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Cleanup thread: Magnificent Bastard

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During the investigation of recent hollers in the Complete Monster thread, it's become apparent to the staff that an insular, unfriendly culture has evolved in the Complete Monster and Magnificent Bastard threads that is causing problems.

Specific issues include:

  • Overzealous hollers on tropers who come into the threads without being familiar with all the rules and traditions of the tropes. And when they are familiar with said rules and traditions, they get accused (with little evidence) of being ban evaders.
  • A few tropers in the thread habitually engage in snotty, impolite mini-modding. There are also regular complaints about excessive, offtopic "socializing" posts.
  • Many many thread regulars barely post/edit anywhere else, making the threads look like they are divorced from the rest of TV Tropes.
  • Following that, there are often complaints about the threads and their regulars violating wiki rules, such as on indexing, crosswicking, example context and example categorization. Some folks are working on resolving the issues, but...
  • Often moderator action against thread regulars leads to a lot of participants suddenly showing up in the moderation threads to protest and speak on their behalf, like a clique.

It is not a super high level problem, but it has been going on for years and we cannot ignore it any longer. There will be a thread in Wiki Talk to discuss the problem; in the meantime there is a moratorium on further Complete Monster and Magnificent Bastard example discussion until we have gotten this sorted out.

Update: The new threads have been made and can be found here:

     Previous post 
IMPORTANT: To avoid a holler to the mods, please see here for the earliest date a work can be discussed, (usually two weeks from the US release), as well as who's reserved discussion.

  • Why do a cleanup?: This trope definitely exists and has a well documented history of use. That being said, it frequently gets misused to a character who meets one of the components, namely that they are smart, charming while not necessarily even being a villain, or create good plans. While these are components, there is also a certain personality required, not to mention that all of the above are required to be present for a character to be a true Magnificent Bastard. As the trope attracts interest, it unfortunately brings in a lot of misuse and I thought the best way to rectify this would be a Perpetual Cleanup Thread, as is being done and has seen success with Complete Monster.

  • What makes a Magnificent Bastard: Below is a list of the individual components to make this character. Note that they must all be present, not just some, which has lead to frequent misuse:
    • Must be intelligent: Goes without saying, to be a Magnificent Bastard, the character has to be smart in the first place and use their brain to work towards whatever their end goal may be;
    • Must be a Bastard: While going overboard in how vile the character is can be detrimental, a key aspect is the Bastard part of the trope, whether the character is an out-and-out antagonist in the work, some manner of Villain Protagonist, or something in between, they at least have some unscrupulous qualities to qualify for this trope;
    • Must not be too detestable: Again, there is a ceiling on how bad the character can be before they just become too nefarious, blocking out the Magnificent part of the trope. A genocidal racist or child-raping Sadist aren't going to make the cut;
    • Think on their feet: In addition to being a Chessmaster, a Magnificent Bastard, if the character deals with situations in which their initial plan is ruined, has to be able to pull a Xanatos Speed Chess and at least come up with a competent strategy to make up for lost time, otherwise they fail for being unable to think in tough spots;
    • Have charm: Even if they don't necessarily make every character they meet fall in love with them and can even be detested by others, the audience has to find an amicable social relation to the character, or they are failing to make the impact required for this trope.

  • What to do if a character is listed on a page but has not been approved?: They need to be removed, all candidates need to come through the cleanup thread first. The character could well count but they need to be analyzed properly and voted on first.

  • Do we list Playing With this trope?: No; as a YMMV trope, this cannot be Played With, so we only want examples that are Played Straight.

  • What do I do if I want a character to be listed as a Magnificent Bastard?: The greatest success Complete Monster saw for its cleanup effort was from the invention of the effort post format, so, borrowing from that, a troper wishing to propose a Magnificent Bastard will create such a post in the following format:
    • Begin by describing The work, this will help establish the setting the character is in and for the reader to understand what kind of a scenario they are in;
    • Summarize The character's actions, this will provide a listing for readers to understand what they do and how it applies to this trope because charm and lack of smugness are so crucial, this is a good time to be incorporating exactly the flavor of how they operate to explain this;
    • List circumstances in which the character must Think on their feet, these are times where a wrench might be thrown in their initial plan and they have to adapt on the spot or even come up with a new scheme all together, this is also a good time to explain how the villain reacts to defeat when they have to face it, a true Magnificent Bastard won't break down into tears at the thought of death, they should have known such a possibility could occur and be able to handle it with more dignity;
    • The competition, similar to the Heinous Standard dealt with for a Complete Monster, this section is to deal with how successful the character is in carrying out their plans compared to other characters. While, as a villain, they probably are going to lose in the end, it is good to explain how other characters handle the same situation. There is no exceptionalism case to be made for this trope but explaining the variety helps the reader have a better understanding of the proposal.

  • How do you know when the character's arc is done so they can be proposed? When their tenure as a villain or antagonist finishes. This could happen in a single Story Arc in an entire work, a single work of a franchise, or the whole series in general. We'll show lenience to Long-Runners with constantly recurring candidates or series with outstanding continuities (ex. comic books), and it's entirely possible to count in a work or two but not in general for a reason like Depending on the Writer.

  • What about candidates evil because of external sources? Those Made of Evil can qualify if they show enough individuality and tactical acumen — in other words, they have the personality to fulfill the magnificence requirement. Conversely, those brainwashed, especially if they're a better person without it, may fail the individuality aspect and cannot count.

  • What if they are under orders from a higher-up? Depends. If the boss created the plans down to the letter and the candidate is just following them, sounds like we should discuss the boss instead. However, if the candidate takes creative liberties with the orders, adds their own charm and flair to them, fills in holes in the orders, and/or actively deals with obstacles their boss did not talk about, the candidate shows enough individual thinking to qualify.

  • What about Character Development? An MB is something a character can develop into... a nice person who plots well might become more morally gray as the work goes on and hits the "Bastard" criteria, thus making them viable. Likewise, a Smug Snake might shed their ego, become more understanding of the threat others pose and gain the personality or "Magnificent" criteria, likewise making them viable. Conversely, a character who looks like this trope might suffer from a Sanity Slippage or just get outed as not being as smart as they thought they were and become incompatible with MB.

  • Can an MB be a good guy? Not in the conventional sense... it is required they have at least some dubious traits lest they fail the "Bastard" criteria. That being said, a character who pulls a Heel–Face Turn or eventually stops taking villainous actions is still fair game: as there was a point in time where they were both "Magnificent" and a "Bastard" at the same time and they've merely adapted as time goes on. Now... if such a character begins showing other issues (i.e.: becomes prone to freak outs or starts getting outwitted) then they're compromising their Magnificence and will probably be deemed a cut. What's important is stylishly operating while at least for some time being willing to take at best underhanded methods to see a job done. A Heel–Face Turn in itself isn't a disqualifier but they do have to have been "Magnificent" and a "Bastard" at the same time and afterwards can't start slipping on the former front.

