History Main / DorkKnight

* ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica'' is very much a NiceGuy and kind-hearted boy-next-door type who genuinely cares about others more than himself and isn't afraid to proclaim the ideals he fights for, namely UsefulNotes/TheAmericanDream. There are some cynics who would sneer at this, but Cap honestly doesn't care. He'll still keep fighting for his ideals no matter what. On one occasion, Cap provides encouragement to a despairing Spider-Man by telling him [[BadassCreed "This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell the whole world -- No, YOU move."]] There's a ''reason'' why the Avengers know they can always trust Cap.
* [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]] definitely qualifies. He's a hero on par with Superman both in terms of physical power and nobility, and is completely unafraid of standing up to beings more powerful than himself (up to and including the Wrath of God) if he feels it has to be done. Yet he's also unfailingly polite, kind, friendly and compassionate, with a good (sometimes self-deprecating) sense of humor who tends to get completely flustered when women take interest in him. The fact that he's really a 12 to 15 year old kid in an adult superhuman body goes a long way towards explaining this.
* The ''[[AlternateCompanyEquivalent other company's]]'' ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}}, or at least, their current and fifth/seventh one, former ComicBook/MsMarvel Carol Danvers. Credited as 'Earth's Mightiest Hero', a FlyingBrick on-par with Thor, a trained Air-Force pilot (even being a ColonelBadass) and a decorated soldier with years of experience, and she named her cat Chewie, uses the 'Jedi Mind Trick' as a distraction, and after cooling off from being mad at the uninvited visit, she geeks out at having Lila Cheney, a super-powered rock star, on her ship. Generally, Carol is good at keeping her geekiness in-check, but in recent years it's become far more blatant that she's something of a nerd.
** Her successor, the current and third [[ComicBook/MsMarvel2014 Ms. Marvel]], aka the ever-dorky shapeshifter and superhero fangirl, Kamala Khan.
* He's become less so over the years, but Lee Falk's original depiction of ''ComicStrip/ThePhantom'' had definite moments of this, particularly around the woman he loves.

* In ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'', the title character's [[ClarkKenting secret identity]] certainly has dorky tendencies. This could be the result of ObfuscatingStupidity, being an AlienAmongUs, or something else. In the modern comics, it's usually just because he's a farmer's son who moved to the big city. He doesn't really count as AlienAmongUs, since he came to Earth as an infant.
* If ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'' took place in a straight-up superhero universe rather than a {{Deconstruction}}-fest DysfunctionJunction, Dan Dreiberg (Nite Owl II) ''would'' have been this character type. But given the nature of the setting, he's more a ClassicalAntiHero than TheAce. It is worth noting that despite ''Watchmen''[='=]s very dark take on most of the superhero archetypes it explores, Dan retains his endearing dorkiness and is probably the most idealistic and conventionally likable of the costumed heroes.

* ''Manga/DeliciousInDungeon'': Laois the warrior is the leader of an experienced dungeon explorer team. He's also a massive dork, is a living encyclopedia on monsters, and is awful at reading the mood.

* ''Manga/DeliciousInDungeon'': Laius the warrior is the leader of an experienced dungeon explorer team. He's also a massive dork, is a living encyclopedia on monsters, and is awful at reading the mood.

* ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'' has Poppy, Keeper of the Hammer, [[PintSizedPowerhouse an unbelievably strong yordle]] tasked with delivering a [[DropTheHammer legendary hammer of Orlon]] to a fabled "Hero of Demacia" and is remarkably and suspiciously capable with wielding it herself. She's also a complete dork with NoSenseOfDirection, a chipper sense of humor (but ironically CannotTellAJoke), and is [[HumbleHero so humble]] that she ''genuinely'' [[IgnorantOfTheCall doesn't consider how she might actually be the hero she was looking for]].

* ''Series/TheLoneGunmen'': All of the gents qualify to some degree or another. They certainly ''are'' dorks, and they're completely incorruptible underground hackers and journalists operating with the motive that InformationWantsToBeFree. However, Byers and Jimmy Bond fit the mold best. Byers is a soft-spoken gentleman who used to be a loyal worker for the FCC and still believes that America can one day live up to the {{Eagleland}} Type One. The other two derided him as a "narc" until he stared down armed members of the Conspiracy and chewed them out, demanding to know who the hell they were and what gave them the right to pull these stunts. Jimmy Bond, their last recruit, is a BookDumb puppy dog of a man who is TooDumbToFool, but gifted with a surprising amount of compassion and intuition that makes him see things that the otherwise intellectual Gunmen are apt to miss.

* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': Everyone. Sokka in particular stands out, as does Zuko after his HeelFaceTurn (before which he was a NerdInEvilsHelmet).
** The titular Avatar in ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' who was raised in a secluded compound from age four to sixteen and it shows as she's a SociallyAwkwardHero with a good heart despite her immaturity. She does develop over the seasons into a mature and wise leader but, like Aang in flashbacks, still retains some dorkiness. Considering the very first Avatar Wan was a goof himself, it may be inherited through reincarnation.

** Adrien Agreste is a studious, kind-hearted, sweet [[TheAce Ace]] who genuinely cares about others and ''literally'' JumpedAtTheCall. He's also the dorky, [[PungeonMaster punny]] superhero Cat Noir. Adrien, despite being polite and pretty friendly, started the series as a {{homeschooled kid|s}} who had [[SociallyAwkwardHero difficulty relating]] to his peers. He got better after CharacterDevelopment kicked in.
** Marinette Dupain-Cheng, [[{{downplayed}} to an extent]]. She's the protagonist to Adrien's {{deuteragonist}}, and a compassionate, [[NiceGuy genuinely nice]] GirlyBruiser, who likes [[TheFashionista fashion]], and [[GamerChick trumps people at video games]] left and right. And as Ladybug she stands for [[ComesGreatResponsibility responsibility]] and [[ForGreatJustice justice]] alongside Cat Noir. Despite all that, she gets pretty flustered and even more clumsy than usual around her crush, Adrien, alternating between CannotSpitItOut and [[GibberishOfLove a hilarious case of]] MotorMouth.

* ''WesternAnimation/MyAdventuresWithSuperman'': Clark Kent/Superman is much less sure of himself and more socially awkward than previous versions of [[Franchise/{{Superman}} the Man of Steel]] (and unlike past incarnations, his mild-mannered personality as Clark isn't just an act to keep a low profile). He's a stammering mess when flustered and runs from Lois when she tries to interview him as Superman. His uncertainty and unfamiliarity with his alien and "un-normal" abilities also contributes to him being [[AdaptationalWimp much weaker in a fight than past incarnations]], as he [[WillfullyWeak subconsciously suppresses the full extent of his strength]] because of his fears of accidentally hurting/killing others, even enemies attacking him. Despite this, he's still very much an AllLovingHero who only wants to use his powers to help others.

* ''Anime/ReadOrDie'': Yomiko Readman. [[BewareTheNiceOnes She can also]] [[PaperMaster kill you with a bookmark.]]

* ''Fanfic/AmazingFantasy'' begins with Izuku Midoriya (who in this universe got ComicBook/SpiderMan powers) giving the audience the "do you really want to know my story?" narration of ''Film/SpiderMan1'', only to stop and beg the audience to stay when he seems to be scaring (or boring) then away. His typical personality also clashes quite noticeably with Peter Parker's.

* ''Franchise/BackToTheFuture'': Marty [=McFly=] hardly is the toughest guy around, and he does have his "[[BerserkButton nobody]] [[FatalFlaw calls]] [[{{Pride}} me chicken]]" problem. But he mostly is a good guy, who also can qualify as a CoolLoser.

* ''WesternAnimation/MyAdventuresWithSuperman'': Clark Kent is much less sure of himself and more socially awkward than previous versions of the character. He's a stammering mess when flustered and runs from Lois when she tries to interview Superman. His uncertainty and unfamiliarity with his alien and "un-normal" abilities also contributes to him being [[AdaptationalWimp much weaker in a fight than past incarnations]], as he [[WillfullyWeak subconsciously suppresses the full extent of his strength]] because of his fears of accidentally hurting/killing others, even enemies attacking him. Despite this, he's still very much an AllLovingHero who only wants to use his powers to help others.

A obvious play on [[SelfProclaimedKnight Dark Knight]], the ''Dork'' Knight is TheAce, TheCape, the KnightInShiningArmor or a similar character type infused with EndearinglyDorky, where the endearing awkwardness serves to humanize an otherwise idealized hero. (It can also work in reverse, where an established lovable dork shows unexpected courage and prowess.) See also BadassAdorable and SociallyAwkwardHero (which tend to overlap). Goofier examples of this trope may overlap with CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass.

* ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' is this, with Peter Parker being an endearingly awkward everyman ever since he was a teenager. Which never stopped him from being one of the most capable superheroes in the Marvel-verse.

* ''WesternAnimation/MyAdventuresWithSuperman'': Clark Kent is much less sure of himself and more socially awkward than previous versions of the character. He's a stammering mess when flustered and runs from Lois when she tries to interview Superman. His uncertainty and unfamiliarity with his alien and "un-normal" abilities also contributes to him being [[AdaptationalWimp much weaker in a fight than past incarnations]], as he [[WillfullyWeak subconsciously suppresses the full extent of his strength]] because of his fears of accidentally hurting/killing others, even enemies attacking him.

* ''Anime/ReadOrDie'': Yomiko Readman.[[BewareTheNiceOnes She can also]] [[PaperMaster kill you with a bookmark.]]

* If ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'' took place in a straight-up superhero universe rather than a {{Deconstruction}}-fest DysfunctionJunction, Dan Dreiberg (Nite Owl II) ''would'' have been this character type. But given the nature of the setting, he's more a ClassicalAntiHero than TheAce. It is worth noting that despite ''Watchmen''[='=]s very dark take on most of the superhero archetypes it explores, Dan retains his endearing dorkiness and is probably the most idealistic and conventionally likeable of the costumed heroes.

%%* ''Series/{{Chuck}}'': Chuck [[spoiler: from season 3 onwards.]]

* ''Franchise/KamerRider'':

** Mario constantly risks his life to save Princess Peach and the Mushroom Kingdom, goes out of his way to help anyone he meets and is unfailingly brave and noble. He's also a happy-go-lucky, excitable guy who possesses an extreme optimism and enjoys all sorts of activities, no matter how childlish they might seem.

* John in ''VideoGame/ImmortalSouls'' looks and fights the part of a badass NinetiesAntiHero, but he's really a softie who is a bit naive and cares about saving innocents and doing the right thing, though [[HeroicNeutral you do have to initially push him into it]]. He also gets absolutely tongue-tied talking to his LoveInterest [[TheIngenue Allison]] and whenever [[VillainousCrush the Black Witch]] tries flirting with him. Or when talking about Allison. Or when ''thinking'' about Allison.
* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'': [[TheHero Link]] ''loves'' this trope. No matter which incarnation he's in. Here are a few examples.
** Described by the page quote is the Link in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker''; he may be brave, kind, and heroic, but he's still a huge dork of a KidHero with especially cartooney facial expressions, even for the art style.
** Similarly, the Link in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'' is a good example as well, being a somewhat klutzy Sleepyhead, especially around Zelda; both of them have slayed monsters, saved the world, shown unbelievable amounts of determination stronger than titanium, and are overall very capable at what they do.
** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', Link started off in the backstory as very stoic and serious, but he's loosened up considerably by the time you get to control him. He often makes cheesy puns in dialogue, he hums excitedly while cooking food, and should you choose to sleep on the waterbed in Zora's Domain, Link can be heard bouncing on the bed and giggling like a little kid.

