Line #11 Main/GrinOfAudacity


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6	[[quoteright:347:[[Webcomic/{{Paranatural}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/grin_of_audacity_5.png]]]]
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8	->''"It is a funny thing how differently the various races react to such a situation (under Japanese mortar fire). A British soldier would have called out to me to take shelter and would have made room for me beside him. The average Indian sepoy would have watched anxiously, but said nothing unless I was hit, when he would have leapt forward and risked his life to get me under cover. A Sikh would have sprung up, and with the utmost gallantry dramatically covered me with his own body, thrilled at the chance of an audience. Only a Gurkha would stand up and laugh."''
9	-->-- '''(then) Lt. Gen. Bill Slim'''
10
11	An athlete in a race, an adventurer [[TraintopBattle on top of a train]], a {{pirate}} [[BoardingParty boarding a ship]], a [[MagnificentBastard cunning politician]] executing an [[XanatosPlannedThisIndex amazing plan]], a LovableRogue during a {{Swordfight}}, a warrior during a LastStand, two friends sparring--anyone facing an interesting and fun challenge with a reasonable chance of failure will sport one of these smiles. It's usually a bit forced, showing the strain and stress the user is under, and sometimes there could be a certain edge of malice and aggressiveness to it, even ''insanity'': a hint of [[BloodKnight bloodlust]], to be precise. Alongside genuine heroes, it's also very common amongst [[AntiHero AntiHeroes]] of the [[UnscrupulousHero Unscrupulous]] and [[NominalHero Nominal]] types as well, especially if they are [[YoungConqueror young]] and/or [[InHarmsWay adrenaline junkies]]. It is usually coupled with a steady gaze, even a frown of sorts.
12
13	The heroic counterpart to the SlasherSmile and the PsychoticSmirk, which both are mostly about enjoying the anticipation of hurting others, especially when it's secret and they're unaware of the threat. In contrast, the Grin of Audacity is about relishing the anticipation of ''winning''.
14
15	It may overlap with DyingSmirk.
16
17	----
18	!!Examples:
19
20	[[foldercontrol]]
21
22	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
23	* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': Guts during the Golden Age has [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSKyQz5rLcjRc6e2cAvGwPuSEoIQ1ugfPs2-Q&usqp=CAU this]] expression, with Casca noting that when he smiles he like that he needs no help in a battle. Post Eclipse having lost nearly all sense of morality in the pursuit of vengeance, Guts has a SlasherSmile instead.
24	* ''Manga/BlackLagoon'': In contrast to the bloodthirsty {{Slasher Smile}}s sported by many of the cast, Rock's badass smiles tend toward these. They primarily come out when Rock has some kind of crazy plan in mind, or when he proposes something that's just... ''[[EvilCannotComprehendGood incomprehensible]]'' by most villain standards (like asking mercy for their victims). Justified since he stated that he asked for it because ''he likes it'', just like the bad dudes loves to blow themselves up. You first see one on him at the very beginning, when Revy challenges ''him,'' a Japanese ''{{salaryman}}'' to a ''drinking duel''. As of ''El Baile De La Muerte'', Rock's Grin Of Audacity has become pretty damn unnerving (and blurring the lines between this trope and the SlasherSmile), to the point where ''Revy'' seems uneasy.
25	* In ''Manga/Brave10'', numerous members of the cast sport these whenever it comes time to fight, bordering on SlasherSmile sometimes when the more loose canon Braves get provoked.
26	* In ''Anime/CowboyBebop'' if Spike Spiegal is smiling like this, expect some serious ass to be kicked with Jeet Kune Do. Ed also memorably smiles like this in “Mushroom Samba” when chasing Domino Walker.
27	* In ''Manga/DragonBall'' Goku gives a confident smile when he's prepared to face a strong opponent. Something [[ObsoleteMentor Roshi]] Lampshades at least once, much to the irritation of Goku's wife. Vegeta and Piccolo do in battle as well, often overlapping with SlasherSmile with the former.
28	* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': The BloodKnight protagonists will often sport this when a fight is beginning to get difficult - a challenge that tends to thrill them. As a result, [[SociopathicHero Kenpachi]], [[BaldHeadOfToughness Ikkaku]], [[FieryRedHead Renji]] and even [[GoodIsNotNice Ichigo]] tend to give one of these when they've acknowledged they have a WorthyOpponent and will therefore have earned the win they're aiming to achieve.
