Follow TV Tropes

Following

Context TookALevelInKindness / WesternAnimation

Go To

1* ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'':
2** [[Characters/AdventureTimeIceKing The Ice King]] goes from being a villain to being a mere nuisance who tries to hang out with Finn and Jake because he wants to be their friend.
3** Lemongrab becomes a nicer person after Princess Bubblegum makes him a clone of himself so he won't be lonely and misunderstood -- which leads to him releasing his prisoners who, apparently, no longer harbor any ill will towards him. In following episodes, Lemongrab is shown to be a little bit calmer and a little bit less resentful of other people. Later subverted, however, in the case of Lemongrab. He initially seems to be getting better after his clone is made (though still an asshole), but he takes a hard turn for the MoralEventHorizon in "Too Old".
4* Angelica in ''WesternAnimation/AllGrownUp''. She's still pretty haughty, but she's a lot less mean towards the other kids than she was in the [[WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}} original series]]. Susie even lampshades this after seeing a clip of when she was little.
5* King Julien XIII in ''WesternAnimation/AllHailKingJulien''. While in other Madagsacar related media, he is self-centered at best (the movies) and an antagonist at worst (Penguins of Madagascar), as the primary protagonist, his rougher edges are smoothed out. While he can still be self centered and can suffer from tunnel vision when he sets his mind to something, overall it's shown that he does have his citizen's best interests in mind and does genuinely care about them.
6* ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball'':
7** Gumball Watterson started off as a NiceGuy, but [[TookALevelInJerkass took several levels of jerkass]] in Season 2. Season 3 actually made him a genuinely nicer kid by showing him helping others instead of being snarky or apathetic. There was even an episode called "The Name" that extracted and ultimately destroyed his JerkWithAHeartOfJerk attitude! Every episode from there up to the end of Season 4 Gumball averts CatsAreMean on a daily basis. By Season 6 this status has reduced a little from 4 and definitely got better than [[TookALevelInJerkass Season 5]]. His kindness is arguably greater than before to the point he genuinely befriended [[spoiler: Alan]] and [[spoiler: got his mother Nicole and her parents to forgive each other]] he now just hides it under [[SheepInSheepsClothing pretending to be an indifferent blatant jerk to keep up his status]].
8** Tina Rex was a [[BarbaricBully brutal bully]] in Seasons 1-2. After [[TheSpeechless she had no speaking role]] in Season 3, she became a better person in Season 4, though sometimes she is still a bully.
9* ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'':
10** During the course of the show, [[Characters/AmericanDadStanSmith Stan Smith]] went from a StrawmanPolitical Jerkass to a JerkWithAHeartOfGold.
11** The large majority of the Smith family have gone in a similar direction to a lesser extent (par Roger who [[TookALevelInJerkass swerved several times in the opposite direction]], likely to [[HateSink balance the more sympathetic characters]] by acting as a TokenEvilTeammate).
12* Rose from ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDragonJakeLong'' has this in Season 2, following the moment of finding out Jake is the American Dragon by the Season 1 finale.
13* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'': At the start of Season 3, Sasha Waybright finally overcome with [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone huge remorse over her past actions]] and decide to pull a HeelFaceTurn by helping the Wartwood citizens fighting against the Frobots and forming a Wartwood Resistance to fight against King Andrias and his army. As the leader of the Resistance, she became a BenevolentBoss to the rest of the members and began to treat them very well, no longer relying in toxic manipulation and control.
14* ''WesternAnimation/AquaTeenHungerForce'':
15** He was never a saint to begin with, but [[{{Jerkass}} Master Shake]]'s more malicious characteristics are toned down in seasons 11 and 12 in favor of being a self-centered {{Manchild}}. He's still an asshole from time to time, but one who's tolerable to be around, as opposed to [[TookALevelInJerkass the middle seasons]] where he would [[TheSociopath gleefully]] [[DrivenToSuicide drive his own friends to suicide]] with a big smile. The most prominent examples include the SeriesFauxnale (where Shake pulls a HeroicSacrifice so Meatwad can reach the Mother Clam) and "Anubis" (where Shake is genuinely kind for once and calls Carl his friend despite everything he usually puts him through).
