Hero Antagonist: Difference between revisions

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A [[Hero Antagonist]] is a character who is an antagonist (that is, they oppose [[The Protagonist]]), yet is still technically a hero. They oppose the main character and may not even have [[Sympathetic POV]], but their objectives are things like saving the world, saving large groups of people, heck, saving anybody's life if they have the chance. A tweaking of the narrative could easily make them a sympathetic protagonist.
A '''Hero Antagonist''' is a character who is an antagonist (that is, they oppose [[The Protagonist]]), yet is still technically a hero. They oppose the main character and may not even have [[Sympathetic POV]], but their objectives are things like saving the world, saving large groups of people, heck, saving anybody's life if they have the chance. A tweaking of the narrative could easily make them a sympathetic protagonist.


Usually this character's main concern is that [[The Protagonist]], either intentionally or not, may bring up a scenario that would spell doom for the world or, depending on the scale of the narrative, a single person. How they come to this conclusion varies. They may be misinformed as to the [[Wrongly Accused|nature of their enemy]]. They could also be completely correct in their assertions simply because the main character is a [[Villain Protagonist]]. In any of these events, the [[Hero Antagonist]] is able to keep their good [[Character Alignment|alignment]] while still being the narrative's opposition.
Usually this character's main concern is that [[The Protagonist]], either intentionally or not, may bring up a scenario that would spell doom for the world or, depending on the scale of the narrative, a single person. How they come to this conclusion varies. They may be misinformed as to the [[Wrongly Accused|nature of their enemy]]. They could also be completely correct in their assertions simply because the main character is a [[Villain Protagonist]]. In any of these events, the '''Hero Antagonist''' is able to keep their good [[Character Alignment|alignment]] while still being the narrative's opposition.


Can be related to [[Rousseau Was Right]] depending on the type of [[Hero Antagonist]] in question, and often overlaps with [[Villainous Valor]]. Sometimes related to [[My Country, Right or Wrong]]. [[Inspector Javert]] is often a [[Sub-Trope]], as is his mentally healthier cousin, [[Sympathetic Inspector Antagonist]]. Similar to yet at the same time the opposite of [[Anti-Villain]]. May overlap with a [[Sliding Scale of Anti-Villains|Type IV]] [[Anti-Villain]]. If the protagonist is a [[Well-Intentioned Extremist]], his antagonist will often be a [[Knight in Sour Armor]]. Settings with [[White and Gray Morality]] or [[Good Versus Good]] will favor these.
Can be related to [[Rousseau Was Right]] depending on the type of '''Hero Antagonist''' in question, and often overlaps with [[Villainous Valor]]. Sometimes related to [[My Country, Right or Wrong]]. [[Inspector Javert]] is often a [[Sub-Trope]], as is his mentally healthier cousin, [[Sympathetic Inspector Antagonist]]. Similar to yet at the same time the opposite of [[Anti-Villain]]. May overlap with a [[Sliding Scale of Anti-Villains|Type IV]] [[Anti-Villain]]. If the protagonist is a [[Well-Intentioned Extremist]], his antagonist will often be a [[Knight in Sour Armor]]. Settings with [[White and Gray Morality]] or [[Good Versus Good]] will favor these.


Compare the [[Knight Templar]], whose devotion to 'good' ideals has become unreasoning fanaticism. Often (though not always, depending on how [[Morality Tropes|the morality is played]] in the work) will oppose his/her inverse, the [[Villain Protagonist]] and is the opposite of the [[Hero Protagonist]]. Contrast [[Designated Hero]], for when he's really ''not'' a nice guy.
Compare the [[Knight Templar]], whose devotion to 'good' ideals has become unreasoning fanaticism. Often (though not always, depending on how [[Morality Tropes|the morality is played]] in the work) will oppose his/her inverse, the [[Villain Protagonist]] and is the opposite of the [[Hero Protagonist]]. Contrast [[Designated Hero]], for when he's really ''not'' a nice guy.
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* ''[[Death Note]]''
* ''[[Death Note]]''
** The Japanese police.
** The Japanese police.
** Matsuda. He's your classic [[Idiot Hero]] -- impulsive, well-meaning, slightly self-centered everyman who's ultimately devoted to his [[True Companions]]. He spends the whole series opposing a serial killer, since he is a cop. He just so happens to be working against [[Villain Protagonist]] Light. If you rewrote the entire series to be from Matsuda and L's perspective instead of Light and Misa's, with only short ventures into their perspectives as L and Matsuda were given, the whole series would still mostly work, especially since Matsuda's behavior usually makes an interesting and vital contribution to the story, like {{spoiler|stumbling on Yotsuba and shooting Light}}.
