| 1 | An antagonist can be classed on three orthogonal parameters: |
| 2 | |
| 3 | * [[SlidingScaleOfVillainThreat How much danger they, or their plans, pose.]] |
| 4 | * How effective they are. |
| 5 | * [[SlidingScaleOfAntagonistVileness How much the audience is supposed to hate them.]] |
| 6 | |
| 7 | This is a method of quantifying the second one. |
| 8 | |
| 9 | Note that this does not cover any degree of sympathy; rather, it covers how probable their success is. To expand on this scale's orthogonality to the other two: it is entirely possible for a CompleteMonster to fall at 'credible' or even 'low' on this scale (for example, a monster who is merely chief [[TheDragon henchman]] to, say, [[ComicStrip/FlashGordon Ming the Merciless]]); and it is possible to have a villain who bats at the level of Franchise/{{Superman}}, but is so dumb that most of his threat comes from the fact that his plans will inevitably [[EpicFail fail in a spectacular way]]. |
| 10 | |
| 11 | Further, please do not add in Villainous organizations, groups, or nations to the Examples section at '''High''' or '''Infinite''' levels, and be particularly aware of FanMyopia. |
| 12 | |
| 13 | [[noreallife]] |
| 14 | ---- |
| 15 | !!'''None:''' |
| 16 | The villain succeeded in his evil scheme, but it wasn't destroying the world at all, it was... [[PokeThePoodle to step on a flower?!?]] Or alternatively, there's [[NoAntagonist no villain at all]]. |
| 17 | |
| 18 | [[index]] |
| 19 | * NoAntagonist |
| 20 | * HarmlessVillain |
| 21 | * MinionWithAnFInEvil |
| 22 | * CrazyCatLady |
| 23 | * PeekABogeyman |
| 24 | * The most agreeable examples of TheExtremistWasRight |
| 25 | [[/index]] |
| 26 | * ''Examples:'' The ''WesternAnimation/LeagueOfSuperEvil'', Swiper from ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'', Professor Chaos of WesternAnimation/SouthPark, [[Series/{{Lexx}} President Priest and Bunny]], [[WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls the Amoeba Boys]] (except in the [[NotSoHarmlessVillain one episode]] where their threat is Inadvertent). |
| 27 | |
| 28 | !!'''Low:''' |
| 29 | [[VillainBall The villain can be safely allowed]] to [[HoistByHisOwnPetard foil their own scheme.]] |
| 30 | |
| 31 | [[index]] |
| 32 | * Cases where the hero WinsByDoingAbsolutelyNothing |
| 33 | * IneffectualSympatheticVillain |
| 34 | * VillainousHarlequin |
| 35 | * GoldfishPoopGang |
| 36 | * Most CartoonishSupervillainy |
| 37 | [[/index]] |
| 38 | * ''Examples:'' Most ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' villains, Dr. Drakken from ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'', [[WesternAnimation/InvaderZim Zim]] (most of the time), [[WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants Sheldon J. Plankton]], [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Waluigi]], [[WesternAnimation/AdventureTime The Ice King]], [[WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures The Dark Hand]], many villains written by Creator/DeanKoontz, [[Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk Rene Belloq]], [[WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb Dr. Doofenshmirtz]], the [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E19ADogAndPonyShow Diamond Dogs]], [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ Mashmyre Cello]] ([[TookALevelInBadass in the first half of the series]]), [[VideoGame/BlueArchive Kaya Shiranui]], [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Dr. Eggman]] (from ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' to ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'') [[Anime/OutlawStar Tobiguera]], [[Manga/DragonBall The Pilaf Gang]], [[Anime/SailorMoon The Dark Kingdom]] qualifies due to [[TheLoad Queen Beryl's poor management]], though most of its villains are Credible threats in their own right, Most ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo'' villains(though it depends on the episode) the ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog'' incarnation of Robotnik, [[WesternAnimation/SonicUnderground Sleet and Dingo]], [[Anime/PokemonTheSeries Team Rocket]] (Sans ''[[Anime/PokemonTheSeriesBlackAndWhite Best Wishes]]''), [[WesternAnimation/XiaolinShowdown Jack Spicer]]. |
