History Main / PunyEarthlings

** Cirno and Clownpiece are examples of fairies that avert this. Cirno despite [[BoisterousWeakling her reputation]] is stated to be many times stronger than regular humans and has a surprising great amount of aptitude for battle. Clownpiece is a fairy from hell who has implied to have ''made a name for herself in hell'' and has garnered praise from its Goddess, who is currently the strongest character in the series, [[WorldOfBadass which is saying something]].
** This trope is most of all exemplified with the {{Lunarians}} who are stronger, smarter, wiser, more technologically advanced and more magically adept than 99% of all youkai and 100% of all humans on top of being both immortal and pure. However, [[PureIsNotGood them being "pure" does not mean that they are "nice"]], it merely means that they are untouched by impurity and, by extension, death and it's been outright stated that they've considered [[ApocalypseHow "purifying" the Earth]] numerous times just to prevent us from spreading the existence of mortality beyond the boundaries of our own planet.

** Despite all of this, this trope is ultimately zigzagged as while most humans are pathetic against youkai and Gods, they are also ''needed'' in order for them to exist. The gods need [[GodsNeedPrayerBadly faith]] and the youkai needs [[PuffofLogic fear]] in order to continue existing and only humans can supply them. As for Lunarians, they are heavily implied to be once humans themselves who have originated from the Earth and have migrated to the moon in order to AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence.

On the other hand, sometimes human "inferiority" isn't necessarily a bad thing. While humans might lack the strengths of the aliens in question, they might also lack its ''weaknesses''. More than anything, humans are adaptable, oftentimes moreso than the supposedly "superior" races. [[FridgeLogic Unless you take into account]] that many of these weaknesses are usually very rare, while some species can bathe in stuff that can kill humans in seconds.

* In ''Manga/OutlawStar'', there was an episode where there was an alien being [[spoiler:resembling a cactus]] that had the power to influence and control everything living around them. Subverted in that when its power didn't work, it was completely helpless. This led to a less-than-dignified death delivered by the hands...er, feet of the waifish [[TheLoad Melfina]].

* In ''Manga/FairyTail'', most [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragons]] believed this, seeing humans at best as funny talking entertainment like pets or [[SapientEatSapient amusing snacks]], and they honestly didn't get why there was a [[MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch subset of their own kind that disagreed]] and believed HumansAreSpecial. This ended up causing a Dragon Civil War where the pro-coexistence side fought an outnumbered battle against their brethren that ended when said dragons taught humans Dragon Magic to create [[TheDragonslayer the first Dragon Slayers]] and even the odds...[[GoneHorriblyRight and then]] one of those humans who ''hated'' dragons ended up causing the virtual extinction of dragons while simultaneously and ironically turning into one and declaring himself the [[AsskickingLeadsToLeadership Dragon King]].

* Partially subverted in ''VideoGame/{{Prototype}}'', as Mercer has been casually slashing and punching his way through the human military for the first parts of the game....but then he meets [[BadassNormal Specialist Cross]].

* Parodied by ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZIM''. Humans are pretty dumb, and Irkens have all kinds of superior technology...but for the most part, the Irkens are pretty dumb too. According to WordOfGod, the show's whole concept was founded on the [[RuleOfFunny inherent ridiculousness]] of a [[HigherTechSpecies Higher Tech Alien]] too stupid to use his power correctly. There ARE individual Irkens who are extremely competent at planetary conquest and using all that advanced weaponry. It's just a crapshoot whether they actually get in a position to do so considering that all honor and authority in their society is bestowed based on height before any other standard. Zim is actually rather good at using it himself, he's just completely incompetent at target selection. (He once carried out one of the most devastating planetary assaults EVER performed by any Irken... he just forgot to travel from his homeworld to the target planet BEFORE unleashing planet-wide devastation.)

* Parodied by ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZIM''. Humans are pretty dumb, and Irkens have all kinds of superior technology...but for the most part, the Irkens are pretty dumb too. According to WordOfGod, the show's whole concept was founded on the [[RuleOfFunny inherent ridiculousness]] of a [[HigherTechSpecies Higher Tech Alien]] too stupid to use his power correctly. There ARE individual Irkens who are extremely competent at planetary conquest and using all that advanced weaponry. It's just a crapshoot whether they actually get in a position to do so considering that all honor and authority in their society is bestowed based on height before any other standard. Zim is actually rather good at using it himself, he's just completely incompetent at target selection. (He once carried out one of the most devastating planetary assaults EVER performed by any Irken...he just forgot to travel from his homeworld to the target planet BEFORE unleashing planet-wide devastation.)