** Matsuda. He's your classic [[Idiot Hero]]—impulsive, well-meaning, slightly self-centered everyman who's ultimately devoted to his [[True Companions]]. He spends the whole series opposing a serial killer, since he is a cop. He just so happens to be working against [[Villain Protagonist]] Light. If you rewrote the entire series to be from Matsuda and L's perspective instead of Light and Misa's, with only short ventures into their perspectives as L and Matsuda were given, the whole series would still mostly work, especially since Matsuda's behavior usually makes an interesting and vital contribution to the story, like {{spoiler|stumbling on Yotsuba and shooting Light}}.
** Soichiro {{spoiler|until towards the end}}, and he is described by the author as the only one-hundred-percent good character. However neither of them are Light's direct antagonist as such, while L {{spoiler|and Near}} are.
** Soichiro {{spoiler|until towards the end}}, and he is described by the author as the only one-hundred-percent good character. However neither of them are Light's direct antagonist as such, while L {{spoiler|and Near}} are.
* Officer Kirihara of ''[[Darker than Black]]''. She is good and hunting the protagonist for crimes he actually committed {{spoiler|but also [[Unwitting Pawn|being misled]] by her [[Conspiracy Redemption|evil superiors]]}}
* Officer Kirihara of ''[[Darker than Black]]''. She is good and hunting the protagonist for crimes he actually committed {{spoiler|but also [[Unwitting Pawn|being misled]] by her [[Conspiracy Redemption|evil superiors]]}}
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** Also Eva Heinemann, whose [[Rich Bitch]] front and vengeful personality, as well as her contention that "not everyone is equal," belies her desire for a more fulfilling life. When given a choice between {{spoiler|helping Roberto end Tenma's life or helping Tenma escape and survive}}, she chooses the latter, and, later in the series, her character development allows her the opportunity to work beyond her grudge, do the right thing and become a better person.
** Also Eva Heinemann, whose [[Rich Bitch]] front and vengeful personality, as well as her contention that "not everyone is equal," belies her desire for a more fulfilling life. When given a choice between {{spoiler|helping Roberto end Tenma's life or helping Tenma escape and survive}}, she chooses the latter, and, later in the series, her character development allows her the opportunity to work beyond her grudge, do the right thing and become a better person.
* Zechs Merquise from ''[[Gundam Wing]]''; after achieving his initial goal of revenge for the destruction of his homeland and the murder of his parents, sets about trying to realize their goal of a peaceful world - the exact same goal his sister [[Rebellious Princess|Relena]], the show's female lead, is going for. The major difference is that Zechs is a [[Well-Intentioned Extremist]] more than willing to hold the [[Villain Ball]] in order to scare the planet towards peace - and his personal pride keeps drawing him into battles with protagonist [[The Stoic|Heero]].
* Zechs Merquise from ''[[Gundam Wing]]''; after achieving his initial goal of revenge for the destruction of his homeland and the murder of his parents, sets about trying to realize their goal of a peaceful world - the exact same goal his sister [[Rebellious Princess|Relena]], the show's female lead, is going for. The major difference is that Zechs is a [[Well-Intentioned Extremist]] more than willing to hold the [[Villain Ball]] in order to scare the planet towards peace - and his personal pride keeps drawing him into battles with protagonist [[The Stoic|Heero]].
* ''[[Bleach]]'': The entire Seireitei {{spoiler|(sans Aizen and company)}} in the Soul Society arc, if you look at it from their point of view -- they're giving out lawful punishment to a criminal, and Ichigo and friends are the equivalent of an armed mob raiding the police station to break her out.
* ''[[Bleach]]'': The entire Seireitei {{spoiler|(sans Aizen and company)}} in the Soul Society arc, if you look at it from their point of view—they're giving out lawful punishment to a criminal, and Ichigo and friends are the equivalent of an armed mob raiding the police station to break her out.
* The court in ''[[Seirei no Moribito]]''. They only want to destroy the water demon that will cause a drought in the land, and none of them are very happy about the fact that the host has to die to do it. It's not really their fault that they don't know the true nature of the possession. {{spoiler|They learn otherwise, which ends up aligning them with the heroes instead.}}
* The court in ''[[Seirei no Moribito]]''. They only want to destroy the water demon that will cause a drought in the land, and none of them are very happy about the fact that the host has to die to do it. It's not really their fault that they don't know the true nature of the possession. {{spoiler|They learn otherwise, which ends up aligning them with the heroes instead.}}
* Ryuhou from ''[[S-Cry-ed]]'' is actually less evil and more concerned with the welfare of most people than the [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold]] protagonist, Kazuma. About half of HOLY qualifies as this, because they either don't know how evil the organization is or believe that [[Utopia Justifies the Means|it's necessary to bring peace]].