  • What about characters whose stories can take different routes?: When proposing a character in a form of media that has them in multiple story routes. Said character must be consistent with their characteristics in all routes. (ex.: Can't have an example who shows promise on one route yet fails in another.) The only exception is if a later installment of the series confirms the character's actions which made them worth proposing are the canon route.

  • Is there a timeframe rule like with Complete Monster?: Yes, please wait two weeks until after the work has concluded before proposing a character (again, usually using the North American air date). As is the case with CM, we want to give a reasonable time frame so that everyone interested in seeing the work has done so and can participate in the discussion without having anything spoiled.

  • What about groups like with Complete Monster?: This is a point of divergence between the two tropes. While CM does not allow for a single entry encompassing more than three characters lest their heinousness for crimes becomes too watered down, with MB as long as they are treated as one "unit" it is acceptable to lump all characters provided they share acts of charm and intelligence.

  • Can I propose my own work's character as a Magnificent Bastard?: No, this is a YMMV subject and the creator of a content is way too biased to be able to evaluate the criteria we're looking for without a second opinion taking over. That being said, you are more than welcome to encourage someone to consume your creation and if they feel a character counts, are more than welcome to suggest them.

Thread rules

When voting a troper must specify the effort post they're voting on and cannot merely vote on "Everything I missed" as in the past it has indicated the poster didn't read the effort post and is guessing instead of analyzing.

Resolved items

In general, a character listed on this trope is considered "settled". This means they should not be challenged unless information used to list them was incorrect or information was missed in the initial discussion.

However, when re-litigating a candidate, the same rules apply for when they were originally proposed. If they do not have five or more upvotes than downvotes for approval upon a re-litigation, including votes from the initial discussion if they do not change, then they are a cut.

This especially applies to the characters listed below, who have been discussed excessively and repeated attempts to get them listed/cut may result in punitive action for bogging down the thread.

Definitely an MB

Definitely not an MB

  • South Park: The show's frequent use of vulgar comedy and mean-spirited humor leaves any potential candidates devoid of the dignity or charm to qualify.

Edited by GastonRabbit on Aug 31st 2023 at 4:15:22 AM

43110 (Striking Back) Relationship Status: Reincarnated romance
#17026: Apr 5th 2020 at 5:07:42 PM

I won't take issue with Ambrose going up but from my recollection he was treated more as "Seeming ally was actually a jackass" as opposed to "What a mastermind!" post reveal and I attribute some of what appears to be competency on his behalf as incompetency on Johnny's. I like the movie so I wouldn't mind rewatching it but I don't see him as a keeper, despite loving him as a villain.

miraculous Goku Black (Apprentice)
Goku Black
#17027: Apr 5th 2020 at 5:11:29 PM

[up][up]I was actually wondering who do you could count in ncis ?

I was thinking Ari

I Will abstain on Ambrose since its been years since I've seen that film.

Edited by miraculous on Apr 5th 2020 at 5:13:37 AM

"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."
G-Editor The 47th President Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
The 47th President
#17028: Apr 5th 2020 at 5:56:43 PM

[up] perhaps, but it has been a while since I saw The episodes with Ari so I can’t be too sure

[down] let me think about it. It’s been a very long time since I saw those episodes

Edited by G-Editor on Apr 5th 2020 at 3:49:37 AM

My sandbox of EPs and other stuff
miraculous Goku Black (Apprentice)
Goku Black
#17029: Apr 5th 2020 at 6:07:01 PM

I was also thinking of maybe Alejandro Rivera and his sister Paloma Reynosa and Harper Dearing As well as maybe Robert King. Maybe Eli David too ?

Would you be cool teaming up with me to go through them.

"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."
43110 (Striking Back) Relationship Status: Reincarnated romance
#17030: Apr 5th 2020 at 6:17:20 PM

Alright, the page swapping stuff slipped my mind so I'll do it and the batch tomorrow. Papyru do you wanna put that quote in on Visual Novels?

DemonDuckofDoom from Some Pond in Hell Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#17031: Apr 5th 2020 at 6:26:22 PM

[tup] Josie and Mastermind

Abstain on Ambrose

Ravok Son of Liberty from Big Shell Since: Jun, 2015 Relationship Status: Complex: I'm real, they are imaginary
Son of Liberty
#17032: Apr 5th 2020 at 10:00:46 PM

'Yes' to Josie and the Mastermind. Have to abstain on Ambrose, it's been years since I've seen the film.

To get my mind off some things, Here's a potential Keeper, a very interesting one, I think.

What's the work?

How to be a Villain and The Villain's Guide to Better Living is a duology of "how-to" novels written by Neil Zawacki. Written as comedic, almost parodic "guides" on how to be a successful villain, these novels are "written" in-universe by an unnamed evil genius who knows all the tricks in the book...

Who is the unnamed writer? What makes him a candidate?

The nameless author of the "guides" is depicted as a helpful Card-Carrying Villain with a life mission to help the reader succeed as a supervillain in a world of do-gooders and mall Santas looking to bring joy to the world.

Witty as all hell and completely supportive of the reader, the writer provides helpful guidance and tips on everything from maintaining a cleanly evil lair to outsmarting heroes, many of which we'll discuss here.

Promoting confidence, self-acceptance, and equal opportunities for all races, genders, and monstrous demonic alien animals alike, the writer urges the reader to develop their own supervillain name, while also remarking that their plain real name could be equally villainous and fear-inducing ("Examples include Bill Gates and Pat Robertson")

Remarking that their are several different types of villainous careers to choose from—from criminal masterminds to mad scientists to those dastardly telemarketers—the writer gives tips and tricks on how each of these types appeal to different personalities.

In the case of criminal mastermind, the writer urges the reader to fast track development of death rays to deal with enemy gangs, but to offer the best henchmen of enemies the chance to join your own ranks for a better deal than their current employers.

Describing the villain type of Corporate Bastard, the writer offers up a bevy of wayd to crawl up the corporate ladder using ones own talents and specialities, and gives the advice to eliminate all competing businesses through such means as lowering your own prices to downright absurd levels just to drive the competition out of business, so you can then have free reign to increase the prices however much you like, since you'll be the only supplier in town.

Going through more villainous archetypes, such as horror movie villains ("If they should discover that fire, electricity, or a proper burial is your one weakness, don’t worry. Your body will reanimate somehow (it always does), and you will live to slay another day."), the writer goes onto encourage the reader to decipher their own motive for being evil, be it world domination, destruction of the human race, or just spreading misery (for which he so kindly recommends becoming a politician in power).