29	* [[IdiotHero Natsu]] [[BloodKnight Dragneel]] from ''Manga/FairyTail'' is basically the same as Luffy in this regard. He challenges stronger guildmates apparently just for the fun of it, and wears this while fighting them.
30	* ''Manga/FireForce'': Crossing over with TheUnSmile, Shinra Kasukabe has a tendency to grin like a madman whenever he is in a perilous situation, not so much because he's confident as much as it is a mental defense mechanism. This, unfortunately, made him something of a pariah as a child when his nervous grin was misconstrued as sociopathy when he was suspected of having started a fire that killed his family.
31	* In ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers'', Jail Scaglietti laughs when [[GracefulLoser Fate finally captures him after years of pursuit]].
32	* Kobayashi of ''Manga/MissKobayashisDragonMaid'' gives one right before she [[DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu starts arguing with Tohru's father]]. It stands out immediately since she's normally TheStoic.
33	* ''Franchise/LupinIII's'' cocky smile is seen whenever he's mid-heist or is about to get the advantage. Seeing as this is [[GentlemanThief Lupin]] we're talking about, this is often.
34	** Jigen sometimes gets his own grin when he is truly enjoying himself. It is not too far off from Lupin's own grin.
35	* ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'':
36	** When, after everything Negi has thrown at him, Jack Rakan still gets up to fight, Negi isn't sad, or angry, he's 'awed all over again!'
37	** Also a little bit earlier during a fight with Kagetarou, when Negi realizes he's at a big disadvantage (though this one is with a bit of [[BloodKnight Bloodlust]])
38	* Unless you've seriously pissed him off, Luffy from ''Manga/OnePiece'' has this as his default expression when fighting. Zoro blurs the line between this and SlasherSmile. Sanji is a mix, having a GrinOfAudacity at the start of a battle and upgrading to a SlasherSmile when about unleash some real hurt, as seen in the Jabra fight. Franky does this a lot as well.
39	* Lelouch of Anime/CodeGeass, ''constantly''. Most poignantly in episode 4, as he is preparing for his first [[BatmanGambit maneuver as Zero]].
40	* In ''Literature/RebuildWorld'', Akira often sports one of these when in the thick of a fight, especially when Alpha offers him any semblance of good news given his bad luck. People who see him doing this mistake him for a Blood Knight, when Akira is actually terrified.
41	** Eventually after establishing a BashBrothers sort of bond with Carol, they both do this while fighting together on his flying motorcycle.
42	* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' delivers some particularly compelling examples.
43	** One good example comes from climax at the first episode. Simon, Kamina and Yoko are in Lagann and Simon has manifested drills on Lagann to defeat the Gunman. The Gunman is being used as an impromptu drill while the trio head to the surface. As Kamina proclaims they're heading to the surface, Simon manages to crack out a confident smile for the first time and giving the audience a glimpse at the true power the young man possesses.
44	* In ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'', there is often a scene where [[TheHero Jaden]] is losing and takes a hard attack, and gets up off the ground looking downcast, seemingly holding back emotion... and then his HiddenEyes are revealed, he's laughing in joy, and he's wearing one of these. He then proclaims that he's enjoying the duel and will continue to do so, especially because he's about to win. Given the typical state of the game at that point, his opponent is usually dismissive - but he usually proceeds to do just that.
45	[[/folder]]
46
47	[[folder:Comic Books]]
48	* ComicBook/TheFlash is prone to these, at least the DCAU version.
49	* So are many ComicBook/{{Robin}}'s and ComicBook/{{Batgirl}}'s in the ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'' family. Usually: in their case, it's youthful enthusiasm, insecure optimism, and a bit of a prankster spirit. Batman himself often had this expression during the 70s (especially during the Neal Adams era) before The Dark Knight slipped nigh-totally into PerpetualFrowner mode.
50	* And then there's some of Creator/FrankMiller's ''ComicBook/AllStarBatmanAndRobinTheBoyWonder'', when it isn't an outright SlasherSmile. Creator/FrankMiller is very fond of this trope in general. ''ComicBook/SinCity'' and ''Film/ThreeHundred'' had many of those, and the movies even more so. Even when heroic, his characters tend to be on the bloodthirsty, violent side: aggressiveness is the key point here, and showing they are unscrupulous heroes.
51	* Among the ''ComicBook/XMen'' while ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} has the SlasherSmile ComicBook/{{Gambit\|MarvelComics}} has this whenever he’s kicking ass. ComicBook/{{Beast\|MarvelComics}}, ComicBook/{{Nightcrawler}}, ComicBook/{{Rogue}}, ComicBook/{{Psylocke}} and ComicBook/{{X 23}} often have these kind of grins too.
