History CowardlyLion / WesternAnimation

* Arnold from ''WesternAnimation/TheMagicSchoolBus''. Always complains that he [[CatchPhrase "should've stayed home today."]] Was once willing to face a [[KingOfTheDinosaurs Tyrannosaurus rex]] to save his friends.

* ''Franchise/ToyStory'' has Rex, a "cowardly" [[KingOfTheDinosaurs Tyrannosaurus rex]].

You're ready and you're willing
If we can count on you, Scooby Doo
I know we'll catch that villain

* In the ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo'' franchise, Shaggy and Scooby sometimes come across as this. They're cowards, but they'll ''never'' abandon their friends. [[note]] Funnily enough, Scooby's current actor, Creator/FrankWelker, once played [[TropeNamer the Cowardly Lion]] in a stage production of ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'' before getting into voice-acting.[[/note]] Jack [=O'Lantern=] points this out in ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooAndTheGoblinKing''...

** In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/WhatsNewScoobyDoo'', Scooby has spent an entire night on the run with six innocent puppies, evading dognappers. But when a monstrous Cat Creature menaces the pups ''and'' their mother? Scooby doesn't waste any time being afraid, and tackles the beast onto a cart, then crashes it to immobilize the monster. Scooby may run to save himself, but don't menace puppies in font of him.

* Keyleth in ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfVoxMachina'' is a bit of a klutz who constantly doubts herself, frequently comments how terrified she is, and often instinctively curls up into a ball when things go south. She's also potentially [[VoluntaryShapeshifting the]] [[AnimalEmpathy most]] [[ElementalPowers powerful]] [[GreenThumb member]] of the team when she steps up, and they trust her to do so when it counts.

* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'' has Rex, a "cowardly" [[KingOfTheDinosaurs Tyrannosaurus rex]].

** Lars had given into fear every time he'd had to face it up until the episode "Off Colors". [[spoiler: After Steven tells him [[FearIsTheAppropriateResponse it's okay to be scared]], he gathers his courage and -- after seeing the Rutile Twins being targeted by the shattering robonoids -- leaps into battle. He gets the robonoids away from the Rutiles, gets Padparadsha out of harms way and stops the scanner from seeing Rhodonite by holding himself in front of her gems (the scanners can't see him due to his lack of [[HeartDrive gemstone]]). He leaps onto the final robonoid and jams a pointed rock into its eye, [[MadeOfExplodium causing it to explode]]. Unfortunately, [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome human bodies don't take well to getting caught in the center of an explosion]]. [[HeroicSacrifice Lars dies]] [[TearJerker on the spot]]. Luckily, Steven manages to resurrect him, and Lars [[CameBackStronger Comes Back Stronger]] mentally as well as physically, displaying far more (self-)confidence in his subsequent appearances.]]

** Lars had given into fear every time he'd had to face it up until the episode "Off Colors". [[spoiler: After Steven tells him [[FearIsTheAppropriateResponse it's okay to be scared]], he gathers his courage and -- after seeing the Rutile Twins being targeted by the shattering robonoids -- leaps into battle. He gets the robonoids away from the Rutiles, gets Padparadsha out of harms way and stops the scanner from seeing Rhodonite by holding himself in front of her gems (the scanners can't see him due to his lack of [[HeartDrive gemstone]]). He leaps onto the final robonoid and jams a pointed rock into its eye, [[MadeOfExplodium causing it to explode]]. Unfortunately, [[RealityEnsues human bodies don't take well to getting caught in the center of an explosion]]. [[HeroicSacrifice Lars dies]] [[TearJerker on the spot]]. Luckily, Steven manages to resurrect him, and Lars [[CameBackStronger Comes Back Stronger]] mentally as well as physically, displaying far more (self-)confidence in his subsequent appearances.]]

* [[DonaldDuck Donald]] is portrayed this way in ''WesternAnimation/MickeyDonaldGoofyTheThreeMusketeers''.