Offering up a variety of take-over-the-world schemes, including taking control of the economy and using the media to ensnare entire populaces in "bubbles" of misinformation, the writer then focuses on the forces of good, detailing their thought processes ("As a member of the forces of good you actually try to stop (evil occult) rituals. You don’t want to help these supernatural beings promote wanton destruction. Instead, you rush in, disrupt the spell, blow out the candles, and give everyone present a good talking-to about fire danger.") before going over the different types of heroes and how to beat them.

  • "Defenders of Justice/Caped Crusaders": Noting that these are the heroes most liable to capture, the writer recommends simply and quickly killing them, not leave them in death traps or spare them because they beat one of your puzzles.

  • "Gritty anti-heroes": Remarking that these types are cold, bitter and have tragic pasts, the writer notes that pretending to be a similarly jaded, tragic figure can trick an Anti-Hero into believing you are kindred spirits, earning his respect and getting him to leave you without harm.

  • "Vixens/Femme Fatales": The writer suggests manipulating one of these to cross paths with the aforementioned anti-hero, noting that sexual tension is known to produce between their types and will open them up to easier elimination due to being distracted with each other.

  • "Strong, silent loners": The writer proclaims that these types of heroes almost always are isolated and have few friends due to their antisocial personalities, and thus, a simple frame-up will distract them and lead to their downfall, as no one will trust them enough to think the silent loner didn't commit the actual crime.

Giving tips on many more types of heroes, with the recurring theme being to avoid evil gloating and never wear an easily removable rubber mask that could expose your true identity with ease, the writer notes that, despite the preferred method of quickly killing the heroes, death traps are a staple of villainy, and gives ideas for a variety of them—while also noting that any prospective villain should learn the layout of said traps, so that they themselves are never tripped up by their own mechanisms.

The writer encourages romance and friendships with other villains, writing that though one should always be ready for backstabbing, healthy relationships can prevent slumps in personality, and that it's always good to have people in your corner when needed. The writer also mentions to choose minions carefully, and, should the reader choose a kind of minion like mutants or robots very liable to rebellion, to plant Deadman's switches in them all to avoid such uprisings, or to keep a handy disguise ready to fool the evil robotic overlords should they successfully overthrow you.

After encouraging the choice of a proper evil lair (noting that amusement parks are excellent both for creepy atmospheres and to keep family entertained during downtime), the writer mentions that if the reader ever gets their hands on a powerful weapon, spell, potion or otherwise, to ensure plenty of testing before using it in battle or out in the field to avoid any mishaps (such as invisibility potion wearing off at an inopportune time and exposing your nude ass to potential victims).

Giving fashion advice on evil costumes and offering up the chance for the reader to make their own evil plan, the writer moves on to ways to raise funds, revealing with regret that, should the usual methods of evil bake sales, evil paper routes, evil law clerk or telemarketing not turn up proper cash, that it will be required to get a job.

Offering tips on how to nail resumes and corporate interviews ("If they ask 'Why do you want to work here?', be honest and tell them 'Money, Power, and the chance to crush my enemies'. They'll like that!"), the writer continues to give tips on succeeding in office jobs, stating that though being a professional ass-kisser can get you risen in the ranks, to maintain dignity, showing off your skills and aptitudes is preferred. If this doesn't work, he recommends blackmail, bribery, or joining a work union (though noting it's a cutthroat business and to be wary!). He also notes that carpooling to work is often the fastest, most beneficial way to get to work.

Advocating for mental and personal health, the writer recommends a steady diet of souls, tears, and blood, and encourages the reader to talk to therapists after tragic pasts and raging hate to help manage the reader's health. He notes that the heart is one of the biggest weaknesses and, to prevent it from growing two sizes on Christmas, recommends magically and surgically removing it from yourself, burying it in a location with a bunch of decoy hearts (should anyone go searching for it to use against you), and going on your way without it weighing you down.

As the final part of his books, the writer reminds the reader that taking time for themselves is infinitely important, and gives several tips on international travel, such as bypassing customs via bribery or masquerading as the pope, and suggests booby-trapping one's luggage with attack alligators in the case it is targeted by thieves. Should said luggage be stolen and the reader is in need of funds until their minions arrive with backup luggage, the writer proposes telling wild tales of your adventures to the audience for quarters, and, should this fail, to simply breakdance in the street, as people seem to eat that up and tip heavily for it.

The writer ends the books by reassuring the reader that success is in their own hands, and sincerely congratulates them on their no-doubt bright future before sending the reader on their merry way to wreak havoc on the world.

Is the writer magnificent in how he operates?

This is a bit...different compared to most candidates, and it's why I'm a bit interested in the reactions this will get. The writer isn't actually part of a narrative story, but rather writing a self-help guide for prospective supervillains, giving them helpful tips, encouragement and strategies for taking on life as a supervillain.

The novel is written with humor and wit in mind, but the writer nonetheless is nothing short of Dangerously Genre-Savvy personified. He gives extremely smart advice on taking on the different superhero types, learning the layout of the reader's own evil lair and traps so as to not fall for any of them, and befriending fellow villains and being an active member in "Legion of Doom"-style groups to further one's own agendas and mental health (speaking of, advocating for world domination while also noting that mental health is important? Noble!)

I think the lack of "narrative" deeds can be overlooked here, tbh. The writer is charming, witty, friendly, encouraging, and absolutely smart as all hell, all with a geeky and sly acknowledgement of how Genre Savvy he is.

Is the writer a bastard?

Much like the magnificence section, what the writer lacks in actual doing, he more than makes up for in recommendations and schemes he supplies. He encourages murder to accomplish goals, is completely chill with the idea of the reader of awakening C'thulhu and damning the entire Earth to destruction, and actually suggests working with brrr marketing executives to accomplish goals!

However, the writer also promotes genuinely loving relationships, taking care of the family, and is always eager to suggest getting some sort of pet to keep you company and serve as substitute children should the trader lack any.

Now, the writer can be petty at times. He notes that any self-respecting villain should feel the urge to literally steal candy from children if they see one walking down the street, boasts that, should you choose the Corrupt Corporate Executive route, downsizing is something you can get great fun out of by the suffering of those you are firing, and even says that a broken heart can be mended by turning your former lover into a damn toad.

But all of this is said with such a humorous, one-off, downright nerdy glee, that it's less "wow this guy is a petty asshole" and moreso something to laugh at how much this guy values being a Card-Carrying Villain that he tries to recommend being evil in the smallest shit, because he considers evil a flipping lifestyle.

Final Verdict?

