Line #31 FourPhilosophyEnsemble/AnimeAndManga


1	* ''Anime/DotHackSign'': Tsukasa (the Cynic), Mimiru (the Optimist), Bear (the Realist), BT (the Apathetic), and Subaru (the Conflicted).
2	* ''Manga/AzumangaDaioh'': [[ChildProdigy Chiyo]] (the Realist), [[GenkiGirl Tomo]] (the Optimist), [[OnlySaneMan Yomi]] (the Cynic), [[TheIngenue Osaka]] and [[TheQuietOne Sakaki]] (the Conflicted) and [[SixthRanger Kagura]] (the Apathetic).
3	* ''Literature/{{Bakemonogatari}}'': Araragi (the Optimist), Senjogahara (the Cynic), Oshino (the Realist), Kanbaru (the Apathetic) and Hanekawa (the Conflicted, [[spoiler:but goes Cynical when she becomes black!Hanekawa]]).
4	* ''Manga/BlackLagoon'': Revy (the Cynic), Rock (the Optimist), Dutch (the Realist), Benny (the Apathetic).
5	* ''Manga/{{Boruto}}'' Team 7:
6	** The Cynic: Boruto. (For he tries to emulate Sasuke and succeed his father selfishly)
7	** The Realist: Konohamaru. (He tries to keep the team together, despite Boruto's arrogance)
8	** The Optimist: Sarada. (Wants to become Hokage and has the brightest outlook in her future)
9	** The Conflicted: Mitsuki. (The son of a former villain, who is torn between his conrades and his past)
10	* The main characters in ''VisualNovel/{{Clannad}}'' that make up the newly-revived drama club in the first season have this dynamic:
11	** The Cynic: Tomoya (although not quite to the extent that he thinks he is)
12	** The Optimist: Nagisa and Sunohara
13	** The Realist: Kyou
14	** The Apathetic: Kotomi
15	** The Conflicted: Ryou
16	* ''Anime/CodeGeass''
17	** The Cynic: Lelouch
18	** The Optimist (later Conflicted): Suzaku
19	** The Realist: Kallen
20	** The Apathetic: C.C.
21	* ''Anime/CowboyBebop'': Faye (the Cynic), Spike (the Optimist), Jet (the Realist), and Ed (the Apathetic).
22	** The eleventh episode [[Recap/CowboyBebopSession11ToysInTheAttic "Toys in the Attic"]] codifies this dynamic and changes Spike and Ed's positions with the InUniverse AlternateAesopInterpretation: Jet and Faye remain the Realist and Cynic since their respective lessons are about how people have to relearn lessons and not live entirely at the expense of others and "survival of the fittest", while Spike and Ed both become the Apathetic by giving {{Spoof Aesop}}s, except that Spike is an Apathetic Realist with his lesson "Don't leave things in the fridge" being the most relevant to the situation (and viewers' lives) while still being PlayedForLaughs, and Ed is an Apathetic Optimist spouting a quick and nonsensical bit about how you should follow strangers.
23	* ''Manga/DGrayMan'''s four main characters: Allen (the Optimist), Kanda (the Cynic), Lenalee (the Realist), Lavi (the Apathetic, or at least tries to be).
24	* From ''Manga/DeathNote'': Light Yagami (the Cynic), Misa Amane (the Optimist), L (the Realist), Ryuk (the Apathetic), and Rem (the Conflicted).
25	* ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'':
26	** The Optimist: Tanjiro, always believing that good can triumph.
27	** The Realist: Zenitsu, a cowardly Realist and frequent womanizer.
28	** The Cynic: Inosuke, obnoxious and rude who always punches first.
29	** The Conflicted: Nezuko, torn between her instincts and Tanjiro's safety.
30	*** The Hashira:
31	** The Cynics: [[TheDeterminator Sanemi Shinazugawa]], [[ReptilesAreAbhorrent Obanai Iguro]].
32	** The Optimists: [[TheHero Kyojuro Rengoku]], [[TheCutie Mitsuri Kanroji]].
33	** The Realist: [[HighlyVisibleNinja Tengen Uzui]].
34	** The Apathetic: [[TheStoic Giyu Tomioka]], [[FantasticallyIndifferent Muichiro Tokito]].
35	** The Conflicted: [[DissonantSerenity Shinobu Kocho]], [[GentleGiant Gyomei Himejima]].
36	* ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'':
37	** The Optimist: TK, being too innocent to know how bad things can get.
38	** The Realist: Izzy, too smart for blind optimism.
39	** The Cynic: Joe, who expects everything to go wrong; the dub team took the opportunity to make him a SicklyNeuroticGeek.
