History Characters / SwordArtOnlineNobuyukiSugou

* BreakTheHaughty: Due to his position as GameMaster of ALO, Sugou has ''quite'' the bloated ego, to the point of [[AGodAmI declaring himself a god]], and believes there's nothing Kirito can do to stop him. His delusions of godhood come to a crashing halt when Kayaba's VirtualGhost saves Kirito and grants him admin privileges to turn the tables, proving that even with the former dead, Sugou is ''still'' AlwaysSecondBest to Kayaba. This is only the beginning of his HumiliationConga; immediately afterwards, Sugou is left trembling in fear before an enraged Kirito, and by the time [[ColdBloodedTorture Kirito's]] [[KickTheSonOfABitch done]] [[PayEvilUntoEvil with him]], Sugou is left [[InelegantBlubbering a whimpering, blubbering wreck]]. It happens again when he tries to attack Kirito in real-life, going from smugly gloating about how he's going to kill him and continue his research to crying his eyes out in fear and wetting his pants the minute Kirito turns the tables on him again.

* KickTheSonOfABitch: Once Kayaba saves Kirito and takes away Sugou's admin privileges, Kirito wastes no time in defeating Sugou as painfully and humiliating as possible, [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech verbally tearing down his delusions of godhood]] before brutally killing him to the point where Sugou is left with permanent injuries in real-life. On anyone else, it would've been [[ColdBloodedTorture horrifyingly brutal]], but after all of the atrocities Sugou has committed on top of being a {{Jerkass}} SmugSnake, it's [[LaserGuidedKarma incredibly cathartic]] to watch Kirito put him in his place.

* SatanicArchetype: If Kayaba is the equivalent of {{God}} and Kirito is the MessianicArchetype, then this makes Sugou the Devil, the personification of everything awful. He once worked for Kayaba, but was [[AlwaysSecondBest always his inferior]], however once given the chance Sugou seizes the world and its people, declaring himself [[AGodAmI its new god and ruler]]. However, he's no match for the intervention of the ''real'' God, where Kayaba's VirtualGhost steps in to give Kirito the means to beat him. As Kirito puts it, Sugou is a "King of Thieves, sitting alone on [his] stolen throne." His LightIsNotGood theme only makes it all the more apparent, giving him a parallel to the figure of Lucifer, and his motives allude to Satan's moniker, "Prince of the Power of the Air", referring to his desire to control the world.

* SatanicArchetype: If Kayaba is the equivalent of {{God}} and Kirito is the MessianicArchetype, then this makes Sugou the Devil, the personification of everything awful. He once worked for Kayaba, but was [[AlwaysSecondBest always his inferior]], however once given the chance Sugou seizes the world and its people, declaring himself [[AGodAmI its new god and ruler]]. However he's no match for the intervention of the ''real'' God, where Kayaba's VirtualGhost steps in to give Kirito the means to beat him. As Kirito puts it, Sugou is a "King of Thieves, sitting alone on [his] stolen throne." His LightIsNotGood theme only makes it all the more apparent.

'''Main series''': [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineMajorCharacters Major Characters]] ([[Characters/SwordArtOnlineKazutoKirigaya Kazuto Kirigaya]], [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineAsunaYuuki Asuna Yuuki]], [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineSuguhaKirigaya Suguha Kirigaya]], [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineShinoAsada Shino Asada]], [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineEugeo Eugeo]], [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineAliceZuberg Alice Zuberg]]) | [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineAincrad Aincrad]] | [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineAlfheimOnline Alfheim Online]] | [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineGunGaleOnline Gun Gale Online]] | [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineUnderworld Underworld]] ([[Characters/SwordArtOnlineIntegrityKnights Integrity Knights]], [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineDarkTerritory Dark Territory]], [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineCardina Cardina]]) | [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineUnitalRing Unital Ring]] | [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineAntagonists Antagonists]] ([[Characters/SwordArtOnlineAkihikoKayaba Akihiko Kayaba]], [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineLaughingCoffin Laughing Coffin]], '''Nobuyuki Sugou''', [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineQuinella Quinella]]) | [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineBosses Bosses]] | [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineOthers Others]]\\

