Needs Help: Char Clone

Note: This thread was proposed by Ayumi-chan.

Char Clone is an expy trope about characters who are expies of Char (and his various incarnations) in Gundam. However, like many of its fellow expy tropes, concerns have been raised if it invites shoehorned or partial examples.

Heres what my wick check says:

• Appearance-Based - (5/50)
• Archetype-Based - (6/50)
• Most likely reference - (8/50)
• Only a few traits - (11/50)
• Others (ZCE, potholes and unsure) - (20/50)

(The organizing was done by fellow troper N1KF)

Possible Solutions: I think we should disambiguate this trope, but I’m open to other possible solutions.

1. Characters.Granblue Fantasy Humans F To N (Gawain)/ Char Clone: He certainly looks the part, being a blonde, masked individual with incredible fighting capabilities, and wears armor that's colored red, the preferred color of Char Aznable himself. Further driving the point home, his light version uses an armor with a gold and blue color palette, similar to that of the Hyaku Shiki, the mobile suit piloted by Char's alter ego Quattro in Zeta Gundam. Appearance-based
2. Characters.Soulcalibur V (Nightmare)/ Char Clone: As "Graf Dumas", as he wears a mask over the upper half of his face to hide his identity. He can wear the mask in-game, if you design a helmetless costume for him in Character Creation - The mask is a unique prop that automatically covers his eyes if no other face-concealing items are on his head. Appearance-based
3. Characters.Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (Relena)/ Char Clone: Her main accessory in Frozen Teardrop is a mask similar to one worn by her brother, Zechs Merquise/Milliardo Peacecraft. Hence RELENA, SHE IS A ZECHS. Appearance based
4. Manga.Kurogane Pukapuka Tai/ Char Clone: One chapter has the crew of the Unebi rescuing an army pilot named Sha "the Red Comet" who comes complete with red fighter plane and mask. Appearance based
5. Characters.Anpanman Heroes (Heroes/Rollpanna)/ Char Clone: May take a few hints from Char, what with being a masked Anti-Hero with a relation to a main protagonist - but she mainly wears blue instead of red. Appearance-based

1. Characters.Metal Gear 1 (Gray Fox)/ Char Clone: Hits two different points: Archetype-based
   • He is considered to be the rival to Solid Snake, and in MGS1, has someone he knows working on Snake's side. In Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, he even says they're rivals.
   • He is also The Mentor by helping Snake during the events of Outer Heaven, and continues to play this role even when the two are supposed to be enemies.
2. Characters.The Karate Kid Johnny Lawrence/ Char Clone: It's likely a coincidence, but Johnny has so many similarities to Char you have to wonder if it's at all intentional. He's blonde, was the ace rival of Daniel who now acts as a mentor to a younger generation of karate students, leads a revived version of the antagonist faction from the original Karate Kid film has some unresolved issues with Daniel over a Love Triangle they were both in, drives a customized vehicle (a Dodge Challenger painted in the Cobra Kai colors) and has a relative among the opposing side (his son Robby). The only things he's lacking are a Cool Mask and a red mobile suit (and a Chronic Backstabbing Disorder). Archetype-based; not helping is that the example admits it might be a coincedence'
3. Characters.Magical Girl Spec Ops Asuka ('Chevalier' Francine)/ Char Clone: She’s a blonde girl with a Cool Mask and has a deep relationship with the main heroines. She also fits the Dark Messiah archetype as she believes magical girls should rule the world and work towards fixing humanity’s problems like poverty and corruption rather than just live normal lives or be used as mere weapons. And to top it off, she seeks to do it while conducting The Purge of ordinary humans along the way. Archetype-based
4. Characters.Voltes V Legacy (Prince Zardoz)/ Char Clone: Because the original Heinel/Zardoz predated the trope namer, this version of Zardoz qualifies as such. On top of being one of the Voltes Team's fearsome adversaries, the fact that he is also Hrothgar and Rozalia's first-born son, this also means that he's the older half-brother of the Armstrong siblings. He even disguises himself as "Manuel Nobaz" via the Polseras device to infiltrate Camp Big Falcon and gain the trust of Steve, Big Bert and Little Jon. Archetype-based
5. Characters.Sonic The Hedgehog Shadow The Hedgehog/ Char Clone: Downplayed compared to most, but there are definitely elements of it—an aloof and cynical rival to the main hero who features red prominently in his design, and is subject to a Heel–Face Turn while nevertheless remaining something of an antihero. His debut game ending with his apparent death in what is a clear reference to Char's Counterattack helps. Archetype-based
6. Characters.Ace Attorney Main Prosecutors (Godot)/ Char Clone: He does meet some of the criteria of a Char Clone. To wit, he's a masked stranger who's introduced as an enigma with quite the reputation, he has an intense rivalry with the main character (if mostly from his side), he's revealed to have been connected to another major cast member (namely, he and Mia used to be lovers), and while introduced as antagonistic he reveals more sympathetic qualities over the course of the story. Earlier concept art actually shows that his mask looked a lot like Char Aznable's before the makers settled on the design seen in the final version. Archetype-based