* Ryuhou from ''[[S-Cry-ed]]'' is actually less evil and more concerned with the welfare of most people than the [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold]] protagonist, Kazuma. About half of HOLY qualifies as this, because they either don't know how evil the organization is or believe that [[Utopia Justifies the Means|it's necessary to bring peace]].
** Since Ryuhou and Kazuma get about equal screen time, Ryuhou is a joint protagonist--several episodes focus on his perspective. He evolves into a protagonist in the episodes following his second battle with Kazuma, but up until then he's just painted as a semi-peaceful well-meaning villain.
** Since Ryuhou and Kazuma get about equal screen time, Ryuhou is a joint protagonist—several episodes focus on his perspective. He evolves into a protagonist in the episodes following his second battle with Kazuma, but up until then he's just painted as a semi-peaceful well-meaning villain.
* ''[[Hellsing]]'':
* ''[[Hellsing]]'':
** Alexander Anderson and the Vatican in general. Anderson's a [[Sociopathic Hero]], sure, but it's about the best you can get in [[Crapsack World|Hellsing]] anyway.
** Alexander Anderson and the Vatican in general. Anderson's a [[Sociopathic Hero]], sure, but it's about the best you can get in [[Crapsack World|Hellsing]] anyway.
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* {{spoiler|Near}} reprises this role in [[Kira Is Justice]]. The new Task Force, especially David, better fits the definition, mostly because his own nephew is Kira.
* {{spoiler|Near}} reprises this role in [[Kira Is Justice]]. The new Task Force, especially David, better fits the definition, mostly because his own nephew is Kira.
* Strafe in [[Fan Fic/Fantendo Playing War|Fan Fic]] and [[Fan Fic/Fantendo Forgotten Legends|Fan Fic]] is basically the definition of this. He essentially kills his way through the entire 41 chapters, though it is necessary.
* Strafe in [[Fan Fic/Fantendo Playing War|Fan Fic]] and [[Fan Fic/Fantendo Forgotten Legends|Fan Fic]] is basically the definition of this. He essentially kills his way through the entire 41 chapters, though it is necessary.
* [[Harry Potter|Dumbledore]] in ''[[My Immortal]]'', who saves the protagonists from Voldemort on numerous occasions and is still hated by them--making him sort of a [[Designated Antagonist]] as well.
* [[Harry Potter|Dumbledore]] in ''[[My Immortal]]'', who saves the protagonists from Voldemort on numerous occasions and is still hated by them—making him sort of a [[Designated Antagonist]] as well.
* Averted with [[Kids Next Door|Numbuh 86]] in Captainwii's Operation: REBEL, where she hunts down 3 fugitives to give them [[Laser-Guided Amnesia]], while she is working with the KND, a typically good organization, the fugitives are trying to escape her, being convinced that as long as they don't [[Heel Face Turn|turn evil and betray the KND]], that they should have right to keep their KND memories. Also this trope can be considered averted considering that Numbuh 86 [[Good Is Not Nice|isn't exactly a nice person]]
* Averted with [[Kids Next Door|Numbuh 86]] in Captainwii's Operation: REBEL, where she hunts down 3 fugitives to give them [[Laser-Guided Amnesia]], while she is working with the KND, a typically good organization, the fugitives are trying to escape her, being convinced that as long as they don't [[Heel Face Turn|turn evil and betray the KND]], that they should have right to keep their KND memories. Also this trope can be considered averted considering that Numbuh 86 [[Good Is Not Nice|isn't exactly a nice person]]
** Though the Decommissioning Squad as a whole could count as an averted take on this trope as well, if the reader believes that the KET (Kids Eternally There), a group of anti-decommissioning rebels, [[Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters|are right to protect and preserve the undecommissioned]]
** Though the Decommissioning Squad as a whole could count as an averted take on this trope as well, if the reader believes that the KET (Kids Eternally There), a group of anti-decommissioning rebels, [[Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters|are right to protect and preserve the undecommissioned]]
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* Tobias Ragg from ''[[Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (film)|Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street]]''. He distrusted Sweeney Todd {{spoiler|and killed him at the end of the movie}}. Unfortunately, he [[Failed a Spot Check]] and trusted [[The Dragon|Mrs. Lovett]] completely.
