History Main / DeterminedDefeatist

* In ''Fanfic/AllThatGlitters'', Anna puts a lot of effort into a plan which banks on Hans saving her life after she willingly ingests poison. Yet it's implied she doesn't actually expect this to work, [[spoiler:[[OpenMouthInsertFoot blurting during an argument]]: "At least when I poison myself, I'll finally be taking myself out of a world with you in it!"]]

* VideoGame/MaxPayne goes through the entire first game knowing perfectly well that there are only two outcomes for him: either being killed during his RoaringRampageOfRevenge or being put away for life upon completing it. In fact, after he goes free thanks to TheMan pulling a few strings, he considers himself to be a KarmaHoudini.

-->'''Ed Wuncler:''' We're Americans! We don't quit just because we're wrong. We just keep doing the wrong thing until it turns out right!''

** TheHero Kouji]] kept fighting even when he thought -or knew- that he couldn't win. He fought [[FlyingFirepower Jinrai S1]] despite having almost no chances to defeat a flying, ultra-fast {{Robeast}} that used hit-and-run tactics. And he deployed Mazinger-Z to fight a squad of ''[[Anime/GreatMazinger Mykene War Beasts]]'' even knowing that he'd not win that battle.

* The narrator of William Ernest Henley's "Invictus."

* ''VideoGame/WorldofWarcraft'': [[WarriorPrince Prince Renathal]] of [[CityoftheDamned Revendreth]], one of the Warcraft universe's afterlives, leads his people to war in order to save the universe. The war in question is against [[PhysicalGod The Jailer]], who commands an army of souls that only grows bigger with every person in the universe who dies. Renathal knows full-well that they can't possibly win this war in numbers, power, or tactics, but he's not going to let the world go down without a fight.

* UsefulNotes/{{Christianity}} traditionally had this as a center of struggle, especially Calvinism and Roman Catholicism before Vatican II. Enough that even the doubt of God's salvation was a serious question, the most devout Christians believed even if you're guaranteed a place in hell you should still live life by Christian virtues. Because God already made the greatest sacrifice by giving his son up for our sins, we have no right to complain otherwise and it's our duty as the baptized to attempt to live by God's rules no matter how unguaranteed salvation is.

* ''Anime/MazingerZ'': [[TheHero Kouji]] kept fighting even when he thought -or knew- that he couldn't win. He fought [[FlyingFirepower Jinrai S1]] despite having almost no chances to defeat a flying, ultra-fast {{Robeast}} that used hit-and-run tactics. And he deployed Mazinger-Z to fight a squad of ''[[Anime/GreatMazinger Mykene War Beasts]]'' even knowing that he'd not win that battle.

* Touma from ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex'' has terminal bad luck and a negative outlook, but will fight until the end for anyone he cares about(which might be someone he befriended minutes ago).

* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'''s Shinji Ikari. Despite having abysmal self-confidence and a lot of issues, especially with his dad, he is surprisingly determined to do what he has to do (yet, also like his dad.) Though he (along with virtually every other character) begins breaking in the end as everything goes to hell.
* Miranda Lotto from ''Manga/DGrayMan''. Gloomy and insecure as she is, she always puts 100% and then some into trying to be helpful.

* Touma from ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex'' has terminal bad luck and a negative outlook, but will fight until the end for anyone he cares about(which might be someone he befriended minutes ago).
* In ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', [[spoiler: Akemi Homura]] seems to be this. She knows that [[spoiler: whenever she resets time to prevent Madoka's death, it always results in things getting worse; Madoka either dies again or becomes an increasingly powerful witch. Kyubey even points out that all she's doing is making Madoka into a stronger witch. Yet despite everything, she never stops trying.]] She also knows there's no hope for [[spoiler: Sayaka, who is fated to die in every timeline where she makes a contract, but she still saves her life (for the moment) by retrieving her Soul Gem after it's thrown onto a truck.]]
* In ''Manga/HajimeNoIppo'', in the second match between Ippo and Sendou, Sendou is hit by a full [[SpamAttack Dempsey Roll]] by Ippo, seemingly ending the match. [[{{Determinator}} But he gets on his feet again.]] He already ''knows'' he has lost, and he ''still'' refuses to drop to the ground or go unconscious, just so he can watch the face of the man who defeated him.
* Fujimaru from ''Manga/SnowWhiteAndSevenDwarfs'', due to being a male BrokenBird who sincerely believes that the heroes can't win--but has too much of a conscience to just let them die when he can help.