| 39 | |
| 40 | !!'''Credible:''' |
| 41 | [[TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin Rarely succeeds]], but only because heroes take action. |
| 42 | |
| 43 | [[index]] |
| 44 | * EvilOverlord |
| 45 | * TheEmpire |
| 46 | * The CompleteMonster usually needs to be here or above to qualify |
| 47 | [[/index]] |
| 48 | [[folder:Examples]] |
| 49 | * '''Series-wide''' Most [[Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon Disney]] villains, Most ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' villains (assuming if they aren't in the Infinite category), The Master from ''Series/DoctorWho'', The Galactic Empire, Darth Maul, Kylo Ren and The First Order from ''Franchise/StarWars'', [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} The Decepticons]] (occasionally highly effective), Slashers like [[Franchise/FridayThe13th Jason Voorhees]] and [[Franchise/{{Halloween}} Michael Myers]], The typical villains from Franchise/PowerRangers / Franchise/SuperSentai, [[Franchise/HarryPotter The Death Eaters, as a whole]]. |
| 50 | * '''Anime and Manga:''' [[Anime/SailorMoon The Death Busters and Dead Moon Circus]], [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam The Principality of Zeon under the Zabis]], [[Anime/ZetaGundam The Titans]], [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSeed Patrick Zala & Muruta Azrael]], [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSeedDestiny Lord Djibril]], [[Manga/BlackClover Megicula and Lucifero]], [[Anime/FullMetalAlchemist2003 The Homunculi]], [[Anime/SpiritedAway Yubaba]], [[Literature/SwordArtOnline Nobuyuki Sugo, Laughing Coffin (except Vassago, XaXa and Johnny Black)]]. |
| 51 | * '''Comic Books''': Ming the Merciless from ''ComicStrip/FlashGordon'' |
| 52 | * '''Film''': [[Film/TheDarkCrystal The Skeksis]] post-Age of Resistance, [[Film/IndianaJonesAndTheLastCrusade Walter Donovan and Dr. Elsa Schneider]], [[Film/IndianaJonesAndTheDialOfDestiny Dr. Jurgen Voller]]. |
| 53 | * '''Literature''': Most ''Literature/{{Goosebumps}}'' antagonists, [[Literature/{{Redwall}} Most Redwall Villains]], [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Sauron]] during the late Third Age, [[Literature/TheCountOfYears the Ogres, the múrtani, the ktuvoks]] (the last both individually and collectively). |
| 54 | * '''Live-Action TV''': [[Series/{{Lexx}} Schlemi/Fifi, Brizon and most minor villains]], Most ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' villains, [[Series/{{StrangerThings}} Dr. Brenner and the Russians]], [[Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower Adar]], [[Series/{{Farscape}} The Peacekeepers and the Scarrans]], [[Series/{{Succession}} Kendall and Shiv Roy]]. |
| 55 | * '''Tabletop Games''': [[TabletopGame/Warhammer40000 Abaddon the Despoiler]] |
| 56 | * '''Video Games''': [[VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft Twilight's Hammer]], [[VideoGame/LiveALive Odio]], [[VideoGame/{{Fallout}} The Enclave]], [[VideoGame/BlueArchive Decagrammaton]], [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Dr. Eggman]] (pre-''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' and post-''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed''), [[VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved The Covenant]], [[Franchise/{{Splatoon}} DJ Octavio]], [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Bowser]] (pre-''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine''), [[Franchise/DonkeyKong King K. Rool]], [[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} Dracula/Mathias Cronqvist]] post-''Lament of Innocence'', [[VideoGame/{{Skylanders}} Kaos]], [[VideoGame/ResidentEvilVillage Lady Dimitrescu, Lord Heisenberg, Lady Beneviento and Lord Moreau]]. |