* Tobias Ragg from ''[[Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (film)|Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street]]''. He distrusted Sweeney Todd {{spoiler|and killed him at the end of the movie}}. Unfortunately, he [[Failed a Spot Check]] and trusted [[The Dragon|Mrs. Lovett]] completely.
** {{spoiler|Lucy}} also qualifies, but she suspects Mrs. Lovett and tries to warn Todd.
** {{spoiler|Lucy}} also qualifies, but she suspects Mrs. Lovett and tries to warn Todd.
* Jack Welles from ''Takers''. While the bank robbers were the [[Villain Protagonist|Villain Protagonists]], he's a cop trying to stop them.
* Jack Welles from ''Takers''. While the bank robbers were the [[Villain Protagonist]]s, he's a cop trying to stop them.
* FBI Special Agent Adam Frawley fulfills this role in ''The Town''. While he was very much a [[Jerkass]] and not quite as personally sympathetic as the [[Villain Protagonist|Villain Protagonists]], he was ultimately an FBI agent trying to shut down a ruthless and rather dangerous gang of bank robbers.
* FBI Special Agent Adam Frawley fulfills this role in ''The Town''. While he was very much a [[Jerkass]] and not quite as personally sympathetic as the [[Villain Protagonist]]s, he was ultimately an FBI agent trying to shut down a ruthless and rather dangerous gang of bank robbers.
* ''[[The Negotiator]].'' Kevin Spacey plays a negotiator who tries to negotiate another (rogue) negotiator (protagonist Samuel L Jackson) out of doing something dumb after he holds up some hostages because he was framed for murdering his partner. As far as Spacey is concerned, Jackson is armed, has hostages and is therefore the [[Villain Protagonist|villain]].
* ''[[The Negotiator]].'' Kevin Spacey plays a negotiator who tries to negotiate another (rogue) negotiator (protagonist Samuel L Jackson) out of doing something dumb after he holds up some hostages because he was framed for murdering his partner. As far as Spacey is concerned, Jackson is armed, has hostages and is therefore the [[Villain Protagonist|villain]].
* {{spoiler|Dr. Cawley}} in [[Shutter Island]].
* {{spoiler|Dr. Cawley}} in [[Shutter Island]].
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** Played with in ''[[Discworld/The Truth|The Truth]]'', in which the protagonist William de Worde (mind you, not a [[Villain Protagonist]]) finds his work as a journalist significalty complicated by one Sir Samuel Vimes, Commander of the City Watch. Most readers will know Vimes to be a thoroughly decent, if perpetually grumpy, person and, as such, can understand where he's coming from.
** Played with in ''[[Discworld/The Truth|The Truth]]'', in which the protagonist William de Worde (mind you, not a [[Villain Protagonist]]) finds his work as a journalist significalty complicated by one Sir Samuel Vimes, Commander of the City Watch. Most readers will know Vimes to be a thoroughly decent, if perpetually grumpy, person and, as such, can understand where he's coming from.
* Claude Lebel, the man assigned to catch the eponymous assassin of ''[[The Day of the Jackal]]''.
* Claude Lebel, the man assigned to catch the eponymous assassin of ''[[The Day of the Jackal]]''.
** After Lebel is introduced, the plot stops following the Jackal exclusively, and is as much Lebel's story as it is the Jackal's, so Lebel goes back and forth between being a [[Hero Antagonist]], and a straight Hero. The Jackal goes back and forth between being a straight Villain and a [[Villain Protagonist]].
** After Lebel is introduced, the plot stops following the Jackal exclusively, and is as much Lebel's story as it is the Jackal's, so Lebel goes back and forth between being a Hero Antagonist, and a straight Hero. The Jackal goes back and forth between being a straight Villain and a [[Villain Protagonist]].
* Ged, the protagonist from ''[[A Wizard of Earth Sea]]'', serves as the [[Hero Antagonist]] to Tenar in the follow up book, ''The Tombs of Atuan''. Tenar spends the entire book as a priestess to a cabal of [[Powers That Be|evil spirits posing as gods]], and when Ged clues her into that fact, she [[Heel Face Turn|Heel Face Turns]] and sides with him--much to the chagrin of her old bosses.
* Ged, the protagonist from ''[[A Wizard of Earth Sea]]'', serves as the Hero Antagonist to Tenar in the follow up book, ''The Tombs of Atuan''. Tenar spends the entire book as a priestess to a cabal of [[Powers That Be|evil spirits posing as gods]], and when Ged clues her into that fact, she [[Heel Face Turn]]s and sides with him—much to the chagrin of her old bosses.
* Macduff, from [[Macbeth]]. Naturally, the title character is also the [[Villain Protagonist]].