* ''Manga/AyakashiTriangle'': Reo is in love with her partner Matsuri, but knows him well enough to see [[ChildhoodFriendRomance his attraction to Suzu]]. But despite viewing herself as a HopelessSuitor, Reo is happy to do her best to earn Matsuri's trust and admiration.
-->'''Reo (thinking)''': Their bond as childhood friends is strong. It's clear to me that I don't have a chance. But... there's always room for improvement! And that's what I love doing, Suzu!\\
''(Reo shoots a knowing smile straight at a [[ClingyJealousGirl disturbed]] Suzu)''

* Brit from ''Fanfic/NewReality'' can't see herself past the Tower of Salvation event but thinks nothing worse can happen, except death. It eventually backfires when she realizes she actually doesn't want to die, so much, that she practically [[StressVomit pukes her guts out]] and make the group worries about her on the last night before said event.
* This is how Adam Taurus is in ''Fanfic/{{The Games We Play|TheGamerRWBY}}''. He considers even having made it to 10 to be a miracle and believes every moment past that has been him living on borrowed time. That doesn't mean he's about to lay down and let his enemies have their way with him.
* Rei in ''Fanfic/ThousandShinji''. One of the core tenets of her ''[[TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}} Nurglette faith]]'' is: "Death is inevitable, but you must resist it and endure as long as possible anyway".

* In ''Fanfic/TheSecondTry'', [[PeggySue Shinji and Asuka]] sometimes lose hope and think that they have no chance to change the future. Nonetheless, they keep trying.
* In ''Fanfic/NeonGenesisEvangelionGenocide'', Shinji doesn't really believe that he is capable of helping Asuka, but he decides that he'll try to look after her anyway.

* ''Fanfic/DoingItRightThisTime'': About the only thing motivating Shinji to keep trying to make things better [[PeggySue this time around]] is the certain knowledge that there's a strictly limited number of ways he could do ''worse'' this time. In fact, he's rather resistant to any attempts to make him feel better on the grounds that HopeIsScary.
* In ''Fanfic/AllThatGlitters'', Anna puts a lot of effort into a plan which banks on Hans saving her life after she willingly ingests poison. Yet it's implied she doesn't actually expect this to work, [[spoiler:[[OpenMouthInsertFoot blurting during an argument]]: "At least when I poison myself, I'll finally be taking myself out of a world with you in it!"]]
* All-Might praises Momo for this attitude in ''Fanfic/TheEmeraldPhoenix'', declaring that like all heroes, she faced a situation where she seemingly had no hope of winning but pressed on anyway. While she lost, Momo still came within a hairsbreadth of victory.

* In ''WesternAnimation/FrozenII'' Princess Anna has been cast away by her sister Elsa so she cannot follow Elsa to a mystical island. Shortly after this, [[spoiler:Olaf, who is kept alive only by Elsa's magic, disintegrates to snow and thus signifies Elsa's death as Elsa sends one final ice sculpture message to Anna revealing who the true villain of the movie is,]] and Anna recognizes what she must do now in her sister's stead. That said, the normally optimistic Anna is drowning in despair as she sings "The Next Right Thing":

Could be considered a SisterTrope to KnightInSourArmor. The difference between the KnightInSourArmor and this trope is that the latter isn't necessarily a snarky AntiHero who lives in a CrapsackWorld; they're more likely to be TheEeyore or TheWoobie. They might [[HeroicSelfDeprecation lack self-esteem]], or be [[BreakTheCutie going through a rough patch]]. But in both cases, you can be sure their dogged perseverance will get them through despite their pessimistic outlook. Neither ShaggyDogStory nor ShootTheShaggyDog bother them because they were expecting it.

* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'''s Shinji Ikari. Despite having abysmal self-confidence and alot of issues, especially with his dad, he is surprisingly determined in doing what he has to do (yet, also like his dad.) Though he (along with virtually every other character) begin breaking in the end as everything goes to hell.