52	* ''ComicBook/{{Okko}}'': In the FlashBack to his adolescence, when Okko is cornered during a fight against a Yojimbo, he give her a SlasherSmile before turning his back to the enemy with a confidant grin. She try to attack him, only to be defeated by his newly mastered technique.
53	* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1987'': Diana tosses a wild grin at Natasha after Diana fights Ectreba and knocks her out and has the prisoner Ectreba had been "questioning" taken to medical, and then informs everyone that she and Ectreba will be questioning the man together the next day.
54	* One of the clear differences between ComicBook/PlasticMan and ComicBook/ElongatedMan without getting into motivations and backstories is that the former grins and smirks, while the later smiles kindly.
55	[[/folder]]
56
57	[[folder:Fan Works]]
58	* ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': Rodan's beak forms a grin at the idea of getting payback on Ghidorah for [[Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019 dominating him]], in Chapter 13. [[TwoBeingsOneBody Viv and San]] have a few such grins over the course of the story when it comes to the prospect of getting their own payback on Ghidorah or [[BloodKnight fighting generally]].
59	* ''{{FanFic/Anglerfish}}'': Tim grins when the gangsters he's fighting all crowd him and talk like they've got the upper hand; they've only put themselves in better range for him to take them out. He's less amused when Jason shows up shooting at the mouth of the alley.
60	* While [[AntiHero Loki]] occasionally pulls one of these in ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm,'' mention must go to its most constant bearer, MagnificentBastard Stephen Strange, for whom a GambitPileUp is just part of his own BatmanGambit, and whose smile is usually code for 'you're completely and utterly screwed'.
61	** Harry develops one in the sequel, which is noted to look worryingly like Strange's.
62	* In ''Fanfic/HarryPotterAndTheMethodsOfRationality's'' fan art, Harry is often represented wearing this, as befits a YoungConqueror, as do his retainers in the Chaos Legion (don't ask). Then a certain WhamEpisode happens, some illusions are shattered, and Harry's expressions become much more grim: it's instead Hermione and her group that take up most of the more optimistic kind of heroing.
63	* ''Fanfic/YesterdayUponTheStair'''s Izuku forces himself to smile under stress.
64	-->'''Tsuyu:''' He scares villains by being super strong, and you can scare them by smiling at them like you're about to eat a baby.
65	[[/folder]]
66
67	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
68	* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'': There's that scene with "I walk on the wild side... I laugh in the face of danger ha ha ha ha!" First it's young Simba, then Nala does it right before the big battle at the end.
69	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Mulan}}'' is about to be cut down by the leader of the invading army, and stops him by smiling at what's behind him.
70	* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'', the king of the penguins can be seen smiling with furrowed brows as he orders his soldiers to attack the Koopas -- even though [[CurbStompBattle his confidence is woefully misplaced]], with the battle quickly ending with Bowser and the Koopas having barely taken damage from the penguins' snowballs and ice projectile.
71	* Eugene in ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'' wears this as he tries to speak an apology to Maximus before riding to Rapunzel's rescue.
72	* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', Abby wears this as she passes a note in class behind the teacher's back.
73	[[/folder]]
74
75	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
76	* ''Film/Batman1989'': Creator/MichaelKeaton's Dark Knight could [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQpL4VeV2fmNJgSEA4E_4wxYjsCCVPDgINH4Q&usqp=CAU pull this off]], as seen facing off against Jack Napier in the chemical plant. In ''Film/BatmanReturns'' he infamously [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRGfP1W0Thpu6QrS9p5oaE_y7oP6izgtI-V_A&usqp=CAU has a full on]] SlasherSmile while killing one mook with dynamite. [[spoiler:In ''Film/TheFlash2023'' he marks his long anticipated return with another [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQMOBUGDzHBWlwfAFwxVWq87jmvdTHsFaIX9w&usqp=CAU one of these]].]]
77	* ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'': [[spoiler:Wonder Woman]], in contrast to everyone else fighting [[spoiler:Doomsday]], sports a grin after being thrown across the battlefield that says she's [[BloodKnight enjoying this battle]].
78	* ''Film/{{Gandhi}}'' is good at this, although it's a cute little smile rather than a grin. ([[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTWOJQP_e4tl0wsKw6Ex2-dxvEwupyXzM5qJQ&usqp=CAU Truth In Television]] and Creator/BenKingsley does it perfectly.) He gives it to menacing British authorities when he knows he's right. It's ''extremely'' disarming, especially in response to "You're under arrest!"
