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What's behind the popularity
of Sylvanas

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If you look up some comic/anime exhibitions, there is always someone cosplaying as Sylvanas. In the popular mobile game “HearthStone”, Sylvanas is a legacy card. More than that, a 17in-high statue of Sylvanas could cost 600$ at “Blizzard Gear Store”. Much evidence indicates that Sylvanas Windrunner is one of the most famous fictional characters in the WoW universe. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the “official novel of World of Warcraft”, and “Sylvanas (World of Warcraft)”, Sylvanas is a rich and complex character compared to many other characters. There are a lot of contradictions in her storyline. Her choices and appearances made her appeal to teenagers the most. 

 

  • Weakness and strength 

Sylvana both represents weakness and strength. The story of Sylvanas is “a song fitting of struggles”. From life to death; from a young lady who loses her lover to becoming a soulless banshee, she hurts and suffers, as if everything was out of her control. Her plight is pitiful. However, she fought back the lich king, redeemed the spirit of freedom, found the purpose of living, and became a queen since then. Teenagers, on the other hand, had many similar characteristics. They would like to get rid of their parents’ control; they were immature so they could cause a lot of trouble and have a lot of weakness; they grew quickly and gained strength.

 

  • Sexual Appeal

There’s clearly a sexual innuendo in the character design of Sylvanas—She is a  mature female with a fit body, a few clothes, overt sexual characteristics, and dominating personality. She creates a very strong visual impact among teenagers who are in their puberty, especially among male teenage players. 

 

 

  • Conflicting Transformations

Another similarity between teenagers and Sylvanas is their uncertainty—they are changing constantly. Slyvanas transformed a lot physically and mentally. Her identity transformed from high elf to banshee. She is both good and evil because she had her own style of justice. Likely, teenagers were also changing in many ways, from child to grown up. Slyvanas is a symbol to all teenagers who are shaping world views.

  • Female power

Last but not least, Sylvanas is the only female leader in WoW who represents female power/leadership. She is a high elf general, a banshee leader, and a queen to all the forgottens. Making her a female leader created a huge impact on the whole world of Warcraft, she is loved by many female teenage players too.

 

In conclusion, Slyvanas is appealing to teenagers because a lot of her experiences foreshadow many aspects of teenagers who are in adolescence. Their real-life struggles, problems, and interests are matching up with this character. That’s why she's most appealing among all teenagers.

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