* CruelMercy: Kirito choosing ''not'' to kill him puts him on the receiving end of this. Not only does he end up living with the fact that his company and reputation are both dead and buried after his misdeeds came to light, but if one takes into consideration [[EvenEvilHasStandards the Unwritten Prison Code of Honor]] pertaining to "doing unto him how he did unto her" when it comes to sex offenders, especially if they preyed on minors and mothers (the latter of which Asuna technically ''also'' is thanks to adopting Yui), he likely will be spending his [[PariahPrisoner hard time]] as the ''[[PrisonRape girlfriend]]'' of his fellow inmates and guards alike as the ''best case scenario''.

* VillainousBreakdown: After Kirito foils his plans, Sugou loses all sense of gentlemanly restraint he previously shown, and is openly angry with him when he tries to kill him in real-life. Kirito [[WhatYouAreInTheDark just barely manages to stop himself from slitting Sugou's throat]] with his own knife, after which Sugou [[BringMyBrownPants wets himself]] and faints.

* CorruptedCharacterCopy: To Jareth the Goblin King, played by Creator/DavidBowie in the 1980's classic ''Film/{{Labyrinth}}'', insomuch as the Oberon persona is also a handsome blonde fairy king who holds absolute power over his kingdom that lusts after a beautiful and brave maiden. However, the similarities end right there, for whereas Jareth is a classy and dignified gentleman who rules his minions with a stern but fair hand, Sugou's Oberon is a depraved and crass tantrum-prone wuss who abuses his power and rules with an iron fist. Also, while Jareth's love for the significantly younger Sarah '''is''' far from appropriate, he courts her with gentlemanly chivalry and charm, and ''genuinely'' loves and ''respects'' her enough to let her and her baby brother go when she conclusively refused his affections, leaving the story heartbroken but alive with his dignity intact. Oberon, in contrast, is a tasteless sexual deviant who regularly ''forces'' himself on Asuna against her wishes, and whose reign is ended by the sword of Asuna's husband Kirito's in bloody pieces.

* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome: When Kirito overpowers him in real-life, his smug statement that other organizations would take him in and shelter him for his work is proven wrong; not only is he arrested and incarcerated for his crimes, but his actions result in a ''massive'' scandal against RECT Inc. that forces Shouzou, who [[HorribleJudgeOfCharacter put Sugou in charge of the RECT Progress division in the first place]], to step down as CEO in shame. Adding to that, while it isn't explicitly mentioned, no company would ever take in Sugou anyway; RECT Inc. was ruined by the bad press and no company would ever trust anything he made after the ALO incident, no matter how impressive, because he proved he would trap and kill people for his amusement.

'''Sugou''': '''''DIE, DAMN YOU!'''''

* CruelMercy: Kirito choosing ''not'' to kill him most likely puts him on the receiving end of this. It's never outright stated, but considering [[EvenEvilHasStandards the Unwritten Prison Code of Honor]] pertaining to “doing unto him how he did unto her" when it comes to sex offenders, especially if they preyed on minors and mothers (the latter of which Asuna technically ''also'' is thanks to adopting Yui), he likely will be spending the next 25 years at minimum [[PariahPrisoner at the mercy of fellow inmates and guards alike]].

