History Main / KnightinSourArmor

* Most clerics of [[http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Ilmater#Worshipers Ilmater]].

%%* Dr. Tenma from ''Manga{{Monster}}'' is of the aforementioned first personality type.

--> '''[=McClane:=]''' Because there is nobody else to do it right now. Believe me if there was somebody else to do it I would let them do it. There's not, so we're doing it. That's what makes you that guy.

* The protagonist of ''Manga/{{Gintama}}'', Sakata Gintoki is a [[ShellShockedVeteran veteran]] of a [[WarIsHell lost war]] who had lost [[SurvivorGuilt a lot of comrades during the war]]. He is quite cynical due to what happened in his past, often [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold rude and sarcastic]]. But he still follows his own set of principles, his own brand of bushido. And he always does everything in his power to help the people around him, even strangers, sometimes by risking his own life.

* Smoker from ''Manga/OnePiece'' is a LawfulGood one: He seems to realize how many marines, especially the higher-ups, are corrupt and follows his own idea of justice instead of the absolute justice that is proposed by the most higher-ups. Yet, despite being constantly screwed over by his own bosses and his allies, he keeps being a marine and hunts pirates. He's an example of the second type.

* In ''Manga/HayateTheCombatButler'', Hayate and Hinagiku both qualify. Hayate is seen to be ''extremely'' cynical due to his horrid childhood, especially in the manga, but simply can't help but help people he sees in need. Mostly. If he's particularly annoyed with someone (ex: The SC Rangers, Fumi) he will try to avoid getting involved with them but after getting roped into it anyway he always does his best to actually help out. Hinagiku is in a similar position, as past experience has also left her quite cynical to the point where she's more likely to snark at a villain's motives than actually be surprised. Nevertheless, she is a steadfast Ally of Justice (with a legendary sword or two to prove it) who will leap into action to protect others. Both also have a shared trait of helping others even when it would be a detriment to themselves.
* ''Anime/{{Robotech}}'': Rick Hunter goes from being a pacifist to an ace pilot and TheCaptain everyone revolved around in ''The Sentinels''. By the time of the ''New Generation'' segment, it is said that the order to use Neutron-S missiles on Earth came directly from Admiral Hunter (yes, confirmed to be the same Rick Hunter from the Macross Saga). Albeit a SaltTheEarth tactic was practical but it would have killed millions of humans along with hopefully destroying Reflex Point (Invid headquarters). The comic book ''Prelude To Shadow Chronicles'' attempts to {{lampshade|Hanging}} this not only by making it appear to be a committee decision he acquiesced to but he also states "I was an idealist in my youth, but...". Rick did have to deal with the betrayal of General Edwards (in this ''Sentinels'' {{Retcon}}, Rick is noticeably hurt by Edwards' betrayal indicating that he was at one time a trusted friend), the near-death of Lisa Hayes Hunter and the miscarriage of their baby. And there might be the difficulties associated with Minmei who just can't keep herself out of trouble.
* ''Manga/GhostTalkersDaydream'': It isn't that [[IJustWantToBeNormal Misaki]] doesn't care about helping the deceased move on, she's just tired of being bothered with it. But also realizes that they won't leave her alone, because she's [[TheGift got the gift]], which is why [[MagneticMedium they're naturally drawn to her.]] So the only way she can find a moment's peace is by helping them find ''theirs''.
* Naofumi of ''LightNovel/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'' turns into this in the matter of ''one'' day. [[BitchInSheepsClothing His sole party companion]] betrayed him, robbing him of his money and [[AbominationAccusationAttack falsely accusing him of trying to rape her]]. His name dragged through the mud and treated like a criminal by the very people he was summoned to save, he becomes unable to trust anyone, and at first, decides to fight the waves of monsters only so [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere he can go home and be done with everything]], with the [[UngratefulTownsfolk fellow people of nobility claim it was their beloved "Three Heroes" that were responsible for both defeating the Wave Boss and dramatically lessened casualties during the second Wave]]... while the truth blissfully passes right by them. Thankfully, meeting a few allies such as Raphtalia and Filo help him shed this attitude over time. Granted, he always demands compensation for his trouble whenever he helps somebody, which paints him as greedy jerk in the eyes of strangers, but it's actually because he needs to make living somehow unlike the other heroes, who get funding from Melromarc's king.
* Sora, one of the two main protagonists of ''LightNovel/NoGameNoLife'', is a {{NEET}} with a FriendlessBackground who developed the view that [[HumansAreBastards humanity is worthless]]... but at the same time, he is capable of giving surprisingly impassioned speeches about how HumansAreSpecial. When questioned about this, he replies that, although he strongly dislikes humanity as it is - [[HeroicSelfDeprecation including himself]] - he genuinely believes in the '''potential''' of humanity to be something greater, best embodied in his [[ChildProdigy hyper intelligent little sister]], Shiro.