* Macduff, from [[Macbeth]]. Naturally, the title character is also the [[Villain Protagonist]].
* Thot Keer from [[Star Trek: Typhon Pact]], ''Zero Sum Game''. A Breen shipyard manager, his work crews are developing a prototype starship using stolen Federation technology, and the protagonist's mission is to destroy both prototype and shipyard. Keer is certainly not a villain, though; he is merely a patriot who takes pride in his work, and displays great bravery and (for want of a better term) humanity throughout the novel.
* Thot Keer from [[Star Trek: Typhon Pact]], ''Zero Sum Game''. A Breen shipyard manager, his work crews are developing a prototype starship using stolen Federation technology, and the protagonist's mission is to destroy both prototype and shipyard. Keer is certainly not a villain, though; he is merely a patriot who takes pride in his work, and displays great bravery and (for want of a better term) humanity throughout the novel.
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* [[Older Than Feudalism]]: [[The Iliad|Hector]]. There are a number of scholars who believe that ''[[The Iliad]]'' is the [[Tragedy]] of ''Hector'', not Achilles. They cite as evidence the facts that the Trojans are portrayed far more sympathetically than the Greeks, Achilles finding redemption instead of punishment at the end, and the fact that the narrative ends with Hector's funeral.
* [[Older Than Feudalism]]: [[The Iliad|Hector]]. There are a number of scholars who believe that ''[[The Iliad]]'' is the [[Tragedy]] of ''Hector'', not Achilles. They cite as evidence the facts that the Trojans are portrayed far more sympathetically than the Greeks, Achilles finding redemption instead of punishment at the end, and the fact that the narrative ends with Hector's funeral.
** Dante went so far as to place Hector in Limbo (the nicest place a pre-Christian could end up) in ''[[The Divine Comedy]]'', and he became part of the Nine Worthies, nine personifications of Chivalrous behaviour, during the Medieval ages (mind you, the other pagan "Worthies" were Julius Caesar and Alexander, whose "chivalry" should probably be taken with a grain of salt). History certainly treated Hector better than it did most of the invading Greeks, due to the perception of him as a noble man trying to defend his home over his brother's folly and the Greeks' warmongering.
** Dante went so far as to place Hector in Limbo (the nicest place a pre-Christian could end up) in ''[[The Divine Comedy]]'', and he became part of the Nine Worthies, nine personifications of Chivalrous behaviour, during the Medieval ages (mind you, the other pagan "Worthies" were Julius Caesar and Alexander, whose "chivalry" should probably be taken with a grain of salt). History certainly treated Hector better than it did most of the invading Greeks, due to the perception of him as a noble man trying to defend his home over his brother's folly and the Greeks' warmongering.
*** Dante was of the belief that the Trojans were the ancestors of the Roman founders and the Judeo-Claudian dynasty-- who in turn were the ancestors of Italians, particularly the Florentines. [[Sarcasm Mode|This colors his attitude somewhat,]] such as placing Ulysses and Diomedes deep in Hell for the Trojan Horse gambit.
*** Dante was of the belief that the Trojans were the ancestors of the Roman founders and the Judeo-Claudian dynasty—who in turn were the ancestors of Italians, particularly the Florentines. [[Sarcasm Mode|This colors his attitude somewhat,]] such as placing Ulysses and Diomedes deep in Hell for the Trojan Horse gambit.


== Video Games ==
== Video Games ==
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** This is actually an inversion. From the start, the POV of the "Tales of Ash" saga makes Ash ''appear'' like a [[Villain Protagonist]], thus painting the former protagonists (Kyo, Iori, Chizuru, and even K') as this trope. But, as ''XIII'' attests to, Ash was [[Good All Along]]. A [[Guile Hero|Guile]] [[Anti-Hero]] unmistakably, but [[Well-Intentioned Extremist|his actions were for a greater good]]. {{spoiler|And then he died in a [[Temporal Paradox]] [[Heroic Sacrifice]] that ''[[Ret-Gone|erased him from history]]''. [[Wham! Episode|Didn't see that one coming, huh?]]}}
** This is actually an inversion. From the start, the POV of the "Tales of Ash" saga makes Ash ''appear'' like a [[Villain Protagonist]], thus painting the former protagonists (Kyo, Iori, Chizuru, and even K') as this trope. But, as ''XIII'' attests to, Ash was [[Good All Along]]. A [[Guile Hero|Guile]] [[Anti-Hero]] unmistakably, but [[Well-Intentioned Extremist|his actions were for a greater good]]. {{spoiler|And then he died in a [[Temporal Paradox]] [[Heroic Sacrifice]] that ''[[Ret-Gone|erased him from history]]''. [[Wham! Episode|Didn't see that one coming, huh?]]}}
* Hakumen from ''[[Blaz Blue]]'', one of the Six Legendary Heroes who saved the world from the attack of The Black beast. He wants to prevent a rebirth of The Black Beast by killing Ragna. He is not open to [[Take a Third Option|alternative solutions]].
