History Main / LoserProtagonist

** Abigail "Fetch" Walker, a supporting character in ''Second Son'' who later became the playable protagonist of standalone DLC ''Videogame/InfamousFirstLight'' was a homeless drug addict.

* [[GenderBentAlternateUniverse Fionna]] of ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTimeFionnaAndCake'' starts off the series having been dumped by her boyfriend, fired from her fifth job for the year, and struggling to make rent all the while lamenting that NothingExcitingEverHappensHere.

* The protagonist of ''VisualNovel/DaughterForDessert'' is an unmarried single dad with a failing business and nothing else to his name.

* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': Peter Parker starts out as a nerd picked on by bullies, and even after becoming a superhero he still has money problems, girl problems, reputation problems (in both identities), the whole nine yards. Back in TheSixties, [[SeinfeldIsUnfunny this was revolutionary for superhero comics]]. At some points in his long history he's managed to [[AvertedTrope get ahead]] -- for a while he's a member of the world's premiere superhero team, has a rewarding day job as a science teacher, and has a loving and smoking-hot supermodel wife to come home to -- but the writers make sure that [[StatusQuoIsGod sooner or later he always reverts to a lovable loser]].

* ''WebAnimation/BeeAndPuppycat'': in the first episode Bee is already fired from work (again), she accidentally hit her friend Deckard in the crotch with her umbrella, she was late for her meeting with the temp agency, we learn she has no work skills, never finished college, has a spotty work history, and she has financial issues (she can't afford a jaywalking ticket, she dumpster dives for pet supplies for Puppycat, and she's out of money to buy food). She even lampshades that she's a loser.

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'': Robin is very much a loser, something that [[{{flanderization}} gets more emphasis]] as the series continues. In the original ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' he was an [[ChickMagnet attractive]], confident BadassNormal and the team leader. His ''Go'' version is the complete opposite. Robin is a neurotic, [[NoSocialSkills awkward]], [[InformedFlaw not]] particularly attractive boy who is obsessed with his unrequited crush Starfire and who has an [[IJustWantToBeSpecial inferiority complex]] due to his lack of powers. He's barely a leader either. The original Robin even lampshades this in [[WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGoVsTeenTitans the crossover]]:

* Has no children, either [[LawOfInverseFertility by chance]] or [[ChildrenAreAWaste by choice]], in a setting where NotWantingKidsIsWeird.

* ''Series/NeverHaveIEver'': Devi is nerdy and unpopular. She shows hints of CoolLoser, though, as she's pretty; is smart; and is attractive enough for Paxton to be fully on board with having sex with her.

* ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' starts out as a nerd picked on by bullies, and even after becoming a superhero he still has money problems, girl problems, reputation problems (in both identities), the whole nine yards. Back in TheSixties, [[SeinfeldIsUnfunny this was revolutionary for superhero comics]]. At some points in his long history he's managed to [[AvertedTrope get ahead]] -- for a while he's a member of the world's premiere superhero team, has a rewarding day job as a science teacher, and has a loving and smoking-hot supermodel wife to come home to -- but the writers make sure that [[StatusQuoIsGod sooner or later he always reverts to a lovable loser]].
* Catsby from ''Manhwa/TheGreatCatsby'' is this to a certain extent in the beginning, but he changes later on in the series.
* Ziggy Pig begins ''ComicBook/ZiggyPigSillySealComics'' as an unmitigated loser -- he lives in a hovel, he eats [[WayPastTheExpirationDate dubious food from gas stations,]] and women only date him in hopes of meeting his ex-partner Silly Seal. He's even featured on the cover of ''Loser Weekly'' magazine.

* Initially, John Rumford in the military thriller ''Literature/{{Victoria}}'': a military veteran with trouble adjusting to civilian life, failed farmer and smart but oddball and on the whole rather lonely unemployed man obsessed with arcane political ideas and half-baked schemes. Then he joins/takes over the [[RightWingMilitiaFanatic Christian Marines]] veterans' group, and begins his rise to glory.

* Is constantly trying (and failing) to relive his/her GloryDays, or won't shut up about them.
* [[TheThingThatWouldNotLeave Overstays his/her welcome at someone else's house]].

* ''Film/FallingDown'' revolved around VillainProtagonist Bill Foster, a middle-aged unemployed divorcee past his prime who [[BasementDweller lives with his mother]] after losing his job, wife, and house. As a result of all of this, he has a nervous breakdown that escalates into a full GoingPostal rampage against the society that he felt betrayed him.

* Philip J. Fry of ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' is introduced in the pilot with a [[TraumaCongaLine series of humiliating events]]. He loses a video game (for which a child insults him), and his MeanBoss yells at him to continue his menial pizza delivery job. En route, he sees his girlfriend in a taxi with another man (and she retroactively kicks him out of her apartment, leaving his worldly possessions on the sidewalk). He literally begins saying "I hate my life" over and over in time with his pedaling (until someone steals his bike). When he finds himself [[HumanPopsicle 1000 years in the future]], he unsurprisingly [[AngstWhatAngst gets over it surprisingly quickly]]. However, for the rest of the series, he remains a [[TheDitz dimwitted]], unambitious, slovenly, [[CloudCuckooLander dimwitted]], lazy, immature, [[RuleOfThree dimwitted]] HollywoodDateless delivery boy (but [[JustForFun/RecycledInSpace IN SPACE!]]).