1. Fire Emblem: Three Houses – The Flame Emperor Army (The Flame Emperor)/ Char Clone: They're a masked, enigmatic antagonist with unknown motives only tentatively working with TWSITD. The reveal that she's Edelgard shows off her goals and motives and the reveal of how her family was torn apart. Most likely Reference
2. Characters.Trails Series Erebonia Ironblood (Rufus Albarea) /Char Clone: He's a blond Blue Blood and was a Dragon with an Agenda to the Noble Alliance, and proves himself a capable warrior and cunning strategist. He also is introduced as a Big Brother Mentor to Jusis similar to Quattro Bajeena, before becoming more villainous, even having Char's Chronic Backstabbing Disorder. And when he does get a Humongous Mecha, it's bright gold like the Hyaku Shiki, Quattro's mech of choice in Zeta Gundam. Though while Char had the Hyaku Shiki when he was at his most heroic, Rufus gained El-Prado when he's at his most villainous. Further compounded in Reverie, where he wears sunglasses in public and has shorter hair when he's not wearing his C mask and has access to the gold-colored Helmord G. Most likely reference
3. Characters.Code Geass Lelouch Lamperouge/ Char Clone: A Rebel Prince of the story's antagonistic nation wearing a mask to hide his identity who seeks to destroy the ruling family that betrayed him and his little sister. In fact, if you look at through this trope, Code Geass literally becomes yet another Mobile Suit Gundam reimagining following Char instead of Amuro (Suzaku). One of the scenarios in Super Robot Wars Z2: Saisei-Hen even has fellow Anti-Villain Char Clones Milliardo Peacecraft and Mr. Bushido team up with him based on their shared character traits. Most likely reference
4. Characters.Xenogears (Commander Kahran Ramsus)/ Char Clone: No mask, but he otherwise fits, given Xenogears` numerous other homages to the Gundam franchise. He's blond, favors golden Gears, is related to Fei by virtue of being his Beta Test Baddie, is The Rival to Fei (in his own mind) and is not entirely evil. As for being the Big Bad, he appears to be that sort of Char, including having been a former Well-Intentioned Extremist who lost sight of his vision due to his rivalry with Id, but it's revealed that he's actually a puppet for Miang's schemes. Most likely reference
5. Characters.Mobile Suit Gundam F 91 (Crossbone Vanguard/Cosmo Babylonia/Carozzo "Iron Mask" Ronah/ Char Clone: While he takes after Darth Vader in many ways (especially in looks), he still plays the role of the Char character in the film, with his personal connection to a cast member, Cool Mask, and red mobile armor. In particular his genocide plans and aristocratic disdain cast him firmly as an eviler version of the Big Bad Char from Char's Counterattack. Most likely reference, both are from Gundam
6. Characters.Persona 5 Masayoshi Shido/ Char Clone: Very Char's Counterattack in terms of motivation and personality (an elitist prick looking to change the world to his own desires, even if it means devastating the planet), however his shadow has visual aspects that reference both 0079 (a white, helmeted mask of a very similar style) and Zeta (a mount of pure gold). He's also voiced by Char's actor in both Japanese (Shūichi Ikeda) and English (Keith Silverstein). Most likely reference
7. Characters.Blaz Blue Continuum Shift (Relius Clover)/ Char Clone: Morally ambiguous, charismatic, Manipulative Bastard with blond hair, a Cool Mask, and command of a red-colored version of an existing robot that is 3 times stronger than the original. As a bonus, he actually has a Char^*Technically Full Frontal since Ignis has Sinjanju's color scheme. color palette. Most likely reference
8. Characters.Promare (Kray Foresight)/ Char Clone: He's blonde, dresses in white, pilots a powerful mech, and sports a Mask of Sanity as a Reasonable Authority Figure while concealing his Not-So-Well-Intentioned Extremist designs. Specifically he invokes Rau le Creuset. Most likely reference

