Non-Action Guy: Difference between revisions

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The Non-Action Guy seems much more likely [[Double Standard|to be played for comedy]] than the traditional female version of [[The Chick]] as while women are not expected to kick butt ([[Action Girl|and thus those that]] ''[[Action Girl|do]]'' [[Action Girl|are exceptional]]) men often are and so a Non Action Guy's lack of ability is written as something to laugh at.

Often he'll either [[Took a Level In Badass|grow into]] a more action-oriented role, [[Cousin Oliver|become ignored]], or become the [[Butt Monkey]] as punishment for his [[A Real Man Is a Killer|failure at masculinity]]. A common, more acceptable practice is to put him on the [[Mission Control]], where he can be of actual help without having to use any sort of action skill.

Often he'll either [[Took a Level in Badass|grow into]] a more action-oriented role, [[Cousin Oliver|become ignored]], or become the [[Butt Monkey]] as punishment for his [[A Real Man Is a Killer|failure at masculinity]]. A common, more acceptable practice is to put him on the [[Mission Control]], where he can be of actual help without having to use any sort of action skill.

The preponderance of this can vary from fandom to fandom, though the fans might have a point depending on how the character's written. Trying to [[Took a Level In Badass|masculinate him]] can sometimes turn the [[Action Girl]] into a [[Faux Action Girl]] if done improperly. This is especially likely if the writers attempt to combine [[Rescue Romance]] with [[All Up to You]]... again... and again... (haven't these morons ever heard of the [[Battle Couple]]?!) You can even see tropers putting little 'Actually, this is why X character is really a badass' statements below some examples, as if it's impossible to be a badass and a Non Action Guy at the same time.

The preponderance of this can vary from fandom to fandom, though the fans might have a point depending on how the character's written. Trying to [[Took a Level in Badass|masculinate him]] can sometimes turn the [[Action Girl]] into a [[Faux Action Girl]] if done improperly. This is especially likely if the writers attempt to combine [[Rescue Romance]] with [[All Up to You]]... again... and again... (haven't these morons ever heard of the [[Battle Couple]]?!) You can even see tropers putting little 'Actually, this is why X character is really a badass' statements below some examples, as if it's impossible to be a badass and a Non Action Guy at the same time.

Expect [[Fix Fic]]s to be written where his character is changed to fit expectations as a [[Canon Sue]]. If he's the protagonist, then he's likely an [[Action Survivor]]. If he's the Villain, he's likely a [[Non-Action Big Bad]]. Compare [[Unfazed Everyman]].

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** Interestingly, [[Meta Guy|Chisame]] also fits this, despite being female, especially when compared to [[Action Girl|most of the other girls in the cast.]] Eventually she [[Magic Contract Romance|forms a Pactio with Negi]], gaining [[Magical Girl]] [[Technopath|hacker powers]], [[The Worf Barrage|which fail to have any effect nine times out of ten]].

* Rock of ''[[Black Lagoon]]'' is one of two Non Action Guys in the Lagoon Company (the other is [[Mission Control|Benny]], the resident techie), but Rock has the distinction of being the Non Action Guy thrown right in the middle of most of the violence that Revy and Dutch get into. However, he also stands as a prime example that "non-action" does not automatically equate to "weak"—put a gun to his head, and [[Badass|he'll not only keep it]] but quite possibly ''[[Facing the Bullets One-Liner|throw it back in your face]]''. This fearlessness, combined with his ability to network, have made him recognized as one of [[Wretched Hive|Roanapur's]] most dangerous figures, despite his never even touching a gun.

* Yuichi Tate from ''[[~~Mai~~-HiME]]'' usually gets into situations where he finds himself over his head. It isn't until the final episode that he finds his... er, manliness.

* Yuichi Tate from ''[[My-HiME]]'' usually gets into situations where he finds himself over his head. It isn't until the final episode that he finds his... er, manliness.

** Less apparent in the manga, where he's still largely useless but at least ''tries'', and his presence is in fact necessary for Mai and Natsuki to access their full powers.

