History SmugSnake / AnimeAndManga

** Esidisi from ''Manga/BattleTendency'' prides himself on his ability to [[OutGambitted Out-Gambit]] others. Unfortunately for him, [[TheHero Joseph]] catches on to this, which ultimately becomes his undoing.

* Makoto Isshiki in ''Anime/RahXephon'', for whom this trope is partly named after (he's nicknamed "White Snake" because of his [[EvilAlbino albinism]] and scheming). At first he's a typical Smug Snake, but in the second half of the story [[VillainousBreakdown turns into a madman]].

*** Terence T. D'Arby is this, most likely stemming for his [[InferioritySuperiorityComplex Inferiority Complex]] against his brother, Daniel J. D'Arby. While he proves himself skilled at video games, his over-reliance on his Stand, Atum, and it's {{Telepathy}} results in him being beaten by a trick Daniel would have easily seen through.

** Illuso from ''Manga/VentoAureo'' acts all high and mighty to his opponents, bragging about the invincible ability of his Stand, Man in the Mirror, up until he cornered by [[MakeThemRot Purple Haze]].
** Also from Part 5 is [[spoiler:[[BigBad Diavolo]], who seems to believe he's a lot smarter than he actually is, seemingly not realizing that most of the time, [[BornLucky he's just lucky]]]].

** To say nothing of Pui Pui, one of Babidi's alien minions. Boasting that he's one of the most powerful beings in the entire universe and that [[{{Heavyworlder}} he's from a planet with ten times Earth's normal gravity]], he completely underestimates Vegeta (who has been training to be comfortable in ''five hundred'' times Earth's normal gravity) and dies a completely humiliating death where Vegeta casually kicks him into a boulder and then blows him away with a single ki blast, and didn't even need to go Super Saiyan to do the job.

** Though he is actually quite smart, Vegeta typically falls into this due to his ego. While undoubtedly powerful, he has a ''very'' bad tendency to overestimate himself, which often leads to an epic BreakTheHaughty moment. The most notable example of this is during the Cell Saga, when he becomes so confident that he's stronger than Cell no matter what that he deliberately allows Cell to absorb Android 18 and become perfect purely for the sake of a more challenging fight. [[GoneHorriblyRight He got one]] [[CurbStompBattle , all right.]]

* Katsuhiko Jinnai from ''Anime/ElHazardTheMagnificentWorld'' certainly counts. Being a brilliant strategist and successful conqueror isn't enough to make up for [[SmallNameBigEgo his monumental ego]] and AnnoyingLaugh; traits that make him [[LoveToHate both hateable and/or hilarious to the audience.]]

** Babidi is a particularly JustForFun/{{egregious}} example of this. While other Smug Snakes were at the very least be combat capable, Babidi was a {{Non Action| Big Bad}} BigBadWannabe who used goons to fight for him. Even when he became playable in ''Tenkaichi 3'', his supers were just his {{Mooks}} using their techniques. Unfortunately for Babidi, EvilIsNotAToy, and he gets offed by the real BigBad rather unceremoniously.

** To be fair though, this is much less true in the ''Magnificent World'' [=OVAs=]. In that continuity, he may have [[SmallNameBigEgo a big ego]], but he can easily back it up with [[MartyTzu tactical genius]] and [[{{Determinator}} sheer will power]]. While still not as magnificent as he sees himself, it makes him seem less like this trope than he does in the ''Wanderers'' anime series, which takes his ego UpToEleven and severely downgrades his strategic abilities so that he looks more like an IneffectualSympatheticVillain JokeCharacter.