1. Characters.Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Torna (Jin)/ Char Clone: A rather mysterious and antagonistic Bishōnen who wears a mask at the start and has relations with two of the playable characters (Pyra/Mythra, Nia). Only a few traits
2. Characters.Miraculous The Phoenix Rises Antagonists (The Nightmare King)/ Char Clone: Checks most of the boxes, as he has a red aesthetic, a Cool Mask, is an Enigmatic Minion of the Big Bad, has a Red Baron title, and has a mysterious rivalry with Morgan, the hero. Only a few traits
3. Characters.Mega Man Classic Heroes (DLN.000 Proto Man (Blues))/ Char Clone: Wears red, a Cool Mask, and is revealed to be the older brother of Rock and Roll. shares a few traits
4. Characters.Heaven Will Be Mine (Luna-Terra)/ Char Clone: She fits some of the tropes, such as having light hair and being the Red Baron of the Memorial Foundation, who has previously openly betrayed the organization she still works for, and being Older and Wiser than the other protagonists. Only a few traits
5. Characters.Gravion (Raven)/ Char Clone: Downplayed. Aside from wearing a mask and being related to a main character Raven doesn't fit this trope. Only a few traits
6. Characters.Zoids Chaotic Century (Antagonist/Raven)/ Char Clone: He pilots a red Zoid (a Saber Tiger in Chaotic Century, the Geno Breaker in Guardian Force), and is The Rival to Van. Only a few traits
7. Characters.Attack On Titan Reiner Braun/ Char Clone: He's a hyper competent, blond warrior who spent the first portion of the story living under an assumed identity. In addition, he is set opposite to Eren as his rival in the pair of trios and his titan form is red and gold. Only a few traits
8. Characters.Fushigi Yuugi (The Seven Celestial Warriors of Seiryuu/Nakago)/ Char Clone: A badass soldier, who wants revenge on the world and seeks to become a god. Also, he's blond, has a cool helmet, and has a Villainous Crush on the male lead. Only a few traits
9. Characters.Genshin Impact Tartaglia/ Char Clone: He wears a mask, he is The Ace in combat, he is associated with red, he has a complicated relationship with the other villains, and he is a rival of sorts to the Traveler (at least, according to him). Only a few traits
10. Characters.Wo Long Fallen Dynasty (Lu Bu)/ Char Clone: While he's not blond, this Lu Bu is masked, rides a red horse (with a horn on his forehead armour that resembles the command antenna on Char's Zaku, no less), has his own agenda and even is the heroine's long lost brother. Only a few traits
11. Characters.Under Night In Birth Later Additions (Wagner)/ Char Clone: A rare female version. She's blonde, has a Cool Mask (that she doesn't wear in battle, unfortunately), dresses primarily in red, and sees a rival in Orie. Only a few traits

