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9[[quoteright:350:[[Franchise/AvatarTheLastAirbender https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/avatar_zen_mentor_1.png]]]]
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11
12->''"Endure. In enduring, grow strong."''
13-->-- '''Dak'kon''', ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment''
14
15A character who [[HeroicBSOD has been through utter hell,]] [[ShellShockedVeteran and came out sad, cynical,]] and WiseBeyondTheirYears. Part of their wisdom is knowing that it is wasted on most people, so they don't go around babbling it to everybody. Instead, they wait until they see somebody who is worthy, and serve as the worthy one's {{Mentor|s}}.
16
17Like an ancient Zen master, a Zen Survivor never gives straight advice. Instead they speak in odd riddles and hints, delighting in CrypticConversation. They also [[WaxOnWaxOff make bizarre demands]], and do [[TrainingFromHell cruel, seemingly pointless things]] to their student. This is because (also like a Zen master) they have an OmniscientMoralityLicense. They know not just the world but their student better than the student does -- each of their cruel tests is [[TheOnlyWayTheyWillLearn designed to teach a lesson]], and the lesson is always right.
18
19Usually, the Zen Survivor does this because simply giving advice doesn't convince anybody, whereas odd tests do. If their student is too stubborn to believe them, the Zen Survivor will pretend to give in... and provide [[ALessonInDefeat just enough rope for the student to hang themselves]]. Inevitably, the student will [[WellDoneSonGuy come crawling back]].
20
21Distinct from the AllPowerfulBystander in that they hold back knowledge, not talents or powers.
22
23The Zen Survivor can also [[EvilMentor be evil]] and generally realize it themselves, but they [[IDidWhatIHadToDo justify their actions]] on the basis of [[ShootTheDog ruthless pragmatism]] (often [[WellIntentionedExtremist in the name of the greater good]]).
24
25----
26!!Examples:
27[[foldercontrol]]
28[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
29* Gordon Rosewater from ''Anime/TheBigO'' is a low-key example: he built Paradigm City and [[CallToAgriculture retired to become a farmer]], leaving it in the hands of his son (who has since become the BigBad). Gordon is fully aware of how evil and stupid his son is, and gives Roger advice on how to deal with him -- but always cryptically, so Roger can [[FigureItOutYourself Figure It Out Himself]] and thus use it better. Gordon also knows the secret of the show's OntologicalMystery, but is just as cryptic about this.
30* In ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', Urahara's TrainingFromHell and tragic backstory seem to qualify him.
31* Gatomon from ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'' whose relentless torture by Myotismon made her wiser and stronger to the point that she naturally evolved into champion level.
32* Archer from ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' from his hellish past down to the twin-dao falchions he wields. He constantly gives Shirou 'advice' in the form of insults and degrading comments (and at least a few cryptic lines here and there), because as [[spoiler:Shirou's future self, he knows exactly what Shirou needs to learn or do to improve himself, or at least how to avoid the path that Archer took.]]
33* Meta Knight from ''Anime/KirbyRightBackAtYa'' often acts this way to Fumu (and sometimes Kirby).
34* [[TheDragon Neo Roanoke]] of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSeedDestiny'' functions as an EvilMentor to the three [[{{Tykebomb}} Extended]], all while still projecting the BigBrotherMentor vibe that Mu la Flaga had in the last show [[spoiler: for good reason]]. The results are not pretty.
35** Kira Yamato has also become one of these.
36* ''Manga/{{Monster}}'' has a nod to this trope with Wolf, Rosso, and even [[spoiler:Bonaparta]].
37** Runge gets in on the act as well.
38* [[AloofBigBrother Itachi Uchiha]] from ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' fits this trope to a T. He's been through more hell than almost any other character in the series, and [[CrapsackWorld that's saying a lot]]. First he was caught in a {{war|IsHell}} at the ripe old age of four, then he was [[spoiler:forced to [[ShootTheDog kill most of his clan]], [[SilentScapegoat induce the hatred of the only family he had left]], and leave the village and fend for himself among terrorists who alternately threatened him or outright tried to [[GrandTheftMe steal his body]], all with his massive trauma [[ThereAreNoTherapists totally untreated]]. To make matters worse, he had to pretend to be OK with this for eight years afterward, while [[WouldNotShootAGoodGuy trying to avoid killing the people who attacked him without realizing he was on their side.]]]] All in all, it's a wonder he even cares enough to bother giving people like Naruto and Sasuke warnings, cryptic advice, and [[spoiler:bits of power in the form of transplanted eyeballs and force-fed crows.]]
39* Gendo Ikari from ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''. A bitter, hardened genius who forces his son Shinji to go through hell 'for his own good' -- and it's kept unclear until the very end whether it really is for Shinji's own good or just evil. It turns out it's just because he thinks he'd be a crappy dad.
