Classical Anti-Hero: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}} |
{{trope}} |
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[[File:spideysad_1127.jpg|link=Spider-Man|frame|There there, Peter.]] |
[[File:spideysad_1127.jpg|link=Spider-Man|frame|There there, Peter.]] |
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Nowadays, an [[Anti-Hero]] is usually thought of as a [[Badass]], [[Silly Rabbit, Idealism Is for Kids|bitter]], [[Hates Everyone Equally|misanthropic]], [[Blood Knight|violent]], [[Sociopathic Hero|sociopathic]], angry person (see [[Nineties Anti-Hero]]). However, this is actually a recent invention. For much of history, the term ''antihero'' referred to a character type that is in many ways the opposite of this. |
Nowadays, an [[Anti-Hero]] is usually thought of as a [[Badass]], [[Silly Rabbit, Idealism Is for Kids|bitter]], [[Hates Everyone Equally|misanthropic]], [[Blood Knight|violent]], [[Sociopathic Hero|sociopathic]], angry person (see [[Nineties Anti-Hero]]). However, this is actually a recent invention. For much of history, the term ''antihero'' referred to a character type that is in many ways the opposite of this. |
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In [[Classical Mythology]] and earlier mythology, the hero tended to be a [[Canon Sue|dashing, confident, stoic, intelligent, highly capable fighter and commander with few, if any, flaws]]. The classical antihero, as the title suggests, is the inversion of this. Where the hero is confident, the antihero is plagued by self-doubt. Where the hero is a respected fighter, the antihero is mediocre at best. Where the hero gets all the ladies, the antihero can't even get the time of day. |
In [[Classical Mythology]] and earlier mythology, the hero tended to be a [[Canon Sue|dashing, confident, stoic, intelligent, highly capable fighter and commander with few, if any, flaws]]. The classical antihero, as the title suggests, is the inversion of this. Where the hero is confident, the antihero is plagued by self-doubt. Where the hero is a respected fighter, the antihero is mediocre at best. Where the hero gets all the ladies, the antihero can't even get the time of day. |
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In short, while the traditional hero is a paragon of awesomeness, the classical antihero suffers from flaws and hindrances. The classical antihero's story tends to be as much about overcoming his own weaknesses as about conquering the enemy. |
In short, while the traditional hero is a paragon of awesomeness, the classical antihero suffers from flaws and hindrances. The classical antihero's story tends to be as much about overcoming his own weaknesses as about conquering the enemy. |
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As time has gone on, this portrayal has become increasingly popular, as readers enjoy the increased depth of story that comes from a flawed and conflicted character. Hence, the classical antihero has to some extent replaced the traditional hero in the minds of readers as the idea of what a hero should be. It is nowadays rare to find a hero who does not have at least a little of the classical antihero in him. |
As time has gone on, this portrayal has become increasingly popular, as readers enjoy the increased depth of story that comes from a flawed and conflicted character. Hence, the classical antihero has to some extent replaced the traditional hero in the minds of readers as the idea of what a hero should be. It is nowadays rare to find a hero who does not have at least a little of the classical antihero in him. |
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Stands on the heroic end of the [[Sliding Scale of Anti-Heroes]]. See also [[Punch Clock Hero]]. Compare [[Super Loser]] and [[Tragic Hero]]. |
Stands on the heroic end of the [[Sliding Scale of Anti-Heroes]]. See also [[Punch Clock Hero]]. Compare [[Super Loser]] and [[Tragic Hero]]. |
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{{examples}} |
{{examples}} |
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== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] == |
== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] == |
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* Shinji Ikari from ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'', who saves the day several times in spite of all the mental problems. |
* Shinji Ikari from ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'', who saves the day several times in spite of all the mental problems. |