1. Characters.Sunrider (Kryska Stares)/ Char Clone: Becomes one Sunrider 4 of the Dark Messiah type as the Paladin, while wearing a helmet like Iron Mask. ZCE
2. Characters.Infinite Stratos (Ichika Orimura)/ First-Name Basis: With everyone in his harem. His new name for Charles after she reveals her true gender is Char. Pothole
3. Characters.Agarest Senki (NPC Of The First Generation/Melchior)/ Char Clone ZCE; in fact it's commented out
4. Characters.Project Nimbus (Col. Andei Dimitriv)/ Char Clone ZCE
5. Characters.Valkyria Chronicles II (Gallian Revolutionary Army (Antagonists)/Baldren Gassenarl/ Char Clone: Fits quite a bit of the criteria, especially when he gets a new headpiece after he kills his father ZCE
6. Characters.Sol Cresta (Dista)/ Char Clone: ZCE; in fact it's commented out
7. Characters.SK 8 The Infinity (Ainosuke Shindo (ADAM))/ Char Clone: While he has dark hair, Ainosuke goes by the Red Baron nickname of Adam, wears a red suit in that persona, and notably wears a mask, all while pulling imposing moves on his skateboard. He also Used to Be a Sweet Kid and is, in current time, wrapped up in a lot of fantastical ideas. By the end of the series, he's "switched sides," so to speak, although he's The Friend Nobody Likes and still seems very willing to engage in schemes in his every day life. He's also very...murdery, in the last episodes. Not to mention a known Jerkass throughout. unsure
8. Characters.Super Robot Wars Destiny (Schwarzwald)/ Char Clone: Schwarzwald is a masked character with his own agenda, The Rival to Roger Smith, and pilots the Big Duo, which is more maneuverable than before (three times faster). unsure
9. Literature.Full Metal Panic/ Casting Gag: In episode 14 of the first anime, the Opposing Sports Team's leader is a parody Char Clone voiced by Tetsu Inada, who's played that role twice before in a more serious capacity^note As Harry Ord in ∀ Gundam and Elzam Braunstein/Ratsel Feinschmecker in Super Robot Wars. Pothole
10. Characters.Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Misc (Aeolia Schenberg)/ Char Clone: While he never dons a mask, his views and ambitions to create a better world are very reminiscent of the Red Comet. Unlike Char however, his methods and ambitions are not only far less destructive but also considerably more long term. His English voice actor, Michael Kopsa, also voiced Char in the original Gundam anime and Mobile Suit Gundam Chars Counter Attack. unsure
11. Characters.Fate VRAINS Antagonists (Revolver)/ Char Clone: Well, more like a masked Kaiba expy than anything else, but he does fit the bill. ZCE
12. Trivia.The Forbidden Kingdom/ Casting Gag: An unintended version with Shūichi Ikeda, already the designated dub voice of Jet Li, voicing a clone. pothole
13. Characters.Queens Blade Main Characters (Leina)/ Char Clone: Her new looks and personality in Rebellion really gives that vibe, althrough her mask is more like the one used by Graham Aker/Mr. Bushido. ZCE
14. Characters.Final Fantasy XIV Garlond Ironworks (Nero tol Scaeva)/ Char Clone: He starts out as an MSG-style Char, as a high-ranking member of The Empire who's associated with the color red and is characterized as The Rival, albeit with him being the unknown party, and his rivalry is with Cid as an engineer rather than with the player character as a warrior. After his defeat at the Praetorium he shifts into a Zeta-style Char, joining the Garlond Ironworks and being a helpful (if frequently-sarcastic member of the team, while wearing a red-colored version of the usual Ironworks outfit and a pair of sunglasses. Unsure
15. Characters.Code Of Princess (Liongate)/ Char Clone: Liongate seems to be designed with this in mind. He's even Solange's brother, Schwartz. ZCE
16. Characters.Roleplay Of Geass (Viandas Johnson/Charlie Havengale)/ Char Clone: Lelouch aside, Charlie really, really fits some of Char's more sympathetic traits...though Loni is rather young. He pilots red machines that have greater speed than other machines around at the time, is an ace pilot who frequently clashes with opposing protagonists, the Ghisaju looks somewhat like a streamlined Sazabi, he pilots a number of mass produced machines, and of course he wears a mask in the cockpit. Unsure
17. Characters.To Love Ru Aliens (Zastin)/ Char Clone: His role in the last episode(s) of the 1st anime gives off this vibe. The fact that his voice actor has voiced other Char clones in the past is already saying something. ZCE
18. Characters.Tales Of The Tempest (Lukius Bridges)/ Char Clone: A more subtle one, but he's a rival to the main character with a Cool Mask who ends up being Caius's twin brother. He also has elements of the Char's Counterattack type, being a Knight Templar Well-Intentioned Extremist. Unsure
19. Characters.Space Dandy (Alternate Dandy and Crew)/ Char Clone: One Dandy is specifically stated to be a Mobile Suit pilot... Except he looks like Cosmo from Space Runaway Ideon instead. The one that looks like Char is a space ninja, funnily enough. ZCE
20. Characters.Professor Layton (Jean Descole)/ Char Clone: His appearance seems very inspired by Char at least, and his characterization doesn't help.ZCE; in fact it's commented out