History UnpopularPopularCharacter / WesternAnimation

** Downplayed with [[Characters/MiraculousLadybugAdrienAgreste Cat Noir]], who's a popular hero, but to a lesser extent than Ladybug. In universe, several characters already made clear that they see him as less important, and as her sidekick. When it comes to girls, many (including [[TheHero Marinette]]) have [[ChickMagnet crushes]] on his SecretIdentity, Adrien, who's a popular [[CelebrityMasquerade model]], with hundred of fans. [[LikesClarkKentHatesSuperman But nobody loves Cat Noir]], including his crush Ladybug (aka Marinette), who is turned off by the alter ego of the boy she loves. Fans, however, love Cat Noir even more than Adrien, the most often, due to his funnier and edgier personality. [[spoiler: (And his SuperpoweredEvilSide, Cat blanc, fall under "Evil is cool".)]] In fact, he's responsible for cases of PerverseSexualLust among more or less little girls in the fandom.[[note]]It expand to his ship with Marinette, aka Marichat. It's the less exploited of the four ships in the love square and the episode ''Weredad'' ridiculed it. Only [[ShipperOnDeck Tom Dupain]] shipped it, and it was not presented as a smart behavior. But in the fandom, it is not only the most popular angle in the square, it is also the most popular of all ships in the show, period. [[/note]]
** Played straight with [[Characters/MiraculousLadybugChloeBourgeois Chloé Bourgeois]]. She was never popular in her school (unlike the classic AlphaBitch character), with nearly no friends, and she's the CreatorsPest. For that reason, [[spoiler: she was TheDragon to Hawk Moth in season 3 finale. As a result, season four saw Chloe stripped of her superhero status when the Bee Miraculous was given to her [[RememberTheNewGuy newfound]] and nicer half-sister, before Chloe was put OutOfFocus]]. But many fans found her behavior hilarious, and her [[ButtMonkey getting her comeuppance]] each time she wronged someone was satisfying (unlike the other and way more dangerous AlphaBitch [[KarmaHoudini Lila]]). Chloe was also the only character who went through positive CharacterDevelopment during the first three seasons, from a HateSink bully to a [[SixthRanger part time superhero]] with the FreudianExcuse of her horrible mother. [[spoiler: Throwing away all her development by the window arguably gained her more support from the fandom, actually.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'': Early on, Meg Griffin wasn't a fan favorite due to being a rather bland, typical teenage girl character. She became popular with fans when the writers turned her character into an exaggerated ButtMonkey and the rest of the cast started treating her like crap for somehow being considered so ugly, people have committed suicide by setting themselves on fire. Due to her [[TheWoobie Woobie]] status, she has lots of fans, many pictures of her on Website/DeviantArt, and lots of stories of her in fanfiction.net, which tend to revolve around her [[TheDogBitesBack getting revenge on everyone who's ever wronged her]].

* Furrball from ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'' is an unwanted stray cat who is often abused and unable to find a home with anyone but [[AndCallHimGeorge Elmyra]] (who's the most frequent source of said abuse). His status as the show's resident ButtMonkey is epitomized in the lyrics to the opening theme, "Furrball's unlucky," complemented by a piano falling on him as he's happily sniffing a flower. Yet he's quite popular for a relatively minor character, with numerous fanart and fanfiction devoted to him. Being both a RidiculouslyCuteCritter and TheWoobie probably helps a lot, as quite a few Website/YouTube commenters on his shorts express their desire to see him get a home. To say nothing of the [[FanPreferredCouple fans who want to see him "get lucky" in the form of a certain purple skunkette from the same show...]]

** ** Félix is really only loved by his mother in the show but is adored by the fandom for being one of the smartest villains in the series, and the most threatening despite not having the same powers as Gabriel. [[spoiler: In his second episode, he learns that Gabriel is Shadow Moth and is also the one who tricks Ladybug and hands over the other miraculous to Gabriel and to top it all off takes the Peacock miraculous for himself.]] Meaning that he achieved more in 3 episodes than Gabriel has managed in 4 seasons.

* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': Downplayed with [[Characters/MiraculousLadybugAdrienAgreste Cat Noir]], who's a popular hero, but to a lesser extent than Ladybug. In universe, several characters already made clear that they see him as less important, and as her sidekick. When it comes to girls, many (including [[TheHero Marinette]]) have [[ChickMagnet crushes]] on his SecretIdentity, Adrien, who's a popular [[CelebrityMasquerade model]], with hundred of fans. [[LikesClarkKentHatesSuperman But nobody loves Cat Noir]], including his crush Ladybug (aka Marinette), who is turned off by the alter ego of the boy she loves. Fans, however, love Cat Noir even more than Adrien, the most often, due to his funnier and edgier personality. [[spoiler: (And his SuperpoweredEvilSide, Cat blanc, fall under "Evil is cool".)]] In fact, he's responsible for cases of PerverseSexualLust among more or less little girls in the fandom.[[note]]It expand to his ship with Marinette, aka Marichat. It's the less exploited of the four ships in the love square and the episode ''Weredad'' ridiculed it. Only [[ShipperOnDeck Tom Dupain]] shipped it, and it was not presented as a smart behavior. But in the fandom, it is not only the most popular angle in the square, it is also the most popular of all ships in the show, period. [[/note]]

** Don from ''The Ridonculous Race'' could count. While Don was hated less by the contestants (only [[BigBad the Ice Dancers]], Laurie, and Gerry hated him), some of the fans that liked Chris didn't think [Don] was an interesting host.

* ''WesternAnimation/CloneHigh'': Abe, Gandhi and Joan. Especially Gandhi, in spite of his best efforts to fit in with the popular kids. Abe would occasionally get a taste of popularity in-universe, usually when dating Cleo. Joan would become one of the popular kids in the revival [[spoiler:until the finale of Season 2]].

* ''WesternAnimation/CloneHigh'': Abe, Gandhi and Joan. Especially Gandhi, in spite of his best efforts to fit in with the popular kids. Abe would occasionally get a taste of popularity, usually when dating Cleo. Joan would become one of the popular kids in the revival [[spoiler:until the finale of Season 2]].

* Regarding ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'', [[Characters/IncredibleHulkBruceBanner The Hulk]] has so many fans, the second intro makes him one of only four members referred to by name.[[note]]The other three include ComicBook/IronMan, [[Characters/TheMightyThorThorOdinson Thor]], and [[Characters/MarvelComicsSteveRogers Captain America]], with Hulk getting higher billing than Cap.[[/note]] Unfortunately, the second season of the show sees ComicBook/RedHulk frame him of terrorizing SHIELD, torture him in prison offscreen for several episodes, and provoke him into performing a rampage that causes even his best friends to lose their respect for him. Worse, during the Hulk's imprisonment, none of the other Avengers acknowledged his absence.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'': [[TheStarscream Starscream]] is the ''one'' Decepticon that nobody can stand, even his own fellow Seekers, because he's such a treacherous backstabber with an ego the size of Cybertron, and his loyalty to the cause (not Megatron) means no Autobot likes him either. In real life, he's one of the signature staples of the franchise and is extremely popular and beloved either for being [[KarmicButtMonkey such an unlucky amusing asshole]], [[TheDeterminator for somehow never give up his ambitions despite all his setbacks]], [[JerkassWoobie for ocasionally inspiring as muchs bile as he inspires pity from the audience]], or even for having moments demonstrating that [[NotSoHarmlessVillain he's still not to be underestimated despite his flaws.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'': [[TheStarscream Starscream]] is the ''one'' Decepticon that nobody can stand, even his own fellow Seekers, because he's such a treacherous backstabber with an ego the size of Cybertron, and his loyalty to the cause (not Megatron) means no Autobot likes him either. In real life, he's one of the signature staples of the franchise.

** The Ice King. Despised by nearly everyone in Ooo, but loved by the fans.

** Numbuh 86 is a grumpy, unpleasant and confrontational StrawFeminist who is associated with the feared practice of decommissioning other Kids Next Door agents. For those reasons, she's not very popular among the main characters or any other KND operative, but the fandom (and the show's creators) loved her enough that she went on to become a highly recurring character, receiving plenty of character development all the while that helped make her less one-dimensional.