** Quite literally for Kyril, given that he has the title of knight. Yharnam has shaped him into [[ShellShockedVeteran a hardened killer]] who is [[ConditionedToAcceptHorror insensitive to, yet tired of, any sort of violence and carnage]]. As much as he desires [[HomeSweetHome a quiet, peaceful life]] and forget about the horrors of the Hunt, he still chooses to fight against the Black Dogs and their desire to rape and enslave people under their Sex Empire, when he could have left those people to stand alone. Under his hard-killer exterior, he empathises with the young, the desperate, the starving, and the poor, as they remind him of his struggles.

* Creator/JonathanSwift, despite being a self-proclaimed MisanthropeSupreme who wrote entire books dedicated to proving ([[BlackComedy quite hilariously]]) that HumansAreBastards, nevertheless spent much of his life trying to help the powerless and dispossessed. He particularly tried to help the [[OnceAcceptableTargets Irish]] - [[ValuesDissonance even the Catholic ones]] - having himself seen (as an Anglo-Irishman born in UsefulNotes/{{Dublin}}) exactly how wretchedly they lived. Sometimes, [[Literature/AModestProposal he did both at once]]. Worth spelling out that Swift was the Dean of Dublin Cathedral, thus a high official in the Anglican Church of Ireland, which at the time believed that ''all Catholics would go to hell.'' (And it gets better - the Deanship was really a political appointment, so he was not just going against the policy of the Church, but of the State as well.)

[[folder:Myths & Religion]]

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]

Will often overlap with TheSnarkKnight. Compare AngstWhatAngst, for characters who take the [[BeingGoodSucks troubles of a good alignment]] with far less complaint; NobleDemon, who will [[CardCarryingVillain proudly declare themselves evil]], but still finds themselves doing good once in a while; ByronicHero, for characters who are determined to see their goals through to the end in spite of the suffering they've both experienced and caused; SourOutsideSadInside, for characters whose sour attitude hides the fact they're sad; and JerkassWoobie, who spits in the face of the [[CharacterAlignment alignment]] chart. Also see IronWoobie if they [[TheDeterminator continue the good fight in spite of their pain]], and StoicWoobie if they hide their pain through [[TheStoic Stoicism]]. Converted SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids or GoodIsOldFashioned believers may well find themselves becoming this trope if the heroes can bring them around. If they don't like idealism, but don't like cynicism, either, then you also have a touch of SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers

Will often overlap with TheSnarkKnight. Compare AngstWhatAngst, for characters who take the [[BeingGoodSucks troubles of a good alignment]] with far less complaint; NobleDemon, who will [[CardCarryingVillain proudly declare themselves evil]], but still finds themselves doing good once in a while; SourOutsideSadInside, for characters whose sour attitude hides the fact they're sad; and JerkassWoobie, who spits in the face of the [[CharacterAlignment alignment]] chart. Also see IronWoobie if they [[TheDeterminator continue the good fight in spite of their pain]], and StoicWoobie if they hide their pain through [[TheStoic Stoicism]]. Converted SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids or GoodIsOldFashioned believers may well find themselves becoming this trope if the heroes can bring them around. If they don't like idealism, but don't like cynicism, either, then you also have a touch of SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers

There's a reason the KnightInShiningArmor ''needs'' the shining armor--and the weapons.

The world is filled with {{Wide Eyed Idealist}}s who believe in truth and justice and devote their lives to fighting for it. And then the [[CrapsackWorld dark, cruel and brutal world]] keeps letting them down. For them, BeingGoodSucks. But rather than giving up on their goals, they choose to fight not because they believe they will truly make a difference, but because it's the right thing to do.

* Cassandra in ''Theatre/CodeTwentyOne'' is a good example. She decides to work in mental health because she wants to make a difference and over the years adhering to the system's rules makes her feel embittered and less hopeful about the world.

%%* Dr. Tenma from ''Manga/{{Monster}}'' is of the aforementioned first personality type.

* ''Literature/ABrothersPrice'' fanfic ''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/3308513/chapters/7227554 The mysterious Trini]]'' has Jerin describe Princess Trini as this. While he does it in an answer to her being upset about someone else looking down on her, his justification is sound; she IS disillusioned and didn't want to [[spoiler: marry anyone]] in the first place, but did it to help Jerin, even though she was wary of him and suspected he might be evil.

