False protagonist facts for kids
A protagonist is usually the main character in a story. They are the one you follow, and the story is mostly about their journey.
What is a False Protagonist?
A false protagonist is a character who seems like the main hero at the beginning of a story, but then something unexpected happens. They might not be the real hero after all!
Why are they "False"?
A character can be a false protagonist for a few reasons:
- They become less important: The story might start with them, but then another character takes over as the true main character. The first character might still be in the story, but they are no longer the focus.
- They become the villain: Sometimes, the character you thought was the hero turns out to be the bad guy! This can be a big surprise for the audience.
- They die: A false protagonist might be killed off early in the story. This often happens to shock the audience and show that the story is serious or unpredictable. After they die, another character steps up to become the real protagonist.
Examples in Stories
A good example of a false protagonist is Roxas in the video game Kingdom Hearts II. At the very beginning of the game, you play as Roxas, and it feels like he is the main character. You spend hours learning about his life and his friends. But then, the story shifts, and you realize that the true protagonist of the Kingdom Hearts series, Sora, takes over. Roxas's story was important, but it was just the introduction to Sora's adventure.
