Line #25 Main/IdiotHero


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10	[[quoteright:350:[[Series/GetSmart https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1000008870.jpg]]]]
11	[[caption-width-right:350: Hopefully, he'll [[TitleDrop get smart]].]]
12
13	->''"Why must the fate of the world always end up in the hands of an idiot?"''
14	--> -- '''Grim''', ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy''
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16	%% One quote is sufficient. Please put additional entries on the quotes tab.
17
18	The Idiot Hero is a common character in action series. Often, they are both TheProtagonist and the central character of the narrative. They will frequently use the IndyPloy, will be [[FearlessFool too stupid to be afraid of imminent peril]], and will often have a [[AttentionDeficitOohShiny short memory span]]. Despite all of this, they are the [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass most effective member of the cast at fighting]]. They will also usually be the [[TheHero leader]] of a [[TheTeam tight-knit group of characters]], despite the fact they don't have the brains to lead a cat out of a paper bag. This is because they are [[TooDumbToFool so stupid as to be incorruptible]], and has the ability to maintain a [[ChildrenAreInnocent childlike innocence]] and faith in people that [[EasyEvangelism inspires those around them]].
19
20	The Idiot Hero comes in many breeds, like TheFool. The most common variation, known as the StockShonenHero, usually has some idealistic goal in mind. It is usually becoming the "[[ToBeAMaster best warrior ever]]", and is usually much more aggressive when irked. Such a hero [[InHarmsWay usually enjoys fighting]], and is always looking for a challenge. The only way to actually anger this kind of Idiot Hero will be inevitably to hurt [[{{Protectorate}} one of their friends]], or {{Innocent Bystander}}s. In some cases, their idiocy may become the best weapon to [[SpannerInTheWorks ruin an evil plan inadvertently]].
21
22	Tends to overlap with SmallStepsHero, being too lacking in ambition or easily distracted to plan anything truly long-term. In their early stages, they may be little more than an InvincibleIncompetent; however, with CharacterDevelopment, the Idiot Hero may [[MessiahCreep mature into]] a MessianicArchetype. The Idiot Hero is usually opposed or rivaled by TheStoic or the AloofBigBrother or [[AloofBigSister Sister]]. If the Idiot Hero is [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass not nearly as aloof when things get serious]], then their stupidity is actually an ObfuscatingStupidity.
23
24	TheLancer to the Idiot Hero takes two common forms: either a HeroWorshipper willing to look past their obvious drawbacks, or a SourSupporter who acts as their {{Foil}}. In either case, they often act as [[MrExposition a source of exposition]], explaining things to the hero that [[AsYouKnow they really ought to already know]]. Their other TrueCompanions will usually [[TheFriendNobodyLikes get annoyed or even outright be embarrassed by their presence]] -- but deep down, they know they can depend on the hero to protect them from the evils of the world.
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26	[[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Does not necessarily star in]] an IdiotPlot.
27
28	Compare AllLovingHero, FailureHero, NiceJobBreakingItHero, HeroWithAnFInGood, GoodIsDumb, StupidGood, ButtMonkey. Contrast PragmaticHero, GuileHero, and ByronicHero. Will frequently be a ManChild (or WomanChild) -- or even a PsychopathicManchild (or [[PsychopathicWomanchild Womanchild]]) if crossed with SociopathicHero; though that would border on an outright {{Deconstruction}} of the archetype. Can also result in the Idiot Hero being UnintentionallyKarmic to the villain if the villainous plans are foiled because of the ill-fated results of their attempts to give the bad guy friendship or UnwantedAssistance. Genuine competency ''over'' standing idiocy makes a BunnyEarsLawyer.
29
30	Could naturally emerge in {{Tabletop RPG}}s as a form of MinMaxing, where the hero sacrifices intelligence (or at least its [[DumpStat non-combat related aspects]]) for [[SacrificedBasicSkillForAwesomeTraining better ability to fight]].
31
32	JustForFun/NotToBeConfusedWith IdiotHair, though the two may overlap.
33
34	----
35
36	!!Example subpages:
37
38	[[index]]
39	* IdiotHero/AnimeAndManga
40	* IdiotHero/ComicBooks
41	* IdiotHero/{{Film}}
42	* IdiotHero/{{Literature}}
43	* IdiotHero/LiveActionTV
44	* IdiotHero/MythologyAndReligion
45	* IdiotHero/{{Theatre}}
46	* IdiotHero/VideoGames
47	* IdiotHero/{{Webcomics}}
48	* IdiotHero/WesternAnimation
49	[[/index]]
50
51	!!Other examples:
52
53	[[foldercontrol]]
54
55	[[folder:Comic Strips]]
56	* ''ComicStrip/{{Bananaman}}'' is the SuperPoweredAlterEgo of schoolboy Eric Wimp. He's a FlyingBrick with "the muscles of twenty men" but also "the brains of twenty mussels".
57	* Beetle of ''ComicStrip/BeetleBailey'' is probably one of the best examples every of an Idiot AntiHero.
58	* ''ComicStrip/SpiderMan'': Spider-Man is most generously described as a bumbling slapstick character who isn't very good at his job. One memorable arc with [[ComicBook/AntMan Ant Man]] has him shrunk down to bug-size. When a tarantula about ten times his size shows up, [[https://i.imgur.com/TIi6L7A.gif Spidey charges ahead because he's "got the proportionate strength of a spider."]] It takes another character to point out that the spider also has the proportionate strength of a spider, and since it's bigger it's "got a lot more of it." [[TooDumbToLive By this time Spider-Man is basically in the tarantula's chompers]].
