The world depicted in post-apocalyptic tales is often quite grim, with characters having to navigate the darkest side of morality. Some characters end up propelled into such a world as it ceases to exist for what they had known it to be for a long time, while other characters are even born into it and have to grow up in it, which of course takes its toll on them in different ways. This is the case of two little boys in relatively recent video games: JJ, Ellie and Dina's baby from The Last of Us 2, and AJ, who is like a son to Clementine, the main character of Telltale Games' The Walking Dead.
Growing up in a world where society, as people know it today doesn't exist anymore, is challenging, especially because parents are likely to have lived in the "before." Thus, they too have to adapt to a new environment, rules, and lifestyle. The worlds of The Last of Us 2 and The Walking Dead are not only post-apocalyptic in nature, but they are also still filled with what was the root cause of the doom inflicted on mankind. While AJ is 5 when the events of the last chapter of Telltale's The Walking Dead are told, JJ is merely a few months old in The Last of Us 2.
AJ In Telltale Games' The Walking Dead
On the one hand, one could argue that it won't be too difficult for a kid to grow up in a lawless world, as that becomes the norm for them. On the other hand, a different form of society and lifestyle can have an impact on an infant's psyche in numerous ways. For example, AJ was quite different when he was a little baby and then a toddler compared to how his behavior and personality have changed over time in the universe of The Walking Dead. Likely due to both the desire of feeling like the young adults in the series, such as his mother figure Clementine, AJ wants to demonstrate his capability of surviving on his own even though he is clearly not ready for that just yet, and won't be for a while.
At times, AJ acts like any happy child would, and he wants to play or do whatever he wants without a care in the world. Other times, he doesn't seem to be able to forgive and forget even small things, like a little too much noise. The Walking Dead's AJ is vindictive, and sometimes he acts much tougher than he possibly could because of his very young age. He also shows a little understanding of morality, with an overly aggressive behavior which times makes him pull the trigger much too easily.
AJ has the tendency of being very vigilant while outside, be it because of exploration, gathering supplies, or else, and when he finds a new place indoors, he is suspicious, checks every entrance, and wants to be in control of all potential threats. At the same time, he is also upset when anyone approaches him from behind, which is probably due to the trauma of Clementine shooting someone while AJ was not watching back at the McCarroll Ranch. This means that AJ's behavior and perception are influenced by the extremely dour world of The Walking Dead, and he is also scarred by the events he lives in this traumatic life, like the fact that he was about to lose Clementine or the fact that he has murdered people, even if he's a kid.
JJ In Naughty Dog's The Last Of Us
The Last of Us universe is not exactly a better place to live in than that of The Walking Dead, and that's partly because of all the factions in The Last of Us 2 which wage war on one another. The infected likely make that even worse, so it's just as cruel of a world as AJ's. JJ is Ellie's son, but his biological father is Jesse, and unfortunately, Jesse dies an awful death during The Last of Us 2. This is not all, however, as Ellie and Dina split when the former wants to pursue her need for revenge once again, and she knowingly leaves Dina and JJ behind to go and find her rival to end things once and for all. No one knows how that turns out, but it may not be in JJ's best interest.
This means that not only will JJ grow up in a world where life is hanging by a thin thread, but he also will grow without his father, and maybe without his adoptive mother, too. Of course, things could change if The Last of Us 3 is ever given the green light at Naughty Dog, but until then it's safe to assume that JJ could have a difficult childhood because of many reasons. The Last of Us is not a series of games where everyone is safe, and Joel's death proves that just as much as Jesse's, which means JJ will have to learn that very early on if he is to survive.
It's not far-fetched to assume that JJ will grow up in a similar way compared to The Walking Dead's AJ. Of course, there will be due differences, and it's not impossible that Dina will have to teach JJ how to shoot or use other weapons at an early age. Hopefully, this won't remain something fans will have to speculate about forever, as there's a fair chance that The Last of Us 3 will come out some day and possibly explore these themes as well, perhaps even more than the franchise did with Ellie growing up.
The Last of Us 2 is available now for PS4 and PS5.