79	* ''Film/JurassicPark1993'': Muldoon pulls a cool smirk when he outruns and outdrives the T-Rex in his Jeep.
80	* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:
81	** Being as wild as the day is long, Tony Stark in ''Film/IronManFilms'' often grins like this. Special mention to the [[https://64.media.tumblr.com/24b1d273bcc92801b737d624df123785/804ff534b26067c7-fa/s400x600/d02516ec784d924e02dc54990d876565b071ff9f.gif little smile]] he has when Thor unintentionally charges his suit up to 400% capacity during their fight in ''Film/TheAvengers2012''.
82	** The titular God of Thunder in ''Film/{{Thor}}'' wears this expression while wrecking Ice Giants.
83	** In TheStinger of ''Film/TheAvengers2012'', when told that fighting the humans is to "court death", Thanos smiles.
84	** Natasha in ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'' during the opening fight on the ship grins and cracks wise at a mook before taking him down.
85	** Drax from ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014'' frequently has this in expression while fighting or just witnessing violence.
86	** ''Film/CaptainMarvel2019'': Carol unlocking her binary state causes the power on [[spoiler:Mar-Vell's ship to go haywire and cut out, including extinguishing the force field bars of the jail cell where the Skrulls are all being held. Cue Talos grinning as he prepares to fight their captors.]]
87	* ''Film/TheMask'' in his movie and [[WesternAnimation/TheMask cartoon version]] tends to wear a more overjoyed, confident version of this. The anticipation isn't of effort, but of ''immense fun''. By the end of the film, Ipkiss wears it a couple of times to signify he TookALevelInBadass.
88	* ''Film/TheMatrix'': Pretty much default [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTb2iCIKeATBVtF2zPON--lc-wzwBOfWA3UWA&usqp=CAU expression]] of Morpheus befitting his role as BadassTeacher. Creator/LaurenceFishburne in general is great at this, e.g [[https://media.tenor.com/nN8ALHblb-AAAAAC/okay-laurence-fishburne.gif Bowery King]] in ''Film/JohnWick''.
89	* ''Radio/OurMissBrooks'': In TheMovie GrandFinale, Mrs. Davis suggests to Mr. Boynton that Lawrence Nolan had induced Miss Brooks to take a trip on his yacht so he might seduce her. Mr. Boynton is outraged, and begins frantically checking his address book. Meanwhile, Mrs. Davis smiles and stifles a giggles, overjoyed that her use of OperationJealousy was off to a fine start!
90	* ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl'': "Now ''bring'' me that horizon!" ''Captain'' Jack Sparrow is very excited [[spoiler:he got his ship back]].
91	* In ''Film/ThePrincessBride'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOKuYsFIwXM Wesley has no problem cracking a grin in the most dire of circumstances]].
92	* ''Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk'': Indy being a very dangerous man does this twice [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jW1CeAVPhVg&t=100s first]] when noticing that propeller of the Nazi plane is gonna mulch the Nazi huge engineer he’s being pummelled by and [[https://i.makeagif.com/media/4-22-2017/vSdDqD.gif second]] during the truck chase when ramming a Nazi bike and sidecar off the road. The former may count as a SlasherSmile.
93	* Traditionally associated with ''Film/StTrinians'', which is almost entirely populated by female LovableRogue types, ever since the [[Film/StTrinians2TheLegendOfFrittonsGold time of the founder Fritton]], who was a LovableRogue himself. He was also[[spoiler: Creator/WilliamShakespeare.]] ''And'', he was [[spoiler:a woman]].
94	* ''Franchise/StarWars'':
95	** Much like his other most iconic role above Creator/HarrisonFord’s Han Solo has plenty of [[https://media.tenor.com/i_d7SuQ8D8IAAAAM/harrison-ford-han-solo.gif these]] being LoveableRogue incarnate.
96	** Anakin Skywalker in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'', just as he, Obi-Wan, and Odd Ball's squadron of clone pilots prepare to slog their way through a swarm of Seperatist fighters between them and their target.
97	--->'''Anakin:''' [[BloodKnight This is where the fun begins]]
98	*** Later in ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' it’s [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRhRP8SB2yqFIxLFMHMh-Aqws9Kw3ja8JIaPA&usqp=CAU revealed he has this expression under his mask]] as Darth Vader. Naturally this doubles as SlasherSmile.
