History Sandbox / HeroTropes

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!!Tropes:

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* ActionGenreHeroGuy

* HunterOfMonsters: Someone who fights and slays dangerous supernatural creatures to protect other people.

* MagicalGirl: Young girls learning to find their place in the world while secretly fighting to protect it with magical powers.
* TheGoodKing: A monarch who honestly wants what's best for his people.

Contrast this index with its antithesis, {{Villains}}. There's also a [[https://hero.fandom.com/wiki/Heroes_Wiki Wiki]] on this trope per TheWikiRule.

* TheRealHeroes

* SecularHero: A hero who doesn't hold religious beliefs.

[[TheHero The good guy]], seeks to defeat the villain, save the [[LoveInterests princess]], find the treasure, etc. Generally the central figure in ActionSeries and AdventureSeries. [[TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin Always wins in the end]]. This index covers all tropes about and related to them.

You might be looking for the 2006 TV show ''Series/{{Heroes}}'', the 1998 Creator/RobertCormier novel ''Literature/{{Heroes}}'', or the 1977 Music/DavidBowie album ''[[Music/HeroesDavidBowieAlbum "Heroes"]]''.

* BadPowersGoodPeople: A hero has superpowers that are usually associated with villains.

* DarkMagicalGirl: A MagicalGirl with a DarkAndTroubledPast, who starts out as an EvilCounterpart to TheHero, but usually [[HeelFaceTurn switches sides]] after being taught ThePowerOfLove, [[ThePowerOfFriendship Friendship]], and Acceptance [[DefeatMeansFriendship after a big showdown]].

* GoodGuyBar: A place for heroes to hang out after saving the day, just right across the street from the BadGuyBar.

* GoodWearsWhite: Heroic characters dress in white clothing to symbolize their goodness.

* HairOfGoldHeartOfGold: A good guy/girl with blonde hair.

* HeroSecretService
* TheHeroSucksSong: Characters, usually villains, insult the hero through a song.

* KnightErrant: [[TheDrifter Drifting]] heroes who do good deeds as they [[WalkingTheEarth pass by]].
* KnightInShiningArmor
* KnightInSourArmor: A cynical hero who nonetheless continues to do good.

* ManOfTheCity: The hero who ensures the safety and well-being of the city they live in.

* TheMeddlingKidsAreUseless
* MessianicArchetype

* MistakenForSuperpowered

* MookFaceTurn: {{Mooks}} who are convinced by heroes to defect to the forces of good.

* NaiveEverygirl
* NatureHero
* NaziHunter: Someone who tries to bring fugitive [[ThoseWackyNazis Nazi]] war criminals to justice.
* NerdActionHero

* OmniscientHero

* PartTimeHero

* PinkHeroine

* SaintlyChurch: TheChurch that means well.
* ScienceHero: The hero is a scholar who uses his scientific knowledge to fight evil.
* ScrapHeapHero

* ShowyInvincibleHero
* ShutUpHannibal: After the villain tries to break the hero's spirit by claiming that their heroic efforts are worthless or that the hero is no different from the villain, the hero responds by sharply rebuking the villain and rejecting their harangue as they prepare to kick the villain's butt.

* SmallStepsHero

* SociallyAwkwardHero: While they're eager to help other people, they're not very good at casually socializing with them.
* SociopathicHero: TheSociopath is a "hero".

* SpoiledSweet
* StockShonenHero: The stereotypical protagonist of most {{Shonen}} anime.
* StockShoujoHeroine: The stereotypical protagonist of most {{Shoujo}} anime.

* {{Superhero}}es: Heroes who are defined by possessing special skills, abilities, superpowers, or at least a gimmicky theme and grandiose personality that sets them apart from more mundane heroes. Obviously enough, they're the opposite of {{supervillain}}s.

* TeamDad: The surrogate father to the heroic team.
* TeamMom: The surrogate mother to the heroic team.

* TerrorHero

* TookALevelInKindness
* TragicHero: A hero who's motivated by their DarkAndTroubledPast, or has otherwise suffered great hardship.

* UnderhandedHero

* UnlikelyHero: Nobody really expects them to rise up to the challenge of saving the day.
* UnscrupulousHero: A hero who is considered one because the villains are worse than him.