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* Rock (and Benny) from ''[[Black Lagoon]]''. The same can't be said for the other members of the Lagoon Company, though, who are pretty much [[Villain Protagonist|Villain Protagonists]]. |
* Rock (and Benny) from ''[[Black Lagoon]]''. The same can't be said for the other members of the Lagoon Company, though, who are pretty much [[Villain Protagonist|Villain Protagonists]]. |
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* Nozomu Itoshiki of ''[[Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei]]''. AKA Mr. Despair, he is constantly attempting suicide and angsting about the most ridiculous of things. Interestingly, he isn't an example of [[This Loser Is You]], as he's very good looking, intelligent, and comes from a very wealthy (if bizarre) family. In fact, the irony of his character is that he acts the way he does despite having these advantages. |
* Nozomu Itoshiki of ''[[Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei]]''. AKA Mr. Despair, he is constantly attempting suicide and angsting about the most ridiculous of things. Interestingly, he isn't an example of [[This Loser Is You]], as he's very good looking, intelligent, and comes from a very wealthy (if bizarre) family. In fact, the irony of his character is that he acts the way he does despite having these advantages. |
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* Tatsuhiro Satou of ''[[Welcome to The NHK]]'' is a highly unstable NEET who places all of the blame for his highly unstable life on a conspiracy organization known to him as the NHK. |
* Tatsuhiro Satou of ''[[Welcome to The NHK]]'' is a highly unstable NEET who places all of the blame for his highly unstable life on a conspiracy organization known to him as the NHK. |
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* Renton Thurston in ''[[Eureka Seven]]'', who eventually graduated into a proper hero. |
* Renton Thurston in ''[[Eureka Seven]]'', who eventually graduated into a proper hero. |
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* In ''[[Twentieth Century Boys]]'', Kenji starts as this. |
* In ''[[Twentieth Century Boys]]'', Kenji starts as this. |
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* Yukiteru Amano of ''[[Mirai Nikki]]'' starts out as as one. |
* Yukiteru Amano of ''[[Mirai Nikki]]'' starts out as as one. |
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* Kei Kurono from ''[[Gantz]]''. [[Took a Level In Badass|He gets better]]. |
* Kei Kurono from ''[[Gantz]]''. [[Took a Level In Badass|He gets better]]. |
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* The protagonist of ''[[The Tatami Galaxy]]'', who is something of a Zetsubou-sensei [[Expy]], and is described in some promotional matterials as a "not-so-lovable loser". |
* The protagonist of ''[[The Tatami Galaxy]]'', who is something of a Zetsubou-sensei [[Expy]], and is described in some promotional matterials as a "not-so-lovable loser". |
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* Saji Crossroads, Shinji Ikari's [[Expy]] of sorts, during the second season of ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 00]]''. [[Took a Level In Badass|He gets better]]. |
* Saji Crossroads, Shinji Ikari's [[Expy]] of sorts, during the second season of ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 00]]''. [[Took a Level In Badass|He gets better]]. |
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* Usopp from ''[[One Piece]]'' is pretty much this in the beginning and mostly in the Water 7/Enies Lobby arc. |
* Usopp from ''[[One Piece]]'' is pretty much this in the beginning and mostly in the Water 7/Enies Lobby arc. |
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* Mr. Satan from ''[[Dragon Ball]]'' |
* Mr. Satan from ''[[Dragon Ball]]'' |
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* Vincent Law/Ergo Proxy of ''[[Ergo Proxy]]'' early on. He gets better and advances to a Type II. |
* Vincent Law/Ergo Proxy of ''[[Ergo Proxy]]'' early on. He gets better and advances to a Type II. |
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* Kou Uraki of ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory]]''. |
* Kou Uraki of ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory]]''. |
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* Akitsu Masanosuke from ''[[House of Five Leaves]]'' is a classical anti-hero, being an overly humble samurai with no self-esteem. |
* Akitsu Masanosuke from ''[[House of Five Leaves]]'' is a classical anti-hero, being an overly humble samurai with no self-esteem. |