* Caphriel, angel and LoveMartyr, from the ''Literature/GoodOmens'' DarkFic ''Fanfic/TheSacredAndTheProfane:'' it's his job to love and protect the world and the people in it. It all keeps letting him down over and over again ([[WhoWantsToLiveForever across millennia]]), [[{{Determinator}} but he can't]] ''[[{{Determinator}} afford]]'' [[{{Determinator}} to give up.]]
* In the ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' fanfic ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4942679/1/The_Long_Walk The Long Walk]]'', jaded cynic Breech Loader is fighting on the side of good, for good reasons, but despite a devotion to learning the ways of honour, she still fights horribly dirty.
--> '''Leonardo:''' "You're one of us now, Breech, and we're a family full of good people."\\
'''Breech:''' "You don't pay much attention when I fight, do you?"
* ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'':
** Quite literally for Kyril, given that he has the title of knight. Yharnam has shaped him into [[ShellShockedVeteran a hardened killer]] who is [[ConditionedToAcceptHorror insensitive to, yet tired of, any sort of violence and carnage]]. As much as he desires [[HomeSweetHome a quiet, peaceful life]] and forget about the horrors of the Hunt, he still chooses to fight against the Black Dogs and their desire to rape and enslave people under their Sex Empire, when he could have left those people to stand alone. Under his hard-killer exterior, he empathises with the young, the desperate, the starving, and the poor, as they remind him of his struggles.
** Lily is no stranger to the cruelty of the Black Dogs after being captured by them in the Feoh/Ur Arc. After Kyril took her in as a hunter, she decides to lend her strength to defend the weak, so they need not go through the suffering she did. She takes Kyril's mentality of "saving as many as possible, even if it is impossible to save everyone" to heart.

* In every Fanfiction [[http://www.fanfiction.net/~mrevil Mr. Evil]] has used his OriginalCharacter Fredi Heat. He shows absolutely no care for people in general, and many of his own teammates appear to even be scared of him. But he always does what's right, despite his dislike for doing so.
* From the ''Negima''/''Naruto'' crossover fanfic ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7441275/1/Broken_Faith Broken Faith]]'' by [=Kur0Kishi=], Naruto Uzumaki becomes jaded due to [[TheLostLenore certain extenuating circumstances]] before the story begins. The end result is a bitter idealist who at times tells the other characters as he trains them to not follow his path, as well as becoming an enforcer of sorts [[TheDreaded known and feared by most mages worldwide as]] ''[[RedBaron The Black Paladin]]''
--> '''Gandolfini:''' "Naruto-sama doesn't know it, not many dare to call him that to his face but his actions on missions has earned him the moniker ''[[TheDreaded Black Paladin]]'' among the wider mage population because of his actions. He always fights what for what is right regardless of the rules and protocol, hence ''ThePaladin'', but his methods and results are rather... [[MindRape disturbing]] and he usually dresses completely in dark colours, hence the ''[[BlackKnight Black]]''."

* Detective Hard Boiled of ''Fanfic/StarlightOverDetrot''. His city is a veritable hive of crime and he knows it - but that doesn't stop him from fighting tooth and nail for it.
* Tech from ''Fanfic/Tech10Rebooted'' has basically given up on people and the law, but fights as hard as he can for what he sees as justice.
* In ''Fanfic/YuGiOhTheThousandYearDoor Redux'', Francesca ''almost'' crosses the line into this in the FinalBattle. [[spoiler:When Sophia's attack leaves the Queen mortally wounded, Fran briefly considers simply stalling during her turn to let her bleed to death, but she refuses to do something so underhanded, offering her foe a chance to surrender (which the Queen refuses, DefiantToTheEnd). When the Queen is able to assume her [[OneWingedAngel true form]] and recover, Fran briefly curses herself for changing her mind. ("I could have just took my time and stalled a minute ago…" she laments. "A few minutes and she would have bled to death, but NO! I had to be some goodie-goodie hero who believed all that stuff about “don’t sink to her level” and “you’re a better person than she is!" Fortunately, Andy appears in spiritual form and tells her to GetAholdOfYourselfMan (complete with a DopeSlap) and she comes to her senses.]]
* ''Fanfic/TheSeventhPlayer'' has [[BeastFolk Machaira Mekhit]], the titular seventh player of [[WebVideo/Dimension20 the Bad Kids]]. [[spoiler:From the day she was born, Machaira's life would be filled with obscene tragedy for someone as young as her, most of which over matters that she was powerless to control or change. It would begin with being born "primitive" (being born with fangs and growing up to be shorter and stockier than most tabaxi), which would result in a childhood filled with brutal abuse from her peers and neglect from the adults in her community, including her own parents, and would later go on to involve her nearly destroying her life once puberty hit her- she would go on to drink, do drugs, and have sex recklessly with people, which would result in her being further abused by others and being subjected to even worse cruelties of the world. In spite of all of this, she hasn't lost her determination to do good in the world, nor has she lost her affectionate and loving personality.]]
* In ''Fanfic/{{Sleepless}}'', Minuette is getting increasingly cynical as the story progresses. The same thing happens to Dr. Stable in the first sequel, ''Thirsty''.
* Sonic and his friends become this in ''Fanfic/SonicXDarkChaos''. The Milky Way Galaxy is an [[CrapsackWorld utter shithole]] and the rest of the universe is [[CosmicHorrorStory somehow even worse]], but it doesn't stop them from trying to make things better.
* ''Webcomic/{{Guardian}}'' explores why Lulu is like this in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX''. Although she's somewhat cynical about pilgrimages and the Church of Yevon, she never wholly abandons her faith--she transfers the greater part of her belief in Yuna, who she knows to be good and trustworthy.
* Asuka from ''Fanfic/TheSecondTry'' is sick of fighting to save a world that keeps taking everything from her over and over again and resetting itself. She's determined to save it anyway.

