History Main / IdiotHero

The Idiot Hero is a common character in action series. Often, he is both [[TheProtagonist the protagonist]] and the central character of the narrative. He will frequently use the IndyPloy, will be [[FearlessFool too stupid to be afraid of imminent peril]], and will often have a [[TheDitz short memory span]]. Despite all of this, he is the [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass most effective member of the cast at fighting]]. He will also usually be the [[TheHero leader]] of a [[TheTeam tight-knit group of characters]], despite the fact that he doesn't have the brains to lead a cat out of a paper bag. This is because he's [[TooDumbToFool so stupid as to be incorruptible]], and has the ability to maintain a [[ChildrenAreInnocent childlike innocence]] and faith in people that [[EasyEvangelism inspires those around him]].

A reminder that TropesAreNotGood.

* Shirou Emiya from ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' comes close. He blindly clings to an oversimplified ideal of being a "Hero of Justice", without understanding [[ShootTheDog just how horrible]] [[SilentScapegoat such a life]] [[HumansAreBastards would be]]. He's also a sexist [[note]] he refuses to let [[GuardianEntity Saber]] fight for him just because she is a girl, even though the enemies he faces could fillet him with a single attack [[/note]], and knows nothing about sex or women.

* Battler Ushiromiya from ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry, at least until he wizens up.

Tends to overlap with SmallStepsHero, being too lacking in ambition or easily distracted to plan anything truly long-term. In his early stages, he may be little more than an InvincibleIncompetent; however, with CharacterDevelopment, the Idiot Hero may [[MessiahCreep mature into]] a MessianicArchetype. The Idiot Hero is usually opposed or rivaled by TheStoic or the AloofBigBrother. If the Idiot Hero is [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass not as nearly as aloof when things get serious]], then his stupidity is actually an ObfuscatingStupidity.

Tends to overlap with SmallStepsHero, being too lacking in ambition or easily distracted to plan anything truly long-term. In his early stages, he may be little more than an InvincibleIncompetent; however, with CharacterDevelopment, the Idiot Hero may [[MessiahCreep mature into]] an MessianicArchetype. The Idiot Hero is usually opposed or rivaled by TheStoic or the AloofBigBrother. If the Idiot Hero is [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass not as nearly as aloof when things get serious]], then his stupidity is actually an ObfuscatingStupidity.

Tends to overlap with SmallStepsHero, being too stupid to do anything truly long-term. In his early stages, he may be little more than an InvincibleIncompetent; however, with CharacterDevelopment, the Idiot Hero may [[MessiahCreep mature into]] an MessianicArchetype. The Idiot Hero is usually opposed or rivaled by TheStoic or the AloofBigBrother. If the Idiot Hero is actually a sleazy {{Badass}}, then his stupidity is actually an ObfuscatingStupidity.

TheLancer to the Idiot Hero takes two common forms: either they are a HeroWorshipper willing to look past his obvious drawbacks, or a SourSupporter who acts as his {{Foil}}. In either case, they often act as MrExposition, [[AsYouKnow explaining the hero things he really ought to already know]]. Others in general will usually get annoyed or [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer even outright dislike]] the Idiot Hero, but deep down, they know he is the one whom they can depend on to protect them from the evils of the world.

The sidekick of the Idiot Hero is frequently MrExposition or a HeroWorshipper, who has no compunctions against [[AsYouKnow explaining things the hero ought to already know]] when TheHero is a moron. Could be a form of MinMaxing, where the hero sacrifices intelligence (or at least the non-combat related aspects of intelligence) for combat proficiency. Others in general will usually get annoyed or [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer even outright dislike]] the Idiot Hero, but deep down, they know he is the one whom they can depend on to protect them from the evils of the world.

Compare with AllLovingHero, FailureHero, NiceJobBreakingItHero, HeroWithAnFInGood GoodIsDumb, StupidGood and ButtMonkey. Contrast with PragmaticHero, GuileHero and ByronicHero. Will frequently be a ManChild - or even a PsychopathicManchild if crossed with SociopathicHero. Not to be confused with IdiotHair, though the two may overlap.