16** Similarly, Carl was never a good person, but as the show progressed, he would begin to associate himself with the Aqua Teens, in contrast to the earlier seasons where he would try his best to distance himself from them. Specifically, the movie ''WesternAnimation/AquaTeenForeverPlantasm'' has him gain a more positive view on life ever since the Aqua Teens have gone their separate ways, and he even helps them stop [[spoiler:[[BigBad Elmer]].]]
17* [[Characters/AvatarTheLastAirbenderZuko Prince Zuko]] from ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', during Season 3, after his [[spoiler: HeelFaceTurn.]]
18* ''WesternAnimation/BackToTheFuture'': In "[[Recap/BackToTheFutureTheAnimatedSeriesS1E11GoneFishin Gone Fishin']]", Oddball Uncle Oliver is never exactly mean, but he has an obsession with gaining fame and fortune that causes him to ignore his nephew at the beginning and exploit his fame, despite Marty and Verne telling him that Emmett has had enough of stunt work. In the end, he realizes he's put Emmett through too much, retires him as a stunt performer, and takes him fishing as he promised.
19* Due to [[HeelFaceTurn Heel Face Turns]], Kevin Levin in the ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}}'' metaseries, and later [[spoiler: Charmcaster. To say nothing of the entire Highbreed species...]]
20* ''WesternAnimation/BlazeAndTheMonsterMachines'': Crusher started out as TheBully who was jealous of Blaze and often cheated in his attempts to stop him. Later seasons toned this down slightly, and Crusher slowly grew a soft spot for Blaze over the years. By the time of the newer seasons, Crusher is now more or less on the same side of Blaze, acting like a typical ButtMonkey teammate while his cheating gizmos became much rarer.
21* ''WesternAnimation/BobsBurgers'': Throughout the seasons, it's subtle but shown that [[Characters/BobsBurgersLouiseBelcher Louise Belcher]] has slowly grown a little more compassionate over time. While she hasn't lost her mischief and chaotic-loving nature, she has shown to be fairly willing to do things for the people she cares about, especially if it's her family or a close friend. She's even willing to help out someone she doesn't like, as seen in "A Few 'Gurt Men" where she ultimately decides to defend Mr. Frond when he is falsely accused of something he didn't do because she understands what that's like.
22* ''WesternAnimation/BojackHorseman'': It happens very slowly, but the eponymous [[Characters/BojackHorsemanBojackHorseman BoJack]] goes through one of these over the course of the series. He starts out as a selfish, rude, washed-up actor with alcohol and drug addictions, but after having to face how his behaviour ruins the lives of people around him as well as his own, he tries to genuinely change for the better. By the sixth season, he's basically a whole new person.
23* Valerie Grey from ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' started out the series as a RichBitch who at one point sent Kwan after Danny because he accidentally ruined her sweater. Her dad losing her fortune turned her into a ghost hunter with a nasty vendetta against Danny Phantom. She soon moved past her shallow viewpoint, and became friends with Danny, to the point of breaking off a romantic relationship to protect ''him''. And while her grudge against Phantom never went away, she grew more noble as a ghost hunter [[spoiler: even willing to save Dani Phantom, when she found out she was half-ghost.]]
24* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'':
25** [[Characters/FamilyGuyStewieGriffin Stewie Griffin]], combined with some BadassDecay. Still, it's interesting to watch how the original [[TokenEvilTeammate "evil" character]] become much kinder while his family TookALevelInJerkass, to the point of, (arguably) becoming the TokenGoodTeammate with the exception of Meg.
26** Meg similarly is far less [[BrattyTeenageDaughter bratty and self centered]] in later seasons, if perhaps only because [[ButtMonkey she's so desperate for affection]].
27* This happens to Quinn Ergon from WesternAnimation/FinalSpace. Back in the earlier episodes of Season 1, she was a cold, rude and abrassive Tsundere who (while reluctantly) used TheNeedsOfTheMany on a few occasions, but after finding out about what would happen to Gary through her future conterpart Nightfall, she becomes nicer to the people around her. [[spoiler:By the time of Season 3, Quinn is far kinder and lacks many of her more negative qualities.]]