In comics, nearly every alien is outright superpowered. Of course, almost all major characters in mainstream comics are {{super|Hero}}, so that's not so illustrative.

This trope is common because, even among Earthly life forms, a number of people (and intellectuals/writers) believe humans are {{squishy wizard}}s who hold an obvious advantage only in intelligence. Enough of them believe that other members of the animal kingdom are always faster, stronger, tougher and more agile than a human. In truth, humanity stacks up decently enough against many individual species rather than the vague "animal kingdom" amalgam that it is most often compared to, but do not reach the level against other predators in everything except for [[VictoryByEndurance endurance]] - while, on the other hand, a relatively low percentage of all fauna would be that much of a threat to a human head-on. It is in fact, though, likely that a human (even prehistoric) deprived of their intelligence and thus ability to manufacture tools, clothing, and shelter could die from starvation and exposure, more rapidly depending on the environment. Other predators rely purely on their innate physical abilities. The fact that intelligence and the manual dexterity to apply it are simply ''our'' "innate physical abilities" doesn't change the fact that it seems like "cheating" to weigh such abilities against pure muscle, speed, or agility.

Humanity is just plain less cool than the other sapient peoples of the universe. By any standard one cares to choose, aliens of any type are greater than or equal to humanity, with the occasional [[KryptoniteFactor weak point]], often due to their BizarreAlienBiology.

Just to add to the insult, [[WeAreAsMayflies they all live longer than humans]], too.

One thing humans can do to balance the scales, apparently, is mate with any of these superior species to create {{Half Human Hybrid}}s with those traits. Sometimes even humans that were only ''raised'' by aliens are likely to [[LamarckWasRight somehow "inherit" abilities]] from their foster parents, or at least to pick things up as learned skills. The [[HumanAliens more "human" the alien is]], the greater the apparent tendency to give them superpowers.

Point any of this out in the presence of the hero, though, and you're likely to get yourself a PatrickStewartSpeech. Sometimes [[HumansAreFlawed the speech is justified]]; often even the physically superior aliens will admit that HumansAreSpecial for having accomplished so much with so ''little''.

On the other hand, sometimes human "inferiority" isn't necessarily a bad thing. While humans might lack the strengths of the aliens in question, they might also lack its ''weaknesses''. More than anything, humans are adaptable, oftentimes moreso than the supposedly "superior" races. [[FridgeLogic Unless you take into account]] that many of these weaknesses are usually very rare, while they can bathe in stuff that can kill humans in seconds.

This trope may be invoked as well by {{Physical God}}s, demons and magic or supernatural entities. Instead of "Puny Earthlings", they will usually call us "Puny mortals", but the rest [[Administrivia/TropesAreFlexible is basically the same]].

This trope is common because, even among Earthly life forms, most people (and intellectuals/writers) believe humans are {{squishy wizard}}s who hold an obvious advantage only in intelligence. Other animals are always faster, stronger, tougher and more agile than a human. In truth, humanity stacks up decently enough against many individual species rather than the vague "animal kingdom" amalgam that it is most often compared to, but quite badly against other predators in everything except for [[VictoryByEndurance endurance]]. It is in fact likely that a human (even prehistoric) deprived of their intelligence and thus ability to manufacture tools, clothing, and shelter would rapidly die from starvation and exposure. Other predators rely purely on their innate physical abilities. The fact that intelligence and the manual dexterity to apply it are simply ''our'' "innate physical abilities" doesn't change the fact that it seems like "cheating" to weigh such abilities against pure muscle, speed, or agility.

** Cirno and Clownpiece are examples of fairies that avert this. Cirno despite [[MemeticLoser her reputation]] is stated to be many times stronger than regular humans and has a surprising amount of aptitude for battle. Clownpiece is a fairy from hell who has implied to have made a name for herself ''in hell'' and she's highly valued by the Goddess of Hell, who is currently the strongest character in the series.

** Despite all of this, this trope is ultimately downplayed as while most humans are pathetic against youkai and Gods, they are also ''needed'' in order for them to exist. The gods need [[GodsNeedPrayerBadly faith]] and the youkai needs [[PuffofLogic fear]] in order to continue existing and only humans can replenish them. As for Lunarians, they are implied to be humans who have originated from the Earth and have migrated to the moon in order to AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence.