* In ''Manga/HajimeNoIppo'', in the second match between Ippo and Sendou, Sendou is hit by a full [[SpamAttack Dempsey Roll]] by Ippo, seemingly ending the match. [[{{Determinator}} But he gets on his feet again.]] He already ''knows'' he has lost, and he ''still'' refuses to drop to the ground or go unconcious, just so he can watch the face of the man who defeated him.

* ''Anime/MazingerZ'': [[TheHero Kouji]] kept fighting even when he thought -or knew- that he couldn't win. He fought [[FlyingFirepower Jinrai S1]] despite of having almost no chances to defeat a flying, ultra-fast {{Robeast}} that used hit-and-run tactics. And he deployed Mazinger-Z to fight a squad of ''[[Anime/GreatMazinger Mykene War Beasts]]'' even knowing that he'd not win that battle.

-->'''Mumen Rider:''' Nobody expects much from me. They think a C-class hero won't be much help. I know that better than anyone! I ''know'' I'm not good enough for B-class... I'm weak, I know that much. No-one has to tell me I have no chance of beating you. I already know that! And yet, ''I must try''.

* In ''LightNovel/SoImASpiderSoWhat'' [[spoiler:Gyurie]] goes into his fight with [[spoiler:Shiraori]] already certain he will die in the end. Despite this he fights to the bitter end so that others will have a chance of changing the world's path.

* Brit from ''Fanfic/NewReality'' can't see herself past the Tower of Salvation event but thinks nothing worse can happens, except death. It eventually backfires when she realizes she actually doesn't want to die, so much, that she practically [[StressVomit pukes her guts out]] and make the group worries of her on the last night before said event.

* ''Fanfic/DoingItRightThisTime'': About the only thing motivating Shinji to keep trying to make things better [[PeggySue this time around]] is the certain knowledge that there's a strictly limited number of ways he could do ''worse'' this time. In fact he's rather resistant to any attempts to make him feel better on the grounds that HopeIsScary.

* ''Film/{{Rocky}}'' has the title character realizing that he will fail the fight against Apollo, but decides that he will go the distance so he would not be seen as a bum. Also helps that he's just a flat out {{Determinator}}.

* Usually he's anything but this trope, but in ''Literature/LukeSkywalkerAndTheShadowsOfMindor'', the titular character experiences a severe AndIMustScream, after which he is deeply shaken and nihilistic. It comes up several times that he no longer sees the point; even if his side wins the book's conflict, ultimately it won't even matter. And yet he keeps going and continues to be compassionate, because someone has to.

* Ryotaro Nogami, the protagonist of ''Series/KamenRiderDenO'', willingly admits that he's not very strong or smart, and that he has insanely bad luck. That doesn't stop him from doing his job and protecting the timestream, which results in his eventually TakingALevelInBadass.

--> It matters not if the cause is lost and we cannot stop the tide. We will fight to the end, and then fight again. It will be a good way to die.

-->'''Al:''' So you think I'm a loser? Just because I have a stinking job that I hate, a family that doesn't respect me? A whole city that curses the day I was born? Well that may mean loser to you, but let me tell you somethin'. Every morning when I wake up, I know it's not going to get any better until I go back to sleep again. So I get up, have my watered-down Tang and still-frozen Pop-Tart, get in my car with no upholstery, no gas, and six more payments to fight traffic just for the privilege of putting cheap shoes on the cloven hooves of people like you. I'll never play football like I thought I would. I'll never know the touch of a beautiful woman. And I'll never again know the joy of driving without a ''bag'' on my head! But I'm not a loser. Because despite it all, me and every other guy who will never be what he wanted to be are still out there, being what we ''don't'' want to be 40 hours a week for life. And the fact that I haven't put a gun in my mouth, you ''pudding'' of a woman, makes me a ''winner''!

