History Main / TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin

''If a story has [[{{Heroes}} a hero]] who fights [[{{Villains}} a villain]] ([[NoAntagonist but not always]]), then the hero will win in the end.''

Keep in mind that TropesAreTools. This is considered to be the general rule of fiction. Having the villains win just for the sake of subverting expectations isn't bound to always have the reaction writers expect and can leave a bad taste in viewers' mouths. Especially if the bad guy in particular is an [[HateSink total]] [[CompleteMonster scumbag]].

-->-- '''Beast Boy''', ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans''

It doesn't matter how big the BigBad is or how puny TheHero is--not only ''can'' the KidHero foil the GalacticConqueror, despite how improbable it logically ought to be, but the audience ''expects'' it, and will be sincerely shocked if he doesn't.

Side effects of this trope may include PlotArmor, InvincibleIncompetent, and UnderdogsNeverLose. Compare HappyEnding and HappilyEverAfter, which are closely related, and InvincibleHero, where not only does the good guy win in the end, but he also wins in every intermediate step. Contrast TheBadGuyWins. See also VillainProtagonist.

->''"Dude, this is television. The good guys always win."''
-->-- '''Beast Boy''', ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans''

Sure, there might be stumbles along the way. It may take a [[TheHerosJourney Hero's Journey]] or two to EarnYourHappyEnding. Evil might [[EvilAlwaysTriumphsInTheMiddle score a few victories first]], and maybe even [[NearVillainVictory almost win]] in the DarkestHour before Good can [[BigDamnHeroes save the day at the last minute]]. In the end, however, there's usually never any doubt in the audience's minds that the forces of good will prevail. Even in video games that allow you to [[VillainProtagonist play as the bad guys]], the minute the sequel comes out, [[NoCanonForTheWicked expect it to make the "good" ending the only canon one,]] or in some cases, be inevitably thwarted by a HeroAntagonist towards the end.

This trope is so {{omnipresent|Tropes}}, especially in works with BlackAndWhiteMorality, that attempts to [[SubvertedTrope subvert it]] can easily lead to LikeYouWouldReallyDoIt, and any work with a DownerEnding where TheBadGuyWins for [[EvilOnlyHasToWinOnce once]] automatically catapults itself to the cynical end of the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism. (Except for certain circumstances, like if [[HarmlessVillain the villain winning won't actually hurt anything]].)

''If a story has [[{{Heroes}} a hero]] who fights [[{{Villains}} a villain]], ([[NoAntagonist But not always]]) then the hero will win in the end.''

''If a story has [[{{Heroes}} a hero]] who fights [[{{Villains}} a villain]],([[NoAntagonist But not Always]]) then the hero will win in the end.''

Sure, there might be stumbles along the way. It may take a [[TheHerosJourney Hero's Journey]] or two to EarnYourHappyEnding. Evil might [[EvilAlwaysTriumphsInTheMiddle score a few victories first]], and maybe even [[NearVillainVictory almost win]] in the DarkestHour before Good can [[BigDamnHeroes save the day at the last minute]]. In the end, however, there's usually never any doubt in the audience's minds that the forces of good will prevail. Even in video games that allow you to play as the bad guys, the minute the sequel comes out, [[NoCanonForTheWicked expect it to make the "good" ending the only canon one.]]

''If a story has [[{{Heroes}} a hero]] who fights [[{{Villains}} a villain]],([[{{NoAntagonist But not Always}}) then the hero will win in the end.''

''If a story has [[{{Heroes}} a hero]] who fights [[{{Villains}} a villain]], then the hero will win in the end.''

-->--'''Beast Boy''', ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans''

''If a story has [[{{Heroes}} a hero]] who fights [[{{Villains}} a villain]], then the hero will win in the end. Always.''

Sure, there might be stumbles along the way. It may take a [[TheHerosJourney Hero's Journey]] or two to EarnYourHappyEnding. Evil might [[EvilAlwaysTriumphsInTheMiddle score a few victories first]], and maybe even [[NearVillainVictory almost win]] in the DarkestHour before Good can [[BigDamnHeroes save the day at the last minute]]. In the end, however, there's never any doubt that the forces of good will prevail. Even in video games that allow you to play as the bad guys, the minute the sequel comes out, [[NoCanonForTheWicked expect it to make the "good" ending the only canon one.]]

'''Please do not list examples on this page.''' After all, [[OmnipresentTropes there is a reason for the "Always" in the trope name]]. ([[SeenItAMillionTimes Plus, we'd be here forever]].)