espers

The term esper comes from ESP, extrasensory perception. In parapsychology, ESP refers to claimed abilities such as telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, and psychokinesis. In fiction and popular media, espers are characters or beings endowed with such powers, sometimes as individuals, sometimes as a group or species, and often central to world-building.

Real-world note: The scientific consensus is that evidence for ESP is lacking; studies have not produced reproducible results. Early experiments with Zener cards and later Ganzfeld procedures have yielded modest effects at best, with replication and methodological critiques undermining claims. The term "esper" remains primarily a literary or fictional label rather than a scientific classification.

In fiction, espers are a common trope used to explore themes of power, responsibility, and social consequence. They may be humans with latent abilities or non-human entities; societies may regulate them, train them, or oppose them. Plot devices include surveillance, mind-to-mind communication, remote viewing, or psychokinetic feats that drive conflicts and politics.

Notable gateway uses include Final Fantasy VI, where espers are ancient beings that grant magic to humans via magicite; other works may simply label psychic characters as espers or psi-users. The term's flexibility makes it a convenient shorthand across genres.