Perpetual Frowner: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

 

 

 

 

Usually comes in 3 varieties, 1) mopey and listless, 2). angry and angsty, 3). focused and serious. In many cases, the look of extreme tension continues even when they're asleep. For series where character background and development is allotted, it may later be revealed that the person expresses the demeanor as a result of a living or having lived a harsh or tragic life.

Extra points if the character also displays a habit of keeping his arms crossed along with the constant frowning for that extra pouty look.

 

 

If the expression is not voluntary but the result of damage to nerves or the like, it falls under [[Frozen Face]].

 

{{examples}}

* Giichi from ''[[Blade of the Immortal]]''. Admittedly, he has good reasons to never smile.

* A well known anime frowner is Ichigo in ''[[Bleach]]'', early on revealed to be a result of losing his mother at a young age and trying very hard to cultivate a badass image ever since. (In one episode when Kon runs amok in Ichigo's body, Ichigo bemoans Kon ruining his image that he'd worked so hard on.) The example is particularly interesting considering the fact that he is the main protagonist. Hitsugaya is also a major frowner, probably a result of frequently being [[Only Sane Man|the most professional among a group of wackier characters]]. [[Blood Knight|Kenpachi]] is usually frowning whenever he's not in the middle of a fight, in which case he'll have a big [[Slasher Smile]].

* On ''[[Naruto]]'', even after rising to become the first Chuunin in his class, achieving the place as team leader of the group, being subjected to considerable [[Character Development]], and getting a [[Shipping|potential girlfriend]], Shikamaru still doesn't seem to find a reason to wipe that big ugly frown off his face.

** Gaara, even after accepting his companions, has almost never smiled a non-murderous smile.

*** In the most recent, hot-off-the-presses manga chapters, the [[Incredibly Lame Pun|Sandman of Tsuna]] smiles ''once in awhile'' and generally shows far more emotion than he used to, but it's still pretty rare in comparison to other characters.

* Among several others, Tien, Piccolo and Vegeta were the three biggest Perpetual Frowners in ''[[Dragonball Z]]''. The only things they did with their arms were punching, lifting, push-ups and crossing over the chest. Though Vegeta does crack a smile every now and then in the form of an arrogant smirk (and the occasional [[Psychotic Smirk|evil grin]] during his scenes as a villain).

** Piccolo got the occasional grin as well, mainly when interacting with Gohan - even with the eyebrows up at least once (during his death in DBZ.) Vegeta, however, had somehow managed to master scowling even when asleep or unconscious.

** Jin, as well.

* Kaiser Ryo of ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX]]''. Oddly enough, his [[Face Heel Turn]] to Hell Kaiser caused him to ''smile''... [[Slasher Smile|evilly, with a touch of insanity]].

** Netherlands has also never been shown smiling yet, always having either a disinterested expression or scowl on his face whenever he appears.

* Try to find canonical pictures of Zoro from ''[[One Piece]]'' where he's just smiling happy and friendly-like as opposed to scowling or just [[Slasher Smile|smirking]]. ''It's very hard.''

* [[Fiery Redhead|Nove]] in ''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS|Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Striker S]]'', whose expression is always in some form of angry, and maybe some bits of embarassed. In fact, fans reacted with shock when the artwork for an audio drama showed her with a slight smile on her face.

* Exedore/Exsedol's redesigned version, when seen in ''[[Macross 7]]''. The only time he ever smiles is during his [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]]. This troper actually thinks he looks a bit like Squidward....

* Kenshiro from ''[[Fist of the North Star]]'' used to be a happy camper but after his best friend kidnapped his fiancee and left him for dead in the desert, it's understandable that he doesn't smile much.

* The title character of ''[[Golgo 13]]'' fame is one of the trope's fathers.

* Natsuhi from [[Umineko no Naku Koro ni]] is a rare female example. And Kanon's a male, [[Bishounen|albeit effeminate]] one.

* Shinobu from ''[[Junjou Romantica]]'', when he's not crying. He's even frowning in the opening theme while glomping Miyagi.

** Tsuna in Dying Will form has been described several times as having "his brows always furrowed".

* Saionji from ''[[Revolutionary Girl Utena]]'' fits this trope to a t, given that his life has been a bit... complicated.

