and let's his emotions get the better of him. Hell I wouldn't be surprised if even now despite the movie being dated in 1985, that you all could find something about Marty you can relate to.

Video Games:

Link, The Legend of Zelda Series:

While any Nintendo Character would do as I believe that they are mostly average ordinary people whom have been blasted into an extraordinary circumstances I picked Link for 3 reasons.

1. The first time I caught a glimpse of the Zelda games was when I watched the epic trailer for Ocarina of Time. But it was Link to The Past that gave my first foray. However if I have to pick a fave it's between Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword. Because in that I'm actually fighting as Link using the Wii Mote. Plus Skyward Sword was the last gift my mother gave to me before she died, so there's that.
2. As a kid I didn't talk much. Even as an adult with this shit aside, in public you'd never see me talk much. I thought I was considered a freak for that. But Link, save for the options you give him, never speaks at all. And no that crappy cartoon does not count and if you do count that, well excuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me princess.
3. As I said before with Nintendo Characters I believe that they are ordinary people whom been blasted into extraordinary circumstances. For example. Mario is a handyman and a plumber, yet here he is currently on the big screen fighting monsters to save his brother and Princess Peach. Samus is a Mercenary, Fox is a Soldier and Ness is just a kid. Link has had more jobs than most Nintendo Characters combined from Blacksmith's assistant to rancher and even to this day goes on many epic adventures. I myself have had varying jobs over the years and yet still make time to find some adventure.

TV Shows:

Daria Morgendorffer....Daria:

I was a kid when I first saw this and save for some funny moments I never really got it at the time, due to being a kid. However as I grew up and looked back on it, the show had a lot of surprising moments. Daria started off as a character on the hit MTV show Beavis and Butthead. The famous Anti-Social Antiheroine then went off on her own show. With quirky characters like her best friend Jane Lane, her Sister Quinn, the crazy staff of Lawndale High and the equally stupid student body. Now there's a reason I saved this one for last and I'll tell you why. Over the years, people judged me by the expressions on my face. Mainly because not a lot of people know me or know me well enough to read off me. A little tidbit. Sometimes I go outside alone and sit somewhere to think. And as I think if someone were to pass me by and see my face they'd ask the two words that I hate hearing when they don't mean anything for that moment:

"What's wrong?"

Mainly because they mistook my expression for sadness. For the longest time I never ever understood why my face acted like that. Until I saw the episode "The Misery Chick".

For context, the Misery Chick is about a Lawndale High Football Player Tommy Sherman, who was revered by the school and considered a living legend by our lovably stupid QB Kevin Thompson. However when Daria first witnesses his antics all over the school, which range from Racism, Sexism and just outright rudeness. Daria of course using her trademark snark, tells the bastard off which leads to this exchange.

Tommy Sherman: Do you know who I am? Tommy Sherman?

Daria: I know the whole school is turning itself inside out because of some egotistical football player. And I've seen you insult or proposition just about everyone you've come across. So my guess is that you're the football player guy. Congratulations, you must have worked very hard to become such a colossal jerk so quickly.

Tommy Sherman: You know what Tommy Sherman's gonna do now? He's gonna go out onto the football field and check out his new goalpost. He's gonna read the plaque and think about all the people who admire him. But you wouldn't know anything about that. You're one of those "misery chicks," always moping about what a cruel world it is, making a big deal about it so people won't notice you're a loser.

Now granted this would have been brushed off as a typical Daria scenario, but Sherman died not too long after Daria and Jane joked about him dying. Of course the school is in disarray treating him like a hero, Jane distances herself from Daria because she thought Daria was making light of the situation and to top it off everyone goes up to her because they assume she's always miserable and thinks about depressing stuff a lot. Asking her for advice to cope to boot. Eventually Daria snaps and goes to Jane's house to vent and has one of the most Iconic Lines:

Okay, but you know what I've been hearing? "You know how I feel, Daria. You're gloomy. I knew I can talk to you, Daria. You're always miserable." Tragedy hits the school and everyone thinks of me. A popular guy died, and now I'm popular because I'm the misery chick. But I'm not miserable. I'm just not like them. -Daria Morgendorffer

Of course Jane actually does ending up having the answer based on her experience coping with the death.

Jane: It really makes you think.

Daria: Funny. Thanks a lot.

Jane: No! That's why they want to talk to you. When they say, "You're always unhappy, Daria," what they mean is, "You think Daria. I can tell because you don't smile. Now this guy died and it makes me think and that hurts my little head and makes me stop smiling. So, tell me how you cope with thinking all the time, Daria, until I can get back to my normal vegetable state."

That's when it clicked for me. I look like the way I look like because I spent a huge chunk of my life thinking. And as a result it makes me smile less. Once I was able to understand that, the hardest part is trying to explain to others around me about that, when they'd just dismiss me as simply being sad.

There are lot's of others, but maybe next time. Tell me. Which characters can you guys relate to?