In film and literature, a female character, depicted as a cute, quirky free spirit, who is used solely to be the love interest of and further the personal growth of the (often disillusioned or depressed) male protagonist, rather than being a fully realized character. Film critic Nathan Rabin first used the term in 2007 to describe Kirsten Dunst's character in the film Elizabethtown. It is sometimes abbreviated as MPDG. Natalie Portman's character in Garden State is often considered a manic pixie dream girl.

In film and literature, a male character who is depicted as a cute, quirky free spirit, and who is used solely or primarily to be the love interest of and further the personal growth of the (often disillusioned or depressed) female protagonist, rather than being a fully realized character. The term is an adaptation of "manic pixie dream girl," first used by film critic Nathan Rabin in 2007. I don't know if I agree with the assertion that Augustus Waters is a manic pixie dream boy.

In film and literature, a male character who is depicted as a cute, quirky free spirit, and who is used solely or primarily to be the love interest of and further the personal growth of the (often disillusioned or depressed) female protagonist, rather than being a fully realized character. The term is an adaptation of "manic pixie dream girl," first used by film critic Nathan Rabin in 2007. I don't know if I agree with the assertion that Augustus Waters is a manic pixie dream guy.