** Prince Zuko counted as this for a time, having to endure the hatred and neglect of his cruel father Ozai throughout his youth and of his sociopathic younger sister Azula, with only his beloved and kindhearted Uncle Iroh to support him through life even after his father deemed him "lucky to have been born". After he is banished from his homeland for speaking out of turn before his father, he is scorned and loathed by the Fire Nation elite as well as his former enemies in the world abroad, ultimately hoping to capture the Avatar in the hopes of regaining his father's love and admiration. In-universe this eventually all changes as Zuko realizes his nation's corrupt ways and devotes himself to helping Aang defeat his father, going on to serve a very successful and prosperous reign as Fire Lord after the war; out-universe, he has been one of the most beloved and respected characters since the very beginning, with his constant struggle between good and evil and his original status as a TragicVillain serving as a key appeal of the series.
** His sister as well. We see her being mostly a bratty bitch who ends up nearly killing Aang, torturing Zuko, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking kicking kid's sandcastles]] but her emotional turmoils combined with her epic breakdown at the end of the arc painted a different picture about her to many fans. Even beforehand, fans loved the [[MagnificentBastard hypercompetent dragon]] of Ozai for her accomplishments and [[ChildProdigy amazing talents]] with a suave, confident air.

** Helga is widely disliked by the same peers for being a bully, but due to her character development, she's arguably the most popular character in the show as well as the BreakoutCharacter. Being a complex JerkassWoobie really helps.

** Zim himself. Ostracized by his classmates (although they do sometimes stick up for him when he's being picked on by Dib, who they hate more), banished to Foodcourtia by his superiors, then double-banished to an obscure planet beyond the edge of known space when he escapes from his original banishment and tends to be the target of revenge plots whenever he comes into contact with other members of his own race. But his LargeHam tendencies and IneffectualSympatheticVillain nature make him a hit with fans.

** Lincoln, at least in earlier episodes. While he's often depicted as a nerdy LoserProtagonist who gets screwed over by his sisters and [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer bullied by his schoolmates]], he's still popular among the fanbase due to how endearing and sympathetic he is ([[JerkassBall at least when he's not behaving like a selfish bastard]]).

* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': Downplayed with Cat Noir, who's a popular hero, but to a lesser extent than Ladybug. In universe, several characters already made clear that they see him as less important, and as her sidekick. When it comes to girls, many (including [[TheHero Marinette]]) have [[ChickMagnet crushes]] on his SecretIdentity, Adrien, who's a popular [[CelebrityMasquerade model]], with hundred of fans. [[LikesClarkKentHatesSuperman But nobody loves Cat Noir]], including his crush Ladybug (aka Marinette), who is turned off by the alter ego of the boy she loves. Fans, however, love Cat Noir even more than Adrien, the most often, due to his funnier and edgier personality. [[spoiler: (And his SuperpoweredEvilSide, Cat blanc, fall under "Evil is cool".)]] In fact, he's responsible for cases of PerverseSexualLust among more or less little girls in the fandom.[[note]]It expand to his ship with Marinette, aka Marichat. It's the less exploited of the four ships in the love square and the episode ''Weredad'' ridiculed it. Only [[ShipperOnDeck Tom Dupain]] shipped it, and it was not presented as a smart behavior. But in the fandom, it is not only the most popular angle in the square, it is also the most popular of all ships in the show, period. [[/note]]
** Played straight with Chloe. She was never popular in her school (unlike the classic AlphaBitch character), with nearly no friends, and she's the CreatorsPest. For that reason, [[spoiler: she was TheDragon to Hawk Moth in season 3 finale. As a result, season four saw Chloe stripped of her superhero status when the Bee Miraculous was given to her [[RememberTheNewGuy newfound]] and nicer half-sister, before Chloe was put OutOfFocus]]. But many fans found her behavior hilarious, and her [[ButtMonkey getting her comeuppance]] each time she wronged someone was satisfying (unlike the other and way more dangerous AlphaBitch [[KarmaHoudini Lila]]). Chloe was also the only character who went through positive CharacterDevelopment during the first three seasons, from a HateSink bully to a [[SixthRanger part time superhero]] with the FreudianExcuse of her horrible mother. [[spoiler: Throwing away all her development by the window arguably gained her more support from the fandom, actually.]]