** Duke Dermail, Quinze and Chief Engineer Tsubarov of ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing Gundam Wing]]''; Dekim Barton from the OVA also qualifies, as do Victor Gaintz and Kratz Shelby from the novels. Suffice it to say, Gundam Wing had a higher concentration of Smug Snakes than any other Gundam series before or since.
** The [[SiblingsInCrime Frost Brothers]] of ''[[Anime/AfterWarGundamX Gundam X]]'', though [[AxeCrazy Olba]] is more of a Snake than [[StrongerSibling Shagia]] who actually ''does'' get to be a MagnificentBastard;

* Orochimaru from ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' is a high-functioning example and, as a snake-themed villain, a literal one. He is genuine {{Badass}} ninja and war hero [[NinjaZombiePirateRobot who also happens to be]] a MadScientist, EvilSorceror, cult leader and terrorist, but he is far too arrogant and sadistic for his own good and he has been guilty of BondVillainStupidity since as far back as the Chuunin Exam arc, which ultimately [[AnArmAndALeg cost him his arms]]. Furthermore, he's prone to doing things that are counter-productive to his goals purely because [[ForTheEvulz he can]]; this is best shown when he kills the Kazekage... ''after'' the Kazekage had agreed to help him attack Konoha. So Orochimaru killed off a powerful ally, pretty much just because he could. [[SubvertedTrope On the other hand]], once he eventually TookALevelInKindness and becomes less evil ([[ALighterShadeOfBlack though not exactly "good"]], he becomes ''much'' more effective and the heroes even allow him to live in peace once the manga is over!

* Orochimaru from ''Manga/{{Naruto}}''. Sure, he's evil and fairly skilled, but he is far too arrogant and sadistic for his own good and he has been guilty of BondVillainStupidity since as far back as the Chuunin Exam arc, which ultimately cost him his arms. Furthermore, he's prone to doing things that are counter-productive to his goals purely because [[ForTheEvulz he can]]; this is best shown when he kills the Kazekage... ''after'' the Kazekage had agreed to help him attack Konoha. So Orochimaru killed off a powerful ally, pretty much just because he could. Also a literal example, what with his theme being snakes.

* Half the ''Manga/DeathNote'' fandom sees [[VillainProtagonist Light]] [[DarkMessiah Yagami]] as a MagnificentBastard. The other half sees him as just a high-functioning Smug Snake. Unlike many on this list, Light ''is'' very bright, but his ''massive'' [[AGodAmI god complex]], childish {{Freak Out}}s ("he got me!"), borderline [[LackOfEmpathy sociopathy]], and tendency towards kicking dogs can and do cost him the sympathy of many, while his sheer ego, and tendency towards underestimating his opponents (and the incompetence of his own allies) can sometimes derail his plans [[spoiler: and ultimately do get him killed]]. Light is incredibly smart, but his arrogance gets in the way of him giving some of his opponents as much credit as he should.

** Jose Porla, the leader of rival guild Phantom Lord. Sneeringly arrogant, condescending, [[ItsAllAboutMe self-centered]] and, above all, incredibly [[EvilIsPetty petty]], thinks himself a lot smarter than he actually is and is utterly unable to keep his massive ego in check - the whole reason for his attacks on Fairy Tail and the whole mess that ensued was simply the fact that he was jealous of Fairy Tail's popularity. Despite trying to keep up an AffablyEvil facade when things go his way, he quickly loses his cool and throws childish temper tantrums as soon as his plans get even slightly derailed. It is telling that, while he's obviously the strongest member of Phantom Lord, his badass [[TheDragon Dragon]] Gajeel comes across as a much more credible threat. Since Jose is such a lowlife, his VillainousBreakdown cum HumiliationConga at the hands of [[BadassGrandpa Makarov]] are a wonder to see.

** Babidi is a particularly {{egregious}} example of this. While other Smug Snakes were at the very least be combat capable, Babidi was a {{Non Action| Big Bad}} BigBadWannabe who used goons to fight for him. Even when he became playable in ''Tenkaichi 3'', his supers were just his {{Mooks}} using their techniques. Unfortunately for Babidi, EvilIsNotAToy, and he gets offed by the real BigBad rather unceremoniously.

** Sameo Ichigase from the ''To Rule Flame'' prequel is an AffablyEvil BloodKnight who's also very prone to killing people [[DisproportionateRetribution for mere details]] (like [[spoiler: Yumi's best friend Hanabi]]), very fond of using others for his plans ([[spoiler: like Yumi's other friends Akari and Kogari, whom he wants to sell into slavery]]) and, in the end, has an overinflated sense of his own might. [[spoiler: And Shishio is more than happy to slay him down when Yumi's PleaseIWillDoAnything gives him the chance.]]

