Snarky Non-Human Sidekick: Difference between revisions

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{{trope}}
Every second webcomicweb comic has one, because nothing screams nerd-humor quite like having a token little mascot that swears like a sailor and brings hookers to your place when you're absent for the night.
 
He is a [[Comedic Sociopathy|sociopath]] who mocks the idealistic rest of the cast and the villains alike and always has the last word. His popularity ranges from [[The Scrappy]] to fan favourite in the same fandom.
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See also [[The Imp]], [[Weasel Mascot]], [[Non-Human Sidekick]] and [[Small Annoying Creature]]. Contrast with [[The Snark Knight]], the close human equivalent.
 
{{examples}}
== [[Anime]] &and [[Manga]] ==
 
== Anime & Manga ==
* Amanojaku of ''[[Ghost Stories]]'' is a definite example.
* Nyanko Sensei/Madara from ''[[Natsume Yuujinchou]]''. His most frequent form is of a clay fortune cat figurine, but he transforms into something considerably more Falkor-esque.
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* Mao from ''[[Darker than Black]]'' seems to fit. He's a human trapped in a cat's body and is snarky toward both Hei and Huang. He's also at least technically a sociopath (since Contractors are all supposed to suffer from [[Lack of Empathy]]). He becomes an even better example later on {{spoiler|when he ends up in the body of a [[Ridiculously Cute Critter]] in the second season, which increases the contrast between his body and his personality}}].
 
== [[Comic Books]] ==
 
== Comics ==
* The Caged Demonwolf of ''[[Empowered]]''. Of the [[Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness]], [[Eldritch Abomination]], [[Sealed Evil in a Can]] variety.
* Dogbert from ''[[Dilbert]]'', except for the "sidekick" part. He still lives with Dilbert, but he hasn't really been a pet in any sense since the earliest days of the strip.
* The Darklings in ''[[The Darkness (comics)|The Darkness]]''.
* The title character himself from ''[[Garfield]]'', while not a sidekick (but rather the main star of the comic strip), otherwise certainly fits the description. Probably one of the oldest examples of this trope.
* The Darklings in ''[[The Darkness]]''.
* Hobbes from ''[[Calvin and Hobbes]]''.
 
== [[Film]] ==
 
== Films -- Animation ==
* Jiji the cat in ''[[Kiki's Delivery Service]]''.
* Possibly Zazu from ''[[The Lion King]]'', who is definitely snarky to Simba although respectful to Mufasa.
* Diego in ''[[Ice Age]]'', although it's more "snarky predator sidekick", and Manfred himself is rather snarky.
 
 
== Films -- Live-Action ==
* Even though we can't directly understand anything they say, R2-D2 and Chewbacca both fill this role in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' universe.
** Statement: In the same universe, [[Knights of the Old Republic|HK-47]] can be understood and fulfills this role far superiorly to any meatbag.
* If you thought ''[[Superman Returns]] Returns'' was bad -- andbad—and really, it wasn't, it just wasn't very ''good'' -- you—you obviously have not heard Kevin Smith's story about the proposed ''Superman Reborn/Superman Lives'' film that was in development[[Development hellHell]] for decades and eventually became ''Superman Returns''. Quite aside from ideas like Sean Penn as Clark, Superman fighting a giant spider, and Superman not flying and not wearing the suit, producer Jon Peters wanted to give Brainiac, the coldhearted AI, a snarky robotic sidekick -- asidekick—a "little gay R2-D2".
** Said robot was actually the [[Snarky Non-Human Sidekick]] of Lord Manga Khan in ''[[Justice League of America|Justice League International]]'', who went on to have a [[Heel Face Turn]] and become a member of the League. At least it wasn't [http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Koko_(Earth-One) Koko the Space Monkey].
 