* XMarksTheHero: A character has a cross-shaped scar to show they're a badass good guy.

[[folder:Common Traits Found Amongst Heroes]]

[[folder:Common Situations and Plots]]

[[/folder]]


* AdaptationalNiceGuy: A character is made nicer in the adaptation than they were in the original work. Often done with heroic characters whose rudeness might prevent them from being sympathetic.
* AdventurerArchaeologist
* AscendedDemon: Demonic beings redeem themselves to become divine guardians.
* BadPowersGoodPeople: A hero has superpowers that are usually associated with villains.
* TheBigGuy: The physically strongest member of the group.

* CommandingCoolness
[[/folder]]

[[folder:D-F]]
* DarkMagicalGirl: A MagicalGirl with a DarkAndTroubledPast, who starts out as an EvilCounterpart to TheHero, but usually [[HeelFaceTurn switches sides]] after being taught ThePowerOfLove, [[ThePowerOfFriendship Friendship]], and Acceptance [[DefeatMeansFriendship after a big showdown]].
* DelightfulDragon: Benevolent dragons who prove that dragons and other reptilians [[DarkIsNotEvil are capable of as much good as any other species]].
* {{Determinator}}: Absolutely nothing can make the hero give up.
* DistressedDude
* DoomedMoralVictor
* EthicalSlut: This character is a moral and benevolent person, at least when it comes to matters of romance and sexuality.
* FauxActionGirl


[[/folder]]

[[folder:G-J]]
* GoodGuyBar: A place for heroes to hang out after saving the day, just right across the street from the BadGuyBar.

* GoodIsNotDumb: A character who is good gets underestimated because of it.
* GoodIsNotNice: A hero who acts like a {{jerk|ass}} most of the time.
* GoodIsNotSoft: A hero who has no qualms about severely punishing villains.
* TheGoodKing: A monarch who honestly wants what's best for his people.
* GoodParents: Parents who do a pretty good job of protecting and raising their children.
* GoodSamaritan: A person does a good deed simply for others' well-being.
* GoodShepherd: A religious leader who is also a good person.

* GoodWearsWhite: Heroic characters dress in white clothing to symbolize their goodness.
* GreaterScopeParagon: A heroic being who is indirectly responsible for the heroes existing or being involved in their mission, but is not directly involved with the story.
* GuileHero: A hero who relies on saving the day with his wits and quick thinking.
* TheGunslinger
* HairOfGoldHeartOfGold: A good guy/girl with blonde hair.
* HandsomeHeroicCaveman: A caveman is both physically and morally appealing, in contrast to the brutish Neanderthals or the FrazettaMan.
* HauntedHeroine: A heroine haunted equally by her own past and the uncanny events around her.

* TheHeart
* HeartwarmingOrphan: An orphan child who normally ends up being adopted and is a good character who makes the audience emotional.

* HenshinHero: The hero has a super mode where they become stronger.
* TheHero: The character who performs heroic deeds with a heroic motivation. And usually the biggest force of good in the story. Likely TheLeader of any FiveManBand, though lone-wolf Heroes who prefer to go solo also exist.
* HerosMuse: TheHero is inspired or led by an idealized woman.
* HeroAcademy: A school for training young heroes.
* HeroAntagonist: When the antagonist role is filled in by a good guy. They're usually the main opponent of a VillainProtagonist.
* HeroOfAnotherStory: Good guys who have their own adventures, despite not being part of the main story.
* HeroProtagonist: The main character of the story is almost always a good guy ([[VillainProtagonist with some exceptions]]).

* HeroesLoveDogs: Good guys like to keep pet dogs.
* HeroesRUs: An organized group of heroes.
* HeroicBastard: A good guy born to unmarried parents.
* HeroicBSOD: A hero experiences an emotional breakdown.
* HeroicBuild: Many heroic men have an impressively muscular body.
* HeroicComedicSociopath
* HeroicDog: A canine who really is man's best friend.
* HeroicDolphin

* HeroicMime: A good guy who never talks.

* HeroicResolve
* HeroicRussianEmigre

* HeroicSeductress
* HeroicSelfDeprecation: The hero belittles themselves.
* HeroicSpirit

* HeroicWillpower: The hero is in danger of being corrupted by an evil force, but manages to fight it off by doing their best not to give in to the madness.

