Ambiguously Evil: Difference between revisions

 

Compare with [[Byronic Hero]], [[Wild Card]], and [[Noble Demon]]. Contrast [[Hidden Agenda Villain]], whose motives and goals are kept in the dark but whose morality is never uncertain; also contrast with the less subtle characters who are [[Obviously Evil|unambiguously evil]]. Often a trait of the [[Mysterious Backer]] and the [[Enigmatic Minion]].

 

== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==

* In ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'', we have Gendo Ikari, who, at the start, keeps it unclear whether he does care about his son, Shinji, and the world's safety or not. In the end, we learn {{spoiler|that it's neither, he's just obsessed with bringing back his wife and will use any means to do it.}}

** That's debatable - While he doubtlessly {{spoiler|puts getting his wife back [[The Unfettered|before anything else]], }} the way he justifies his actions in episode 25 suggest that he ''genuinely'' believes that his version of the {{spoiler|[[Assimilation Plot|Human Instrumentality Project]]}} is [[Well-Intentioned Extremist|the only way for humanity to survive]], his {{spoiler|final words }} make it pretty clear that he {{spoiler|''did'' care about Shinji, but happened to have the very same self-esteem issues Shinji has, and the same can be argued for Rei (given that ''Fuyutsuki'', usually the more moral/sentimental of the two, calls him out on getting to attached to her)}}, and he still opposes the ''actual'' villains of the show with the goal of doing what he thinks is {{spoiler|protecting mankind}}, ultimately making him more of a {{spoiler|[[Byronic Hero]]}}

** ...[[Mind Screw|We think]].

** Lelouch fits this trope to a T. How sympathetic and selfish are his goals? And does his goals justify his means of trying to achieve them?

* In ''[[One Piece]]'', Lilith is supposed to embody the evil side of Vegapunk's personality (what he programmed her to be, in fact) but while she can be rash, derisive, and impulsive, the most sinister thing she has done is suggest turning the Straw Hats over to CP0 (and even then, she backed off after being voted down by the other satellites). {{spoiler|Indeed, after the traitor among the satellites is revealed to be York, Lilith responds to the betrayal with absolute fury, and also sadly mourns the deaths of both Shaka and Pythagoras.}}

== [[Literature]] ==

* [[Discworld]]'s Lord Vetinari is a [[Magnificent Bastard]] par none, who keeps Ankh-Morporkh's nobles in check through manipulation and intimidation. He is also a former [[Professional Killer]] to boot. Apparently, he got into his position thanks to a few well-thought-out assassinations and a firm belief that [[Humans Are the Real Monsters]]. He's also the most competent and benevolent patrician the city has ever had.

* [[The Chessmaster|Varys]] from ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''. When most of the characters are busy grabbing as much power for themselves as possible, Varys seems to be the only one who actually cares about the realm and it's subjects. While he hates the selfish and power hungry nobles, he is also willing to throw good...[[Black and Gray Morality|well, goodish]] characters to the wolves. What he wants and why is yet to be revealed.

** Tyrion also qualifies. Has been referred to by the producer of the TV show as "Our Good Bad Guy or Bad Good Guy."

* Youko Tsukimori from the lightnovel ''[[Gekkou]]''. The driving question of the novel is whether or not she's a killer.

 

 

== [[Video Games]] ==

* First Enchanter Orsino from ''[[Dragon Age II]]''. {{spoiler|He associates with a serial killer mage and does use blood magic, but he claims that he only associated with said serial killer because exposing him would give the templars more justification for oppressing the mages, and also claims that he never used blood magic before the end game. The writers have said that whether he is telling the truth is left for the players to determine.}}

** Flemeth from both games. She dismisses rumors without confirmation or denial, and there hasn't been a witness to or onscreen demonstration of her villainy. She's done more to assist the heroes, and her battle with the Warden was only in self-defense. Her power is said to come from demonic possession, yet neither her motives nor methods match any other examples. Morrigan discovers a ritual that supposedly permits her to possess others, but the reasons and results for using it have been cast in question.