99	** ''Film/RogueOne'': General Antoc Merrick sports such a grin as he [[FrontlineGeneral leads Blue Squadron]] in an attack run [[spoiler: on the [[HumongousMecha Imperial walkers]] harassing Rogue One's commandos on Scarif.]]
100	* In ''Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay'', when the T-800 goes to take on the LAPD with a minigun, John protests, wanting to avoid human casualties. Arnie simply smirks and says "Trust me."
101	* ''Film/WonderWoman2017'': After Diana's ShockwaveClap incident in training, all the Amazons look on her with fearful awe. Her mother is horrified that her power is manifesting. Antiope? She smirks as she lays on the ground after getting BlownAcrossTheRoom by the shockwave; she finally succeeded in getting her niece's latent divine powers to manifest.
102	[[/folder]]
103
104	[[folder:Literature]]
105	* ''Theatre/CyranoDeBergerac's'' various incarnations often wear this.
106	* Morgan and Derry exchange wicked grins in ''Literature/{{Deryni}} Rising'' just before Morgan secretly uses his powers to give a Connaiti mercenary his comeuppance.
107	* [[GuileHero Tavi]] from the ''{{Literature/Codex Alera}}'' frequently sports one of these, especially when [[ThePlan coming up with a plan]] or taking on overwhelming odds. His friends and family quickly learn to dread seeing it.
108	* A family trait of the Mccaffreys in [[Literature/FairyTaleNovels Rapunzel Let Down]]. The father is a politician and his hot-blooded sons enjoy hazardous escapades.
109	* A regular feature of Kelsier from ''{{Literature/Mistborn The Original Trilogy}}'', usually as a deliberate form of defiance.
110	[[/folder]]
111
112	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
113	* ''Series/TheBoys2019'': Billy Butcher has a particularly badass grin overlapping with SlasherSmile, special mention goes to the [[https://media.tenor.com/-MOHgP9LI3UAAAAC/herogasm-billy-butcher.gif one]] he has while having a BrawlerLock with ArchEnemy Homelander in Season 3.
114	* ''Franchise/{{Buffyverse}}'': Buffy is known for this as well as Faith and Angel (especially in his own series where he lightens up). Spike alternates between this, the PsychoticSmirk and SlasherSmile.
115	* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
116	** The Third Doctor has a memorable sequence in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E3TheSeaDevils The Sea Devils]]" in which he pins the Master at sword-point, and then starts [[PokeThePoodle eating the Master's]] [[EnemyEatsYourLunch lunch in front of him]] while smirking enormously.
117	** The Fourth Doctor, an arrogant, reckless and {{Nightmare Fetishist}}ic adrenaline-junkie and Lord President of the CheshireCatGrin, does this very frequently in his more action-orientated serials (like "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS13E6TheSeedsOfDoom The Seeds of Doom]]" where he flashes one while snapping a man's neck, pointing a gun at a room full of villains, and so on). He also does an amazingly big one at the end of "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS15E6TheInvasionOfTime The Invasion of Time]]" to signify that he's returning to acting like himself, after being [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness acting in a cold, humourless and smileless way for the entire story thus far]] as part of a BatmanGambit. One absolutely heartbreaking example is in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS18E7Logopolis Logopolis]]", when the dying Doctor glances up at his concerned companions, and flashes his distinctive, terrifying, mad smile for a fraction of a second before mumbling his last words and regenerating.
118	** The Thirteenth Doctor carries on the proud tradition, sporting a wide cheeky grin as she does anything crazy, awesome, or [[BreadEggsBreadedEggs crazy awesome]]. If she's about to thwart the VillainOfTheWeek, her smile can become downright ''[[SlasherSmile feral]]''.
119	* ''Series/FatherBrown'': In "[Recap/FatherBrownS4E8[ The Resurrectionists]]", Catherine is seen at the scene of the accident curiously grinning, [[spoiler:indicating that she is in on FakingTheDead]].
120	* On ''Series/{{Glee}}'', this is the typical expression worn by characters during uplifting songs, especially Barbara Streisand-style [[IWantSong songs about extremely ambitious and extremely insecure characters]].
121	* ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': Halbrand has a confident smirk on his face every time he is up to something (and he is up to something all the time), befitting his roguish charm.
122	* ''Series/MotherlandFortSalem'': The Marshal frequently sports one when {{No Sell}}ing the witches' Work.