40* "Dark Prince" Silver Rayleigh takes this role to Luffy in ''Manga/OnePiece.'' [[spoiler: He was the vice-captain of the Gold Roger Pirates, has been to the New World and back, and now spends his times at a bar, fairly annoyed by the new age of pirates coming and going. He takes a liking to Luffy, and after the Marineford War arc, takes two years to teach Luffy how to use Haki.]]
41* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'': Homura Akemi has survived the horrors of magical girl life and has grown both strong and wise because of it. Her teaching is blunt and summed up in "Don't become a MagicalGirl." [[CassandraTruth No one listens.]]
42* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' with Lordgenome. The Anti-spirals almost, but not quite, fit as they foresee the hell down the road and stop themselves before reaching it. Then simply kill anyone who nears their road block. If only they were a bit less vague in their answers once they did talk...
43[[/folder]]
44
45[[folder:Comic Books]]
46* Uncle Scrooge has gone through several levels of hell in ''ComicBook/TheLifeAndTimesOfScroogeMcDuck''. He usually allows Donald Duck to get into trouble knowing the lessons will be worth it. "Someone's about to learn a lesson, lads." What's more, Donald and his nephews are worthy of Uncle Scrooge's wisdom and money... he'll just never tell them that.
47* High school outcast Shelley in ''ComicBook/TheUnderburbs''.
48* V in ''ComicBook/VForVendetta''. Though not as much in the movie.
49[[/folder]]
50
51[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
52* In ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2'', Master Shifu tells Po that some masters achieve inner peace through great pain and suffering. PlayedForLaughs as he then goes on to say that seeing Po's selection as the Dragon Warrior was that pain for himself.
53[[/folder]]
54
55[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
56* Mr. Miyagi in ''Film/TheKarateKid'' seems to be nothing more than an eccentric but NiceGuy neighbor. When Daniel asks him to teach him Karate, Mr. Miyagi seems to instead trick Daniel into doing household chores, cleaning the car, painting the house, etc. Daniel doubts Miyagi, but in a roundabout way he had been teaching Daniel the necessary muscle-memory for basic Karate moves. The trope comes in full force when his backstory is revealed: he fought in WWII, and while away his family died in an internment camp. Rather than rage or despair, he eventually comes out of it wiser and without carrying grudges or hate, allowing him to ignore attacks on his ego and pride, attacks that the violent, arrogant leader of rival Karate studio Cobra Kai is most certainly not immune to.
57* The version of Pei Mei seen in the ''Film/KillBill'' movies fits this trope. He is pretty nasty and cruel but he's been isolated so long that he can at least value a little company so he takes students.
58* In ''Film/TheMaskOfZorro'' (1998), the original Zorro, Don Diego, plays this role.
59* Sue in ''Film/TheRageCarrie2''. She was one of the few survivors of Carrie's rampage in [[Film/{{Carrie 1976}} the original film]], and is now a school psychiatrist. When she learns about Rachel's powers, she immediately steps in to try to help her, hoping to prevent her from going nuclear like Carrie did. She fails, [[spoiler:and gets killed for her effort]].
60* This is what [[FinalGirl Sidney Prescott]] becomes after surviving the horrors of the ''Film/{{Scream}}'' movies, specially after the events of [[Film/{{Scream 2}} the second movie]]. Poor girl needs to catch a break.
61* ''Franchise/StarWars'' has both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. Obi-Wan, in particular, shows a stark contrast from his [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]] CynicalMentor persona in the prequels to his wise, peaceful older self in the original trilogy.
62* Kevin Flynn in ''Film/TronLegacy'', as compared to the brash, headstrong person he was in the original.
63[[/folder]]
64
65[[folder:Literature]]
66* Shogo Kawada from ''Literature/BattleRoyale''. He's the "winner" of the previous year's [[DeadlyGame Program]], and never really explained himself fully to his allies, even though he wound up [[HypercompetentSidekick doing almost all the work]].
67* Christine Summerfield by the end of the ''Literature/FactionParadox'' novel ''Dead Romance'', which explains why she has been telling the story in the weird way she is.
68* The Victors of ''Literature/TheHungerGames'', in a degree.
69* Creator/RobertAHeinlein's Lazarus Long is a Zen Survivor. Over two thousand years old, his [[HeroicBSOD utter hell]] has been watching the people he loves grow old and die while he lives on. He flat out tells Ira Weatheral that he doesn't give advice because people learn -- if they learn at all -- from experience.