* ''Franchise/MassEffect'': Garrus Vakarian is of the {{Number Two}}/{{Friendly Sniper}} variety. He is a highly trained sniper who (1) aided in stopping a full scale assault on the galactic seat of government, (2) led a group of vigilantes on a [[WretchedHive space station]] that would put Mos Eisley Spaceport to shame, and (3) became the leader of a task force designated to prepare for the inevitable genocidal alien invasion. During the course of all of this, he has a bad habit of saying InnocentlyInsensitive things, and turns into a shy, stuttering confused mess when either making or receiving romantic/sexual advances.
* Crick from ''VideoGame/OctopathTravelerII'' starts out as a very earnest NaiveNewcomer who is constantly getting teased by Temenos for his awkwardness. However, he's also extremely dedicated to his job, and even the antagonists note how strong he is.
* Pit from ''VideoGame/KidIcarusUprising'' is captain of an army of centurions, has mastered ''nine'' different weapon types, and was able to defeat Medusa [[spoiler:(Twice, in fact)]] and [[spoiler: Hades]], by himself. He also happens to be easily flustered, a jokester, and has UndyingLoyalty to his goddess Palutena. It helps that, despite being at least 25+ years old, he looks and acts like a thirteen-year-old.
* In many odd ways, Wander of ''VideoGame/ShadowOfTheColossus'' could count as this. The narrative ([[{{Minimalism}} what little there is]]) never calls attention to it, but for [[BadassNormal a guy who's capable of slaying Colossi]], he seems really unprepared for it; he doesn't know how to handle a sword beyond awkward stabs and clumsy swings that throw him off balance, and even when he's running normally, it's less of a composed sprint and more like a frantic scramble as if he's about to trip over everything (ironic considering [[ColossusClimb how well he does vertically]]). It appears that [[InvokedTrope Team ICO was counting on this clumsiness to endear himself to audiences]], almost assuredly to create dissonance once [[WhatTheHellHero the tone of the game begins shifting against him and his Colossus-slaying.]]
* ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'' has Poppy, Keeper of the Hammer, [[PintSizedPowerhouse an unbelievably strong yordle]] tasked with delivering a [[DropTheHammer legendary hammer of Orlon]] to a fabled "Hero of Demacia" and is remarkably and suspiciously capable with wielding it herself. She's also a complete dork with NoSenseOfDirection, a chipper sense of humor (but ironically CannotTellAJoke), and is [[HumbleHero so humble]] that she ''genuinely'' [[IgnorantOfTheCall doesn't consider how she might actually be the hero she was looking for]].

* ''WesternAnimation/TheTick'': Arthur wants to be a super, and definitely has some dorky qualities, but is overshadowed by The Tick. The Tick, by contrast, is an IdiotHero.
* Rufus of ''WesternAnimation/TheDreamstone'' being MrImagination, TheKlutz and a CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass rolled into one, gets moments of this DependingOnTheWriter. Especially prominent in the pilot episode, where he even wields a sword.

** Adrien Agreste. He’s a studious, kind-hearted, sweet [[TheAce Ace]] who genuinely cares about others and ''literally'' JumpedAtTheCall. He’s also the dorky, [[PungeonMaster punny]] superhero Cat Noir. Adrien, despite being polite and pretty friendly, started the series as a {{homeschooled kid|s}} who had [[SociallyAwkwardHero difficulty relating]] to his peers. He got better after CharacterDevelopment kicked in.

* Clark Kent from ''WesternAnimation/MyAdventuresWithSuperman'' is much less sure of himself and more socially awkward than previous versions of the character. He's a stammering mess when flustered and runs from Lois when she tries to interview Superman. His uncertainty and unfamiliarity with his alien and "un-normal" abilities also contributes to him being [[AdaptationalWimp much weaker in a fight than past incarnations]], as he [[WillfullyWeak subconsciously suppresses the full extent of his strength]] because of his fears of accidentally hurting/killing others, even enemies attacking him.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'': ComicBook/AntMan and ComicBook/TheWasp. The former a ScienceHero who'd much prefer doing science stuff than heroics, and squees when he begins mapping Ant DNA, the latter an excitable GenkiGirl who really enjoys fighting crime and watching cartoons.
* WesternAnimation/DaffyDuck as WesternAnimation/StuporDuck. He mistakes a TV melodrama as the evil machinations of a villain named Aardvark Ratnik and goes about righting wrongs that don't really need righting to start with. The latter-day short ''Superior Duck'' may count as well.

* Vince from ''Literature/SuperPowereds''. He is so stubbornly optimistic that he often brings out the best in people before they even knew it was there to be brought out.
%%* Dave Malkoff from the ''Literature/{{Troubleshooters}}'' series. Mike Muldoon may also qualify.
* Miles Vorkosigan from the ''Literature/VorkosiganSaga'' is a tiny, hyperactive, GeniusCripple snarker with the soul of a KnightErrant and frightening levels of determination.

* Sir Gawain in the older stories of Myth/ArthurianLegend. He's a fierce warrior and the paragon of knightly virtue, and he has no idea how to talk to a girl.
%%* The White Knight from ''[[Literature/AlicesAdventuresInWonderland Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There]]''.
* Ossian Bergman from "De skandalösa" by Creator/SimonaAhrnstedt is a nerdy scholar, who seems to be awkward when it comes to women. But he also seems to be a better person than his ChivalrousPervert friend Gabriel, and in the end, [[spoiler:he does get a woman after all.]]
* This trope is exemplified by Isaac Vanko from ''Literature/MagicExLibris'' who often takes time from running for his life or fighting to geek out over whatever is trying to kill him.

