History Main / NiceMeanAndInbetween

* In Megan Kearney's ''Beauty and the Beast,'' Beauty and her two sisters superficially comform to this trope. Virtue is sweet, domestic and motherly, Temperance is a prickly, sharp-tongued intellectual who was a [[BigBrotherBully Big Sister Bully]] to Beauty when they were little, and Beauty, whose temperament lies in-between the two, often feels inferior because she's neither as sweet as Virtue nor as clever as Temperance. All three sisters are more complex than they seem at first glance, though. Virtue's "niceness" can be unintentionally harmful, as she avoids dealing with problems and negative emotions, and encourages her younger sisters to do the same. Temperance [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold truly loves Beauty]] and is ultimately the one who persuades the family to [[spoiler: let Beauty follow her heart when she confesses her love for the Beast to them.]] And Beauty's balance between sweetness and pragmatism makes her, in their father's words, "the very heart of the family."

* '''Nice Character''': This character is simply what they are -- nice, polite, friendly, and helpful. They show everybody a great deal of respect and kindness, [[TurnTheOtherCheek even to their worst enemies]]. They're the kind who never loses their temper nor resort to violence, although [[BewareTheNiceOnes they do when pushed too far]]. Other variations would have them to be seen as [[WideEyedIdealist naive and gullible]] due to seeing no reason to be justifiably angry with others and always [[RousseauWasRight believes there's some goodness in them]], and often at times, they can appear to be [[StupidGood too nice]]. They'll most definitely be the peacemaker when the mean and in-between characters get into fights, which can qualify them as TheChick or TheHeart. If they're the dumb one, he'll easily be a KindheartedSimpleton. In a trio of siblings, they'll most likely be the youngest. They can be the TokenGoodTeammate if they're a part of a villainous trio or if the in-between character is more mean than nice. In a FreudianTrio, they're commonly either TheMcCoy or TheKirk.

** [[Characters/MarvelComicsProfessorX Xavier]], [[Characters/XMenMutants Moira MacTaggert]] and [[Characters/MarvelComicsCyclops Cyclops's]] [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity insane]] PhysicalGod children. [[Characters/MarvelComicsXMan X-Man]] (Nice) is a CrazySane AllLovingHero/prophet/shaman. [[Characters/MarvelComicsLegion Legion]] (In-between) has major daddy issues, NoSocialSkills, [[LackOfEmpathy little empathy]] and is constantly riding the HeelFaceRevolvingDoor. But he's a saint compared to [[Characters/XMenRoguesGalleryJToR Proteus]] (Mean) a sadistic psychopath who became TheSociopath in-utero!
*** As of recent events this has changed, Legion (Nice) still [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold lacking in social skills]] but has mellowed out a lot since [[LoveRedeems being in a relationship with Blindfold.]] Proteus (In-between) has surprisingly pulled a HeelFaceTurn and is now part of the group that brings dead mutants [[BackFromTheDead back to life]]. And X-Man (Mean) has pulled a FaceHeelTurn after crossing the DespairEventHorizon and become a WellIntentionedExtremist with a semi [[AGodAmI messiah complex]] - he later revealed that he was just playing the part and had a HeelRealization, becoming a GracefulLoser. However, he's still probably the comparatively mean one of the bunch.

** The "No Hands, No Eyes, No Brain" that comprises of Handy, The Mole, and Lumpy gives this sort of dynamic. The Mole is generally a kindhearted character and has never intentionally killed another Tree Friend (Nice). Handy is often grouchy and has the tendency to disregard his peers' injury (Mean). Lumpy is usually a NiceGuy, though many episodes set Lumpy in a villainous, selfish, or mean light (In-Between).

* * ''WebAnimation/HappyTreeFriends'':

* ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'':

In certain group dynamics, you will notice three characters with different mannerisms, attitudes, and personalities that are easy to identify with -- [[NiceGuy a character who is nice and gentle]], [[{{Jerkass}} a character who is mean and tough]], [[ JerkWithAHeartOfGold and the character who is caught in between the two other characters.]]

In certain group dynamics, you will notice three characters with different mannerisms, attitudes, and personalities that are easy to identify with -- [[NiceGuy a character who is nice and gentle]], [[{{Jerkass}} a character who is mean and tough]], and the character who is caught in between the two other characters.

* '''Mean Character''': The [[{{Foil}} polar opposite]] of the Nice Character. Simply put, this character is rude, unfriendly, harsh, and abrasive. They're the one that the nice and the in-between character have trouble getting along with. The mean character will usually bully the nice character and will engage in fierce arguments with the in-between character. While they may turn out to be a JerkWithAHeartOfGold, they will put a heavy emphasis on "Jerk", and their heart of gold will appear on a few occasions. In a trio of heroes, they'll be a gritty and violent AntiHero who will show no mercy to anyone who gets in their way, or at least a GoodIsNotNice hero who genuinely does good, but is nevertheless rude and rough. They may be [[GrumpyBear grouchy]] and [[TheCynic cynical]], always seeing the worst in everything and everyone. If they're the leader, expect them to be either strict and no-nonsense or bossy and egotistical. If not, he'll be TheLancer who will be the first to criticize TheHero's leadership or decision-makings. In a trio of siblings, they'll most likely be either the middle; rebellious and grumpy due to their [[MiddleChildSyndrome placement of birth]], or [[BigBrotherBully the eldest]], if they resort to bullying their younger siblings. If the "mean" aspect goes too far, they can be the TokenEvilTeammate. In a FreudianTrio, they're commonly either TheMcCoy or TheSpock.