40	** The Apathetic: Mimi, who is uncomfortable and wants to go home ''now'', the fate of two worlds be damned.
41	* ''Anime/DigimonAdventure02'': TK (the Realist), Davis (the Optimist), Kari (the Realist), Yolei (the Conflicted), Cody (the Cynic), and Ken checks in as the Cynic.
42	** ''Anime/DigimonTamers'' has Takato (the Optimist), Rika (the Cynic), Henry (the Realist), Jeri rotating between Conflicted and Optimist, and the Apathtics Kenta, Kazu (in the "just tagging along" sense), Suzie (in the "whole different motivation" sense, basically a little girl's whims) and Ryo. (in the removed/enigmatic/different background sense)
43	** ''Anime/DigimonFrontier'' also gives us Takuya (the Realist), Koji (the Cynic), Zoe (the Optimist), JP (the Apathetic), and Tommy and Koichi (both the Conflicted).
44	* ''Anime/DragonBallZ'':
45	** (Namek Saga): Bulma (the Cynic), Gohan (the Optimist), Krillin (the Realist), and Vegeta (the Apathetic).
46	** (Cell Saga): Android 18 (the Cynic), Goku (the Optimist), Android 16 and Future Trunks (the Realists), Vegeta (the Apathetic), and Krillin can be snuck in as Conflicted.
47	* ''Literature/{{Durarara}}'':
48	** Optimist: Celty, Mikado.
49	** Cynic: Shizuo, Masaomi, Namie.
50	** Realist: Kadota.
51	** Apathetic: Izaya, Shinra.
52	** Conflicted: Anri.
53	* ''Manga/FairyTail'': Gray (the Cynic), Natsu (the Optimist), Erza (the Realist), Happy (the Apathetic), and Lucy (the Conflicted).
54	* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'': Roy (the Cynic), Al (the Optimist), Riza (the Realist), Ed and Winry (the Conflicted), and Hohenheim, Scar, May Chang and the second Greed (the Apathetics).
55	* From ''Anime/HanasakuIroha'': Minko (the Cynic), Ohana (the Optimist), Nako (the Realist), and Yuina (the Apathetic).
56	* ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'': Pip (the Cynic), Seras (the Optimist), Integra and Walter (the twin Realists), and Alucard (the Apathetic).
57	* ''Manga/HunterXHunter'' has the main quartet:
58	** Leorio is presented as the Cynic who's initially presented as OnlyInItForTheMoney but turns out to be a JerkWithAHeartOfGold (or rather, a NiceGuy [[JerkassFacade who pretended to be a jerk]]). He's actually more of a Conflicted.
59	** Gon is the Optimist as a WideEyedIdealist new to the Hunter world.
60	** Kurapika is the Realist, as idealistic as Gon yet intelligent and cool-headed enough to see past many different tricks. It's best demonstrated [[EstablishingCharacterMoment when he's introduced]], as he notes that while he considers lying dishonorable, he agrees with Leorio that it's not a good idea to boldly state why he wants to be a Hunter like Gon did.
61	** Killua is the Apathetic, repeatedly trolling other contestants, like drinking Tonpa's diarrhea-inducing juice just to show off his immunity and skateboarding on a long walk everyone else assumed was an endurance test.
62	* ''Manga/InnocentsShounenJuujigun'': Eitienne, Nicolas, Guy, and Michael make up one.
63	** Guy is The Cynic. World-wise, snarky, and used to fending for himself, Guy has the most negative outlook of the bunch, and by far the most callous way of handling things (mostly due to his unpleasant history).
64	** Etienne is The Optimist. Gentle, optimistic, and loving to anyone and everyone Etienne doesn't have anywhere near as negative an outlook as his friends. He perpetually sees the best in everyone, and is ''much'' more willing to accept change.
65	** Nicolas is The Realist. Somewhere in between Guy's negativity and Etienne's boundless empathy, Nicolas is a stickler for the rules, and determined to be the kind of knight his society demands.
66	** Micheal is The Apathetic. Strange, seemingly ditzy, and definitely playing by his own rules, Michael's bizarre sense of morality doesn't even ''resemble'' that shared by the rest of the group. His outsider status cements him as this.
67	* ''Manga/KaguyaSamaLoveIsWar'': Kaguya is the Cynic, Shirogane is the Realist, Fujiwara is the Optimist, and Ishigami is the Apathetic. Miko joins later on as the Conflicted.