* HeroSecretService
* TheHeroSucksSong: Characters, usually villains, insult the hero through a song.
* AHeroToHisHometown

* HeroWithBadPublicity: A good guy who has an (undeservedly) bad reputation among the citizens. Which may be the result of manipulations by [[VillainWithGoodPublicity a bad guy with a better reputation]].
* HiddenAgendaHero: The hero's motive is a mystery.

* TheHighQueen: The queen is beautiful and good to an inhuman degree, and is to be held in awe.
* HollywoodActionHero
* HomegrownHero
* HomelessHero: A nomadic hero who wanders around to fight evil.
* HonestCorporateExecutive: Not all wealthy businesspeople have to be [[CorruptCorporateExecutive ruthlessly greedy plutocrats]].
* HopeBringer
* HorrifyingHero

* HumbleHero
* HurtingHero
* IdealHero: A hero who's held up as being a near-perfect role model.
* TheIdealistWasRight: A character who was scoffed at for being idealistic ends up having the best solution for their problems.
* IdiotHero: The hero is [[TheDitz not really smart]].

* IncorruptiblePurePureness: The hero who is morally pure and is immune to temptation.
* InnocentAliens: Extraterrestrials who [[BenevolentAlienInvasion truly come in peace]].
* IntrepidReporter
* InvincibleHero: A hero who is so super-competent that they seem to be outright unstoppable.
* IronLady
* IronWoobie: The hero is [[TheWoobie a miserable person]], [[{{Determinator}} but that won't stop them from quitting their journey]].
* ItSucksToBeTheChosenOne: The hero dislikes being forced to face their destiny.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Some heroes are mean, but have a soft side deep down.
* JumpedAtTheCall: A character is eager to uphold the responsibility of being the hero once they are given the chance.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:K-M]]
* KidDetective: A child who solves crime.
* KidHero: The hero is a young child or teenager.

* KindheartedCatLover: A kind hero who loves cats.
* KingInTheMountain: A legendary figure is believed to be in hibernation until the people they've protected need them again rather than dead.
* KleptomaniacHero: "Take everything that isn't nailed down or too heavy, and anything that can be pried loose is not considered nailed down".
* KnightErrant: [[TheDrifter Drifting]] heroes who do good deeds as they [[WalkingTheEarth pass by]].
* KnightInShiningArmor
* KnightInSourArmor: A cynical hero who nonetheless continues to do good.
* KnightTemplar: Characters who has noble goals, but can be self-righteous and extremist in achieving them.
* LadyOfAdventure
* LadyOfWar
* TheLancer: The hero's second-in-command.
* LancerVsDragon: When TheLancer takes on their EvilCounterpart TheDragon.
* LanternJawOfJustice: Good guys with huge chins.
* LawfulGood
* TheLeader: A role always filled by [[TheHero the main hero/protagonist]] of the story.
* LightIsGood: Heroes are usually associated with the light and bright colors.
* LittleOldLadyInvestigates
* LoadBearingHero: A hero that holds a falling object to save the members of main cast or others.
* LordErrorProne
* LovableAlphaBitch
* LovableCoward: They're too chicken to confront danger, but end up being forced to do so anyways.
* LovableLizard: Heroic (or at least friendly) lizards.
* LovedByAll: The hero is universally liked by everyone.
* MadonnaArchetype
* MagicalGirl: Young girls learning to find their place in the world while secretly fighting to protect it with magical powers.
* MagicianDetective
* MagneticHero
* MainCharacterFinalBoss: The hero of the story also plays the role of its final boss.
* MammalMonstersAreMoreHeroic: Mammalian monsters are portrayed as heroes.
* ManOfTheCity: The hero who ensures the safety and well-being of the city they live in.
* MartialPacifist: They would personally prefer a peaceful solution, but that doesn't mean they aren't willing to put up a good fight if they have to.
* MeanCharacterNiceActor: The character is mean and nasty, but the actor behind that character is not.
* TheMeddlingKidsAreUseless
* MessianicArchetype
* MightyWhitey
* MistakenForSuperpowered
* MonsterAdventurers
* MookFaceTurn: {{Mooks}} who are convinced by heroes to defect to the forces of good.

