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Jerk With A Heart Of Gold
Kanji Tatsumi would love to teach you and your little cousin how to make fingerpuppets when he isn't beating the shit out of biker gangs and policemen.

"The act of making an innocent girl cry should warrant the death penalty."
Miles Edgeworth, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

"I really did [love you], too, you old crab — always yelling your head off, always sore at everybody. But you never fooled me with your song and dance, not for a second. I kind of always knew that behind the cigar ashes on your vest you had a heart as big as a house."
Walter Neff to Keyes, Double Indemnity

A person you would expect to be a big Jerkass turns out to be the nicest person you've ever met, or at the very least has some redeeming qualities behind their tough demeanor. Occasionally, they'll actively try to make it a Hidden Heart Of Gold.

A female Jerk With A Heart Of Gold in a romance series is usually a Tsundere or occasionally a Kuudere. A male Jerk With A Heart Of Gold is usually Troubled But Cute, and his heart of gold should never outweigh his inner jerk because All Girls Want Bad Boys — though it can if Single Woman Seeks Good Man. If his jerkishness threatens to overshadow his good qualities, he's likely to attract a Love Martyr.

Will get plenty of Pet The Dog moments. Immune to Moral Dissonance.

Compare/contrast with Jerkass Facade or Bitch In Sheeps Clothing. One half of the Takahashi Couple. Contrast with Good Is Not Nice.


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