I'm deeply in love with a cartoon character

Well...as you can see in the title, I have fallen in love. Not with a real person. A cartoon character. If you have to know who she is, her name is Rainbow Dash from My Little Pony: Equestria Girls. She's a main character in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, but in the movie, they main characters are transformed into human teenage girls. Well, she was already my favorite character in the series. I could connect with her, our personalities are so similar, and my imagination, we would get along perfectly. Then, along come Equestria Girls, the movie that came out last year, which turns her into a human teenage girl. That was beginning of it all. I began to have lots of feelings develop inside of me, but none of them were intense enough to intrude on my life. But over the past year since the movie came out, it's gotten more intense. Recently, a sequel to the movie, entitled Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks came out. Well, I saw the movie, and again, not much was awakened inside of me. Until the month began to unfold. I couldn't stop thinking about her. I couldn't stop thinking about the movie. All of her scenes kept popping up in my head. Then, the last week and half, the feelings were unbearable. She would not escape my mind. I thought about her constantly, all day, every day. I kept thinking about how nice it would be if we could be together. I wanted to hug her, kiss her, just be with her. It got to the point where I couldn't take it anymore. When I went to bed, I cried. I thought about her coming up to me and hugging me, and I cried even more.

It's coming to the point where it's intruding on my life. I'm so madly in love with her, that my brain has instilled in my heart that one day she's going to be real. And then, the other part of my brain is telling me to not be stupid, and it keeps fighting with each other, making it that much worse. I'm not sure how to cope with these deep feelings. I'm more attracted to her than to any real life person in the world right now, and no matter what, a part of me is determined that it's going to be with her, while the other part is telling it to get over itself. I just need help to learn how to cope with it. I'm not sure I could ever fall out of love with her. I appreciate any help I can get in advance. Thank you.

Hello, again, ponyguy1028! I was thinking you might be a "My Little Pony" fan. From what I have seen of the show, the characters are very endearing and capture the caring human qualities we wish many folks had. Evidently Rainbow Dash's personality reflects the needs you have, and she meets them via the shows. Of course, you would admire her and wish she could be real.

How about thinking about what qualities she does have, and reflect on what that says about what you wish for in a loving relationship? You will enjoy seeing her, of course. I personally don't see a need for you to drop her from your life. (I am not a professional, though, in case other folks think differently.)

The only concern I have is that you will totally substitute her for any real-life relationships. She could be a supplement, but please try to talk to your therapist about your attraction to Rainbow Dash and what it says about ponyguy1028. If need be, then write your thoughts down, and share the paper with your therapist. Okay? Real-life relationships are important. I'm not saying, though, that you need to run out and grab some chick to date right now! I think you have some things to work through.

That's my take on it, anyway.

You do understand that this charector is designed to comfort children and the writer takes time getting that part just right too. What you are in love with is the persona that is being portrayed to children.

I have not seen this charector myself but it's probably one who is kind and nurturing so that is the kind of female you would be more interested in someday.

There was someone on here not to long ago who was also a MLP fan, but had a deep attachment to fluttershy... I think it's sweet. There just needs to be balance.

My question is, is there anything in your life that is painful that you are using mlp as an escape?

I appreciate your response. That's my concern too, is that my love for her might get in the way or substitute any real life relationship I come to have. I will try my best to talk my therapist about it. I'm just so shy and timid, and the thought about doing it makes my blood run extremely cold. Thanks again for your help.

Well, I didn't mention this, but I do have depression and severe anxiety. MLP is a gateway to happiness for me. Most of the time I just enjoy it for the show itself, but other times it is a place where I can find peace.

I'm deeply in love with a rockstar (who I have even already mentioned on both of my two posts on this site) so I know the feeling of hurting cos you can never have or know them.

As others have said, balance is important. I agree that this character could represent what you want in real life, I also think it's kind of easier in a way to fantasise about a character or celebrity, but more thinking of how we want them to be. I'm not sure I'm saying the right thing cos a character is different to a person. It's kind of hard to find fault with a cartoon character, because you're only shown the good side, like has been said, they're shown in a way to make people like them, otherwise they wouldn't keep watching (and therefore making money for the company)

I'm trying to think of advice for you. Maybe right now, it's comforting and enough to like this character, safe might be a good word (cos they can't hurt you) that's exactly my case too. Just don't rule out future real life relationships. Sorry for talking about myself in your thread, just wanted you to know you're not alone. Also, if it's any comfort, a lot of people fall in love with tv show characters or fictional characters in books and films. I don't think it's that uncommon (or maybe it's just the people I know!) and it's ok if it makes you happy, just try to know where to draw the line between what's real and what's not, for your own sake.

You're a Brony. There are lots of them....