28* ''WesternAnimation/GeneratorRex'':
29** Agent Six, in the episode "String Theory" where the seemingly mindlessly loyal agent actually defused the nuclear bomb rather than allow millions of innocents to die. Cemented later in "Promises Promises" when we see how much he had to do with Rex being accepted by the group.
30** Even ruthlessly hardened [[KnightTemplar White Knight]] learned to loosen up in later episodes. So much so that in the finale he [[spoiler:freed Six from his duty to kill Rex if the latter's {{Kaiju}} form ever manifests]].
31* ''WesternAnimation/GIJoeRenegades'': Scarlett begins show rather dismissive of Joes she picked for her mission, simply seeing them as the best fit for the job at hand. She was only really close to Snake-Eyes who she knew beforehand. As the show goes on, she comes to genuinely respect them and views them more as family than subordinates.
32* [[AlphaBitch Pacifica Northwest]] from ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'', especially in Northwest Mansion Noir, after we know now [[spoiler: Mr. and Mrs. Northwest are AbusiveParents.]] Doubles as a YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre example.
33* Razer in ''WesternAnimation/GreenLanternTheAnimatedSeries'' takes several levels in kindness over the course of the series. [[spoiler: His love for Aya and the hope in his heart call a Blue Power Ring to him at the end of the series.]]
34* The Joker of all people in Season 3 of ''WesternAnimation/HarleyQuinn'' since he decided to become a full time husband to Bethany and stepfather to her children. In the first two seasons he was his insane, manipulative, abusive, homicidal self from the comics. But in Season 3, while still showing hints of insanity and a capacity for violence, Joker is able to control himself, is much nicer, tries to avoid killing people, and even risks his life to save his stepfamily. He even runs a [[PresidentEvil successful campaign for mayor]] and makes genuine efforts to improve the city for them... [[EvilIsPetty while making sure to find ways to torment his enemies in the process]].
35* In ''WesternAnimation/HazbinHotel'', [[{{Gayngster}} Angel Dust]] was a SourOutsideSadInside jerk whose decades in {{Hell}} turned him into a selfish [[TheHedonist hedonist]]. However, thanks to [[AllLovingHero Charlie's influence]] he becomes a JerkWithAHeartOfGold willing to put his life on the line for his friends and CloudcuckoolandersMinder to EveryonesBabySister Niffty.
36* Harold in ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'' evolved from a bully who loves to tease others to a JerkWithAHeartOfGold who becomes more open to the others. He still tries to pick on the other kids, but unlike before, [[MenaceDecay he proves rather bad at it.]]
37* Count on Zhalia from ''WesternAnimation/HuntikSecretsAndSeekers'' being this when it comes to her [[DefrostingIceQueen defrosting]]. There's more; in episode 17, she goes from [[spoiler:[[TheMole spying]] for the Organization to [[BecomingTheMask joining the Huntik team for real]].]]
38* June from ''WesternAnimation/KaBlam'' became this in Season 4. She still had some cynical moments, but she became a lot nicer.
39* ''WesternAnimation/{{Kaeloo}}'': Mr. Cat in the third season acts more like an actual friend to the rest of the cast and is willing to help his friends with no personal gain whatsoever, especially Kaeloo.
40* Kim herself, yes the title character of ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'', has this happen to her. During the first season she was fairly bossy and up herself, not uncaring or unfriendly, but something of a hypocrite and would brag about how good she is. Segue to Season 2 and these traits were pretty much gone with her efforts being more ItsWhatIDo and less showing off.
41* [[Characters/KingOfTheHillDaleGribble Dale Gribble]] from ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'' evolved from a crazy, slightly sociopathic JerkAss into a still crazy but much more likable character by around Season 4. You can tell by his VocalEvolution, by the way. Kahn never fully stopped being a condescending jackass, but he did eventually find some common ground with Hank and the rest of his neighbors and came to grudgingly consider them friends of his.
42* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'':
43** After losing his bending Tahno initiates a friendly conversation with Korra, despite their previous rivalry.
44** Lin Beifong was always a JerkWithAHeartOfGold, but during the first part of Season 3 her Jerkass tendencies are taken up a notch due to having to spend time around her estranged half-sister, Suyin. Once they sort out their issues, Lin opens up and becomes a much friendlier person.
