History Main / ProdigalFamily

One of the key features of a CharClone is that they have an estranged sibling on the enemy side and either showing up causes emotional turmoil to the other. It's a common FanficFuel plot to have a character's not (yet) introduced family appear and provoke this sort of situation.

* ''Anime/OnePiece'': In the [[Recap/OnePieceZouArc Zou Arc]], it is shown that Sanji is the third child of a royal family. Brook and Chopper wonder about his past, and Nami recollects the conversation about Sanji's family in the Jaya Arc. Later, it's revealed by Pekoms that he is part of a family of assassins. There is obvious tension between Sanji and his family, and in the Whole Cake Island Arc, we see why. At birth, [[spoiler:Vinsmoke Judge (Sanji's father)]] wanted his children to become nothing more than [[TykeBomb Tyke-Bombs]]. After having [[spoiler:an already-super-powered Reiju (Sanji's sister)]], he successfully did so with his sons [[spoiler:Ichiji, Niji, and Yonj]]. However, [[spoiler:thanks to the intervention of Vinsmoke Sora (Sanji's mother) due to the drug she took]] Sanji became a normal human being. His compassion and humility are what drove his brothers and his father to abuse him physically, mentally, verbally, and psychologically for the next couple of years. Fortunately for Sanji, Reiju helped him escape. 13 years later, [[spoiler:he is whisked away and threatened by Big Mom and his father, for the fate of his hands and loved ones, specifically his old crew and his adoptive father Zeff, on the Baratie. Unfortunately, he undergoes more torment by his brothers and father, and WORSE by his manipulative fiancée. Just when hope seems grim, his friends, along with new allies, decide to intervene with a plot to take down Big Mom and rescue his family. After they are rescued and the commotion has settled, Judge asks Sanji for what reason he saved him. Sanji replies that it was to honor his adoptive father's beliefs and tells Judge not to go to him or East Blue again. After even more commotion, as the Straw Hat crew passes by Judge's castle, Judge asks Luffy why he would go so far with Sanji. The latter just responds with a thank you and goodbye]].

Prodigal families come in two major types: amicable and possessive. Amicable families are generally more [[AmazinglyEmbarrassingParents embarrassing]] than anything and tend to share reputation-destroying secrets with the characters' friends and enemies. Their motives are benign and mundane: They want to keep Character abreast of a family situation, they want to stay in touch, sometimes they just happen to be in town and want to talk. They're often unaware of the animosity Character has for them, or if they do recognize it they don't much care. They rarely intend to interact with Character for longer than a few days before moving on. Episodes that feature an amicable Prodigal Family tend to end with Character showing some sign that she still loves them, no matter how much they embarrass and inconvenience her.

[[KnightTemplarParent Possessive families]] are more extreme. They've been actively hunting for Character for some time, and they want her back. Often evil, but sometimes have Character's best interests at heart without knowing what's really best for her. An encounter with a possessive family generally ends in either a showdown between the family and Character's friends (if the family is evil) or a painful decision by the Character to stay on the show (if they're just misguided). Either way, friendship plays an important part in the conclusion and the arc ends with AnAesop about the true meaning of family, i.e., not those to whom you're born, but those to [[TrueCompanions whom you belong]].

Prodigal families come in two major types: amicable and possessive. Amicable families are generally more [[IncrediblyEmbarrassingParents embarrassing]] than anything and tend to share reputation-destroying secrets with the characters' friends and enemies. Their motives are benign and mundane: They want to keep Character abreast of a family situation, they want to stay in touch, sometimes they just happen to be in town and want to talk. They're often unaware of the animosity Character has for them, or if they do recognize it they don't much care. They rarely intend to interact with Character for longer than a few days before moving on. Episodes that feature an amicable Prodigal Family tend to end with Character showing some sign that she still loves them, no matter how much they embarrass and inconvenience her.

Prodigal families come in two major types: amicable and possessive. Amicable families are generally more embarrassing than anything and tend to share reputation-destroying secrets with the characters' friends and enemies. Their motives are benign and mundane: They want to keep Character abreast of a family situation, they want to stay in touch, sometimes they just happen to be in town and want to talk. They're often unaware of the animosity Character has for them, or if they do recognize it they don't much care. They rarely intend to interact with Character for longer than a few days before moving on. Episodes that feature an amicable Prodigal Family tend to end with Character showing some sign that she still loves them, no matter how much they embarrass and inconvenience her.

Possessive families are more extreme. They've been actively hunting for Character for some time, and they want her back. Often evil, but sometimes have Character's best interests at heart without knowing what's really best for her. An encounter with a possessive family generally ends in either a showdown between the family and Character's friends (if the family is evil) or a painful decision by the Character to stay on the show (if they're just misguided). Either way, friendship plays an important part in the conclusion and the arc ends with AnAesop about the true meaning of family, i.e., not those to whom you're born, but those to [[TrueCompanions whom you belong]].

