Can’t have kids entering adulthood with any ideas about changing or helping the world. Much better for business if they give up all those hopes and just get a job.
When I was a kid I always told myself I’ll never become like most of the dumb adults around me.
I’m 26 now and I think I’m on the right path.Which stories are being criticized here? I can’t think of any examples of this kind of coming of age story.
Pretty clear that Digimon is one. Which links it to childhood and seems to have a sad/bittersweet ending multiple times. (though averted/retconned for 2 incarnations.)
Not entirely about lost powers but see the Growing Up Sucks trope (and the example subpages)
The concept of “childhood’s end” will probably be clearly illustrated, with the now-grown-up character losing something that was fundamental to their happiness as a child.
The child may lose his guardians, Mons, or even his powers, if these all come with a time limit or are directly linked to his status as a child. For example, children are assumed to be wide-eyed, curious, innocent and trusting; adults are usually portrayed as pragmatic, cynical and set in their ways.
A recurring theme in Hayao Miyazaki’s films
Sometimes it might be subtle, and sometimes the time limit is an open/common reminder such as Fairly Odd Parents (lose+forget fairies after turning 18, though it being a long-running show I don’t know if they even actually ended on that note).
