“Potter” vs. “Buffy”: Clash of the Chosen Ones
If there is one thing I rewatch almost as often as Harry Potter, it’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So much sass, ass-kicking good times, fascinating lore, and Spike. Ooooh, Spike. *coughs* Right, so I was watching the series again, and I noticed some very similar traits and themes when compared to the Harry Potter series. I mean, come on. Humanity’s last hope in defeating evil is a Chosen One backed by a gang of misfits, spearheaded by the original trio of friends? Sounds familiar. In honor of Friendship Day, let’s compare our Hogwarts pals with our Sunnydale chums.
The Chosen One (Two?)
Obviously, Buffy is Harry. Not only because of being the title character in each story but also because of who they are and what they represent. Two courageous, yet confidence-lacking, youths were plucked from normalcy and burdened with being the savior of their worlds. Cue lots of angst, growth, and heavy sass. Even though they are supposed to be “the One,” they both are strengthened by the bonds of friends and allies throwing their hats in with them.
The Gifted Brain
Funny enough, Willow and Hermione aren’t just the female halves of the heroes’ two best friends, but both are also very young and talented witches. Not only did they both crush on the male friend (though Willow later grows out of this), but they also both start out as neurotic, dorky, know-it-alls. Thankfully, both girls blossom into strong and powerful women who can be a little scary at times. Dark Willow was frightening, but can you imagine Dark Hermione!?
The Comedic Relief
Xander and Ron really do not get enough credit. The least “remarkable” of their respective trios, these boys are often taken for granted by Big Bads and friends alike. Even though they don’t outwardly appear important, their sarcasm, loyalty, and slapstick humor provide immense moral support when their friends are at their lowest. They also have the biggest and purest hearts. When you think about it, no one has more courage than someone with no special skills or powers fighting right alongside those stronger and more powerful than themselves.
The Other One?
Can I just briefly touch on the fact that Faith and Neville are strangely similar? I don’t see Neville going nuts and killing innocent people, but the fact is, they are both seen as screw-ups, both could have taken the place of our Chosen One(s), and both came through in a bad-ass blaze of glory in the end.
The Repentant Bad Boy
Spike. Oh, Spike. *sighs dreamily* Er, and Draco! Both of these blonde, British bad boys are thorns in the sides of our heroes from Day 1 but eventually turn away from the dark side. Spike saves the world; Draco saves Harry, who eventually saves the world… eh, close enough. Either way you turn it, they have similar roles in these worlds. Just do me a favor, and let’s not mention the Spuffy or Drarry shippings. Actually, just don’t mention Drarry. Ever.
The Wise Elder
Giles and Dumbledore are older men who seem reserved, dry, and abundantly wise at first, but are later revealed to have very dark and sometimes violent pasts. While both are father-type figures for our heroes, they both are also pretty much just raising pigs for slaughter. Their clandestine ways always make for added tension, but they never fail to come through in the end. Well, that is, until the Astronomy Tower. Too soon?
The Innocent Fighter
Okay, so don’t hurt me for this one, but I can’t help but think Dawn and Dobby are similar in their own right. I mean, they both just kind of appear in the hero’s life, get the hero into a lot of trouble and are ultimately freed by the hero. Is that too much of a stretch?
The Tall, Dark, and Broody
Snape and Angel. Both men are forced to stalk watch their loves from afar, both are always lurking and brooding, and both are scary in their own special way—Okay, I really am reaching now, haha! I just wanted another excuse to bring up how unbelievably broody Angel is. Sorry.
So there you have it. Just another example of the consistent formula used in story-crafting, but we have to admit, it works! Now it’s time for me to restart my Buffy DVDs all over again, this time with the commentary. I don’t have a problem! You have a problem!
Are there any other similarities between Buffy and Potter that we missed? Let us know in the comments!