| 57 | * '''Western Animation''': [[WesternAnimation/InvaderZim Zim]] (on a good day), [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender The Fire Nation]] (whenever [[TheChessmaster Azula]] isn't available as a strategic consultant), [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra Tarrlok and Varrick]], [[WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}} Demona]], [[WesternAnimation/TangledTheSeries Lady Caine, Varian, and Cassandra]], [[WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooAndTheWitchsGhost Sarah and Ben Ravencroft]], [[WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooAndTheCyberChase The Phantom Virus and Bill]],[[WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower Hordak and Shadow Weaver]], [[WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder Lord Hater]], [[WesternAnimation/Castlevania2017 The Bishop, Carmilla and the Styrian Council]], [[WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}}Prince Phobos]]. |
| 58 | [[/folder]] |
| 59 | |
| 60 | !!'''Inadvertent:''' |
| 61 | May succeed without realizing it, so heroes must be especially cautious. |
| 62 | |
| 63 | [[index]] |
| 64 | * HumansAreTheRealMonsters |
| 65 | * HumansAreMorons |
| 66 | * HumansAreCthulhu |
| 67 | * NonMaliciousMonster |
| 68 | * ObliviouslyEvil |
| 69 | * ThenLetMeBeEvil |
| 70 | * MikeNelsonDestroyerOfWorlds |
| 71 | * WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds |
| 72 | * HeroWithAnFInGood |
| 73 | * NatureIsNotNice |
| 74 | [[/index]] |
| 75 | * ''Examples:'' The crew of the ''Series/RedDwarf'', the Red King in ''Literature/ThroughTheLookingGlass'', the replicants of ''Film/BladeRunner'', [[Anime/SpiritedAway No-Face]], [[WesternAnimation/TurningRed Ming Lee]], [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic Everfree Forest creatures]], [[Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica most Witches]], The Draags of ''Animation/FantasticPlanet'', [[TomatoInTheMirror humans]] in ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' (except Gendo and members of SEELE), [[Literature/TheCountOfYears Ecaîas]]. |
| 76 | |
| 77 | !!'''High:''' |
| 78 | Almost always succeeds when not thwarted by a hero and have a decent number of victories under their belt even against the heroes; expect them to [[YouCantThwartStageOne get a secondary goal completed]] even when they lose. |
| 79 | |
| 80 | [[index]] |
| 81 | * TheDreaded |
| 82 | * FromNobodyToNightmare (when evil) |
| 83 | * CorruptCorporateExecutive |
| 84 | * TheMenInBlack (when evil) |
| 85 | * GenreSavvy (when evil) |
| 86 | * GreaterScopeVillain |
| 87 | * HeroKiller |
| 88 | * HopeCrusher |
| 89 | * KnightOfCerebus |
| 90 | * The villainous MagnificentBastard needs to be here or above to qualify |
| 91 | * TheChessmaster (when evil) |
| 92 | * ManipulativeBastard (when evil) |
| 93 | * NoNonsenseNemesis (when evil) |
| 94 | * NotSoHarmlessVillain |
| 95 | * NotTheFirstVictim |
| 96 | * MasterForger |
| 97 | * OmnicidalManiac |
| 98 | * OutsideContextProblem |
| 99 | * VileVillainSaccharineShow |
| 100 | * WhosLaughingNow |
| 101 | [[/index]] |
| 102 | [[folder:Examples]] |
| 103 | |
| 104 | * '''Anime and Manga''': [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED Rau Le Creuset]], [[Manga/{{Inuyasha}} Naraku]], [[Anime/{{YashahimePrincessHalfDemon}} Kirinmaru]], [[Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica Kyubey and Walpurgisnacht]], [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Gendo]] [[Anime/RebuildofEvangelion Ikari]], [[Anime/NowAndThenHereAndThere Hellywood (although King Hamdo himself is incompetent)]], [[Manga/BlackClover Patry, Zagred, Zenon Zogratis and Lucius Zogratis]], [[Manga/DragonballZ Freeza, Cell, and Majin Buu]], [[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam Haman and Paptimus Scirocco]], [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ Khan]], [[Anime/PrincessMononoke Lady Eboshi]], [[Anime/CastleInTheSky Colonel Muska]], [[Anime/SailorMoon The Black Moon Clan, Sailor Galaxia and Chaos]], [[Anime/ElHazardTheMagnificentWorld Katsuhiko Jinnai]], [[Franchise/{{Patlabor}} Richard Wong]], [[Anime/{{PsychoPass}} Shogo Makishima, Kirito Kamui & the Sybil System]], Most [[MonsterOfTheWeek Digimon of the week]] in ''Anime/DigimonGhostGame'' are either here or in the credible territory, [[Anime/DragonballSuper Goku Black, Zamasu]], [[Manga/{{Bleach}} Yhwach and the Vandenreich]], [[Literature/SwordArtOnline Akihiko Kayaba, Vassago Cassals, Death Gun, Quinella & Gabriel Miller]], [[Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers Dr. Jail Scaglietti and Quattro]], [[Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaDetonation Phil Maxwell]], [[Literature/DateALive Kurumi Tokisaki and Sir Isaac Ray Peram Westcott]], [[Manga/HeavensLostProperty The Master of Synapse]], [[Anime/CrossAnge Embryo]], [[Manga/{{Hellsing}} The Major]], [[Anime/CowboyBebop Vicious]], [[Anime/OutlawStar The MacDougall Brothers, The Anten Seven (except Tobiguera and Shimi) and Lord Hazanko]], [[Manga/JuJutsuKaisen Ryomen Sukuna, the disaster curses, Suguru Geto/Kenjaku and Toji Fushiguro]]. |
| 105 | * '''Comic Books''': Comicbook/{{Thanos}}, [[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogIDW Dr. Eggman in the IDW comics]], [[Characters/DarkNightsMetalTheBatmanWhoLaughs The Batman Who Laughs]] [[note]]He ''believes'' that he's of the Infinite category, but isn't[[/note]] |
| 106 | * '''Film''': [[Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy Ra's al Ghul, the Joker, Bane and Talia al Ghul]],[[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet Freddy Krueger]][[note]]his metaphysical form and horrifying power in the dream realm makes him ''far'' more challenging to vanquish or survive[[/note]], [[Film/IndianaJonesAndTheTempleOfDoom Mola Ram]],[[Film/IndianaJonesAndTheKingdomOfTheCrystalSkull Colonel Irina Spalko]], [[Film/JurassicWorld The Indominus Rex]], [[WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie Bowser]], [[WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda1 Tai Lung]], [[WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2 Lord Shen]], [[WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda3 Kai]], [[WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda4 The Chameleon]], [[WesternAnimation/PussInBootsTheLastWish Jack Horner]], [[Franchise/MonsterVerse King Ghidorah/Mechagodzilla]], [[Franchise/TheThing The Thing]], [[Film/DirtyHarry the Scorpio Killer]], [[Film/SuddenImpact Mick]], [[Film/RamboIV Major Pa Tee Tint]], [[Film/RamboLastBlood Hugo and Victor Martinez]], [[Film/{{Scanners}} Darryl Revok]], [[Film/TheBatman2022 The Riddler]], [[Film/CoolWorld Holli Would]], [[Film/CapeFear1991 Max Cady]]. |
| 107 | * '''Literature''': [[Literature/TheSilmarillion Morgoth]] (pre-War of Wrath) and [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Sauron]] (pre-Third Age), [[Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire Littlefinger]], [[Literature/HarryPotter Lord Voldemort and Barty Crouch Jr.]], [[Literature/{{Dune}} Baron Vladimir Harkonnen]], [[Literature/TheCountOfYears Amnās, Soxāeco, Līxigocas, Itīrante]][[note]]Though that last one is on a far smaller scale than the other three who are evil gods and sorcerers, Itīrante is still an absolute monarch whose word is law and who holds an entire country in his sway. Thus, he is untouchable except by divine disfavor.[[/note]] |