59	-->'''Spider-Man:''' "Yeah, guess I should have figured that out -- for myself!"
60	[[/folder]]
61
62	[[folder:Fan Works]]
63	* In ''Your Human And You'', the main character, Max, is a prime example of this.
64	* For the most part, this trope is often averted when possible in fanfiction for a variety of reasons DependingOnTheWriter.
65	* In ''The Sparkle In His Eye'', this trope is taken to the extreme, as Captain Quark has the ability of being so stupid, he changes reality. As in, if you told him the door could be blown up by throwing a rock at it, it could actually happen.
66	* Deconstructed in-universe in ''Fanfic/StallionOfTheLine'': [[Manga/RanmaOneHalf Ranma Saotome]] is recruited by [[Manga/AhMyGoddess Urd and Belldandy]] to replace [[Manga/OnePiece Monkey D. Luffy's]] original soul. They do this because the original Luffy's inability to learn that he needed to think instead of just relying on guts, brawn and luck caused him to inevitably fail his quest to reach the One Piece, no matter how they tried to manipulate fate in his advantage. And every time Luffy failed, it brought disaster to the world.
67	* ''Fanfic/ACertainDrollHivemind'': Referenced; the Network, despite respecting Kamijou Touma deeply for his heroism in rescuing them, wonders if he's not very bright. Whether this is true in the source material is up for debate due to several instances of ObfuscatingStupidity and SmarterThanYouLook, but in the fic they think this because he fails to understand a complex relay chain that they find perfectly clear.
68	* ''Fanfic/CoolCatSavesVietnam'': Cool Cat is oblivious to the sounds of the screaming passengers on the plane and doesn't even notice that they've died because he's so excited about jumping into a war.
69	[[/folder]]
70
71	[[folder:Radio]]
72	* Lord Vidar in ''Radio/ElvenQuest''.
73	* Neddie Seagoon in ''Radio/TheGoonShow''. Well, at least Bluebottle and Eccles look up to him as a hero. Most of the other characters look on him as just an idiot or an easy mark.
74	* Captain Kremmen from the radio series of that name.
75	-->"I shall break out of this cell using the hardest substance known to Mankind! MY HEAD!"
76	[[/folder]]
77
78	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
79	* ''TabletopGame/InterstitialOurHeartsIntertwined'': If a character takes "Taps My Head Three Times" from The Chosen playbook, they are deemed "not smart enough to be manipulated it" and can easily be interpreted as this.
80	[[/folder]]
81
82	[[folder:Visual Novels]]
83	* Shirou, the protagonist of ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' has been known to cause large red spots to appear on the foreheads of viewers of the anime from facepalming so much. In a war involving ancient epic heroes and massive magical powers, Shirou is absolutely and completely determined to not let his fighting companion get hurt (even though she is infinitely more competent at fighting other servants than he is).
84	** This is actually justified. [[spoiler:Shirou has a spiritual disorder that causes him to place no value on his own life, and he is incapable of being happy except when he is helping others, [[MartyrWithoutACause so he tends to take suicidal risks at the slightest provocation]], and generally does everything in his power to prevent other people from getting hurt. [[AdaptationExplanationExtrication It only really gets explained in the visual novel, though.]]]]
85	* Battler Ushiromiya from ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry'', at least until he wisens up.
86	[[/folder]]
87
88	[[folder:Web Animation]]
89	* ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner 20X6'':
90	** Stinkoman, can be seen as a parody of this character type.
91	** It's entirely possible that Homestar Runner himself started off as one of these when he was first created. However, CharacterDevelopment exaggerated the idiot part while diminishing the "Hero" part. He's still a well-meaning guy, if thoughtless.
92	* Jaune Arc of ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'' is this compared to his more educated and better-trained peers. [[DeconstructedCharacterArchetype However]], he's aware of it and it causes him great distress for a while, until he decides to start training with [[TheAce Pyrrha]] to overcome it.
93	* Lumpy, Pop, and Splendid in ''WebAnimation/HappyTreeFriends''. Despite having good intentions, most of their attempts to save their friends often result into them getting severely harmed or killed.
94	* WebAnimation/TacoMan has served as a superhero in both his world and the video game world, despite suffering from a lack of focus and poor video game skills.
95	* WebAnimation/XRayAndVav. "Sometimes you gotta do something stupid to get results!"
96	[[/folder]]
97
98	[[folder:Web Original]]
99	* All three of the protagonists of ''Podcast/TheAdventureZone''. Especially Magnus, who is the most heroic and also the dumbest.
100	* ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged'' turned [[AdaptationalDumbass Goku]] into a ''major'' idiot hero. It's implied that Goku's status was caused by brain damage from his fights coupled by moments of Goku being unable to breathe (Freeza trying to drown him and Goku's inability to stop screaming in abject pain when the heart disease hits).
101	* Sparadrap from ''Franchise/{{Noob}}'' moves from TheFool to this over the course of the story. The earliest signs appear in the webseries when he gets angry over enemies threatening to hurt his friends and his idealistic goal emerges when [[spoiler:some of the friends in question leave the guild and he gets obsessed with Putting The Band Back Together. The power vacuum caused by the departures has also made him master of what's left of the guild]].
102	* Tobuscus in the Wizards Game. In fact, if he animated it, you can be reasonably sure of this.
103	* Wayne from ''WebVideo/{{Vigilant}}'' is a failure in every aspect of his life, repeatedly testing fate. And yet, he is the central protagonist of the show.
104	[[/folder]]
105

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