 
== [[Literature]] ==
* While droids in [[Iain M Banks|Iain M. Banks']]' [[The Culture]] aren't at a HK-47 level of sociopathy, they are all [[Deadpan Snarker]] types who can be quite casual about using sentient knife-missiles against their enemies.
** [[The Culture/Use of Weapons|And at least one of them]] seems to get [[Ax Crazy|waaaaay too much satisfaction]] when he gets an excuse to chop up some bandits into [[Ludicrous Gibs]].
*** ''[[The Culture/Surface Detail|Surface Detail]]'' has a particularly snarky and sociopathic ship's Avatar- it says something that, given the propensity of Minds to fit this trope, that even his fellows consider him nuts.
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* Mogget from [[Garth Nix]]'s ''[[Abhorsen]]'' Trilogy is a little white fluffy cat who spends most of his time sleeping and [[Deadpan Snarker|making unkind remarks]]. Except [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge|when]] his [[Super-Powered Evil Side]] kicks in, that is.
* The ''[[Polity Series]]'' has a definite debt to the [[The Culture]], as is seen in its own snarky artificial intelligences. ''The Skinner'' also has a snarky [[Hive Mind]] of sapient wasps.
* Bob the Skull from ''[[The Dresden Files]]''. He's not really a skull, he's just anchored to it. He's actually a [[Magical Computer|supernatural library of the laws of magic]] that constantly evolves as the laws of reality do. He's also a [[Dirty Old Man|complete lech]], a [[Deadpan Snarker]] to rival Harry, and something of a [[Lovable Coward]]. He also has a [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold|conscience]] under there, [[True Neutral|on occasion.]] Of course, at [[Super-Powered Evil Side|other]] [[A God Am I|times]], he's [[Nightmare Fuel|less]] [[Complete Monster|so]].
** As of [[The Dresden Files|''Changes]]'', it seems [[Big Friendly Dog|Mouse]] is as well -- andwell—and though [[Cats Are Snarkers|Mister]] can't (or at least has yet to be able to) talk, he managed to snark pretty well himself, too. He must have taught Mouse about the virtues of threatening to 'literally tear (character's) ass off'.
* Bartimaeus from The Bartimaeus Trilogy ''[[The Bartimaeus Trilogy]]'' could be called this. He does take over from the main character a lot of the time (Nathaniel would've died in the first book without him) but he is, technically, the sidekick and he has the snarky part down pat.
 
== Films -- [[Live-Action TV]] ==
 
== Live-Action TV ==
* ''[[Special Unit 2]]'' has Carl the gnome who is a kleptomaniac pervert.
* ''[[Sabrina the Teenage Witch]]'' has Salem, a powerful warlock who was turned into a cat as punishment and by far the funniest character on the show.
* Despite being a normal non-speaking animal, due to clever scripts, good comic-acting, and cinematography tricks, Fraser's pet wolf in ''[[Due South]]'' manages to be one of these. That sarcasm comes across so naturally from a silent animal is indeed a triumph.
 
== Web[[Newspaper Comics]] ==
* The title character himself from ''[[Garfield]]'', while not a sidekick (but rather the main star of the comic strip), otherwise certainly fits the description. Probably one of the oldest examples of this trope.
* Hobbes from ''[[Calvin and Hobbes]]''.
 