* Simon Tam on ''Series/{{Firefly}}''. An intelligent and chivalrous but very socially awkward doctor who can be surprisingly resourceful and dangerous [[BigBrotherInstinct when his little sister's in danger]].
* Blaine Anderson from ''Series/{{Glee}}'' has become known as "Dapper" in the fandom for a reason: he constantly wears bowties, cardigans, polo shirts and sweater vests. He doesn't like to wear socks for some odd reason and has a passion dancing like Carlton from ''Series/TheFreshPrinceOfBelAir'' to songs by Music/KatyPerry. He also is willing to take on football players about twice his size if they mess with his boyfriend and probably could have taken him down considering he boxes and started his private school's chapter of''Film/FightClub''.
* John Watson in ''Series/{{Sherlock}}'' has some elements of this, particularly in fandom portrayals. Both his sweater-wearing cuteness and his badassery have become memes. They definitely have. BBC has him portrayed as an adrenaline junkie, but overall a likeable guy, [[BewareTheNiceOnes don't mess with his friend. It'll end badly if you do.]] [[BadassAdorable And he'll look adorable while doing it.]]

* ''Franchise/PowerRangers'': The legendary MemeticBadass Tommy Oliver ''absolutely'' qualifies.
* From ''Series/{{Angel}}'', we have the Groosalugg (a title meaning "The Brave and Undefeated" - Groo for short), a champion from a swords-and-sorcery alternate universe, who is always eager to please his "princess".
* [[Series/KamenRiderFourze Gentaro Kisaragi]]. [[{{Keet}} Enthusiastic]], [[FriendToAllLivingThings plans to befriend everybody]] [[DefeatMeansFriendship even if he has to fight them first]], preposterous haircut, [[ChickMagnet surrounded by interested women]].
* ''Series/KamenRiderSaber'': Rintaro Shindo / Kamen Rider Blades, a knight deeply devoted to a secret order that has been fighting monsters born from human imagination for thousands of years. In battle, an absolute badass swordsman. Otherwise a silly bookworm who has very little real world experience and thus reacts with a childish glee to things like pastries or cultural customs. It also means he can't even talk to people without coming across as either weird or suspicious because of his TheUnsmile and an odd word choice (for one, he calls people ''Homo Sapiens'').
* Commander Jeffrey Sinclair, commanding officer of ''Series/{{Babylon 5}}''. Badass RulesLawyer AcePilot who is, in fact, a complete and utter ''dork''. His successor, John Sheridan, was no better. If you piss Sheridan off, he ''will'' nuke your ass. But he'll go from nuke-slinging badass to rushing over to his second in command's room in the middle of the night because he had a great idea, and being ''completely'' oblivious to her being dressed in nothing but a flimsy nightgown. ({{Justified}} somewhat because they are LikeBrotherAndSister).
* Hiro Nakamura of ''Series/{{Heroes}}'' considers it his personal quest to "[[ArcWords Save the cheerleader, save the world.]]" He is absolutely ''giddy'' over the fact that he gets to be a hero just like his favorite anime and comic characters, and his enthusiasm tends to spill over into fanboying "Flying Man" because he has cool powers, too (though Nathan really [[IJustWantToBeNormal wishes he didn't]] and ''certainly'' doesn't want Hiro yelling "FLYING MAN!" where everyone can hear).
* Barry Allen in ''Series/TheFlash2014'' is a forensic scientist prone to geek-outs, sometimes socially awkward. He's also the fastest man alive and a superhero.
* Kara Danvers/Zor-El in ''Series/{{Supergirl 2015}}'', a cute, awkward, and idealistic FlyingBrick. Lampshaded by a shock-jock DJ who mocks Supergirl's adorkable and wholesome persona.
* ''Series/TheLoneGunmen'': All of the gents qualify to some degree or another. They certainly ''are'' dorks, and they're completely incorruptible underground hackers and journalists operating with the motive that InformationWantsToBeFree. However, Byers and Jimmy Bond fit the mold best. Byers is a soft-spoken gentleman who used to be a loyal worker for the FCC and still believes that America can one day live up to the {{Eagleland}} Type One. The other two derided him as a "narc" until he stared down armed members of the Conspiracy and chewed them out, demanding to know who the hell they were and what gave them the right to pull these stunts. Jimmy Bond, their last recruit, is a BookDumb puppy dog of a man who is TooDumbToFool, but gifted with a surprising amount of compassion and intuition that makes him see things that the otherwise intellectual Gunmen are apt to miss.
* ''Series/CriminalMinds'' has Aaron Hotchner, although you wouldn't necessarily know it if you met him on the job due to his [[TheStoic stoic nature]] and PerpetualFrowner glare. But get him at home with his young son or in a social situation with his team, and you'll realise that he has quite the adorkable side hidden underneath his [[TheComicallySerious Comically Serious]] demeanour.
* Xander Harris from ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. He's a nerdy loser of the first water -- hugely into comics and science fiction. And he's got a moral center as strong as tungsten steel and, when pushed, the sheer unbreakable will to back it up. Angelus referred to him -- sarcastically -- as "Buffy's WhiteKnight" not really comprehending just how corret he was being.

