Who says your role model has to exist in the real world? Everyone has people in the real world they could look up to, a teacher, parent, or fellow student for example. However, that does not limit us to look up to real individuals. Imaginary characters can also serve as role models. Comic book characters, literary figures, and movie figures speak to each person and can serve as a role model in the real world.

I myself have many heroes from many places. I see each one in a different light because of the obstacles each has to overcome and has to endure to make it through. Most of my heroes have supernatural powers, but a few are real-world and plain. In a literary sense, my biggest hero is Nico di Angelo from the Percy Jackson & The Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus series.

Nico is the demigod son of Hades. He is introduced in the 3rd book of the Percy Jackson series with his older sister. Throughout the course of both series, Nico loses his sister, discovers he can control the dead, gets kidnapped and held for ransom, and travels to Hell to help save the people that fear him. His family is messed up because his dad dislikes him, his stepmother is a bit crazy, and he gains a half-sister that is cursed. I am drawn to him because I am thankful that my life is better off than his. He suffered, but still can get up and do what he needs to, even if it costs his life. That shows true strength, and I look up to him for endurance and strength no matter the situation.

Another area that I find a hero in is television with Sherlock Holmes from the show Elementary.

Sherlock is smart, arrogant, and a drug addict. He goes through so much in the four seasons, and has many bad relationships with his family and friends. Even his love interest is a homicidal maniac that faked her death. Despite his less-than-fortunate past, he does an excellent job as a detective for the NYPD. With the support of his friend and colleague Joan Watson, he manages to make it throughout the many cases he solves and even the dire situation that envelops them when their past revisits the two heroes. This hero shows me that friendship and trust are the two greatest gifts in the world and that nobody can face every situation alone.

My role model in the comic book sense is Dr. Charles Xavier from the Marvel Comics.

Dr. Charles Xavier, or Professor X, speaks a lot to me because of his gifts and abilities. He has the power to perform amazing tasks with his mind and, unlike many others with the same power, he uses his gifts to help teach others how to use their gifts for good. His arch-nemesis, Magneto, is a good friend of his with whom he has the highest respects. He shows me that even our enemies deserve respect and trust, that the gifts given to us can be used for both good and bad, and that the circumstances do not make the individual; it is the choices made in light of the circumstances.

Anime is also an area to find role models. My role model in anime is Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Edward is an alchemist who broke the Alchemy Law by trying to bring back his dead mother, resulting in him losing two of his limbs and almost his brother. He spends the next few years trying to fix his mistake.I will not reveal any spoilers, so a slight filter is on. I will just say that in the end,he does what he can but after many life-altering sacrifices. He shows that love are a good motivator, following your dreams are achievable but sacrifices are sometimes required, and to not let the sins of the past stop you from achieving your goals.

My all-time role model, no matter the area, is Uncle Iroh from the tv show Avatar: The Last Airbender. Iroh is a firebender who watches and educates the banished Prince Zuko about honor and the real world. He is the ultimate father figure and offers advice to anybody he meets. He even teaches a mugger how to mug correctly after he fails to mug Iroh. The man is almost always positive and protective. His honor is great.

Heroes can be found anywhere in the world. Just look around and you will see that inspiration and guidance can come from anywhere.