* Hakumen from ''[[Blaz Blue]]'', one of the Six Legendary Heroes who saved the world from the attack of The Black beast. He wants to prevent a rebirth of The Black Beast by killing Ragna. He is not open to [[Take a Third Option|alternative solutions]].
** {{spoiler|In the end of the sequel, the mantle of [[Hero Antagonist]] goes to [[Chinese Girl|Litchi Faye-Ling]]. She's still the same kind-hearted woman, but opposes Ragna because Ragna's opposition (NOL) took captive of her love interest, and a [[Complete Monster]] [[Troll]] convinced her thoroughly that they have a mean to restore said interest. To top it all off, she's dying because she was exposed to the same thing he was (dying is a better case, the worst case is, she turns into the same monster that her love interest becomes and consumes everything in her path, including the innocents she grew to love), and anyone who could help her refuses to. She's reluctant to fight for that evil organization, but she really didn't have a better option.}}
** {{spoiler|In the end of the sequel, the mantle of Hero Antagonist goes to [[Chinese Girl|Litchi Faye-Ling]]. She's still the same kind-hearted woman, but opposes Ragna because Ragna's opposition (NOL) took captive of her love interest, and a [[Complete Monster]] [[Troll]] convinced her thoroughly that they have a mean to restore said interest. To top it all off, she's dying because she was exposed to the same thing he was (dying is a better case, the worst case is, she turns into the same monster that her love interest becomes and consumes everything in her path, including the innocents she grew to love), and anyone who could help her refuses to. She's reluctant to fight for that evil organization, but she really didn't have a better option.}}
* Jowy Atreides, from ''[[Suikoden II]]''. A long time friend of the main hero, Riou, he is destined to come into conflict due to picking up opposing runes (Jowy picks up the Black Sword Rune and Riou the Bright Shield Rune). Jowy ends up betraying and murdering (although not willingly) the mayor of Muse, Anabelle. He ends up becoming king of Highland. He ends up as a Hero Antagonist because he helps bring down [[Complete Monster]], Luca Blight, as well as using his strength to keep the Beast Rune at bay. He ends up having the same goals as Riou, to end the war and to unify the land. The problem is that he and his friend, Riou, lead opposing forces. His love of the orphan Pilika truly drives Jowy in his goals for peace.
* Jowy Atreides, from ''[[Suikoden II]]''. A long time friend of the main hero, Riou, he is destined to come into conflict due to picking up opposing runes (Jowy picks up the Black Sword Rune and Riou the Bright Shield Rune). Jowy ends up betraying and murdering (although not willingly) the mayor of Muse, Anabelle. He ends up becoming king of Highland. He ends up as a Hero Antagonist because he helps bring down [[Complete Monster]], Luca Blight, as well as using his strength to keep the Beast Rune at bay. He ends up having the same goals as Riou, to end the war and to unify the land. The problem is that he and his friend, Riou, lead opposing forces. His love of the orphan Pilika truly drives Jowy in his goals for peace.
* Thorndyke from ''[[Soul Nomad]]''. Also, everyone but the complete monsters in the [[Nightmare Fuel|Demon Path]].
* Thorndyke from ''[[Soul Nomad]]''. Also, everyone but the complete monsters in the [[Nightmare Fuel|Demon Path]].
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** Not to mention {{spoiler|Master Eraqus.}} The characters weren't the only ones shedding [[Manly Tears]] when that happened.
** Not to mention {{spoiler|Master Eraqus.}} The characters weren't the only ones shedding [[Manly Tears]] when that happened.
* In ''[[Sin and Punishment 2]]: The Star Successor'', The Nebulox are fighting against Isa and Kachi to help the humans of Earth-5. Also, from their perspective, Kachi is a major danger to their entire civilization - she was originally sent to Inner Space to recon Earth-4 for attack, but lost her memory.
* In ''[[Sin and Punishment 2]]: The Star Successor'', The Nebulox are fighting against Isa and Kachi to help the humans of Earth-5. Also, from their perspective, Kachi is a major danger to their entire civilization - she was originally sent to Inner Space to recon Earth-4 for attack, but lost her memory.
