History PunchClockVillain / AnimeAndManga

* ''LightNovel/GoshuushouSamaNinomiyaKun'' has a squad of [[{{mooks}} generic military personnel]] who threaten the cast around episode 6. In one scene, a soldier who was hunting down Mayu helps her out of a trap she fell into, and has a friendly conversation with her before she [[{{Dojikko}} trips another trap that knocks him out]]. [[MoodWhiplash In contrast]], similar soldiers were [[NoHoldsBarredBeatDown brutalizing]] a [[BoundAndGagged captive]] Shungo just two scenes before that.

** CP9, surprisingly. Despite the fact that they were the main antagonists at some point, doing horrible things in the name of the government, they were still taught to defend justice and peace. That was also their motivation during the arc, albeit in a twisted way. None of them outright mistreats Robin, aside from their BadBoss, and they were under orders to defend him and her from the Straw-Hats. It is shown, during their title-page story, that they function well enough in society, and defended a port from pirates when they didn't stand to benefit. It just so happens One Piece has a ''technical'' VillainProtagonist.

* The Eiserne Jungefrauen in ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry'' are magic-denying witch [[TheHunter hunters]], but only when they're on the job as Inquisitors. Otherwise, they don't mind innocent magic that is used as an embellishment, as long as it doesn't hide the results of what happens. [[SdrawkcabName Dlanor]], in particular, has a discussion with [[WorthyOpponent Battler]], explaining this [[GoKartingWithBowser over tea]].

** Zarbon. In contrast to Dodoria, who seems to be a ruthless PsychoForHire, Zarbon is more sympathetic. In fact, he just seems to follow the orders of Freeza because he says that will kill him if he does not.

** CP9, surprisingly. Despite the fact that they were the main antagonists at some point, doing horrible things in the name of the government, they were still taught to defend justice and peace. That was also their motivation during the arc, albeit in a twisted way. None of them outright mistreats Robin, aside from their BadBoss, and they were under orders to defend him and her from the Straw-Hats. It is shown, during their title-page story, that they function well enough in society, and defended a port from pirates when they didn't stand to benefit. It just so happens One Piece has a ''technically'' VillainProtagonist.

** CP9, surprisingly. Despite the fact that they were the main antagonists at some point, doing horrible things in the name of the government, they were still taught to defend justice and peace. That was also their motivation during the arc, albeit in a twisted way. None of them outright mistreats Robin, aside from their BadBoss, and they were under orders to defend him and her from the Straw-Hats. It is shown, during their title-page story, that they function well enough in society, and defended a port from pirates when they didn't stand to benefit.

* In the ''GetBackers'' manga, Gouzou "Mr. No-Brakes" Maguruma is somewhere between this and TrueNeutral. He's the only character who has no problems with [[PsychoForHire Kuroudo "Doctor Jackal" Akabane]] and Ryuudo "Undead" Hishiki, the former being someone the eponymous heroes can work with if absolutely necessary, but the latter the only opponent they go out of their way to avoid. Someone usually hires him to transport the item someone ''else'' hired Ban and Ginji to get back, but he's perfectly willing to loan them his taxi or give them a lift if they ask for it. Ginji reacts with his "happy fans" whenever they see him.

* Judai had a lot of opponents in the second season of ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'' who could be considered "villains" only due to their membership or allegiance to the [[ReligionOfEvil Society of Light]]; other than that, they weren't malignant towards him in the least. The most prominent examples were Princess Rose, Tsugio Kanda (who actually started calling Judai "Anki", the same AffectionateNickname that Sho and Kenzan called him, even after losing), and Dr. Zweinstein (an {{Expy}} of AlbertEinstein who would make additional appearances in the third season).

* In ''DGrayMan'', Tyki would sometimes rather slack off and play poker than work on missions from the [[BigBad Earl]]. When he's off duty and in his ordinary form, he's a nice guy, even to enemies.

* The Eiserne Jungefrauen in ''VisualNovel/UminekoNoNakuKoroNi'' are magic-denying witch [[TheHunter hunters]], but only when they're on the job as Inquisitors. Otherwise, they don't mind innocent magic that is used as an embellishment, as long as it doesn't hide the results of what happens. [[SdrawkcabName Dlanor]], in particular, has a discussion with [[WorthyOpponent Battler]], explaining this [[GoKartingWithBowser over tea]].

* "Anime/{{Pokemon}} only do bad things because Master bad." -- Ekans (with Koffing), the original Pokémon of Jessie and James of Team Rocket.

* In ''Anime/YuGiOhZexal'', Gauche and Droite started out as this. (Gauche does seem to love his job, but he's more of a thrill-seeker than anything else.) Droite later became an AntiVillain, while Gauche became a FriendlyEnemy towards Yuma.

* Tsujido, Makabe, and Niihari from ''SpeedGrapher'' are not particularly evil, and are only villains because of their personal loyalty to Suitengu, [[IOweYouMyLife whom they owe their lives to]].