45** President Raiko had always been on the neutral side in Book 2 and had his reasons, but he hadn't been kind to Korra when he banished her from Republic City in Book 3. At the end of Book 3, though, he thanks her for defeating the Red Lotus and welcomes her back into the city. And as of Book 4, he's in better spirits.
46** [[Characters/TheLegendOfKorraAvatarKorra Korra]] herself goes through this over the course of the series (usually after a series of BreakTheHaughty moments) wherein she grows more compassionate and caring over time. This can be most significantly seen in two moments. The first [[spoiler: after [[EasyAmnesia recovering from her memory loss in the Beginnings two parter]]]] Korra apologises for her {{Jerkass}} treatment of Tenzin and her friends and becomes wiser and more humble. The second can be seen in the GrandFinale where she has evolved into a full on NiceGirl and [[spoiler: [[TalkingTheMonsterToDeath manages to empathize with Kuvira and talk her down from her rampage]]]]. Korra herself lampshades to Tenzin that her suffering over the course of the series has made her more compassionate to her friends and enemies.
47* In ''WesternAnimation/TheLionGuard'', [[NeverSmileAtACrocodile Makuu]] goes from a villain who went as far as threatening the lives of Nala and Basi, to a JerkWithAHeartOfGold who is trying to be a better leader for the crocodiles after a gradual HeelFaceTurn.
48* ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'': Early on, WesternAnimation/BugsBunny was an abrasive {{Troll}} who often heckled antagonists (usually WesternAnimation/ElmerFudd) [[ItAmusedMe unprovoked]]; this became a problem with Creator/FrizFreleng, who felt that Bugs looked like a bully even when Elmer was the aggressor. By the mid-1940s, his {{Jerkass}} tendencies were toned down to make him look more sympathetic; a rule was established that Bugs could only act in retaliation and he soon evolved into a full-on NiceGuy personable to anyone [[BewareTheNiceOnes who doesn't antagonize him]]. Furthermore, nastier villains (e.g. WesternAnimation/YosemiteSam) were created to ensure that Bugs looked sympathetic.
49* ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'' and its spin-off, ''WesternAnimation/TheCasagrandes'':
50** Lori was introduced as a grouchy and stoic individual outside of her interactions with Bobby. While she can still be bossy and demanding, her bossiness and temper were toned down by the end of Season 1, as she is shown to be more caring and thoughtful, as well as willing to participate in the fun with the rest of her siblings. Compare her behavior in "Get The Message", where she threatened to turn Lincoln into a human pretzel for invading her space, to her actions in "Cheater By The Dozen", where, upon finding out that her siblings meant well, was very touched by what they wanted to do.
51** Ronnie Anne Santiago was introduced as a bully who pulled cruel pranks on Lincoln. As Seasons 2 and 3 progressed, her pranks were less cruel. After "City Slickers", the bullying aspect of her character has more or less disappeared entirely. She's completely friendly towards the [[NiceGuy nice and child-like]] Sid Chang, and only ever pranks her family when they provoke her first.
52* Film historian Leonard Maltin notes that when WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse first arrived on the screens, he was hardly a model of good behaviour. Mickey soon evolved into TheEveryman, with the JerkAss torch being passed to WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck. Donald himself eventually evolved into a clear JerkWithAHeartOfGold instead of a straight up JerkAss.
53* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'':
54** In the episode "Hurricane Fluttershy", three episodes after we see Angel Bunny at his nastiest--he's comforting a distraught Fluttershy and helping her improve her flying. While he's back to his jerky self in Just for Sidekicks, this can be attributed to his strong attachment to Fluttershy and the fact that Spike wasn't looking after him.
