The archetype of the Chosen One, bestowed special powers and/or status by a special destiny. Opposite to Unchosen One.

Also Called

• The Anointed/Honored One
• Destined/Prophesied One
• Destiny Chosen

Properties

The Chosen One archetype represents an individual whose destiny has been marked long before they fully understand themselves or the world around them. Their existence is intertwined with prophecy, fate, divine patterns, or ancient forces that shape the course of reality itself. Unlike most heroes who step into adventure by personal choice, the Chosen One is pushed into a role that was predetermined, often centuries earlier. This character begins as someone seemingly ordinary or unprepared, someone who might lack training, confidence, or even a desire to become involved in grand events. Yet, beneath this apparent simplicity lies a dormant potential, a unique essence, or a lineage that sets them apart from everyone else, turning their life into a magnet for conflict, revelation, and transformation.

What makes the Chosen One compelling is the tension between who they are and who the world expects them to be. They frequently experience internal struggles as they confront the weight of prophecy, aware that their success or failure might decide the fate of countless others. Their journey often begins with denial or confusion, as destiny disrupts their everyday life and drags them toward a path shaped by mentors, enemies, and forces that challenge their identity. While other characters might strive for greatness, the Chosen One must learn to accept it, carrying a burden that feels both empowering and terrifying. Their growth involves more than power—it requires emotional resilience, moral choices, and the courage to define their place in a destiny they did not choose.

Throughout their story, the Chosen One becomes a symbol of hope, fear, or upheaval, depending on who interprets the prophecy surrounding them. They may awaken unique abilities, wield legendary artifacts, or unlock a connection to cosmic forces, but these gifts seldom come without sacrifice. Each victory pushes them closer to understanding their importance, while each failure threatens not only their life but the balance of the world itself. Their relationships also shape their evolution: mentors guide them, friends ground them, and adversaries test them in ways no ordinary character could withstand. Ultimately, the Chosen One must reconcile their personal desires with the destiny imposed upon them, discovering whether they will fulfill the prophecy, transform it, or break free from it entirely. This archetype endures because it captures the universal struggle between fate and self-determination, turning a single individual into the fulcrum upon which an entire world can pivot.

Associated Powers

Powers

• Balance Negation/Preservation: The user can nullify the balance of others, objects, and/or concepts or The user of this ability is able to maintain, preserve and enforce the internal and external balance between two or more opposing forces in order the keep things in balance for the sake of the natural or cosmic order of the universe.
• Destiny Manipulation: A subject of the manipulation of destiny.
  • Balance Restoration: The user of this ability is able to restore the internal and external balance between two or more opposing forces in order to restore/stabilize the natural or cosmic balance of the universe.
• Empathic Weaponry: Often has an associated prophesied weapon.
• Legacy Identity: The user is a legacy character, an individual, usually a superhero, who either inherits or adopts the name and attributes of an already or previously existing individual.
  • Twin-Based Powers: Depending if the chosen one has a twin sibling(s).
• Luck/Absolute Luck (Varies): Users who are the Chosen Ones will have destiny on their side.
• Natural Superior Power: have powers that natural make you superior to others around you.
• Nexus Being: The user either is or can become a nexus being, an entity in which embodies or personifies the central hub or nexus of one or multiple forces - the living vessel, personification or embodiment of a Nexus of forces, dimensions, and/or realities or the user possesses specific powers and/or abilities which can connect them to or affect a nexus.
• Personal Patron: The user possesses a personal patron, a supernatural benefactor (divine, angelic, demonic, spiritual, cosmic) that serves as a guides, protector, ally, and even as a personal source that even enables users myriad of specialized powers, abilities, information and/or equipment.
• Reincarnation: The destiny may be associated with a particular, circulated soul.
• Special/Ultimate/Ancient Power: Having unique and special powers they need to fulfill their destiny.
  • Miracle Performing: Can create miracles through chosen status.
  • Overpowered: Can attain or have a great and overwhelming power.
  • Plot Armor/Prophetic Protection: May be "protected" by fate to fulfill their destiny.
  • Power Mimicry Potential: Having the potential to mimic the powers and skills of others, to be superior.
  • Supernatural Power Level/Power Level Infinitum: The destiny may grant the chosen one the ability to be more powerful than others.
• Title Bestowal: May be the recipient of such a title in addition to the associated powers.
• Unknown Existence: Rarely, individual presences may be given that exceed the normal boundaries of reality.
  • Inner Power: The user is able to use the untapped power within themselves, releasing it to the fullest extent and amplify it in order to become stronger, pushing their hidden strength within themselves beyond their limits while gaining much untold power due to their incredibly strong force of will.
  • Unknown Power: Most who fall under this quality have power well outside their chosen one status.

