History Main / PlotIrrelevantVillain

* In ''WesternAnimation/MonstersUniversity'', the main conflict was not dependent on the members of Roar Omega Roar[[note]]Though Randall is shown with them as a StartOfDarkness for his later role as TheRival in ''WesternAnimation/MonstersInc''[[/note]] being jerks to Oozma Kappa. They could have been the nicest rival frat ever and the plot still would have happened, given that the story was hinging on Mike's desire to prove himself and his tension with Sulley.

** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPGLegendOfTheSevenStars'': Punchinello comes out of nowhere. He has zero relevance to the plot and the only reason he even attacks Mario's party is to get himself fame and attention. Even Mallow outright says he's never heard of the guy. Punchinello stands out in that his Star is the only one apart from the fourth one(which is found on Star Hill, which doesn't have any bosses) that does not involve fighting Smithy or one of his minions.

* Stathis Borans in ''Film/TheFly1986'' is a ''seriously'' [[PlayingWithATrope played with example]]. He is Veronica's editor and ex-lover, who becomes a StalkerWithACrush as he realizes that Seth Brundle is interested in her and tries to sabotage the relationship that follows...but only over the course of the first act; he stands down when she confronts him over an attempt to blackmail her into leaving Seth. But '''because''' Veronica sees Stathis as a personal nuisance, [[PoorCommunicationKills she doesn't let Seth know about this]]...so he doesn't know exactly what's going on when she leaves to confront Stathis. Seth has never been in a relationship before and is ''intensely'' dedicated to whatever is important to him; he jumps to the conclusion that they're still lovers based on what he ''does'' know. He gets jealous, then drunk...and decides to become ProfessorGuineaPig as his teleportation device's first human subject, and not noticing the fly in the transmitter pod with him it's the beginning of his slow [[ProtagonistJourneyToVillain transformation into]] a literal and figurative monster and the film's true villain. Stathis was just an UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom with his actions, compounded by {{Deuteragonist}} Veronica's mistake. Stathis returns to the narrative in the third act as the despondent Veronica's confidant, and he slowly becomes a HeroAntagonist whose actions are as important to the climax as anyone else's.

The problem? Bob isn't actually essential to the narrative. He might KickTheDog to inspire an emotional reaction, but this guy barely manages to contribute anything to the story. He'll dash onscreen every so often, [[DastardlyWhiplash twirl his moustache]] in a {{Jerkass}} manner, and then leave with little fanfare. In other words, Bob is a villain who doesn't have anything essential to do with the main plot. Be wary, though, some characters are capable of pulling this while crossing the MoralEventHorizon at the same time doing something with real weight...

* ''Animation/BigFishAndBegonia'': The Rat Matron doesn't have much plot importance, and why she wants to enter the human world isn't elaborated on.