70* Thorkell, the burnt-out [[HornyVikings Erling]] raider in Creator/GuyGavrielKay's ''Literature/TheLastLightOfTheSun''. He's old, tired, estranged from his son, and all but ready to go. Yet despite this, he's oddly at peace with the world, figuring that whatever happens, happens, and spends most of the book as an odd sort of {{Mentor}} to [[{{Jerkass}} Alun]] and [[WellDoneSonGuy Aethelbert]], who desperately need the guidance.
71[[/folder]]
72
73[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
74* ''Series/{{Angel}}'': Wesley's new, grizzled look is a perfect fit for Los Angeles under permanent midnight. He gets even more philosophical when he's deep into the whiskey.
75* ''Series/BabylonFive'': Commander Jeffrey Sinclair is very much one of these as ''Entil'zha'' of the Rangers, playing the "never give a straight answer" part of the trope to the hilt.
76-->'''Marcus Cole:''' There was a saying on Minbar, anyone who wanted to get a straight answer out of Ranger One was to look at every reply in a mirror while hanging upside down from the ceiling.\
77'''Captain Sheridan:''' Did it work?\
78'''Marcus Cole:''' Oddly enough, yes! Or after a while you passed out and had a vision. Either way the result was pretty much the same.
79* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'': SubvertedTrope with the Watcher's Council, who do [[ShootTheDog cruel, apparently stupid things]] "for the Slayer's own good" that turn out to be... [[NiceJobBreakingItHero just cruel and stupid]]; naturally, Buffy [[WhatTheHellHero tells them off]] and [[SugarWiki/MomentofAwesome mutinies]].
80* ''Series/DegrassiTheNextGeneration'':
81** Ellie Nash in her early appearances was a grim goth/punk who befriended fallen popular girl Ashley and taught her how to cope with life as an outcast. Ellie rarely spoke, and stood up to The AlphaBitch by simply refusing to obey, without arguing. She would often follow Ashley while silently nodding or shaking her head. In one episode, Ashley tries to make up with her old friends but fails -- and the camera panned out to reveal Ellie, who made a dry, almost Zen-like remark about the futility of popularity in school.
82** When Ellie evolved out of this part, other ''Degrassi'' characters took her place. At various points, Manny, Tracker, Ashley, Spinner, Jimmy, Paige, and Alex have all become a Zen Survivor (and ceased to be one after a few episodes).
83* ''Series/{{Heroes}}'': "Claude Rains": his training of Peter is brief, brutal, but very helpful (though he gets some things wrong), and he definitely fits the {{backstory}} requirements.
84* ''Series/{{Highlander}}'': Methos is [[ShootTheDog one]] [[CombatPragmatist of]] [[ManipulativeBastard these]], and much like the page quote his general attitude is summed up in a piece of advice to [=MacLeod=]; 'Live, grow stronger, fight another day'.
85* ''Series/{{House}}'': The title character is this to pretty much everyone in the show, but particularly to whoever is playing the {{Moral Guardian}} this season.
86* ''Series/{{Life|2007}}'': Charlie Crews, the hero, a homicide detective wrongfully accused of murder but proven innocent after 12 years of hard time, is explicitly into Zen, although in his case somewhat twisted as he did go [[CloudCuckoolander a bit nuts]] in the Big House.
87* ''Series/{{Lost}}'':
88** John Locke comes close to this trope. His life pre-island was phenomenally depressing, but on the island, he arguably has the most [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome key moments]] of the main cast (he ranks at least third to Sayid and Sawyer), and even has a few bizarre tests to put other characters (and sometimes even himself) through. He's also got a strong cryptic streak.
89** Rose Nadler is incredibly calm after the initial crash, so much so that Jack worries she's in shock and isn't processing what happened. She insists that her husband, who was in a different part of the plane, has survived even when the rest of the group assume he's dead. Her faith turns out to be justified when Bernard turns up alive leading to a BigDamnReunion when he makes it to the main camp.
90* ''Series/{{Revolution}}'': [[Creator/ElizabethMitchell Rachel Matheson]] seems to be acting as this for [[Creator/ZakOrth Aaron Pittman]]. Her backstory is quite sad, and she is quite cryptic with just about everybody. She seems to be testing him to see how far he will go to achieve a goal.
91* ''Series/{{Smallville}}'': [[MagnificentBastard Lionel]] [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Luthor]] is this to his son, ComicBook/LexLuthor. By screwing with Lex's head, Lionel hopes to turn his son into the man he always wanted him to be.
92* ''Series/SouthOfNowhere'': Ashley is a high school girl with negligent parents who had a miscarriage, lost her boyfriend, and came out as bisexual -- all during the {{Backstory}}. She serves as a teacher and love interest to the heroine, teaching her about sexual orientation and what kind of people can be trusted. Ashley abuses her OmniscientMoralityLicense to absurd levels -- anything she does, no matter how callous, is always for the best.