* ''WebAnimation/{{Eddsworld}}'': Edd is a down-to-earth NiceGuy, Tom is a cynical grouch and Matt is a narcissistic ditz. During his time on the show, trigger happy TokenEvilTeammate Tord was also in the "Mean" category.

** Out of the three newcomers, we have the cute and friendly Niffty (Nice), the GrumpyBear SirSwearsaLot Husk (Mean), and the gentlemanly but still rather abrasive Alastor (In-Between)

** [[Characters/MarvelComicsProfessorX Xavier]], [[Characters/XMenMutants Moira MacTaggert]] and [[Characters/MarvelComicsCyclops Cyclops's]] [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity insane]] PhysicalGod children. [[Characters/MarvelComicsXMan X-Man]] (Nice} is a CrazySane AllLovingHero/prophet/shaman. [[Characters/MarvelComicsLegion Legion]] (In-between) has major daddy issues, NoSocialSkills, [[LackOfEmpathy little empathy]] and is constantly riding the HeelFaceRevolvingDoor. But he's a saint compared to [[Characters/XMenRoguesGalleryJToR Proteus]] (Mean) a sadistic psychopath who became TheSociopath in-utero!
*** As of recent events this has changed, Legion (Nice) still [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold lacking in social skills]] but has mellowed out a lot since [[LoveRedeems being in a relationship with Blindfold.]] Proteus (In-between) has surprisingly pulled a HeelFaceTurn and is now part of the group that brings dead mutants [[BackFromTheDead back to life]]. And X-Man (Mean) has pulled a FaceHeelTurn and become a WellIntentionedExtremist with a [[AGodAmI messiah complex.]]

* The three sons of Finwë from ''Literature/TheSilmarillion''. The youngest son, Finarfin, is the nice one, the "fairest and wisest" son who tries to persuade the Noldor not to rebel against the Valar; the eldest, Fëanor, is the mean one who succumbs to his own pride and greed and instigates untold suffering by binding himself and his sons to the dreadful Oath, while middle son Fingolfin is in-between, prideful to a lesser extent than Fëanor and with nobler intentions.

** On Blue Team, {{Cloudcuckoolander}} Caboose is the Nice, OnlySaneMan Church is the Mean, and CasanovaWannabe Tucker is the In-Between (meaner than Caboose, but not quite as mean as Church).
** On Red Team, AmbiguouslyGay Donut is the Nice, BrilliantButLazy Grif is the Mean, and ProfessionalButtKisser Simmons is the In-Between (more abrasive than Donut, but more of a JerkWithAHeartOfGold compared to Grif).

* ''Literature/PrideAndPrejudice'': This trope applies to the three more plot-relevant Bennett sisters, who also happen to be the only three to get married during the story. Jane (nice) is incredibly sweet-natured and always wants to see the best in others, Lydia (mean) is a careless brat who almost ruins her family without a qualm, and the heroine Elizabeth (in-between) is well-intentioned but not so idealistic as Jane and prone to jump to conclusions (which sets the scene for her character arc through the novel). Their corresponding husbands likewise fit the trope too: NiceGuy Mr Bingley (nice), BitchInSheepsClothing Mr Wickham (mean), and JerkWithAHeartOfGold Mr Darcy (in-between).

* ''Literature/PrideAndPrejudice'': Aside from Mary and Kitty (both of whom are minor characters who don't really affect the plot of the story), the other three Bennett sisters fit this trope. Jane (nice) is incredibly sweet-natured and always wants to see the best in others, Lydia (mean) is a careless brat who almost ruins her family without a qualm, and the heroine Elizabeth (in-between) is well-intentioned but not so idealistic as Jane and prone to jump to conclusions (which sets the scene for her character arc through the novel).

* The [[TheHecateSisters Witches of Lancre]] from ''Literature/{{Discworld}}''. Magrat Garlick is the sweet and naive one, albeit [[ShrinkingViolet shy]], Granny Weatherwax is the grumpy mean one, and Nanny Ogg mediates between with her friendly attitude and [[VitriolicBestBuds constantly bickers with Granny]].

