The Goku Syndrome

[Hugh Mungus]

I recall on this forum that Dragon Ball Z's original plan was to have Gohan become the new main character, post-Cell saga. However, fan demand resulted in Goku bring brought back to life and back to MC status.

In layman's terms:

• Character B was planned to be the successor to Character A as the main/central character
  
• Audience/fanbase wants Character A back to main/central character status
  
• Writers/producers/executives bring back Character A as the main/central character due to popular demand
  

I call this "The Goku Syndrome", and whether if it helped or hurt the original story/plans is up to debate.

Can you think of characters that had the Goku Syndrome, besides Goku?

Here's what I can think of:

• Kira Yamato (Gundam Seed Destiny)
  
• Hal Jordan (post-Green Lantern: Rebirth)
  

[Red Impact]

As far as DC comics goes, I don't think most of the characters who get brought back are done so due to audience demand, unless the audience is the editorial staff. Most fans seemed to like Kyle Raynor and Wally West moreso than than their predecessors.

[Koda, Master Crunchyroller]

Maybe the Snakes from Metal Gear? Raiden helmed MGS2, fans nearly collectively went "Oh HELL no!" and since then all the Metal Gear games, save for the new one coming out midnight tonight, have been helmed by Solid or Naked Snake.

[Deleted]

Optimus Prime.

[Deleted]

Dante (Devil May Cry) Kinda
Bruce Wayne as Batman (Batman)
Ultimate Warrior / Hulk Hogan (WWF 1990)

[Stu]

Feb 18, 2013 22:32:45 GMT -5 @irontyger said:

Optimus Prime.

Ohhh, good one.

[Deleted]

Just thought of these 3 as well

Tony Stark as Iron Man instead of Rhodey
Steve Rogers as Captain America over Bucky
The Real Peter Parker as Spider-Man instead of the clone.

[Red Impact]

Feb 18, 2013 22:43:43 GMT -5 @dante said:

Bruce Wayne as Batman (Batman)

They were never going to keep BRuce out of that role for long. They couldn't even finish the event without showing that he was still alive.

[Johnny B. Decent]

Shadow from Sonic the Hedgehog.

[Dub H]

I think it KINDA fits.

Also Phoenix Wright.Apollo was going to succeed....but did not work out.

[mjolnir]

Wesley Price. Joss has mentioned before that they considered replacing Giles with Wesley completely when it looked like Anthony might be leaving the project and WB wanted a "younger, better looking Watcher".

The fans, while some liked Wesley, quickly squashed that from ever happening. Even some that admitted they liked Wesley revolted when it was even teased that he might replace Giles.

[Hugh Mungus]

Feb 18, 2013 22:32:45 GMT -5 @irontyger said:

Optimus Prime.

Wasn't it because of the audience's reaction to Optimus Prime's death in Transformers 86, and because of this, Duke's death was changed at the last minute for G.I. Joe: The Movie?

[CMWaters]

Grover Cleveland.

Benjamin Harrison just wasn't a good enough replacement.

[Brother Nero....Wolfe]

Feb 18, 2013 23:15:24 GMT -5 Dub H said:

I think it KINDA fits.

Also Phoenix Wright.Apollo was going to succeed....but did not work out.

To be fair, that was less on Apollo succeeding him(which the fans were okay with because of how complete Phoenix's arc was) and more on the game's plot sucking/what they did to Phoenix.

[A Platypus Rave]

Feb 18, 2013 22:48:43 GMT -5 @dante said:

Steve Rogers as Captain America over Bucky

I am pretty positive that this was never meant to be long term, especially since the Captain America movie and the Avengers movie weren't out yet and you would figure Marvel would want the Captain America in the movie be the Captain America in the books.

[Deleted]

I can't believe no one's brought up Barry Allen yet.

No offense to Barry fans, but Wally was awesome in the mantle and the fact that Dumbass Comics thought it was a good idea to erase Wally from history itself via new 52 was nothing less than a slap to the face of any loyal fan who paid money for a Flash comic in the previous 25 years.

[Allie Kitsune]

Priss Asagiri (Bubblegum Crisis OVAs).

Reika Chang was introduced to take her place, with Priss intended to die off. Fan demand brought Priss back.

This kind of/sort of happened again in the BGC 2040 TV series, where Sylia Stingray was intended to be the plot-central character, but in the end, ceded the spotlight to Priss.

[kidglov3s]

Feb 19, 2013 8:21:59 GMT -5 Allie Kitsune said:

This kind of/sort of happened again in the BGC 2040 TV series, where Sylia Stingray was intended to be the plot-central character, but in the end, ceded the spotlight to Priss.

Too bad they didn't keep it centered on Linna, I felt that was when the show worked best (like in the first few episodes).

[Allie Kitsune]

Feb 19, 2013 8:25:03 GMT -5 kidglov3s said:

Feb 19, 2013 8:21:59 GMT -5 Allie Kitsune said:

This kind of/sort of happened again in the BGC 2040 TV series, where Sylia Stingray was intended to be the plot-central character, but in the end, ceded the spotlight to Priss.

Too bad they didn't keep it centered on Linna, I felt that was when the show worked best (like in the first few episodes).

It worked since she was meant to be the 'newcomer' just like the viewer was, so in having everything explained to Linna, it was being explained to us as well.

I suppose it would have been nice to see her mature into a veteran, but they really wanted to stick with the Stingray plotline. Too bad they kind of backed out on seeing it through the way it should have been.

But at least Leon didn't look like a moron this time around.

[Zaq "That Guy" Buzzkill]

Feb 18, 2013 23:29:51 GMT -5 mjolnir said:

Wesley Price. Joss has mentioned before that they considered replacing Giles with Wesley completely when it looked like Anthony might be leaving the project and WB wanted a "younger, better looking Watcher".

The fans, while some liked Wesley, quickly squashed that from ever happening. Even some that admitted they liked Wesley revolted when it was even teased that he might replace Giles.

Thank god this never happened, Wesley in Angel is one of the best TV characters ever.