** He tries in the anime, he just ends up realising quite quickly that there's very little a normal person can do to help in those sorts of situations and decides to take himself out of the game to {{spoiler|take care of Shiho, whom he thinks got hurt because he left her alone while he ran off to try to play hero.}} Also, while the method of his involvement in the finale is arguably a bit stereotypically manly, he wasn't trying to play hero there. {{spoiler|He just decided he cared enough about Mai to be willing to put himself on the line to help her out a little.}} Anime Tate only gets to be cool when he's not trying to be.

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* In ''[[Mirai Nikki]]'', Yukiteru spends the vast majority of his time running crying and screaming from the people determined to kill him. He occasionally fights back when cornered, but more often than not he's saved by the wrath of his [[Poisonous Friend|psychotic stalker]]-[[:Category:Yandere|girlfriend]].

* Sakai Yuji during the first season of ''[[Shakugan no Shana]]'', who still managed to find use as a sort of on-site [[Mission Control]] and by being an intentional source of [[Heroic Resolve]] for the titular [[Tsundere]] heroine.

** He gets increasingly [[Took a Level In Badass|more action-oriented]] during the second season, culminating in {{spoiler|episode 19, when he single-handedly destroys a (albeit somewhat pathetic) Guze no Tomogarra with five bodies by flambéing three of them, snapping one's neck, and impaling the last on his [[BFS]]}}, and becoming a nice asset to the team until he {{spoiler|falls to [[The Dark Side]]}} in season three.

** He gets increasingly [[Took a Level in Badass|more action-oriented]] during the second season, culminating in {{spoiler|episode 19, when he single-handedly destroys a (albeit somewhat pathetic) Guze no Tomogarra with five bodies by flambéing three of them, snapping one's neck, and impaling the last on his [[BFS]]}}, and becoming a nice asset to the team until he {{spoiler|falls to [[The Dark Side]]}} in season three.

* Sports manga examples: Taro Misaki from ''[[Captain Tsubasa]]'' is an excellent soccer player on his own right, but he's so often plagued by injuries {{spoiler|(in the first tournament he's injured by Hyuga, in the World Youth Cup he's hit by a bus and breaks his leg}} and/or emotional issues {{spoiler|(he's shown as VERY reliant on Tsubasa in one of the movies, to the point of seriously lacking leadership skills and having a serious crisis for that) }} that he often [[Can't Catch Up]] with others.

** Another one is Syuuichirou Oishi, the gentle Seigaku sub-captain from [[The Prince of Tennis]]. Putting other people's well-being before his own actually causes more than a bit of trouble, both physical {{spoiler|(as he gets his arm injured right before the Hyotuei matches and such an injury has repercusions later)}} and mental {{spoiler|(not only he has quite the breakdown in the Jyousei arc of the anime, but he later gives up his spot in the regulars to Tezuka (manga) or Echizen (anime), thinking he's a burden when he's not)}}. This makes him look less skilled and strong than he really is, and as a result he's unfairly ignored in fandom and only featured in fanwork regarding his partner, [[Bunny Ears Lawyer|Eiji Kikumaru]] {{spoiler|even when Eiji has him in such high regards that, after he loses Oishi, he swears to not have * any* other doubles partner than him.}}

* In ''[[Mnemosyne]]'', Maeno plays a role much like ''[[Black Lagoon]]'''s Rock, mostly playing a helping hand in investigations, but avoiding the combat, for good reasons.

* Tsukune from ''[[Rosario + Vampire]]'' was initially the weakest student at Youkai academy, due to being human. He was heavily reliant on Inner Moka's strength, as well as that of his other friends. About halfway through the first season, he [[Took a Level In Badass|gained the power to fight on his own]], but he doesn't become a full-time combatant until the second season. In the anime, none of that happens, so he remains the Non-Action Guy in both seasons.

* Tsukune from ''[[Rosario + Vampire]]'' was initially the weakest student at Youkai academy, due to being human. He was heavily reliant on Inner Moka's strength, as well as that of his other friends. About halfway through the first season, he [[Took a Level in Badass|gained the power to fight on his own]], but he doesn't become a full-time combatant until the second season. In the anime, none of that happens, so he remains the Non-Action Guy in both seasons.

* Raki from ''[[Claymore]]'', whose only actual use in the show appears to be [[James Bondage|getting in the way]] and saving the heroine Clare from her [[Super-Powered Evil Side]] with [[The Power of Love]]. This has rendered him something of [[The Scrappy]] amongst fans of the show.