* The titular ''WesternAnimation/LambertTheSheepishLion'' is a literal example, until he becomes fully aware of his condition and scares the shit out of a hungry wolf threatening his adopted mother.
* In ''WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse1983'', Cringer arguably qualifies (well, cowardly ''tiger'') although his bravery is usually in his Battle Cat persona.
* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'':
** Lars had given into fear every time he'd had to face it up until the episode "Off Colors". [[spoiler: After Steven tells him [[FearIsTheAppropriateResponse it's okay to be scared]], he gathers his courage and - after seeing the Rutile Twins being targeted by the shattering robonoids - leaps into battle. He gets the robonoids away from the Rutiles, gets Padparadsha out of harms way and stops the scanner from seeing Rhodonite by holding himself in front of her gems (the scanners can't see him due to his lack of [[HeartDrive gemstone]]). He leaps onto the final robonoid and jams a pointed rock into its eye, [[MadeOfExplodium causing it to explode]]. Unfortunately, [[RealityEnsues human bodies don't take well to getting caught in the center of an explosion]]. [[HeroicSacrifice Lars dies]] [[TearJerker on the spot]]. Luckily, Steven manages to resurrect him, and Lars [[CameBackStronger Comes Back Stronger]] mentally as well as physically, displaying far more (self-)confidence in his subsequent appearances.]]
** Peridot as well after she [[HeelFaceTurn joined the Crystal Gems]], a good example is when she is being hunted by a ruby squad after insulting [[BadBoss Yellow]] [[EvilOverlord Diamond]] ([[spoiler:Or at least that's what she thinks]]) she spends most of the encounter hiding in the barn but when the rubies [[FusionDance fuse]] into a giant and are about to fight the Crystal Gems she immediately runs out and [[TakeMeInstead offers herself to them]] in exchange for the safety of the gems. However, her ego is such that once she gains some power and self-confidence, she skips straight to being a BoisterousWeakling.
* In ''WesternAnimation/SheRaPrincessOfPower'', Kowl and Sorrowful the Dragon.
* Chuckie Finster in ''WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}}''. This might be why the [[WesternAnimation/RugratsInParis second movie]] was enjoyed more by moviegoers (it focuses on him)... well, that and a good chunk of it was a TearJerker.
** He definitely takes after his father, Chas Finster, who, while normally a [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass seemingly spineless]] NervousWreck, has proven time and time again that he has a backbone. One notable example occurs towards the end of the episode "Family Feud," where Chas notices that the babies have wandered off unnoticed by their parents (as usual), only this time, it's because the Pickles and the [=DeVilles=] are having a feud, which Chas [[BewareTheNiceOnes savagely tears apart]]! He, like most of the other fathers, has also been known to go PapaWolf when he perceives that his son Chuckie is in grave danger. The fact that Chas' own father is much more conventionally badass doesn't hurt.

* Courage in ''WesternAnimation/CourageTheCowardlyDog''. He's even called "[[Main/DubNameChange Leone]]" (Italian word for "lion") in the Italian dub from the saying "courageous like a lion".
* Tweek Tweak in ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark''. His excessive fear comes from his [[ProperlyParanoid paranoia]].
* Dean Venture from ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'', in contrast to his FearlessFool brother, Hank.
* In the ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo'' franchise, Shaggy and Scooby sometimes come across as this. They're cowards, but they'll ''never'' abandon their friends. [[note]] Funnily enough, Scooby's current actor, Creator/FrankWelker, once played [[TropeNamer the Cowardly Lion]] in a stage production of ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'' before getting into voice-acting.[[/note]] Jack [=O'Lantern=] points this out in ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooAndTheGoblinKing''...
-->'''Jack:''' Are you kidding? You guys rescued me from the 'Brainless' Horseman, hello? That took real courage! And everybody knows courage is the most powerful magic of all.
-->'''Shaggy:''' Like, I hate to tell you this, but that wasn't courage. That was panic!
-->'''Jack:''' Hey, whatever you call it, it's working for you.
** This was averted at one point in the [[Film/ScoobyDoo first live-action movie]], where Shaggy was perfectly willing to leave Fred and Velma behind to save himself. It's then played straight, though, as Daphne talks him out of it, and after the other members of Mystery Inc. get captured, Shaggy is the one who ultimately sets it right. [[spoiler:And as soon as he learns Scooby is going to be sacrificed, he's the first one to decide to save him.]]
** In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/WhatsNewScoobyDoo'', Scooby has spent an entire night on the run with six innocent puppies, evading dognappers. But when a monstrous Cat Creature menaces the pups ''and'' their mother? Scooby doesn't waste any time being afraid, and tackles the beast onto a cart, then crashes it to immobilize the monster. Scooby may run to save himself, but don't menace puppies in font of him.
* Gus Griswald from ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}''.

