In literature, film, television, and beyond, one trope continues to capture hearts across cultures and generations: the “Found Family.” Whether it’s a ragtag group of misfits on a spaceship, a gang of rebels resisting a corrupt empire, or orphans banding together in the face of adversity, the found family trope strikes a deep emotional chord. But why is this narrative device so enduring, and how has it evolved across genres and mediums?
What Is a Found Family?
A found family (also known as a chosen family) refers to a group of individuals who, despite not being related by blood, form deep, familial connections. These are often people who have experienced some kind of loss, rejection, or displacement from their biological families. Through shared experiences—whether adventurous, tragic, or mundane—they create a new kind of kinship.
The found family dynamic is often rooted in mutual acceptance. Members might be wildly different in background, personality, and values, but they come to rely on one another in profound ways. These relationships can be maternal, paternal, sibling-like, or complex hybrids. Ultimately, what binds these characters is not obligation, but choice.
Why It Resonates
The found family trope resonates so widely because it mirrors real life for many people. Not everyone grows up with a supportive, safe, or loving biological family. For marginalized individuals—such as members of the LGBTQ+ community, trauma survivors, or those estranged from their roots—found families can be life-saving, offering the belonging that traditional structures failed to provide.
More broadly, the trope reflects a universal truth: love, loyalty, and care aren’t limited by genetics. People seek connection, and when that connection is chosen rather than assumed, it can be even more powerful.
The Structure of a Found Family Story
Though varied, many found family stories follow a rough narrative arc:
- Displacement or Isolation: Characters begin alone or outcast, often estranged from society or their own family.
- Unexpected Encounter: A chance meeting or shared conflict brings disparate characters together.
- Tension and Trial: Clashing personalities or mistrust often spark early conflict. Over time, shared danger or emotional vulnerability forges bonds.
- Formation of the Family: The group begins to function as a unit—looking out for one another, forming inside jokes, showing loyalty.
- Explicit or Implicit Acknowledgment: Characters acknowledge the bond, often culminating in a moment where someone calls the group “family.”
From Middle-Earth to the Stars: Found Families in Fiction
Fantasy & Sci-Fi
- “The Lord of the Rings” (J.R.R. Tolkien)
Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli are not related, yet they form a deeply loyal, quasi-familial fellowship. The emotional core—especially between Frodo and Sam—exemplifies the strength of chosen bonds. - “Star Wars” Saga
While centered around the literal Skywalker family, some of the franchise’s most enduring relationships are found families: Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, R2-D2, and C-3PO form a surrogate unit. Later, Rey, Finn, and Poe build a new generation of found kinship. - “Firefly”
Joss Whedon’s short-lived but beloved series exemplifies the trope with the crew of Serenity, a misfit band of smugglers and outcasts who grow to deeply trust and care for one another. - “The Expanse”
The crew of the Rocinante, each with their own traumas and backgrounds, become a tightly-knit chosen family amid political upheaval and cosmic danger.
Animation & Comics
- “Avatar: The Last Airbender”
Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Zuko are from different nations and backgrounds—some even start as enemies—but their shared journey turns them into a powerful family-like unit. - “Steven Universe”
Steven is raised by the Crystal Gems—non-human beings who serve as his guardians and emotional supports. The show is steeped in themes of chosen family, especially queer and nontraditional dynamics. - X-Men (Marvel Comics)
Mutants, often outcasts of society, band together to support and protect each other. The Xavier Institute becomes a literal home for many of them, blending themes of mentorship, siblinghood, and healing.
Anime & Manga
- “One Piece” (Eiichiro Oda)
Perhaps one of the clearest examples in global pop culture, the Straw Hat Pirates are a found family in every sense. Luffy and his crew support one another with unflinching loyalty, often risking their lives to protect their “nakama” (comrades). - “Naruto”
Naruto Uzumaki, an orphan scorned by his village, slowly builds a family through bonds with mentors like Kakashi, rivals like Sasuke, and friends like Sakura. The story arc explicitly explores what it means to form family without blood. - “Fruits Basket”
Tohru Honda, after the death of her mother, finds a home with the Sohma family, slowly becoming a source of healing and warmth to their cursed and traumatized members.
TV Dramas & Comedies
- “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
The 99th precinct functions as a comedic but loving found family. Jake, who grew up with a neglectful father, often finds paternal mentorship in Captain Holt, and deep, sibling-like relationships with his coworkers. - “Stranger Things”
The group of kids, along with Eleven (who literally escapes from a laboratory and finds shelter with them), form bonds that are stronger than those of many traditional families. - “This Is Us”
While grounded in a biological family, the show also deeply explores themes of found family, particularly through adoption and the chosen communities the characters build around them.
Subversions and Dark Mirrors
Not all found family stories are heartwarming. Some stories explore the darker side of chosen kinship:
- “Fight Club”
Tyler Durden’s group starts as a found family for disaffected men, but becomes increasingly destructive and cult-like. It critiques the desire for belonging when manipulated by toxic ideology. - “The Umbrella Academy”
Though technically adopted siblings, the Hargreeves children exhibit many found family dynamics. Their bond isn’t forged by love at first, but through trauma, dysfunction, and eventual reconciliation. - “Succession”
While centered around a biological family, many viewers point to characters like Tom and Greg forming a perverse, almost surrogate alliance—highlighting the manipulative and opportunistic potential in found families gone awry.
The Evolution of the Trope
As societal understandings of family evolve, so too does this trope. Early found family narratives often centered on survival and bonding under duress. Today’s stories also embrace softness, emotional healing, and queerness. Writers are increasingly inclusive—portraying chosen families with polyamorous parents, gender-diverse guardians, neurodivergent siblings, and more.
Media such as She-Ra and the Princesses of Power and Our Flag Means Death embrace explicitly queer relationships as central to found family. These stories push the boundaries of what family looks like—no longer defined by a nuclear mold, but by emotional truth.
Conclusion: Home Is Who You Choose
The found family trope endures because it affirms a powerful truth: love is not limited by biology, and belonging can be created, even after trauma, loss, or rejection. In a time when more people than ever are questioning or redefining traditional structures, these stories remind us that home isn’t a place—it’s the people who choose to stand beside you.
Whether it’s a band of rebels, a team of superheroes, or a misfit crew of adventurers, found families offer readers and viewers a vision of connection that is as affirming as it is aspirational. These are the stories that whisper, “You are not alone. You can build something better.”
Words by Cassandra Fong
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