* Ume from ''Fanfic/SugarPlums'' is [[TaughtbyExperience rightly]] incredibly mistrustful and cynical about the shinobi system, the [[CorruptPolitician people who run it]] and the entire bullshit [[HardWorkHardlyWorks power scaling of the world]]. This doesn't stop her from spending a LOT of time and effort accruing resources, allies and making very detailed plans to make things better.
* In ''[[Fanfic/AKnightsTaleAsInquisitor A Knight's Tale as Inquisitor]]'':
** [[VisualNovel/FateStayNight Arturia Pendragon]] downplays this. By the start of the story, she had to contend with [[Myth/KingArthur the loss of her kingdom, Camelot, in part due to her own mistakes]], [[MercyKill had to put down an old friend who has fallen into complete madness thanks actions on both ends]], and [[FailureKnight failing to protect the one person she could consider her friend]]; all of which most definitely have caused her over moral and personal view of herselfto [[BreakTheCutie have been damaged]]. However, she still is able to hold to her beliefs([[LightNovel/FateZero despite getting mocked and ridiculed for having them]]), being driven ''because'' of said experiences [[MiseryBuildsCharacter to make herself and her ideals better than before]] in order to properly [[CrapsackWorld deal with the new world she's landed in]] and [[NothingIsTheSameAnymore THOSE earth-shattering events]].
** Cullen Rutherford is still clearly scarred from witnessing the fall of the two Circles he was apart of: [[Videogame/DragonAgeOrigins the first one]] had him witness all of his friends and commands murdered in front of him before getting MindRape by demons and [[Videogame/DragonAgeII the second one]] had him witness very worst of the Circle system he previously supported and lead to the current Mage-Templar War. Despite this, Cullen is still devoted to the cause of the Inquisition and believes the Templar Order can be redeemed despite its many mistakes.

* In ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'' story ''Fanfic/ABoyAGirlAndADogTheLeithianScript'', Beren comes to the conclusion that Morgoth can't be defeated and his world can't be Unmarred, but it's irrelevant because his cause is worthy, even if hopeless.
* Bert from ''Fanfic/TheBubblegumZone'' becomes jaded due to an incredibly traumatic experience. He gets better after a long struggle.
* In the ''Series/DoctorWho''/''Series/{{Alias}}'' crossover fic ''Fanfic/DoctorWhoAndTheRambaldiEnigma'', Sydney Bristow comes across as this in contrast to the Third Doctor, who still has a relatively upbeat view of life and the universe despite his current exile where Sydney is bitter and frustrated at how many lives have been ruined through obsession with Milo Rambaldi's work in the future.
* In ''Fanfic/HellsisterTrilogy'', Characters/{{Supergirl|TheCharacter}} has become jaded due to over one decade battling all kind of evildoers, which hasn't allowed time for developing many meaningful relationships, as well as several ''extremely'' close calls in a short space of time. She has expressed over and again her desire to retire and lead a normal life, but everybody keeps needing her to save the universe, and she answers the call every time.
* Crossover fanfiction ''Fanfic/TheHillOfSwords'' has Shirou, who was well on his way to becoming a broken, bitter and cynical anti-hero when Louise summoned him.
* ''Fanfic/CrimsonAndEmerald'': Hawks is rather cynical of the pro-hero industry due to growing up as a {{Child Soldier|s}} for the Heroics Commission and the focus on fame and power plays before doing actual good. Regardless of the situation, Hawks will work to be the best hero he can be because its what he can do.
* Beast Boy from ''Fanfic/YoungJusticeDarknessFalls'' knows the hardships their team goes through every time they fight, and definitely knows of the harsher sides of life. However, he's still among the most cheerful and optimistic of the team members because even in losing things, there's a chance to get new things back.

