ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Mary Sue

Ok kiddo, let me explain what a Mary Sue is. Imagine you are playing with your toys and you create a new character that is super cool and can do anything they want without any limitations. They might be good at fighting, magic, or have special powers that make them invincible. That’s what a Mary Sue is.

In books, movies, or TV shows, a Mary Sue is a character that is too perfect, with no flaws or weaknesses. They seem to have all the answers and always make the right choices. They are liked by everyone and nothing ever goes wrong for them.

Mary Sues can be annoying because they are not realistic. We all have flaws and make mistakes, so it’s hard to relate to a character that doesn’t have any. It’s more interesting when a character struggles and grows as a result of their mistakes or challenges.

Overall, a Mary Sue is a character that is too perfect and unrealistic, which makes them unrelatable and sometimes irritating.