Despite the very unique nature of the novels? I think the writer could genuinely count, he's immensely entertaining, brilliant, Dangerously Genre-Savvy, has several redeeming qualities to him and, even if he's not taking narrative action, I think his obvious quick wit and mind for schemes could possibly enable his qualification to the trope.

Thoughts?

No! That is NOT Solid Snake! Stop impersonating him!
Klavice (Elder Troper)
#17033: Apr 5th 2020 at 11:11:09 PM

Yeah, that's the quote of Simon I wanted. Also it's "Keyes". That's what the fan translation says.

DemonDuckofDoom from Some Pond in Hell Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
miraculous Goku Black (Apprentice)
Goku Black
#17035: Apr 6th 2020 at 3:40:02 AM

[tup]writer

"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."
SkyCat32 The Draftsman of Doom (Five Year Plan) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
The Draftsman of Doom
#17036: Apr 6th 2020 at 3:59:54 AM

[tup] Writer.

falcontalons from Earth-2 Since: Apr, 2019
#17037: Apr 6th 2020 at 4:17:27 AM

Yes to the writer and Mastermind.

Deleted this from Bob's Burgers:

  • Henry Haber in "The Millie-churian Candidate". He is completely irrelevant in the presidential race, being shut out by Jimmy Jr. So he gets Millie to run for president, knowing that Louise would oppose her, and that she would jump on the Jimmy Jr. campaign. Louise tanks Jimmy Jr's campaign which leads to him dropping out of the race. Louise then enters the race only to be shut out by Millie, so Henry secretly gives Louise information that will take down Millie- Abby's real name is Mabel, throwing off Millie's bestie system, which is locked in Mr. Frond's office. This leads to Millie strangling Abby, leading to Millie being disqualified for strangling her and Louise being disqualified for breaking into Mr. Frond's office, leaving Henry as the only candidate remaining, winning by default. Louise was quite impressed!
    Louise: You're going to be an amazing president.

Edited by falcontalons on Apr 6th 2020 at 4:32:21 AM

SkyCat32 The Draftsman of Doom (Five Year Plan) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
The Draftsman of Doom
#17038: Apr 6th 2020 at 4:28:56 AM

[up] Sounds like I could hear arguments for him at least.

[down][down] Abstain on Ambrose.

Edited by SkyCat32 on Apr 6th 2020 at 10:53:23 AM

TellAll111 Since: Jun, 2010
#17039: Apr 6th 2020 at 5:05:13 AM

A resounding [tup] to the Writer. I remember reading those books when I was younger.

43110 (Striking Back) Relationship Status: Reincarnated romance
#17040: Apr 6th 2020 at 5:50:39 AM

As we discussed yes to the writer.

Also does anyone who hasn't voted on Ambrose wanna weigh in? I'm not feeling it but I think User would appreciate more votes leaning one way or the other for the sake of closure on the case (I think only G and I have given a yes/no).

Edited by 43110 on Apr 6th 2020 at 9:54:53 AM

43110 (Striking Back) Relationship Status: Reincarnated romance
#17042: Apr 6th 2020 at 8:09:50 AM

Here's the batch. I let Imperial pothole the Gundam stuff and I'll ask for the new pages locked and the merging/removal of the applicable sections for Other Media and whatnot. Also I'm leaving off the Dresden stuff until mir does the new entry:

