History Main / WhiteandGreyMorality

* The HonorVerse certainly ''does'' feature many a CompleteMonster, and some [[BlackAndWhiteMorality truly, deeply unambiguous conflicts]], but it's also at constant pains to point out that this trope is in play ''most'' of the time. In fact, the first part of the series (with the Manticore/Haven war) really only has five or so really evil characters, right at the top of the enemy food chain. The [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters many dozens]] of other Havenite enemies given names and faces all tend toward MyCountryRightOrWrong at worst.

-> ''"There really aren't that many evil men out there. It's mostly just good men working at cross purposes''
->-- ''{{Digger}}''

Contrast BlackAndGreyMorality, where {{Anti Hero}}es are the best you can expect from the good guys. If the antagonists only became so due to a negative influence from outside, this may overlap with RousseauWasRight.

** ''[=StrikerS=]'' seems to feature a straight-up MadScientist villain with Jail Scaglietti until TheReveal that [[spoiler:he was ''made'' that way by a group of old men who spent their youth fighting to stop a senseless, centuries-long war and were desperately seekign means to prevent such wars from breaking out in the future]]. There is also the fact that the "Doctor" has a very family-like relationship with his [[RobotGirl Numbers]] and not in a PetTheDog way: even after seeing the error of his (and their own) ways, none of the Numbers turns their back on Scaglietti, continuing to see him as a parent figure.

* ''PrincessMononoke'': Ashitaka was very much TheMessiah, but both Lady Eboshi and San had valid reasons for their actions. The enemy samurais seemed to be bad, but then, you feel if they had been explained then they too would have fair motivations.

* ''CardcaptorSakura'' has no villains either; in the first arc, [[MonsterOfTheWeek the Cards]] are portrayed more as mischievous beings than truly evil troublemakers and are all subject to DefeatMeansFriendship, and in the second arc, the "villain" is quickly hinted (and revealed at the end) to be much more of a TricksterMentor. All the intelligent characters are presented as decent people, which underscores the "Humans Are Good" part of the trope.

** Which basically proves that this trope is ''not'' synonymous with the idealistic end of the SlidingScaleofIdealismVersusCynicism. True, if the story were told from [[spoiler: the Anti-SOS Brigade's]] point of view, [[SympatheticPOV they would probably seem a lot more sympathetic]], and the SOS Brigade would appear to be deluded fanatics who deliberately put the universe in danger for sentimental reasons. Thus, an unbiased observer is forced to conclude that ''[[GrayAndGrayMorality neither]]'' [[GrayAndGrayMorality side is wholly right or wholly wrong]], though the SOS Brigade is ''definitely'' [[ALighterShadeofGray A Lighter Shade of Gray]].

* ''AzumangaDaioh'' has a total of ''three'' main characters who are ''ever'' unsympathetic - Miss Yukari, Tomo, and Mr. Kimura. Of these, the former two are {{Jerkass}}es at worst, and even the perverted Mr. Kimura has a lot of PetTheDog moments. On the other hand, [[EnsembleDarkhorse Kamineko]] does its level best to maul and maim Sakaki.

* A lot of SliceOfLife animes have no villains: ''{{Sketchbook}}'', ''LuckyStar'', ''IchigoMashimaro'', ''CandyBoy'', and others.

* ''AzumangaDaioh'' has a total of ''three'' main characters who are ''ever'' unsympathetic - Miss Yukari, Tomo, and Mr. Kimura. Of these, the former two are {{Jerkass}}es at worst, and even the perverted Mr. Kimura has a lot of PetTheDog moments. On the other hand, [[EnsembleDarkhorse Kamineko]] will masticate Sakaki's hand, sometimes even without "provocation."

* ''AzumangaDaioh'' has a total of ''three'' main characters who are ''ever'' unsympathetic - Miss Yukari, Tomo, and Mr. Kimura. Of these, the former two are {{Jerkass}}es at worst, and even the perverted Mr. Kimura has a lot of PetTheDog moments.

* The second season of ''MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'' is like this. The only entity that can be considered villainous is [[spoiler:a self-defense program of an [[GreatBigBookOfEverything ancient artifact]], which was corrupted long ago under unrevealed circumstances]], while the rest of the cast only attempt to do what they believe would be best for everyone and [[TrueArtIsAngsty angst heavily]] about having to hurt others (''"It was such a small wish..."''). Basically, the Team Nanoha vs. Wolkenritter is a LawfulGood vs. ChaoticGood conflict. This is in sharp contrast to TheOriginalSeries and ''[=StrikerS=]'' with their [[spoiler:{{Mad Scientist}}s Precia Testarossa and Jail Scaglietti]].\\
** Also, as Alicia explains in Fate's HappyPlace sequence in ''A's'', Precia originally was a very kind and gentle person. But exactly because she was so gentle, her psyche couldn't handle Alicia's sudden death and she "[[BrokenBird broke]]". Yeah, you could argue that she is a CompleteMonster, too, whipping Fate and all.