68	* ''Anime/KillLaKill''
69	** Main characters
70	*** Ryuko Matoi (Apathetic)
71	*** Satsuki Kiryuin (Cynic)
72	*** Mako Mankanshoku (Optimist)
73	*** Senketsu (Realist)
74	** Elite Four
75	*** Uzu Sanageyama (Apathetic)
76	*** Ira Gamagoori (Cynic)
77	*** Nonon Jakuzure (Optimist)
78	*** Houka Inumuta (Realist)
79	** REVOCS Corporation
80	*** Mind-Controlled Ryuko (Apathetic)
81	*** Nui Harime (Cynic)
82	*** Ragyo Kiryuin (Optimist)
83	*** Rei Houomaru (Realist)
84	* ''Manga/KotouraSan'' uses all 5 Philosophies.
85	** Haruka Kotoura: The Conflicted; She fits every part of the description almost too well.
86	** Yoshihisa Manabe: The Optimist; cheerful guy with a passion to protect Haruka (his girlfriend) and sees many things in a very unusual, yet loving way.
87	** Hiyori Moritani: The Cynic; very rough and antagonistic with huge vices for things and people that don't sit well with her, doesn't play by the rules, and is sometimes thuggish.
88	** Yuriko Mifune: The Realist; grounded in facts and is unconventional in utilizing them, cares about her goal and eventually learns to care about the people around her, and open to possibilities.
89	** Daiichi Muruto: The Apathetic; consistently neutral outlook, doesn't show biases, often aloof and on the sidelines, plays along but is more of an observer.
90	* ''Anime/LuckyStar'': Tsukasa (the Optimist), Kagami (the Cynic), Miyuki (the Realist) and Konata (the Apathetic).
91	* ''Characters/LupinIII'': Because Goemon and Jigen trust Lupin so much, we rarely see all the characters together demonstrating the conflict. Usually it's just the two of them sniping at each other when Lupin is absent.
92	** The Cynic: Jigen is a soured realist whose hazy past is best left unspoken.
93	** The Optimist: Goemon is often contrasted with the other men by his naivety.
94	** The Realist: Lupin is generally able to figure out some way to do things that no one else had been able to think of. This trait, as well as his ability to balance the cynicism and optimism, is what keeps his allies around.
95	** The Apathetic: Fujiko has probably already betrayed the group at this point, and about to beg Lupin to forgive her. Even the Optimist knows she'll betray them again.
96	* ''[[Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya]]'' has Haruhi (the Optimist), Yuki (the Realist), Kyon (the Cynic), Itsuki (the Apathetic), and Mikuru (the Conflicted).
97	* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'':
98	** ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundam00 Gundam 00]]'': Setsuna (the Realist), Lockon (the Apathetic), Alleujiah (the Optimist), and Tieria (the Cynic).
99	** From ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny Gundam SEED Destiny]]'': Shinn (the Optimist), Rey (the Realist), Lunamaria (the Apathetic), and Athrun (the Cynic).
100	* The 4 main male characters from ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' can fit it as well: Izuku Midoriya (Optimist), Katsuki Bakugo (Cynic), Shoto Todoroki (Realist), Tenya Ida (Conflicted), and Eijiro Kirishima (Apathetic).
101	* ''Literature/MyYouthRomanticComedyIsWrongAsIExpected'': Hachiman and the dynamics he could form in groups could fit this.
102	** The Service Club: Hachiman is TheCynic - while grounded in reality, he has a very cynical, pessimistic and overly pragmatic view of it; Yukino is the Realist - while sharing some bitter views with Hachiman, she's idealistic and, unlike [[StatusQuoIsGod him]], genuinely believes people can become better; Yui is the Optimist - of course the most cheerful, upbeat and optimistic member who is constantly nice and friendly, and Iroha (not an official member technically, but the one who interacts with the Club the most) is the Conflicted - pretty realistic and rounded, but somewhat conflicted between her more cheerful and playful side and the more cynical one.
103	** The most recurring male characters: Hachiman is TheCynic again; Yoshiteru is the Apathetic - a {{chuunibyou}} {{cloudcuckoolander}} who lives in his own world of fantasies and delusions; Saika is the Optimist - very kind, positive, cheerful, friendly, optimistic and laid-back, and Hayato is the Conflicted - well, [[ShapedLikeItself conflicted]] between his kind, friendly and optimistic side and his more bitter and cynical one, naturally unable to solve conflicted situations, and in the end always relying on niceness to preserve the status quo.
104	** Then, not including Hachiman, there are the most recurring female characters besides Yui, Yukino and Iroha: Komachi is the Optimist - the energetic, cheerful and friendly little sister who is kind, helpful and emotionally considerate; Haruno is TheCynic - the overly teasing older sister who gives good advice through mischievous comments and a somewhat antagonistic attitude, and is quite emotionally inconsiderate; Saki is the Realist - a grounded, pratical girl who works hard to help her family; Yumiko is the Apathetic - an AlphaBitch and pretty much concerned only with her popularity and social status, and Shizuka is the Conflicted - while friendly and generally with a positive attitude, she's short-tempered and touchy, and often suffers inner conflict because of her OldMaid status and several quirks.