123	* ''Radio/OurMissBrooks'':
124	** Sported by Walter Denton, whenever conniving to pull an especially severe prank on Mr. Conklin. Being told off sometimes serves to encourage the grin (except by Mr. Conklin himself, of whom Denton is somewhat afraid). Noticeable in "Wild Goose", "Space, Who Needs It?", "Cure That Habit", "Marinated Hearing" and "Spare That Rod!".
125	** Walter is also proud of having a "dark secret". In "Citizen's League", Miss Brooks suffers from guilt for having [[spoiler: accidentally stuck a pin in the seat of the church organist Mrs. Dunfy when fitting her dress for the governor's wedding]]. Miss Brooks asks Walter if he himself has a dark secret. Walter [[AnnoyingLaugh smirks, laughs, and says he does.]] [[spoiler: However, after being chewed out by Miss Brooks, Walter admits it's far from terrible, and again in the nature of a teenage prank.]]
126	** In "Wake Up Plan", Mr. Conklin laughs at his having sent a letter to the board of education, reporting Miss Brooks for missing her morning classes. This is in spite of admitted to himself, out loud, that it was a terrible thing to do.
127	** In TheMovie GrandFinale, Mrs. Davis suggests to Mr. Boynton that Lawrence Nolan had induced Miss Brooks to take a trip on his yacht so he might seduce her. Mr. Boynton is outraged, and begins frantically checking his address book. Meanwhile, Mrs. Davis smiles and stifles a giggles, overjoyed that her use of OperationJealousy was off to a fine start!
128	* ''Series/RedDwarf'': Lister and Cat often have this [[https://geekd-out.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/y7KysPg-1.gif expression]] being absolute rapscallions compared to the more straight-laced Rimmer and Kryten.
129	* ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'': Kirk being probably the archetypal adventuring space hero often wore [[https://media.tenor.com/8pXhrtvi65kAAAAM/star-trek-captain-kirk.gif a dangerous smile]] while having a scrape.
130	* ''Series/PersonOfInterest'': Reese often sports these as the series goes on.
131	* ''Series/TheWire'': in a series filled with "[[MagnificentBastard devious motherfuckers]]", this comes up often. Omar does a particularly easy, flippant grin, whether he be robbing a drug dealer at gun point or testifying against one in a courtroom.
132	* ''Series/TheWitcher2019'': Although mainly a PerpetualFrowner, Geralt [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRdlt1l06ggS1zY_y3sQg6UotrSC4eqbNPZjA&usqp=CAU is capable of this]].
133	[[/folder]]
134
135	[[folder:Music]]
136	* The traditional Border ballad [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIr21QNA6iE "Lock the Door, Lariston"]] is about a besieged reiver with a cunning plan.
137	-->''Why dost thou smile, noble Elliot of Lariston?\
138	Why does the joy-candle gleam in thine eye?\
139	Bold border ranger, beware of thy danger,\
140	Thy foes are relentless, determined and nigh!''
141	* The Music/MiracleOfSound song "[[VideoGame/{{Uncharted}} Here We Go Again]]" references this.
142	-->''Fates we have found so hellbent, wild...\
143	Facing it down with reckless smiles!''
144	[[/folder]]
145
146	[[folder:Video Games]]
147	* In most of the ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' series this is Dante’s (a ThrillSeeker BloodKnight) [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRmZA3JnsMQfUsixbH3jqDyP29Bw_EvL53c1w&usqp=CAU almost]] [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQpI9NZXuycdlB7j3zm0HLY9GBcmBz0EKj84g&usqp=CAU permanent]] [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTpM4_H_qHs0aCXzTqEadzUvVTaj4mcoAcM1w&usqp=CAU expression]]. If anything be more concerned when Dante ''is not smiling'' because that means he’s [[LetsGetDangerous taking things seriously]].
148	* Similarly the titular heroine of ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'' does [[https://64.media.tumblr.com/0cd6b096342244f73fe22e88090fd4a2/tumblr_o0i3zyhEw81qjoleso1_500.gifv this a lot]], often in a flirtatious manner.
149	* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':
150	** Bowser, Wario and Wuluigi have this expression, often overlapping with SlasherSmile. Donkey Kong is a more heroic example having a troubling grin on his face nearly all the time.
151	** Surprisingly enough, [[spoiler: Luigi]] in ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam'' just before [[spoiler: fighting Giant Bowser]].
