The opposite of I Just Want to Be Normal, this is a character who is completely ordinary and unexceptional. And they desperately wish that they weren't. Either that or they have a very ordinary, uneventful life that they wish was fun and exciting. They would have Jumped at the Call, but the call never came. Very often, they are more than a little jealous of their friends who did get cool powers or get to go on exciting adventures. If they're lucky enough, they may get to be the Badass Normal in their group of magical friends.
Anyone who is Cursed with Awesome can expect precious little sympathy from this character. Anyone who is Blessed with Suck has every right to argue with this character.
If they finally get what they want, they may become the Ascended Fanboy. Otherwise, they either Ascend and get slammed by the Sidekick Glass Ceiling or wind up Desperately Looking for a Purpose in Life.
Like the other I Just Want To... tropes, this is frequently used to the audience's own desires. If the character gets what he wants, he serves as a surrogate for the audience who want to be able to do the same at least in their imagination. If he does not, it's usually meant as encouragement for the viewers: "See, you should just be happy with the boring life that you have! And being special is overrated anyway!"
May lead to a Be Careful What You Wish For situation.
Compare I Wish It Were Real, Changeling Fantasy, I Just Want to Be Badass, The Call Put Me on Hold, I Just Want to Be Beautiful, The Team Wannabe, The Chosen Wannabe, The Gunfighter Wannabe. Contrast I Just Want to Be Normal.
I Just Want to Be Special has been suggested to play 4 roles. Click below to see other actors suggested for each role, and vote for who you think would play the role best.