** Reimu has special powers from the Hakurei bloodline and has been noted to be closer to a sennin[[note]]someone who's transcended humanity by being a HermitGuru, basically. Not exactly a youkai, but not human, either[[/note]] than a regular human. Marisa ''acts'' like a youkai[[note]]given ''Touhou'''s metaphysics, this could well cause her to become one, even if she doesn't decide to become a magician youkai, which a few characters have commented on[[/note]] and most of her power comes from magical mushrooms and magical devices. Sakuya has the ability to [[TimeStandsStill increase or decrease the flow of time]] with her magical watch and has the reflexes required to make good use of those abilities and [[MysteriousPast may very well not be human]]. Youmu is half yuurei[[note]]ghost, phantom, something like that. The fandom doesn't agree on the translation[[/note]]. Keine is a were-hakutaku, though it's not clear how much of her power comes from this. Mokou has consumed [[ImmortalityInducer the Hourai Elixir]] and has centuries of fighting experience and [[IncrediblyLamePun firepower]] gained from immortality. Sanae is a god in addition to being human[[note]]not the same as being half god. Yes, it's weird[[/note]] and is aided by her patron goddesses. Mai and Satono are servants of a powerful goddess that received powers from said goddess and are currently having their humanity eroded by said power. Sumireko is an example of a human from the Outside World who likewise averts this, having tremendous psychic powers that could have ''destroyed Gensokyo'' had Reimu not intervened.

** Reimu has special powers from the Hakurei bloodline and has been noted to be closer to a sennin[[note]]someone who's transcended humanity by being a HermitGuru, basically. Not exactly a youkai, but not human, either[[/note]] than a regular human. Marisa ''acts'' like a youkai[[note]]given ''Touhou'''s metaphysics, this could well cause her to become one, even if she doesn't decide to become a magician youkai, which a few characters have commented on[[/note]], and most of her power comes from magical mushrooms and magical devices. Sakuya has the ability to [[TimeStandsStill increase or decrease the flow of time]] with her magical watch and has the reflexes required to make good use of those abilities and [[MysteriousPast may well not be human]]. Youmu is half yuurei[[note]]ghost, phantom, something like that. The fandom doesn't agree on the translation[[/note]]. Keine is a were-hakutaku, though it's not clear how much of her power comes from this. Mokou has consumed [[ImmortalityInducer the Hourai Elixir]] and has centuries of fighting experience and [[Pun firepower]] gained from immortality. Sanae is a god in addition to being human[[note]]not the same as being half god. Yes, it's weird[[/note]] and is aided by her patron goddesses. Mai and Satono are servants of a powerful god that received powers from said god and are having their humanity eroded by said power. Sumireko is an example of a human from the Outside World who likewise averts this, having tremendous psychic powers that are capable of ''destroying Gensokyo'' had Reimu not intervened.
** Cirno and Clownpiece are examples of fairies that avert this. Cirno despite [[MemeticLoser her reputation]] is stated to be many times stronger than regular humans and has a surprising amount of aptitude for battle. Clownpiece is a fairy from hell who has implied to make a name for herself ''in hell'' and she's highly valued by the Goddess of Hell, who is currently the strongest character in the series.

** Despite all of this, this trope is ultimately downplayed as while most humans are pathetic against Yokai and Gods, they are also needed in order for them to ''exist''. They either need [[GodsNeedPrayerBadly faith]] or [[PuffofLogic fear]] in order to continue existing and only humans can replenish them. As for Lunarians, they are implied to be humans who have originated from the Earth and have migrated to the moon in order to AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence.

** Cirno and Clownpiece are examples of fairies that avert this. Cirno despite [[MemeticLoser her reputation]] is stated to be many times stronger than regular humans and has a surprising amount of aptitude for battle. Clownpiece is a fairy from hell who has implied to make a name for herself ''in said hell'' and she's highly valued by the Goddess of Hell, who is currently the strongest character in the series.

** Despite all of this, this trope is ultimately downplayed as while most humans are pathetic against Yokai and Gods, they are also needed in order for them to ''exist''. They either need [[GodsNeedPrayersBadly faith]] or [[PuffofLogic fear]] in order to continue existing and only humans can replenish them.

** Cirno and Clownpiece are examples of fairies that avert this. Cirno despite [[MemeticLoser her reputation]] is stated to be many times stronger than regular humans and has a surprising amount of aptitude for battle. Clownpiece is a fairy from hell who has made a name for herself in [[Hell]] and has earned praise from its Goddess and said goddess is the current strongest character in the series.