* MosesArchetype
* MrViceGuy: A hero who often engages in some sort of sin or vice.
* MyGirlBackHome
* MysteryWriterDetective

[[folder:N-R]]
* NaiveEverygirl
* NatureHero
* NaziHunter: Someone who tries to bring fugitive [[ThoseWackyNazis Nazi]] war criminals to justice.
* NerdActionHero
* NeutralGood
* NiceGuy: A kindhearted hero who is a very swell guy/girl to be around with.
* NoBadassToHisValet
* NoHeroToHisValet
* NoMoreHoldingBackSpeech: The hero makes a speech about the problems they've experienced and how they overcame them.
* NobleBigot: They still try to do the right thing despite their prejudices.
* NobleBigotWithABadge: A policeman who tries to uphold the law despite their prejudices.
* NobleSavage: Someone from a primitive tribe, who is generally more decent and wise than people from civilized society.
* NominalHero: Someone who may incidentally do some good deeds despite a total lack of altruistic motives.
* NonIronicClown: This type of clown who is a good guy in every sense of the word, intending to entertain children in circus.
* OmniscientHero
* TheOneWithAPersonalLife: The one member of the crew who still has a life outside of adventuring.
* OnlyTheChosenMayWield: A weapon only wieldable by [[TheChosenOne the Chosen One]] or one with certain special attributes.
* OutdatedHeroVsImprovedSociety
* OutsideContextProblem, when they are the good guys
* PajamaCladHero: A hero who does good deeds while in sleepwear.
* TheParagon: The hero who encourages others to be more heroic.
* PartTimeHero
* PetTheDog: An outwardly rude character does something nice to prove that they are good underneath.
* PinkHeroine
* PluckyGirl
* PoliteVillainsRudeHeroes: GoodIsNotNice versus AffablyEvil.
* PoliticallyIncorrectHero: A hero who holds some very controversial beliefs about other people.
* ThePoorlyChosenOne: Unfortunately, they totally failed to achieve their great destiny.
* PositiveFriendInfluence: A character that helps others within their social circle (friends, family, RagtagBunchOfMisfits, etc) to start making their way on overcoming their issues and become better people.
* ThePowerOfFriendship: A hero can defeat a bad guy with companionship as his/her strength.
* ThePowerOfLove: The heroes' love for each other lets them overcome their trials.
* ThePowerOfRock: A hero can defeat the villain via rock music.
* PragmaticHero: A hero who does morally questionable deeds for the greater good.
* PrecursorHeroes
* PresidentSuperhero: A [[OurPresidentsAreDifferent President]] (or otherwise Chief of State) of a sovereign country who happens to have superpowers -- and does use them for heroics as a side job.
* PrincessProtagonist: When the heroine is a member of royalty.
* ProdigalHero
* PropagandaHero
* ProhibitedHeroSavesTheDay
* ProtoSuperhero: Early versions of the modern {{superhero}} archetype.
* PunchClockHero: This character is a hero because it's his job. Not a big deal.
* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: A ramshackle group of characters has to save the day.
* TheRealHeroes
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: The authority figure who mostly aids the heroes.
* RebelliousRebel
* RecklessPacifist
* RecruitTeenagersWithAttitude: Instead of trained adults or the average superheroes, random teenagers are asked to save the day.
* RedIsHeroic: Many good guys like to wear red clothes.
* {{Redshirt}}s: The GoodCounterpart of evil {{Mooks}}. Unfortunately, they're not any more useful in a fight.
* RedshirtArmy
* TheRedeemer: The hero reforms a majority of villains they meet.
* RedeemingReplacement: The identity of a villain is assumed by someone who instead uses the identity to be a hero so as to make amends for their predecessor's crimes.
* ReformedBully
* ReformedCriminal: Small time {{Criminals}} who have a change of heart and join the good guys.
* TheRepublic
* LaResistance: A group of people who intend to fight back against and overthrow the tyrannical regime oppressing them.
* RetiredBadass: A hero who is retired (but no less brave or competent).
* RightManInTheWrongPlace
* RighteousRabbit: Heroic rabbits.
* RudeHeroNiceSidekick: A hero who is a jerk who is accompanied by a nicer sidekick.