* G, the true [[Final Boss]] of ''[[Street Fighter V]]''. While someone who wants to [[Take Over the World]] rarely has noble goals<ref>Technically, G claims he already ''is'' President of the World.</ref> this incredibly [[Large Ham| eccentric and flamboyant]] warrior does claim to have good intentions, including pushing for equality, ending poverty, and above all, striving for world peace. Indeed, he doesn’t hate anyone, trying to befriend and ally himself with all the other combatants, good ''and'' evil. (Hell, [[This Troper]] would certainly vote for him.) However, G is very close-mouthed on his history and origins, and some scenes do suggest a sinister agenda. Both Oro and Rose believe he is somehow connected to an impending apocalyptic natural disaster, a suspicion that is further backed up by G’s “geomantic” powers and his claims of being the embodiment of the Earth itself. When questioned about this, G vaguely implies that he knows about this prophecy, stating he had "the same vision". Of course, whether he is supposed to ''cause'' or ''prevent'' it is anyone's guess.

 

* Multiple characters in ''[[Shikkoku no Sharnoth]]'', including M, Heinz, Arthur, and {{spoiler|James Moriarty}}.

* Most of the witches in ''[[Umineko no Naku Koro ni]]'' fall into this category as suits their whims, leaving it quite difficult to tell which if any of them is evil, good or simply in it for shits and giggles. {{spoiler|Surprisingly enough, should you have read Higurashi, it turns out that Tkano expy Lambdadelta is the one who is actually a decent person and reliable ally as compared to the Rika expy Bernkastel who is only in it [[For the Evulz]].}}

 

== [[Web Comics]] ==

** Not to mention V had recently shown to be quite... abusive, towards a dominated foe. Though it is a bad guy under V's control, if there were laws on how a dominated enemy can be treated, V would've broken more than a few of them in just two strips.

** On the other hand, V seems to be drifting more towards the "Good" end of the spectrum lately, courtesy of several [[My God, What Have I Done?]] moments.

** [[Super Soldier|Jägers]] are mostly considered nightmarish monsters outside of their masters' land—where they are, conversely, mostly considered heroes. The [[Blood Knight|sorts of people]] who ''chose'' the transformation and indefinite active military service are obviously dangerous, but "good sports" and honorable in their own strange way. Most are not actively malevolent—one turned out to be, but he "iz no longer a Jäger" (due to breaking his fealty and turning on the masters). Still, [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20110314 their word for a Heterodyne who choose good over evil is "boring"].

*** The brothers were "boring" mostly because they insisted Jägers stay at home and don't accompany them on the adventures. Jägers themselves understand that they have quite a reputation and this is a way to avoid scaring people, but didn't like it. Then again, brothers left them behind not only when they saved yet another [[Damsel in Distress]] (which perhaps is a good idea), but also when they were in heavy fighting, with a particularly dangerous enemy while Europa was in flames (which obviously isn't). And this indeed didn't end too well, given that only one of the brothers was seen after this in hiding, Europa was still in flames until another guy raised a proper army, and their enemy came back later. This also led to Dimo fishing for reassurance that the incumbent Heterodyne needs him and "boyz" by pretending to shirk his responsibilities.

** He is most definitely planning something big. His future self even admitted that he had been. Just what he's planning, and where it stands morally, though, has yet to be said.

 

* Its sequel series, ''[[The Legend of Korra]]'', follows the tradition but alters the execution - the masked and compelling [[Big Bad|Amon]] has a sympathetic backstory [[Unreliable Narrator|told by himself]], a number of legitimate points, a mysterious and horrifying ability that he's thus far [[Kick the Son of a Bitch|only used on the deserving]] and a meticulous, effortless brand of manipulation that throws everything he says and all his motives into question.

* On ''[[Adventure Time]],'' [[Our Vampires Are Different|Marceline]] was this trope in at least her first few appearances, where it was sort of unclear if she was actually going to start killing people or was just messing with Finn and Jake. More recent episodes portray her as basically good, if somewhat mischievous and perhaps capable of true nastiness.

* [[Apparently Human Merfolk|Nimbus]] ("that's [[Insistent Terminology|"'''''Mister''''' Nimbus!"]]) from ''[[Rick and Morty]]''. Sure, he's a narcissist, pervert, [[Royal Brat]] and an annoying jerk, but Rick never details just ''why'' the two of them are enemies, and Rick isn't exactly the trustworthy type.

 

 

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