* ''Fanfic/{{Underfell}}'' usually has two examples:
** Flowey is a sour cynic with JadeColoredGlasses, who still wants to protect Frisk and help them escape the Underground.
** Sans, sometimes. If he's not apathetic towards Frisk or trying to kill them, he'll often take on the role of Frisk's hidden protector or even BigGood.

* Many depictions of Franchise/{{Batman}} fall into this as seen below. As does Jim Gordon in ''Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy''. ''Batman Begins''' depiction of Gordon borrows a lot, including his fitting this trope, from ''ComicBook/BatmanYearOne''.
** Batman's former partner, [[ComicBook/RedHood Jason Todd]] becomes one of these in the pages of ''ComicBook/RedHoodAndTheOutlaws.''

* The ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'' (particularly the [[ComicBook/UltimateMarvel Ultimate universe]]) loves to kick Franchise/SpiderMan in the nuts when he's down, and he's quick to point out that NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished, but Lord bless him, he keeps on keeping on. This [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WoJV4NLxqg End Credit song]] of ''Film/SpiderMan2'' gives out such a point well.

* ''ComicBook/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'': [[ComicBook/StarLord Peter Quill]], who looks back on his original time as the Star-Lord with distaste, isn't exactly thrilled about heroics or self-sacrifice, but will still risk violent and painful death to save the universe, time and time again. Because the universe needs protecting, and there's no-one else around.

** ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}' character development since 2001 has largely consisted of him growing more cynical, not without reason. Mostly being let down by people he trusted. Among other things, he was tricked into cheating on his wife, was cheated on by his phoenix-crazed girlfriend, and his father figure kept his little brother's existence from him.
** His daughter ComicBook/RachelSummers comes from a BadFuture where mutants were hunted down and killed or herded into concentration camps. She still fights to keep the dream of peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants alive.
** For much of his series, at least until he met Franchise/SpiderMan, ComicBook/XMan was fully convinced that people, human and mutant alike, sucked. Since he was regularly persecuted, never thanked and most people were utterly terrified of him (and not entirely without reason), it's hard to argue against this. But he still saved people, because that's what heroes do.
** ''ComicBook/{{Magik}}''. Despite having a very abrasive personality, she's loyal to Cyclops' side and the X-Men in general, regrets ruining her relationship with her brother and is thrilled to be with ComicBook/KittyPryde again in ''Uncanny X-Men Vol. 3''.

** [[ComicBook/Supergirl2011 New 52]] ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} was full of anger, bitterness and loneliness due to her family's loss and the perception that everyone intended to use her and then betray her, to the point that she became a [[Franchise/GreenLantern Red Lantern]] in ''ComicBook/RedDaughterOfKrypton'' when her rage, self-loathing and despair pushed her beyond her breaking point. Still she never, not even at her lowest, stopped helping people in distress.

--> '''Gandolfini:''' "Naruto-sama doesn't know it, not many dare to call him that to his face but his actions on missions has earned him the moniker ''[[TheDreaded Black Paladin]]'' among the wider mage population because of his actions. He always fights what for what is right regardless of the rules and protocol, hence the ''{{Paladin}}'', but his methods and results are rather... [[MindRape disturbing]] and he usually dresses completely in dark colours, hence the ''[[BlackKnight Black]]''."

* In ''Fanfic/HellsisterTrilogy'', ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} has become jaded due to over one decade battling all kind of evildoers, which hasn't allowed time for developing many meaningful relationships, as well as several ''extremely'' close calls in a short space of time. She has expressed over and again her desire to retire and lead a normal life, but everybody keeps needing her to save the universe, and she answers the call every time.

* Rick Dicker in ''Franchise/TheIncredibles'' a gruff man, yet is willing to help Supers such as the Incredibles settle into civilian life. After Bob is fired for severly injuring his MeanBoss Gilbert Huph, he tells Bob that he's screwed up once too often and is on his own, but immediately relents and offers to help him out once more for old times sake.