Physiologies

• Alien Physiology
  • Half-Alien Physiology
  • Mutant Alien Physiology
  • Archetype:Omicron Being
• Demigod Physiology
• Normal Folk
• Magical Human Physiology
• Superior Human Physiology
• Transcendent Physiology

Variations

• Assailant
• Dark Lord
• Guardian
  • Guardian Warrior
• Harbinger
• Living Anomaly
• Prophet
• True Hero

Flaws/Weaknesses

• Powers may be limited exclusively to the role they were chosen for and may not work otherwise.
• Powers may be removed upon completion or failure of their goal.
• Those who are aware of these chosen ones' destinies may be able to utilize them for their own gain.
• Powers may emerge or strengthen when the time for their destined event closes in.
• As they are not the users of Destiny Manipulation, their roles could control them more than they can control their powers.
  • Users of Destiny Manipulation may be able to remove their association with prophecy and thus remove their powers.
• Users of Chosen Oneness Transferal can take and give away their destiny to another person.
• May not be able to change their fates.
• Weak against Fate Denial.
• May be victims of tragedies caused by fate.

Example Characters

See Also: The Chosen One and The Chosen Many.

Anime/Manga/Aeni/Manhwa

Cartoons/Comics

Literature

Live Television/Movies

Religion/Mythology/Folklore

• Jesus Christ (Abrahamic Faiths)
• Moses (Abrahamic Faiths)
• Arthur Pendragon (Arthurian Legends)
• Daniel (Semhamaphores)

Tabletop Games

• The Chosen (Dungeons & Dragons/Forgotten Realms)
• Divine Soul (Dungeons & Dragons/Forgotten Realms)
• Gerrard (Magic the Gathering)
• Archaon (Warhammer); as the Everchosen

Video Games

Web Animation/Series/Original

• Champions of Deities (Critical Role)
  • Alyxian
  • Zerxus Ilerez; Champion of the Lord of the Hells
  • Vax'ildan; Champion of the Matron of Ravens
  • Vex'ahlia; Champion of the Dawnfather
  • Scanlan Shorthalt; Champion of the Knowing Mentor
  • Pike Trickfoort; Champion of the Everlight
  • Arkhan; Champion of the Scaled Tyrant
  • Jourael; Champion of the Spider Queen
  • Yasha Nydoorin; Champion of the Stormlord
  • Ganix; Champion of the Crawling King
• Exaltants (Critical Role)
  • Imogen Temult
  • Otohan Thull
  • Liliana Temult
• Ozma (RWBY)
• Mario (Stupid Mario Bros)
• Wario (Stupid Mario Bros)

Known Items

• Red Stone of Aja (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part II: Battle Tendency)
• Stand Arrows (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)

Gallery

Anime/Manga/Aeni/Manhwa

The DigiDestined (Digimon Adventure/02) are a subset of Digimon Tamers, chosen by benevolent beings to protect the Digital World and sometimes Earth from evil forces.

The Digidestined (Digimon Frontier)

Julius Von Carlyle (The Fallen Brother Is Actually the Strongest) is the child of prophecy foretold by the Great Fortuneteller.

Reiyan Asura (God Game) had been "blessed" with the exact same eyes and ocular abilities of Omniscience as the God, essentially making him a chosen representative.

Takeda Shingen (God Games) was a "blessed" chosen representative with having a power of divine fire as his power from an unknown, unnamed deity in the series.