== [[Video Games]] ==
* Daxter from ''[[Jak and Daxter]]'', an "Ottsel" who is ridiculously snarky, as well as a very, very [[Large Ham]]... in a good way.
** Specifically, history's smallest, fuzziest [[Large Ham]].
* In a similar vein, [[Robot Buddy]] Clank of ''[[Ratchet and Clank]]'', though Clank is the thoughtful member of the duo rather than a [[Large Ham]].
** "Mr. Zurkon is not here to satisfy your pathetic need for comic relief. Mr. Zurkon is only here to kill you."
* Sulpher, a cat, from ''[[Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al -Revis]]'', as opposed to his owner, an [[Extreme Doormat]].
* Gouto-douji from ''[[Shin Megami Tensei]] : [[Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army|Devil]] [[Raidou Kuzunoha VS King Abaddon|Summoner]].''
* Grimoire Weiss, a magical talking book from ''[[Nie RNieR]]'' always has something to snark about during battle. It doesn't help that it's never really clear just whose side he's on.
** In the English Dub, this is compounded as he is played by [[Liam O'Brien]] in full [[Valkyrie Profile|Lezard Valeth]] mode. If you didn't expect to have to fight Weiss at some point, you weren't paying attention. {{spoiler|However, this never happens, and Nier and Weiss become something more like [[Vitriolic Best Buds]].}}
* ''[[Banjo-Kazooie]]'': Banjo might be a bear, but he's much more anthropomorphic than his snarky bird companion, Kazooie.
* Captain Smiley from ''[[Comic Jumper]]'' has a talking star on his costume named, well...Star, who spends most of his time making cracks about just about anything...Smiley, Gerda, Smiley's enemies, himself, Smiley again. The only character safe from Star's sharp tongue is Smiley's muscle-headed nemesis Brad.
* Centurion <s>Tenebie</s> Tenebrae from ''[[Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World]]'', an ancient guardian spirit of darkness that...kind of looks like a doggie, at least according to [[The Ditz|Colette]].
* In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]'' we have Midna, also qualifying as [[The Imp]] and [[Exposition Fairy]] as well.
 
== Films --[[Web Animation]] ==
 
== Web Animation ==
* The Cheat from ''[[Homestar Runner]]''. Also [[The Unintelligible]], so usually incapable of ''verbal'' snark.
** That's okay, Strong Bad has more than enough snark to go around. Somewhat ironic when you consider that physically Strong Bad is probably the most humanoid character in the cast.
 