A relationship is only in your own heart and mind, when you think about it, and a real one can be just as intense as one that's not real-life.

Don't worry about talking with your therapist. There is nothing that they haven't heard before and are professionals.

You are wise to recognize that this might stop you from developing a healthy real life relationship and is becoming a problem for you. It will be okay.

My t has a MLP in his office that one of his child patients brought in. I have a - um - frankly ugly soft sculpture that rides the MLP bareback during my sessions. I HAD to put them together, but aside from a few snarks, i havent really talked about them. So maybe not exactly the same thing, but youre not exactly alone in this.

Why don't you draw, paint, sculpt, write etc. her or about her? You must have a vivid imagination. You are clearly not psychotic, with good judgment and good insight into self. Deal with this creatively. Basically, these feelings went into your head and heart as "fantasia" - why not let them out in the form of "fantasia" as well, i.e. via creative expression? Maybe you will find solace in it and maybe you will eventually share whatever talents you discover through this pursuit with others. And that you capable of a feeling of that depth is good news - hopefully one day you will be able to develop a feeling of such depth for a real person and direct your love at a real person. Maybe you are just a particularly impressionable and sensitive soul?

I think the two parts that are fighting in your brain are both wrong. Two extremes. One extreme is saying that she will one day come to life, which is contrary to reality. The other extreme tell you that thinking of her is stupid, but it is not. If you can make those two extreme converge somewhere in the middle, you would be more at peace with yourself.

Another thing is that you are super timid, shy, and possibly socially anxious. As a result, you may not have been exposed to the same array of experiences (because you would shy away from them) as your age peer without those traits. So you might be a little delayed in your emotional maturation. Intellectually, the way you described the situation, you are not in any way delayed - you are describing a complex issue using appropriately complex language, etc. - but I am talking about emotional maturation that comes with real life experiences. So you are a little bit like a child who has an imaginary friend. And there is nothing wrong with that - I am not sure, but I think I have read someplace that children who have imaginary friends often grow up to be creative adults. Just do not take me wrong - I am not implying that you are retarded, god forbid no, but rather that your intellectual maturation is currently ahead of the emotional maturation due to the limited social interactions caused by depression and anxiety. So you are living in your head a bit, and clearly more so than many of your age peers.

That actually explains it in a way I don't think I could've explained it. I am currently living in (or, longing to live in) a fantasy world, where I can be with her (and a lot of other things), and a part of me is somewhat determined to do it. I do write my own literature, but it's a big mixture of different things. Perhaps maybe I should write about what's just in my heart. I appreciate. My love for her has really slowed down my motivation for doing anything, and I'm really looking for ways to cope with it. I just would give anything to be with her right her, right now. Obviously I can't do that, so I just need mechanisms to simulate it, or somehow get it out of my system. I appreciate everyone's responses so far. I was welcomed here with open arms, and I'm already starting to feel better, and to that, I say thank you all.

It totally feel you on this, and that explanation describes me very well too. I agree with the being creative, I've written some fanfics about the singer I love, and it's a good way to kind of live out the fantasy through writing. I always felt really good after writing one, almost as though it actually happened. I don't know if you like writing but as suggested there are other creative ways to express yourself, so whichever suits you, even if you don't feel confident about it, it can just be for you if you don't feel ready to share it. Hope this helps!

I do write some fan fiction, but as I said, it's a bunch of different things in one. My friends are all in it. A bunch of other universes and characters are in it. It's not just me personally. I do enjoy creative writing, and I'm most likely going to start writing a personal story to somewhat live out the fantasy. I'm also going to try and get custom drawings/paintings of me and her together. I'm hoping that will ease some stress too.

I used to have a crush on many cartoon characters. Since I grew up in the anime community, I had my love for Hetalia fandom. The characters I was in love with the most was Romania.

It's still the same thing as crushing on fictional tv series characters. You especially have a lot of fan girls going gaga for Sam and Dean in Supernatural. Also the angels in Dominion (these are just two shows I know, but don't watch. tried getting into supernatural but I got bored with it.)

As of now, I cannot stop thinking about Archangel Michael from the "book that came from the middle east and is now popular around the world" (The title begins with a "B", but I don't want to discuss it and trigger a debate). I'm to the point where I get jealous when I think of him being with another human girl.

However, I'm trying to steer clear of getting too involved in my fantasy world in fear of me losing touch with reality.

You should talk to your therapist about this. You have to be really careful when comes to fantasy and your imagination.

Oh well that's good, I hope that helps. I have my friends in some of mine too, but they are fans of the same band so I paired them all up with the other members whether they liked it or not lol! Another fan also made a photo of me with him which is nice to have, even though it's obviously only photoshopped.