| 108 | * '''Live-Action TV''': [[Series/{{Smallville}} Lionel Luthor and Brainiac]], [[Series/{{Lexx}} His Divine Shadow, Mantrid, Prince and Vlad]], [[Series/{{Supernatural}} Azazel, Lucifer and Crowley]], [[Series/{{Farscape}} Scorpius]], [[Series/KamenRider Shocker]], Most ''Series/CriminalMinds'' [=UnSubs=] are here on average, [[Series/StrangerThings Vecna/Henry Creel]], [[Series/BreakingBad Gus Fring]], [[Series/BetterCallSaul Lalo Salamanca]], [[Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower Sauron]], [[{{Series/Alias}} Arvin Sloane and Julian Sark]], [[{{Series/Oz}} Ryan O'Reilly, Simon Adebisi, Enrique Morales and Chris Keller]], [[Series/{{Succession}} Logan Roy]], [[Series/OnceUponATime Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin]], [[Series/{{Heroes}} Adam Monroe]]. |
| 109 | * '''Tabletop Games''': [[TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering Nicol Bolas, Yawgmoth and the New Phyrexian Praetors]], the [[TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}} Chaos]] [[TabletopGame/Warhammer40000 Gods]] |
| 110 | * '''Video Games''': [[Franchise/TheLegendofZelda Ganondorf]], [[VideoGame/CallOfDutyBlackOpsII Raul Menendez]], [[VideoGame/BlazBlue Hazama, Yuuki Terumi, Relius Clover, and Izanami]], [[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} Mathias Cronqvist]], [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI Kefka Palazzo]], [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Sephiroth]], [[VideoGame/Bayonetta2 Loptr]] and [[VideoGame/Bayonetta3 Singularity]], [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Bowser]] (post-''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine'') [[note]][[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy if he doesn't get himself unintentionally killed with the entire galaxy when trying to recreate it around his own Sun, making him ''more'' of a threat,]] [[KickTheDog especially since he's happy to endanger the galaxy]][[/note]], [[VideoGame/LuigisMansion King Boo]], [[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi Fawful]], [[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPartnersInTime Princess Shroob, Elder Princess Shroob]], [[VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor Shadow Queen]], [[VideoGame/SuperPaperMario Count Bleck, Dimentio]], [[VideoGame/PaperMarioTheOrigamiKing King Olly]], [[VideoGame/MarioPlusRabbidsSparksOfHope Cursa]], [[Franchise/KingdomHearts Master Xehanort]], [[VideoGame/Halo2 The]] [[VideoGame/Halo3 Gravemind]], [[VideoGame/Splatoon2 Commander Tartar]], [[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate Galeem and Dharkon]], [[Franchise/ResidentEvil Albert Wesker]] [[note]]In the games, that is.[[/note]], [[VideoGame/ResidentEvilVillage Mother Miranda]], [[VideoGame/LibraryOfRuina Ayin, Carmen and Angela]] (walks a line between this or infinite), major ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' villains [[note]]Giovanni, Maxie/Archie, Cyrus, Ghetsis Harmonia, Lysandre, Lusamine, Chairman Rose, Volo, Professors Sada/Turo, Darkrai from ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeonExplorers'' & Greevil[[/note]], [[VideoGame/BlueArchive Gematria, Misono Mika and the Chroma]], [[VideoGame/SystemShock S.H.O.D.A.N]]. |
| 111 | * '''Web Animation:''' [[WebAnimation/AnimatorVsAnimation The Dark Lord and King Orange]].[[WebAnimation/WolfSongTheMovie The Death Alpha]] |
| 112 | * '''Webcomics:''' [[Webcomic/GirlGenius The Other]][[note]](In general - specific "bodies" can be anywhere between here and '''"Credible"''')[[/note]] |
| 113 | * '''Web Original:''' [[WebAnimation/{{RWBY}} Cinder Fall]], [[WebAnimation/RedVsBlue the Meta, Locus and Felix]] |