Aera Park (God Game) has a divine sponsor of the Wind of the West God, Zephyr, allowing her to manipulate small objects with wind; via trajectory and acceleration.

The three birthmarks on Dio Brando's (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series) ear signify his fate as a ruler.

All members of the Joestar Family (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series) are all bound to the path of fate and destined for something greater.

The prophecy states that the Red Stone of Aja (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part II: Battle Tendency) will be a key to the rise and fall of the Pillar Men.

Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto), are the two Children of the Prophecy who are destined to create a revolution in the shinobi world and to seal away an ancient evil.

All Conqueror's/Haoshoku Haki users (One Piece) are all King candidates chosen by Heaven with such potential, that their fame has earned themselves numerous allies and enemies…

…those who wields it can dominate the will of others weaker-willed and knock them unconscious. Either alone or in a clash between two people who wields the same Haki, will generate shockwaves, with the strongest few among them able to "split the heavens"…

…and a "handful" of the true strongest among them can "infuse" themselves or weapons with Conqueror's/Haoshoku Haki, thus resulting in a drastic increase in their destructive power.

Initially, Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece) seemed to be just a simple, if successful rookie pirate, who's heroic escapades were partially the result of chance just happening to put him at odds with tyrants...

...yet the Five Elders believe that Luffy's Devil Fruit, the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika which makes its consumer an incarnation of Nika, the "Warrior of Liberation", deliberately chooses its hosts when it considers them worthy enough...

...with Luffy being the second person since over 800 years to have successfully Awakened Nika's full power thereby making him the second coming of the Legendary hero "Joy Boy".

Once nicknamed the "world's weakest Hunter" as an E-rank, Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling) was specifically chosen by Ashborn, one of the most powerful entities in the universe, to become his host as the second Shadow Monarch.

Cartoons/Comics

BFFL/Magic of the Five (Trollz)

Randy Cunningham (Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja)

Ron Stoppable (Kim Possible) is the chosen one with his Mystical Monkey Power, a power that eventually made him the strongest person by far in the entire series. This makes him proficise as the Ultimate Monkey Master.

Juniper Lee (The Life & Times of Juniper Lee)

Jake Long (American Dragon: Jake Long)

The current Four Constellations (Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny)

The Lion Guard (The Lion Guard) is a team of lions who are destined to protect the Pride Lands and defend the Circle of Life. Kion’s Lion Guard is unique due to the members not all being lions.

Lloyd Garmadon/Green Ninja (Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu)

The Lantern Corps (DC Comics), with exception of the parasitic Indigo, Orange, and Black lights, choose their wielders based upon their internal characteristics, and rely on those characteristics for power.

Buddy Baker (DC Comics) serves as the Animal Man, protector of the avatar of the Red, the embodiment of all animal life on Earth in the DCU.

The Arcane family (DC Comics) serves as the most recent avatars of the Grey, the force of decay in the DCnU.

Solomon Grundy (DC Comics) serves as the agent of the Grey, the agent of decay in Earth 2 of the DCnU.

Matango (DC Comics) serves as the agent of the Grey, the force of fungal decay on the pre-New 52 DC Universe.

The Swamp Thing (DC Comics) serves as the primary avatar of the Green, the manifestation of all plant life on Earth in the DC Universe.

Tim Hunter (DC Comics) is known as The Merlin, A being of magical potential, inherenting the power that Merlin once held, while also being a vessel for magic.

Mjolnir (Marvel Comics) has a Worthiness Enchantment which grants the powers of Thor to any who are worthy of it...

...Like Thor...

...Beta Ray Bill...

...Steve Rogers/Captain America...

... and Jane Foster, Thor's love interest.

Danny Ketch (Marvel Comics) is the latest in the Kale family's bloodline to be chosen as a host for a Spirit of Vengeance.

When Marc Spector (Marvel Comics) first "died", Khonshu resurrected and chose him to be his fist of vengeance...

...as Moon Knight.

Yehya Badr/Hunter's Moon (Marvel Comics) became Khonshu's Fist after he was attacked by Vampires.