Compare CoattailRidingRelative, when a character exploits one of their relatives' success for their selfish benefit, and IHaveNoSon, the disowning of a child. It often overlaps with FormerlyFriendlyFamily, when a once happy family ends up fighting each other. Contrast CrossingTheBurntBridge, when a character must return to where they were a {{jerk}} when they left. SubTrope of FamilyDisunion, when family gatherings are a source of major drama.

* ''Anime/OnePiece'': In the [[Recap/OnePieceZouArc Zou Arc]], it is shown that Sanji is the third child of a royal family. Brook and Chopper wonder about his past, and Nami recollects the conversation about Sanji's family in the Jaya Arc. Later, it's revealed by Pekoms that he is part of a family of assassins. There is obvious tension between Sanji and his family, and in the Whole Cake Island Arc, we see why. At birth, [[spoiler: Vinsmoke Judge (Sanji's father)]] wanted his children to become nothing more than [[TykeBomb Tyke-Bombs]]. After having [[spoiler: an already-super-powered Reiju (Sanji's sister)]], he successfully did so with his sons [[spoiler: Ichiji, Niji, and Yonj]]. However, [[spoiler: thanks to the intervention of Vinsmoke Sora (Sanji's mother) due to the drug she took]] Sanji became a normal human being. His compassion and humility are what drove his brothers and his father to abuse him physically, mentally, verbally, and psychologically for the next couple of years. Fortunately for Sanji, Reiju helped him escape. 13 years later, [[spoiler: he is whisked away and threatened by Big Mom and his father, for the fate of his hands and loved ones, specifically his old crew and his adoptive father Zeff, on the Baratie. Unfortunately, he undergoes more torment by his brothers and father, and WORSE by his manipulative fiancée. Just when hope seems grim, his friends, along with new allies, decide to intervene with a plot to take down Big Mom and rescue his family. After they are rescued and the commotion has settled, Judge asks Sanji for what reason he saved him. Sanji replies that it was to honor his adoptive father's beliefs and tells Judge not to go to him or East Blue again. After even more commotion, as the Straw Hat crew passes by Judge's castle, Judge asks Luffy why he would go so far with Sanji. The latter just responds with a thank you and goodbye.]]

* ''Series/ThirtyRock'': Jack's entire family basically fits this trope to a tee. His mother is a massive inconvenience, his father and brother are con men, and the rest are various drunks and good old Irish Catholic fighters. Obviously, he is less than pleased when they show up on his doorstep.

Compare CoattailRidingRelative, when a character exploits one of their relatives' success for their selfish benefit, and IHaveNoSon, the disowning of a child. It often overlaps with FormerlyFriendlyFamily, when a once happy family ends up fighting each other. SubTrope of FamilyDisunion, when family gatherings are a source of major drama.

Compare CoattailRidingRelative, when a character exploits one of their relatives' success for their selfish benefit, and IHaveNoSon, the disowning of a child. It often overlaps with FormerlyFriendlyFamily, when a once happy family ends up fighting each other. One of the key features of a CharClone is that they have an estranged sibling on the enemy side and either showing up causes emotional turmoil to the other. It's a common FanficFuel plot to have a character's not (yet) introduced family appear and provoke this sort of situation.

Compare CoattailRidingRelative, when a character exploits one of their relatives' success for their selfish benefit. It often overlaps with FormerlyFriendlyFamily, when a formerly happy family ends up fighting each other. One of the key features of a CharClone is that they have an estranged sibling on the enemy side and either showing up causes emotional turmoil to the other. It's a common FanficFuel plot to have a character's not (yet) introduced family appear and provoke this sort of situation.

* ''Literature/TheNovicesTale'' (Creator/MargaretFrazer): Sister Thomasine's aunt Ermintrude, who shows up at the convent's guest hall periodically with her staff and her objectionable pets (e.g. monkeys), and keeps offering to take the shy, devout Thomasine out of there and find her a vigorous husband.

See also CoattailRidingRelative. It often overlaps with FormerlyFriendlyFamily. One of the key features of a CharClone is that they have an estranged sibling on the enemy side and either showing up causes emotional turmoil to the other. It's a common FanficFuel plot to have a character's not (yet) introduced family appear and provoke this sort of situation.

* ''Fanfic/TheBlackSheepDogSeries'': When Regulus decides to openly betray Voldemort, he seeks his older brother Sirius for refuge. Although initially disgusted upon seeing his brother, Sirius resolves to help him once he learns about Regulus' motives. It's their still blood-purist family whom he needs to put up with, which greatly displeases him.

* ''Fanfic/TheNuptialverse'': Pinkie's biological parents send a letter about wanting to reunite with her, which causes her no small amount of dread and anxiety. As a filly, Pinkie became TheRunaway after [[spoiler:their harsh rejection of her Cutie Mark (including verbal and physical abuse); their opinions on a life revolving around partying is that of a lazy, no-good pony who would never be a productive member of society]]. This hurt Pinkie deeply, so she wandered the lands until she was unofficially adopted by the Cakes.