** Batman himself counts as this. He watches his parents gunned down in front of him, [[spoiler: the woman he loves is killed (and then he finds out that she loved someone else more than him), the KnightInShiningArmor he hoped would let him retire had turned insane, the city he had fought so hard to protect has vilified him, he has seen [[ComicBook/TheJoker the worst humanity has to offer]], he spent eight years in seclusion, three separate psychopaths have tried to destroy the city he swore to protect, he gets the shit beaten out of him and is tossed into a prison described as "hell on Earth" and is forced to watch his city turned into an anarchic prison...]] and yet he is ''still'' a staunch idealist who believes that RousseauWasRight, that people are worth saving, and [[ThouShaltNotKill refuses to kill anyone]].

** After ambushing a Haradrim convoy, Faramir of Gondor contemplates the body of a fallen enemy soldier and wonders if he didn't think that the cause he served was just as valid and noble as Faramir thinks his is. TheUnfavorite among his father's two sons, dealing with the recent death of the older brother he idolized, and feeling more and more that Gondor and the rest of the West are simply doomed, he continues to fight solely out of a sense of duty to his country and his people. He is no longer certain his cause is winnable, or even worth fighting for, but he doesn't know what else to do.

* ''Film/WonderWoman2017'': Where [[Franchise/WonderWoman Diana]] is the WideEyedIdealist, ComicBook/SteveTrevor is this trope in spades, describing himself as a thief, a liar, and a killer, all traits which Diana has expressed distaste in despite her decision to help him on his mission. He does what he does, sacrificing his own ideals, because he saw the madness the world was going through and just felt he had to do ''something'' to try and stop it.

** David occasionally takes this tone as well in [[Literature/TheBible the Old Testament]] (notably in Psalm 22).

* In ''Manga/ChainsawMan'', Denji grows into this over the course of Part 1. He comes out of the other side of the DespairEventHorizon after seeing how many people revere the Chainsaw Man for his heroics, as well as a talk with the [[ButtMonkey equally despondent Kobeni]] making him accept that bad things in life are perfectly normal. This is best exemplified when [[spoiler:he and Pochita finally decide to kill [[BigBad Makima]] when she admits [[NotSoWellIntentionedExtremist she'd also erase bad movies from existence]]]]. As Kobeni told him, wanting to live in a world where there is no bad to highlight the good is unrealistic.

* Jöns from ''Film/TheSeventhSeal''. You won't find anyone fitting to the trope more closely than him. His being a squire, not a knight is pretty much the only difference.
* Roger East from ''Film/{{Balibo}}'' is a scruffy, somewhat cowardly reporter bitterly aware that the rest of the world doesn't give a damn about East Timor, but he still does his damndest to attract attention to the country's plight.

* In ''Film/HighNoon'', Marshall Will Kane tries to raise a posse to fight off four gunmen led by an ex-con who had previously made all their lives miserable before Kane threw him in prison. You'd think the population of an entire town would be able to take on four men. Only an old, one-eyed drunk and a fourteen-year-old kid would help Kane (and he refuses them since they wouldn't have much use in a gunfight). Everyone, who would rather live in fear than risk their lives to protect their own freedom, money, and dignity, tells Kane to leave town. He ends up taking on the gunmen by himself, then abandons the town in disgust.
* [[TheIdealist Kaji]] from ''Film/TheHumanCondition'', who becomes [[DespairEventHorizon hardened and cynical]] as the result of WWII Japan.
* [[TheLancer Han Solo]] definitely becomes one of these by the end of ''Franchise/StarWars: Film/ANewHope'', and fills a SourSupporter role for the rest of the Original Trilogy. In stories of the [[Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse Expanded Universe]], it's seen that before the original trilogy he was once fairly idealistic, though never to the point of being wide-eyed.
* Although [=MacGregor=] is fairly consistent throughout ''Film/RobRoy'' in standing by his own code of honor, he does have a moment of doubt after his money is stolen, his property ransacked, his wife raped, his brother killed, one of his clansmen shot and he himself has narrowly escaped being lynched. He starts believing that he should have gone against his principles by lying and saying that the Duke of Argyll was a Jacobite to avoid all the hardships he and others went through. His wife makes him see sense.
* In ''Film/{{Dragonheart}}'', Bowen (who is a knight in a real sense) goes through this twice. He has to go against (and ultimately abandon) his quest to kill all dragons when he has finally killed all but one of them and is forced to strike up an alliance with said sole survivor and become a con artist. He then goes on to questions his own codes of honour when he discovers that his pupil, the young King Einon did not have his nature poisoned by Draco's tampering with his heart but merely exploited Bowen for his skills in swordsmanship and became evil of his own volition.
* William Somerset in ''Film/{{Se7en}}'' keeps trying to retire because he finds the world horrible and his work demoralizing. He frequently sermonizes bitterly about how horrible the world is. Yet he can't find it in himself to quit.
* Sheriff Bell in ''Film/NoCountryForOldMen'' is this at the beginning of the movie. [[spoiler:The events of the movie are too much for him and he bitterly retires.]]