Timmy Turner (The Fairly OddParents Wishology! TV movie)

After opened the Calamity Box, Anne Boonchuy, Sasha Waybright, and Marcy Wu (Amphibia) were magically teleported to the world of Amphibia in order to find a way home by charging the stones, unfortunately they were betrayed by King Andrias after reclaiming the box once again for upcoming invasion of all worlds...

...however, they were missing a point when there was an actual prophecy from Mother Olm has been prophesied as a true task to stop Andrias' invasion and defeat the unnatural thing such as The Core as a planetoid moon from worse version of themselves by saving both Amphibia, Earth, and the multiverse from The Core's terror as their chosen ones.

Religion/Mythology/Folklore

Jesus (Christianity) was known as Christ which is translated as "Anointed One", being the chosen son of God predestined to save the world from a predestined doom.

Literature

The Animorphs (Animorphs)

Carrot Ironfoundersson (Discword) is the prophesied heir to the throne but stays a humble police officer instead.

Paul Atriedes (Dune)

Harry Potter (Harry Potter)

Frodo Baggins (Tolkien's Legendarium)

Aragorn II Elessar (Tolkien's Legendarium)

The Ta'veren (The Wheel of Time) are chosen to fulfill a particular purpose in the defense of the Pattern, pushed and pulled according to where they are needed to be.

Live Action TV/Movies

Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel) is the chosen champion of the Powers That Be.

The Charmed Ones (Charmed)

The Charmed Ones (Charmed 2018)

Ashley "Ash" J. Williams (The Evil Dead) is the chosen one, destined to fight and defeat the Necronomicon and its demons.

Po (Kung Fu Panda) is destined to be the Dragon Warrior.

As The One, Thomas "Neo" Anderson (The Matrix) was created and chosen by the Architect as a symbol of hope for humanity in the 6th and most recent incarnation of The Matrix.

The Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars) was prophesied by the Jedi to bring balance to The Force by destroying the Sith.

Clark Kent (Smallville) is the prophesied hero of Krypton.

As descendants of Cain and Abel, Members of the Winchester Family (Supernatural) are destined to be the perfect vessels for the Archangels, Michael and Lucifer when they would clash against one another during the Apocalypse...

...the current descendants, Dean Winchester (center), Sam Winchester (right), and Adam Milligan (left).

Aquaman (DC Extended Universe), as the first-born son of Queen Atlanna, was destined to be King of Atlantis and guardian of the deep.

Superman (DC Extended Universe), as the last Kryptonian, was destined to be the bridge between his race and mankind.

Wonder Woman (DC Extended Universe), as a demigod and as the God Killer, was destined to destroy her half-brother Ares.

Thomas (Maze Runner)

Sam Witwicky (Transformers film series)

Dave Stutler (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice) is the Prime Meridian.

Video Games

Destined One (Black Myth: Wukong)

Chosen Undead (Dark Souls)

Last Dragonborn (Elder Scrolls) is the prophesied hero of Skyrim and the one to finally kill Alduin.

Wielders of the Keyblades (Kingdom Hearts) are chosen either by the Keyblade’s themselves or by previous wielders, along with their Strong Heart, in order to wield the powerful weapons in the fight for Kingdom Hearts.

The Fateless One (Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning) was chosen by Tirnoch as the being to free her from imprisonment, and thus resurrected and stripped of the ties of fate that would keep that from happening.

Kain (Legacy of Kain) is the Scion of Balance, destined to restore order and Balance to the land of Nosgoth.

The Master Sword (The Legend of Zelda) can only be wielded by a hero that is "pure of heart and strong of body" and represents power, wisdom, and courage.

Across the ages, an incarnation of Link (The Legend of Zelda) is the chosen hero of the Golden Goddesses, destined to guard the sacred Triforce of Hyrule as well as its princess, Zelda, from any form of evil that can harm them, and save the world from evil.

As a legendary Purple Dragon, Spyro (Spyro) can master all of the different elements and is destined to direct the fate of his era.

Web Animation/Series/Original

After accepting the task of reuniting Humanity, Ozma (RWBY) was given the ability to reincarnate…

…This transfers his soul to a like-minded person upon the death of his current body.