* Carmelita Fox of ''[[Sly Cooper]]''. This [[Ooh, Me Accent's Slipping|epileptic-accented]] cop can be a pain in the ass, but she still means well, and [[Enemy Mine|at times will even join up with the gang]] to face the various [[Big Bad|Big Bads]] of the series.
* Carmelita Fox of ''[[Sly Cooper]]''. This [[Ooh, Me Accent's Slipping|epileptic-accented]] cop can be a pain in the ass, but she still means well, and [[Enemy Mine|at times will even join up with the gang]] to face the various [[Big Bad]]s of the series.
* [[Super Robot Wars Advance|Axel Almer]] in ''[[Super Robot Wars Original Generation]]'' gets shades of this in the enhanced remake, becoming a [[Noble Demon]] whose greatest concern is to defeat a psychopathic monstrous man (Beowulf) responsible for numerous atrocities in his (Axel's) home world. This is even moreso in [[The Anime of the Game]], where said psychopathic monstrous man's first scene involve crossing the [[Moral Event Horizon]]. Then, in the opening credits, Axel fights off the main character (Kyosuke), under justification that he won't let another Beowulf be created from Kyosuke. By the time of the [[Gaiden Game]], he drops the 'Antagonist' part while keeping the same goal (growing an [[Anti-Hero|'Anti']] in the front instead due to not being officially in the protagonist team).
* [[Super Robot Wars Advance|Axel Almer]] in ''[[Super Robot Wars Original Generation]]'' gets shades of this in the enhanced remake, becoming a [[Noble Demon]] whose greatest concern is to defeat a psychopathic monstrous man (Beowulf) responsible for numerous atrocities in his (Axel's) home world. This is even moreso in [[The Anime of the Game]], where said psychopathic monstrous man's first scene involve crossing the [[Moral Event Horizon]]. Then, in the opening credits, Axel fights off the main character (Kyosuke), under justification that he won't let another Beowulf be created from Kyosuke. By the time of the [[Gaiden Game]], he drops the 'Antagonist' part while keeping the same goal (growing an [[Anti-Hero|'Anti']] in the front instead due to not being officially in the protagonist team).
** A little clarification: Beowulf is Kyosuke's [[Alternate Universe]] [[Evil Twin]].
** A little clarification: Beowulf is Kyosuke's [[Alternate Universe]] [[Evil Twin]].
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*** On the other hand, his twitter has him killing a college student and her father (Because she was a spark and he said that the worst thing that could happen to a parent is their child to die before he did), derailing a train and becoming a [[Cop Killer]].
*** On the other hand, his twitter has him killing a college student and her father (Because she was a spark and he said that the worst thing that could happen to a parent is their child to die before he did), derailing a train and becoming a [[Cop Killer]].
** Klaus Wulfenbach is an even straighter example. He's almost the [[Only Sane Man]] in Europe, which means that he's got to play whack-a-mole with every crazed Spark or creation that gets loose. And given Agatha's [[Big Screwed-Up Family|family history]], he's got every reason to want to keep her locked down until she can be proven safe. Of course, as Agatha is the protagonist, she isn't about to tamely sit down and let him hold her.
** Klaus Wulfenbach is an even straighter example. He's almost the [[Only Sane Man]] in Europe, which means that he's got to play whack-a-mole with every crazed Spark or creation that gets loose. And given Agatha's [[Big Screwed-Up Family|family history]], he's got every reason to want to keep her locked down until she can be proven safe. Of course, as Agatha is the protagonist, she isn't about to tamely sit down and let him hold her.
*** It's even worse in that he is {{spoiler|half-rightly}} convinced that Agatha could be the Biggest Bad of all time -- the spark that destroyed most of Europe while he was removed from the picture decades ago and who may have the secrets of time travel on top of a host of other horrifying technologies. If he's right, he ''has'' to destroy her to save the world. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the full picture, and the pieces he knows look ''really'' bad for Agatha.
*** It's even worse in that he is {{spoiler|half-rightly}} convinced that Agatha could be the Biggest Bad of all time—the spark that destroyed most of Europe while he was removed from the picture decades ago and who may have the secrets of time travel on top of a host of other horrifying technologies. If he's right, he ''has'' to destroy her to save the world. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the full picture, and the pieces he knows look ''really'' bad for Agatha.
* The Robot Masters in the 6th Megaman storyline in ''[[Bob and George]]'' were [[Hero Antagonist|Hero Antagonists]] trying to stop a rampaging [[Brainwashed and Crazy]] [[Villain Protagonist]] Mega Man.
* The Robot Masters in the 6th Megaman storyline in ''[[Bob and George]]'' were Hero Antagonists trying to stop a rampaging [[Brainwashed and Crazy]] [[Villain Protagonist]] Mega Man.
