History TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter / WesternAnimation

** Martin, [[spoiler: Finn's father]], an effective HateSink and ShadowArchetype to Finn with a mysterious backstory. We first meet him when he was in [[TheAlcatraz the Citadel]] for some kind of "Cosmic Crime," the likes of which include [[{{Deicide}} killing a god]]. Clearly this guy is BigBad material, right? Not so much; he appears on and off during the sixth season, mostly just as a JerkWithAHeartOfJerk conman, before being PutOnABus without any real backstory revealed, including what he did to wind up in the Citadel. We find out a bit more about him during the "Islands" miniseries, but even then there's a huge gap and it just opens up more AlternateCharacterInterpretation.

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[[folder:Other Animated Series]]

!!Works with their own pages

[[folder:''Total Drama'']]
* Due to the nature of ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'', this tends to be a common fan reaction toward characters who are voted off too early, way before they could get any real development.
** Eva is introduced with a lot of potential for CharacterDevelopment in that she had joined the show to work on her HairTriggerTemper and learn how to work with others so that she could actually become a leader in her daily life. However, when she's elected to return, she completely forgets about this goal in favor of attempting to enact revenge on Bridgette. After ''Island'', she's never brought back into the competition and only plays a minor role as the angry reporter of ''World Tour'''s first Aftermath, becoming OutOfFocus once more as soon as the show starts to focus on the feud between Bridgette/Geoff and Blaineley.
** Ezekiel. Initially intended as an [[WeHardlyKnewYe early boot]] who fans wouldn't miss, he gained [[BaseBreakingCharacter somewhat of a fanbase]] that saw him as TheWoobie and wanted to see him be given a chance for redemption in another season. After missing out on ''Action'', the writers brought him back for ''World Tour'', where [[CharacterDevelopment he was shown to be much more determined to make something of himself]]... only to be eliminated first yet again, at which point he was reduced to a RunningGag and eventually had his entire characterisation thrown out in favour of a one-dimensional [[Film/TheLordOfTheRings Gollum reference]].
** Tyler is set up as Lindsay's LoveInterest, only to be thrown out seven episodes in without ever getting the chance to be properly developed. Come ''World Tour'', his relationship with Lindsay goes from [[SatelliteCharacter his most prominent characteristic]] to just another one of many of an extremely fleshed-out LovableJock as he pretty much unwittingly becomes a BumblingSidekick to Alejandro, even seeming to gain an OddFriendship with him... only for him to be thrown out two episodes after Duncan's much-reviled return, with the aforementioned inheriting his and Noah's respective alliance and distrust of the Arch-Villain.
** Like Tyler, Bridgette and Trent were characters whose most notable role in ''Island'' [[SatelliteLoveInterest was being the love interest to another character]], but they were still loved by many viewers for having very likeable personalities and many enjoyable interactions with the others. But whereas Tyler ultimately grew out of his Satellite status by the end of ''World Tour'', Bridgette and Trent never really did, despite having enough worthwhile characterization, interesting dynamics with others, and fans to have the potential for getting CharacterFocus. However, both characters were given very little to do outside of their romantic relationships, as Trent falls completely OutOfFocus after his breakup with Gwen early in ''Action'' while Bridgette is eliminated extremely early twice in a row to host the Aftermath with Geoff (with ''World Tour'' especially sticking out, given that it was her first season competing without him), leaving them sadly underdeveloped and underutilized when compared to most of the other mergers in ''Island''.
** Team Victory in ''World Tour'' consists of beloved characters with interesting plotlines to explore, but all of them are eliminated less than halfway into the season for the sole purpose of elevating Alejandro's villainy, which also led to them being derailed in various ways[[note]]DJ is much less competent due to his belief that he was under the effect of a curse; Harold [[StupidSacrifice stupidly sacrifices]] himself to save DJ in a misguided attempt to impress Leshawna (which ultimately doesn't work); Bridgette cheats on Geoff with Alejandro and is once again the first female contestant to be eliminated; Leshawna has her friendship with Heather [[SnapBack completely undone]] while also taking a level in [[TookALevelInJerkass jerkass]] ''and'' [[TookALevelInDumbass dumbass]]; Lindsay is [[HistoryRepeats once again]] screwed over in a nonsensical elimination to drag out DJ's curse; and Ezekiel is eliminated first again and then mutated into a monster[[/note]].