== [[Web Comics]] ==
 
== Web Comics ==
* Burble from ''[http://brokenspacecomic.com Broken Space]'' is a short, surly alien with a needlessly large rifle.
* Brilight from ''[http://thebeastlegion.com The Beast Legion]''
* Myhrad the drageling (young dragon) from ''[http://www.fantasycomic.com/ Chasing The Sunset]'' is such an articulate pessimist he could give Marvin a run for his money. And he's absolute adorable to boot.
* Ezekiel (Zeke), the X-box robot of ''[[Ctrl+Alt+Del]]''.
* Mildly Subverted in ''[[Cwen's Quest]]'', where the Snarky Non-Human Sidekick is female, well behaved and generally well-adjusted. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100916091421/http://www.drunkduck.com/Cwens_Quest/index.php?p=395293 Of course this doesn't stop her from snarking].
* Spark, a cat, from ''[[Dominic Deegan]]''. One of the least snarky examples on this page. Mostly he's here [[Hurricane of Puns|for the puns]].
* [[Cats Are Mean|Ellis]] from ''[[Errant Story]]''. He's not the only one, though. He fits in with the other characters who all are snarky and bordering on sociopathic.
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{{quote|'''Krosp:''' Is this one of those situations that involves "ethics"? 'Cause I'm a ''cat'', you know. I've never been very ''good'' at those.}}
* ''[[Girls with Slingshots]]'' has McPedro the Talking Cactus.
* Reynardine from ''[[Gunnerkrigg Court]]'' is a dangerous demon, possessing a cuddle toy and [[The Kid Withwith the Leash|kept in check]] by Antimony.
** It is worth noting that Reynardine can shift into a large, dignified-looking white wolf form, and is not nearly as snarky or foul-mouthed. His snark is apparently dependent on his mascot status, and there is some serious confusion regarding what he actually thinks about others (at least, anyone he doesn't regard with snarky apathy).
* Although she fits the qualification of being the resident [[Non-Human Sidekick]]-in-a-Webcomic, Molly the Monster in ''[[The Inexplicable Adventures of Bob]]'' is innocent and naivenaïve rather than snarky -- butsnarky—but she is nonetheless a source of much comic relief. And she certainly takes the cuteness option.
* Artie from ''[[Narbonic]]'' (a superintelligentsuper-intelligent talking gerbil) was originally presented as this, but became more developed as the story went on.
{{quote|'''Artie:''' I'm I fuzzy little animal who talks too much! I'm ''comic relief!''
'''Zeta:''' Congrats. You got promoted. }}
** He's also the most idealistic, kind, and trusting member of the cast, [[Villain Protagonist|the rest of which is explicitly evil.]]
* ''[[The Order of the Stick|Order of the Stick]]''
** Belkar, being a halfling, is small and snarky. He's also [[Chaotic Evil]].
** The ever-present Demon-Roaches also do a pretty good job, on Xykon's side of things.
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* Nick Zerhakker from ''[[Skin Horse]]''. He does have a human brain, but two out of three ain't bad. As a military combat helicopter (albeit unarmed) he is also the biggest member of the cast until Gavotte starts swarming. His snark is somewhat hampered by the speech synth censoring his swearing.
* Bun-Bun from ''[[Sluggy Freelance]]'' might be the Ur-Example, at least in terms of webcomics.
* Choo-Choo Bear from ''[[Something *Positive]]''. To be fair, he is only snarky in the rare moments when he is given a voice, none of which definitively take place.
** Creator Randy Milholland's own comic ego has a mascot in [[Refuge in Audacity|Rippy the Razor]], who is himself occasionally shadowed by [[Grotesque Cute|Fluffmodeus]] and the Misery Monkey
* ''[[Walkyverse]]'': Shortpacked's Ultra-Car has moved in this direction since his origins. He's just not very good at snarking.
* Robot the robot from ''[[Zap]]''
* Mr. Stinky from ''[http://www.flyingmanandfriends.com Flying Man and Friends]'' is sort of an aversion: though he seems to be sociopathic and often serves as a punchline, you never actually hear what he "says". He did [http://www.flyingmanandfriends.com/?p=163 write a note] once, though.
* [[Overly Long Name|Sir Percival Throckmorton Scruffs Esq, Eigth Viscount of Lower Hemmingwedge-on-the-Fritz]], the rat sidekick from ''[[Guttersnipe]]'', is more pompous than snarky but still fits the trope.
* Fuzzy from ''[[Sam and Fuzzy]]''.
* Effex and Aihok, the [[Our Fairies Are Different|fairies]] in ''[[Arthur, King of Time and Space]]'', aren't exactly sociopathic, although they do work with a woman who wants to [[Take Over the World]]. They just don't have much idea of consequences. They're more snarky (and even less sociopathic) in the modern arc, where they're [[Show Within a Show|fictional]] aliens.
* Subverted and [[Lampshaded]] in ''[[Unintentionally Pretentious]]'' with [http://www.unintentionallypretentious.com/index.asp?c=67 Aibo], Mia's robotic guide dog.
 
== Web[[Western Animation]] ==
 
== Western Animation ==
* Iago in ''[[Aladdin (Disney film)|Aladdin]]'' definitely qualifies, especially after his [[Heel Face Turn]] in the sequels and television series.
* Bender from ''[[Futurama]]'' is a robotic sidekick who indulges in vices from gambling to strippers and often remarks upon "his" desire to kill his friends.
* Custard becomes one of these to ''[[Strawberry Shortcake]]'' in the 2003 series.
* Rubilax, a [[Talking Weapon]] from ''[[Wakfu]]''. Actually a [[Sealed Evil in a Can|sealed demon]], and definitely a sociopath -- ifsociopath—if freed, his main occupation is ''senseless carnage''. He compensates for his imprisonementimprisonment by ruthlessly snarking at his idealistic guardian.
** Season 2 features loads of such sealed demons, all of them just as snarky as the other.
* Roger the alien on ''[[American Dad]]''.
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{{reflist}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Webcomic Tropes]]
[[Category:The Turing Option]]
[[Category:Oh Great a Snark Index]]
[[Category:Sidekick]]
[[Category:Snarky Non-Human Sidekick]]