If you've seen Silence of the Lambs, then you're familiar with the Hannibal/Clarice dynamic - a sociopathic or psychopathic serial killer who forms a strange bond with a (relatively) pure-hearted member of the law-keeping force.

I'm looking for a similar dynamic - in manga, anime, literature, film or TV.

The PRIMARY relationship of the story must be between the 'Hannibal' character (some sort of horrifying criminal or 'embodiment of evil', like a serial killer or war criminal or mass-murdering terrorist) and a 'Clarice' character who has never committed such crimes, is good-hearted and well-behaved by society's standards, and is not corrupted by the 'Hannibal' character, despite repeated exposure to that most radioactive source of evil.

It NEED NOT be a romantic relationship; even subtext, friendship or a plain old alliance is okay. But it CANNOT be 'enmity'. At some level, they have to work together or tolerate each other, or even like each other, or be mutually fascinated (or irritated? Possibly frightened?) with the other.

The sexes of the characters DO NOT COUNT. 'Hannibal' might be male or female, and the same goes for 'Clarice'. Both could be the same sex, or different sexes - it doesn't matter.

It WILL NOT COUNT if the 'Hannibal' character is not suitably horrifying. I'm not looking for petty thieves or gang members, here; I'm looking for the sort of evil, soulless, incurable, extreme, insane murderers and criminals that would end up in Arkham Asylum if such a facility existed in their cities. You get what I'm saying, right? These are maximum-security bastards. Maybe even lunatics.

It WILL NOT COUNT if the 'Clarice' character is corruptible or nascently evil, either. 'Clarice' should stay good. So, say, a movie like Apt Pupil wouldn't count, because the evil Hannibal-type character (a Nazi war criminal) does manage to corrupt the young man who grows fascinated with him, in part because the young man himself shared some of the same - uh - destructive tendencies. That's not the kind of thing I want. The 'Clarice' character should be good, and relatively innocent, and shouldn't turn evil, ever - no matter how convincing 'Hannibal' is.

Recommend away...!

Last edited by tartufo at 5:35 pm, Mar 30 2011

The first tv-series I could think of is The Event. Sophia, the leader of the Alien detainees is the 'Hannibal' and US President Martinez is 'Clarice'. Both have to work together, at the same time both are trying to gain trust but they're also willing to betray both sides if they have not reached an agreement. Sounds good for you?

Shima and Sawaki Akira from Psychometer Eiji perfectly fits the trope. The mangaka even admit their relationship is based on Hannibal and Clarice.

If you're interested in the Dark knight and Joker's relationship with Harley Quinn, I recommend you to read this fanfiction:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4944558/1/Bad_Jokes ...this is a very well written fanfiction..a nolaneque interpretation of 'Mad Love' between Joker and Dr Harleen Quinzel A.K.A Harley Quinn.

Edit--
Opps..sorry, I missed out the last bits you mentioned..ignore the fic recommendation, Harley doesnt 'stay good'..The Hannibal Joker got a hold of her.



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Rape is imminent.

YES YES GOD YES


YESSSS

...And fanfic! Yes, I'm accepting that, too! And who doesn't love the Joker? Although I'm not sure Harley counts in this specific example, since she is eventually corrupted by him. But, um. She's hot? No, wait, that's not what I'm looking for. (Not just...) *headdesks*

Heeeee. Terribly delighted by your first two recs, which I will be following up on forthwith!

Edit: Your rec of 'The Event' reminded me of the TV series 'V (2009)', which has multiple examples of this dynamic, albeit not as the sole focus of the series. Given its sheer prevalence, though, I'd say that it's the most significant kind of relationship dynamic in the series.

Last edited by tartufo at 5:37 pm, Mar 30 2011

Edit: Actually, my rec didn't fit at all. Oopsies.

Last edited by akari_mizunashi at 5:44 pm, Mar 30 2011

Actually I wanted to include V but I'm pretty sure everyone has heard of that series before. Yeah, Erica and Anna's relationship is quite similar to Clarice and Hannibal.

The Event is the opposite of V since it's the humans that imprisoned the aliens. So far I've only watched 10 episodes, I'm not sure who's the bad guys.. the humans see them as threat and the aliens want to 'go home'. Basically, it's like 'District 13 meets V meets Enemy of the state?'.


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Rape is imminent.

I will watch this topic! I wish I could offer something, but the only thing I can think of is Himitsu, but it doesn't really fit. The serial killer met Maki (a young male police officer) only once, and the serial killer is now dead. He was really creepy and sort of twistedly and gruesomely attracted to Maki in horrifying ways... O____O

Only reason I thought of it: he still has a pretty notable effect on Maki's life and current mental health even though the main events of the series are slightly episodic.

Sorry I can't be of more help!

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I was thinking of making a request like this the other day. I'm starting to think you're my soulmate, tartufo

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Heartsick by Chelsea Cain, which is the first volume of a longer series of books. I read it quite a long time ago, but I remember thinking it was similar to Silence of the Lambs. I wasn't particularly impressed by this book, but the relationship between the characters you are talking about is shown in an interesting way. Also, it features a female killer, which is quite rare in this kind of books.

I figured there had to be a trope for this.

Mind Game Ship

@oriana3k, I love you and your tropes. Always. <3

I'll check Heartsick out, Hanae! Thanks!

And mogiks, yeah, it looks like it! AND we're both in the Merlin fandom!

I want to second this request. I have to admit that I too sort of have a creepy old man fetish. But only with the really smart ones that like to manipulate you and play with your mind. Stupid old men are below me, of course.

I've totally forgotten about the movie until someone mentioned this in a different thread.
Law Abiding Citizen. The movie's so awesome, the relationship between Rice and Shelton definitely reflects Clarice and Hannibal respectively. Love that movie.

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Rape is imminent.

OH MY GOD. THEY'RE SO HOT. OH MY GOD.

*PUTS ON SLASH GOGGLES*

I actually think Clyde Shelton is an extension of the Joker ..in some ways..

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Rape is imminent.

You prbably know it, but V for Vendetta works.

They're in love. He's a twisted screwed up horrible person (he even tortures her). She remains good til the end, although she does end up sympathizing with him.