* [[The Rival|Paul]] in the ''[[Pokémon]]'' anime, which is probably fitting of his nature as [["Stop Having Fun!" Guys]] incarnate.

* [[Tsundere|Hitomi]] [[Victorious Childhood Friend|Mizumura]] from the Hentai manga ''Boys Empire'' is like this at first. Makoto even [[Lampshade Hanging|lampshades]] it for us:

* The number of times L had smiled in ''[[Death Note]]'' can most likely be counted in less than fifteen panels. Near? [[Cheshire Cat Grin|Not really]].

* Does ''[[Black Butler]]'s'' William T. Spears ever smile?

* [[Buso Renkin|Tokiko Tsumura's]] default expression is "I'm about 5 seconds away from disemboweling someone."

* As mentioned above, Athrun Zala from [[Gundam Seed]].

 

== Comic Books ==

* Pretty much any modern version of [[Batman]]. When he actually laughed at Harley Quinn in an episode of ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]'', it scared the living hell out of her.

*** It must be genetic, because Batman's son, Damian Wayne (the current Robin) is pretty much this as well.

* The Saint of Killers from ''[[Preacher (Comic Book)]]'', alive or undead. One character describes his permanent facial expression as someone who's "treadin' through dogshit".

* About the only time [[The Punisher]] ''doesn't'' wear this expression is in flashbacks with his family.

** To quote the 2005 Punisher videogame:

* Almost everyone in ''[[Sin City]]''. If they smile, you should expect is to be a [[Slasher Smile]].

* Just take a look at Hawk in [[Brightest Day]].

* Bukama from ''[[The Wheel of Time]]'' prequel novel is one of these. "The older man brightened. Well, his scowl lessened a little. For him, that was as good as a grin from anyone else."

* Heathcliff in ''[[Wuthering Heights (novel)|Wuthering Heights]]'' starts out like this, at any rate.

* ''[[The Death Gate Cycle]]'': The fact that Haplo tends to maintain a grim expression even while sleeping is remarked upon by other characters. He does smile occasionally, however.

* Tahniya in [[The Path to War]] is actually described as having a permanent small frown, which always makes her look like something has irritated or troubled her.

 

== Live Action TV ==

* Wednesday Addams from ''[[The Addams Family]]'', any version. (Not counting ''Addams Family Reunion'', [[Discontinuity|which we do not discuss.]]) When she smiled after being brainwashed in ''Addams Family Values'', it deeply unnerved all onlookers.

** "She's scaring me!"

* Stefan Salvatore from ''[[The Vampire Diaries]]'', in more episodes than not. You can tell that if he's smiling things must be going really, really well.

* [[wikipedia:Debbie Downer|Debbie Downer]], played by Rachel Dratch in a recuring SNL skit. She always says depressing things and brings down the mood of any gathering.

 

 

** When he becomes Shin Akuma in ''[[Capcom vs. Whatever|Capcom vs. SNK 2]]'', he ''does'' smile... a [[Slasher Smile]].

*** He did have one in ''[[Street Fighter]]'' Alpha 2 in Ryu's ending.

*** Well, these two, plus his [[Oh Crap]] expression during the endings of Alpha 3.

** Sagat and Guile are also constantly frowning, though Guile occasionally smiles in the presence of his family. Main character Ryu is halfway there, though it's more of an impassive look that leans toward frowning than a proper Perpetual Frown.

* Soren from ''[[Fire Emblem]]: Path of Radiance''.

** Sothe displays this trait in Radiant Dawn as well, which is remarked upon by [[Magnificent Bastard|Naesala]] in the following exchange:

'''Micaiah:''' He's just hesitant to show his emotions. }}

'''Sanaki''': Ah, yes. That's true. Well, I didn't summon you to talk about your grumpy expressions. }}

** Raven from ''Blazing Sword'' also qualifies. As noted by a comrade in arms, [[The Archer|Wil]], during one of their hilarious [[Relationship Values|support conversations]]:

'''Raven:''' ...This is my normal face. }}

* The ''Tales'' RPG series has a few.

** Leon from ''[[Tales of Destiny]]''.

** Veigue from ''[[Tales of Rebirth]]'', who smiles ''once'' in the entire game, near the end.

** Asch from ''[[Tales of the Abyss]]'', whose grumpiness is commented on and made fun of by the other characters; Luke tells him at one point that if he keeps frowning, his face will get stuck that way. Again, his "smile" is usually more like a smirk.