152	* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''
153	** Cloud although better known for frowning/looking impassive has [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRgIGFlqUsi0tpHaj9m70jO5CRABxJinoTmzA&usqp=CAU been known]] [[https://thumbs.gfycat.com/AmpleAdorableArkshell-size_restricted.gif to smile]] [[https://64.media.tumblr.com/e8813e69280f4bd0bc0c65e1d367c22a/cfefcddd932e2019-4e/s400x600/1fa89fcf94d40fbbd3dd54ca6d36100a492fe56e.gifv like this]]. Even in his [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSvYlJKCL32X8zdJ52ET6QmG6UvgJrRuYaECg&usqp=CAU concept art]]. He most likely got it from Zack who wore this expression nearly all the time.
154	** Barret, Yuffie and Cid smile like this, Barret occasionally having an [[https://i.pinimg.com/originals/34/0c/f1/340cf1399bfca94c347d98c5401a7859.gif outright]] SlasherSmile in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIIRemake''.
155	* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'', at the end of the ''Endwalker'' expansion, if you opt to not deny the claims of [[spoiler:Zenos]], the Warrior of Light gives off an unique expression of a knowing and confident smirk, showing that for all of their heroism and kindness, they are still an adventuring warrior deep in their heart and take pride in their battles much like [[spoiler:Venat]] did.
156	--> '''Warrior of Light:''' ''(smirking)'' That, I can't deny.
157	* Leon (who helped inspire Dante above) in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'' cracks a dangerous smile and a chuckle [[https://thumbs.gfycat.com/AfraidDistantBedlingtonterrier-size_restricted.gif after throwing his knife into Salazar’s hand]].
158	* Sora when he stabs himself in the chest with the dark Keyblade to release Kairi's heart in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsI''.
159	* A tragic example: in ''VideoGame/Yakuza0'', the baddies are torturing [[spoiler: Tachibana]] for the location of the owner of the Empty Lot, but the thug doing the torturing, Yoneda, is getting too rowdy with his giant sledgehammer; Lieutenant [[BloodKnight Kuze]] scolds him saying that their prisoner is of no value for them dead, and proceeds to stop the torture and loosen his wraps. This prompts [[spoiler:Tachibana]] to give the two-bit yakuza a small grin... [[spoiler: which unfortunately makes Yoneda lose his shit and smash Tachibana's head on with the hammer, killing him]].
160	* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' is one of the most iconic thrill-seekers in gaming, it would make a lot of sense to show that. A lot of his art has him in his classic pose either with a smirk, or a cocky grin. Even when he could be kicked down to near-death, he doesn't let his grin fall.
161	* In ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'', when you enter combat with the single weakest monster in the game, this is their expression, even knowing how dangerous you are. [[spoiler:It doesn't waver as he proceeds to kick your ass.]]
162	* In ''VideoGame/Persona5'', this is the protagonist's signature expression whenever he's in PhantomThief mode, as befitting a defiant rebel seeking to change the hearts of the wicked and corrupt. Many of the other Phantom Thieves also sport daredevil grins when they summon their Personas for the first time, particularly Ryuji and Yusuke.
163	[[/folder]]
164
165	[[folder:Visual Novels]]
166	* In ''VisualNovel/KatawaShoujo'', athlete Emi wears this expression when she's running, and the protagonist describes it in great length, as he finds that change from her standard, softer expressions fascinating.
167	* This is the default expression for any protagonist in the ''Franchise/AceAttorney'' series once they start on their cleverer hunches, especially when they're onto something that turns a previously hopeless case upside-down. Then again, this can be said for just about anyone in these games pursuing the legal profession, as it's clear they all enjoy their jobs far too much.
168	[[/folder]]
169
170	[[folder:Web Animation]]
171	* Yang Xiao Long wears one often throughout the ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'' trailer featuring her, preceding the delivery of a CurbStompBattle. This continues onto many of her fights in early volumes, but she stops it once [[CerebusSyndrome things get more serious]] and she develops past her BloodKnight tendencies.
172	** Neopolitan has an arrogant smirk plastered on her face throughout her fight against Yang in Volume 2. It causes the easily agitated rookie Huntress to completely lose her cool and Neo exploits this for all its worth, leading Yang to a [[CurbStompBattle swift and easy defeat]].
173	** Her uncle Qrow also does this in his battle with Winter, to show that he's not taking it too seriously and because the whole thing's a BatmanGambit to make her lose her temper in front of her boss. He later grins when he gets the upper hand on Tyrian during a fight, contrasting the villain's SlasherSmile.
174	[[/folder]]
175
176	[[folder:Webcomics]]
177	* ''Webcomic/TheComebackPathOfPrincessFromMars'' has the main character Olga Perez sport this expression every time she's about to lay down a royal smackdown to whoever is antagonizing her, whether the smackdown is figurative or literal, usually literal.
