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Neighbourhood Friendly Gangsters: Difference between revisions
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== Anime & Manga ==
* ''[[JoJo's Bizarre Adventure]]'' part 5 has a section of Passione, a gang which carries the series protagonist, Giorno, as it's newest member. The gang are a small subgroup in the prominent mafia which are an exception in that the people LIKE them, rather than the extortion side. The only nasty member gets his early on and replaced by Giorno, following which it is revealed that the group leader Bucciarati hates drug dealing and dirty deeds and only joined up to help put a stop to it (Similar to Giorno himself). So Neighbourhood friendly that old people willingly go up to ask them, a group of rogues with supernatural abilities and trouble surrounding them, for help.
* ''[[Baccano!]]'' doesn't really touch at all on the crime-for-profit element of The Mafia (except for a few mentions of speakeasies), and its mobster characters might as well be violent aristocrats given their behavior and portrayal. The light novels ''do'' go a bit more into crime, with the Genoard fortune coming from cocaine and the Gandors being explicitly opposed to drug dealing. Of course, this only reinforces which characters are [[Neighbourhood Friendly Gangsters]].
** Also, Jaccuzi and Nice run a crew of community minded delinquents.
* Yusuke from ''[[Yu Yu Hakusho]]'' is a Neighbourhood Friendly [[Delinquents|Punk]] who shoplifts, smokes, gambles and gets into fights for fun.
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* The Kuroda group in ''[[Gokusen]]'' is like this. They still like a good fight and get most of their resources from illegal gambling and protection of hostess bars.
* The Washimine group of the "Fujiyama Gangsta Paradise" arc in ''[[Black Lagoon]]'' is an ethical [[Yakuza]], fighting an uphill battle against more ruthless [[Delinquents]] and [[The Mafiya]] headed by Balalaika. Ginji Matsuzaki, the ''wakagashira'' and resident [[Badass]] of the group, comments that while they're impoverished, it's more honourable than "selling women and meth."
* [[Katekyo Hitman Reborn]], for the first 8 volumes, is a wacky comedy where the cast is supposed to be a Mafia family. They're really more [[True Companions]] than anything else.
** Then the other part of their family show that they are ''not'' Friendly and engages in the battle for succession of the boss title.
** Later, another mafia family is introduced. This one ([[Time Travel|in the future]]) has [[Take Over the World|taken over the world]].
** And the latest flashbacks reveal that the protagonist's family in its first generation was a ''vigilante'' group, and only later has been turned into a full-blown mafia family.
* The Sonozaki family in ''[[Higurashi no Naku Koro ni]]'' enforces the peace in Hinamizawa whenever the cops aren't around.
* The Dollars in ''[[Durarara!!]]'' are something of an example, whether they're a gang, a neighbourhood watch organisation or just a group of random anonymous people depends on how you look at it. Also {{spoiler|when Kida ruled them}} the Yellow Scarves were this, at least in comparison to Blue Square.
* The Yakuza of ''Futakoi Alternative''. Granted, when compared to biomechanical flying pyromaniac squid, simple Yakuza seem pretty tame.
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== Fan Works ==
* The {{spoiler|Tsuruya}} [[Yakuza]] in the [[Suzumiya Haruhi]] [[Fanfic]] ''[[Kyon: Big Damn Hero]]''.
* One chapter of the ''My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic'' fanfic ''[[Progress]]'' has Luna take up the mantle of [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic/Recap/S2
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* [[Michael Jackson]] was meant to be one in the Smooth Criminal segment of the ''[[Moonwalker]]'' film against the evil mobster Mr. Big, played by [[Hair-Trigger Temper|Joe Pesci]].
* ''[[American Gangster]]'', though the drug trade isn't toned down, or glorified for that matter.
* The Corleone Family of ''[[The Godfather]]'' are like this under Don Vito: principled gangsters who look out for those who show them respect, refusing to deal with drugs. Whereas the other families, particularly the ruthless Tataglias and Barzinis, are downright evil. Becomes somewhat of a [[Lost Aesop]] in [[The Godfather (video game)|the video game]], when you're running around beating up shopkeepers and collecting protection-money in the name of The Family...
* Sonny (Chazz Palminteri) in ''[[A Bronx Tale]]''. Since it's all based on Palminteri's youth in the Bronx, the original Sonny is probably an example of [[Truth in Television]] as well.