* Eddie Valiant in ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit''. Since his brother's death, he's loathed Toons but ends up helping one anyway.
* In ''Film/LiveFreeOrDieHard'', John [=McClane=] gives a speech where he pretty much describes himself as this. Notably, it's not only to dissuade Farrell of the notion that he's a hero, but to encourage the kid to stand up and fight since they're the only ones who ''can'' save the day:
--> '''[=McClane:=]''' You know what you get for being a hero? Nothin'. You get shot at. You get a little pat on the back, blah, blah, blah, attaboy. You get divorced. Your wife can't remember your last name. Your kids don't want to talk to you. You get to eat a lot of meals by yourself. Trust me, kid, nobody wants to be that guy.
--> '''Farrell:''' Then why you doing this?
--> '''[=McClane:=]''' Because there is nobody else to do it right now. Believe me if there was somebody else to do it I would let them do it. There's not, so we're doing it. That's what makes you that guy.
* Tom Doniphon in ''Film/TheManWhoShotLibertyValance'' is a textbook example... Especially when it comes to the part about hating himself for it.
%%* Tequila from ''Film/HardBoiled''.
* An AlternativeCharacterInterpretation of Arthur Bishop in ''Film/TheMechanic1972'' says he is this, and that's why [[spoiler:he lets his [[TheMole student McKenna]] kill him]].
* Sheriff 'Monk' [=McGinn=] in ''Film/GangsOfNewYork''. He starts out as an Irish {{Ronin}} [[PsychoForHire muscle for hire]] with dozens of notches on his [[DropTheHammer shillelagh]], and is viewed with contempt until we find out he's really this. Then he goes out with a [[KirkSummation rousing speech]] and puts the villain in his place, which, unfortunately, Bill the Butcher [[ShutUpKirk does not]] respond [[DroppedABridgeOnHim well to]].
-->'''Monk:''' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLKbcrC0krQ Citizens of the Five Points!]] Mr. Bill Cutting is attempting to draw me into an argument that would no doubt end in bloodshed and the compromising of my office! What do ya think? Should I engage and silence this relic of the ancient law? Or shall I be your chosen voice, in a new testament, in the New World! (silence) There you are, Bill. The people have spoken. The very notion of violent reprisal be-numbs them.
* Several characters in ''Film/SinCity'', an otherwise {{Black and Gray|Morality}} CrapsackWorld.
* The title character in ''Franchise/RoboCop'' has nothing to live for, and as the film series progresses, seems more aware that his creation was only a publicity stunt, but his sense of duty and spirit for justice keeps him going. (Well, that and his ineluctable programming.)
* ''Film/TheWildGeese'': Rafer Janders, one of the mercenary lieutenants, tried to be a freedom fighter but became disaffected when the liberators he fought for turned out to be dictators just as repressive as the ones they deposed - a new mission rekindles a little of his doused idealism.
* Olive Penderghast in ''Film/EasyA'' is an extremely DeadpanSnarker, but she is willing to let her reputation be ruined to rescue a friend from bullying, preserve her favorite teacher's marriage, and otherwise help people.

%%* Walt Kowalski from ''Film/GranTorino''
* Fire Chief O'Halloran from ''Film/TheToweringInferno'' is clearly sick and tired of saving [[TooDumbToLive stupid people]] from the consequences of their own mistakes, but he still keeps [[BigDamnHeroes charging into burning buildings to rescue them]].
* Several incarnations of Film/JamesBond, especially Timothy Dalton and Daniel Craig's versions. The latter is a self-described "half monk half hitman" who describes murder as his "employment," but still holds onto his ideals of patriotism to his country and loyalty to allies, [[ParentalSubstitute especially to his boss, M]].

* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'':
** Cyclops, no matter how much of a boy scout Wolverine thinks he is.
** Wolverine himself, being a [[WhoWantsToLiveForever long-lived]] mutant who has been the subject of inhumane science experiments, amnesia, and scorn from a hateful society (plus the blood he has put on his own hands through his various escapades through history) but still helps Professor Xavier's cause because he recognizes the good it can bring to the world.
* Günther Bachmann from ''Film/AMostWantedMan''. An adaptation of a John Le Carre book (of which the character is known for utilizing this trope in his realist spy novels), Bachmann is the typical Le Carre protagonist where he is jaded and cynical about his world and the corruption around him but seeks to do the best job he can anyway because of some personal morality. It is Philip Seymour Hoffman's last movie
* [[Franchise/{{Rambo}} John Rambo]], especially in ''Film/RamboIV''. Traumatic experience from wars and the ugliest side of humanity has left the Vietnam War veteran a bitter, misanthropic man, but he will still go out all his ways to do the right things to save the people worth protecting.
* ''Film/WonderWoman2017'': Where [[Franchise/WonderWoman Diana]] is the WideEyedIdealist, ComicBook/SteveTrevor is this trope in spades, describing himself as a thief, a liar, and a killer, all traits which Diana has expressed distaste in despite her decision to help him on his mission. He does what he does, sacrificing his own ideals, because he saw the madness the world was going through and just felt he had to do ''something'' to try and stop it.
* ''Film/TheTwoTowers'': A few examples:
** With Orcs freely pillaging his country, his King reduced to a catatonic puppet by Saruman's magic, his sister held hostage by Saruman's sleazy spy Grima, and himself banished by "royal decree" upon speaking out about the situation, Eomer of Rohan starts out the film a grim, burned-out cynic. Yet he and the Riders loyal to him continue to fight the invading Orcs and defend the common people as best they can. As he tells Aragorn, "Look to your friends, but do not trust to hope. It has forsaken these lands."
** After ambushing a Haradrim convoy, Faramir of Gondor contemplates the body of a fallen enemy soldier and wonders if he didn't think that the cause he served was just as valid and noble as Faramir thinks his is. TheUnfavorite among his father's two sons, dealing with the recent death of the older brother he idolized, and feeling more and more that Gondor and the rest of the West are simply doomed, he continues to fight solely out of a sense of duty to his country and his people. He is no longer certain his cause is winnable, or even worth fighting for, but he doesn't know what else to do.

* Fire Chief O'Halloran from ''Film/TheToweringInferno'' is clearly sick and tired of saving [[TooDumbToLive stupid people]] from the consequences of their own [[IdiotPlot idiotic mistakes]], but he still keeps [[BigDamnHeroes charging into burning buildings to rescue them]].

** Edward Grey was broken by his experience in Akuze, and while he came back still heroic, he's quick to opt for the KillEmAll option against slavers, xenophobic lynch mobs and other criminal scum.

More often than not these characters are in settings that feature BlackAndGrayMorality, though it's also common for BlackAndWhiteMorality and even WhiteAndGreyMorality. They're usually [[ShellShockedVeteran survivors]] who have largely given up on believing in HonorBeforeReason, but still strive to be LawfulGood or as close to it as reality allows them to be. They are willing to bend the rules to save them. In LighterAndSofter settings, these characters are {{Grumpy Bear}}s and are often mocked by the other characters for being so sour all the time.

* The Courier in ''Machinima/CouriersMindRiseOfNewVegas'' is a cynical and ''very'' reluctant hero, but never the less, usually does the right thing.
** Logan in ''Machinima/LogansTale'', another ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' series, [[TookALevelInCynic becomes similarly cynical]] over time.

* ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'': Most of the protagonists in this series are this, though special mention has to be given to [[TheCynic Church]]. Despite being a bitter, lazy, and sarcastic {{Jerkass}} most of the time, he always tries to do what's right and has even [[spoiler:willingly performed a HeroicSacrifice ''twice over'' just because he knew it was the right thing to do]].

There's a reason the Knight in Shining Armor ''needs'' the shining armor--and the weapons.

There's a reason the KnightInShiningArmor ''needs'' the shining armor--and the weapons.

These characters show up often in FilmNoir, DarkFantasy, and LowFantasy. Law enforcement is a particularly attractive career, but the Knight in Sour Armor will usually hold back from becoming a CowboyCop. Very frequently, they end up as TheMentor, a MentorInSourArmor, a GrumpyBear with JadeColoredGlasses, TheLastDJ, or a CoolOldGuy if they last long enough. As teammates, they are often the SourSupporter. They also frequently end up as {{Hero Antagonist}}s and extreme [[TheWoobie Woobies]]. This is often the final state of TheAtoner post-HeelFaceTurn. Despite their cynicism, they behave like TheAntiNihilist.

* Ratchet from ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'' has seen what the worst of war can bring out of the Autobots as [[TheMedic a medic]] and mentor to Omega Supreme. Yet, not even his GrumpyBear attitude can completely jade his loyalty for his people. Overall, the series' theme seems a bit sourer than any other ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'' series.