History Main / PsychoSidekick

** Subverted in the Andrew Cartmel era with Ace, in that a vague description of the dynamic between her and the Doctor would make her seem like a PsychoSidekick (she makes her own explosives, he does the [[TalkingYourWayOut fast-talking]] and [[TheChessmaster planning]]). However, the Seventh Doctor is [[ManipulativeBastard much more ruthless than she is in a less personally violent way]].

* Downplayed with Akira Atou in ''Manga/UsotsukiSatsukiWaShiGaMieru'', whose friendship with Satsuki began when the latter [[DefeatMeansFriendship stopped her from committing patricide]]. With a start like that, it is of little surprise that while she'll happily do what she can to assist her best friend's actions, she also regularly suggests that Satsuki let at least a few people die for the sake of her mental wellbeing and reputation (as Satsuki's [[CassandraTruth attempts to warn people of their future deaths]] have made her a social pariah to the point her own father doesn't trust her). Akira even openly admits that, while Satsuki is probably morally correct in how much she values all human life, she personally agrees more with the philosophy of [[spoiler:school council president Mikami]], who shares Satsuki's power but instead uses it to ensure the deaths of terrible people.

* Paul von Oberstein in ''Anime/LegendOfGalacticHeroes'': he works for the (relatively) idealistic Reinhard, and lost no sleep when he let two million people die in a nuclear attack.

Can also be defined cynically as TheDragon, but working for a DesignatedHero. Compare BigBadFriend for when the friend keeps their evil tendencies and plot under wraps. One of these in an ensemble is the TokenEvilTeammate. Inversions may go under RudeHeroNiceSidekick.

* In the ''Literature/GoodOmens'' fanfic FanFic/TheSacredAndTheProfane, 'Zirah' (Aziriphale) is a chillingly ruthless PsychoSidekick to 'Caphriel' (Crowley), [[spoiler:who ends up having to kill him to protect Adam]].
* In ''Fanfic/TheWizardInTheShadows'' Harry comes off as this to the rest of the Fellowship. He's well aware that he's thoroughly unbalanced and that he's the Fellowship's big gun, and fortunately gets better. But for a while, he goes off like a bomb at the merest hint that someone's threatening someone he cares about.

* A ''ComicBook/{{JLA}}[=/=]Comicbook/{{Hitman}}'' miniseries depicted Tommy Monaghan as a PsychoSidekick for Franchise/{{Superman}}, and explicitly stated the moral justification of the trope described above.

* Bruce Wayne's son Damian tries to become the psycho equivalent of Robin to Franchise/{{Batman}}, to the point of trying to dispose of Tim Drake in his first appearance. While Bruce was thought dead, Damian served as Robin to Dick Grayson's Batman, and Dick had his hands full trying to teach Damian proper restraint. And in the New 52 DC, Damian is Robin to Bruce.

* Bruce Wayne's son Damian tries to become the psycho equivalent of Robin to Franchise/{{Batman}}, to the point of trying to dispose of Tim Drake in his first appearance. [[spoiler:While Bruce was thought dead, Damian served as Robin to Dick Grayson's Batman, and Dick had his hands full trying to teach Damian proper restraint. And in the New 52 DC, Damian is Robin to Bruce.]]

Can be seen as something of an inversion of TheWatson, as in the original case of the SherlockHolmes stories, and in many others, part of the Watson's role is to smooth things over socially and upbraid the main character mildly when he becomes too much of a {{Jerkass}}, SociopathicHero or InsufferableGenius.

* In ''Literature/FearAndLoathingInLasVegas'', Creator/HunterSThompson's AuthorAvatar Raoul Duke is crazy enough from all the drugs, but his WildSamoan attorney Dr. Gonzo is straight-up AxCrazy on top of whatever substances he's on at any given moment.

* The ''Literature/{{Dragaera}}'' books have been acknowledged as inspired by the Spenser series, but seem to turn this on its head. Vlad Taltos, the protagonist, is the PsychoSidekick in relation to his friends who are [[OurElvesAreBetter fantasy elf nobility]], but it's less that he is more bloodthirsty than that he is less bound by social conventions. This is played rather straight in ''Literature/{{Orca}}'', though, as a LawfulGood police officer, who normally disdains assassins, has Vlad kill her partner who was a CorruptCop and a murderer.

Can also be defined cynically as TheDragon, but working for a DesignatedHero. Compare BigBadFriend for when the friend keeps their evil tendencies and plot under wraps. One of these in an ensemble is the TokenEvilTeammate.

* Willikins to Sam Vimes in Creator/TerryPratchett's ''Discworld/{{Snuff}}''.

* Baam from ''Webcomic/TowerOfGod'' is a decent, idealistic fellow. His best friend [[MagnificentBastard Koon]] however he describes aptly as a Devil.