  • Cowboy Bebop:
    • Original series: Vicious is Spike Spiegel's former friend and partner in the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate, who grew to despise personal relationships after the latter betrayed him by having an affair with Vicious' girlfriend Julia. After Spike and Julia fled the syndicate, Vicious grew dissatisfied with the management of its leadership, the council known as the Van, later killing his own mentor to prevent what he saw as a disadvantageous peace offering with another syndicate. Securing leadership of the Red Dragon during what was intended to be his own execution, Vicious manages to outplay the Van, bringing many of their followers to his side and personally cutting down the Van members to assume command himself. Forcing Spike into open confrontation with himself in command of the Red Dragon, Vicious dies facing his rival, never straying from his twisted though genuine personal code.
    • Knockin' on Heaven's Door: Vincent Volaju is a stoically badass Super-Soldier who—due to horrible trauma and experiments performed upon him—has come to believe he is trapped in a nightmare, and seeks to escape to the "real world". Vincent conscripts others to his side through bribery and manipulation alike, never hesitating to eliminate those same allies if they endanger his plans. A very well-spoken man who often muses about the nature of Purgatory and life itself while pulling off terrorist attacks that throw Mars into a panic, Vincent's brain is matched with his brawn, as he is one of the few characters in the franchise capable of taking down Spike Spiegel. His plan to unleash a virus and wipe out all life on Mars nearly succeeding, Vincent nonetheless offers survival to a chosen few he believes have true willpower, and, even when laying dying when his are foiled, he accepts his death and spares the life of his former lover Electra, earning the respect and sympathy of Spike himself in the process.
  • K: In Return of Kings the joint leaders of JUNGLE operate meticulously to create what they believe will be a better world for everyone:
    • Nagare Hisui, the Green King, believes the power of the Dresden Slate should be shared amongst all of mankind and challenged the powerful Gold King for control of it, coming to near victory until he was forced to retreat as his own power ran out. Plotting for the next 14 years with his mentor and adoptive father the Grey King, Nagare creates JUNGLE and manipulates the monstrous Colorless King to work as a distraction for their plans while waiting for the Gold King to die before moving into action directly. Through an online site, Nagare causes chaos as he empowers civilians, bringing JUNGLE to the public and eventually forcing the Silver King, Adolf K. Weismann/Yashiro Isana, to confront him. Stealing the Dresden Slate with a daring scheme, Nagare activates its power and begins strengthening all of humanity, only stopped when Yashiro destroys his own Sword of Damocles to neutralize the Slate. As he passes, Nagare fondly remembers his time with the core members of JUNGLE, before remarking he is "satisfied" with the outcome despite his loss, cementing himself as one of Yashiro's most noble and gracious adversaries.
    • Tenkei Iwafune is an easy-going, playful Team Dad to JUNGLE, serving as the surrogate father to Nagare Hisui while masking his true identity of the aforementioned Grey King. Originally the beloved King Seitō Ōtori, his entire clan was lost in a Damocles Down, but he managed to find and successfully go into hiding with Nagare Hisui for 14 years while they developed JUNGLE together. In between scheming the theft of the Dresden Slate with Nagare and defeating the Blue King in single combat, Iwafune keeps JUNGLE's base tidy, throws dinner parties for his partners, and comes to care for all of JUNGLE as a surrogate family. Though defined by cynicism, Iwafune hopes to use the Dresden Slate to endow all of humanity with great power so people can better protect themselves, and has absolute loyalty to assisting Nagare in accomplishing this goal. Even when finally overwhelmed only through all of SCEPTER 4, Iwafune sets JUNGLE's base to self-destruct, orders friend and foe alike to evacuate, and finds Nagare's fallen body after his defeat at the hands of Adolf K. Weismann, cradling his adopted son in his arms as their base collapses around them and happily remarking that the time they had together was fun.
  • Samurai Champloo: Kagetoki Kariya is a master swordsman and wise old man, his skills renowned so much that he is known as the "Hand of God". A dignified and intelligent samurai, Kariya realized that the world was changing and allied with the shogunate, allowing the shogunate to believe he is a puppet when reality, he is using the empire to further his own agendas. Tending his garden while making comparisons to life and defeating Mugen in combat with the same amount of exertion, Kariya fights Jin and defeats even him, giving pointers on his fighting style the entire time. Ordered to eliminate the legendary "Samurai who Smells of Sunflowers", Kariya uses Fuu to lead him to the Samurai, kills the man after offering him last words with his daughter Fuu, spares the Samurai's elderly caretaker and then tries to kill Fuu as well, offering her the chance to honorably take her own life in the process.
  • The Boys:
    • William "Billy" Butcher leads the titular squad, driven to hatred against superheroes after one raped his wife, later causing her death. Ruthlessly efficient in his operations, Butcher will take any means necessary to achieve his objectives and constantly shows his brilliance in taking down the legions of superheroes of the Vought-American, using a detonator to kill 150 before they can launch an attack and holds the Vought's most powerful group, the Seven, at a standstill with photos for blackmail. Personally defeating most of the high-ranked group Payback with pure tactical acumen, Butcher also devises a plan to respond to the Homelander's uprising by recommending specialized warheads to the American military, killing scores of superheroes with targeting devices. After avenging his wife, Butcher puts forth a plan to eradicate all superheroes via bioweapon, coming to near victory before foregoing his chance to instead save his protege, dying happy to instead save someone he loves.
    • James Stillwell, the Vought-American's de facto head, is a calm, unfettered executive who single-mindedly ensures his corporation stays profitable and in good public standing. Hindering the Boys at nearly every turn, Stillwell proves himself their most brilliant adversary, at one point setting up a fake hospital to nearly wipe them out when springing a surprise attack. Ever a man of contingencies, Stillwell also swiftly catches on to the Homelander's plans for insurrection, calmly facing the deranged superhero and after the Homelander's coup is stopped, pins the blame on another Vought officer to avoid punishment while allowing Vought to rebrand and continue operating.
  • All About Eve: Addison DeWitt is a brilliant and manipulative critic. Spotting the ascent of the titular Eve Harrington through the acting industry at the expense of others, DeWitt aids her in her rise to fame while pretending to be her ally and underling. Playing along with her, he effortlessly creates a paranoia which undermines Eve's rival Margo Channing and turns the tables, netting Eve a profitable career. However, when Eve decides to marry Lloyd Richards and rise to fame, DeWitt verbally breaks her down, making it clear that he alone is responsible for his career and that she has been outplayed, taking control of her life. As the film ends, DeWitt meets a similar woman to Eve and invites her into her home, beginning the cycle once again and always coming out on top.
  • The Hunt for Red October: Captain Marko Ramius is a genius Soviet naval tactician known as the "Vilnius Schoolmaster" for having trained many USSR naval officers. Becoming disillusioned with the Soviet cause after the death of his wife, Ramius uses the launch of the Red October prototype nuclear submarine and its silent "caterpillar drive" to defect to the United States with the rest of his officer staff after murdering The Political Officer by making it look an accident and assuring the crew about the "secret nature" of their mission. Ramius' tactical insight allows him to evade both the Soviet and US navies until he can make contact with Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst who managed to decipher Ramius' real intentions. After evacuating the crew by faking a reactor meltdown and disposing of a GRU stowaway, Ramius manages to turn an enemy Soviet submarine's torpedo against itself and successfully defects with the Red October in tow.
  • Night Watch (Series): The film version of Zavulon lacks his original counterpart's racism. Zavulon leads the Dark Others, a magical organization that's been in a cold war with its Light counterpart for centuries. When Zavulon learns that a couple of powerful Great Others have been born, he reveals to one of them that his Light-aligned father, the work's hero Anton Gorodetsky, tried to have him aborted, convincing him to join the Dark. After training the boy for a couple years, Zavulon has Anton framed for murder by promising a vampire he'd make his son human if he did the killing. After killing the son for attacking him when his manipulations are exposed, Zavulon reveals that this was all a plan to get the two Great Others to fight, as one spilling the other's blood would make the cold war hot again. The scheme goes off without a hitch, only being stopped when Anton uses a powerful item to rewrite time.
  • Sicario:
    • Matt Graver is a mysterious, laid-back CIA "spook" who deals in combatting terrorism and the Mexican cartels through any means necessary. As seen in the first film, Graver brings FBI Agent Kate Macer into his squad, claiming to need her expertise but truthfully just using her as a liason to allow himself to operate on American soil, later having her life threatened to get her to sign the proper papers saying that everything he did was on the up-and-up. Graver works with Alejandro Gillick in tearing apart the Alarcón cartel, claiming that it is for moral reason when in reality, Graver just wants Alarcon eliminated so his competition can take over and perhaps be easier to talk peace with. In the sequel, Graver concocts a brilliant scheme to kickstart a war between two cartels, failing only due to corrupt police, and, going up against his superiors and calling them out for their cowardice, Graver ends up massacring an entire cartel gang to rescue the endangered Isabel Reyes to honor the seemingly-dead Alejandro. Despite his initial friendly, seemingly care-free attitude, Graver is a stone cold bastard who engages in both physical and psychological torture, murder, and illegal operations abounding to secure his goals, accomplishing nearly all through a combination of manipulation and strategic genius.