I've never told any professional about any of this. I'm scared I'll be laughed at or something, especially at my age (I'm older than your typical fangirl)

I actually have a crush in a cartoon character too, though nowhere near as serious, though he's from an adult show. I was seeing a guy when I first started watching it, and he could never understand how I could have a crush on a cartoon character, and I'd just say but he's hot! I don't think we can help who we like.

It's true. I really can't help it. She's just so perfect for me that it's impossible for me to imagine anything else but pairing us together. That's one of the reasons I began writing the fan fiction in the first place was to pair us together. And it felt good for the time, until my feelings just kept getting stronger and stronger. Now I can't even imagine my life without her, and I long to be with her every day.

I'm right there with you. I know I need to talk to a professional, but I can't bring myself to do it, because all I feel all they're gonna say is "She's fictional, you can't let it bother you like that. You have to get over her." And I know if I hear those words it's just going to bring me down hard. I also can't tell my family, I also feel I'll be criticized by them, even though I know they care for me. I'm happy that I have someone else who understands what I'm going through, and I'm happy that everyone here is trying their best to help. I really appreciate it.

Professionals don't tell you to get over things - it's not how they operate.

Clearly this infatuation is providing you with a means of working something out - providing a suitable outlet as it were for some difficult feelings.

There are many people out there who are deeply obsessed and entrenched in thoughts surrounding fictitious beings/scenarios. But when our daily functioning is affected, we owe it to ourselves to seek help. There is nothing inherently wrong with a love for something unreal - but there has to be a healthy balance between reality and unreality.

Professionals won't tell you to stop loving her or that you don't need her in your life. What they will do is help you create a life where you're not so dependent on such fantasies as a means of coping.

But only you can decide if you want this, if you think your love is worth sacrificing a better life that must be your choice and yours alone. I hope you find peace with the situation.

My brain knows that the professionals are only there to help, but part of me is too afraid of what they're going to say or think that it forces me to stay quiet. I try really hard to open up, but when I get close to it, my blood turns into ice and I feel as if I don't even exist. That's what keeps me from talking to anyone face to face, or even through means of voice communication, about things as major as this. That is why only my close friends, as well as the good people on this forum, know about this. Not even my family knows about it because I'm too afraid of what they might say or think.

I can't imagine being with anyone but Bill either! Even thinking of it feels wrong. I was kind of with one guy since and I felt so guilty, like I was cheating on Bill, even though I'd actually liked this guy first. I just kind of froze the first time we kissed and kept thinking it should be Bill. I'm a total weirdo!

I justify my obsession by saying that no one would ever love me anyway so it hurts less to like him since he can't hurt me personally. But really, I just want him and no one else. I'm not young either, I'm too old for this but I don't care, he makes me happy. I was told I should tell the ot I was seeing briefly but I told myself he wouldn't understand cos he was a man and men don't get like that.

My family know but they know I'm weird anyway so they just accept it, I'm lucky my family and real friends support me in it, it would be awful for me if they didn't. They don't mind hearing about him all the time lol. I know you must be scared to tell yours in case they don't support you. The people who love you shouldn't mind because they love you.

I don't know what's going to happen to us but at least we can support each other now. Sending love and hugs (btw I don't think you're weird, I just think I am, but I am anyway lol)

This seems to be common now-a-days. I don't judge.

Thank you. I'm strongly considering telling my family now, but I'm still hesitant just because I'm afraid of what their reaction might be. I go see my therapist next week, and I'm also considering bringing it up, but again, I'm extremely nervous, and I'm just not sure how to start up the conversation.

I had a dream this morning. I was in the high school she goes to. (Canterlot High) It was the end of the day, we were getting ready to head back home since we were on vacation. I wanted to see her so badly and just tell her how I felt. But I couldn't move for some reason. I was stuck, and before I knew it, I was awake. I was almost heartbroken. It was like my brain was teasing me...I know this was a little off topic, but I thought I should bring it up.

Good luck if you decide to tell them. I'm older and that's why I said it might seem weird for me, so please don't feel that will apply to you if you tell anyone. At the end of the day, you can't help who you love, the heart wants what it wants I guess. Though I do hope you get to fall in love with someone you can have someday soon. But if you're happy for now then don't worry too much, unless it's really taking over your life in a negative way obviously.

A lot of fictional characters are more real to me than the people in my life. I am able to connect with them in ways I can't with others - maybe BECAUSE they're fictional and I don't have to share any of ME with them. Especially Harry Potter characters. I've never been in love with any, but I often think of their lines in the books when they match my day-to-day situations. I sometimes (without even thinking) turn my head to look at them and we "share a look" before I acknowledge they're not really there.
I'm a big MLP fan and have been since they first came out in the 80's. I have over 500 of the figurines, so I do understand obsession =P

How you doing now?

Im in love with the hippo from doc mcstuffins so i think its normal