** It is worth noting that while Sonny does believe in taking care of the neighbourhood, a lot of the guys he is in charge of are either losers or violent thugs, and there are some small hints that if one of the other guys was running things instead things would be a lot messier for that neighbourhood.
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* Steven Brust's [[Dragaera|Vlad Taltos series]] keeps Vlad sympathetic by showing how the Jhereg criminal organization to which he belongs has a strict code of ethics. They deal in the vice industry, but don't force anyone to take their wares. They demand protection money, but actually follow through with it. They carry out assassinations, but generally only on fellow power-players. If you're a common citizen who keeps his nose clean, you have virtually nothing to fear. Eventually, however, Vlad becomes disenchanted by criminality altogether.
* The Thieves Guild in ''[[Discworld]]'' 'has standards' and arranges crime in mutally benificent forms (as far as crime goes): rich people pay an annual premium, and arrange for a convenient date to rob an acceptable amount from these rich clients in their own home. Poorer (but not penniless) citizens are robbed in a fairly polite fashion on the streets, their business premises or homes, are not badly injured, and are given a receipt which guarantees they won't suffer another official robbery for the rest of the year. Criminals who don't keep to this arrangement, or who don't display their licence when on business, are dealt with by the Watch if they're lucky... or by the Thieves' Guild if they're ''unlucky''.
** The Troll criminal organisation "Breccia" also fits the mold, even though they are pretty ruthless. Chrysophrase helps Vimes prevent riots on Koom Valley Day by revealing a drug lab.
*** That's because the drug manufactured there would cause homicidal insanity, and later death. Chrysophrase wants stable business, which is rather hard with dead customers. Breccia is an extremely ruthless Mafia organization - Chrysophrase chops up one of his underlings for being disrespectful in the very same scene (well is implied to, anyway) - but they don't want to rock the boat too much and destroy their own chances of getting rich(er).
*** Not just ''implied'':
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Vimes stared at the crate. It was far too small to fit a whole troll. "And what would you suggest I do with him?"
Chrysophrase shrugged. "Could start a rock garden." }}
** It is stated in the later books that the Thieves Guild is slowly evolving into an insurance company. Chrysophrase also claims to be moving into legitimate property and financial services more than his first business, drug smuggling, though he remains a major underworld figure, whereas the Head of the Thieves Guild is an important and respected citizen who, it is implied, could even be a candidate for ''Patrician''.
* Crime bosses Stragen, Platime, and Calaador, all members of the "secret government" of thieves in David Eddings' ''[[The Elenium]]'', are willing allies of the protagonists. Each is depicted as being essentially driven by good business sense rather than cruelty. Stragen in particular had taught his Guild to prey more upon the aristocracy than the common folk.
* The hooligans in ''Football Factory'' are pretty close to a organized crime group, and even sell some drugs, but are decent people for the most part, with a code of honour to only fight with other hooligans and the "old bill".
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== Live Action TV ==
* Nucky's republican organization on [[Boardwalk Empire]] regularly gives out handouts of money food and cash to the poor mostly seasonally employed workers of the city. Like [[Historical Fiction|much of the show]] this is [[Truth in Television]] for the histroical Nucky as well. The show also features [[Al Capone]] and Lucky Luciano who are listed in this pages [[Real Life]] section.
** Chalky White is an even better example. He protects the black community of Atlantic City from the Klu Klux Klan and uses his connections with Nucky to get them jobs. He seems to know everyone in the community and what problems their families have.
* Weevil becomes one towards Veronica later in ''[[Veronica Mars]]''.
* Omar Little on ''[[The Wire]]'' acted like this. He would steal drugs and cash from stashes, and then distribute the drugs for free to people who lived near his hideouts. They would then act as spies for him.
** The Barksdale crew acted like this to a much lesser extent, by sponsoring the crosstown basketball game vs. teh East side Proposition Joe crew. The Barksdales also helped fund Cutty's boxing gym.
** To an even lesser, lesser extent Marlo gave out money to the local kids for back to school clothes.
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* The Ha'la'tha in ''[[Caprica]]'', but [[Fantastic Racism|only for Taurons]].
** [[Fantastic Racism|Because they are the only ones that needs them.]]
*** Over time, it becomes apparent that [[The Don|the Guatrau]] has drifted from the practice of helping Taurons and is more concerned with making money. This inspires {{spoiler|Sam and Joseph to turn on him}}.