178	* ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'': [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2011-04-26 HERE COMES A NEW CHALLENGER, BITCH!]]
179	* Ash of ''Webcomic/{{Misfile}}'' has one when they are about to show the drivers ahead of them why the title of King of the Mountain [[https://web.archive.org/web/20130305122900/http://www.misfile.com/?date=2013-03-01 still belongs]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20130306222533/http://www.misfile.com/?date=2013-03-04 to Ash]].
180	* Isabel of ''Webcomic/{{Paranatural}}'' may enjoy fighting [[https://www.paranatural.net/comic/chapter-1-page-54 a]] [[https://www.paranatural.net/comic/chapter-1-page-56 little]] ''[[https://www.paranatural.net/comic/chapter-2-page-28 too]]'' [[https://www.paranatural.net/comic/chapter-4-page-27 much.]] But if she ''stops'' smiling, [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness something is very wrong]].
181	* The boxers of ''Webcomic/StarImpact'' often throw these around during fights, but bonus points go to [[StarterVillain Urchin]] [[https://www.starimpactcomic.com/comic/chapter-1-page-50 here]], as he winds up for a counter to knock down [[TheHero Aster]].
182	* Rival [[CelebritySuperhero hero]]/[[GentlemanThief villain]] pair, Airstrike and The Hourglass, of ''Webcomic/WakeOfTheClash'' both engage in battle with wide, confident grins. Both of them are used to fighting for the spectacle of it, though each of their cocksure attitudes likely contribute heavily to their smiling faces.
183	[[/folder]]
184
185	[[folder:Web Original]]
186	* ''Literature/{{Worm}}'':
187	** In [[http://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/04/02/chrysalis-20-5/ Chapter 20.5]], Skitter is cornered by [[spoiler:five superheroes, two of whom are wearing PoweredArmor,]] without her armor or weapons and with her superpower effectively neutralized. Then she realizes that [[TheDreaded her opponents are still leery of attacking in fear of her pulling an ace from her sleeve at the last minute.]] Cue grin.
188	** [[AwesomenessByAnalysis Tattletale]] wears a smile all the time. Her smiles become these whenever she's facing down near-impossible odds.
189	[[/folder]]
190
191	[[folder:Western Animation]]
192	* If Sterling ''WesternAnimation/{{Archer}}'' even acknowledges what's going on in a firefight, he'll often have this expression. The best part of being a secret agent for him is being as over-the-top as possible, and turning things around from a hopeless position (and vice-versa) is second nature for him.
193	* While the trope description DID say that Batman doesn't engage in this trope, ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' gives him two awesome instances where he does. First is when he pulls an OhWait on the Secret Society's ambush on him, and then after he gets one up on the Joker during the ''Injustice for All'' two-parter. If BATMAN pulls this, you know he's just outclassed you badly.
194	* In ''Franchise/ThePowerpuffGirls'', Blossom tends to range between this and your average benevolent smile, while Buttercup, the most grumpy and short-tempered of the girls, usually ranges between this and a PsychoticSmirk, though genuine smiles will still appear on her face at certain moments.
195	* ''WesternAnimation/SkullIsland2023'': Before jumping into battle against the Killer Chameleons in [[Recap/SkullIsland2023S1E7YoureNotAKingYoureJustAStupidAnimal "You're Not a King, You're Just a Stupid Animal"]], [[Characters/MonsterVerseKingKong King Kong]] gives the island girl a sly smirk like he's about to exercise his muscles against the monsters and nothing more.
196	* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'': In [[Recap/StarWarsTheCloneWarsS1E4DestroyMalevolence "Destroy Malevolence"]], Obi-Wan gets a little grin when he's ambushed and surrounded in the hyperdrive control room, right before he uses the droidekas' shields to protect himself and then uses the Force to knock them into their own allies like bowling balls and escapes unharmed.
197	* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'':
198	** Garnet gives a beautiful one for most of her fight against Jasper in the finale of Season 1, paired with her BadassBoast which she actually [[RuleOfCool sings]] to Jasper while kicking her ass. Given [[TheStoic her default personality]], [[Awesome/StevenUniverse it was definitely that one moment which people will remember about her forever]].
199	** In a WholeEpisodeFlashback, Rose Quartz faces down a FusionDance of three Rubies with a smirk... before [[CurbStompBattle taking the Fusion down with a few punches]].
200	[[/folder]]

Context Main / GrinOfAudacity