** Trent and Geoff were the most heavily-requested contestants to have return to the competition during ''World Tour'''s time on air due to being fan favourites in the first season whom many wanted to see given redemption after their very disappointing performances in ''Action''. Trent in particular was seen by many as a missed opportunity to include in ''World Tour'' due to his established music skills complementing well with the season's singing element and his former relationship with Gwen potentially impacting the way the LoveTriangle between her, Duncan, and Courtney could have played out.
** B, Brick, Dawn and Anne Maria from ''Revenge of the Island'' deserve special mention, since they only appeared in one season, are booted fairly early due to Scott's scheming, and are among the most popular members of the cast due to having arguably more interesting traits than those who got further in the competition. Brick and Anne Maria were considered for ''All-Stars'', but rejected in favor of Sam and Gwen respectively.
** ''All-Stars'' was the perfect opportunity to develop Sam's character, given that he had the least amount of screen time of any of the other contestants. Instead he suffered a cruel, teasing, and IdiotBall holding elimination on the fourth episode, and never did anything of significance in his short time on this season.
** Most of Mike's personalities were arguably more interesting characters than ''him'', namely [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Mal]], [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Vito]], and [[AwesomeAussie Manitoba Smith]], who could have easily been their own characters. [[spoiler: Due to the ''All Stars'' finale erasing Mike's alters from existence, they never got the chance to be properly developed]].
** There are a fair few who thought Amy could've easily been a meaner, crueler Heather. Yet she was only lasted for 3 episodes before being eliminated, while mostly being a SatelliteCharacter for Samey and only served as a [[CharactersAsDevice plot device]] for her CharacterDevelopment.
* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDramaPresentsTheRidonculousRace'':
** The [=LARPers=] were this to some. Quite a few were hoping that bringing Leonard back would allow him to have some development. But outside of having a slightly more fleshed out backstory, he's [[StaticCharacter pretty much exactly the same]] as during his time on ''Pahkitew Island'' and once again serves to only be an early-out, while Tammy had no characterization other than being his partner/female clone.
** The Tennis Rivals. While the characters eliminated right before and after them were bland, one-note pairs without much to go on, the FriendlyRivalry of these CoolOldGuy VitriolicBestBuds was never allowed to develop. Plus, they managed to go from last place to fourth in the first challenge, which showed they might have been good competitors.
** The Geniuses. Mary didn't do much of anything, but Ellody was seen having friendly interactions with both Geoff and Laurie, which might have afforded her some character development. She also placed high in challenges until her elimination.
** Tom and Jen, who are an AuthorAvatar team of the show's creators, were eliminated in favor of the Daters. Some fans believe they had potential for more storylines, and keeping them over the Daters would've broken the cliché 'couple argues and gets back together just in time to be eliminated' plot line. Additionally, Laurie and Miles, two other competitors who were named after some of the show's writers, were just eliminated before them, leading viewers to believe one AuthorAvatar team would go early while the other team would last a while longer.
** The Rockers, after half the season was spent developing their HiddenDepths, and them both growing on the fandom (Spud less so and later than Rock, but still), were abruptly thrown out in an [[AssPull completely unprecedented double elimination]] right as Spud really began to be an active part of the plot.
** Despite lasting almost the whole season, both Emma & Kitty of the Sisters were never able to truly shine mostly thanks to the former's romance plot with Noah making them feel more like plot devices rather than actual characters. Having Emma being put into a relationship felt like it weakened her appeal as a character. Her also being [[DependingOnTheWriter the most inconsistently written character in the whole franchise]] didn't help either. While Kitty was completely overshadowed by Emma the whole time her relationship plot was going on and didn't get any true focus until after Noah & Owen were eliminated.
