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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
[[File:Descendants_of_Darkness-Seiichiro_Tatsumi.jpg|link=Descendants of Darkness|right]]
[[File:Descendants of Darkness-Seiichiro Tatsumi.jpg|link=Descendants of Darkness|frame]]


Behind every powerful man (or woman, occasionally), there is a secretary, assistant, or aide to keep his schedule and organize the paperwork. This character is usually calm and meticulous, is likely to wear a [[Sharp Dressed Man|crisply pressed suit]], and may have [[Stoic Spectacles|hot little glasses]]. In other words, they're a ''perfect'' excuse to throw in a little [[Fan Service]]. Because [[Most Writers Are Male]], this tends to take the form of the [[Sexy Secretary]], but sometimes (especially in works that lean towards a female audience), it'll be [[Mr. Fanservice|an attractive guy]]: the [[Right Hand Hottie]].
Behind every powerful man (or woman, occasionally), there is a secretary, assistant, or aide to keep his schedule and organize the paperwork. This character is usually calm and meticulous, is likely to wear a [[Sharp-Dressed Man|crisply pressed suit]], and may have [[Stoic Spectacles|hot little glasses]]. In other words, they're a ''perfect'' excuse to throw in a little [[Fan Service]]. Because [[Most Writers Are Male]], this tends to take the form of the [[Sexy Secretary]], but sometimes (especially in works that lean towards a female audience), it'll be [[Mr. Fanservice|an attractive guy]]: the '''Right-Hand Hottie'''.


If the boss is also a hot guy, there's opportunity for [[Ho Yay]] via [[Subordinate Excuse]], for additional [[Mr. Fanservice]] value.
If the boss is also a hot guy, there's opportunity for [[Ho Yay]] via [[Subordinate Excuse]], for additional [[Mr. Fanservice]] value.


[[Spear Counterpart]] to the [[Sexy Secretary]]. If they are more than fanservice they function as [[The Face]].
[[Spear Counterpart]] to the [[Sexy Secretary]]. If they are more than fanservice they function as [[The Face]].
{{examples|Examples:}}

== Anime and Manga ==


{{examples}}
== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==
* ''[[Descendants of Darkness]]'': Grouchy old man Chief Konoe has hot secretary Seiichiro Tatsumi (seen above).
* ''[[Descendants of Darkness]]'': Grouchy old man Chief Konoe has hot secretary Seiichiro Tatsumi (seen above).
* ''100% Perfect Girl'': [[Love Interest|Prince Jarte]] (himself no slouch in the looks department) has two: His secretary and head of intelligence Benjamin, who is very pretty, has [[Stoic Spectacles|little glasses]] and [[Long Haired Pretty Boy|butt-length hair]], and Kairen, the head of the secret service, who is pretty and pouts a lot.
* ''100% Perfect Girl'': [[Love Interest|Prince Jarte]] (himself no slouch in the looks department) has two: His secretary and head of intelligence Benjamin, who is very pretty, has [[Stoic Spectacles|little glasses]] and [[Long-Haired Pretty Boy|butt-length hair]], and Kairen, the head of the secret service, who is pretty and pouts a lot.
* Sai, secretary to the Millenium Prime Minister, complete with long pretty hair and a massive case of unrequited love.
* Sai, secretary to the Millenium Prime Minister, complete with long pretty hair and a massive case of unrequited love.{{context}}<!-- Inverted: the context is here, but the *work* isn't. What is this from? -->
* More yaoi than you can shake a large, suggestively-shaped stick at, as it's a standard plot.
* More yaoi than you can shake a large, suggestively-shaped stick at, as it's a standard plot.
** ''Specially'' in [[Boku No Sexual Harassment]], where the [[Uke]] Mochizuki is told by the [[Seme]] Honma to sex-up his way through the company he works.
** ''Specially'' in [[Boku no Sexual Harassment]], where the [[Uke]] Mochizuki is told by the [[Seme]] Honma to sex-up his way through the company he works.
* Kyoya from ''[[Ouran High School Host Club]]'', who practically runs the whole club behind Tamaki. And why yes [[Fan Yay|there are]] hints of [[Ho Yay|a homoerotic undercurrent]].
* Kyoya from ''[[Ouran High School Host Club]]'', who practically runs the whole club behind Tamaki. And why yes [[Fan Yay|there are]] hints of [[Ho Yay|a homoerotic undercurrent]].
* In ''[[Katekyo Hitman Reborn]]'', we have this in G, Giotto (Vongola Primo)'s glasses-wearing right hand man. In the anime, there is even a episode where G demonstrates this. Gokudera seems to have turned into this in the future.
* In ''[[Katekyo Hitman Reborn]]'', we have this in G, Giotto (Vongola Primo)'s glasses-wearing right hand man. In the anime, there is even a episode where G demonstrates this. Gokudera seems to have turned into this in the future.
* Rei Hino's father had one in the ''[[Sailor Moon]]'' manga, a [[Megane]] young man named Kaidou. He's a [[Big Brother Mentor]] to Rei, though she harbors a crush on him for a while.
* Rei Hino's father had one in the ''[[Sailor Moon]]'' manga, a [[Megane]] young man named Kaidou. He's a [[Big Brother Mentor]] to Rei, though she harbors a crush on him for a while.
* Freeza from [[Dragonball|DragonBall Z]] had his general/assistant Zarbon, a [[The Fighting Narcissist|fighting narcissist]] who's goods looks managed to make Bulma fall in love with him the second she laid eyes on him.
* Freeza from [[Dragon Ball|DragonBall Z]] had his general/assistant Zarbon, a [[The Fighting Narcissist|fighting narcissist]] who's goods looks managed to make Bulma fall in love with him the second she laid eyes on him.
* In ''[[Axis Powers Hetalia]]'', [[Hikikomori|Isolationist!Japan]] has the [[Moe Anthropomorphism]] of the Osaka Prefecture handling his meetings with the only mantion he meets up with, Netherlands.
* In ''[[Axis Powers Hetalia]]'', [[Hikikomori|Isolationist!Japan]] has the [[Moe Anthropomorphism]] of the Osaka Prefecture handling his meetings with the only mantion he meets up with, Netherlands.
** In the ''[[Hetalia Blood Bath 2010]]'' England has a [[Tall Dark and Handsome]] secretary, [[Fan Nickname|dubbed Workbitch Bartholomew by fans]]. He quickly gained status as an [[Ensemble Darkhorse]] because of his [[Mr. Fanservice|good looks]].
** In the ''[[Hetalia Bloodbath 2010]]'' England has a [[Tall, Dark and Handsome]] secretary, [[Fan Nickname|dubbed Workbitch Bartholomew by fans]]. He quickly gained status as an [[Ensemble Darkhorse]] because of his [[Mr. Fanservice|good looks]].
*** And in the "Can't Escape from Italy" strips/episodes, England had another [[Tall Dark and Handsome]] aidé, a spy named Howard. Fans speculate that, since "Mr. Workbitch" looks like him, he may be Howard's relative (possibly his grandson)
*** And in the "Can't Escape from Italy" strips/episodes, England had another [[Tall, Dark and Handsome]] aidé, a spy named Howard. Fans speculate that, since "Mr. Workbitch" looks like him, he may be Howard's relative (possibly his grandson)
* {{media|kanon_maldini_8350.jpg| Kanon}} from ''[[Code Geass]]'', with emphasis on the [[Ho Yay]]. He claims to aid his boss Schneizel "in both public and private," and {{media|lolkanon_4239.jpg| this official artwork}} (possibly NSFW) suggests that the creators were quite aware of the innuendo. He's not particularly [[Hypercompetent Sidekick]], though--[[The Chessmaster|Schniezel]] can manage well enough on his own.
* [[media:kanon maldini 8350.jpg|Kanon]] from ''[[Code Geass]]'', with emphasis on the [[Ho Yay]]. He claims to aid his boss Schneizel "in both public and private," and [[media:lolkanon 4239.jpg|this official artwork]] (possibly NSFW) suggests that the creators were quite aware of the innuendo. He's not particularly [[Hypercompetent Sidekick]], though--[[The Chessmaster|Schniezel]] can manage well enough on his own.


== Film ==
== [[Film]] ==
* [[Ryan Reynolds]] to [[Sandra Bullock]] in ''[[The Proposal]]''.
* [[Ryan Reynolds]] to [[Sandra Bullock]] in ''[[The Proposal]]''.


== Live Action TV ==
== [[Live-Action TV]] ==

* ''[[Mad Men]]'': Lane Pryce's <s>secretary</s> ''[[Insistent Terminology|right hand]]'', John Hooker, is one of these even within the universe: as office manager at Sterling Cooper upon its takeover by Putnam, Powell, and Lowe, he replaces Joan...and is thus in charge of the secretarial pool. The secretaries (besides Joan, who hates him for personal reasons and disdains him for professional ones) all swoon over his good looks and sexy British accent.
* ''[[Mad Men]]'': Lane Pryce's <s>secretary</s> ''[[Insistent Terminology|right hand]]'', John Hooker, is one of these even within the universe: as office manager at Sterling Cooper upon its takeover by Putnam, Powell, and Lowe, he replaces Joan...and is thus in charge of the secretarial pool. The secretaries (besides Joan, who hates him for personal reasons and disdains him for professional ones) all swoon over his good looks and sexy British accent.
* In ''[[Friends]]'', Rachel hires a totally unqualified guy for her assistant solely on the basis that he was cute.
* In ''[[Friends]]'', Rachel hires a totally unqualified guy for her assistant solely on the basis that he was cute.
* On ''[[Heroes (TV)|Heroes]]'', the Haitian was right-hand hottie to Noah Bennet. Played by former Hugo Boss model Jimmy Jean-Louis, no less.
* On ''[[Heroes (TV series)|Heroes]]'', the Haitian was right-hand hottie to Noah Bennet. Played by former Hugo Boss model Jimmy Jean-Louis, no less.
* ''[[Torchwood (TV)|Torchwood]]'''s Ianto Jones. Although his boss/boyfriend is a greater source of [[Fan Service]] than he is, recurring character Captain John Hart refers to Ianto as "Eye Candy", apparently in the belief that that's why he's kept around.
* ''[[Torchwood]]'''s Ianto Jones. Although his boss/boyfriend is a greater source of [[Fan Service]] than he is, recurring character Captain John Hart refers to Ianto as "Eye Candy", apparently in the belief that that's why he's kept around.
** In the first episode, Jack introduces him as the guy a) who handles clean-up, b) gets the team from place to place, and c) "looks good in a suit." So yeah, John wasn't too far off.
** In the first episode, Jack introduces him as the guy a) who handles clean-up, b) gets the team from place to place, and c) "looks good in a suit." So yeah, John wasn't too far off.
* On ''[[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Who]]'', Harriet Jones (Prime Minister) and Torchwood One leader Yvonne Hartman both had attractive right-hand men.
* On ''[[Doctor Who]]'', Harriet Jones (Prime Minister) and Torchwood One leader Yvonne Hartman both had attractive right-hand men.
* Billy Keikeya, Gaius Baltar and (to an extant in Seasons 1-3 and fully in Season 4) Lee "Apollo" Adama fill this role for Education Secretary/President Laura Roslin on the re-imagined ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]''.
* Billy Keikeya, Gaius Baltar and (to an extant in Seasons 1-3 and fully in Season 4) Lee "Apollo" Adama fill this role for Education Secretary/President Laura Roslin on the re-imagined ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]''.
* Maya on ''[[Just Shoot Me]]'' did this as an experiment for an article, pitting a handsome doof against someone who was qualified but plain-looking. Guess who won.
* Maya on ''[[Just Shoot Me]]'' did this as an experiment for an article, pitting a handsome doof against someone who was qualified but plain-looking. Guess who won.
* ''[[Merlin (TV)|Merlin]]'''s [[Ensemble Darkhorse]] Sir Leon is Arthur's second-in-command. Having appeared throughout season 2 simply as a random knight, he was upgraded in season 3 to this trope.
* ''[[Merlin (TV series)|Merlin]]'''s [[Ensemble Darkhorse]] Sir Leon is Arthur's second-in-command. Having appeared throughout season 2 simply as a random knight, he was upgraded in season 3 to this trope.


== [[Video Games]] ==
== [[Video Games]] ==
* Valvatorez from ''[[Disgaea 4 a Promise Unforgotten (Video Game)|Disgaea 4 a Promise Unforgotten]]'' has Fenrich, his [[Walking Shirtless Scene|perpetually shirtless]] [[White Haired Pretty Boy]] werewolf manservant.
* Valvatorez from ''[[Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten]]'' has Fenrich, his [[Walking Shirtless Scene|perpetually shirtless]] [[White-Haired Pretty Boy]] werewolf manservant.


== [[Western Animation]] ==

* ''[[The Simpsons (animation)|The Simpsons]]'': in one episode, Homer gets an attractive male [[Hypercompetent Sidekick|Hypercompetent Assistant]] with [[Ho Yay]] overtones.
== Western Animation ==

* ''[[The Simpsons (Animation)|The Simpsons]]'': in one episode, Homer gets an attractive male [[Hypercompetent Sidekick|Hypercompetent Assistant]] with [[Ho Yay]] overtones.
** Also Mr Smithers, assistant to Mr Burns, as far as some of the viewers are concerned.
** Also Mr Smithers, assistant to Mr Burns, as far as some of the viewers are concerned.
* Kronk to Yzma in ''[[The Emperors New Groove (Disney)|The Emperors New Groove]].''
* Kronk to Yzma in ''[[The Emperor's New Groove|The Emperors New Groove]].''
* ''[[Metalocalypse]]'''s Charles Foster Offdensen.
* ''[[Metalocalypse]]'''s Charles Foster Offdensen.
* [[Gargoyles|Owen Burnett]] is the right hand to David Xanatos (yes, [[Xanatos Planned This Index|that Xanatos]])
* [[Gargoyles|Owen Burnett]] is the right hand to David Xanatos (yes, [[Xanatos Planned This Index|that Xanatos]])


== Real Life ==
== [[Real Life]] ==

* [[Catherine the Great]] was fond of those. Platon Zubov was a particularly outstanding example of the trope.
* [[Catherine the Great]] was fond of those. Platon Zubov was a particularly outstanding example of the trope.


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Always Male]]
[[Category:Always Male]]
[[Category:I Need an Index By Monday]]
[[Category:White Collar Tropes]]
[[Category:Right Hand Hottie]]
[[Category:Trope]]

Latest revision as of 13:42, 21 March 2021

Behind every powerful man (or woman, occasionally), there is a secretary, assistant, or aide to keep his schedule and organize the paperwork. This character is usually calm and meticulous, is likely to wear a crisply pressed suit, and may have hot little glasses. In other words, they're a perfect excuse to throw in a little Fan Service. Because Most Writers Are Male, this tends to take the form of the Sexy Secretary, but sometimes (especially in works that lean towards a female audience), it'll be an attractive guy: the Right-Hand Hottie.

If the boss is also a hot guy, there's opportunity for Ho Yay via Subordinate Excuse, for additional Mr. Fanservice value.

Spear Counterpart to the Sexy Secretary. If they are more than fanservice they function as The Face.

Examples of Right-Hand Hottie include:

Anime and Manga

Film

Live-Action TV

  • Mad Men: Lane Pryce's secretary right hand, John Hooker, is one of these even within the universe: as office manager at Sterling Cooper upon its takeover by Putnam, Powell, and Lowe, he replaces Joan...and is thus in charge of the secretarial pool. The secretaries (besides Joan, who hates him for personal reasons and disdains him for professional ones) all swoon over his good looks and sexy British accent.
  • In Friends, Rachel hires a totally unqualified guy for her assistant solely on the basis that he was cute.
  • On Heroes, the Haitian was right-hand hottie to Noah Bennet. Played by former Hugo Boss model Jimmy Jean-Louis, no less.
  • Torchwood's Ianto Jones. Although his boss/boyfriend is a greater source of Fan Service than he is, recurring character Captain John Hart refers to Ianto as "Eye Candy", apparently in the belief that that's why he's kept around.
    • In the first episode, Jack introduces him as the guy a) who handles clean-up, b) gets the team from place to place, and c) "looks good in a suit." So yeah, John wasn't too far off.
  • On Doctor Who, Harriet Jones (Prime Minister) and Torchwood One leader Yvonne Hartman both had attractive right-hand men.
  • Billy Keikeya, Gaius Baltar and (to an extant in Seasons 1-3 and fully in Season 4) Lee "Apollo" Adama fill this role for Education Secretary/President Laura Roslin on the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica.
  • Maya on Just Shoot Me did this as an experiment for an article, pitting a handsome doof against someone who was qualified but plain-looking. Guess who won.
  • Merlin's Ensemble Darkhorse Sir Leon is Arthur's second-in-command. Having appeared throughout season 2 simply as a random knight, he was upgraded in season 3 to this trope.

Video Games

Western Animation

Real Life

  • Catherine the Great was fond of those. Platon Zubov was a particularly outstanding example of the trope.