93* ''Series/TrueDetective'': Matthew [=McConaughey=]'s Detective Rustin Spencer "Rust" Cohle offers a solid example.
94[[/folder]]
95
96[[folder:Video Games]]
97* Nessiah in ''VideoGame/BlazeUnion''. Jury's out on whether he's actually evil or just [[JerkassWoobie kind of messed up]], but [[MultipleEndings depending on the route]] he's either the team's mentor or the antagonist.
98* Zhi Wong in ''VideoGame/DeadRising3'' ''seems'' like this, [[SubvertedTrope but he isn't]]. He acts like a [[DissonantSerenity calm]], stereotypical old monk (in the middle of a ZombieApocalypse, no less), but that's a pretense. He's really got a [[HairTriggerTemper horrible temper]] and [[DisproportionateRetribution kills other survivors for disturbing his meditation]]. And his "wisdom" is all about lashing out in anger.
99* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'''s Auron plays the obvious mentor in the game's tutorial, and after a temporary disappearance, joins the party after a crisis as a powerhouse fighter and the cryptic, all-knowing [[TheStoic stoic]]. It's understandable why: after going through [[spoiler:the grueling Summoner's Journey once, he underwent TheReveal that the entire religion was a hoax and had to witness his Summoner get murdered while his other Guardian was turned into the next beast to torment the universe. Oh, and Yunalesca kills him for good measure. He then is charged with living in Fake Zanarkand for a decade to tutor Jecht's son.]]
100** In perhaps his most triumphant example of this trope, Auron hides the critically-important fact that [[spoiler: completing her pilgrimage will kill Yuna]] from Tidus until the most emotionally-traumatizing moment possible. This is ''very'' deliberate: [[spoiler: Auron wants Tidus to be as shocked and disgusted by the revelation as possible, so that he'll be more motivated to try and find an alternative.]]
101** It's worth noting that just by going through the pilgrimage until you reunite with Auron will you understand why he's doesn't just tell them. Picture this: You and only you know your religion is crap but you're in a team full of people (sans Rikku, but even then she and by extension the Al Bhed doesn't really have an alternative to stopping anything) who know that Yevon and Sin is THE ONLY way of life in their world and trying to go against it will earn you disbelief and scorn, not to mention the Church likely to take an extensive interest in your head. Only by allowing the exposure of their hypocrisy in person would it allow the devoted such as Wakka and Lulu to really see what the score is; ostensibly, the same way he did himself. As he said earlier: "Had I told you, would it have stopped you?"
102* Kreia from ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicIITheSithLords'' could practically be this trope's patron saint. She's both [[spoiler:a fallen Jedi ''and'' a fallen Sith]] and now occupies a strange middle road in the Force, dispensing her bitterly-earned wisdom to the main character.
103* Samara in ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', an [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld asari Matriarch]] who is an ascetic warrior-monk hunting down a mass-murderer [[spoiler:who is her daughter.]]
104* Snake of ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' is generally aloof and cynical around his impromptu protege love interest throughout the course of the game. He gets some perspective on his life through the process, and becomes a mentor in the sequel.
105* In ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'', one of the {{NPC}}s you can add to your party, Dak'kon, is a weathered old githzerai who follows a path of wisdom that relies on hidden truths and occasionally contradictory secrets. However, if the player character becomes intelligent and wise enough, he can turn it around and start teaching the Zen Survivor. Of course, given the player character's backstory, he could easily be something of a Zen Survivor, too... [[spoiler:It turns out the path of wisdom he follows was made by you in the past, [[PathOfInspiration albeit only as a way to ensure Dak'kon's eternal loyalty towards you.]]]]
106* In ''VisualNovel/TogainuNoChi'', albeit less so in [[MultipleEndings his own route]].
107* Medivh from ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}'', as of the third game. After being defeated in 1, he makes a HeelFaceTurn, and becomes a prophet, uniting the three living races (orcs, humans, night elves) against the Scourge. His role in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' seems to be less prominent.
108* Marlowe in ''VideoGame/VisionsAndVoices''.
109[[/folder]]
110
111[[folder:Webcomics]]
112* From ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'', Klaus Wulfenbach. Having to go through the pain of a world destroyed by pointless wars made him a bit more cynical. Surviving his lover and a few of his close friends also jaded him. In a slight subversion, he doesn't passively dole out advice. He uses his knowledge to seize and 'fix' the world. The motto on his empire's flag is "Don't make me come over there."
113[[/folder]]
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115[[folder:Western Animation]]
116* Iroh in ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''. In his past, he was a famed general who lost his only son in a war, and subsequently lost his will to fight. He now serves as a {{mentor}} to his nephew, Zuko.
117** Also, Jeong Jeong, who is convinced that fire is a destructive force, to Aang, telling him to be prudent.
118[[/folder]]
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