History Main / MaskedVillainsUnmaskedHeroes

* ''ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}'': Two of the unmasked Aquaman's most prominent enemies are ComicBook/BlackManta and Orm aka Ocean Master. Manta wears a helmet modeled after a manta ray while Orm wears a mask that covers the upper half of his face. Aquaman's face is always uncovered.

* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'': Diana's face is often uncovered while Ares usually wears a helmet that makes almost his entire face invisible. Some of Diana's other villains also wear masks or helmets such as Dr. Poison, Blue Snowman, Dr. Cyber, and Red Panzer.
* ''Franchise/XMen'':

* ''Film/SkyHigh'': The main villain Royal Pain wears a helmet that covers [[spoiler:her]] entire face. The Commander and Jetstream obscure their identities through ClarkKenting, and their superhero costumes don't have masks. [[TheHero Will]] and his friends don't wear masks either.

[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/c7444002_e3c5_45c2_895d_cf071a1fc4a3.jpeg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:If you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to slaughter.]]

* ''Anime/{{Bakugan}}'': The main hero Dan doesn't wear a mask. Masquerade, who serves as TheDragon to [[BigBad Naga]] wears a black mask which is [[spoiler:the source of is his existence and what allows his personality to dominate Alice's.]]

* ''Anime/BusoRenkin'': The StarterVillain Papillon wears a butterfly mask, while the hero Kazuki wears no face coverings. Papillon later becomes an AntiVillain.

* ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'': {{Inverted}} with Ladd and Claire. Ladd is a vicious sadist intent on murdering everyone on the Flying Pussyfoot and attacks Chane atop the train for kicks, and doesn't bother hiding his face. He faces off against Claire, who's coated in blood from killing the black and white suits masquerading as conductors, with his face completely covered. While he's also an insane killer, Claire is capable of mercy and compassion, traits that Ladd mocks him for possessing.

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* ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'': The Turtles all wear eye masks that only cover their upper faces. Their enemy the Shredder wears a metal helmet that only leaves his eyes exposed while his [[{{Mooks}} Foot Clan]] wear full face masks.

A character with an uncovered face can more easily open up a connection with the audience since their expressions and emotions are always visible. By contrast, a character whose face is covered would have a much harder time conveying emotion and has a barrier between them and the audience, meaning it would be harder to root for them. The scarier the mask or helmet, the more terrifying the villain appears.

The villain may wear a CoolMask to hide their identity or to maintain a mysterious vibe. Eventually, a {{Dramatic Unmask}}ing may happen to them where the audience finally gets to see their face.

Despite the title, [[Administrivia/TropesAreFlexible this trope can include similar things:]]