* While obviously not an example of the trope himself, Harley Quinn uses this as an insult to Batman in ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamAsylum''.
* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'': The titular bros, Mario and Luigi, each in their own way.
** Mario constantly risks his life to save Princess Peach and the Mushroom Kingdom, goes out of his way to help anyone he meets and is unfailingly brave and noble. He's also a happy-go-lucky, excitable guy who possesses an extreme optimism and enjoys all sorts of activities, no matter how childlish they might seem.
** Luigi is a flat-out cute dork and LovableCoward, he would rather stay out of trouble and is constantly overlooked in favor of his more famous, older brother. However, that doesn't stop him from being the best person he can be and his moral fiber is just as strong as Mario's.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'': Steiner is not the main hero, but he is a Dork Knight at times. He leans more towards being more of an IdiotHero.
* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'': Zack Fair is strong, handsome, loyal, determined, honorable, friendly, and all over a nice guy. He also is a serious badass and one of the strongest fighters in the series. However, as seen in ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'', he's also 16-18 for most of his game and has the attention span of a hyperactive Labrador. Puppy, indeed.
* Alistair from the ''Franchise/DragonAge'' series. On the one hand, he's brave, noble, and heroic (making him a distinct rarity in the [[CrapsackWorld Dragon Age verse]]) and approves of the player being so as well - on the other, he's a bit of a ManChild who can barely get through a sentence without slipping into bad humor and/or BuffySpeak, ''especially'' if he's talking to a woman.
* [[TheHero Roy]] from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade'' is a brave and skilled swordsman, and a very charismatic leader and highly intelligent TeenGenius GuileHero to boot, but he definitely has his awkward teenager moments; especially in his supports with any of his potential wives. His father Eliwood from the prequel game can fall into this sometimes, too, but to a lesser degree.
* In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'' we have Sumia. A submissive badass in the battlefield, a CuteClumsyGirl outside of it.
** [[TheHero Prince Chrom]], too. And [[spoiler: his daughter Lucina (who can be mothered by Sumia)]] can have her moments.
** In truth, almost every character in ''Awakening'' counts to some degree. Characters like [[{{Tsundere}} Severa]] and [[HeroicComedicSociopath Henry]] are very upfront about it, while others like [[UndyingLoyalty Frederick]] and [[LittleBitBeastly Panne]] require a little more digging to reach their dorky sides.
** It seems that Chrom [[spoiler:and Lucina's]] dorkiness comes from somewhere; even [[TheHero Prince Marth]] from [[VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragonAndTheBladeOfLight the games taking place 2000 years before theirs]] had moments like this as well, mainly due to his rather childish and naive personality.
* Applies to the Avatar aka [[CanonName Corrin]], of ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates''. An unstoppable, badass {{Determinator}} on the battlefield, but a cheerful, socially inept ''dork'' off of it.
* Alm from ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemGaiden Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia]]'' takes the usual "badass on the battlefield, dork off of it" nature of ''Fire Emblem'' heroes up a notch with his love of corny jokes and bad puns. Celica is fairly stern and serious much of the time, but she too isn't without her silly moments, such as chuckling at the word [[HehHehYouSaidX "booty"]].

* Double H from ''VideoGame/BeyondGoodAndEvil'', whose dorkiness is actually directly tied to his badassery: He's [[FanBoy fanboyishly obsessed]] with his BadassCreed, to the point of using its ''name'' as his BattleCry ("'''''CARLSONNN AND PEETERSSSS!'''''") and applying quotes from it to everything he does, regardless of the circumstances. It helps that he's also an [[IOweYouMyLife obsessively loyal]] BruiserWithASoftCenter.

