History Main / BigRedDevil

Given the [[OurDemonsAreDifferent many types of demons and devils in mythology and fiction in both the east and the west]], the only examples for subversion aversions to this tropes should be examples in which there are clearly expectations for the character to look like this, such as if characters [[LampshadeHanging lampshade]] it.

* ''{{Diablo}}''. Guess who?

In western media, Christian [[OurDemonsAreDifferent demons]] often invoke a very specific appearance. You can usually spot them by their [[HornedHumanoid horns,]] [[GoodWingsEvilWIngs bat wings]], [[AmazingTechnicolorPopulation red skin]], BeardOfEvil / GoateeOfEvil and furred legs with hooved feet. [[{{Satan}} The devil himself]] often takes this appearance.

That said, not all of the characteristics are necessary for a character to qualify in this trope. In fact, the don't even have to be red! The character/creature simple needs enough to invoke this classic depiction of demons and devils. The character isn't required to even be a demon. This can apply to characters that are [[DemonicPossession possessed by demons]], drawing power from [[TheDarkSide dark powers]] or [[BlackMagic magic]], or simple come from a [[DarkIsNotEvil race that resembles this type of creature]].

This trope has had a long evolution to its modern form. The many characteristics also have their own origin. The red skin seems to have started out as the red clothing worn by Mephistopheles in Goethe's ''Faust'', in his guise of a cavalier. This is also the source of the [[BeardOfEvil Goatee of Evil]]. The hornsand came as accessories to the older cloven hoof likely come from Pan and the fauns/satyrs. Originally the deformed feet were more varied, duck feet, cock's claws, and horse's hooves being sometimes featured. Bat wings came to show that they were fallen angels. Most of these characteristics are not found in representations of devils before the 13th century A.D.

* ''{{Fantasia}}'', Night On Bald Mountain.

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* Satan from SouthPark.

* Zodd from {{Berserk}} evokes the BigRedDevil more than his more [[EldritchAbomination Lovecraftian]] counterparts, what with his great horns and gigantic bat wings when he goes Apostle, though his appearance, though humanoid, is more a cross between a tiger, a bull and an ape.
* {{Digimon}}: [[http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7q_ePd2dEHg/SjUacByZAwI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/5YM6S8TiMzI/s320/venommyotismon.jpg Venommyotismon]]

* In SoulEater [[spoiler: The demon inside of Soul.]]

* Nightcrawler from {{X-Men}} has the pointed ears and tail. Depends on the continuity whether he's truly demonic or not.

* Pictured above is {{Satan}} from TenaciousDInThePickOfDestiny, one of the most played straight versions of this trope.

* Pitch from Santa Claus.

* In Pure Dead Brilliant, by Debi Gliori, witch Fiamma d'Enfer fits this trope right down to her name. She's come up with some ingenious ways to hide her demonic characteristics, including human feet prosthetics which screw into her hooves.
* In Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, Crowley also fits this down to his name (a corruption of the name "Crawley" he took as the serpent in the Garden of Eden). He has snakeskin shoes -- at least presumably he's wearing shoes -- and he has slitted pupils. He also has wings.

* Illidan from {{Warcraft}}. Several of the demons including the Succubi, the Eredar and especially the Doomguard also qualify.
* [[AerithAndBob Carlos]] from {{Requiem}}.
* Lou from GuitarHero.
* The recurring summons Diabolos and Ifrit from FinalFantasy.
* {{Diablo}}. Guess who?
* The Daedra of The ElderScrolls series are immortal entities from the realms of {{Oblivion}}, and the closest thing to Demons in ElderScrolls lore, take the appearence of this trope.
* {{Doom}} has the Cyberdemon and the Baron of Hell.

* The Red Guy from CowAndChicken.
* {{Fantasia}}, Night On Bald Mountain.

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* Warhammer40K has the Blood Thirsters, the only demons who play this trope straight.

** He has two demon girls, Fuschia and Cyan, who have the horns and tails, but wear the color that matches their name.

Given the [[OurDemonsAreDifferent many types of demons and devils in mythology in both the east and the west]], the only examples for subversion aversions to this tropes should be examples in which there are clearly expectations for the character to look like this, such as if characters [[LampshadeHanging lampshade]] it.

[[AC: {{Anime}}]]

[[AC: ComicBooks]]

[[AC: {{Film}}]]

[[AC: {{Literature}}]]

[[AC: LiveActionTV]]

[[AC: TabletopGames]]

[[AC: {{Theater}}]]

[[AC: {{VideoGames}}]]

[[AC: {{Webcomics}}]]

[[AC: WesternAnimation]]

The red skin seems to have started out as the red clothing worn by Mephistopheles in Goethe's ''Faust'', in his guise of a cavalier. This is also the source of the [[BeardOfEvil Goatee of Evil]]. The horns likely come from Pan and the fauns/satyrs, and came as accessories to the older cloven hoof (originally the deformed feet were more varied, duck feet, cock's claws, and horse's hooves being sometimes featured. Bat wings came to show that they were fallen angels. Most of these characteristics are not found in representations of devils before the 13th century A.D.

* Subverted in ''{{Reaper}}'' as the Devil just looks devilish through sheer charisma. His suit is black and he has no horns or tail.
* Also subverted in ''{{Brimstone}}''. The Devil just shows up like a guy in a suit.
* Subverted in ''Out Of The Blue''. Normal appearance for the demon showing up.

* The recurring summons Diablos and Ifrit from FinalFantasy.

* WorldOfWarcraft: Illidan most prominently. Several other demons also qualify, specifically the Eredar and especially the Doomguard.

[[AC: {{Film}}]]
* ''{{Dogma}}'' has a horned demon who wears a fedora to hide them. He otherwise looks human.

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[[AC: ComicBooks]]
* Nightcrawler from {{X-Men}} has the pointed ears and tail. Depends on the continuity whether he's truly demonic or not.

[[AC: {{Film}}]]
* ''{{Dogma}}'' has a horned demon who wears a fedora to hide them. He otherwise looks human.
* {{Hellboy}} is a demon. He has the horns (although he files them down), the hooved feet, and the red skin.
* Evil in ''{{Legend}}'' has red skin and black horns.
* Subverted in ''DevilsAdvocate'' and then played straight as the Al Pacino devil goes from looking like an ordinary guy to showing his true form, which is the trope played straight.

[[AC: {{Theater}}]]
* In ''DamnYankees'' the devil wears a red suit.

[[AC: {{Webcomics}}]]
* In ''{{Sinfest}}'' the devil is red skinned, has the horns and the tail, and wears the red suit.
** He has two demon girls, Fuschia and Cyan, who have the horns and tails, but wear the color that matches their name.

[[AC: LiveActionTV]]
* Subverted in ''{{Reaper}}'' as the Devil just looks devilish through sheer charisma. His suit is black and he has no horns or tail.
* Also subverted in ''{{Brimstone}}''. The Devil just shows up like a guy in a suit.
* Subverted in ''Out Of The Blue''. Normal appearance for the demon showing up.

[[AC: WesternAnimation]]
* ''Him'' from ''ThePowerpuffGirls'' has the red skin, the horns, the yellow eyes, the GoateeOfEvil, and rather than hooved feet, crab claws.

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