* CorruptCorporateExecutive: He is the director of RECTO's research institute and the one responsible for keeping 300 Nerve Gear victims, including Asuna, prisoner even after SAO had ended. He did this by transferring them all into ALO for experiments on human subjugation via full dive technology. He also attempts to take over RCT Progress Inc. by marrying Asuna while she is unconscious.
* CorruptedCharacterCopy: To Jareth the Goblin King, played by Creator/DavidBowie in the 1980's classic ''Film/{{Labyrinth}}'', insomuch as the Oberon persona is also a handsome blonde fairy king who holds absolute power over his kingdom that lusts after a beautiful and brave maiden. However, the similarities end right there, for whereas Jareth is a classy and dignified gentleman who rules his minions with a stern but fair hand, Sugou's Oberon is a depraved and crass tantrum prone manchild who abuses his power and rules with an iron fist. Also, while Jareth's love for the significantly younger Sarah '''is''' far from appropriate, he courts her with gentlemanly chivalry and charm, and ''genuinely'' loves and ''respects'' her enough to let her and her baby brother go when she conclusively refused his affections, leaving the story heartbroken but alive with his dignity intact. Oberon, in contrast, is a tasteless sexual deviant who regularly ''forces'' himself on Asuna against her wishes, and whose reign is ended by the sword of Asuna's husband Kirito's in bloody pieces.

* FateWorseThanDeath: Not outright stated, but considering [[EvenEvilHasStandards the Unwritten Prison Code of Honor]] pertaining to “doing unto him how he did unto her" when it comes to sex offenders, especially if they preyed on minors and mothers (the latter of which Asuna technically *also* is thanks to adopting Yui), it's very likely that Kirito choosing ''not'' to kill Sugou in that parking lot doomed him to the living hell that is being "[[PrisonRape everybody's girlfriend]]" in the slammer for the next 25 or so years...

* {{Trumplica}}: Sugou is practically a parody of the younger 1980's era UsefulNotes/DonaldTrump, being a creepy and sexist CorruptCorporateExecutive with an overinflated sense of self-worth without an inch of modesty & humility, wrapped in a tacky over-expensive suit & {{Slimeball}} haircut. Even moreso in his Oberon persona, where he is a bombastic, tantrum throwing ''blonde'' autocrat who ''never'' takes responsibility for his own mistakes, abuses his authority & ruling his kingdom with an iron fist, additionally taking delight in humiliating & dominating beautiful young women, mainly Asuna but implied to have also done so to countless female AI.

-->'''Sugou''': If I wanted, I could alter your memories too. Don't worry, the last thing I'd ever want to do is turn you into a porcelain doll.

** He's also one to Suguha, as they both have feelings for a protagonist. Suguha is keenly aware that her feelings of love for her brother Kirito are wrong and tries to suppress them, though this causes her lots of emotional distress. On the other hand, Sugou is perfectly content with his lust for Asuna and doesn't make any effort to suppress it, unless her family is around.

* FateWorseThanDeath: Not outright stated, but considering [[EvenEvilHasStandards the Unwritten Prison Code of Honor]] pertaining to “doing unto him how he did unto her" when it comes to sex offenders, especially if they preyed on minors, it's very likely that Kirito choosing ''not'' to kill Sugou in that parking lot doomed him to the living hell that is being "[[PrisonRape everybody's girlfriend]]" in the slammer for the next 25 or so years...

* FateWorseThanDeath: Not outright stated; but considering [[EvenEvilHasStandards the Unwritten Prison Code of Honor]] pertaining to “doing unto him how he did unto her" when it comes to sex offenders, Kazuto choosing ''not'' to kill Sugou in that parking lot doomed him to the living hell that is being "[[PrisonRape everybody's girlfriend]]" in the slammer for the next 25 or so years...

* AGodAmI: Saw himself as one in ALO and gave himself the identity of "the fairy king, Oberon". His research into MindControl is in part so he can make himself one in real-life as well.
-->'''Sugou''': ''[mockingly]'' Ah, who do you think is going to stop me? Ooh, maybe a god! But sadly, there's none in this world. EXCEPT FOR YOURS TRULY!