** Kunzite of ''[[Tales of Hearts]]'' rarely smiles, his only "happy" portrait is but a tiny turning of the lips, and the first time a character gets him to smile, he seems to frighten everyone by the mere act. [[Mysterious Waif]] Lycia says straight out that she can't smile as long as she's atoning for the plot of the game, but is eventually persuaded to (along with Kunzite, properly this time) when the final dungeon rolls around.

** Let's not forget Jake, who only starts smiling if {{spoiler|you fail his stage and he turns into a giggling zombie.}}

* Mega Man in ''[[Mega Man (video game)|Mega Man]] 7''.

*** After X4, he no longer throws a thumbs up at the player after beating a boss either. He just turns away.

*** Even his theme music has noticeable changes. Where his theme is X4 may have been the peak of giving the feeling that Zero is about to cut down everyone [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5h4luXEc_s in the level], in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgsBH3zURt8 X5] and onward, Zero's music becomes a lot more calm and serious sounding.

** For the record, he can smile. He did it in the European version of God of War 1. That said, if he does smile, FUCKING RUN!

* Riku in the ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]'' games only appears to smile when [[Ho Yay|he's around Sora]].

* Cloud Strife from ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' almost never smiles. He's smiled all of... 5 times. Twice in ''[[Crisis Core]]'', once in ''[[Advent Children]]'', once in ''[[Dirge of Cerberus]]'' and once in ''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy]]'' The original game can be sort of forgiven, though, because the characters don't even have mouths.

** [[Word of God]] says he laughed only once in [[Final Fantasy VII]] as well, during the scene with Aeris where they are escaping from the Turks.

** [[Player Character|Hawke]] is show doing nothing ''but'' scowling in any [[Dragon Age II]] promotional material, though thankfully, this is averted in the game itself.

* Curt Schilling in ''[[Backyard Sports|Backyard Baseball]]''.

* Kazuma Kiryuu of the ''[[Ryu ga Gotoku|Yakuza]]'' games has a forbidding scowl permanently etched onto his face. He does smile a few times, usually when he's around Haruka, and it's adorable.

* While Saber's default expression in ''[[Fate/stay night]]'' can be described as 'neutral with a dash of stiffness', [[Super-Powered Evil Side|Saber Alter]]'s scowl practically ''bores'' into your soul.

* [[Ganbare Goemon|Goemon]] started out like this.

** Subway Master Ingo, twin brother of [[Perpetual Smiler|Emmet]] .

* Marcus Fenix from ''[[Gears of War]]'' basically ''never'' smiles. Dom is this as well, especially after {{spoiler|Maria's death.}}

* ''[[Trauma Center]]'' has Victor Niguel. His only two sprites are his normal one (frowning) and REALLY pissed off. You know that [[It Got Worse]] when he's really pissed.

 

 

** Karkat smiled once. Eridan smiled never.

* [[VG Cats|Aeris]] has such a short temper that she's almost always at least annoyed. When she ''does'' smile, [[Slasher Smile|it's generally not a good sign.]]

* [http://lowroad75.comicgenesis.com/d/20090501.html Butler] insists that he has more than one expression, but apparently doesn't look into mirrors often.

* [[Ctrl+Alt+Del|Scowl 3]]:[http://www.cad-comic.com/cad/20100317 The Scowling].

* Rocky ''rarely'' shows happiness in [[Our Little Adventure]], possibly because he's [[Surrounded by Idiots|surrounded by idiots.]]

* [[Walkyverse|Mike Warner]] has smiled about ten times over a ten year period of existence. Note that these smiles only appear when he's completely [[In Vino Veritas|hammered]]. The comment section following [http://www.shortpacked.com/2009/comic/book-9/03-mikes-double-life/unexpectedsmile/ this comic] and Amber's reaction kind of says it all.

* ''[[Manly Guys Doing Manly Things]]'' seems to collect Perpetual Frowners, as seen [http://thepunchlineismachismo.com/images/scowlymen.jpg here.]

* Tyler in ''[[Damaged Tape]]'' hasn't smiled once in the entire run of the comic. He's only had two other expressions: yelling, and a typical Nut Shot reaction face.