** Despite lasting the entire season, Sanders of the Police Cadets was severely overshadowed by [=MacArthur=] for most of her time in the race. This resulted in her feeling more generic by comparison as she only got at least two or three instances to really shine (all of which are within the last five episodes).
** Many thought Katie and Sadie would've actully been perfect for ''Ridonculous Race'' and could've likewise been a great oppurtunity to improve on their charactierzation (or more in the case of Sadie who actually lasted pretty long in the first series) considering the foundation was there and the two were shown to have the chemistry needed in a competition like this.
** Despite not competing, Bridgette is arguably hit by this ''again'', thanks to Geoff being brought back as one of the Surfers. After being the first girl eliminated in both ''Action'' and ''World Tour'', many fans wanted Bridgette to get a big comeback. ''Ridonculous Race'' would have been the perfect opportunity for it, showing her as a solid contestant again like in the first season after her frankly pathetic performance in ''Action'' and disastrous and humiliating run in ''World Tour'', as well as giving her and her relationship with Geoff some much-needed development. Instead, Geoff's partner for the race is Brody, a completely new character who is [[FlatCharacter little more than his stupider clone]], while Bridgette receives nothing more than a few mentions to justify her absence and remind us that she and Geoff are still together, making her seem like a complete afterthought. She didn't even get to cameo, despite Geoff mentioning she was in Australia and ''two'' episodes being set there!
* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDramaRama'': Even despite the reduced cast size and change of formula, there are still characters in the series who are seen by fans as being wasted.
** Bridgette yet again. The CharacterExaggeration of her teenage self's [[TheCutie already incredibly sweet nature]] makes her one of the most beloved of the kids with viewers (especially since her teenage self has a good-sized fanbase that wants her to get more focus), but she has [[OutOfFocus the least appearances of all the main characters]] and is mostly just used as a ButtMonkey whenever she gets spotlight.
** Cody is well-liked by viewers for his innocent and adorable nature in this show (it helps his teenage self's {{adorkable}} traits give him a lot of fans), but he is only used as the show's [[IronButtMonkey punching bag]] (a role that better suits unused characters like Ezekiel or Tyler) and never gets ADayInTheLimelight, making him extremely undeveloped when compared to the other main characters.
** "Gum and Gummer" features cameos by kid versions of [[spoiler:Trent, Katie, and DJ]]. They have no lines and serve no purpose other than to appear in a flashback that essentially rehashes [[spoiler:the infamous balloon scene from the finale of ''All-Stars'']]. Even those who correctly assumed that their appearances would amount to nothing more than obvious clickbait figured that at the very least they'd be treated with a bit more respect since much like half the cast for this series they haven't been seen in about seven years.
** Some of the characters not adapted for ''[=DramaRama=]'' arguably fall under this, with Heather probably being the biggest example. She's one of the most iconic and popular characters in the parent show, making her absence incredibly strange, and her {{jerkass}} personality is very easy to adapt into a toddler. And while her AlphaBitch role has been [[AdaptationalJerkass taken by Beth and Leshawna in the series]], Heather fits in the role far better than either of them and could easily replace one of them.
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** Also from the aforementioned season, Starlee Hambrath. The [[TheSmurfettePrinciple sole (good) female character]] of the season, she was a [[{{Moe}} rather cute]], [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe green skinned]] GadgeteerGenius and could've been developed more, especially her crush on Cody Jones. However, of the show's 26 episodes, she only appeared in ''5'' of them, only one of which ("Enter the Jammerhead") focused on her. [[note]] However, the reason Starlee appeared irregularly is actually quite understandable; unlike [[DarkActionGirl Viral]], the season's other recurring female character, she wasn't a fighter in a show that mainly focuses on characters fighting each other. Even Cody eventually got [[PoweredArmor Turtle X]] so he could actually participate in the action, Starlee couldn't fight worth crap. [[/note]]