** Reimu has special powers from the Hakurei bloodline and has been noted to be closer to a sennin[[note]]someone who's transcended humanity by being a HermitGuru, basically. Not exactly a youkai, but not human, either[[/note]] than a regular human. Marisa ''acts'' like a youkai[[note]]given ''Touhou'''s metaphysics, this could well cause her to become one, even if she doesn't decide to become a magician youkai, which a few characters have commented on[[/note]], and most of her power comes from magical mushrooms and magical devices. Sakuya has the ability to [[TimeStandsStill increase or decrease the flow of time]] with her magical watch and has the reflexes required to make good use of those abilities and [[MysteriousPast may well not be human]]. Youmu is half yuurei[[note]]ghost, phantom, something like that. The fandom doesn't agree on the translation[[/note]]. Keine is a were-hakutaku, though it's not clear how much of her power comes from this. Mokou has consumed [[ImmortalityInducer the Hourai Elixir]] and has centuries of fighting experience and sorceries. Sanae is a god in addition to being human[[note]]not the same as being half god. Yes, it's weird[[/note]] and is helped by a couple of gods. Mai and Satono are servants to a powerful god with the powers that they received. Sumireko is an example of a human from the Outside World who also averts this having tremendous psychic powers that are capable of ''destroying Gensokyo'' had Reimu not intervened.
** Cirno and Clownpiece are examples of Fairies that averts this. Cirno despite [[MemeticLoser her reputation]] is stated to be many times stronger than regular humans and has a surprising amount of skill for battle. Clownpiece is a fairy from hell who has made a ''name for herself in Hell and has earned praise from its Goddess'', said Goddess is the current strongest character in the series.

** Reimu has special powers from the Hakurei bloodline, and has been noted to be closer to a sennin[[note]]someone who's transcended humanity by being a HermitGuru, basically. Not exactly a youkai, but not human, either[[/note]] than a regular human. Marisa ''acts'' like a youkai[[note]]given ''Touhou'''s metaphysics, this could well cause her to become one, even if she doesn't decide to become a magician youkai, which a few characters have commented on[[/note]], and most of her power comes from magical mushrooms and magical devices. Sakuya [[MysteriousPast may well not be human]]. Youmu is half yuurei[[note]]ghost, phantom, something like that. The fandom doesn't agree on the translation[[/note]]. Keine is a were-hakutaku, though it's not clear how much of her power comes from this. Kaguya and Mokou are immortals with a thousand or so years of experience. Eirin is ''[[TimeAbyss insanely]]'' old, and may be a god[[note]]She's based on one, and given that someone connected to her in the backstory became one...[[/note]]. Sanae is a god in addition to being human[[note]]not the same as being half god. Yes, it's weird[[/note]] and is helped by a couple of gods. Sakuya has the ability to [[TimeStandsStill increase or decrease the flow of time]] with her magical watch and the reflexes required to make good use of those abilities. Clownpiece is an example of a ''fairy'' capable of fighting youkai on an even footing, but only by being directly enhanced by the abilities of her patron goddess.
** This trope is most of all exemplified with the {{Lunarians}} who are stronger, smarter, wiser, more technologically advanced and more magically adept than 99% of all youkai and 100% of all humans on top of being both immortal and pure. However, [[PureIsNotGood them being "pure" does not mean that they are "nice"]], it merely means that they are untouched by impurity and, by extention, death and it's been outright stated that they've considered [[ApocalypseHow "purifying" the Earth]] numerous times just to prevent us from spreading the existence of mortality beyond the boundaries of our own planet.

* A botched attempt happens in ''Fanfic/NagaEyes''. Riku the naga goes on and on about how humans are weak compared to nagas. This would be all fine and well, if it weren't for the fact that a naga's life seems to consist of little more than lying around and eating a random passers-by or two.

* In beginning of episode 12 of the documentary ''Cosmos: A Personal Voyage'' ("Encyclopedia Galactica"), Carl Sagan narrates, "In the vastness of the Cosmos there must be other civilizations far older and more advanced than ours."

* ''WesternAnimation/LegionOfSuperHeroes''. While every other planet seems to spawn a race of superpowered people, Earthlings need to [[JustForFun/HowToGiveACharacterSuperpowers do it the old fashioned way]] with [[FreakLabAccident lab accidents]] and the like.