* Wrestling/JimCornette was a SourSupporter in Global Force Wrestling, both the original incarnation and the Anthem owned version, publicly stating Wrestling/JeffJarrett was crazy for starting another pro wrestling promotion but that he was going to pull for it anyway. In fact, this is has been Cornette's attitude ever since Wrestling/{{SMW}} failed to get a television deal, believing there simply weren't enough people in the know to save pro wrestling, which was destined to fall to the level roller derby had, and that he himself wasn't the kind of booker who would be necessary to turn it around. Nonetheless, he won't give up the fight, which is what lead him to Wrestling/{{TNA}} and Wrestling/RingOfHonor in the first place, as well as publicly endorsing Lucha Libre USA, saying it was much better than Wrestling/{{WCW}} but wouldn't be as successful due to a lack of network penetration.

** Speaking of humans. Beset on all sides by xenos and galactic horrors while also being attacked from within by traitors and heretics, their GodEmperor is tied to a millennia-old life support machine that is in serious need of a good fix, all the technology and grandeur of the by-gone golden age is slowly being forgotten to be replaced by superstition, FantasticRacism and blind zeal, the Imperium of Man loses worlds everyday despite its overwhelming might. Yet we PunyEarthlings don't cry or despair, we stoically take these losses and try to hold the line as best we can, or failing that, [[TakingYouWithMe drag our enemies down with us]]. For the Emperor!

** Javik in believes that Shepard's cycle is doomed for failure. However giving up is not an option for him, especially after his race and civilization sacrificed themselves just to get him to this point.

* ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'': [[spoiler:Sans is a FourthWallObserver, allowing him to understand that the PlayerCharacter is being driven by an entity on a completely different level ([[MediumAwareness the player]]), which he refers to simply as "the Anomaly". Sans is fully aware that thanks to the power of [[AppliedPhlebotinum Determination]], the Anomaly has total control of the timeline, resetting, restarting and destroying timelines at will (through the Save/Reset/Erase game functions), which renders him a little hopeless with the knowledge that everyone's life is ultimately just a plaything for an entity on a level of existence he cannot even conceive. However, when you, the Anomaly, finally go too far and initiate a [[KillEmAll No Mercy run]], Sans will still actively stand up against you to prevent TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. Sans knows that no matter how many times he kills your PlayerCharacter, he ultimately cannot directly do anything against you - but maybe, just maybe, [[ThatOneBoss if he tries hard enough]], he '''might''' make you RageQuit.]]

* Himei from ''Literature/SailorNothing''. She's an utterly BrokenBird who knows that AsLongAsThereIsEvil, there'll be Yamiko. This doesn't stop her fighting as many of them as she can.

* ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'': [[spoiler:Sans is a FourthWallObserver, allowing him to understand that the PlayerCharacter is being driven by an entity on a completely different level ([[PlayingThePlayer the player]]), which he refers to simply as "the Anomaly". Sans is fully aware that thanks to the power of [[AppliedPhlebotinum Determination]], the Anomaly has total control of the timeline, resetting, restarting and destroying timelines at will (through the Save/Reset/Erase game functions), which renders him a little hopeless with the knowledge that everyone's life is ultimately just a plaything for an entity on a level of existence he cannot even conceive. However, when you, the Anomaly, finally go too far and initiate a [[KillEmAll No Mercy run]], Sans will still actively stand up against you to prevent TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. Sans knows that no matter how many times he kills your PlayerCharacter, he ultimately cannot directly do anything against you - but maybe, just maybe, [[ThatOneBoss if he tries hard enough]], he '''might''' make you RageQuit.]]

* Mumen Rider of ''Webcomic/OnePunchMan'' little more than a bike cop who he rides around doing minor good deeds and trying to stop petty criminals, like purse-snatchers and such. Still, he chose to go up against the Sea King, a Demon-level threat who had already completely demolished several A-rank heroes and a couple of S-rankers. He's fully aware of his weakness and acknowledges it, but is determined to fight to the last anyway even though he knows he won't even slow the beast down. Best exemplified by his speech in the anime version:

* ‘’ComicBook/StarWarsPurge’’: the only time Ma’kis’shaalas speaks, he has this to say of a proposal to kill the Emperor and Darth Vader.
--> Can it be done? I don’t know. Should it be tried? Yes!