* Ever since his introduction, Thomas from ''WesternAnimation/RegularShow'' basically serves no purpose other than to be the ButtMonkey of the episode. We see sides of him being the OnlySaneMan in situations, but is constantly shot down by the others. And then was written out of the show completely with in a rather bizarre manner: [[spoiler:he was revealed to be a Soviet spy sent to steal the Park for Russian entertainment. He leaves on good terms with the cast, but is more than likely never going to be seen again]].
* ''WesternAnimation/TheDreamstone'' is quite prone to this, given it has all the conventions of a surreal adventure series with a big magical universe, though favours being a VillainProtagonist series for the Urpney characters the majority of the time:
** Zordrak is an unusual case, in that he is the BigBad and makes appearances in every episode. However, despite his menacing concept and characterization, nearly every episode had him order his minions, the Urpneys to do the schemes and usually having them with the role as central antagonists. While Zordrak was given odd moments of involvement in Season One (along with a chilling origin flashback), his role was completely diminished to a useless despot afterwards, almost always limited to a superfluous cameo each episode ranting at the Urpneys to think up a new plan to get the stone. He was granted a couple moments concocting plans in the final season, but by that time it was too little too late.

* ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'' is profound at this due to it's MerchandiseDriven drive to introduce LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters. Almost every season introduces two or three new engines that get a spotlight episode each...and then are forgotten about, usually appearing in a handful of background cameos at best. This tends to be zigzagged in it's treatment of the cast from the original ''Literature/TheRailwaySeries'' novels (underutilising major characters such as Daisy but giving more roles to minor characters such as Bertie, Harold and Diesel).

* Terry Gimple of ''WesternAnimation/TheClevelandShow''. A swaggering NiceGuy, who also happened to be a rare openly bisexual character on television. But after said reveal of his sexuality, he was all but written off the show. Eventually losing his spot in the FiveManBand to FlatCharacter Dr. Fist.

** Princess Sally, in heavy contrast to her ''Satam'' counterpart. She was adapted for the ChristmasSpecial, ''WesternAnimation/SonicChristmasBlast'', albeit for a non speaking cameo.[[note]]Due in part to the contractual obligation of voicing ''WesternAnimation/LolaBunny'' in ''Film/SpaceJam'', Creator/KathSoucie was unable to reprise her role as Sally, and as a result, Sally gets no speaking lines and plays very little role in the plot.[[/note]]

** Princess Sally, in heavy contrast to her ''Satam'' counterpart. She was adapted for the ChristmasSpecial, albeit for a non speaking cameo.

** Pacifica Northwest started off as an antagonistic foil to Mabel, but gained more CharacterDevelopment in the second season, with "The Golf War" and "Northwest Mansion Mystery" focusing more on her life and having her HeelFaceTurn to become one of Dipper and Mabel's friends. Immediately after the latter episode, however, came [[WhamEpisode "Not What He Seems"]]. For the entire rest of the series, Pacifica became heavily OutOfFocus due to the story shifting focus on the final story arc surrounding the Pines family and [[BigBad Bill Cipher]]. Her next role of note wouldn't be until the series finale, where she had to share screentime with a number of other reoccurring characters and had even seemed to regress to her previous characterization. Shippers were especially saddened, as "Northwest Mansion Mystery" teased Dipper and Pacifica developing crushes on each other, which never gets mentioned again in the show (but does get explored in canon side material).
** Despite being part of the main cast and appearing prominently in season one, Wendy never received much characterization beyond being a cool teenager and the target of Dipper's PrecociousCrush. Season two mitigated some of the fans' complaints [[AuthorsSavingThrow by having her participate more in the twins' adventures]], but not a single episode had her as a focus character. Wendy also never has any on-screen interaction with her father Manly Dan or brothers during the entire run of the show, with a small exception in the GrandFinale.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheDreamstone'':

** Freakshow, the evil ringmaster of Circus Gothica, could have become a cool re-occurring villain in the series. First of all, he was the only human in the series to be an actual villain (Any other human that opposed Danny was either the half-ghost archenemy Vlad or amoral ghost hunters who viewed all ghosts as ChaoticEvil). Second, he used magical items as opposed to technology. Third, he and Jazz both shared "Ghost Envy", giving them a NotSoDifferent vibe. However, he's only the main villain in the season one finale and the BigBad in the 3rd TV movie. That was it.

* ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'' is profound at this due to it's MerchandiseDriven drive to introduce LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters. Almost every season introduces two or three new engines that get a spotlight episode each...and then are forgotten about, usually appearing in a handful of background cameos at best. This tends to be zigzagged in it's treatment of the cast from the original ''Literature/TheRailwaySeries'' novels (underutilising major characters such as Daisy but giving more roles to minor characters such as Bertie, Harold and Diesel).