** Princess Luna. Within the show's universe, she comes to be accepted back after her exile, but many ponies are initially suspicious of her, as seen in the episode "Luna Eclipsed". Outside of the show, she's one of the most popular characters, even beyond the [[TrueCompanions Mane Cast]].

** Much of Fluttershy's childhood consisted of [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer other pegasi bullying her for her substandard flying skills]], to the point that she left her hometown behind and never looked back. But even when she got older, she continues to be berated or taken advantage of by other characters. However, Fluttershy was voted the most popular member of the [[FanNickname Mane Six]] by an [[http://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/09/fluttershy-wins-fan-favorite-poll.html official poll]].
** Discord, even after making a HeelFaceTurn, was still distrusted by the show's cast for a good while due to his antics in the past. Said antics are hilarious and made him among the most popular characters in the show despite his few appearances.

* ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'': [[TheWoobie Doofenshmirtz]] is pretty much this, Oh so much. He's victim to a HilariouslyAbusiveChildhood and his best and evidently only friend is also his ArchEnemy. And earlier in the series, his own daughter didn't appreciate him either, but CharacterizationMarchesOn. But put short, he only has [[FriendlyEnemy Perry]], [[MadScientistsBeautifulDaughter Vanessa]], and [[RobotBuddy Norm]], and that's it. His balloon story doesn't even ''begin'' to cover it. He was forced to wear dresses after his mother believed they were having a girl, but it was a boy. He also had to become a garden gnome, moved to NYC after he was kidnapped, etc. One has to believe whenever or not he is really a [[JerkassWoobie misunderstood guy]].

* ''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty'': Rick Sanchez is hated by many characters InUniverse due to his eccentric, dangerous and unpredictable nature, and seems to alienate everyone he comes across. His daughter only wants him to stay because of her abandonment issues, and his grandchildren have also slowly begun to dislike him due to his above-mentioned nature, and knowing he has infinite grandchildren ready to be replaced at a drop of a hat. Even infinite versions of Rick hate him, which is reciprocated. Rick has very few people he can call a true friend, and it's implied due to them turning a blind eye to his stranger activities. ''Outside the universe'' though, Rick is extremely popular among fans, to the extent that [[FountainOfMemes his rants]] have become {{Memetic Mutation}}s as well as Rick being genuinely funny, smart and quirky in nature, and accurate about his world in general.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': While the audience finds them lovable, it's made clear that most of the populace finds the Simpsons troublesome and/or dangerous. In the episode "Simpson Safari", this subtle exchange occurs:

** Kenny is killed off on a regular basis for five seasons, bullied and insulted by all of his friends, and generally treated [[ButtMonkey like dirt]]. Of course, as soon as he was KilledOffForReal, the fans were in an uproar, and he was back for good by the end of the season.
** Subsequently, the character of Butters has taken Kenny's place as the fan-loved, but terribly treated character.
** According to Craig in "Pandemic," ''the entire main cast'' qualifies as this. Cartman, being a sociopath, comes as no surprise, but Stan and Kyle are disliked because of [[WeirdnessMagnet their propensity towards getting involved in]] ZanyScheme after ZanyScheme that end up with them getting shot into space or stranded in Peru, which: A) only happens to them, out of all the children in South Park, and B) is their fault, according to -- well, everyone in South Park.

** Squidward Tentacles is often berated, loathed, and disrespected by most of the rest of the characters; which is pretty understandable considering a majority of the time he is a selfish and lazy jerk. That has not stopped countless fans however from sympathizing with his misfortunes and appreciating his DeadpanSnarker moments.
** [=SpongeBob=] himself seems to be despised by nearly everyone in Bikini Bottom, to the point where they actually have a holiday dedicated to getting away from him. This is however a [[ZigzaggedTrope zigzagged]] example, since [[DependingOnTheWriter in other episodes]] Spongebob is practically a town hero who is adored by all.

