I am in love with a cartoon character, worried it unhealthy

Hello, I am currently 18 and believe this started in my childhood, I was always called weird, people saw me as different than my peers, I never got on with people that well at school and sat by myself often, and I was fine with that, I also had bad anxiety but that's another topic, it started with The Lion King, the character Nala who is the Deuteragonist, I fell in love with her, I felt a way I did not feel before, I was captivated by her beauty and fiesty fiery personality and recently that obsession has come up again, but more severe, I wanted to plaster posters of her on my walls, always be around her, I looked up the animators, voice actors and tried to learn as much as I could about the character, my heart blossomed like never before, that went on for a while, I became a Christian and realised this was almost worship, so ceased it.

Then I thought back to Bambi, Bambi had it all, he was graceful, gentle, adorable yet strong, ripe with charm, I felt like we were kindered spirits, like I could relate to this character and then it happened again, the obsessions, I love this character - I love Bambi, I desperately want to meet this character although I know he is merely art, I long for the characters embrace, I see the virtues he is ripe with, the positvity he conveys throughout the film and how wonderful it would to be around that, but that is not possible, at least not in this life, I'm not sure how I can handle these feelings, I feel like we are spiritually bonded through different worlds, kindered by love, not in a sexual manner necesserily but something beyond that as it is.

All night I would think of these characters, and tear up when I saw the corporate insignia on their art, they are not merely a product I think, they are part of the lifeblood of this world, they can be risen up in due time, those adorable faces, that kind spirit, it helps me get up in the morning, keeps me going in good spirits, however I have found that I can use these feelings to bring me closer to my faith, as I believe Bambi represents key elements of the Will of God as it is in my religion, loving and kind, it brings out my positive side to people, and makes me want to start drawing and practice my artwork; surely that will bring me closer to these drawn characters than any other earthly methods. Thank you for letting me express myself here, I would like to know what you think of my situation regarding this.

Dear HighHooves,

I'm really glad you posted about this. I've worshipped 'fictional' (to me they are real) characters ever since I was young. They were different ones before but I've had my current and most intense obsession since I was 10. I feel very uncomfortable talking about it, but I just wanted to let you know you are not alone.

Worship huh, yikes that sounds bad; something ancient tribes would be doing, nonetheless I am glad I'm not alone with this, last night I thought of Bambi, and I will say I cried about the situation and how he is but fiction to this reality.

I don't see how worshipping could be something bad, unless you're hurting yourself or someone else by doing so. But apart from that, I'm sorry you feel so bad about it. To me, it's only a good thing that the characters I worship are seen as unreal by others, because they are part of my world and not of anyone else's. I'd get very jealous if someone else talked about them.

But you worry about your situation being unhealthy, right? You could ask yourself some questions. Is it a) hurting you, b) hurting others, and/or c) having significant impact on your daily functioning (work, social life, relationships, etc)?

It is only a problem as worshipping false idols goes against my religion and beliefs, I feel as though maybe this is a test of some sort, I want to divulge more and more and immerse myself more and more somehow, I try to use my feelings to empower my beliefs and I think that is the right thing for me to do here...

Nobody is being harmed through my feelings, but Bambi pretty much all day, consuming a lot of energy, but I like it, I don't want these feelings to end.

Don't mean to double post but I do not see an edit button, as I was browsing I came across multiple mentions of deer and even Bambi 2 by absolute coincidence? I think not, there must be a high power somewhere trying to convey a message to me, I think God is telling me that Bambi is important to His Will and I must utilize it to strengthen my beliefs and carry out His will.

as a fellow Christian, try to remember that bambi is not in the Bible. It's not the will of God. I had grandiose delusions about being a lesser known archangel, being reincarnated, etcetc. None of that stuff is in the Bible and I think that once you realize that those false beliefs contribute to spiritual warfare inside of you, you'll be able to better rid them and free yourself. Just remember that Christians are called to glorify God , not ourselves or animals/false idols. Don't forget about the golden calf and all that.


I wish you well, hope you stick to therapy and treatment. It's not fun but you are very young and I believe with grace and strength you will get over it.

Surely I could use this obsession, to carry out the will of God, if it brings me love, then I show love unto others and spread that love, I think that kind of thinking would do well.