| 114 | * '''Western Animation''': [[WesternAnimation/AdventureTime The Lich]], [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, King Sombra, Lord Tirek, Starlight Glimmer, and Cozy Glow]], [[WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}} David Xanatos]], [[WesternAnimation/YoungJustice The Light]], [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender Princess Azula]], [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra Amon, Vaatu, Unalaq, The Red Lotus quartet and Kuvira]], [[WesternAnimation/CodeLyoko XANA]], [[WesternAnimation/ObanStarRacers Canaletto]], [[WesternAnimation/KimPossible Shego]], [[WesternAnimation/CourageTheCowardlyDog Katz, King Rameses, the Queen of the Black Puddle, Robot Randy, The Great Fusilli, and many other villains who menace Courage and the Bagges]],[[WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooOnZombieIsland The Werecats of Moonscar Island]],[[WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooMysteryIncorporated Professor Pericles and the Nibiru Entity]], the ''WesternAnimation/SonicTheHedgehogSatAM'' and ''WesternAnimation/SonicUnderground'' versions of Dr. Robotnik, [[WesternAnimation/TangledTheSeries Zhan Tiri]], [[WesternAnimation/BigHero6TheSeries Obake]], [[WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower Catra, Double Trouble and Horde Prime]], [[WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil Toffee]], [[WesternAnimation/GravityFalls Bill Cipher]], [[WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse Emperor Belos]], [[WesternAnimation/Ben10 Vilgax, Maltruant and Aggregor]], [[WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder Lord Dominator]], [[Series/TheDarkCrystalAgeofResistance The Chamberlain and The Hunter Skeksis]], [[WesternAnimation/Castlevania2017 Dracula, Isaac and Death]], [[WesternAnimation/CastlevaniaNocturne Erzsebet Bathory, Drolta Tzuentes and Olrox]], [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003 Shredder & Bishop]], [[WesternAnimation/GIJoeResolute Cobra]] [[WesternAnimation/GIJoeRenegades Commander]], [[WesternAnimation/SuperRobotMonkeyTeamHyperforceGo Skeleton King]], [[WesternAnimation/RickandMorty Tammy Guterman and Rick Prime]], [[WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}} Nerissa]], [[WesternAnimation/XiaolinShowdown Wuya and Hannibal Roy Bean]], [[WesternAnimation/{{Pantheon}} Vinod Chanda, Julius Pope, and Stephen Holstrom]], [[WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}} King Andrias and The Core]], [[WesternAnimation/BlueEyeSamurai Abijah Fowler & Heiji Shindo]], [[WesternAnimation/BloodOfZeus Hera and Seraphim]]. |
| 115 | * '''Multiple''': Most major ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'' villains, [[Franchise/StarWars Palpatine, Darth Vader]], [[Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse Grand]] [[Literature/TheThrawnTrilogy Admiral Thrawn]], [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure Dio Brando, Kars, Yoshikage Kira, Diavolo, Enrico Pucci, Funny Valentine]], [[Literature/TheHungerGames President Snow]], [[Series/{{Arrow}} Malcolm Merlyn/Dark Archer, Slade Wilson/Deathstroke, Ra's al Ghul,Damien Dhark and Adrian Chase]], [[VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc Junko Enoshima]], [[Series/DoctorWho The Daleks]], [[Literature/TheManchurianCandidate Eleanor Iselin and Yen Lo]]. |
| 116 | [[/folder]] |
| 117 | |
| 118 | !!'''Infinite:''' |
| 119 | [[TheBadGuyWins The villain will always win, and the heroes will always lose]], [[CruelTwistEnding even if the heroes should by all rights win]]. This may be due to the villain being truly all powerful, or the heroes being utterly incapable of confronting them in the first place, let alone stopping them. At best, the heroes could delay or annoy the villain, but the villain will triumph in the end regardless and the heroes can only evade or escape the villain once its goals are met. On the rare occasion that you ''can'' kill them, [[ThanatosGambit it's still part of their plan]] or you're [[YouAreTooLate just too late]]. Note that this is not just TheBadGuyWins, rather it must be InherentInTheSystem that the villains win and the heroes lose. If the villain triumphs by chance or ill luck on the hero’s part, they are probably High or even Inadvertent. |
| 120 | |
| 121 | [[index]] |
| 122 | * InvincibleVillain (Unless they have a KarmaHoudiniWarranty) |