* Bernard in ''WesternAnimation/TheRescuers'' series. He regards himself as a lowly janitor, but Miss Bianca has complete faith in his courage and skill and she is ''never'' disappointed in times of need.
%%* Antoine in ''WesternAnimation/SonicTheHedgehogSatAM'' DependingOnTheWriter. He did take on DirtyCoward tactics other times however.
* Dukey from ''WesternAnimation/JohnnyTest''. Always the reluctant voice of reason but when he puts his mind to it, he can be pretty brave if Johnny is in danger.
* Tiger in the ''WesternAnimation/AnAmericanTail'' series. He even acts and sounds like the ''[[Film/TheWizardOfOz Wizard of Oz]]'' Cowardly Lion sometimes.

* This sums up Mrs. Brisby of ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretOfNIMH'' quite well. She's just [[MamaBear far more scared for her children]] than she is for herself.
** Pretty much sums up [[CowardlySidekick Jeremy]] as well; he's an obvious wuss, but he goes out of his way to help Mrs. Brisby ([[TheKlutz even if it often causes]] [[UnwantedAssistance more problems than it prevents]]). In his defense though, he does protect her by attacking Dragon (who everyone, bravado or not, is fearful of).

* The ''[[WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfTheGalaxyRangers Galaxy Rangers]]''' [[InformationBroker informant]] Geezy. He's frequently protesting about how the "hummings" willingly put themselves in danger, even more frequently protesting that HumanityIsInsane...but if the chips are truly down? He'll put his oversized trunk on the line and get the job done.
* ''WesternAnimation/FilmationsGhostbusters'' featured Eddie Spencer. Eddie was always a lot more timid and uncertain about taking on Prime Evil's minions than his teammates Jake and Tracy, but they knew he'd always be there when they needed him.