* The main characters in [[Niels]] are murdering, scheming, criminal mobsters. The antagonists are two good cops and a pervy secret agent trying to take them down.
* The main characters in [[Niels]] are murdering, scheming, criminal mobsters. The antagonists are two good cops and a pervy secret agent trying to take them down.
* One of the main antagonists of [[True Villains]] is a Paladin, fighting for God.
* One of the main antagonists of [[True Villains]] is a Paladin, fighting for God.
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{{quote|Everybody has an "[[Evil Twin]]", right? Well, ''these'' guys see our Weatherlight crew as ''their'' [[Evil Twin|evil twins]] and act accordingly. They're not villains, per se, but everybody hates them.}}
{{quote|Everybody has an "[[Evil Twin]]", right? Well, ''these'' guys see our Weatherlight crew as ''their'' [[Evil Twin|evil twins]] and act accordingly. They're not villains, per se, but everybody hates them.}}
* ''[[Last Res0rt]]'' features Jason Spades, a hero on his home planet of Fenirel who happens to want to viciously kill Daisy to the exclusion of everything else, even if 'everything else' is something like ''getting the rest of the crew (including himself!) off an enemy ship alive''.
* ''[[Last Res0rt]]'' features Jason Spades, a hero on his home planet of Fenirel who happens to want to viciously kill Daisy to the exclusion of everything else, even if 'everything else' is something like ''getting the rest of the crew (including himself!) off an enemy ship alive''.
* ''[[Schlock Mercenary]]'' had Major Murtaugh from Sanctum Adroit, [[By-The-Book Cop|By-The-Book Rent-a-Cop]] contracted to protect the local boss who made himself a trouble to Toughs for once not seeking any. Of course, actually she got between {{spoiler|two groups within [[The_Federation|U.N.S.]] intelligence, one of which was setting her up as a scapegoat for [[Playing_with_Syringes|covert research]] they sponsored}}. She ended up arresting their "partner" herself and even managed to avoid any losses to her company, though this got her {{spoiler|kicked out of her team}} for entering a secret deal that involved keeping all the scandalous circumstances under wraps. Later she joined {{spoiler|Tagon's Toughs at the initiative of Kaff's father, likely looking for [[I_Want_Grandkids|personal goals]]}}, as well as an unattached competent officer.
* ''[[Schlock Mercenary]]'' had Major Murtaugh from Sanctum Adroit, [[By-The-Book Cop|By-The-Book Rent-a-Cop]] contracted to protect the local boss who made himself a trouble to Toughs for once not seeking any. Of course, actually she got between {{spoiler|two groups within [[The Federation|U.N.S.]] intelligence, one of which was setting her up as a scapegoat for [[Playing with Syringes|covert research]] they sponsored}}. She ended up arresting their "partner" herself and even managed to avoid any losses to her company, though this got her {{spoiler|kicked out of her team}} for entering a secret deal that involved keeping all the scandalous circumstances under wraps. Later she joined {{spoiler|Tagon's Toughs at the initiative of Kaff's father, likely looking for [[I Want Grandkids|personal goals]]}}, as well as an unattached competent officer.


== Web Original ==
== Web Original ==
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== Western Animation ==
== Western Animation ==
* Dib from ''[[Invader Zim]],'' an eleven-year-old paranormal investigator trying to prevent the alien Zim from [[Take Over the World|taking over the world]]. However, ''Invader Zim'' has numerous [[Villain Episode|Villain Episodes]] where Dib is the main character, making him the protagonist (and usually casting Zim as the antagonist) a good portion of the time.
* Dib from ''[[Invader Zim]],'' an eleven-year-old paranormal investigator trying to prevent the alien Zim from [[Take Over the World|taking over the world]]. However, ''Invader Zim'' has numerous [[Villain Episode]]s where Dib is the main character, making him the protagonist (and usually casting Zim as the antagonist) a good portion of the time.
** Dib is really closer to the [[Deuteragonist]]. He and Zim team up almost as often as they fight, and a fair number of episodes are about Dib dealing with other stuff while Zim makes only a cursory appearance.
** Dib is really closer to the [[Deuteragonist]]. He and Zim team up almost as often as they fight, and a fair number of episodes are about Dib dealing with other stuff while Zim makes only a cursory appearance.
* Kevin from ''[[Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy]]'' is usually this to the Eds, though sometimes he [[Heroic Comedic Sociopath|really overdoes it]].
* Kevin from ''[[Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy]]'' is usually this to the Eds, though sometimes he [[Heroic Comedic Sociopath|really overdoes it]].