Videos

LOTR The Return of the King - Andúril - Flame of the West-2

A Bit of Fry and Laurie - A word, Timothy-2

EVIL DEAD 2 DEAD BY DAWN 1987 FINAL FIGHT SCENE HD-2

Opening (Future War) - Terminator 2- Judgment Day -Remastered--2

In the Beginning... - Supernatural-2

Supernatural - "a young man with an important purpose" - S01E12 - Logoless-2

What Do You Mean We Have Superpowers? - Supernatural-2

Sam Confronts Gabriel Over His Time Loop Tricks - Supernatural

Dean Learns He’s Michael’s Vessel as Castiel Rescues Him - Supernatural-2

And Now for a Complete Tone Shift - Supernatural

Cupid’s Caught Causing Chaos - Supernatural

Sam Takes on the Deal of the Century - Supernatural

Meet Kevin Tran - Supernatural-2

What Will a Prophet Do for a Letter of Recommendation? - Supernatural

God Wants Us to Take the SATs? - Supernatural-2

Dean’s Pep Talk to Kevin Doesn’t End Well - Supernatural

No Hidden Agendas Here - Supernatural

Rons Steps Up, MONKEY STYLE

The origin of Solomon Grundy - Justice League-2

Gary and His Demons - Still The One (Full Episode)

JJBA Diamond is Unbreakable - Kira's Second Dose of Arrow-2

ジョジョ The truth behind THE arrow 『HD』

Naruto vs toneri HD DUB No cuts-2

Deltora Quest - The Shadow Lord vs the Belt of Deltora (English Subbed)

Dead Cells - Immortalis - Épisode 1 Complet (VF - SUB EN)-2

Dead Cells - Immortalis - Épisode 2 Complet (VF - SUB EN)-2

Dead Cells - Immortalis - Épisode 3 Complet (VF - SUB EN)-2

Dead Cells - Immortalis - Épisode 4 Complet (VF - SUB EN)-2

Dead Cells - Immortalis - Épisode 5 Complet (VF - SUB EN)-2

Dead Cells - Immortalis - Épisode 6 Complet (VF - SUB EN)-2

Dead Cells - Immortalis - Épisode 7 Complet (VF - SUB EN)-2

Dead Cells - Immortalis - Épisode 8 Complet (VF - SUB EN)-2

Dead Cells - Immortalis - Épisode 9 Complet (VF - SUB EN)-2

Dead Cells - Immortalis - Épisode Final Complet (VF - SUB EN)-2

Naruto VS Ichigo - DEATH BATTLE!

Hulk VS Broly (Marvel VS Dragon Ball) - DEATH BATTLE!

Skyrim VS Dark Souls (Dragonborn VS Chosen Undead) - DEATH BATTLE!-2

Hulk VS Godzilla - DEATH BATTLE!-2

Darth Vader VS Obito Uchiha (Star Wars VS Naruto) - DEATH BATTLE!-2

Luke Skywalker VS Harry Potter - DEATH BATTLE!

Analysis & Discussions

Dune - The Voice Explained - Dune Lore-2

Tuor, the Man who became Immortal - Tolkien Explained-2

The Life of Aragorn before The Lord of the Rings - Tolkien Explained

Aragorn's Travels After The Lord of the Rings - Tolkien Explained-2

Aragorn's Ring of Barahir - Tolkien Explained-2

Rand al'Thor- A Timeless Journey (Wheel of Time)

How Luke's Jedi Order Differed from the Old Jedi Order -Legends- - Star Wars Explained

Darth Caedus (Legends) Featuring Dash Star - Star Wars Minute

The Immortal Banner -13 - Hulk vs. The One Below All-2

How Strong Is Naruto Uzumaki?-2

Aerith Gainsborough's Origins ► Final Fantasy 7 Lore-2

THE CALAMITY TRIO PROPHECY! Sasha's Angels & Olm Town Road BREAKDOWN! Amphibia Season 3

THE CALAMITY TRIO'S FINAL BATTLE! The Hardest Thing ULTIMATE BREAKDOWN! Amphibia Series Finale