* The latter half of everybody's favorite crime-solving dog and rabbit duo SamAndMax. Very much so.

* Hawk in Robert B Parker's ''Literature/{{Spenser}}'' novels: the TropeCodifier in the hard-boiled crime genre and one of the first to appear, resulting in a FountainOfExpies.

* Gene Hunt (and sometimes Ray) in ''Series/{{Life on Mars|2006}}'' and ''Series/AshesToAshes''.

* A ''{{JLA}}[=/=]Comicbook/{{Hitman}}'' miniseries depicted Tommy Monaghan as a PsychoSidekick for {{Superman}}, and explicitly stated the moral justification of the trope described above.

* Guerrero in ''Series/HumanTarget''. A short middle-aged man wearing round Harry Potter glasses. Likely also a retired PsychoForHire and a PintsizedPowerhouse. Played by JackieEarleHaley, better known as Rorschach from the ''Film/{{Watchmen}}'' film. In the show's premiere he says the following (in a completely low-key tone of voice) to a couple of {{Mooks}} who are trying to intimidate him:

[[folder:Fan Works]]
* In the ''Literature/GoodOmens'' fanfic FanFic/TheSacredAndTheProfane, 'Zirah' (Aziriphale) is a chillingly ruthless PsychoSidekick to 'Caphriel' (Crowley), [[spoiler:who ends up having to kill him to protect Adam]].
* In ''Fanfic/TheWizardInTheShadows'' Harry comes off as this to the rest of the Fellowship. He's well aware that he's thoroughly unbalanced and that he's the Fellowship's big gun, and fortunately gets better. But for a while, he goes off like a bomb at the merest hint that someone's threatening someone he cares about.
[[/folder]]

* ''Manga/MiraiNikki'': At least in the beginning while Yukki still has his moral compass in the fully upright and locked position, Yuno Gasai is what happens when you mix this trope with {{Yandere}} and shake rapidly.

* Hoppy Uniatz in Leslie Charteris's ''Literature/TheSaint'' novels. Simon Templar himself, on one ([[HoistByHisOwnPetard reasonably justified]]) occasion, [[KillItWithFire dealt even more mercilessly than usual with some sadistic murderers]]. The fact that Simon often has to restrain Hoppy shows just how Psycho this Sidekick really is. It doesn't help that Hoppy will do ''anything'' the Saint asks, and interprets everything through his [[WrongSideOfTheTracks unorthodox upbringing]] and [[NeighbourhoodFriendlyGangsters previous profession]]. In "The Case of the Frightened Innkeeper," Templar forgets this; meaning to tell Hoppy to remove some of the Ungodly from the Saint's presence, Simon carelessly says "Get rid of them." [[spoiler: Hoppy does.]]

* In ''Literature/{{Neogicia}}'', Keynn Lucans is a benevolent leader, while his brother Nox seems to be behind the more fishy goverment activities. Keynn is stated to be aware of his brother's activities while not doing anything to restrain his actions in any way, hinting that the situation could be intentional.

* Avon in ''Series/BlakesSeven'', with interesting consequences when he ended up as the central character. Unusually, Avon continues to act like a Psycho Sidekick -- but having authority this is a disaster for himself and everyone around him. It's aspects like this which make it feel like a show shot on the deck of a burning ship.

* Mouse in Walter Mosley's ''Easy Rawlins'' novels. A particularly extreme example in that he's ''genuinely'' AxCrazy. And played by Don Cheadle in the 1995 film adaptation of ''Devil in a Blue Dress''.

** Kai Leng is TheDragon to the Illusive man, but while TIM sincerely believes that he is only doing what is necessary, Leng appears to be in it because he likes terrorising the people he's sent to kill. [[FridgeLogic This might explain]] why so many of his targets can be saved -- he's enjoying their fear too much to actually get on with the task at hand.

* Walter Sobchak from ''Film/TheBigLebowski'' is The Dude's best friend and a walking BerserkButton. far from being [[ShootTheDog pragmatic]], Walter [[TheMillstone causes far more problems than he solves]].

!!Examples

[[folder: Anime And Manga ]]

[[folder: Comic Books ]]
* Orlando to Mina and Allan in ''Comicbook/TheLeagueOfExtraordinaryGentlemen: Century''
* ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} sometimes plays this role in ''Comicbook/XMen'', in issues where the other characters are being depicted as relatively pacifistic.

* ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica'': ComicBook/BuckyBarnes is portrayed this way in current books, as a creative {{Retcon}} explaining his 'harmless' sidekick persona was actually a front for shady activities a public figure like Captain America couldn't be caught doing. He makes quite a darkly hilarious contrast to the older and unfailingly idealistic [[TheCape Cap]].
* Bruce Wayne's son Damian tries to become the psycho equivalent of Robin to Franchise/{{Batman}}, to the point of trying to dispose of Tim Drake in his first appearance. [[spoiler: While Bruce was thought dead, Damian served as Robin to Dick Grayson's Batman, and Dick had his hands full trying to teach Damian proper restraint. And in the New 52 DC, Damian is Robin to Bruce.]]
-->'''Damian/Robin''': Now whose neck do I break first?

* When {{Deadpool}} and Taskmaster work together, it's usually because one is prepared to do what the other won't. Since neither of them can remember which one is supposed to be the "good guy", they trade off arbitrarily.
* [[{{Comicbook/Elektra}} Elektra Natchios]] for [[{{Comicbook/Daredevil}} Matt Murdock]]

[[folder:Film]]

[[folder:Fanfiction]]

* Hawk in Robert B Parker's ''{{Spenser}}'' novels: the TropeCodifier in the hard-boiled crime genre and one of the first to appear, resulting in a FountainOfExpies.

--->"If you didn't want him dead, Easy -- why did you leave him with ME?"
* Clete Purcel in JamesLeeBurke's Dave Robicheaux novels, although Dave can get a bit more morally ambiguous than is usual in such cases.

** In the Creator/TomBaker era, Leela (and K-9, a bit). While the Doctor sometimes criticises her violence ineffectually, he doesn't often intervene to stop it when it's useful.

* Gene Hunt (and sometimes Ray) in ''Series/{{Life On Mars|2006}}'' and ''Series/AshesToAshes''.
* Both Derek and Cameron in ''Series/TerminatorTheSarahConnorChronicles'' move around on the spectrum between this and PoisonousFriend in relation to the more moral Sarah and John. This occurs as early as the second episode, when Sarah holds [[spoiler: Enrique at gunpoint because she thinks he might be a snitch, but doesn't shoot. Cameron arrives on the scene by shooting him twice in the chest before anyone has a chance to stop her. Of course, she's vindicated at the end of the episode when it turns out Enrique really ''was'' an FBI informant.]]
-->'''Sarah''': What did you do?!\\
'''Cameron''': What you couldn't.

--->'''Derek''': John Connor said to let you go. (''pulls out pistol'') I'm not John Connor.
* Guerrero in ''Series/HumanTarget''. A short middle-aged man wearing round Harry Potter glasses, in the show's premiere he says the following (in a completely low-key tone of voice) to a couple of {{Mooks}} who are trying to intimidate him:
--> "I'll take the beating, because that's all you two amateurs are cleared to do. Then one night soon, I'm gonna break into your houses and kill each of you in your sleep. I'll probably start with you, Alfredo. That way Stephen here can have a few extra days with [[TheVillainKnowsWhereYouLive Marla and the girls]]. It's only fair."
** Likely also a retired PsychoForHire and a PintsizedPowerhouse. Played by JackieEarleHaley, better known as Rorschach from the ''Film/{{Watchmen}}'' film.
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7zvE58sAg8 Guerrero doesn't like to be interrupted.]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]

* ''Franchise/MassEffect'': Wrex the ProudWarriorRaceGuy. The second and third games add a whole cohort of them:

** Zaeed Masanni - he's not just a nigh-unkillable badass mercenary, he's quite willing to blow up the building you're both standing in, in order to ''open the door''.
** Aria would probably kill you for considering her a sidekick, but in the Omega DLC for the third game, she'll follow your lead in combat. And while most of her unpleasantness is nigh-on clinical - rallying people to her cause in order to use them as cannon fodder - she'll choke the life out of her Cerberus opponent with her bare hands and freely admit to really enjoying it.
*** Aria's sidekick, Patriarch - "Kill the family first. Then he'll come at you stupid."
** Kai Leng is TheDragon to the Illusive man, but while TIM sincerely believes that he is only doing what is necessary, Leng appears to be in it because he likes terrorising the people he's sent to kill. [[FridgeLogic This might explain]] why so many of his targets can be saved - he's enjoying their fear too much to actually get on with the task at hand.

* Little Sappho, the sidekick from TheAdventuresOfGynoStar, can be extremely violent when angered, and is often willing to do morally questionable things that Gyno-Star would never consider doing.
* TokenEvilTeammate Belkar Bitterleaf in ''WebComic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' is the psycho sidekick to Haley during their time in the Sapphire City rebellion.

* In ''WebComic/BasicInstructions'' the Knifeketeer (who isn't exactly Mr. Boy Scout himself..) [[http://basicinstructions.net/basic-instructions/2011/1/13/how-to-handle-exposition.html has Stabby]], who more than lives up to his name.

* ''StephaniePlum'' series by Janet Evanovitch: Ranger, although Ranger's a bit more cerebral than most examples, and significantly less psycho than average.