| 123 | * EldritchAbomination (Except in stories where you can [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu punch them out]]) |
| 124 | * CosmicHorrorStory (Unless it becomes LovecraftLite) |
| 125 | * GodIsEvil (Unless there's some sort of good [[TheAntiGod Anti-God]] that can meaningfully oppose Him. [[Literature/TheSalvationWar Iron chariots work, too]]) |
| 126 | * The CompleteMonster or MagnificentBastard, if they're competent and dangerous enough |
| 127 | * YouCantFightFate (Except when Fate is on the hero's side, or the prophecy has a different, unexpected meaning) |
| 128 | * RageAgainstTheHeavens (Except when you can punch them out like Cthulhu) |
| 129 | * DownerEnding (Unless it is setting up a time travel sequel, or the protagonist is a villain.) |
| 130 | * ShootTheShaggyDog (Unless it is setting up a time travel sequel, or there is a VillainProtagonist) |
| 131 | * KarmaHoudini (Unless a KarmaHoudiniWarranty is voided) |
| 132 | * VillainSue (Unless the setting has a benevolent GodModeSue to oppose them) |
| 133 | * DiabolusExMachina (Unless it is just allowing the villain to continue until the SeriesFinale) |
| 134 | * AsLongAsThereIsEvil (Unless HopeSpringsEternal) |
| 135 | * TheProblemWithFightingDeath (Unless DontFearTheReaper is in effect, and the ''villain'' is the one trying to fight Death) |
| 136 | [[/index]] |
| 137 | !!! '''Examples''': |
| 138 | * '''In general''': Many horror stories where the protagonists die or suffer a FateWorseThanDeath like ''Film/FinalDestination'', VillainSue[[invoked]] fanfics (by nature), the villains of the Franchise/CthulhuMythos, Franchise/HannibalLecter (except on [[Series/{{Hannibal}} the TV show]], and even then that's only late in the final season), the versions of [[Franchise/{{Watchmen}} Ozymandias/Adrian Veidt]] in the [[ComicBook/{{Watchmen}} original comic]] and the [[Film/{{Watchmen}} movie]], the villains in ''DerivativeWorks/{{Pinocchio}}'' adaptations except the Fox and the Cat in [[Literature/TheAdventuresOfPinocchio the original book]],[[note]]The villains may also be subject to AdaptationalKarma depending on the iteration[[/note]] U. N. Owen in ''Literature/AndThenThereWereNone'' (the original novel, the 1987 Soviet film, Kevin Elyot's 2005 stage production, and the [[Series/AndThenThereWereNone2015 2015 miniseries]][[note]]Other versions tend to be subject to AdaptationalKarma. The video game has multiple endings depending on which character survives.[[/note]]), Anthony Fremont in "It's a Good Life" ([[Literature/ItsAGoodLife the short story]] by Jerome Bixby, and [[Recap/TheTwilightZoneS3E73ItsAGoodLife the episode]] from ''Series/TheTwilightZone1959''), [[Literature/TheStepfordWives the Men's Association]] (except in the 2004 remake), [[Literature/GoneGirl Amy]] [[Film/GoneGirl Dunne]]. |
| 139 | * '''{{Anime}} & {{Manga}}:''' God in {{Manga/Devilman}}, [[Manga/HappySugarLife Satou Matsuzaka]], [[Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica Kriemhild Gretchen]], [[{{Manga/Berserk}} The Godhand and the Idea of Evil]], [[Manga/MadeInAbyss Bondrewd and Irumyuui]], [[Manga/ShamanKing Hao Asakura]], [[Anime/SpeedGrapher Chouji Suitengu]], [[Manga/{{Monster}} Johan Liebert]], almost every Creator/JunjiIto monster, [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamIronBloodedOrphans Rustal Elion]], [[Literature/Overlord2012 Ainz Ooal Gown]], [[Anime/CyberpunkEdgerunners Adam Smasher]], [[Anime/RedoOfHealer Keyaru]], [[Anime/OutlawStar Shimi]], [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion SEELE]]. |