* Yomiko Readman of ''Anime/ReadOrDie'' .[[BewareTheNiceOnes She can also]] [[PaperMaster kill you with a bookmark.]]
* ''Manga/{{Trigun}}'': Vash the Stampede. He's a completely unstoppable (and non-lethal) warrior and one of the silliest men committed to animation.

* In ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', [[spoiler: Akemi Homura is revealed in a flashback to have started off life as cute and dorky. She turns to TakeALevelInBadass to prevent [[PseudoRomanticFriendship Madoka's]] death, and gradually sheds layers of dorky charm in each iteration of her GroundhogDayLoop to become a hardened badass dedicated to protecting her at all costs. However, when her feelings for Madoka bubble up to the surface, she's still the same person at heart.]]
* Syaoran Li, beneath his supposed arrogance, turns out to be one in ''Manga/CardcaptorSakura'', arguably Sakura herself evolves as such, both her [[TookALevelInBadass competence as guardian of the cards]] and [[KindheartedSimpleton cluelessly innocent persona]] upped as the series goes on.

* Son Gohan from ''Manga/DragonBall'' has a bad case of ChronicHeroSyndrome, perfect grades, superpowers, and grew up in a tiny, isolated house up in the mountains with absolutely no frame of reference to tell him that no, normal people cannot jump eight meters into the air. Becoming a superhero with really clear {{Sentai}} influences really was the only option.
* After taking a level in badass, Tsukune Aono from ''Manga/RosarioPlusVampire'' fits squarely in this. Taking on some of the most deadliest monsters one minute and being a cute dork the next.
* Seiya of ''Manga/NurseAngelRirikaSOS'' is a hyperactive, clever, absolutely fearless goofball who [[HowDoIShotWeb doesn't have the best control over his powers]] (it's a work in progress,) but is always ready to help his MagicalGirlWarrior best friend. Villains actually refer to him as a knight.
* Laius the warrior from ''Manga/DeliciousInDungeon'' is the leader of an experienced dungeon explorer team. He's also a massive dork, is a living encyclopedia on monsters, and is awful at reading the mood.
* Izuku Midoriya, the protagonist of ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' is armed with the Quirk of the world's greatest hero, granting him incredible SuperStrength at the risk of smashing his bones to pieces. Through his hard work and dedication he becomes one of the best fighters in his class at a school filled with promising young Heroes. On top of all this, his grades are excellent and he boasts considerable popularity among his peers and the rest of the people in his neighborhood after the Sports Festival. He's also an extremely dorky SociallyAwkwardHero who gets flustered around girls, is an ''enormous'' [[{{Otaku}} Hero Fanboy]], and is prone to TenderTears.
** His mentor, All Might, also has a bit of this, although it's not nearly as visible due to his charisma and showmanship. He's a SupermanSubstitute who's officially recognized as the greatest hero in the world. His actions have inspired a generation of would-be heroes and his mere existence reduces the crime rate through deterrence. He also frequently makes extremely bombastic entrances to ordinary social situations ("I am...coming through the door, like a normal person!") has a tendency to privately {{squee}} over Midoriya, and has to carry around a "Teaching For Dummies" book.
* Cynthia from ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries''. In addition to being Sinnoh's Champion, she's a scholar who studies Sinnoh's myths. Oh, and she also has a silly personality and a child-like obsession with sweets (particularly ice cream), treating them like SeriousBusiness. This even gets exploited by the bad guys on occasion.

* [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]] definitely qualifies. He's a hero on par with Superman both in terms of physical power and nobility, and is completely unafraid of standing up to beings more powerful than himself (up to and including the Wrath of God) if he feels it has to be done. Yet he's also unfailingly polite, kind, friendly and compassionate, with a good (sometimes self-deprecating) sense of humor who tends to get completely flustered when women take interest in him. The fact that he's really a 12 to 15 year old kid in an adult superhuman body goes a long way towards explaining this.
* The ''[[AlternateCompanyEquivalent other company's]]'' ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}}, or at least, their current and fifth/seventh one, former ComicBook/MsMarvel Carol Danvers. Credited as 'Earth's Mightiest Hero', a FlyingBrick on-par with Thor, a trained Air-Force pilot (even being a ColonelBadass) and a decorated soldier with years of experience, and she named her cat Chewie, uses the 'Jedi Mind Trick' as a distraction, and after cooling off from being mad at the uninvited visit, she geeks out at having Lila Cheney, a super-powered rock star, on her ship. Generally, Carol is good at keeping her geekiness in-check, but in recent years it's become far more blatant that she's something of a nerd.
** Her successor, the current and third [[ComicBook/MsMarvel2014 Ms. Marvel]], aka the ever-dorky shapeshifter and superhero fangirl, Kamala Khan.

