main-character syndrome

Noun

main character syndrome (uncountable)

1. The phenomenon of the protagonist of a show or movie receiving unrealistic special treatment from the worldbuilders.
   • Furthermore,
     Goku is still the main character of the series, and thus by the rules
     of the main character syndrome, no one on the same side of the main
     character shall surpass the main character, and the main character will
     always (eventually) save the day.1996 June 5, Dr. Briefs, “[DBGT] Pans potental.”, in rec.arts.anime.misc (Usenet)
2. (broadly, derogatory) The phenomenon of thinking of oneself as the protagonist in the "movie" of reality (and, thus, usually as unrealistically important or distinguished).
   • What I suffered from is this idea I call the Main Character Syndrome. I know the name is ridiculous, but it sounds like what it is. Main Character types see themselves as a Hero-Savior and everybody else as a secondary prop. The Main Character feels more real than everyone else. It's the same way...2020 May 5, J. S. Park, The Voices We Carry: Finding Your One, True Voice in a World of Clamor and Noise, Moody Publishers, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC