Slouch of Villainy: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

 

 

 

This is usually done to show how blasé and [[Badass]] a character is; they're so bored and nonchalant that they aren't even bothering with conventional posture and look insanely cool in the process. This has the down side of making them less able to react if someone attacks, but that's not a problem if they are [[Badass]] enough. Of course, this could very well be a calculated effort to look insanely cool in the first place, but are you going to say that to the [[Magnificent Bastard]]'s face?

Villains are inordinately fond of doing this in chairs that aren't theirs as well. Villains will surprise you by draping themselves on [[The Hero]]'s chair, with an ambush, an [[Enemy Mine]] offer or [[An Offer You Can't Refuse]], or to prove how badass they are prior to joining up more permanently. Bonus points if they're drinking [[A Glass of Chianti]].

 

{{examples}}

== Anime and Manga ==

* In the second opening of ''[[Mai-Otome]]'' Nagi is shown reclining in his throne, demonstrating his newfound [[Big Bad]] status.

** It's also in the first opening, but in a blink and you'll miss it split second frame. That makes it a [[Spoiler Opening]].

** Plus, Light, early on, has a weird habit of sitting backwards on his office chair, staring over the back of it. He grows out of it.

** [[Hero Antagonist]] L has what could be called a Crouch of Heroism. He never sits normally in a chair.

** The #2 Espada, Baraggan Luisenbarn, also sits like this to fit his "king" motif.

** The rare occasions we see him sitting down, Grimmjow is usually slouching or otherwise very casual.

* {{spoiler|Decil}} in episode 9 of ''[[Gundam AGE]].'' [http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hTpuQKq1Rg0/Ttt1iiNWHuI/AAAAAAAAATQ/gDBXHHA5aBA/s1600/9fdb8ed3.jpg As you can see here,] he does this out of boredom from seeing Flit struggle against one of his Zedas.

* Precia of ''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]'' does this on her throne when the [[Redshirt Army]] arrives to capture her, shortly before she wipes them out.

* Gendo Ikari's slouch of villainy in his [[What Do You Mean Its Not Symbolic|symbolic]] office in [[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]. It's noted that the office is set up specifically to intimidate visitors.

* Proxy One, from ''[[Ergo Proxy]]'', is first seen by the protagonist sitting nonchalantly slouched in his insanely large chair.

* Lordgenome in ''[[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]]'' makes it a point to state that he was, in fact, very bored while alive. Until he actually starts fighting, he looks like he's about to fall asleep in his throne, not even paying attention to the harem he has around it.

* Father, from the ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist]]'' manga.

* Xanxus from ''[[Katekyo Hitman Reborn]]'' is always slouching on his throne. In fact, when he's feeling [[Badass]] enough, he doesn't even bother to ''get up'' in order to kick ass.

* Fei Wang Reed tends to do this a lot while watching his [[Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle|Magic Mirror TV.]]

* Ciel from ''[[Black Butler]]'' does this often, invoking an appearance of both lazy noble privilege and confident evil.

 

* Black Adam from [[DC Comics]] does it in [http://tinyurl.com/3xr93d this picture], after he had killed the entire population of a country. And the [[Anthropomorphic Personification]] of Death. When Black Adam goes bad, he does not fuck about.

* [[Thanos]] is prone to this, often using a space-going throne to sit upon, musing. Also during the [[Infinity Gauntlet]] saga, Thanos set up a big shrine to Death in space, one that came equipped with thrones to sit on while he contemplated how to win Death's affection.

* At the end of ''[[Identity Crisis]]'', Dr. Light performs one of these after gaining back his impressive criminal mind.

* At the end of ''[[Preacher (Comic Book)]]'', the Saint of Killers settles down on his most recent victim's throne and goes back to sleep.

** For those of you who haven't read the series (why?), his latest victim happens to be {{spoiler|God}}.

* After being captured by [[X Wing Series|Rogue Squadron]] the best Imperial pilot since Vader's death, [http://asylums.insanejournal.com/scans_daily/367889.html Baron Soontir Fel], was somehow able to combine sitting relatively straight - not lounging, anyway - on an interrogation chair with an awesomely villainous posture. He ends up [[Defector From Decadence|joining the Rebellion]].

** In ''Dark Empire'', Luke [http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/277/de15s.jpg does this pretty well].

* One panel of ''[[The Killing Joke]]'' shows the Clown Prince of crime lounging in his chair made of a [[Circus of Fear|Tilt-A-Whirl cart and]] [[Nightmare Fuel|naked baby dolls.]] Well, [[Atop A Mountain Of Skulls|probably dolls]]; you can see a few of them with their doll heads torn off in that panel.

* In yet another [[Marvel Comics]] example of this trope, we have [[The Mighty Thor|Loki]] who enjoys a good slouch almost every time he sits down.

 

== Film - Live Action ==

* Dr. Frank-N-Furter from ''[[The Rocky Horror Picture Show]],'' as shown on the movie's poster and during his opening number.

* The lawyer for the prosecution in the movie of ''[[To Kill a Mockingbird]]'' slouches with one leg over the arm of his chair.

* Genesis in ''[[Suicide Club]]'' uses this posture to introduce himself. [[Rule of Funny|Complete with over-the-top leg-crossing, first on one side, then deciding on the other. In an unsturdy wooden chair that he needs to fix first.]] That can't be comfortable.

** Nero does it before he finds out what year he's in and promptly goes berserk.

* In the 1997 [[Ivanhoe]] adaptation, Prince John during Rebecca's trial, as he is both abjectly bored and very aware he's the only sane man in the room.

* Emperor Palpatine in ''[[Return of the Jedi]]''. Most noticeable when he sits down while telling Luke that he knows all about the Rebel's plans.

 

== Film - Animated ==

 

== Literature ==

* Chris Hart talks about the distinction between Hero posture and Villain posture in one of his "how to draw super heroes and villains" books (that might be the exact title, I forget). He points out that Heroes have confidence and have nothing to hide; they stand upright and secure, well balanced. While Villains are beset with inner turmoil and constantly trying to protect themselves, mistrusting the world. This even applies when they turn to react to some surprise or threat - the Hero turns with a straightening-up motion, ready to face whatever it is, whereas the Villain turns in a bowed-over fashion, already protecting his middle. Oh, and he even goes on to show the change from a [[Granola Girl]] Heroine to a super-villainess.

** [[The Fair Folk|Elves]] do it automatically, too, as part of their "[[You Suck|far too cool to be human]]" glamour.

** Guild of Assassins prohibits their students from assuming upright posture.

*** Apparently, [http://priscellie.deviantart.com/art/Young-Vetinari-4910967 Vetinari was quite good at this].

* [[Shadows of the Empire|Prince Xizor]], the head of the criminal syndicate Black Sun, spends a lot of time lounging in a chair that strengthens his muscles for him, in stark contrast to his rival for the Emperor's time, Darth Vader, who spends accompanying scenes [[Kingpin in His Gym|training on custom lightsaber-wielding droids]].

* ''[[Wheel of Time]]'' often describes powerful characters slouching in their seats or thrones, with one leg slung over the armrest. Rand in particular does this. Though he's the hero, he's also got a lot of inner demons.

* Draco Malfoy does this in canon. This is exaggerated in fandom and taken to its logical extreme in [[A Very Potter Musical]].

* In ''[[Dragon Age]]: [[The Stolen Throne]]'', the Orlesian usurper sits on the throne of Ferelden in this manner when receiving gifts from Ferelden nobles. Subverted in that he's not even close to being a [[Magnificent Bastard]]. In fact, he's quite incompetent at running things. This post is an exile, which he hates.

 

== Live-Action TV ==

* Ares, the God of War from ''[[Xena: Warrior Princess]]'' and ''[[Hercules: The Legendary Journeys]]'' would often sit on his throne in this manner.

* In an early ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episode, "Emancipation", Turghan does this when {{spoiler|Abu comes to sell Carter}}

** And again in the Season 3 episode, "Need," Daniel sits draped over a throne when Jack comes to speak to him. Given that {{spoiler|Jack is being worked literally to death in naquadah mines and Daniel is so hopped up on evil sarcophagus energy that he's oblivious to it,}} it's an effectively villainous slouch.

* From ''[[The Wire]]'', Marlo likes to lean back on an armchair when he holds court outdoors.

* The first shot of [[Horny Vikings|Erik Northman]] in ''[[True Blood]]'' depicts him slouching villainously on a dais overlooking [[Vampires Own Nightclubs|his nightclub]]. Throughout the series, he [[Evil Is Cool|manages to make every other chair he sits in look like a throne]] by invoking this trope.

 

 

== Professional Wrestling ==

* HHH's [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnZoQ5OgRr0 epic entrance] at Wrestlemania 22 started by him on a throne being raised through the floor in full [[Conan the Barbarian]] attire with titular slouch

 

 

* Copy X does this in ''[[Mega Man Zero]] 3'', propping his head up with his hand and leaning on the arm of his throne.

** Belial Sigma in ''[[Mega Man X]] 8'' as well, and he spends his entire [[Hannibal Lecture]] scene with head propped on hand and leaning over.

** [[In the Blood|It's genetic]] as well. Alucard, [[Half-Human Hybrid|son of Dracula]], can be ordered to sit down at several places in Symphony of the Night... whereupon he takes the same position as his father.

*** The former underling-turned-hero Hector performs this in ''Curse of Darkness,'' lounging pensively in any chair you choose to seat him in. Evidently Dracula trains his underlings to do this.

** No hover, but Yggdrasil certainly slouches all over his throne during his brief appearance in the OVA.

* Robo-Ky from ''[[Guilty Gear]]'' really enjoys lounging in his metal throne (in the game, official art, and [[Fan Art]] alike). Since he's a [[Do-Anything Robot]], the throne is actually part of Robo-Ky and folds into his back when he stands up.

* The player comes across a throne in ''[[Resident Evil]] 4'', and can (for no readily appreciable reason) slump down in it with the classic pose. The room was used as a set in a cut-scene, so they probably just decided to [[Throw It In]].

** Doing so points the camera to the entrance of the room, drawing the player's attention to the treasure hidden above the door.

* Player characters in ''[[City of Heroes]]'' can adopt a sitting pose with options tailored for different furniture such as armchairs, sofas, ledges, and barstools. For some reason only male characters can do the slouch.

** It's because female characters can wear skirts.

** Because of the way that poses work, heroes and villains can do the slouch on literally anything. Including thin air.

* ''[[Final Fantasy]]'':

*** {{spoiler|Archduke Kam'lanaut}} is introduced this way.

*** The Shadowlord was seen slouching on his throne looking bored in one of the trailers for the ''Wings of the Goddess'' expansion. Apparently he knew that it would take over three years to complete the expansion and that he would have a minimal role in it.

* Rugal Bernstein, archetypical [[SNK Boss]], is shown doing this during the end credits of the ''[[King of Fighters]] 2002''.

** Loken is also doing this when you encounter him in the Halls of Lightning instance.

* Jin Kazama does this in ''[[Tekken]] 5'' in his ending, {{spoiler|in the Mishima Zaibatsu's throne, being its new owner}}. Of course, he isn't a villain...{{spoiler|[[With Great Power Comes Great Insanity|until the next game]].}}

** {{spoiler|And true to form, this is how you find Jin waiting for you at the top of the elevator of the Mishima Zaibatsu tower before your fight with him in ''Tekken 6''.}}

* In ''[[Overlord]] 2,'' the Overlord actually gets to sit in his throne. He slouches magnificently, and gains bonus points for being able to do it [[Tin Tyrant|in full armor]].

** In the ending, he does so with his Mistresses, who're fawning over him.

** ''[[Kingdom Hearts]] 358/2 Days'': Everyone you see sitting in [[Hub Level|the Grey Room]] does this. Of course, they're all morally ambiguous.

** In [[Updated Release|Ultimate]], [[Daredevil]] does this in the Shadowland stage. Since he was evil and the leader of The Hand at the time.

* Subverted in ''[[Epic Mickey]]'', where {{spoiler|Oswald}} did this trope, but he's not really evil.

* The Big Bad of Ace Attorney Investigations 2 does this. {{spoiler|With a [[Right-Hand-Cat|CAT]] no less.}}

* Algol does this in [[Soul Calibur|Soul Calibur 4]]. Not only does he rise from his throne in the cutscene that precedes his battles, but he also uses it in battle - he teleports in it, kicks enemies from it in a certain combo, and, amusingly, occasionally puts his opponent in it.

 

* While ambiguously villainous, [[Girl Genius|Agatha]] gets her slouch on after [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20090112 conquering the kingdom] in a Cindarella parody.

 

== Web Original ==

* Subverted in ''[[Broken Saints]]'', wherein [[Big Bad]] {{spoiler|Lear Dunham maintains a stiff and upright position whilst sitting on his mighty throne of righteousness.}}

* Possibly what Draco is trying to pull off in ''[[A Very Potter Musical]]'', but really, who knows?

 

== Western Animation ==

* In ''[[Samurai Jack]]'', [[Eldritch Abomination|Aku]] is sometimes seen lounging around on his throne - especially when bored.

* Dr. Claw in ''[[Inspector Gadget]]'' is always watching the events from his lair or car.

* In the Season 3 finale of ''[[Metalocalypse]]'', [[Liz Lemon Job|band CFO/lawyer/manager]] Offdensen slouches rather magnificently in his command chair several times. It's unknown at this point if he is a force for good or evil, or even what those terms ''mean'' in relation to Dethklok's well-being, but the man is at least personally responsible for hundreds of deaths and instances of torture thus far.

 

* In the [[Rob Zombie]] CD "Hellbilly Deluxe", the back of the little pamphlet that comes with the CD had picture-art of Zombie slouching on a stone throne.

 

== Real Life ==

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Evil Tropes]]

[[Category:Characterization Tropes]]

[[Category:Stock Poses]]