** Eclipsa falls into this, as she's feared and hated by many in Mewni due to her marrying a monster and practicing dark magic, but became well-received by the fans, to the point where many fans felt Eclipsa nonetheless acted like a better mother to Star than Moon ever did.

** The Crystal Gems initially can't stand Peridot because a.) she's one of [[spoiler: the Homeworld gems that they've been fighting for centuries]] and b.) she is obnoxious and annoying. It's even implied that her own allies [[TeethClenchedTeamwork tolerate her at best]]. Although these issues lessened as the plot moved on, they were very much ''there'' for quite a while. Meanwhile, the fans have pretty much always ''loved'' her and she quickly became [[EnsembleDarkhorse a popular character]] thanks to her antics and complete [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain inability to be threatening]].
** Lapis Lazuli is, for some time, mistreated and manipulated by everyone other than [[AllLovingHero Steven himself]]. Out-of-universe she is quite possibly the most popular character outside of the protagonists thanks to her cute design and [[TheWoobie tragic]] [[TraumaCongaLine story]].
** InUniverse, Jasper is highly respected for being a pinnacle of gemkind. None of our heroes like her though; this is compounded in ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverseFuture'' when Jasper is one of the few gems interested in preserving [[TheEmpire Homeworld]]'s former warlike ethos. Though Jasper has committed morally reprehensible actions, it is hinted, then outright confirmed, that the circumstances of her "birth", combined with Homeworld's fascism, has left her with a deep, abiding sense of [[FreudianExcuse self-loathing]], that is only ameliorated by [[PetTheDog her deep, abiding love for her diamond]]. This, along with her beefy physique, makes her a ''very'' popular character.

** Heather is a perfect example, she was the most hated character in-universe (until Alejandro showed up), but is a fan favorite and has one of the largest fan bases out of every character in the show.
** While Duncan was one of the most popular characters in the show, the vast majority of the contestants in TDA hated him in-universe. This was evident in the TDA finale, where Duncan won in a close [3-4] vote in his ending.

** Courtney, in a sense. She's very unpopular with most of the other contestants because of her bossiness and "win at all costs"-attitude. However, in real life, while she's currently a BaseBreakingCharacter, she has one of the largest and most vocal fanbases.

* ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'': Why universe hate Waspinator? And [[TheChewToy his suffering]] also makes him beloved by fans, to the point his popularity saved Waspinator from being killed in Season 2.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'':
** The Crystal Gems initially can't stand Peridot because a.) she's one of [[spoiler: the Homeworld gems that they've been fighting for centuries]] and b.) she is obnoxious and annoying. It's even implied that her own allies [[TeethClenchedTeamwork tolerate her at best]]. Although these issues lessened as the plot moved on, they were very much ''there'' for quite a while. Meanwhile, the fans have pretty much always ''loved'' her and she quickly became [[EnsembleDarkhorse a popular character]] thanks to her antics and complete [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain inability to be threatening]].
** Lapis Lazuli is, for some time, mistreated and manipulated by everyone other than [[AllLovingHero Steven himself]]. Out-of-universe she is quite possibly the most popular character outside of the protagonists thanks to her cute design and [[TheWoobie tragic]] [[TraumaCongaLine story]].
** InUniverse, Jasper is highly respected for being a pinnacle of gemkind. None of our heroes like her though; this is compounded in ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverseFuture'' when Jasper is one of the few gems interested in preserving [[TheEmpire Homeworld]]'s former warlike ethos. Though Jasper has committed morally reprehensible actions, it is hinted, then outright confirmed, that the circumstances of her "birth", combined with Homeworld's fascism, has left her with a deep, abiding sense of [[FreudianExcuse self-loathing]], that is only ameliorated by [[PetTheDog her deep, abiding love for her diamond]]. This, along with her beefy physique, makes her a ''very'' popular character.