** With his first re-appearance after the time-skip in the latest manga chapter, this is hopefully a thing in the past. He now seems capable of taking down yoma singlehandedly, and all fans are now praying to the Character Development Gods that he has [[Took a Level In Badass|taken multiple levels in badass]].

** With his first re-appearance after the time-skip in the latest manga chapter, this is hopefully a thing in the past. He now seems capable of taking down yoma singlehandedly, and all fans are now praying to the Character Development Gods that he has [[Took a Level in Badass|taken multiple levels in badass]].

* In ''[[Kaleido Star]]'' there's the stage manager Kenneth "Ken" Robbins, who has a heart condition and can't join the troupe of acrobats and artists. To make up for it he becomes Sora, Anna and Mia's [[The Lancer|Lancer]] when it comes to training, strategies and planning.

* In ''[[One Piece]]'', Usopp is generally a coward that runs from all signs of danger, and he's a lot weaker then everyone in the main cast (he ''is'' [[Made of Iron|quite durable]]...but his crewmates are even moreso). The few times he gets a serious fight, he usually wins by nifty use of a wide array of gadgets.

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* Roderich/Austria from ''[[Axis Powers Hetalia]]''. He was "created" by Vash/Switzerland to be a fighter, but it failed spectacularly and he ended up as a pint-sized [[James Bondage]]. He didn't get a lot better as he grew up into one of the two [[Team Dad]]s of the series, but he had the good sense of mostly staying as [[Mission Control]] and leaving the fights to the [[Ninja Maid]] Elizaveta/Hungary, whom he later married.

** Feliciano/North Italy. His whole character seems to be based on this trope.

* Kabuto from ''[[Psyren]]'', who's the only person who can't boost his physical power using [[Psychic Powers|PSI]], so has to resort to using his ability to sense incoming attacks to run away praying he dodges in time. {{spoiler|[[Took a Level In Badass|That changes]] after he almost dies, discovers his [[Mental World]] and learns boosting his physical power.}}

* Kabuto from ''[[Psyren]]'', who's the only person who can't boost his physical power using [[Psychic Powers|PSI]], so has to resort to using his ability to sense incoming attacks to run away praying he dodges in time. {{spoiler|[[Took a Level in Badass|That changes]] after he almost dies, discovers his [[Mental World]] and learns boosting his physical power.}}

* Chiba Mamoru/Tuxedo Kamen from ''[[Sailor Moon]]'' is totally this in the anime. He says [[Rousing Speech|a few words]] to bolster [[Sailor Moon]]'s spirits, throws a rose, and wanders off. He has to be [[James Bondage|saved from]] death/possession (season one), brainwashing/[[What an Idiot!|his own stupidity]] (season two), villain-induced [[Ill Boy|illness]] (season four), and {{spoiler|death}} (season five), not to mention many smaller instances. Except for providing [[The Power of Love]] a few times and a pivotal future cast member, he's kind of useless in battle. Possibly a case of [[Can't Catch Up]], since the Sailors get [[So Last Season|regular upgrades]] while he... uh, doesn't.

** ONLY in the anime, though. In the manga he had an actual attack and awesome mind powers—including healing, a psychic connection to his loved ones, and the ability to feel the earth's pain—and beat up bad guys more often. He was much more [[Badass]] as a villain, as well. Still a prime target for the [[Worf Effect]], though...

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** Mention must be made of Ziggy in ''RPM'', as he starts out a Non Action Guy and pretty much remains one throughout the season, even after he becomes Ranger Green. He's competent in a fight, but ''only'' competent, and still a bit of a coward.

* Joxer from ''[[Xena: Warrior Princess]]''.

* Det. Pembleton from ''[[Homicide: Life On the Street]]'' is a rare example of "empowered" Non Action Guy; Pembleton is constantly portrayed as an ace detective and as one of the most prominent and charismatic characters of the show, and yet he detests weapons and is a lousy shot.

* Det. Pembleton from ''[[Homicide: Life on the Street]]'' is a rare example of "empowered" Non Action Guy; Pembleton is constantly portrayed as an ace detective and as one of the most prominent and charismatic characters of the show, and yet he detests weapons and is a lousy shot.

* Which is about exactly the same as Lieutenant [[Columbo]].