55** [[Characters/FriendshipIsMagicRainbowDash Rainbow Dash]] TookALevelInKindness in the later half of Season 2 as well as Season 3. For example, Rainbow Dash originally had little patience dealing with [[ShrinkingViolet Fluttershy's]] meekness, as Dash is generally a [[HotBlooded brash, impulsive speedster]] while Fluttershy is generally shy and introverted. In "Dragonshy", Fluttershy's weaknesses drove Rainbow Dash crazy, but in "Hurricane Fluttershy", Dash patiently supported Fluttershy up to the very end, regardless of how Fluttershy performed. Another example is with [[HeroWorshipper Scootaloo]], whom Rainbow Dash initially dismissed as a "pipsqueak" in "Owl's Well That Ends Well" and treated as a garbage mare. In "Sleepless in Ponyville", Dash developed a CoolBigSis type of relationship with her as she affectionately called her "squirt", consoled her over her camping fears, and took her under her wing. Her heart of gold expanded more when Rainbow Dash, as daring and bold as she is, admonishes [[ShadowArchetype Lightning Dust,]] a pony with all Dash's jerk but none of her [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold heart of gold,]] for placing momentary accomplishments over the well-being of her friends and her fellow classmates in "Wonderbolts Academy". In the same episode, she's even willing to give up her lifelong dream to do what's right! By Season 4's "Flight to the Finish" she's been asked by Ms. Harshwhinny herself to coach the young ponies of Ponyville to carry the flag for the Equestrian Games, making her something of a ReasonableAuthorityFigure. In the same episode, as soon as Dash hears that Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom left their friend behind, she gently chews them out and rushes back to Ponyville to cheer up a dejected Scootaloo. ThePowerOfFriendship can greatly influence one's character.
56** [[Characters/FriendshipIsMagicTwilightSparkle Twilight Sparkle]] starts out as a shut-in who sees other ponies (besides princess Celestia) as constant obstructions keeping her from getting things done. (Studying, finding the Elements of Harmony, that sort of thing.) At the end of the second episode, she's not only realized that friendship is a remarkable magic of its own, but having friends feels ''good''.
57** [[spoiler:The Great and Powerful Trixie in "Magic Duel", after the [[ArtifactOfDoom Alicorn Amulet]] is removed, freeing her from TheCorruption. She shows her gratitude by helping Twilight's act with fireworks, [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone genuinely apologizing for her actions]], and [[HeelFaceTurn leaving on good terms with Twilight.]] Though she's still a LargeHam, but that just seems to be her personality.]]
58** [[spoiler: [[Characters/FriendshipIsMagicDiscord Discord]]]] after realizing that [[spoiler:Fluttershy genuinely wanted to be his friend and he didn't want to risk losing that friendship.]] [[spoiler:He embraces just how valuable friendship is after [[{{BigBad}} Lord Tirek]] betrays him in the Season 4 finale.]]
59** [[Characters/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsSunsetShimmer Sunset Shimmer]] went from terrorizing Fluttershy in the first movie to being consoled by her and cleaning her up in the second.
60** [[Characters/FriendshipIsMagicStarlightGlimmer Starlight Glimmer]] goes from stealing cutie marks from ponies, imprisoning the Mane Six, and nearly destroying the world due to Time travelling shenanigans, to living in the Friendship Castle as Twilight Sparkle's new student over the course of a few episodes.
61* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse''
62** [[Characters/TheOwlHouseAmityBlight Amity Blight]] takes a level in kindness after getting out of the toxic influence from Boscha and the education demands from her mother, as well as befriending Luz [[spoiler:and eventually dating her]]. She also becomes friends with Willow again, although her attempts at being nice to her come off as InnocentlyInsensitive at first.
63** Lilith Clawthorne becomes a lot nicer in the second season after [[spoiler:sharing Eda's curse]] and spending some time living at the Owl House following her HeelFaceTurn. She especially becomes much kinder towards Hooty and even forms and OddFriendship with him when he helps to defend her.
64* [[TheBully Buford]] from ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' was a bully, but became much nicer, and even befriends [[BollywoodNerd Baljeet]].
65* ''WesternAnimation/ReadyJetGo'':
66** Mitchell was, for the majority of Season 1, a jerk. However, once he finally befriends the main kids in the ChristmasEpisode, he seems to have mellowed out more, especially in the latter half of Season 2. Compare "Mindy's Mystery" to episodes like "Sean's Robotic Arm" or "Try and Try Again", and you'll notice massive character growth.
67** In the first "Lone Star" episode, the townspeople were utter jerks to Lone Star, didn't approve of his ideas, and kicked him out of town. However, in the SequelEpisode, "Lone Star 2 - Rocket Kids!", they are much kinder to him and even help him build the first rocket.