    • The aforementioned Alejandro Gillick is a Sicario defined by tragedy and hatred, using his skills and connections to Graver to satiate his cold-blooded desire for revenge. Once a criminal lawyer, Alejandro's family was slaughtered by Fausto Alarcón, resulting in Alejandro becoming a gun-for-hire to seek vengeance, exhibiting remarkable skills in torture and murder that help his and Graver's schemes come to fruition. Hunting down Alarcón and killing his entire security force through pragmatic tricks and stealth, Alejandro calls out Alarcón for spending his nights eating dinner with his family, even while other families are killed on the drug lord's orders. Alejandro executes Alarcón's entire family in front of him before killing the man himself to seal his revenge. Capable of forming attachments to others despite his villainy, Alejandro considers Graver a friend of sorts, and grows to care for Kate Macer in the first film and Isabel Reyes in the second, at first showing a willingness to kill either one but ultimately sparing them, even putting his life on the line to rescue Isabel from death—getting himself shot in the face in the process, an event which doesn't even hinder Alejandro from killing a cartel group who threatens him.
  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine:
    • Doug Judy is the Pontiac Bandit, an affable car thief known for stealing 200 cars. Making himself known to Jake by pretending to be an informant, Doug sends Jake on a goose chase to the barber Doug framed, while he slips past him unnoticed. When Doug unexpectedly encounters Jake, he gives him the drug manufacturer of giggle pig in exchange for a four-star hotel suite where he collaborates with the suite's waiter on his escape, with Jake being too busy capturing the manufacturer. When Doug learns of a hitman trying to kill him he contacts Jake for help, making sure to meet Jake on a cruise ship, where Jake has no jurisdiction, escaping once Jake catches the hitman. Doug later helps Jake capture Doug's adopted brother in exchange for full immunity of his crimes. Getting Jake’s attention again by holding hostages, Doug gets Jake involved in a plan to rescue his mother from a drug lord before escaping once more. Upon getting engaged to a judge who wants Doug to uninvite his criminal friends, Doug gets Jake involved in his bachelor party knowing that Jake will get his friends arrested, resulting in Doug avoiding having to uninvite them directly. Always being Jake’s most elusive adversary, Doug Judy’s master planning was only matched by his unlimited charm.
    • Trudy Judy is the younger sister of Doug Judy. Turning to crimes for the fun of it, Trudy eventually discovers Doug's old notebooks, and decides to follow his footsteps as a car thief. After being caught, Trudy takes advantage of her brother offering to capture an arms dealer she stole a Ferrari from in exchange for Trudy's charges being reduced. Having an employee of hers act as if he bought the stolen car, Trudy manipulates Doug into arguing with Terry, distracting them from noticing that her employee placed a bomb in the Ferrari. She later sets off the bomb when the car is being delivered, and uses the chaos to sneak away without facing any charges. With an attitude as playful as her brother's, Trudy earns the distinction of being the first person to outwit Doug Judy.
  • No Good Nick: Nicole "Nick" Franzelli is a teenaged con artist seeking to avenge her father's imprisonment by tricking her way into the Thompson family by claiming to be a Long-Lost Relative. To attain funds for a lawyer for her father, Nick passes off discount wines as expensive vintages, talks the volunteer squad into fining students who show up in a offensive costume while secretly swapping the fine box with a box of her own sells stolen art equipment such that it cannot be traced back to her, and sets up an online charity fraud account.Gaining the Thompson's love which Nick begins to reciprocate, Nick still resolves to take them down out of bitterness for ruining her father and undermines them in various ways to slander them though she eventually comes to feel guilt and eventually cuts a deal with the police to restore the Thompson's name, remaining tricky even following her change of heart.
  • Rise of Empires: Ottoman (2020): Sultan Mehmet II, The Conqueror, is an Ottoman prince who ascends the throne after the death of his father Murad II. Descended from both Byzantine nobility and Ottoman warlords, Mehmet sets out to realize his ancestor Osman's dream of conquering Constantinople. Ensuring the fealty of his late father's vizier Halil Pasha to unite the empire, Mehmet orders the construction of great cannons to pummel the city with artillery bombardments to weaken the walls, and has his army build a path through the mountains north of Constantinople to move his navy across land to outmaneuver the Romans. Meanwhile, his beloved stepmother and ally Mara Brankovic keeps in contact with Mehmet from the Serbian court to apprise him of any alliance of Christian states buiding up around him. Feeling a genuine admiration for his arch-enemy Giovanni Giustiniani, Mehmet tries to offer him lordship over the Ionian islands if he joins the Ottomans. Ultimately, Mehmet's determination and sheer will secures a breach of the Roman walls, as he takes the city and converts it into the new capital of the empire, while ridding himself of the trappings of the past by executing Halil Pasha for conspiring against him.
  • Angels of Death: Reverend Abraham Gray is the B2 floor master and the Tower's creator, having done so after becoming repulsed by evil actions committed in God's name, so he could himself could experience being God. In Episode 0, Gray has Dr. Danny Dickens and Cathy Ward recruit killers to serve as the masters of the Tower's floors and kidnaps people to be put through the Tower's Deadly Game. Though sinister in intent, Gray truly cares for his followers like family. When an amnesiac Ray Gardner comes to him for medicine for Zack Foster, Gray puts her through a dangerous trial with the intent to have her confront her past sins. Guiding Zack through floor B1, Gray helps him rescue Ray from Danny and helps her and Zack escape from Danny, resolving to stay behind and die in the collapsing tower for his own sins after realizing his shortcomings.
  • Archer:
    • George Spelvin, from season 2's "Tragical History", is a computer programer who manipulates Cyril Figgis into uploading a computer virus onto ISIS's network on the pretense that he will make Cyril a hero in front of his colleges, while also bribing Cyril to unsure his loyalty. After Cyril upload the virus, Spelvin reveals that he has no intentions on helping Cyril and his true plan was to use the virus to download the identities of all of ISIS's secret agents onto his servers, then sell them for $50 million to anyone willing to buy. With George Spelvin's plans in near completion, Cyril and Sterling Archer attempts to stop him only for Spelvin to effortlessly defeat Sterling with the help of his two bodyguards, and is only stopped by Cyril shooting at his servers before making his escape.
    • Rona Thorne, from season 2's "Movie Star", is a KGB spy under the guise of a famous movie actress who is assigned to assassinate the Soviet Premier. When she learns that ISIS agent Lana Kane was task with protecting the premier, Rona convinces ISIS's director, Malory Archer, to allow Rona to tag-along with Lana in her mission, under the pretense that it will help Rona for her upcoming spy movie. Rona would also exploit Sterling's jealousy of Lana to have him hinder her mission before injecting them both with tetrodotoxin and would successfully assassinate the premier before escaping.
  • The Venture Brothers:
    • Dr. Henry Killinger, a cross between Mary Poppins and Henry Kissinger, is a supervillain life coach. First appearing to fix up the Monarch's organization and reconciling the Monarch and Dr. Girlfriend, he also tries to reconcile Rusty Venture and his ex, Myra. Failing at the latter task, Killinger still ends up saving Rusty's children so he considers the result a net positive. Returning in season 3 to help Rusty realize his potential as a supervillain, Rusty realizes Killinger's point and signs a severance package, though left completely shaken from the experience. Thanking him for his time and leaving, Killinger returns in season 6, first remaking the ineffectual Revenge Society into a truly fearsome villain team, then engaging in an epic four-way battle between himself, Phantom Limb, the Sovereign and the Investors, ending with him completely in the win and remaking a new Council of 13 and Guild in his own image, departing content with the result.
    • The aforementioned Sovereign is an unnamed shape shifter who took on the guise of David Bowie to lead the Guild of Calamitous Intent for decades. Despite being given the Guild by the Investors, he more than earned his position. He frames the Guild's rival villains SPHINX for the death of Jonas Venture thus ensuring their destruction in a series of brutal wars with the OSI, while also bringing about the Guild's rise to power. Would-be usurper Phantom Limb is also handily defeated twice, first by faking his death and ambushing Limb and then later giving the Guild to its true successor, Dean Venture, only to be officially given control right back. His greatest scheme involved masterminding the destruction of the Gargantua-2 space station to ensure the deaths of all his enemies, such as the Investors, Limb's Revenge Society, and the OSI, despite knowing thousands of innocents would die as well. A nobody wanting to be somebody, the ever affable Sovereign's eventual downfall is seen in a somber light despite his atrocities.
    • Molotov Cocktease is a professional mercenary assassin and the love interest and primary rival of Brock Samson. First seen rescuing Brock from a death trap, she helps him rescue the Ventures only to immediately bail to accomplish her real mission of stealing a rare panda for the Sovereign. Her greatest showing, however, was ordering Brock's old mentor Hunter Gathers to make him believe the OSI wanted him dead, hiring assassins herself to kill him, and sitting back as Brock defeated said assassins ensuring her new Black Hearts organization had no competition. Realizing Brock had gone soft in her eyes, she infiltrated his new team to rescue her new lover Monstroso and set her assassins to murder his loved ones to escape, only to later betray Monstroso to the OSI and take her place as a double agent in their employ. Despite having no henchmen or magical abilities, Molotov always manages to use her sharp mind and skills of seduction to remain in a position of power and prestige.
  • Twice Charmed: Franco DiFortunato is the Wicked Fairy Godfather who wagers Lady Tremaine and her daughters' livelihoods on whether or not they can stop Cinderella from marrying Prince Charming by going back in time. Flirting with Lady Tremaine and cajoling the family into accepting his deal with a catchy Villain Song, he uses his magic to shrink Cinderella, then makes Anastasia and Drizella graceful despite his doubts at whether his magic would be strong enough, in the updated show also wiping the Prince's memories and making the slipper fit Anastasia. When Cinderella and the Prince are reunited, Franco gleefully makes the Tremaines his servants for eternity, then leaves to help the Wicked Queen from Snow White. Charismatic and cunning, Franco is never defeated and is pleased with the outcome as he sets off to make another deal.