Compare with AllLovingHero, FailureHero, NiceJobBreakingItHero, HeroWithAnFInGood GoodIsDumb, StupidGood and ButtMonkey. Contrast with PragmaticHero, GuileHero and ByronicHero. Not to be confused with IdiotHair, though the two may overlap.

->''"Why must the fate of the world always be in the hands of an idiot?"''

* Sparadrap from ''Franchise/{{Noob}}'' moves from TheFool to this over the course of the story. The earliest signs appear in the webseries when he gets angry over enemies threatening to hurt his friends and his idealistic goal emerges when [[spoiler:some of the friends in question leave the guild and he gets obsessed with Putting The Band Back Together]].

* IdiotHero/{{Anime And Manga}}

* IdiotHero/{{Mythology And Religion}}

* IdiotHero/{{Video Games}}
* IdiotHero/{{Web Comics}}
* IdiotHero/{{Western Animation}}

[[folder:Fan Fic]]
* In ''FanFic/YourHumanAndYou'', the main character, Max, is a prime example of this.

[[folder:Multiple Media]]
* Sparadrap from ''Franchise/{{Noob}}'' moves from TheFool to this over the course of the story. The earliest signs appear in the webseries when he gets angry over enemies threatening to hurt his friends and his idealistic goal emerges when [[spoiler:some of the friends in question leave the guild and he gets obsessed with Putting The Band Back Together]].

[[folder:Newspaper Comics]]
* Beetle of ''BeetleBailey'' is probably one of the best examples every of an Idiot AntiHero.
[[/folder]]

The Idiot Hero is a common character in action series. Often, he is both [[TheProtagonist the protagonist]] and the central character of the narrative. He will frequently use the IndyPloy, will be [[FearlessFool too stupid to be afraid of imminent peril]], and will often have a [[TheDitz short memory span]]. Despite all of this, he is the [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass most effective member of the cast at fighting]]. He will also usually be the [[TheHero leader]] of a [[TheTeam tight-knit group of characters]], despite the fact that he doesn't have the brains to lead a cat out of a paper bag. This is because he's so stupid as to be incorruptible, and has the ability to maintain a [[ChildrenAreInnocent childlike innocence]] and faith in people that [[EasyEvangelism inspires those around him]].

The Idiot Hero is a common character in action series. Often, he is both [[TheProtagonist the main protagonist]] and the central character of the narrative. He will frequently use the IndyPloy, will be [[FearlessFool too stupid to be afraid of imminent peril]], and will often have a [[TheDitz short memory span]]. Despite all of this, he is the [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass most effective member of the cast at fighting]]. He will also usually be the [[TheHero leader]] of a [[TheTeam tight-knit group of characters]], despite the fact that he doesn't have the brains to lead a cat out of a paper bag. This is because he's so stupid as to be incorruptible, and has the ability to maintain a [[ChildrenAreInnocent childlike innocence]] and faith in people that [[EasyEvangelism inspires those around him]].

A reminder that TropesAreTools.

* IdiotHero/{{Live-Action TV}}

* Jaune Arc of WebAnimation/{{RWBY}} is this compared to his more educated and better-trained peers. [[DeconstructedTrope However]], he's aware of it and it causes him great distress for a while, until he decides to start training with Phyrra to overcome it.

Not to be confused with IdiotHair, though the two may overlap.

Tends to overlap with SmallStepsHero, being too stupid to do anything truly long-term. In his early stages, he may be little more than an InvincibleIncompetent; however, with CharacterDevelopment, the Idiot Hero may [[MessiahCreep mature into]] TheMessiah. The Idiot Hero is usually opposed or rivaled by TheStoic or the AloofBigBrother. If the Idiot Hero is actually a sleazy {{Badass}}, then his stupidity is actually an ObfuscatingStupidity.

The sidekick of the Idiot Hero is frequently MrExposition or a HeroWorshipper, who has no compunctions against [[AsYouKnow explaining things the hero ought to already know]] when TheHero is a moron. Could be a form of MinMaxing, where the hero sacrifices intelligence (or at least the non-combat related aspects of intelligence) for combat proficiency.

Not to be confused with IdiotHair, though the two may overlap.

A reminder that TropesAreNotBad.