* Connor from ''[[Primeval]]'' fills this role.

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* Wash from ''[[Firefly]]'' knows that his job is limited to flying the ship and providing needed levity and snark, and leaves the fighting to his amazon-like wife Zoe. His acceptance of their non-standard relationship (aside from a brief bout of unfounded jealousy in "War Stories") results in them having arguably the happiest and most stable relationship in the whole show. Unfortunately, {{spoiler|that's probably why he was killed in the movie}}.

** Subverted with Shepard Book. At first glance he seems a kindly, elderly preacher, with elements of the [[Wide-Eyed Idealist]] and at best, seems to be [[Badass Pacifist]]. Our first clue is him working out with [[The Big Guy|Jayne]]. Our second is his surprisingly large knowledge of the military arts. Our third is him shooting a man in the kneecap from the hip holding a large rifle with one hand.

* On [[Leverage]], [[The Smart Guy|Hardison]] has this role as the team's [[Playful Hacker|hacker]]. He is often paired with [[The Big Guy|Eliot]] or [[Classy Cat Burglar|Parker]]. As the series begins, he fights the wounded, though by season four he [[Took a Level In Badass|is getting better]].

* On [[Leverage]], [[The Smart Guy|Hardison]] has this role as the team's [[Playful Hacker|hacker]]. He is often paired with [[The Big Guy|Eliot]] or [[Classy Cat Burglar|Parker]]. As the series begins, he fights the wounded, though by season four he [[Took a Level in Badass|is getting better]].

* On [[Band of Brothers]] Nixon, an intelligence officer, is this, having never fired his weapon in combat. He did however have a sniper shoot through his helmet in Holland.

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* Most of the player characters in the [[Silent Hill]] series are not someone you expect to be able to [[Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu?|kill gods]] with whatever weapons they find lying around, though as the plot progresses it's clear that the ordeal causes them to [[Take a Level In Badass]]. (How well the level takes depends on which of the [[Multiple Endings]] you get.)

** Notable exceptions to this are Travis, a trucker whose [[Dark and Troubled Past]] is fairly obvious even before [[The Reveal]], and Alex, whose combat abilities are explained as having come back from the military ( {{spoiler|though even THAT comes into question, and is somewhat foreshadowed throughout the plot}}).

* [[Weasel Mascot|Daxter]] is one of these at the start of the ''[[Jak and Daxter]]'' series, but [[Character Development]] quickly [[Took a Level In Badass|took care of that]].

* [[Weasel Mascot|Daxter]] is one of these at the start of the ''[[Jak and Daxter]]'' series, but [[Character Development]] quickly [[Took a Level in Badass|took care of that]].

* Luka from ''[[Bayonetta]]'' isn't very good at the whole "fighting" thing... he ''is'' good at escaping, though. Justified as while Bayonetta is a [[Person of Mass Destruction]] fighting [[Eldritch Abomination]]s, Luka is just an amazingly lucky human whose only tool is some kind of [[Grappling Hook Pistol|grappling hook device]].

* Knox, from ''[[Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines|Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines]]'' is a ghoul, and very, very aware that he cannot reasonably be expected to survive a fight against a vampire. Which is why he cons you into doing it for him.

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== Web Original ==

* Tamers in ''[[Pokegirls]]'' tend to be this way, considering they're squishy humans against living weapons. A specific and intense example of the trope is Professor Toman Kross from ''Spirit of Science''.

* Dr. Shelton and Dr. Kerzach from ''[[Darwin's Soldiers]]'' start the first RP as this. Dr. Kerzach and Dr. Shelton do end up taking a few [[Took a Level In Badass|levels in badass]] but they are still nowhere as badass as the other characters. Dr. Bailey from the third RP plays this straight.

* Dr. Shelton and Dr. Kerzach from ''[[Darwin's Soldiers]]'' start the first RP as this. Dr. Kerzach and Dr. Shelton do end up taking a few [[Took a Level in Badass|levels in badass]] but they are still nowhere as badass as the other characters. Dr. Bailey from the third RP plays this straight.

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[[Category:Characters As Device]]

[[Category:Love Interests]]

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[[Category:~~Non-Action Guy~~]]

[[Category:All the Tropes Superhero Team]]

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[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]