It used to refer to a type of female character who is depicted as unrealistically lacking in flaws or weaknesses.
Now people use to refer to a "Female Character I Don't Like For Some Reason."
Now people use to refer to a "Female Character I Don't Like For Some Reason."
by xbXrealSlimShadyXdx November 26, 2020
A dogwhistle term for neckbeards to criticize strong female protagonists, when in reality they're just misogynistic assholes.
Incel #1: "Did you see how bullshit the Night King's death was on GoT last night?"
Incel #2: "Yeah dude! I can't believe they made Arya into a Mary Sue! I wish Samwell Tarly would have killed him instead!"
Incel #2: "Yeah dude! I can't believe they made Arya into a Mary Sue! I wish Samwell Tarly would have killed him instead!"
by Dr. Phil Mike Hunt May 3, 2019
The most common type of Mary Sue is a character based an the author's idealization of themself. Furthermore, because the author is imagining a preferred version of themself, and because faults are overlooked in favor of optimization, a Mary Sue tends to have only superficial resemblance to the author, sharing similar likes/dislikes and a similar spirituality (when applicable), but objectifying things such as worldview and relationships. This type of Mary Sue is more common simply because it's easier to write and is more appealing to the author. This Mary Sue is found in fanfics and original fiction alike. Yes, Mary Sues abound even in professional writing.
The other type of Mary Sue is a character intended to be an ideal match for another, appearing almost exclusively in fanfics. In this case, "ideal match" means that the character's positive traits are exaggerated to render impossible any competition for the love interest. Arguably more pernicious than the "self-idealization" type, the "ideal match" type by its very nature prevents compelling character or plot development, which the "self-ideal" Mary Sue may be able to avoid.
The other type of Mary Sue is a character intended to be an ideal match for another, appearing almost exclusively in fanfics. In this case, "ideal match" means that the character's positive traits are exaggerated to render impossible any competition for the love interest. Arguably more pernicious than the "self-idealization" type, the "ideal match" type by its very nature prevents compelling character or plot development, which the "self-ideal" Mary Sue may be able to avoid.
Self-idealization: "That fic was ridiculous. I could overlook the atrocious grammar, but not such an obvious and annoying Mary Sue. What's the point of releasing a story to the unsuspecting public if it's only written for the masturbation of the author's ego?"
Ideal match: "It's hard to find any other story that's so dull as one that has an ideal match Mary Sue in it. What is there to be interested in if the pair never has any trials to overcome?"
Ideal match: "It's hard to find any other story that's so dull as one that has an ideal match Mary Sue in it. What is there to be interested in if the pair never has any trials to overcome?"
by Aesi January 30, 2008
Julia: omg girls, Alma is such a Mary Sue
Emma: I know right. She's the reason who Julian broke up with Ingrid
Sophie: Oh no, here she comes. Quick, act natural
Alma: Hi girls, like my hair? It's better than yours
Sophie (muttering): What a Mary Sue
Emma: I know right. She's the reason who Julian broke up with Ingrid
Sophie: Oh no, here she comes. Quick, act natural
Alma: Hi girls, like my hair? It's better than yours
Sophie (muttering): What a Mary Sue
by Betty Jo October 14, 2018
The female protagonist of a story.
(Archaic) A female character, usually an authorial self-insert in a fan fiction, that is annoyingly perfect. Often unique in some implausible way, any problems they face are typically intended to make them seem tragic or emotionally deep, rather than complex or flawed.
(Archaic) A female character, usually an authorial self-insert in a fan fiction, that is annoyingly perfect. Often unique in some implausible way, any problems they face are typically intended to make them seem tragic or emotionally deep, rather than complex or flawed.
by monkmunk April 11, 2015
A character too perfect for their setting. Most often, this character is talented and attractive, and anyone who doesn't adore them is portrayed as mean, stupid, or evil. It's common for them to be the smartest, even if this requires everyone else to act stupider than they should. Out of place but awesome names are also frequent occurrences. They lead charmed lives, and any conflict or drama they are met with will be either overdone to the point of headache induction, or easily brushed aside.
While not always the case, Mary Sues are more often written by someone who is just starting out, either by someone who wrote their own personal power fantasy and expects everyone else to applaud them for it, or by someone using shortcuts to try and make their character impressive to others.
These characters are considered a mark of poor writing because they give too much favoritism to the character in question, and it comes off to readers as the author trying to artificially make their character the best around through shortcuts rather than well crafted development. Their perfectness also tends to prevent the stories they're in from developing suspense, making not only the character but the entire work they're in boring.
While the term Mary Sue, along with the male version Gary Stu, has been applied to both fan characters and canon characters in published works, it is much more common to see used on fan characters. Particularly those in fan fiction, which are most often female.
While not always the case, Mary Sues are more often written by someone who is just starting out, either by someone who wrote their own personal power fantasy and expects everyone else to applaud them for it, or by someone using shortcuts to try and make their character impressive to others.
These characters are considered a mark of poor writing because they give too much favoritism to the character in question, and it comes off to readers as the author trying to artificially make their character the best around through shortcuts rather than well crafted development. Their perfectness also tends to prevent the stories they're in from developing suspense, making not only the character but the entire work they're in boring.
While the term Mary Sue, along with the male version Gary Stu, has been applied to both fan characters and canon characters in published works, it is much more common to see used on fan characters. Particularly those in fan fiction, which are most often female.
So this girl's name is Crystal Roseblade, she grew up in the same orphanage as the protagonist and was a childhood friend of his, but he forgot about her, and now she's come back out of nowhere as a huge pop idol who's secretly the world's greatest demon slayer? Do you think you might be writing a Mary Sue?
by ring of fates May 21, 2014
A Mary Sue or Gary Stu (male form) is often either a perfect or almost perfect character. They often appear in fan fictions and are sometimes based on the author themselves.
If the Mary Sue or Gary Stu is based on the author, they normally have qualities that the author wishes they had.
For example, they wish to be more popular or better looking.
When a Mary Sue or Gary Stu is written into a fan fiction, it will often cause canon (original) characters to become OOC (out of character). They often have terrible, grief-filled pasts and 'need' a certain canon character to understand them or they have a past that is the exact same or very similar to a canon character's.
Mary Sues and Gary Stus are mostly found in new writers or written in fan fictions by more exprerienced writers for fun.
They also tend to have either very common or extremely strange and exotic names or, if they are made for fun, will sometimes have the name Mary Sue or Gary Stu.
If the Mary Sue or Gary Stu is based on the author, they normally have qualities that the author wishes they had.
For example, they wish to be more popular or better looking.
When a Mary Sue or Gary Stu is written into a fan fiction, it will often cause canon (original) characters to become OOC (out of character). They often have terrible, grief-filled pasts and 'need' a certain canon character to understand them or they have a past that is the exact same or very similar to a canon character's.
Mary Sues and Gary Stus are mostly found in new writers or written in fan fictions by more exprerienced writers for fun.
They also tend to have either very common or extremely strange and exotic names or, if they are made for fun, will sometimes have the name Mary Sue or Gary Stu.
Mary Sue had a horribly tragic past.
When she was only a baby, her parents had been murdered by Voldemort because they had been trying to protect her.
However, when Voldemort tried to kill her it backfired and left her with only a scar.
When she was only a baby, her parents had been murdered by Voldemort because they had been trying to protect her.
However, when Voldemort tried to kill her it backfired and left her with only a scar.
by ManamixChan December 29, 2010