* In ''Fanfic/ThievesCanBeHeroes'', Izuku Midoriya retains most of the traits of his canon counterpart. He isn't quite as popular due to the stigma of the criminal record he earned while trying to save a woman from a drunken rapist, but the friends he does have will gladly put their lives on the line for him and they unanimously nominate him as the leader of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts for his overall strength, moral fiber, intelligence, and bravery.

* WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse in some of his earlier more abrasive years pre-{{Flanderization}} into TheEveryman (though it comes back on occasion, e.g. ''Runaway Brain'').

* Blu from ''WesternAnimation/{{Rio}}''. He even has a "legal name" to put it that way (Tyler Gunderson).

%%* In ''Film/{{Hellboy|2004}}'', [[UnfazedEveryMan Agent John Myers]].
%%* In ''Film/{{Condorman}}'', Woody, mostly due to his being a {{Cloudcuckoolander}}.
* Luke Skywalker from ''Franchise/StarWars'' starts off like this. Over time - maybe because of TheReveal in ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' - he becomes more composed and sober. Parts of the Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse prove, though, that his dorky side didn't really die.

* Marty [=McFly=] from the ''Franchise/BackToTheFuture'' trilogy hardly is the toughest guy around, and he does have his "[[BerserkButton nobody]] [[FatalFlaw calls]] [[{{Pride}} me chicken]]" problem. But he mostly is a good guy, who also can qualify as a CoolLoser.
* ''Film/{{Tron}}'': The titular character is a badass in a combat situation, and a completely earnest ReligiousBruiser ''dork'' outside it. Urgent call from his ''personal deity'' on the line? Nope, he's going to go and find his counterpart (wife) first. The DeletedScene? He's mostly oblivious to Yori's intentions until she all but puts on some lingerie and starts incorporating the planning into the foreplay! His KingdomHeartsII incarnation celebrated victory by ''hugging'' everyone. Unfortunately, anything past that first film was a TraumaCongaLine; by the time ''WesternAnimation/TronUprising'' rolls around, he's become incredibly cynical, with the occasional flash of dorkiness. [[spoiler: And then there's ''Film/TronLegacy'', where he ends up as little more than a brainwashed attack dog for Clu.]]
* ''Film/WonderWoman2017'': Diana is a fierce and brave warrior, but also a truthful, sincere, kind and honest girl who positively [[CutenessProximity squees]] at the sight of a baby. Unfortunately, she [[TookALevelInCynic loses this trait]] after [[HumansAreBastards seeing the worst of mankind]] during World War I.

* Recent Dreamworks films have featured this, backing away from its image of using {{Idiot Hero}}es as protagonists.
** Po from ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda'', who is simultaneously a kung fu master and a kung fu fanboy.
** Hiccup from ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon'' is another one. Lacking the traditional Viking strength and bluster, he became a first-rate GuileHero and BadassBookworm by understanding ''how'' dragons think and taming them instead of just fighting them directly. And then tames a freaking ''Night Fury'' as his partner. Sure, he's badass, but only when he ''has to be.'' Little wonder why he's so popular with the female fanbase.

* ''Fanfic/AmazingFantasy'' begins with Izuku Midoriya (who in this universe got ComicBook/SpiderMan powers) giving the audience the "do you really want to know my story?" narration of the Raimi ''Film/SpiderMan'', only to stop and beg the audience to stay when he seems to be scaring (or boring) then away. His typical personality also clashes quite noticeably with Peter Parker's.

* Cynthia from ''{{Anime/Pokemon}}''. In addition to being Sinnoh's Champion, she's a scholar who studies Sinnoh's myths. Oh, and she also has a silly personality and a child-like obsession with sweets (particularly ice cream), treating them like SeriousBusiness. This even gets exploited by the bad guys on occasion.