* Michael and company have to deal with a gang leader of this sort in an episode of ''[[Burn Notice]]''. The episode implies that this gangster's presence in his local community would be ''much'' more preferable to the rival gang.
* [[Castle]] and Beckett Come across one such gang in an interesting characterization of the [[The Irish Mob|Westies]].
* Sweet Daddy Williams is this on ''[[Good Times]]''. One prime example is that he did not charge his usual exorbitant rates on the money that JJ owed him for Thelma's wedding. He was moved by Thelma giving him her heirloom necklace that Florida had given her for the wedding because it reminded him of his mother. Since [[Even Bad Men Love Their Mamas]], he tells the family that he is letting them off the hook on the condition that they not tell anyone about his kindness.
* Gunn from ''[[Angel]]'' used to belong to this kind of gang, and the members of his old gang appear in several episodes. The enemy they defend the neighborhood from is, of course, [[
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* The Thieves Guild in Oblivion plays this trope straight. They're based in the waterfront (poor district) and refuse to steal from the poor as well as stealing their tax money back from the guard.
* The Yoshimitsu Group of the [[Soul Series]]. They are established to protect the poor from both the corruption of the rich and the permeating evil of Soul Edge.
* The Hidden Beks in [[Knights of the Old Republic]].
* The Freakshow in [[City of Heroes]] are a gang of scary, drug addicted, [[Cyborg]] gangers that exemplify the trope "[[Anarchy Is Chaos]]". That is, until [[Cool Teacher|Miss Francine]] comes along and teaches them how to [[Comes Great Responsibility|to use their powers for good]]. [[Complete Monster|Westin Phipps]] has you [[Kick the Dog|kidnap Miss Francine and bring her in for torture so the Freakshow will stop being altruistic]]. {{spoiler|Thankfully, [[Video Game Caring Potential|you can willingly fail this mission]]. [[Even Evil Has Standards]], after all}}. Friendly Neighborhood Freakshow "inspired by Miss Francine" [[Continuity Nod|later show up in a Going Rogue tip mission]]. {{spoiler|Heroes can [[Fixer Sue|rescue Miss Francine from Arachnos]] in another tip mission. Or they can just [[Extreme Melee Revenge|beat the shit out of Phipps.]]}}
* The Kings of ''[[Fallout: New Vegas]]'' are a gang of [[Elvis Impersonator|Elvis Impersonators]] who help protect the locals of Freeside, the slums of New Vegas.
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== Real Life ==
* As stated, real life gangs, Mafia, Yakuza and Cartels try to keep up public relations at home ground.
** Al Capone had soup lines set up in Chicago during the Great Depression.
*** He had a soft spot for children, once trying to see that they got good milk.
*** Ironically, the supplies for Al Capone's soup kitchens were acquired by threatening bakeries, packinghouses and other food suppliers if they didn't meet the quota the gangsters demanded.
** Most organized crime syndicates (Mafia, Yakuza, street gangs) have their origins in vigilante groups that [[He Who Fights Monsters|opposed more harmful criminals or corrupt police forces.]]
* John Dillinger was perhaps even better example of the era, as unlike Capone it seems that he didn't kill anyone during his colorful career of robbing banks.
** He ''[[wikipedia:John Dillenger#Bank robberies|did]]'', but that one was unintentional and whether Dillinger's gun actually killed the guy is contested. He ''was'' indirectly responsible or tied to a number of other killings though...
* Charles Luciano, using his connections with the Sicilian Mafia, enlisted them as allies in the fight against Mussolini's regime in Italy as part of a deal with the US government. Supposedly, when the Americans landed in Sicily a local delivered to them a flag with the letter "L" for "Luciano" on it.
* Chicago sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh spent years researching the Black Disciples Nation crack cocaine gang, and noticed they spent a part of their income to hold block parties and paid the families of dead members. The leader of the gang explained that they didn't want to be seen as a scourge to the community, rather a pillar.
* During the days immediately following Martin Luther King's assassination, there were horrific riots on the West Side of Chicago. The South Side, which was generally considered a much more dangerous area was not subject to rioting because the two large and powerful gangs (whose power struggle was what made it such a dangerous area in the first place!) the Blackstone Rangers and the Disciples, cooperated to keep it calm.
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