* The vultures of Disney's adaption of ''WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook1967'' tremble before Shere Khan and flutter to the highest tree, when he threatens Mowgli and Baloo however, they quickly swoop in and take the fearsome tiger head on.
* Zilly on ''WesternAnimation/DastardlyAndMuttleyInTheirFlyingMachines''. He was hypnotized into being brave in the episode ''Zilly's a Dilly,' but he only made things worse.
* Eek in ''WesternAnimation/EekTheCat''.
* [[TheWoobie Eugene]] [[OneShotCharacter the]] [[SmellySkunk skunk]] from ''WesternAnimation/ChucklewoodCritters''.
* WesternAnimation/KimPossible's sidekick ([[RelationshipUpgrade and eventual boyfriend]]) Ron Stoppable. Kim's younger cousin Joss originally idolized her as TheAce, but eventually comes to see her as somewhat of an InvincibleHero, and shifts her admiration to Ron instead, specifically because he's terrified of everything yet still fights alongside Kim anyway.
* Early TV star ''WesternAnimation/TomTerrific'' had the ironically-named Mighty Manfred the Wonder Dog, who always suggested avoiding the adventure of the day.
* The Sweeps in ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'' are sometimes portrayed this way, especially in the episode ''Starscream's Ghost''.
-->'''Cyclonus:''' ''(hunting for [[HeelFaceTurn Octane]] in the Decepticon Crypt)'' How dare you disgrace your ancestors by cowering like a pocket computer!" (to himself) "He's ''worse'' than the ''Sweeps''!
** Justified in that a few episodes ago they went to the Autobot Mausoleum, and got their skidplates kicked by ''Zombie Optimus Prime''. So who knows [[TheStarscream what]] would have been lurking in the Decepticon Crypt?
* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'' has Rex, a "cowardly" [[KingOfTheDinosaurs Tyrannosaurus rex]].
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Mr Bogus}}''
* Chuck, the [[Franchise/ScoobyDoo Shaggy]]/[[WesternAnimation/KimPossible Ron Stoppable]]-esque member of the Burners on ''{{WesternAnimation/Motorcity}}''. He practically has a [[StockSoundEffects Stock Scream]] for whenever he's in the car with [[BadassDriver Mike Chilton]]. Also R.O.T.H., the TeamPet / [[CuteMachines Cute Machine]].
* Wade Duck of ''WesternAnimation/USAcres''.
* Brain the dog fro ''WesternAnimation/InspectorGadget'' has been known to cower on more than one occasion, though he acts quite brave at other times.
* Sunil in ''WesternAnimation/LittlestPetShop2012'' is afraid of a large number of things, most of them with no explanation. However, on [[Recap/LittlestPetShop2012S1E4Gailbreak more]] [[Recap/LittlestPetShop2012S1E13LightsCameraMongoose than]] [[Recap/LittlestPetShop2012S2E4HeartOfParkness one]] [[Recap/LittlestPetShop2012S2E15SuperSunil occasion]], he finds himself in a dangerous team situation and the only one in a position to do anything. In these situations, he invariably will find a way to resolve the matter and rescue his friends all by himself.
* Arnold from ''WesternAnimation/TheMagicSchoolBus''. Always complains that he [[CatchPhrase "should've stayed home today."]] Was once willing to face a [[KingOfTheDinosaurs Tyrannosaurus rex]] to save his friends.
* Fry from ''{{WesternAnimation/Futurama}}'', when he isn’t a DirtyCoward. He’s scared of almost everything (when he's not being too brainless to understand that there's something to be afraid of) and tends to hide behind Leela or run away when things get hairy, but when it comes down to it will do anything, up to and including sacrificing his own life more than once, for his friends.

* Figaro from ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfFigaroPho'' is afraid of everything, but that doesn't stop him from fighting back against the villains, especially when his CanineCompanion Rivet is put in danger.
* An episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheLionGuard'' has a cowardly ''leopard'' named Badili, who is good-natured and hates to fight. He gets chased out of his own territory by a bigger bullying leopard plenty of times. But once he gets training from the Lion Guard, he comes back confident and ready to take back his territory.
* The Shakespearan dog in the [[WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes Warner Bros. cartoon]] "WesternAnimation/AHamInARole" quotes from act 2, scene 2 of ''Julius Caesar'':
-->"Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never taste of death but once."

* ''WesternAnimation/CaptainCavemanAndTheTeenAngels:'' For someone who's frightened of pretty much everything (on top of being TheLoad, TheDragalong, and their resident ButtMonkey), Brenda Chance is a textbook example.
* Unlike his best friend, ''WesternAnimation/{{Gumby}}'', Pokey would rather not go on adventures. That being said, he never leaves Gumby's side.

* Fry from ''{{WesternAnimation/Futurama}}'', who is scared of almost everything (when he's not being too stupid to understand that there's something to be afraid of) and tends to hide behind Leela or run away when things get hairy, but when it comes down to it will do anything, up to and including sacrificing his own life more than once, for his friends.

* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'' has Rex, a "cowardly" TyrannosaurusRex.

* Arnold from ''WesternAnimation/TheMagicSchoolBus''. Always complains that he [[CatchPhrase "should've stayed home today."]] Was once willing to face a TyrannosaurusRex to save his friends.

** In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/WhatsNewScoobyDoo'', Scooby has spent an entire night on the run with six innocent puppies, evading dog. But when a monstrous Cat Creature menaces the pups ''and'' their mother? Scooby doesn't waste any time being afraid, and tackles the beast onto a cart, then crashes it to immobilize the monster. Scooby may run to save himself, but don't menace puppies in font of him.