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* Natsume from [[Natsume Yuujinchou]] is a [[Socially Awkward Hero]] with no self-confidence about people and a tendency to alienate what friends he does make by constantly lying to them to avoid causing a fuss. |
* Natsume from [[Natsume Yuujinchou]] is a [[Socially Awkward Hero]] with no self-confidence about people and a tendency to alienate what friends he does make by constantly lying to them to avoid causing a fuss. |
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== Comedy == |
== Comedy == |
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* [[Rodney Dangerfield]]'s entire shtick. |
* [[Rodney Dangerfield]]'s entire shtick. |
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== Comics == |
== Comics == |
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* Early [[Spider-Man (Comic Book)|Spider-Man]], explicitly designed to be the first superhero with personal and internal conflicts besides super-villains and criminals. |
* Early [[Spider-Man (Comic Book)|Spider-Man]], explicitly designed to be the first superhero with personal and internal conflicts besides super-villains and criminals. |
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* [[Dylan Dog]]. |
* [[Dylan Dog]]. |
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* [[Empowered]]. |
* [[Empowered]]. |
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* Dave from ''[[Kick-Ass]]''. |
* Dave from ''[[Kick-Ass]]''. |
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* [[Donald Duck]] |
* [[Donald Duck]] |
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== [[Film]] == |
== [[Film]] == |
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* Wikus van der Merwe of the film ''[[District 9]]''. |
* Wikus van der Merwe of the film ''[[District 9]]''. |
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* Most of the protagonists in [[Kevin Smith]]'s [[View Askewniverse]] qualify. |
* Most of the protagonists in [[Kevin Smith]]'s [[View Askewniverse]] qualify. |
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* Sgt. Neil Howie in the original version of ''[[The Wicker Man]]''. |
* Sgt. Neil Howie in the original version of ''[[The Wicker Man]]''. |
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* [[Napoleon Dynamite]]. |
* [[Napoleon Dynamite]]. |
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* The portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg in ''[[The Social Network]]'' teeters between this and [[Villain Protagonist]]. |
* The portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg in ''[[The Social Network]]'' teeters between this and [[Villain Protagonist]]. |
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* The eponymous character of ''[[Monty Python's Life of Brian]]'', which makes all the funnier the fact that he is repeatedly mistaken for [[The Messiah]]. |
* The eponymous character of ''[[Monty Python's Life of Brian]]'', which makes all the funnier the fact that he is repeatedly mistaken for [[The Messiah]]. |
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* [[Megamind]] in the movie of the same name. Yes, he's a [[Villain Protagonist|supervillain]], but he's our protagonist and he fits this to a T, especially as his character *ahem* develops through the movie. |
* [[Megamind]] in the movie of the same name. Yes, he's a [[Villain Protagonist|supervillain]], but he's our protagonist and he fits this to a T, especially as his character *ahem* develops through the movie. |
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== [[Literature]] == |
== [[Literature]] == |
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* [[Evelyn Waugh]]'s first novel, ''Decline and Fall'', has [[Butt Monkey]] protagonist Paul Pennyfeather who is one of these in the way he is rather a pushover taken advantage of by the other characters. |
* [[Evelyn Waugh]]'s first novel, ''Decline and Fall'', has [[Butt Monkey]] protagonist Paul Pennyfeather who is one of these in the way he is rather a pushover taken advantage of by the other characters. |
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* ''[[Discworld]]'''s Rincewind as an inept wizard and [[Dirty Coward]]/[[Lovable Coward]] who is the [[Butt Monkey]] of the universe. He's noticed it himself. |
* ''[[Discworld]]'''s Rincewind as an inept wizard and [[Dirty Coward]]/[[Lovable Coward]] who is the [[Butt Monkey]] of the universe. He's noticed it himself. |
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* The narrator of ''Notes from the Underground'' is one of these, as is [[Franz Kafka]]'s Josef K-. |