* [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] for laughs in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' [[Recap/TheSimpsonsS3E7TreehouseOfHorrorII "Treehouse of Horror II"]]. The aliens Kang and Kodos only invade Earth after humanity has voluntarily dissolved its militaries and destroyed all its weapons, leaving them helpless against the aliens' arsenal of [[InsufficientlyAdvancedAlien wooden clubs and slingshots]]. The aliens even boast, "Your superior intellect is no match for our puny weapons!" They flee the planet when one human thinks to attack them with a wooden board that has a nail sticking out of it.

* Humans in Gensoukyou, the setting of ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'', are quite a bit weaker than and generally at the mercy of the {{youkai}} (fortunately, nowadays youkai are more concerned with [[DidWeJustHaveTeaWithCthulhu tea parties]] than [[ToServeMan eating humans]]), only able to thwart the pathetically weak and [[TooDumbToLive deeply stupid]] fairies who share their status as native terrans. Even the handful of humans that can effectively fight youkai are not quite normal:
** Reimu has special powers from the Hakurei bloodline, and has been noted to be closer to a sennin[[note]]someone who's transcended humanity by being a HermitGuru, basically. Not exactly a youkai, but not human, either[[/note]] than a regular human. Marisa ''acts'' like a youkai[[note]]given Touhou's metaphysics, this could well cause her to become one, even if she doesn't decide to become a magician youkai, which a few characters have commented on[[/note]], and most of her power comes from magical mushrooms and magical devices. Sakuya [[MysteriousPast may well not be human]]. Youmu is half yuurei[[note]]ghost, phantom, something like that. The fandom doesn't agree on the translation[[/note]]. Keine is a were-hakutaku, though it's not clear how much of her power comes from this. Kaguya and Mokou are immortals with a thousand or so years of experience. Eirin is ''[[TimeAbyss insanely]]'' old, and may be a god[[note]]She's based on one, and given that someone connected to her in the backstory became one...[[/note]]. Sanae is a god in addition to being human[[note]]not the same as being half god. Yes, it's weird[[/note]] and is helped by a couple of gods. Sakuya has the ability to [[TimeStandsStill increase or decrease the flow of time]] with her magical watch and the reflexes required to make good use of those abilities. Clownpiece is an example of a ''fairy'' capable of fighting youkai on an even footing, but only by being directly enhanced by the abilities of her patron goddess.

* In of the early Protoss missions in ''[[VideoGame/StarcraftI Starcraft: Brood War]]'', they encounter a blockade set up by the United Earth Directorate. Artanis voices this trope when flabbergasted that Zeratul has concerns over attacking these Terrans. Zeratul is very quick to [[HumansAreWarriors put him in his place.]]
-->'''Artanis:''' Have faith, Zeratul! You almost sound as if you fear these humans. What are they to such as we? Was it not we who defeated the dreaded Overmind?\\

** This comes full circle in ''VideoGame/StarcraftIILegacyOfTheVoid'' where it is Artanis who defies this trope, when his decision to help the humans is put into question.

* While the Franchise/MarvelUniverse has less of this trope than DC, most aliens are still super-powered in some way. The most commonly seen aliens are the [[VoluntaryShapeshifting shapeshifting]] Skrulls and Dire Wraiths, the Kree and the Shi'Ar who both have greater strength and stamina than humans, and the Watchers and Celestials-- [[PhysicalGod fuggeddaboudit]]. Although the [[Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk Hulk]] is an Earthling himself, [[HulkSpeak "HULK SMASH]] [[CatchPhrase PUNY HUMANS!"]]

* In ''WebOriginal/{{Mortasheen}}'', humans are not very high on the food chain. They're mentioned in the same breath as vermin, and usually ending up as either food, experimental subjects or sometimes pets, which is why the human civilization of Wreathe is so genocidal towards all the setting's monsters and mutants. Though, actual native Mortasheen humans are rather blase about this whole state of affairs, sometimes even volunteering for experiments to try and become something less vulnerable. There's even a monster type based entirely around pushing the limits of what the human genome is capable of.

* Pretty damn bad in ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}}''. To put it in context: the Omnitrix aliens are ''every sentient race Azmuth could get a sample of, plus every new alien encountered since then 'cause the Omnitrix can scan new ones.'' Throughout the original continuity we've only seen about 90 of the supposed 1,000,900 species that are in the Ominitrix, but given the device is supposed to be a random roster it's pretty improbable that every alien it picked just happened to have be superior to humans in one form or another. Humanity's only one appears to be the ability to [[NoBiochemicalBarriers breed with these aliens]] so their kids can have the alien superpowers.