68* ''WesternAnimation/RegularShow'':
69** [[FatIdiot Muscle Man]] has undergone this. Formerly a JerkAss, he's become a JerkWithAHeartOfGold who views Mordecai and Rigby as friends. [[RunningGag You know who else views Mordecai and Rigby as friends?]]
70** Everyone has undergone this development, basically. Benson has been more understanding of the duo after "Benson be Gone" and admits he doesn't hate them in "Busted Cart", and Mordecai only punches Rigby now when he says or does something stupid.
71* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'' has [[Characters/SamuraiJackAshi Ashi]], a young woman who was raised from birth to believe that Jack is evil instead of Aku and must be destroyed. But after she sees the kindness he shows to a ladybug and seeing many people whom Jack had helped, she starts being nicer and becomes Jack's traveling companion and friend.[[spoiler:..and lover.]]
72* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'':
73** [[spoiler: Season 5 has [[Characters/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPowerCatra Catra]] forced to confront her past misdeeds, work on a myriad of issues, and mature into a better person, and ''finally'' joins the Best Friends Squad.]]
74* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
75** [[Characters/TheSimpsonsHomerSimpson Homer Simpson]]. During Season 1, he used to be angry all the time, but he became sweeter after Season 2. Then, when the show's {{Flanderization}} kicked in, he TookALevelInJerkass. Though DependingOnTheWriter, he occasionally snaps back to being nice, then back to a jerk, and so on. This evolution had begun since the show's beginning. Even Season 1 Homer is a far more sentimental and devoted father in comparison to his counterpart in ''Series/TheTraceyUllmanShow'' shorts. And then there's "Alone Again, Natura-Diddily", where Homer promises to treat Ned Flanders less like a SitcomArchNemesis, complete with a SingleTear (this was in response to Ned's [[spoiler:wife dying in a freak accident]], so they had to make him act nicer toward Ned). The one episode where he becomes friends with Flanders, [[SnapBack he's back to hating him by the end]], it's just not shown or explained how. In Season 33, he's shown to be much more receptive of his children, clearly making an attempt to cheer up Lisa in "Lisa's Belly" and Bart in "My Octopus and a Teacher"; in the latter, his advice ends up helping Bart, and incidentally Lisa.
76** [[Characters/TheSimpsonsBartSimpson Bart Simpson]], as well. Especially towards his mother Marge, where he goes to a tea house he clearly hates for her, and even brings her character back to life after accidentally killing her off for "girling up" his game, and his sister, Lisa. In the beginning he was a BigBrotherBully to Lisa and tried to get her in trouble as a kid. But during the "Golden Age" after the first two seasons, especially in episodes like "Lisa on Ice" and "Separate Vocations", Bart is willing to take the rap for a delinquent rebellious Lisa or even forfeit the hockey game that started their rivalry. And of course made a song with a Michael Jackson voiced character Lisa, it's your birthday Even as a younger kid, Bart has shown a kinder side to Lisa when her ice cream fell on the ground, Bart gave her one of his scoops and even pulled a prank on Homer to cheer her up after her pet died. But alas, like Homer, this is DependingOnTheWriter as Bart can be pretty nasty towards Homer and even Lisa at times.
77** Darkly subverted with [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Mr. Burns]] in "The Old Man and the Lisa". After losing his wealth, he regains his wealth by entering recycling with [[HonestAdvisor help by Lisa]]. It seems Mr. Burns has become a BenevolentBoss... until we see [[EnemyToAllLivingThings the full extent of his recycling plant]].
78** Nelson Muntz, who started out as a bully from the wrong side of the tracks, has shown tendencies of this after Season 6, often missing his DisappearedDad (who shows up once in a while) when he went out to pick up some cigarettes and never returned, convincing the other students to visit the Moon River Theater in Branson, Missouri so he could enjoy an Andy Williams concert (although he ''does'' punch Bart to get him to stop at the concert hall), and occasionally dating Lisa after she gave him $50 to start up his own business. He's on better terms with Bart, too; in "The Debarted", Bart calls Nelson his "other best friend" after Milhouse, and in "Postcards from the Wedge", "Stealing First Base", and "My Octopus and a Teacher", they're able to have serious conversations with no bullying involved.
79* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'':
80** Sheila Broflovski has undergone this. In ''[[TheMovie South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut]]'', she's a KnightTemplarParent who declares ''war'' against Canada, and advocates the genocide of anyone with Canadian ancestry, solely because she doesn't want her children exposed to swearing. In later episodes, however, she is much more subdued and open-minded. Compare her actions in the movie to her portrayal in 'Mr. Garrison's Fancy New Vagina', where she scolds her husband for condemning Mr. Garrison's sex change.
81** [[Characters/SouthParkStanMarsh Stan Marsh]] and [[Characters/SouthParkKyleBroflovski Kyle Broflovski]] (and to some extent Kenny) also gained shades of this. In earlier episodes, they were arguably worse than [[JerkAss Cartman]], being obnoxious {{Bratty Half Pint}}s who had nothing against bullying or manipulating anyone lower on the chain than themselves. As Cartman TookALevelInJerkass however, they were mellowed out to act as foils to him and the other [[OnlySaneMan increasingly insane residents of the town]]. This is particularly prevalent in their treatment of [[ButtMonkey Butters]], while they mistreated him just as frequently as Cartman in Season 6, as early as Season 7, they are on more friendly terms and take exception to using him as a patsy for a prank gone wrong.
82** [[Characters/SouthParkKennyMcCormick Kenny McCormick]] also can be considered an example of this to some extent. In initial seasons, Kenny was a perverted child with a foul mouth and usually there for the running gag of dying. He also used to work as Cartman's [[TheDragon right hand man]] when the latter was up to scheming. [[TheBusCameBack After his revival in Season 6,]] he still has some perverted moments, but also shows more of a nicer side; such as helping Butters during Season 16 or genuinely taking care of his sister Karen. And he's also known as the [[SuperpoweredAlterEgo masked superhero]] [[NinetiesAntiHero Mysterion]], who actually patrols the town and protects the civilians, especially his family.
83** '''[[Characters/SouthParkEricCartman Eric Cartman]]''' himself has come to this territory. If you believe that his actions do show a character so evil and despicable, watch the episode "The Death of Eric Cartman". In it, Cartman seeks self-redemption by believing that he was dead. Another good example of this would be by the end of the episode "Jewpacabra" where he finally accepts the Jews. Speaking of Cartman, in general, he has taken quite a level of kindness from Season 16 and the end of Season 15, being less racist and evil, trying to show respect for Kyle in many expectations and even befriending him. He's also shown to be more [[AdaptationalHeroism heroic]] [[PetTheDog and friendlier]] in the show's [[VideoGame/SouthParkTheStickOfTruth latest]] [[VideoGame/SouthParkTheFracturedButWhole video]] [[VideoGame/SouthParkPhoneDestroyer games.]]
84** [[PoliticalOvercorrectness PC Principal]] was basically a thin-skinned bully, beating up and haranguing kids for the most minor things. In Season 20, he has become much more patient and tolerant.
85* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'': In "Squeaky Boots", [[Characters/SpongeBobSquarePantsMrKrabs Mr. Krabs]] tried shortchanging both Pearl and then [=SpongeBob=] by only getting a pair of $2 squeaky boots for Pearl for her birthday and then manipulating [=SpongeBob=] into paying off the shoes. But then the shoes are too squeaky, so he decides to get rid of them and in the process he redeems himself:
86## He pays [=SpongeBob=] the wages he earned (he at first added a bonus, but retracted).
87## He buys Pearl the glossy shoes she always wanted to match her friends' shoes.
88* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'': [[spoiler:Agent Kallus]] gets one in conjunction with his HeelFaceTurn, becoming TheMole and not displaying the SmugSnake behaviour he'd been previously prone to.
89* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'':
90** [[Characters/StevenUniversePeridot Peridot]] went from a {{Fantastic Racis|m}}t enemy of the Crystal Gems with a severe LackOfEmpathy to a more caring, friendly, and open-minded Gem who proudly proclaims herself to be a Crystal Gem and arguing the virtues of Earth to a former ally.
91** [[Characters/StevenUniversePearl Pearl]] acted outright malicious to Greg in "We Need to Talk", telling him that he's just a phase to Rose, and rubbing it in that he will never be able to fuse with her like she can. In the present, while she seems to lack faith in Greg at times, the two are on relatively good terms and are capable of working together amicably, particularly when it comes to fixing or building things. "Mr. Greg" has them both at becoming better friends to one another.
