History Main / CynicalMentor

* ''FanFiction/SugarPlums'' Zabuza is this to, well everyone honestly, but especially to Ume which is saying something since she's already [[KnightinSourArmor incredibly cynical]] to begin with. This leads to a lot of [[SnarktoSnarkCombat funny exchanges]] between the two of them.

* ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicIITheSithLords'' has Kreia, the ex-Jedi ex-Sith who takes the Exile under her wing, who is as cynical as they come.

* ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'''s Kreia, the ex-Jedi ex-Sith [[spoiler:[[BigBad but not really]]]] who takes the Exile under her wing, is as cynical as they come.

[[folder:Film]]

* Master Shi-Fu in ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda''. He does ''not'' think that Po is the Dragon Warrior and doesn't want him at the Academy, but he puts up with him, tricking Po for a while with TrainingFromHell. Then, he finally starts training him correctly using food as the motivator, and even then it seems a bit cruel. But that's when he (like [[Franchise/{{Rocky}} Mick]]) gets upgraded to CoolOldGuy.

* Phil from ''Disney/{{Hercules}}'' starts out as this.

Compare SourSupporter, ZenSurvivor. May result from APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedEvil.

Compare SourSupporter, ZenSurvivor.

* Toph Beifong is this to both [[AvatarTheLastAirbender Avatar]] [[AvatarTheLastAirbenderAvatarAang Aang]] and his [[SequelSeries successor]] [[LegendOfKorra Avatar]] [[TheLegendOfKorraAvatarKorra Korra]].

A cousin to the TricksterMentor and the SinkOrSwimMentor, the CynicalMentor doesn't really care whether TheHero succeeds or fails, and he/she often believes it will be the latter. Unlike the SinkOrSwimMentor, there ''will'' be training, and it's usually TrainingFromHell. This particular brand of mentor uses his cynicism to anger the hero and get him to fight back/harder for what he wants and/or believes in. This mentor helps the hero very, ''very'' grudgingly (most likely because he/she was bored and/or had nothing better to do). Never gives encouragement or compliments, except maybe right before the hero's final test/battle, and even then it might be a longshot.

** Not to mention there was one contestant who mentioned that Ramsay was a totally nice guy outside of the kitchen, so it's pretty likely that the guy is only a CynicalMentor while working in the kitchen.

* Toph Beifong is this to both [[Avatar AvatarTheLastAirbender [[AvatarTheLastAirbenderAvatarAang Aang]] and his [[SequelSeries successor]] [[LegendOfKorra Avatar]] [[TheLegendOfKorraAvatarKorra Korra]].

** The Great God Om, incarnated as a tortoise in ''Discworld/SmallGods'' is a mentor to Brutha, his only actual believer, while making it quite clear he would much rather his only believer was almost anyone else. Also lampshaded, when Om explains the reason he's cynical is that TheMindIsAPlaythingOfTheBody:

* Literature/{{Discworld}}'s very own OldMaster AlmightyJanitor, Lu-Tze, who acts as TheMentor to Lobsang in ''Discworld/ThiefOfTime''. It is, of course, lampshaded:
-->''Yeah, but I have years of experience and cynicism! You're just talented!''

** Following the decimation of his new Jedi order thanks to [[APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil one of his most promising disciples accepting the Dark Side of the Force]], Luke Skywalker has become a recluse as of ''Film/TheForceAwakens''. When he is [[spoiler:contacted by an emerging Force-sensitive]] in ''Film/TheLastJedi'', he's none too eager to suddenly begin championing the old ways.

->'''Portinari''': ''You are a cynical old bastard.''\\
'''The Dealey Lama''': ''That's right. Cynical and cold and without an ounce of human compassion. The only thing to be said for me is that I always happen to be right.''

** Following the decimation of his new Jedi order thanks to [[APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil one of his most promising disciples accepting the Dark Side of the Force]], Luke Skywalker has become a recluse as of ''Film/TheForceAwakens''. When he is contacted by an emerging Force-sensitive in ''Film/TheLastJedi'', he's none too eager to suddenly begin championing the old ways.

* Ash-dan in ''[[WarchildSeries Warchild]]'' is this to Jos, his older brother's student. How he treats his own student, Hadu, is never addressed, but he likely wasn't as cynical.

* Mick, Rocky's trainer from the ''Film/{{Rocky}}'' film series, at least in the first movie. He constantly mocks Rocky until towards the end, when he finally comes around and gets upgrade to CoolOldGuy, which is where he remains until he [[spoiler: dies in ''Rocky III'']].

* Master Shi-Fu in ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda''. He does ''not'' think that Po is the Dragon Warrior and doesn't want him at the Academy, but he puts up with him, tricking Po for a while with TrainingFromHell. Then, he finally starts training him correctly using food as the motivator, and even then it seems a bit cruel. But that's when he (like [[Film/{{Rocky}} Mick]]) gets upgraded to CoolOldGuy.

* Stick from ''Series/Daredevil2015'' is cynical to the point that he considers Murdock's idealism and belief things can get better to be a ''character flaw.''

* ''Franchise/StarWars'': Mace Windu is quite cynical in his view of galactic affairs, compared to many of the other Jedi, such as [[TheObiWan Obi-Wan Kenobi]]; he also doesn't seem to like [[DarkMessiah Anakin]] much at all and he opposed little Anakin's training from the start because he thought the boy was too old to begin training. It's implied in the ''Revenge of the Sith'' Novelisation some of this is down to him watching his beloved Republic crumble.

* Evangeline from ''MahouSenseiNegima'', to a frightening degree. TrainingFromHell aside (of which there is much), one of her major lessons for the main lead is that no act in this world can be completely good like he [[WideEyedIdealist thinks/hopes]], and that being evil comes naturally as a part of living. She also treats him like crap.

* Hijikata from ''PeacemakerKurogane'' towards Tetsunosuke. He appears pretty strict and cynical towards Tetsunosuke (not really directly teaching Tetsunosuke fighting, and mainly having Tetsunosuke serve him tea). However, deep down, it's suggested numerous times that he ''does'' care about Tetsunosuke.

* [[KnightInSourArmor Dr. Cox]] to [=J.D.=] in ''{{Scrubs}}''. He is [=J.D.=] guide of sorts, but he is completely sarcastic and seems to detest [=J.D.=].