This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
Floria: Is this trope strictly for fictional creatures with this effect, or can there be Real Life examples? Because there are plenty of animals who seem to have this kind of aesthetic, at least for people with a touch of Freaky Is Cool in their makeup (wolf eels, banana slugs, star-nosed moles...).
TTD: Real Life examples are valid but I would like to avoid adding them here; maybe we could make a Troper Tales page or something. And I know it seems like a strange thing for me to say, but we got way too much Natter in What Measure Is a Non-Cute? about this.
I regret slightly that this trope didn't get titled "Uglorable". —Document N
Ethereal Mutation: Think it's worth noting cases of this happening with real life celebrities or would that get out of hand too fast? There are definitely actors that, if more Hollywood Homely than outright ugly, certainly aren't the best looking ones out there by any stretch but still get a decent fanbase. Examples include Steve Buscemi, Nicholas Cage, and Gene Simmons.
Michael: I heard tell recently of a Japanese craze called "Busu-Kawaii" which supposedly follows this idea. In my head it's been rationalised as unattractive people who you want to hug. Anyway, I'm not enough of a japanophile to write it up properly. Anyone?