* ''Manga/AyakashiTriangle'': Reo is in love with her partner Matsuri, but knows him well enough to see [[ChildhoodFriendRomance his attraction to Suzu]]. But despite viewing herself as a HopelessSuitor, Reo is happy do her best to earn Matsuri's trust and admiration.

* The titular character of ''LightNovel/GoblinSlayer'' is incredibly pessimistic about his mission. While he sincerely believes in his goal to [[KillEmAll exterminate the entire goblin race]] and his capacity to achieve it, he believes that "nothing has changed" until he's done it, no matter how many goblins that he's slain or how many people he's saved from them. Goblin Slayer also gives up every opportunity presented for him to try to make people outside his inner circle take goblins seriously, thoroughly set in his outlook that everyone else in the world will brush his concerns off until it's too late. This is in spite of a growing amount of contrary evidence that shows people ''will'' care, given the opportunity.

* Mumen Rider of ''Webcomic/OnePunchMan'' is this; little more than a bike cop, he rides around doing minor good deeds and trying to stop petty criminals, like purse-snatchers and such. Then there's the time he chooses to go up against the Sea King, a Demon-level threat who had already completely demolished several A-rank heroes and a couple of S-rankers. He's fully aware of his weakness and acknowledges it, but is determined to fight to the last anyway even though he knows he won't even slow the beast down. Best exemplified by his speech in the anime version:
-->'''Mumen Rider:''' Nobody expects much from me. They think a C-class hero won't be much help. I know that better than anyone! I ''know'' I'm not good enough for B-class... I'm weak, I know that much. No-one has to tell me I have no chance of beating you. I already know that! And yet, ''I must try''."

* ''Series/MarriedWithChildren'': Al Bundy. Best exemplified by his WorldOfCardboardSpeech.

* In the ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' series, this is the position the Warrior of Light ultimately takes in regards to the cycle of conflict. It may be a ForeverWar, it may be a HopelessWar, it might be ruled and controlled by forces way beyond his potential understanding. But that doesn't mean he'll ever stop fighting or trying to break the cycle to send everyone home. This puts the Warrior of Light in stark contrast to Garland, who has decided that [[ThenLetMeBeEvil he's going to just revel into the cycles of endless battle]] since it's all that they have, sice Garland has given up on escaping.

* In the ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' series, this is the position the Warrior of Light ultimately takes in regards to the cycle of conflict. It may be a ForeverWar, it may be a HopelessWar, it might be ruled and controlled by forces way beyond his potential understanding. But that doesn't mean he'll ever stop fighting or trying to break the cycle to send everyone home.

->''"Certainty of death. ''Small'' chance of success. What are we waiting for?"''

A character who genuinely believes FailureIsTheOnlyOption, yet [[{{Determinator}} presses on anyway]]. Sometimes, it's all too tempting for them to turn their back on their dreams, or let themselves plummet over the DespairEventHorizon. Don't think they actually will though. If they ever do give up, [[TenMinuteRetirement you can bet it won't be for long]]. Often they feel their situation's so hopeless, they've got nothing to lose. After all, if there is [[CrapsackWorld nothing in the world but darkness]], then all that matters is WhatYouAreInTheDark.

** The [[OurElvesAreBetter Craftworld Eldar]] take this to the point where it's their [[PlanetOfHats racial hat]], that and being {{Magnificent Bastard}}s. Their species is [[DyingRace staring extinction right in the face]], and yet they continue to fight tooth and nail in a galaxy where they are hopelessly outnumbered by [[HumansAreBastards dogmatic and xenophobic humans]], [[AxCrazy murderously psychotic Orks]] and [[BugWar planet-eating Tyranids]], while also being hunted relentlessly by a GodOfEvil who is out for their souls.

%%* Puddleglum in ''Literature/TheSilverChair''.

* ''Anime/MazingerZ'': [[TheHero Kouji]] kept fighting even when he thought -or knew- that he couldn't win. He fought [[FlyingFirepower Jinray S1]] despite of having almost no chances to defeat a flying, ultra-fast {{Robeast}} that used hit-and-run tactics. And he deployed Mazinger-Z to fight a squad of ''[[Anime/GreatMazinger Mykene War Beasts]]'' even knowing that he'd not win that battle.