A new video discusses why Marvel has so many narcissistic characters. The franchise's heroes and villains have been instrumental to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's success. In 2008, viewers formed a connection with the very first Avenger Iron Man, and that hasn't changed much in the decade since, with audiences forming similar bonds with a host of other characters. It's a huge part of the reason why films like Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame resonated with moviegoers the way they did.

Marvel has sought to deepen that connection between viewers and characters with its Disney+ shows. WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Loki all afforded audiences the opportunity to spend more time with heroes and villains they loved from the MCU, while also getting to know exciting new characters like Agatha Harkness, Isaiah Bradley, and Sylvie. This trend will continue in Marvel's upcoming Disney+ shows, including Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, and Secret Invasion.

Related: Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie, Ranked Worst To Best (Including Shang-Chi)

With the sheer amount of content Marvel regularly puts out, the MCU lends itself well to analysis, especially because audiences are passionate about the characters. A new video from film critic and YouTuber Lindsay Ellis explores narcissism in the MCU and breaks down why so many of its characters have those tendencies. Ellis talks about key figures like Iron Man and Thanos, while making a great argument that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2's Ego is the MCU's biggest narcissist. Much of the video focuses on Loki and how his show does away with a lot of his more narcissistic qualities in order to make him more likable. Check out Ellis' full video below:

Click to watch the video

Ultimately, Ellis argues that audiences like narcissistic protagonists because they can recognize that quality in themselves, while narcissistic antagonists are simply enjoyable to watch. It's a remarkably well-thought-out look at how narcissists are portrayed in pop culture and the MCU specifically. Interestingly, Ellis suggests that many Marvel characters aren't complete narcissists but rather just embody some of those traits. The sections of the video on Loki are especially fascinating, as they provide a great breakdown of his characterization in the movies vs. the show.

Considering Loki uses the word "narcissist" directly, it makes sense his character is a big part of the video. He does come across as more sympathetic in the show than in the movies, though part of that is due to the audience spending more time with him one-on-one. However, even before Loki's release earlier this year, the character was already far and away the MCU's most popular villain, with viewers downright embracing his more narcissistic qualities. For this reason, he's a great example of why Marvel features so many narcissistic characters.

More: Every Upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie

Source: Lindsay Ellis