* The narrator of ''Notes from the Underground'' is one of these, as is [[Franz Kafka]]'s Josef K-. |
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* Gilbert Norrell of ''[[Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell]]'', while a skilled magician, is a humorless and petty character who is far from evil enough to be an [[Evil Sorcerer]], but also far from sympathetic (or interesting) enough to be a traditional hero. |
* Gilbert Norrell of ''[[Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell]]'', while a skilled magician, is a humorless and petty character who is far from evil enough to be an [[Evil Sorcerer]], but also far from sympathetic (or interesting) enough to be a traditional hero. |
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* [[John Le Carre]]'s spymaster George Smiley is like this as a contrast to [[James Bond]], living in the more cynical side of the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism]], and as opposed to Bond being stylish and a [[Chick Magnet]], Smiley dresses poorly and is a cuckold. |
* [[John Le Carre]]'s spymaster George Smiley is like this as a contrast to [[James Bond]], living in the more cynical side of the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism]], and as opposed to Bond being stylish and a [[Chick Magnet]], Smiley dresses poorly and is a cuckold. |
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* Lily Bart from Edith Wharton's ''House of Mirth''. Let's see: fails at anything and everything she tries her hands at? Check. Only ever succeeds at alienating the few people who genuinely do care about her? Check. Is a whiny, insufferable [[Jerkass]] with an entitlement complex bigger than Brazil? Check. {{spoiler|Dies at the end}}? Check. |
* Lily Bart from Edith Wharton's ''House of Mirth''. Let's see: fails at anything and everything she tries her hands at? Check. Only ever succeeds at alienating the few people who genuinely do care about her? Check. Is a whiny, insufferable [[Jerkass]] with an entitlement complex bigger than Brazil? Check. {{spoiler|Dies at the end}}? Check. |
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* Lola from Kit Whitfield's ''Benighted'' is pathetic, self-loathing and self destructive, turning away from or turning on anyone who might help her. |
* Lola from Kit Whitfield's ''Benighted'' is pathetic, self-loathing and self destructive, turning away from or turning on anyone who might help her. |
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* Mick "Brew" Axbrewder from Stephen R. Donaldson's ''Man Who'' series, a self-pitying alcoholic who makes Thomas Covenant look like [[Garfield and Friends|Binky the Clown]]. |
* Mick "Brew" Axbrewder from Stephen R. Donaldson's ''Man Who'' series, a self-pitying alcoholic who makes Thomas Covenant look like [[Garfield and Friends|Binky the Clown]]. |
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* Linden Avery in the second ''[[Chronicles of Thomas Covenant]]'' trilogy. Becomes a more standard heroine in the third trilogy. Stephen Donaldson is very fond of taking classical antiheroes and transforming them. |
* Linden Avery in the second ''[[Chronicles of Thomas Covenant]]'' trilogy. Becomes a more standard heroine in the third trilogy. Stephen Donaldson is very fond of taking classical antiheroes and transforming them. |
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* Flinx of the ''[[Humanx Commonwealth]]'' series. He [[I Just Want to Be Normal|just wants the universe to let him be]]. Too bad he's [[The Chosen One]] and [[The Call Knows Where You Live]], not to mention that he has a hidden romantic streak and a not-so-hidden streak of curiosity that constantly gets him into trouble. |
* Flinx of the ''[[Humanx Commonwealth]]'' series. He [[I Just Want to Be Normal|just wants the universe to let him be]]. Too bad he's [[The Chosen One]] and [[The Call Knows Where You Live]], not to mention that he has a hidden romantic streak and a not-so-hidden streak of curiosity that constantly gets him into trouble. |
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* Amir, the narrator of ''[[The Kite Runner]]'' starts out as a coward hiding from his past but grows throughout the story and is redeemed to become a 'true' hero. |
* Amir, the narrator of ''[[The Kite Runner]]'' starts out as a coward hiding from his past but grows throughout the story and is redeemed to become a 'true' hero. |
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* [[Heroic Wannabe|David Levin]] of ''[[Everworld]]''. He improves as time goes on. |
* [[Heroic Wannabe|David Levin]] of ''[[Everworld]]''. He improves as time goes on. |