* In ''Literature/WingsOfFire'', we have the guardians of the [[FiveManBand Dragonets Of Destiny]]. [[ActualPacifist Webs]] is the kindest to the dragonets and doesn't hate Glory for being a [=RainWing=], [[DownplayedTrope but he's too jaded and cowardly to stop the other guardians from trying to kill her]]. [[{{Jerkass}} Kestrel]] is the cruelest out of the three, verbally and physically abusing the dragonets, even chaining them to stalagmites if they misbehaved. [[TheStoic Dune]] is the dragon in the middle, not being as friendly to the dragonets as Webs but not as abusive as Kestrel, even having occasional moments of kindness.
* The three Heffley brothers from ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKid''. All three have their jerk moments, but Greg is a JerkWithAHeartOfGold, making him the nice one, while Manny [[spoiler: borderline crosses the MoralEventHorizon at the end of ''Cabin Fever'',]] making him the mean one. Rodrick is mostly a bully to Greg, [[spoiler: but never even comes close to the MoralEventHorizon,]] making him the in-between one.
* A villainous example in ''The Adventures of Petrushka'' by Margarita Fadeyeva and Anatoly Smirnov, with the three servants of Stencil. The Breath-Measurer is the Nice, as he is much less active in oppressing Stencil's subjects than his two colleagues [[spoiler:and, unlike them, has a family that he really loves]]. The Word-Catcher is the Mean, delighting in every tyrannical whim of Stencil's and sadistic towards the commons. The Step-Counter is the In-Between: he is wicked enough but doesn't take bribes and isn't sadistic, and he is so stupid that, with some InsaneTrollLogic, Petrushka persuades him to stop serving Stencil in all but name – without the Step-Counter even realizing it.
* The Scott siblings in the Generation V series. Due to their mother experimenting with their upbringings, Prudence is a typical heartless bloodthirsty vampire, Chivalry is somewhat more sympathetic to humans and frequently falls in love with them, and Fortitude (raised as human as possible) is the most similar to and sympathetic to humans.
* ''Literature/WarriorCats'': For the first few books of ''[[Literature/WarriorCatsPowerOfThree Power Of Three]]'', the prophesied three start out this way. Hollypaw(leaf) starts out as the nice one who is the most courageous and sociable of the three ([[spoiler: until when she finds out Squirrelflight isn't their biological mother]]). Jaypaw(feather) is the mean one due to being the most rude and sarcastic out of all the them. And Lionpaw(blaze) is the in-between due to being a bit arrogant but also friendly.

*** Veronica, who’s also an {{Alpha Bitch}} but has more of a [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold heart of gold]] in comparison to Cheryl.

** Between the series’ three most prominent teenage boy characters, we have:

* ''ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}'': [[DogsAreDumb Odie]] (nice) is nothing but friendly and [[ExtremeDoormat passive]] towards Garfield. [[CatsAreMean Garfield]] (mean) is constantly selfish and lazy, and loves to bully both Jon and Odie. [[ButtMonkey Jon]] (in-between) is usually a NiceGuy but is often more assertive to Garfield than Odie is.

** [[Characters/MarvelComicsProfessorX Xavier]], ComicBook/MoiraMacTaggert and [[Characters/MarvelComicsCyclops Cyclops's]] [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity insane]] PhysicalGod children. [[Characters/MarvelComicsXMan X-Man]] (Nice} is a CrazySane AllLovingHero/prophet/shaman. [[Characters/MarvelComicsLegion Legion]] (In-between) has major daddy issues, NoSocialSkills, [[LackOfEmpathy little empathy]] and is constantly riding the HeelFaceRevolvingDoor. But he's a saint compared to [[Characters/XMenRoguesGalleryJToR Proteus]] (Mean) a sadistic psychopath who became TheSociopath in-utero!

** [[Characters/MarvelComicsProfessorX Xavier]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsMoiraMacTaggert Moira MacTaggert]] and [[Characters/MarvelComicsCyclops Cyclops's]] [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity insane]] PhysicalGod children. [[Characters/MarvelComicsXMan X-Man]] (Nice} is a CrazySane AllLovingHero/prophet/shaman. [[Characters/MarvelComicsLegion Legion]] (In-between) has major daddy issues, NoSocialSkills, [[LackOfEmpathy little empathy]] and is constantly riding the HeelFaceRevolvingDoor. But he's a saint compared to [[Characters/XMenRoguesGalleryJToR Proteus]] (Mean) a sadistic psychopath who became TheSociopath in-utero!

* The three leads of ''Literature/AesirCrossWars''. Azrael is kind, gentle and respectful, Azazel is smug, HotBlooded and rude, and Uriel is somewhat arrogant, but mostly keeps to herself and doesn't indulge in taunting others outside of battle, unlike Azazel.
* The three heroic male characters introduced so far in ''Literature/TheSpectrumGame''. Silas is the Nice one. He's kind, encouraging, and very much a CulturedBadass. Inigo is Mean, being snarky, abrasive, and acts snappily to most who try to get close to him (both [[IneffectualLoner figuratively]] and [[HatesBeingTouched literally]].). Makoto is the In Between. He's a nice enough person, and treats most people with respect, but his obsession with {{Revenge}} prevents him from being the nicest he can be.
** The three females fit this, too. Azurine is Nice, being warm, friendly, soft-spoken and a PerpetualSmiler and WideEyedIdealist. Minori is Mean, somehow being less willing to let others in than Inigo, and being even ruder in comparison. Scarlett is In Between, being as friendly as Silas, but also being TheGadfly who loves trolling people.