    open/close all folders 

    Gundam 
"I only feel that without me, the times will never change."
Paptimus Scirocco, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
In the endless wars of Gundam, these villains truly stand out for their charisma and intelligence in the field of battle:


Universal Century
  • Char Aznable, born Casval Deikun, joins the Zabis by hiding his face behind a mask to lure the Zabis to their demise. Famed for his combat prowess and tactical brilliance, Char lures young Garma Zabi to his end, and later forms a deep enmity with Amuro Ray, compounded when Amuro kills Char's beloved Lalah. Breaking from his fight with Amuro, Char teaches Kycilia a lesson on underestimating him by eliminating her, and years later joins the earth resistance forces against the Titans. Rising to the leadership there, Char gives an impassioned speech to convince the world to rise against the Titans and to believe in the value of space travel. Finally, in Char's Counterattack, Char manipulates young Quess Paraya and all of Zeon to try to drop Axis on the helpless earth to force a great migration into space, planning one final battle to achieve his ends. Finally convinced to surrender his life in Gundam Unicorn, Char makes a final gesture to leave the world to a younger generation. With his tale in the Universal Century spanning over the decades and playing the roles of traitorous underling, unscrupulous advisor and even Big Bad, Char's shrewd tactical abilities and magnetic charm cement him as one of the single most memorable and archetypal villains in the Gundam franchise.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Kycilia Zabi was the last member of her family standing for a reason. Fully aware of her elder brother Gihren's moral depravity and mismanagement of the conflict with the Earth Federation, Kycilia uses the One Year War as a cover for a coup d'etat against him, gathering resources and allies, while undermining Gihren's loyalists. Upon discovering through Colonel Killing's betrayal that Gihren had infiltrated her faction and was preparing to frame her for treason, Kycilia moved swiftly, leaking Char's identity to Gihren's fake conspirators and transforming a sham plot into an actual revolt against his rule. Aware that Zeon could no longer win the war, and that the Federation would never make peace while her brother lived, Kycilia journeyed to A Baoa Qu and, on finding out that Gihren had murdered their father, executed him for patricide and assumed command of what was left of Zeon. Killed when Char Aznable unpredictably betrayed her, Kycilia was nevertheless the only Zabi, or indeed, Zeon Admiral, with both a realistic appreciation of their circumstances, and the ruthlessness and will to act accordingly.
  • Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: Paptimus Scirocco — "The Man from Jupiter" — is an elusive mercenary and Titans Lieutenant who graduates to taking over the organization. A brilliant tactician both in and out of a mobile suit, Scirocco excels at reading potential in his subordinates and outmaneuvers the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG) to capture the strategic stronghold of the lunar city Von Braun. Leaving the day-to-day operations of the district in the hands of his antagonistic superior, Scirocco divulges the man's schemes to the AEUG and arranges for his death to gain more dominance within the Titans for himself. Forming an alliance with Haman Khan of Neo-Zeon, Scirocco bolsters the strength of the Titans with the Axis military and personally assassinates the Titans leader, Jamitov Hymem, assuming command over the syndicate and blaming Jamitov's death on Haman, rallying his forces to fight against her. Giving a former AEUG pilot he corrupted to his side an eloquent lecture on his ambitions for humanity, Scirocco engages the AEUG personally and reveals he has kept his alliance with Haman to revitalize the strength of his fleet. Even with his armada destroyed by the blast of a colony laser, Scirocco continues to fight series protagonist Kamille Bidan and, in his dying moments, destroys Kamille's consciousness, unrelentingly unwilling to accept his vanquishment. Emotionally manipulative yet charming, charismatic and stylish, Scirocco proves himself to be every bit as brilliantly Machiavellian as he is mysterious.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ: Haman Khan, Axis' warlord and the Regent for Life of Neo-Zeon, came closer to conquering the Earth Sphere than any of the despots before or after her. Intervening in Zeta Gundam's Gryps Conflict on the side of Paptimus Scirocco's Titans, Haman helped turn the battle between the AEUG and the Titans into a full scale civil war within the Earth Federation, from which she emerged as the one true winner following Scirocco's death and the obliteration of the Titans and most of the AEUG. Invading the Earth before the Federation could recover from the war, Haman occupied huge swathes of the planet, and used the Dublin Colony Drop to terrorize Federation officials into surrendering to her, all while employing sheer force of personality to mask her myriad personal issues and hold the backstabbing house of cards that was Axis-Zeon together. Betrayed at the zenith of her power by Glemmy Toto, and faced with internal rebellion by his supporters, Haman quickly moved to quell the descent, meeting Glemmy in open battle. Confronted by series' protagonist Judau Ashta, Haman was persuaded that humanity did not, in fact, need her jackboot on its throat to stop them from killing each other. Coming to grips with what she had become, Haman killed herself in the name of giving the world a better future.