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* Mr. Rochester of [[Jane Eyre]]. |
* Mr. Rochester of [[Jane Eyre]]. |
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* Jason of the ''[[Argonautica]]''. |
* Jason of the ''[[Argonautica]]''. |
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== [[Live Action TV]] == |
== [[Live Action TV]] == |
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* Dave Lister, Cat and Arnold J. Rimmer from ''[[Red Dwarf]]'' start out like this, although Rimmer is both a neurotic loser and a [[Jerkass|smeghead]]. Lister once goodnaturedly described himself as a "bum", while Rimmer would call him a lazy slob. Cat was vain, self-centered to the point of callousness, and not very smart... not surprising given that his species had evolved from a single, pregnant female housecat 3 million years ago (imagine the inbreeding), and even other cats considered him a moron. All three [[Character Development|became more competent]] in the course of the series, but they never quite lost their essential quirks, their [[Big Damn Heroes|good qualities]] (such as Lister's selflessness and sense of fairness) merely became more pronounced. Or, in the case of Arnold Rimmer, who had no redeeming qualities, Rimmer had a run-in with his [[Alternate Universe]] counterpart [[The Ace|"Ace" Rimmer]]. |
* Dave Lister, Cat and Arnold J. Rimmer from ''[[Red Dwarf]]'' start out like this, although Rimmer is both a neurotic loser and a [[Jerkass|smeghead]]. Lister once goodnaturedly described himself as a "bum", while Rimmer would call him a lazy slob. Cat was vain, self-centered to the point of callousness, and not very smart... not surprising given that his species had evolved from a single, pregnant female housecat 3 million years ago (imagine the inbreeding), and even other cats considered him a moron. All three [[Character Development|became more competent]] in the course of the series, but they never quite lost their essential quirks, their [[Big Damn Heroes|good qualities]] (such as Lister's selflessness and sense of fairness) merely became more pronounced. Or, in the case of Arnold Rimmer, who had no redeeming qualities, Rimmer had a run-in with his [[Alternate Universe]] counterpart [[The Ace|"Ace" Rimmer]]. |
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== [[Theatre]] == |
== [[Theatre]] == |
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* Willy Loman from ''[[Death of a Salesman]]''. A little, pathethic man, broken by his chase after a dream that isn't true. |
* Willy Loman from ''[[Death of a Salesman]]''. A little, pathethic man, broken by his chase after a dream that isn't true. |
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* Woyzeck from the [[Woyzeck|eponymous play]] is considered the first true Antihero, as opposed to the classic tragic hero. |
* Woyzeck from the [[Woyzeck|eponymous play]] is considered the first true Antihero, as opposed to the classic tragic hero. |
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* Everyone but Ricky Roma in ''[[Glengarry Glen Ross]]'' qualifies, but with particular attention paid to Shelly Levene. |
* Everyone but Ricky Roma in ''[[Glengarry Glen Ross]]'' qualifies, but with particular attention paid to Shelly Levene. |
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* [[Hamlet]] was conflicted and emotional before it was cool. |
* [[Hamlet]] was conflicted and emotional before it was cool. |
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== [[Video Games]] == |
== [[Video Games]] == |
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* Travis Touchdown, of ''[[No More Heroes]]'', a porn-obsessed Otaku without anything resembling a social life. He's also an [[Evil Antihero]], however, eagerly slaughtering opponents and rarely showing any remorse for his killings. |
* Travis Touchdown, of ''[[No More Heroes]]'', a porn-obsessed Otaku without anything resembling a social life. He's also an [[Evil Antihero]], however, eagerly slaughtering opponents and rarely showing any remorse for his killings. |
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* Raiden is largely considered to be this in ''[[Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty]]'', though he becomes more of a [[Jerkass Antihero]] in ''[[Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots]]''. |
* Raiden is largely considered to be this in ''[[Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty]]'', though he becomes more of a [[Jerkass Antihero]] in ''[[Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots]]''. |