** [[spoiler:Dante]] from the first anime is no better, being an egotistical, [[BodySurf bodysnatching]] bitch who while quite intelligent, fails to earn the audience's respect or admiration, due to her [[ItsAllAboutMe selfishness]], [[EvilIsPetty pettiness]], willingness to destroy countries just [[spoiler:so she can live a little longer]], and attempts at taking over one of TheHero's two {{Love Interest}}s (already a huge {{Woobie}} due to what she [[spoiler:and her baby]] [[BreakThecutie had gone through]]).

* Yuri Killian became one of these toward the end of the first season of ''Anime/KaleidoStar'', enacting a complicated revenge plot against Kalos Eido, his former boss, for [[spoiler:the death of his father Aaron several years ago]]. While he succeeds in buying out Kaleido Stage and forcing most of its stars out (all the while taunting them about how they'll never make it big without him), attendance under Yuri's management dwindles rapidly because of people complaining [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks the shows aren't as fun as they used to be]]. As a final insult, his ex-partner Layla Hamilton sees what he's done, attempts to fight back and finally gives him a hard slap to the face for assuming everything was Kalos' fault even after he learned that [[spoiler:Aaron's death was genuinely accidental, and Kalos had been trying to make up for it ever since.]]
** Yuri actually is [[spoiler: one of the few Snakes who actually has a HeelFaceTurn ''and'' works hard to become TheAtoner. Even if he goes ''too'' far in Leon's case...]]

*** Helmeppo's fate isn't particularly grating, though, due to a HeelFaceTurn (he's trying to clean up his act, and he wants to restore his family's good name... by recapturing his fugitive dad).

** [[spoiler:Madara Uchiha also can be classified. He considers himself the greatest [[TheChessmaster Chessmaster]] and ManipulativeBastard in the series when in fact a large part of his plan, relied on [[DragonInChief Obito]] who ultimately took control of his plan for himself once Madara died. If not for [[TheManBehindtheMan Black Zetsu]], Madara would never have even appeared in the war at all. But even his appearance at the war does not change the situation since his back-up plan was OutGambitted by Obito who became the Jinchuuriki of the Ten-Tails instead of him. And even then Madara claims that he has everything under control when all he can doe is wait for the Alliance to do everything for him.]]

** [[spoiler:Madara Uchiha also can be classified. He considers himself the greatest [[TheChessmaster Chessmaster]] and ManipulativeBastard when in fact a large part of his plan, relied on planning [[DragonInChief Obito]] which ultimately took control of his plan and going to use it for himself. If not [[TheManBehindtheMan Black Zetsu]], Madara would never even has not appeared at war. But even his appearance at the war does not change the situation since his back-up plan was OutGambitted Obito which became Jinchuuriki Ten-Tails. And even then Madara claims that he has everything under control when all that he does this waiting for until the Alliance will do everything per him.]]
** [[spoiler:Despite being very smart and cunning, Black Zetsu firmly falls under this trope at the moment revival Kaguya. Due to its tendency [[UnderestimatingBadassery towards underestimating his opponents]], [[EvilGloating constantly love to gloat]] even in the moments when was more logical keep silent and his [[{{Pride}} arrogance]], Kaguya gets re-sealed about ten chapters later only this time he will be sealed together with her in order to he never was able to revive her again.]]

*** [[spoiler:Dante]] from the first anime is no better, being an egotistical, [[BodySurf bodysnatching]] bitch who while quite intelligent, fails to earn the audience's respect or admiration, due to her [[ItsAllAboutMe selfishness]], [[EvilIsPetty pettiness]], willingness to destroy countries just [[spoiler:so she can live a little longer]], and attempts at taking over one of TheHero's two {{Love Interest}}s (already a huge {{Woobie}} due to what she [[spoiler:and her baby]] [[BreakThecutie had gone through]]).