** Heck, ALL of the Brothers Strong (Strong Bad, Strong Sad, and Strong Mad) are often seen with frowns on their faces.

** The Homestar Runner Wiki has pages for cataloging instances of smiling for [http://www.hrwiki.org/index.php/Strong_Bad_Smiling all] [http://www.hrwiki.org/index.php/Strong_Mad_Smiling three] [http://www.hrwiki.org/index.php/Strong_Sad_Smiling Brothers Strong].

* Black puffles from Club Penguin.

 

 

* Squidward from ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'' is a well-known frowner. Can't really blame him, what with living between [[Cloudcuckoolander|Spongebob]] and Patrick.

* The complex but bitter and sometimes just downright [[Wangst|angsty]] Prince Zuko on ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'' always has a big angry look on his face and has a strong tendency to stand around with his arms crossed. At the culmination of his character progression within the second season, he recovers from a spiritual illness and spends an entire episode at peace, smiling, and gaining a more optimistic look on life...Cue the [[Wham! Episode]]. He pretty much sums it up in one line:

I'm never happy. }}

* Raven in ''[[Teen Titans (animation)|Teen Titans]]''.

* Eva the "Female Bully" from ''[[Total Drama Island]]'' rarely smiles.

* The adorable but angsty Buttercup of ''[[The Powerpuff Girls]]''.

* Droopy and later on his son Dripple.

* Hank from ''[[King of the Hill]]'' was said by Peggy to sleep with a look of extreme disgruntlement. And his father, Cotton, is always frowning.

* Tim Burton's ''[[Corpse Bride]]'' : Nearly all the living people.

* Huey Freeman from [[The Boondocks]]. An Adult Swim bump once featured a fan asking the question, "Does Huey ever smile?" The AS team, apparently stumped, claim to have called up Aaron McGruder to ask. The answer? Apparently, the animators are contractually obligated never to depict Huey smiling or laughing, ''ever''.

* Lemongrab of ''[[Adventure Time]]," (except for when he's confused or enjoying a good meal.)

* Agent Six from [[Generator Rex]] has never changed his perpetual frown. Even when knocked out in a nanite induced coma, he has the exact same expression on his face.

* Vice Coach Horace Ferret from [[My Gym Partner's a Monkey]].

* Bleak from ''[[Lite Sprites]]''

 

 

* As an [[Actors|actor]], Ice Cube utilizes the angry scowl so often that when he ''does'' smile; it looks downright freaky.

* Many politicians!

*** Or just ran over ''your'' pet dog and is daring you to do something about it.

* Silent era comedian [[Buster Keaton]], also known as [[Frozen Face|The Great Stone Face]]. In his entire film career he has only smiled once...[[The Un-Smile|and he had to push up the corners of his mouth with his fingers to do it.]]

* Queen Elizabeth was once famous for this one, almost never smiling in public if she could help it. Nowadays she’s rarely seen without a big smile on her face however. This role has since been taken by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, whose memorable attempts to smile for cameras resembled Wednesday Addams (and provoked [[Cosmic Horror|similar reactions]]).

* Ned Sparks ("I never go anywhere, I never do anything and I never have any fun!).

* Despite his rather jokey nature, Eminem rarely smiles in covers, interviews or anywhere else really.

** It's rumored that he made a vow to not smile in front of a camera after Proof died.

* Till Lindemann of [[Rammstein]].

** Which makes the video for "Mein Teil" creepier than it would be otherwise, as he as a rather impressive rictus throughout.

* [[wikipedia:Gil Dobie|Gilmour Dobie]] (Gloomy Gil), was inducted into the College Football Hall Of Fame with an amazing coaching record of 182-45-15. Somehow, he never let his success affect his negative demeaner. One of his famous quotes is, "There are only two ways you can finish in life. Dead or a loser".

* Charlie Sheen always looks as though he's scowling, even if he's smiling or telling a joke. His eyebrows seem to be the main factor.

* Trent Reznor.

** Also with snakes, especially [http://www.desertusa.com/may96/du_rattle.html rattlesnakes], who might as well be considered the most angriest looking animal in the entire animal kingdom, looking like they're constantly pissed off at everyone's shit.

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Characters As Device]]

[[Category:Smile Tropes]]