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* ''Lester the Unlikely'' from the SNES game of the same name starts out as such a wimp that even turtles scare him. He does become more heroic about halfway through the game, however. |
* ''Lester the Unlikely'' from the SNES game of the same name starts out as such a wimp that even turtles scare him. He does become more heroic about halfway through the game, however. |
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* Almaz from ''[[Disgaea 3 Absence of Justice]]''. |
* Almaz from ''[[Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice]]''. |
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* Cloud Strife of ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'', although he [[Jerkass Facade|pretends to be a prick]]. |
* Cloud Strife of ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'', although he [[Jerkass Facade|pretends to be a prick]]. |
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* Commander Shepard can show shades of this in ''[[Mass Effect 2]]'' given the potential to fail multiple loyalty missions and get most of your squad killed through poor choices during the suicide mission. |
* Commander Shepard can show shades of this in ''[[Mass Effect 2]]'' given the potential to fail multiple loyalty missions and get most of your squad killed through poor choices during the suicide mission. |
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** This grows more obvious in ''[[Mass Effect 3]]''. Shepard grows increasingly distraught and frustrated over his/her inability to do significant damage to the Reapers and save everybody. After {{spoiler|the fall of Thessia}}, Shepard briefly goes through a [[Heroic BSOD]] and teeters on the verge of the [[Despair Event Horizon]]; even Paragon dialogue options are cynical. |
** This grows more obvious in ''[[Mass Effect 3]]''. Shepard grows increasingly distraught and frustrated over his/her inability to do significant damage to the Reapers and save everybody. After {{spoiler|the fall of Thessia}}, Shepard briefly goes through a [[Heroic BSOD]] and teeters on the verge of the [[Despair Event Horizon]]; even Paragon dialogue options are cynical. |
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== [[Web Comics]] == |
== [[Web Comics]] == |
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* ''[[Megatokyo]]'''s Piro probably fits. He's getting better, though. |
* ''[[Megatokyo]]'''s Piro probably fits. He's getting better, though. |
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== [[Web Original]] == |
== [[Web Original]] == |
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* Raimi and Kamimura from ''[[Broken Saints]]''. |
* Raimi and Kamimura from ''[[Broken Saints]]''. |
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* The "Knights of Good" from ''[[The Guild]]'', except [[Token Evil Teammate|Tinkerballa]]. |
* The "Knights of Good" from ''[[The Guild]]'', except [[Token Evil Teammate|Tinkerballa]]. |
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* Aquerna, of the [[Whateley Universe]]. She is one of the [[Super-Hero School|Whateley Academy]] Underdogs, with laughable powers that make her a campus joke. She has self-esteem problems, and is no longer welcome in her own home since she turned into a mutant. Her combat final story and her Christmas story are all about her personal life and her personal problems, even if some action intrudes into the plot. |
* Aquerna, of the [[Whateley Universe]]. She is one of the [[Super-Hero School|Whateley Academy]] Underdogs, with laughable powers that make her a campus joke. She has self-esteem problems, and is no longer welcome in her own home since she turned into a mutant. Her combat final story and her Christmas story are all about her personal life and her personal problems, even if some action intrudes into the plot. |
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== [[Western Animation]] == |
== [[Western Animation]] == |
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* [[Scooby Doo]] and Shaggy. |
* [[Scooby Doo]] and Shaggy. |
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* Philip J. Fry from ''[[Futurama]]''. |
* Philip J. Fry from ''[[Futurama]]''. |
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* Cody and Sierra ''[[Total Drama World Tour]]''. First season, Cody was a standard hero, but developed less heroic traits in the third season. |
* Cody and Sierra ''[[Total Drama World Tour]]''. First season, Cody was a standard hero, but developed less heroic traits in the third season. |
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