** The villains in all the later arcs have basically the same [=MO=]:

* Arguably, Sloth from the manga version of ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist''. If it wasn't for the fact that he was created by [[spoiler: Father]], and is threatened with his siblings' wrath (pun not intended), he wouldn't be even ''bothered'' with [[spoiler: digging a tunnel around Amestris in the shape of an alchemist's circle]], for, well, obvious reasons.
** A good chunk of the Amestris military also qualifies, because, despite the repeated atrocities through-out the country's history like the Ishbalan genocide, the manga shows that they are just ordinary people following orders. One of the manga's themes is the fact that good, normal people can still do horrible things.
*** The chimera working for Kimblee stand out in my mind, since they weren't really so bad after all.
* Some members of Baroque Works in ''OnePiece'', most notably Mr.2 Bon Kurei. He easily befriended the protagonists before he knew they were his enemies, but later fought them with all he had because it was his job. After his organization fell apart, he [[HeroicSacrifice allowed himself to be caught]] to help the protagonists escape.
** Miss All Sunday/Nico Robin. On the clock, she did whatever Crocodile instructed, when off duty, however, she seems to do whatever she can to actively help the heroes, including offering an eternal pose to Nanimonai Island and saving Luffy when he was [[spoiler: BuriedAlive in the desert]], eventually [[spoiler: joining the crew]] after Crocodile is defeated.
** Although there are plenty of genuine rogues in [[DesignatedVillain the Navy]], ranging from GeneralRipper Admiral Akainu to DirtyCop Nezumi, many Marines are this trope. Most particular of these is Smoker, who is shown from his introduction to actually be a very kind person to those he is not pursuing.
*** In fact, if pirates (albeit kind ones) weren't the protagonists, he could be considered a good guy; he's proven that he cares more about his view of justice than orders from the higher-ups, to the point that he and his troops allied with the Straw Hats at one point. [[spoiler:''Two'' points as of the TimeSkip, and much more EnemyMine-ish the second time.]]

** Recent information reveals that the Saiyan's are this for the most part. They are soldiers to Freeza doing everything he wants them to. Like the Ginyu Force they do enjoy all the fighting and killing so it's a job they love. At the same time they're shown to be more than barbarians with the ability to socialize and even joke among themselves like normal people. Bardock in particular stands out for being nurturing to his wife and their children, something that is ''extremely'' rare for Saiyans since most only mate to have kids and then leave their children to fend for themselves.

* AxCrazy Shin and GenkiGirl Noi from ''{{Dorohedoro}}''. Both are quite friendly when off the job and [[BigEater are often seen in restaurants.]] However, Shin seems to enjoy his job [[BloodKnight a little too much]], and Noi remains cheerful while killing (and occasionally makes it a contest with Shin), so they both demonstrate the thin line between this trope and PsychoForHire.

* Most of the Siberian Railroad from ''OvermanKingGainer'', Jaboli, Kajinan, and Enge in particular are usually obsessed with getting promoted for a higher pay.

* Semi of ''MaohJuvenileRemix'', who, although initially sent to kill the main character, is actually fairly nice to him when off-duty.

* ''PorcoRosso'' has a whole set of these. In fact, every single one of the seaplane pirates that form the closest thing to antagonists that the first half of the movie has is very much a Punch Clock Villain. They all put on a tough show of hating "that stinkin' pig", but as a collective, they're about as evil as a box of kittens and are just out to make a quick buck.

* The Dragons of Earth in ''[[{{X1999}} X/1999]]'' are not particularly evil after hours, they just happen to be on the opposite side of the Dragons of Heaven. Their goal is one of [[WellIntentionedExtremist Well Intentioned Extremism]].

** Captain Ginyu as well.

** A recent RetCon has turned the Saiyan's into this. They're just low-level soldiers to Freeza doing everything he wants them to. They're shown to be more than barbarians too, being nurturing to their mates and their children.

* Zarbon from ''Anime/DragonBallZ''. In contrast to Dodoria, who seems to be a ruthless PsychoForHire, Zarbon is more sympathetic. In fact, he just seems to follow the orders of Freeza because he says that will kill him if he does not.

** A recent RetCon has turned the Saiyan's into this. They're just low level soldiers to Freeza doing everything he wants them to. They're shown to be more than barbarians too, being nurturing to their mates and their children.

* ''TheWorldOfNarue'' has a team of [[RidiculouslyHumanRobots gynoids]] who are only "villains" because they follow orders. Then they start [[MookFaceTurn disobeying orders]] because they realize they like the protagonists.

* Oh boy, ''GunXSword'''s villain group runs on this. So, if they're not planning for a Utopia, they're like a normal family, with The Claw as the 'kind father', Carossa & Melissa as normal twin kids, Fasalina as their CoolBigSis, Michael as the new 'adopted son' who's trying to fit in (much to Carossa's chagrin), and MAYBE Gadved as their uncle. For some reason, Woo prefers to be left out.

* Vice Commander Renee in ''InnocentVenus'' is a Punch Clock Villain, which predictably leads to a HeelFaceTurn.

* ''GunslingerGirl'' has Bruno, who works for the Padania by disposing the bodies they rack up. He mentions at some point that ideals are nice, but they don't feed your family.

* Almost ''[[GrayAndGrayMorality everyone]]'' on [[MeleeATrois every single side]] in ''DarkerThanBlack''. Most of the rest are either {{well intentioned extremist}}s or misinformed. Well, except [[PsychoForHire Wei]]. And later, Genma.