105	* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'': Sasuke (the Cynic), Naruto (the Optimist), Kakashi (the Realist), and Sakura (the Apathetic).
106	** A later incarnation of the team: Sai (the Cynic), Naruto (the Optimist), Yamato/Kakashi (as joint Realists) and Sakura showing definite Conflicted tendencies.
107	** Other teams get in on it too
108	*** ''Squad 8'': Shino (the Cynic), Kiba (the Optimist), Kurenai (the Realist), Hinata (the Conflicted).
109	*** ''Squad 10'': Shikamaru (the Cynic), Ino (the Optimist), Asuma (the Realist), and Choji (the Conflicted, or another Realist).
110	*** ''Team Gai'': Neji (the Cynic), Lee (the Optimist), Gai (the Realist), and Tenten (the Conflicted).
111	*** ''Team Hiruzen'': Hiruzen (the Optimist), Jiraiya (the Apathetic), Tsunade (the Realist), Orochimaru (the Cynic).
112	*** ''Team Kakashi Gaiden'': Kakashi (the Cynic), Obito (the Optimist), Minato (the Realist), Rin (the Conflicted).
113	* ''Manga/NatsuENoTobira'': Marion (the Cynic), Jacques (the Optimist), Lind (the Realist) and Claude (the Apathetic). [[spoiler: But both Marion and Claude become The Conflicted.]]
114	* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'':
115	** Cynic: Ritsuko, Gendo
116	** Optimist: Misato, Asuka
117	** Realist: Kaji
118	** Apathetic: Rei, Kaworu
119	** Conflicted: Shinji
120	* ''Franchise/OnePiece'': right at the beginning when there were only 4 members, it was Usopp (the Apathetic), Luffy (the Optimist), Zoro (the Cynic), and Nami (the Realist).
121	* ''Anime/PrincessTutu'', Kraehe (the Cynic), Princess Tutu (the Optimist), Fakir (the Realist), Mytho (the Apathetic or Conflicted).
122	* ''Literature/RascalDoesNotDreamOfBunnyGirlSenpai'':
123	** Sakuta is the realist, being an objective, decisive and well-balanced mediator, who is calm and quiet most of the time and greatly values kindness and compassion, though he definitely has his personal code and is willing to bend social norms. He's not exceedingly optimistic, yet he always does what's right.
124	** Mai is the conflicted, idealistic but also a bit pessimistic and initially indecisive about what to do, and although she's well-balanced and always does the right thing just like Sakuta, she also has more emotional issues overall.
125	** Shoko is the optimist, who has a brighter outlook on life [[spoiler:despite her illness]] and always sees the best in situations and people. Also, her goal is being a little bit kinder every day.
126	** Rio is a bit of a cynic, being a massive DeadpanSnarker and having a somewhat nihilistic outlook on life, thinking she will never be liked.
127	** Kaede as a {{hikikomori}} is the apathetic, living in her own world and attached to her brother.
128	* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'': Kyoko/Homura (the Cynics), Mami Tomoe (the Realist), Madoka is mostly the Conflicted (or Optimist when she is magical girl), Sayaka (the Optimist), and Kyuubey (the Apathetic).
129	* ''Manga/RentAGirlfriend'': Kazuya and all the girls he's surrounded by:
130	** Kazuya himself is the Optimist, as he thinks of doing the right thing, [[TheMcCoy but often without considering logic and rational thinking, acting impulsively and purely based on feelings]].
131	** Mami is the Cynic. She is an unscrupulous, selfish, petty and manipulative maneater.
132	** Chizuru is the Realist. She knows almost exactly what to say and do in a bad situation, all while keeping her cool. Although she works hard on pursuing a dream of her own, she also believes it's foolish in a world where many of them don't come true, and even as a child she got into arguments with her grandfather, putting down his idealistic way of thinking. She finds Kazuya's optimism to be just as irresponsible and unrealistic, and is very grounded in reality.
133	** Ruka is the Apathetic. She's definitely immature, just cares about her own happiness, and would do anything to get Kazuya to fall for her, [[ManipulativeBitch often using underhanded means]] and {{blackmail}}.
134	** Sumi is the Conflicted. Despite her incredible shyness, lack of confidence, and incapability of engaging in conversation with her dates, she's surprisingly determined to continue working, and when she sees that Kazuya and Chizuru, the ones who have helped and supported her, are in trouble, she doesn't shy away from helping them and does whatever she can to repay them for the kindness they've shown her, no matter the cost.
