History Main / MascotVillain

* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'': Char Aznable, though making a full rotation through the HeelFaceRevolvingDoor, could still count as a semi-example, and is popular enough to inspire [[CharClone a slew of copycats.]] Second to Char is Gihren Zabi, who is easily the second most popular villain after him and also an iconic character in the franchise, being the template for future despots.

As a general rule, this is extremely common with {{horror}}. Even if it doesn't simply become a VillainBasedFranchise, a horror movie franchise will usually see its villain/monster turn into its most recognizable character. For video games, the MascotHorror sub-genre is built around this trope.

Many series [[SeriesMascot have their own Mascot]], in-universe or otherwise. Sometimes that mascot is one of the ones responsible for all the bad things happening (or at best is a neutral force that still causes things to go wrong for the heroes more often than not.) Though it's not necessary, the mascot can still fall into the RidiculouslyCuteCritter or SidekickCreatureNuisance tropes just to make things [[CuteIsEvil extra twisted]]. Whether they are {{Big Bad}}s, [[TheDragon Dragons]], {{Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain}}s or just the humble MascotMook is not needed, what distinguishes this from the other tropes is that the SeriesMascot is evil.

Many series have their own Mascot, ({{Series Mascot}}s, In Universe mascots or otherwise). Sometimes that mascot is one of the ones responsible for all the bad things happening (or at best is a neutral force that still causes things to go wrong for the heroes more often than not.) Though it's not necessary, the mascot can still fall into the RidiculouslyCuteCritter or SidekickCreatureNuisance tropes just to make things [[CuteIsEvil extra twisted]]. Whether they are {{Big Bad}}s, [[TheDragon Dragons]], {{Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain}}s or just the humble MascotMook is not needed, what distinguishes this from the other tropes is that the SeriesMascot is evil.

* Nemesis from ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil3'', even being featured front and center on the game's box art.

* ''Kichikujima'':Kaoru,his father Yoshikazu,and his sister Mari play this role for the series appearing in the prequel series and spin-offs thany any other character.

As a general rule, this is extremely common with {{horror}}. Even if it doesn't simply become a VillainBasedFranchise, a horror movie franchise will usually see its villain/monster turn into its most recognizable character.

Related to MascotMook, when the mascot is one of the more common enemies in the game. Can overlap with MascotHorror.

Related to MascotMook, when the mascot is one of the more common enemies in the game.

* The titular ''VideoGame/IMMeen'', who's flamboyant nature outshines the rest of the cast and is the source of many a WebAnimation/YouTubePoop.

* The Big Daddies from ''VideoGame/BioShock'' are arguably the most iconic aspect in the first two games.

* The Big Daddies from ''VideoGame/Bioshock'' are arguably the most iconic aspect in the first two games.

* ''VideoGame/Starcraft'': Sarah Kerrigan, the Queen of Blades, is the most recognizable character from the entire franchise and plays an important role in all the games of the series.

[[caption-width-right:350:People found his lack of face disturbingly iconic.]]

** [[spoiler: Series protagonist Eren Yeager can also qualify, as after the TimeSkip he appears to become a full-fledged VillainProtagonist bent on destroying the world through unleashing the Wall Titans and is also revealed to have instigated the Eldian Restoration Movement via a StableTimeLoop. Until it gets revealed that he was pulling off a [[ZeroApprovalGambit Zero-Approval]] GenghisGambit by taking up all of the world's hatred of the Eldian race onto himself]].

* Shocker are every bit as iconic to the ''Franchise/KamenRider'' series as the Kamen Riders themselves, to the point of effectively being the TropeCodifier for {{Nebulous Evil Organisation}}s in Japanese media. The Shocker Combatmen also have their own fair amount of popularity and serve as the franchise's {{Mascot Mooks}}.

* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'': Char Aznable, though making a full rotation through the HeelFaceRevolvingDoor, could still count as a semi-example, and is popular enough to inspire [[CharClone a slew of copycats.]]

* The titular character of ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'', like the other animatronics in the game, is trying to kill you because it's malfunctioning. [[spoiler:This is technically a subversion since a hidden MiniGame in the sequel reveals that he's GoodAllAlong. It just mistakes the night shift guards as the one who murdered the kids.]] He's also an InUniverse example because he is also the mascot of the abandoned SuckECheeses that serves as the setting.
** [[spoiler:[[SerialKiller William Afton]] [[IHaveManyNames AKA]] Purple Guy[=/=]Springtrap[=/=]Scraptrap[=/=]Glitchtrap can also qualify, seeing as he serves as the GreaterScopeVillain of the series (being responsible for the Missing Children Incident that kickstarted the series) and has made multiple recurring appearances or mentions across multiple games (unlike the various iterations of Freddy, which are different animatronics)]].

* One might argue the entire Mishima Family from ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'' can qualify. [[VillainProtagonist Heihachi]] is the only member of the family to appear in all installments of the franchise, is the ArchEnemy of his son [[BaitTheDog Kazuya]] and grandson [[TheHero Jin]], and represents the franchise in ''VideoGame/PlaystationAllStarsBattleRoyale''. Kazuya is the main ''Tekken'' character in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXTekken'' opposite Ryu, is paired up with his son Jin in ''VideoGame/ProjectXZone2'', and represents the franchise in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''. While Jin has also been used to represent the franchise as a more heroic option compared to his father and grandfather, he briefly slid into villainy in ''Tekken 6'' by taking over the Mishima Corporation and starting WorldWarIII, [[spoiler: though it turns out he was pulling a BatmanGambit to awaken Azazel and destroy it along with his cursed bloodline]].

* ''VideoGame/ValkyriaChronicles'' has TheDragon Selvaria Bles, who has proven far more popular than the original protagonists and has made more appearances than any of them not only with the series but also in crossover games such as ''VideoGame/ProjectXZone'' and ''VideoGame/DengekiBunkoFightingClimax''.

* ''Anime/{{Symphogear}}'' has the resident {{Mook}} monsters, Noise. They are often used for promotion and even have their own merchandise.

** Captain Phasma sometimes shares this role with Kylo Ren as well, her prominence can be seen on various merchandises, despite having minimal role in the actual movies.

* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse: The popularity and ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' and ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' have largely elevated ComicBook/{{Thanos}} to being the flagship villain of all of Creator/MarvelComics, similar to what ComicBook/TheJoker is to Creator/DCComics.

* Wrestling/CheerleaderMelissa for most of [=ChickFight=]'s time in the UK, almost overlapping with ForeignWrestlingHeel.[[/folder]]

* Dick Dastardly and Muttley from ''WesternAnimation/WackyRaces'', eventually getting a spinoff in the form of ''WesternAnimation/DastardlyAndMuttleyInTheirFlyingMachines''.

Due to the nature of FaceHeelTurn and the SeriesMascot, there will be some spoilers. See also AntagonistTitle and VillainBasedFranchise. Sometimes comes about due to fans RootingForTheEmpire.

* ''Anime/SenkiZesshouSymphogear'' has the resident {{Mook}} monsters, Noise. They are often used for promotion and even have their own merchandise.