In DreamWorks’ animated film Madagascar, where zebras dream of the wild, lions long for their audience, and penguins hatch the escape plan of the century, there’s one particularly sensitive soul — a giraffe named Melman.
He’s not just afraid of germs and spots — he lives in constant expectation of bad news from his own body. And what makes him special is how genuinely he believes in it all.
Not a Diagnosis, but a State of Mind
Melman fears germs, eats strictly on schedule, tracks every freckle on his neck, and thinks any discomfort is the end. At the zoo, he regularly gets MRIs, treats imaginary illnesses, and wears crutches for no visible reason. Once in Africa, he becomes a healer — not because of some calling, but because he needs to be treating someone, even if only to calm himself.
What’s "Wrong" with Melman?
From the very first moments, it’s clear: he’s an anxious personality. He gives himself injections, wears braces, and could probably get sick just by hearing the word "cold". Psychologists — if they ever took this cartoon seriously — would likely call him a textbook hypochondriac.
But to the audience — especially adults — Melman feels more like a mirror. And that’s what makes him so lovable.