** Ezekiel. Initially intended as an [[WeHardlyKnewYe early boot]] who fans wouldn't miss, he gained [[BaseBreakingCharacter somewhat of a fanbase]] that saw him as TheWoobie and wanted to see him be given a chance for redemption in another season after he became the main character of the Fanfic/TotalDramaComebackSeries. After missing out on ''Action'', the writers brought him back for ''World Tour'', where [[CharacterDevelopment he was shown to be much more determined to make something of himself]]... only to be eliminated first yet again, at which point he was reduced to a RunningGag and eventually had his entire characterisation thrown out in favour of a one-dimensional [[Film/TheLordOfTheRings Gollum reference]].

** Pacifica Northwest started off as an antagonistic foil to Mabel, but gained more CharacterDevelopment in the second season, with "The Golf War" and "Northwest Mansion Mystery" focusing more on her life and having her HeelFaceTurn to become one of Dipper and Mabel's friends. Immediately after the latter episode, however, came [[WhamEpisode "Not What He Seems"]]. For the entire rest of the series, Pacifica became heavily OutOfFocus due to the story shifting focus on the final story arc surrounding the Pines family and the BigBad. Her next role of note wouldn't be until the series finale, where she had to share screentime with a number of other reoccurring characters and had even seemed to regress to her previous characterization. Shippers were especially saddened, as "Northwest Mansion Mystery" teased Dipper and Pacifica developing crushes on each other, which never gets mentioned again in the show (but does get explored in canon side material).
** Despite being part of the main cast and appearing prominently in season one, Wendy never received much characterization beyond being a cool teenager and the target of Dipper's PrecociousCrush. Season two mitigated some of the fans' complaints [[AuthorsSavingThrow by having her participate more in the twins' adventures]], but not a single episode had her as a focus character. Wendy also never has any on-screen interaction with her father Manly Dan or brothers during the entire run of the show.

* In 2006, Creator/{{Disney}} traded away Al Michaels to get the rights to WesternAnimation/OswaldTheLuckyRabbit from Creator/{{Universal}}. Despite that, they haven't used Oswald much outside of the VideoGame/EpicMickey games, merchandise, a few cameos in Disney Parks and ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse2013'', online flash games, and [[TheCameo a cameo]] at the end of WesternAnimation/GetAHorse.

* Helen's family in ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'' were fascinating characters with a lot of potential, and the drama surrounding their sisterly arguments (and Daria & Jake's frightened and frustrated reactions to them) was solid. Each of them only appeared a tiny handful of times.

** Bubble Bass could have been a good SitcomArchNemesis to [=SpongeBob=], but pretty much disappeared after the first season. Eventually, TheBusCameBack in Season 8 but he's still more of a RecurringExtra than anything.
** Ditto with Kevin C. Cucumber, who could have been a very good EvilCounterpart for [=SpongeBob=] if given the chance. However, he has only appeared in one episode. His child counterpart appears in ''WesternAnimation/KampKoral'', albeit mostly in cameos.

* In 2007, Creator/{{Disney}} traded away Al Michaels to get the rights to WesternAnimation/OswaldTheLuckyRabbit from Ride/UniversalStudios. Despite that, they haven't used Oswald much outside of the VideoGame/EpicMickey games, merchandise, a few cameos in Disney Parks and ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse2013'', online flash games, and at the end of WesternAnimation/GetAHorse in a FreezeFrameBonus cameo.

** Remember that [[HiddenDepths Trixie Tang]] is actually a tomboy scared of alienating her 'friends' if she behaved anyway that she wasn't expected to? And even ''before'' that, in her first appearance, she showed that [[PetTheDog she was nice deep down]], rather than just a spoiled {{Jerkass}}? The writers sure don't...It would've been a lot more interesting to explore then the usual plot of Timmy bending over backwards to impress her.

* Creator/{{Disney}} traded away Al Michaels to get the rights to WesternAnimation/OswaldTheLuckyRabbit from Ride/UniversalStudios. Despite that, they haven't used Oswald much outside of the VideoGame/EpicMickey games, a few cameos in Disney Parks and ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse2013'', online flash games, and [[spoiler:at the end of WesternAnimation/GetAHorse]].

* ''WesternAnimation/RocketPower'' introduced a potential love interest for Reggie, in an ep that shows her being afraid to show her real sports skills. Total episode count? ''Two'', with his only other episode centering around Reggie feeling offended that she wasn't invited to play rugby like her fellow friends. At least with Breezy (who was similarly introduced for Reggie's dad and got the same episode count), she had the excuse of being a traveling saleswoman...