92** Lars went from a {{Jerkass}} who constantly antagonizes to a JerkWithAHeartOfGold in Season 5's "Wanted" arc, to the point of willing to open up to Steven about his feelings. [[spoiler:He even sacrifices himself to protect Steven and the Off Colors from Shattering Robonoids, and Steven resurrects him not long after. He then tells Steven and the Off Colors to go to Earth through his new power without him (though the Off Colors decide to stay with him).]]
93** [[spoiler: [[Characters/StevenUniversePinkDiamond Pink Diamond]]]] went from a RoyalBrat trying to get attention from Yellow to a compassionate leader [[spoiler:trying to save all the life on her planet, organic and inorganic, to the point that she refused to kill anyone.]]
94** [[spoiler: [[BigBadDuumvirate The Diamond Authority]] turn over a new leaf after Steven convinces them to heal all of the corrupted Gems on Earth. While initially it’s out of respect for Steven’s requests, Steven Universe Future shows their attempts to change are completely sincere and are actively making the galaxy a better place for all gemkind.]]
95* ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'':
96** Thomas started off as a cheeky, {{attention|Whore}}-seeking BrattyHalfPint, and even [[AcquiredSituationalNarcissism became noticeably arrogant after he was given his own branch line]] in the first two seasons, although a couple of BreakTheHaughty moments kept him in check, but as of Season 3 and on-wards, he became more kind and altruistic, especially in ''Trust Thomas'' where he agreed to do James' work despite that James was pretending to be sick, and even showed no hard feelings when he apologized for playing said trick.
97** A few other engines have undergone this. Sir Handel and Henry in particular are far less rude and pompous, while James himself has become less snide and bad tempered, evolving more into a lovably vain MrViceGuy.
98** Bulgy the Double-Decker Bus has also undergone this in his relationship with Bertie. In [[Recap/ThomasAndFriendsS3E23Bulgy his debut episode]], Bulgy called Bertie too small in size to be of any use. In "[[Recap/ThomasAndFriendsS23E1FreeTheRoads Free the Roads]]", Bulgy's a lot friendlier towards Bertie, namely because he wants to prove to him that buses are better than trains. When Bulgy's plan to get people to travel by bus instead of train succeeds, Bertie eventually breaks down, and Bulgy offers to take Bertie's passengers for him.
99* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'':
100** Scott in ''Total Drama: All Stars'' is a lot nicer to his teammates and everyone else in general than in ''Revenge of the Island''. It seems getting eaten by Fang made him nicer and [[TookALevelInDumbass dumber at the same time.]]
101** [=MacArthur=] in ''WesternAnimation/TotalDramaPresentsTheRidonculousRace'' goes from a borderline JerkJock to a JerkWithAHeartOfGold by the time the series is over. Most noticeably she starts listening to Sanders and generally treating her better.
102* While more a difference in interpretation than a canonical evolution in personality, Eeyore in Disney's ''[[WesternAnimation/TheManyAdventuresOfWinnieThePooh Winnie the Pooh]]'' {{Animated Adaptation}}s was given a much gentler persona in comparison to his original novel [[TheCynic counterpart]]. This evolved to the point that [[TheEeyore Eeyore]] is distinguished as one of the most recognisable [[TheWoobie Woobies]] in WesternAnimation.
103* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'': As shown in the origins episode "Go", Starfire, of all characters, started out as very aggressive and self-centered. She grew up on a planet where "nice" wasn't even a word; the closest equivalent was "weak". After befriending Robin and the other Titans, she began losing her edge. By the time the series began she's become TheHeart of the team and is all-around friendly.
104* ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'': Grimlock and the other Dinobots become much, much nicer following the twenty year TimeSkip between Season 2 and ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformersTheMovie''. Before, they was extremely dismissive of Optimus and the other Autobots and had a strong rebellious streak that the Decepticons were able to take advantage of. By the time of the movie, Grimlock in particular was more of a loyal simpleton than rebellious jerk.
105** Arcee and Ratchet of ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' become kinder and more open towards their human compatriots as the series progresses. On the same track, Agent Fowler becomes friendlier towards the Autobots, serving as a staunch advocate on their behalf to his superiors.

Top