** In one episode of ''Series/WhatsNewScoobyDoo'', Scooby has spent an entire night on the run with six innocent puppies, evading dog. But when a monstrous Cat Creature menaces the pups ''and'' their mother? Scooby doesn't waste any time being afraid, and tackles the beast onto a cart, then crashes it to immobilize the monster. Scooby may run to save himself, but don't menace puppies in font of him.

* Antoine in ''WesternAnimation/SonicSatAM'' DependingOnTheWriter. He did take on DirtyCoward tactics other times however.

* The vultures of Disney's adaption of ''Disney/TheJungleBook'' tremble before Shere Khan and flutter to the highest tree, when he threatens Mowgli and Baloo however, they quickly swoop in and take the fearsome tiger head on.

* The Shakespearan dog in the [[WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes Warner Bros. cartoon]] "A Ham In A Role" quotes from act 2, scene 2 of ''Julius Caesar'':

** He definitely takes after his father, Chas Finster, who, while normally a [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass seemingly spineless]] NervousWreck, has proven time and time again that he has a backbone. One notable example occurs towards the end of the episode "Family Feud," where Chas notices that the babies have wandered off unnoticed by their parents (as usual), only this time, it's because the Pickles and the [=DeVilles=] are having a feud, which Chas [[BewareTheNiceOnes savagely tears apart]]! He, like most of the other fathers, has also been known to go PapaWolf when he perceives that his son Chuckie is in grave danger. The fact that Chas' own father is much more conventionally {{Badass}} doesn't hurt.

* WesternAnimation/KimPossible's sidekick ([[RelationshipUpgrade and eventual boyfriend]]) Ron Stoppable. Kim's younger cousin Joss originally idolized her as TheAce, but eventually comes to see her as somewhat of a BoringInvincibleHero, and shifts her admiration to Ron instead, specifically because he's terrified of everything yet still fights alongside Kim anyway.

* The titular ''Disney/LambertTheSheepishLion'' is a literal example, until he becomes fully aware of his condition and scares the shit out of a hungry wolf threatening his adopted mother.

* Bernard in ''Disney/TheRescuers'' series. He regards himself as a lowly janitor, but Miss Bianca has complete faith in his courage and skill and she is ''never'' disappointed in times of need.

* Chuck, the [[ScoobyDoo Shaggy]]/[[WesternAnimation/KimPossible Ron Stoppable]]-esque member of the Burners on ''{{WesternAnimation/Motorcity}}''. He practically has a [[StockSoundEffects Stock Scream]] for whenever he's in the car with [[BadassDriver Mike Chilton]]. Also R.O.T.H., the TeamPet / [[CuteMachines Cute Machine]].

* Lars from ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' is a DirtyCoward up until the episode "Off Colors". [[spoiler: After Steven tells him [[FearIsTheAppropriateResponse it's okay to be scared]], he gathers his courage and - after seeing the Rutile Twins being targeted by the shattering robonoids - leaps into battle. He gets the robonoids away from the Rutiles, gets Padparadsha out of harms way and stops the scanner from seeing Rhodonite by holding himself in front of her gems (the scanners can't see him due to his lack of [[HeartDrive gemstone]]). He leaps onto the final robonoid and jams a pointed rock into its eye, [[MadeOfExplodium causing it to explode]]. Unfortunately, [[RealityEnsues human bodies don't take well to getting caught in the center of an explosion]]. [[HeroicSacrifice Lars dies]] [[TearJerker on the spot]]. Luckily, Steven manages to resurrect him, and Lars [[CameBackStronger Comes Back Stronger]] mentally as well as physically, displaying far more (self-)confidence in his subsequent appearances.]]
** Peridot as well after she [[HeelFaceTurn joined the Crystal Gems]], a good example is when she is being hunted by a ruby squad after insulting [[BadBoss Yellow]] [[EvilOverlord Diamond]] ([[spoiler:Or at least that's what she thinks]]) she spends most of the encounter hiding in the barn but when the rubies [[FusionDance fuse]] into a giant and are about to fight the Crystal Gems she immediately runs out and [[TakeMeInstead offers herself to them]] in exchange for the safety of the gems.