[[folder:S-Z]]
* SaintlyChurch: TheChurch that means well.
* ScienceHero: The hero is a scholar who uses his scientific knowledge to fight evil.
* ScrapHeapHero
* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: A character who listens and does what their heart tells them is the morally right thing to do and not what bureaucratic laws tell them to.
* SealedGoodInACan: A hero who has somehow been imprisoned for a long time.
* SecularHero: A hero who doesn't hold religious beliefs.
* SeriesMascot: Most good guys serve as iconic characters chosen to represent a fictional universe or media franchise.
* SheepInSheepsClothing
* ShowyInvincibleHero
* ShutUpHannibal: After the villain tries to break the hero's spirit by claiming that their heroic efforts are worthless or that the hero is no different from the villain, the hero responds by sharply rebuking the villain and rejecting their harangue as they prepare to kick the villain's butt.
* SidekickSong: The hero's sidekick has a moment to shine with a song.
* SixthRanger: An additional team member who joins the hero team a good while after the other members have been active.
* SmallStepsHero
* TheSmartGuy: The most intelligent member of the group.
* SmithOfTheYard
* SnoopingLittleKid
* SociallyAwkwardHero: While they're eager to help other people, they're not very good at casually socializing with them.
* SociopathicHero: TheSociopath is a "hero".
* SpannerInTheWorks: The hero foils the villain's plan by accident or because the villain failed to anticipate their involvement.
* SpoiledSweet
* StockShonenHero: The stereotypical protagonist of most {{Shonen}} anime.
* StockShoujoHeroine: The stereotypical protagonist of most {{Shoujo}} anime.
* StoicWoobie
* SummonEverymanHero
* {{Superhero}}es: Heroes who are defined by possessing special skills, abilities, superpowers, or at least a gimmicky theme and grandiose personality that sets them apart from more mundane heroes. Obviously enough, they're the opposite of {{supervillain}}s.
* SuperZeroes: Incompetent superheroes.
* SupportingLeader
* TeamChef: The member of a hero team who does the cooking.
* TeamDad: The surrogate father to the heroic team.
* TeamMom: The surrogate mother to the heroic team.
* TechnicalPacifist
* TeenSuperspy
* TerrorHero
* ThingsIWillDoIfIAmEverTheHero
* TokenGoodTeammate: The only nice person among a gang of scoundrels.
* TokenHeroicOrc: The only heroic member of [[AlwaysChaoticEvil a species that is (otherwise) evil]].
* TookALevelInKindness
* TragicHero: A hero who's motivated by their DarkAndTroubledPast, or has otherwise suffered great hardship.
* TrenchcoatBrigade
* ATrueHero
* {{Tsundere}}
* UnderhandedHero
* UnfazedEveryman
* UnintentionallyKarmic: They save the day and ruin things for the bad guy…but not on purpose.
* UnlikelyHero: Nobody really expects them to rise up to the challenge of saving the day.
* UnscrupulousHero: A hero who is considered one because the villains are worse than him.
* UpbringingMakesTheHero
* VillainKiller: A (oftentimes) heroic character who has killed numerous villains (including {{Big Bad}}s, {{The Dragon}}s, and or villainous factions).
* VirtuousBees: Thanks to their gentle character, work ethic, and their willingness to sacrifice themselves for the greater good, bees are seen as virtuous and noble insects.
* VirtuousCharacterCopy: A hero based on a villain from another work.
* WakeUpGoToSchoolSaveTheWorld: Young heroes have to balance their school life with fighting evil.
* WarHero
* WeHelpTheHelpless: Heroes will lend a hand to anyone in need of their help. The less fortunate classes of society are no exception.
* WealthyPhilanthropist: An rich character who attempts to use their money to help the poor and other people who are in need.
* TheWisePrince
* WithholdingTheBigGood
* WonderfulWerewolf
* TheWonka: The owner of a business who runs the business well in spite of being completely bonkers.
* WorkingClassHero: The hero comes from a lower-class background.
* XMarksTheHero: A character has a cross-shaped scar to show they're a badass good guy.
* YouMeddlingKids
* ZombieApocalypseHero: The hero of a ZombieApocalypse, whose goal is to survive against the zombie hordes at all costs.

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