Mentor Mascot: Difference between revisions

[[File:kerochan_8613kerochan 8613.gif|link=Cardcaptor Sakura|frame|Yep, this is your all knowing guide.]]

[[The Hero]] is, in the beginning, just a normal boy/girl (or at least relatively normal, anyway). However, this character has a [[Because Destiny Says So|powerful destiny]], completely unaware of the role they will play in the grand scheme of things. Someone has to break the news, and turn this [[Muggle]] [[Took a Level Inin Badass|into the hero he/she is meant to be]]. And that someone is... [[Sailor Moon|a talking cat]]?

Part [[Talking Animal]] and part [[The Mentor|enlightened teacher]], the mentor mascot plays the dual role of teaching the protagonist about their destiny and powers, while at the same time adding that little bit of comic relief and cuteness (if the show in question is already cutesy, it might start to [[Tastes Like Diabetes|become sickeningly sweet]]). Even still, the [['''Mentor Mascot]]''' takes its job [[Serious Business|seriously]], and tends to accompany [[The Hero]] everywhere just in case the [[Mooks]] or the [[Quirky Miniboss Squad]] show up.

In a show (or other medium) where the [[Masquerade]] is of significant importance (and when is it not?), the [['''Mentor Mascot]]''' will simultaneously be the strictest enforcer and the greatest threat to said facade, since talking animals are usually ''not'' normal. However, due to cleverness and selective possession of the [[Idiot Ball]], this is generally just for comic effect rather than an actual problem.

Oftentimes, the mentor is an [[OldElderly MasterSensei]] who was cursed into a helpless form, serving as a very good justification for why he is shepherding the [[Ragtag Bunch of Misfits]] instead of using his great knowledge and power to save the world himself.

* A less obvious example, but at the end of the mangastory, Mokona from ''[[Rayearth]]'' (an OAV loosely based on the manga and anime ''[[Magic Knight Rayearth]]'' ) {{spoiler|[[God Was My Co-Pilot|turns out to have been God all along]].}}

* The Suicide Plushies in ''[[Kämpfer]]''

* [[Ridiculously Cute Critter|Kyubey]] from ''[[Puella Magi Madoka Magica]]'' appears to be this at first. However he has a habit of [[You Never Asked|withholding crucial information]] from his charges, along with [[Exact Words|wording things in misleading ways]] and his motives for creating and mentoring [[Magical Girl|Magical Girls]]s are... not so benevolent. {{spoiler|[[Wicked Weasel]], after all. It doesn't help that he has a case of [[Blue and Orange Morality]]. However, he arguably becomes more of a straight example in the [[Alternate Universe]] created in the [[Grand Finale]]}}.

* Panda-bu from ''[[Sweet Valerian]]'' is a small round panda-creature who actually tricks the heroines into becoming [[Magical Girl|Magical Girls]]s.

* [[Star Wars|Yoda]] anyone?{{verify|reason=Isn't he an Elderly Sensei, not a mascot?}}

* Arguably,{{verify}} Fin Raizel from ''[[Willow]]''. She's a powerful sorceress who spends much of the movie in the form of a possum (not to mention a raven and a goat).

== [[Live -Action TV]] ==

* ''[[Megatokyo|Boo]]'': Boo is something of a subversion in that he really does try his best to help Largo, but unlike most of the other examples on this list he has something of a language barrier to overcome. In effect, Boo ends up just squeaking while Largo goes off and causes havoc.

* The Recruiters from ''[[Lambda]]''. Given the nature of the setting, it's only natural to have so many of these [[Ridiculously Cute Critter|Ridiculously Cute Critters]]s running around and serving as walking army recruitment posters.

* Jubei to Ragna in [[Blaz BlueBlazBlue]]

* ''[[The Life and Times of Juniper Lee]]'' - June's dog Monroe is her [[Mentor Mascot]], assisting her Ah-Mah.