| 140 | * '''Film:''' [[Franchise/{{Saw}} John "Jigsaw" Kramer]], [[Film/Se7en John Doe]], [[Film/TheCabinInTheWoods the Ancient Ones]], [[Film/FunnyGames Paul and Peter]], the evil mirror in ''Film/{{Oculus}}'', [[Film/InTheMouthOfMadness Sutter Cane]], [[{{Film/Phantasm}} The Tall Man]], [[Film/TheWickerMan1973 Lord Summerisle]], [[Film/{{Fallen}} Azazel]], [[Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch]], [[Film/{{Nightcrawler}} Louis Bloom]], [[Film/RosemarysBaby Minnie and Roman Castevet and the satanic cult]], [[Film/Oldboy2003 Lee Woo-jin]], GeneralRipper in ''Film/DrStrangelove'', [[Film/{{Midsommar}} the Hårga]], [[Franchise/MonsterVerse Alan Jonah and his mercenaries]], [[Film/TetsuoTheIronMan the Metal Fetishist]], [[Film/GingerSnaps2Unleashed Ghost]], [[Film/TheUsualSuspects Keyser Soze]], [[Film/PrimalFear Aaron Stampler]], [[Film/BasicInstinct Catherine Tramell]], [[Film/{{Swordfish}} Gabriel Shear]], [[Film/{{Chinatown}} Noah Cross]], [[Film/{{Saltburn}} Oliver Quick]]. |
| 141 | * '''Literature''': ''Literature/BattleRoyale,'' [[Literature/NineteenEightyFour O'Brien]] (and {{Big|BrotherIsWatching}} [[GreaterScopeVillain Brother]] if he is a real person in-universe), [[Literature/BloodMeridian Judge Holden]], [[Literature/NoCountryForOldMen Anton Chigurh]], [[Literature/TheChocolateWar Archie and Brother Leon]] or ''any'' Creator/RobertCormier antagonist, ''Literature/TheMidnightLibrary'' in general, [[Literature/AWrinkleInTime IT and especially the Black Thing]],[[note]]The Murry family and Calvin O'Keefe do manage to escape IT, with Meg Murry even "winning" in a sense when she uses ThePowerOfLove to free her brother Charles Wallace from IT's influence. But she's powerless to destroy IT; Creator/MadeleineLEngle remarks in the narration that directing ThePowerOfLove at IT might hypothetically do the trick, but Meg can't muster any love for an entity so foul. Meanwhile the Black Thing is a GreaterScopeVillain (of which IT appears to be an avatar or agent) that [[MadeOfEvil embodies evil on a cosmic scale]] and will presumably exist AsLongAsThereIsEvil.[[/note]] [[Literature/IHaveNoMouthandIMustScream AM]], Literature/MobyDick, TheMorlocks in ''Literature/TheTimeMachine'', several ''Literature/{{Goosebumps}}'' villains[[note]]ex. [[Literature/WelcomeToDeadHouse Compton Dawes]], [[Literature/LetsGetInvisible Mirror Lefty]], [[Literature/CallingAllCreeps Ricky Beamer and the Creeps]], [[Literature/TheBeastFromTheEast the Beasts]], [[Literature/TheHauntedSchool Mr. Chameleon]], [[Literature/ChickenChicken Vanessa]], [[Literature/ILiveInYourBasement Keith]], [[Literature/HeadlessHalloween Norband]][[/note]] |
| 142 | * '''LiveActionTv''': [[Series/TheConsultant2023 Regus Patoff]], [[Series/TheFallofTheHouseofUsher2023 Verna]], [[Series/{{Heroes}} Sylar]], [[Series/BlakesSeven Servalan]]. |
| 143 | * '''Mythology and Religion:''' [[Myth/NorseMythology Fenrir, Jörmungandr, and especially Surtr]],[[note]]Possibly also Níðhöggr, the DraconicAbomination perpetually gnawing away at the roots of the WorldTree. This thing is mentioned to survive TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt, but it's unclear if it means to do any more damage.[[/note]] [[Myth/PacificMythology Whiro]] |
| 144 | * '''{{Theatre}}:''' [[Theatre/LittleShopOfHorrors Audrey II]] |
| 145 | * '''VideoGames:''' [[VideoGame/LibraryOfRuina The Head]], [[VisualNovel/DokiDokiLiteratureClub Monika]] (from the perspective of every character ''except'' [[DeusExMachina the player]]), Nya(rlathotep) from the ''VideoGame/PhysicalExorcismSeries'' |
| 146 | * '''WesternAnimation''': [[WesternAnimation/PussInBootsTheLastWish The Wolf/Death]],[[note]]Puss technically beats him, but only because Death doesn't see the point in killing someone who appreciates life, and he vows they'll meet again[[/note]] ''WesternAnimation/GIJoeSigma6'''s version of Cobra Commander, [[WesternAnimation/XiaolinShowdown Chase Young]], [[WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime Soundwave and Predaking]], [[WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty Evil Morty]], [[WesternAnimation/SinbadLegendofTheSevenSeas Eris]], [[WesternAnimation/KaijudoRiseoftheDuelmasters The Choten]], [[WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}} Thailog]]. |
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