* CorruptedCharacterCopy: To Jareth the Goblin King, played by Creator/DavidBowie in the 1980's classic ''Film/{{Labyrinth}}'', insomuch as the Oberon persona is a also a handsome blonde fairy king who holds absolute power over his kingdom that lusts after a beautiful and brave redheaded maiden. However, the similarities end right there, for whereas Jareth is a classy and dignified gentleman who rules his minions with a stern but fair hand, Sugou's Oberon is a depraved and crass tantrum prone manchild who abuses his power and rules with an iron fist. Also, while Jareth's love for the significantly younger Sarah '''is''' far from appropriate, he courts her with gentlemanly chivalry and charm, and ''genuinely'' loves and ''respects'' her enough to let her and her baby brother go when she conclusively refused his affections, leaving the story heartbroken but alive with his dignity intact. Oberon, in contrast, is a tasteless sexual deviant who regularly ''forces'' himself on Asuna against her wishes, and whose reign is ended by the sword of Asuna's husband Kirito's in bloody pieces.

[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sugoufairydance.png]]

* SpiritualAntithesis: To Jareth the Goblin King, played by Creator/DavidBowie in the 1980's classic ''Film/{{Labyrinth}}'', insomuch as the Oberon persona is a also a handsome blonde fairy king who holds absolute power over his kingdom that lusts after a beautiful and brave redheaded maiden. However, the similarities end right there, for whereas Jareth is a classy and dignified gentleman who rules his minions with a stern but fair hand, Sugou's Oberon is a depraved and crass tantrum prone manchild who abuses his power and rules with an iron fist. Also, while Jareth's love for the significantly younger Sarah '''is''' far from appropriate, he courts her with gentlemanly chivalry and charm, and ''genuinely'' loves and ''respects'' her enough to let her and her baby brother go when she conclusively refused his affections, leaving the story heartbroken but alive with his dignity intact. Oberon, in contrast, is a tasteless sexual deviant who regularly ''forces'' himself on Asuna against her wishes, and whose reign is ended by the sword of Asuna's husband Kirito's in bloody pieces.

* EvilCannotComprehendGood: He thinks that Kirito will be too scared to enter ALO to save Asuna and [[EvilGloating gloats about it to her face]] in an attempt to demoralize her. Not only is Kirito more than strong enough to dive headfirst into the game on the off-chance he can save Asuna, she is well aware of that, and hearing that Kirito knows she's in danger is enough to keep her going for a little while longer. She herself lampshades this, saying that if Sugou had any understanding of love, he would have lied and said Kirito was dead.

** To a lesser extent, Kirito. Both ended up being betrothed to Asuna, but while Kirito genuinely won over Asuna's heart and she pursued him herself, Sugou saw Asuna as [[EntitledToHaveYou rightfully his property]] and tried to forcefully make her his by any means possible. Both ended up having overpowered stats in Alfheim Online, but while Kirito had this due to an OldSaveBonus from his time in SAO and even then deemed it cheating, Sugou [[TheGMIsACheatingBastard abused admin privileges]] to make himself an invincible avatar. Furthermore, Kirito proved himself to be StrongAndSkilled being able to backup his stats with hours of VR experience, while Sugou is solely UnskilledButStrong and is completely dependent on his stats and completely useless once he's stripped of his admin privileges. Finally, both ended up being 'successors' to Kayaba and continued his work, however while Kirito was handpicked by Kayaba as TheChosenOne due to seeing the boy's love and passion for the virtual world, Sugou stole all of Kayaba's work in order create his own world where he could rule as a god. Kirito wants to create the VR in order to seek out how it can benefit humanity, while Sugou's motives were only for his own selfish means of [[MadScientist experimenting on helpless players]] in developing mind control tech and as an eventual means to TakeOverTheWorld.

* FateWorseThanDeath: Not outright stated; but considering [[EvenEvilHasStandards the Unwritten Prison Code of Honor]] pertaining to “doing unto him how he did unto her" when it comes to sex offenders, Kazuto choosing ''not'' to kill Sugou in that parking lot doomed him to [[PrisonRape the living hell that is being "everybody's girlfriend" in prison]] for the next 25 or so years...