* ''The Terminal''

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Also, as Alicia explains in Fate's HappyPlace sequence in ''A's'', Precia originally was a very kind and gentle person. But exactly because she was so gentle, her psyche couldn't handle Alicia's sudden death and she "[[BrokenBird broke]]". Yeah, you could argue that she is a CompleteMonster, too, whipping Fate and all.

* A common theme of Hayao Miyazaki's movies. The antagonists are sympathetic and/or have reasonable motivations.

* ''GundamWing'' seems to like this trope, too, at least for most of the main characters. Save for the few CompleteMonster like Dekim Barton, most of the characters desire for justice and peace, despite that their ways of achieving it is questionable, as pointed out by Relena Peacecraft. Fortunately, EveryoneLives except Treize Kushranada, who willingly dies by his own choice, and [[YourMileageMayVary the world achieves true peace]] as Relena sees it. This way, [[RousseauWasRight Gundam Wing]] is a total opposite to the [[HumansAreBastards Universal Century series]].

* ''GundamWing'' seems to like this trope, too, at least for most of the main characters. Save for the few CompleteMonster like Dekim Barton, most of the characters desire for justice and peace, despite that their ways of achieving it is questionable, as pointed out by Relena Peacecraft. Fortunately, EveryoneLives except Treize Kushranada, who willingly dies by his own choice, and [[YourMileageMayVary the world achieves true peace]] as Relena sees it. This way, GundamWing is a total opposite to [[HumansAreBastards Universal Century series]].

* ''GunnerkriggCourt'' is known for lacking "proper" villains; Coyote is ([[AlternateCharacterInterpretation arguably]]) more of a general {{Trickster}}, and Ysengrin is simply insane. And Reynardine is... [[AlternateCharacterInterpretation who knows]]? Tom Siddell confirms this in [[http://www.wizarduniverse.com/082008wcotw.html an interview]]: "There are no outright evil characters, for example, just situations in which a character might act in a way perceived to be evil."\\
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On the other hand, [[spoiler:Diego]] is a pretty evil character, and is arguably as close to a CompleteMonster as the series would ever get. It's bad enough that [[spoiler: he causes the death of the woman he "loves" because she rejected him.]], but then in [[http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=657 this]] comic, [[spoiler:when Jeanne desperately comes to him for help, [[MoralEventHorizon he just smugly smirks at her fear]]]] An alternative interpretation is that he is a coward and strongly in denial. He does seem to be [[spoiler:horribly broken after Jeanne dies.]]\\
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[[spoiler:Jack is pretty much just some variant of [[GoMadFromTheRevelation gone nuts from the whole Zimmyham experience]] or [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity high on his new creepy powers]].]]

Near the very [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism idealistic]] end of the many {{Shades of Conflict}} (only WhiteAndWhiteMorality is more), a setting with WhiteAndGreyMorality features no truly ''evil'' characters, but ranges through a spectrum of [[TheCape squeaky-clean heroes]], [[KnightInSourArmor slightly more sarcastic heroes]], [[AntiHero borderline heroes]], {{Well Intentioned Extremist}}s, and the occasional AntiVillain at worst. Your {{Complete Monster}}s need not apply. Conflict is generated either through misguided ideals or simple misunderstandings, so there is often an undercurrent of "if only people would sit down and talk to one another, they'd find they're {{not so different}} after all". Expect a great deal of {{Heel Face Turn}}ing, from characters only nominally "heels" to begin with.

Near the very [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism idealistic]] end of the many {{Shades of Conflict}} (only WhiteAndWhiteMorality is more), a setting with WhiteAndGreyMorality features no truly ''evil'' characters, but ranges through squeaky-clean heroes, slightly more sarcastic heroes, {{Well Intentioned Extremist}}s, and the occasional AntiVillain at worst. Conflict is generated either through misguided ideals or simple misunderstandings, so there is often an undercurrent of "if only people would sit down and talk to one another, they'd find they're {{not so different}} after all".

'''Trope Repair Shop To-do: Move relevant examples from RousseauWasRight.'''

* A lot of SliceOfLife animes have no villains: ''{{Sketchbook}}'', ''LuckyStar'', ''IchigoMashimaro'', ''CandyBoy'', and otheres.

The extreme [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism idealistic]] end of the many {{Shades of Conflict}}, a setting with WhiteAndGreyMorality features no truly ''evil'' characters, but ranges through squeaky-clean heroes, slightly more sarcastic heroes, {{Well Intentioned Extremist}}s, and the occasional AntiVillain at worst. Conflict is generated either through misguided ideals or simple misunderstandings, so there is often an undercurrent of "if only people would sit down and talk to one another, they'd find they're {{not so different}} after all".

A setting with WhiteAndGreyMorality doesn't feature any truly evil characters. {{Complete Monster}}s are off-limits to the author here. As a result, the antagonists tend to be {{Well Intentioned Extremist}}s, or at worst, an AntiVillain.

Contrast BlackAndGreyMorality, where [[AntiHero Anti Heroes]] are the best you can expect from the good guys. See also: ShadesOfConflict.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* ''{{Kingdom}}''

[[redirect:RousseauWasRight]]