The Chosen One (trope)

The Chosen One, also known as The One or The Chosen, is a narrative trope where one character, usually the protagonist, is framed as the inevitable hero or antihero of the story, as a result of destiny, unique gifts, and/or special lineage. The trope is similar to the hero's journey template, where the main difference is that The Chosen One usually does not have a choice because of destiny. Chosen One narratives often incorporate Bildungsroman, following the growth of a character from childhood to adulthood. The character's gifts, lineage or destiny are often unknown at the start of the plot or presented to the audience as dramatic irony. The Chosen One trope is rooted in religion and mythology, and often appears in speculative fiction that uses elements of mythology. The Chosen One trope has been compared to the religious concept of messiah.