** His assistant Kabuto is not different. He considers himself InvincibleVillain and during his fight against the Uchiha brothers he constantly [[EvilGloating gloating about how far he has evolved and is supposedly undefeatable]]. Also, loudly declaring that "Edo Tensei has no risks" when in fact there are quite a few ways for the reanimated soul to break free.

* [[EvilChancellor Prime Minister]] [[BigBad Honest]] from ''Manga/AkameGaKill'' always sports a cocky grin, but his only method of dealing with people who oppose him is to send [[PsychoForHire General Esdeath]] to get rid of them, and his so-called contingency plans leave a lot to be desired. This is especially apparent in the anime, where he [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere tries to flee]] after his final plan fails, and [[DirtyCoward screams desperately for help]] when confronted by his soon-to-be killer.

* [[EvilChancellor Prime Minister]] [[BigBad Honest]] from ''Anime/AkameGaKiru'' always sports a cocky grin, but his only method of dealing with people who oppose him is to send [[PsychoForHire General Esdeath]] to get rid of them, and his so-called contingency plans leave a lot to be desired. This is especially apparent in the anime, where he [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere tries to flee]] after his final plan fails, and [[DirtyCoward screams desperately for help]] when confronted by his soon-to-be killer.

** Though he is actually quite smart, Vegeta typically falls into this due to his ego. While undoubtedly powerful, he has a ''very'' bad tendency to overestimate himself, which often leads to an epic BreakTheHaughty moment. The most notable example of this is during the Cell Saga, when he becomes so confident that he's stronger than Cell no matter what that he deliberately allows Cell to absorb Android 18 and become perfect purely for the sake of a more challenging fight. [[GoneHorriblyRight He got one]] [[CurbStompBattle, all right.]]

** Though he is actually quite smart, Vegeta typically falls into this due to his ego. While undoubtedly powerful, he has a ''very'' bad tendency to overestimate himself, which often leads to an epic BreakTheHaughty moment. The most notable example of this is during the Cell Saga, when he becomes so confident that he's stronger than Cell no matter what that he deliberately allows Cell to absorb Android 18 and become perfect purely for the sake of a more challenging fight. [[GoneHorriblyRight He got one, all right.]]

* Orochimaru from ''Manga/{{Naruto}}''. Sure, he's evil and fairly skilled, but he leaves a lot of the planning to his EnigmaticMinion. Also a literal example, what with his theme being snakes.

** [[spoiler:Madara Uchiha also can be classified. He considers himself the greatest TheChessmaster and ManipulativeBastard when in fact a large part of his plan, relied on planning [[DragonInChief Obito]] which ultimately took control of his plan and going to use it for themselves. If not [[TheManBehindtheMan Black Zetsu]], Madara would never even has not appeared at war. But even his appearance at the war does not change the situation since, his back-up plan was OutGambitted Obito which becoming Jinchuuriki Ten-Tails. And even then, Madara claims that, he has everything under control ,when all he does this, waiting for until the Alliance will do everything per him.]]

* Minister Foss from ''Manga/{{Berserk}}''.
** Oddly enough the reveal that he wasn't a MagnificentBastard is something of a PetTheDog moment as [[spoiler: he wasn't willing to sacrifice his daughter to further his plans.]]

** Despite being very smart and cunning [[WorldsStrongestMan with the power to back it all up]], Frieza firmly falls into this [[SmugSuper thanks to his arrogance]]. He relies on his raw power so much that he has nothing to fall back on once that proves to be ineffective outside of destroying the planet he's standing on since he can survive in space. He is also lazy, [[OrcusOnHisThrone using his men to do all the work for him and literally doing nothing until they were all dead]]. On top of all of that, his genocide of the Saiyans largely backfired because he didn't kill the few survivors and toyed with Goku instead of killing him outright. In ''Resurrection 'F'', he's reduced even further into this territory once Goku and Vegeta beat him. He throws a tantrum and whines about how he couldn't lose again.