135	* ''Manga/RurouniKenshin'' manages to have the main characters fulfill all the roles at different times: Kaoru (the Optimist), Kenshin (the Realist), Yahiko (the Cynic), and Sanosuke and Megumi (the Apathetics).
136	** Yet frequently, Sano (Cynic), Megumi and Yahiko (Realists), and Kenshin (Optimist). Kaoru, Kenshin, and Megumi all show signs of the conflicted as well.
137	** When others join the main cast: Saito (the Cynic), Misao (the Optimist), and Aoshi (the Apathetic).
138	* ''Manga/{{Saiyuki}}'' has Sanzo (the Cynic), Goku (the Optimist), Hakkai (the Realist), and Gojyo (the Apathetic).
139	* ''Manga/SayonaraZetsubouSensei'': Nozumo (the Cynic) and Kafuka (the Optimist).
140	* ''Literature/{{Slayers}}'':
141	** Lina: The Realist
142	** Gourry: The Apathetic
143	** Zelgadis: The Cynic
144	** Amelia: The Optimist
145	** Luke and Millina, Zelgadis and Amelia's replacements in the [[LightNovels original book series]], are both the Apathetic.
146	* ''Manga/SnowWhiteWithTheRedHair'': Zen an his aides start out seeming to fit perfectly, with Zen as Optimist, Kiki as Cynic, Mitsuhide as Realist and Obi as Apathetic. Over time it becomes clear that Kiki and Mitsuhide don't properly fit into these pigeonholes when they're not putting up an act in front of others and Zen is more shrewd and guarded than the usual optimist, though he does remain one. Obi's character development shifts him gradually out of the role of the Apathetic as he realizes he's actually become attached to Zen and Shirayuki despite his initial plans.
147	* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'': Simon (the Cynic), Kamina and Nia (the Optimists), Yoko (the Realist), Leeron (the Apathetic).
148	** [[spoiler:Post-TimeSkip]]: Rossiu (the Cynic), Simon and Kittan (the Optimists), Leeron and Yoko (the Realists) and Viral (the Apathetic).
149	* ''Anime/TokyoMajin'': Koyuichi (the Cynic), Aoi (the Optimist), Kisaragi (the Realist), Tatsuma (the Apathetic) and Daigo with Sakurai (the Conflicted)
150	* ''Manga/{{Trigun}}'': Wolfwood as Cynic, Vash as Optimist, Meryl as Realist, Milly as Apathetic or Conflicted.
151	* ''Anime/{{Tamagotchi}}'':
152	** Realist: Mametchi — Intelligent and mature.
153	** Cynic: Memetchi — Stubborn and assertive.
154	** Apathetic: Kuchipatchi — Lazy and idiotic.
155	** Optimist: Lovelitchi — Shy and optimistic.
156	** Conflicted: [=KuroMametchi=] — Misunderstood and snarky.
157	* ''Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle'': Kurogane (the Cynic), Sakura (the Optimist), Syaoran (the Realist), Fay (the Apathetic), and Mokona (the Conflicted).
158	* ''Anime/WeatheringWithYou'': Hodaka is TheCynic (brooding rebel and ByronicHero looking for freedom as he considers his island home a prison, and willing to do whatever it takes to save Hina); Hina is the optimist (IdealHero of IncorruptiblePurePureness, self-sacrificing and immensely kind, and still cheerfully carries on despite all that happened - and still happens - to her), Natsumi is the realist (cheerful and optimistic, yet also levelheaded and looking for facts through her job), and Keisuke is the apathetic (often aloof and with a fairly neutral attitude).
159	* ''Anime/WeissKreuz'': Aya (the Cynic), Ken (the Optimist), Yoji (starts off the Realist; becomes the Conflicted), and Omi (starts off the Conflicted; becomes the Realist).
160	* ''Anime/WolfsRain'': Kiba (the Realist), Tsume (the Cynic), Hige (the Apathetic), and Toboe (the Optimist).
161	** The Humans make up another four as well: Darcia (the Cynic), Cher (the Optimist), Hubb (the Realist), and Quent (the Apathetic).
162	* ''Manga/YuYuHakusho:'' Hiei (the Cynic), Kuwabara (the Optimist), Yusuke (the Realist, though sometimes a lighter Cynic), and Kurama (the Apathetic).
163	* ''Anime/ZoidsNewCentury'': Bit (Optimist), Brad (Cynic), Jamie (Realist), and Leena (Apathetic).
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Context FourPhilosophyEnsemble / AnimeAndManga