Future Century

  • Mobile Fighter G Gundam: Master Asia, seeking to save the Earth's environment, became a willing servant of the Devil Gundam. He used the pretense of the Gundam fight to lure four Gundam Fighters to Shinjuku, where he used DG Cells to brainwash them into becoming protectors of the Devil Gundam. When the Devil Gundam destroys Shinjuku, Master rallies the survivors while secretly leading the Death Army. When Master's student Domon Kasshu comes to Shinjuku to investigate, Master repeatedly lured Domon into traps in the hopes of brainwashing him into another of the Devil Gundam's protectors. Domon's partner Rain revealing Master's duplicity is only a minor inconvenience to him, as he just uses his Master Gundam to easily defeat Domon. Master frequently exploits Domon's anger management issues to bait him into making near fatal mistakes. Master enters an alliance with Prime Minister Wong, who wants to use the Devil Gundam to rule the world. Wong tries to kill Master so he can have the Devil Gundam to himself, but Master outmanuevers Wong. When Domon defeats Master for good, Master realizes that humans are a part of nature and apologizes to Domon for his crimes before he dies, revealing that he is the only character to work with the Devil Gundam without becoming a DG cell infested slave. While Master is ruthless, he remains a man of honor to the end.

After Colony

  • Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Treize Khushrenada, the leader of OZ, is a brilliant military leader with a chivalrous spirit. Masterminding a purge of his rivals to rise even higher, Treize learns of the Colonies deploying the Gundams against the Earth Government, and conceals their existence to better use them as an advantage, even tricking Gundam pilot Heero into killing the leader of the earth alliance who was planning on making peace with the Colonies. Rebelling against OZ when the Romefeller Foundation takes over and institutes the AI mobile dolls, Treize systematically plays the entire war with his best friend Zechs Merquise to put themselves on opposite ends of the war and create a final, cataclysmic conflict to traumatize humanity off war forevermore. Combining a brilliant mind with a sense of chivalry, Treize is even able to recall the names and faces of every man who has ever died to make his dreams a reality and considers no price too great for peace, even his own life.

Correct Century

Cosmic Era

  • Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: No one hides their true intentions quite like Rau Le Creuset, ZAFT Commander and defective clone. Lacking his own sense of identity, and seeing the face of his "father" every time he looks in the mirror, Le Creuset believes the rest of humanity is suffering just as much as he is, and sets out to put the entire species out of its misery. Playing the role of Patrick Zala's right-hand man, Le Creuset sells ZAFT secrets to Blue Cosmos headman Muruta Azrael, prolonging the Bloody Valentine War, and ensuring that the conflict ends with mutual attempts at genocide, as Azrael tries to nuke the ZAFT colonies and Patrick fires his Wave-Motion Gun at Earth. Successful at masking his encroaching madness until the very end, Le Creuset dies smiling, convinced that the entire world will shortly be following after him.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: ZAFT Chairman Gilbert Durandal sees himself as the saviour of Earth and nearly persuaded most of the planet to go along with it. Presenting himself as a moderate and a pacifist, Durandal made use of Lord Djibril and Blue Cosmos' blatant evil to launch an invasion of the Earth Sphere disguised as a liberation, using his own reputation for honesty and the services of Lacus Clyne impersonator Meer Campbell to camouflage his intentions, and scattering agents of FAITH throughout the ZAFT military to keep an eye on its loyalty. Preying on the emotional insecurities of those in his service, Durandal turned Decoy Protagonist Shinn Auska into the very thing he hated most, and kept veteran characters like Kira, Athrun, and Lacus out of the picture or unsure if they should oppose him for most of the series. Only killed when he loses the faith of his most loyal enforcer, Rey, Durandal dies convinced that he was right and that without his Destiny Plan the world is doomed.

Post Disaster

  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans: Rustal Elion is one of the Seven Stars who lead the military police force Gjallarhorn. A charismatic nobleman and brilliant military strategist, Rustal has the complete trust of his subordinates. When Rustal's rival in the Seven Stars, McGillis, moves against him, Rustal engineers a small scale war to turn McGillis' allies, Tekkadan, against McGillis. While the war fails to break McGillis and Tekkadan's alliance, it does force Tekkadan to shut down their Earth branch, weakening the organization considerably. When the tensions between Rustal and McGillis lead to civil war, Rustal has one of his subordinates infiltrate McGillis' forces, fire an illegal Dainsleif railgun at Rustal's fleet and commit suicide, giving Rustal justification to annihilate McGillis and Tekkadan. While political tensions ultimately force the Seven Stars to disband in favor of democratically elected leaders, Rustal still comes out ahead as he is elected leader of Gjallarhorn. Rustal remains a hero to the public and becomes the first Big Bad of the franchise to win in the end.

Imperial if there were any more potholes you'd like please lemme know. I'll wait a bit before I start putting these on the YMMV pages in case you want to do so.

Edited by 43110 on Apr 7th 2020 at 9:45:24 AM

jjjj2 from Arrakis Since: Jul, 2015
#17043: Apr 6th 2020 at 8:33:23 AM

Easy yes to the Writer.

You can only write so much in your forum signature. It's not fair that I want to write a piece of writing yet it will cut me off in the mid
Bullman Enid Sinclair Since: Jun, 2018 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
ImperialMajestyXO Since: Nov, 2015
#17045: Apr 6th 2020 at 10:18:58 AM

Some pothole suggestions:

And that's all I can think of right now.

LoreDeluxe Since: May, 2013
#17046: Apr 6th 2020 at 10:36:37 AM

This is just personal preference, but I never cared for putting "the aforementioned" in front of a character name since it just feels disjointed to me. Does the Sovereign's entry need it?

Think you're tough because you made it through Lord of the Rings? Real men survive The Silmarillion.
43110 (Striking Back) Relationship Status: Reincarnated romance
#17047: Apr 6th 2020 at 10:51:28 AM

It's what's been done on CM and while I don't care either way, I do value consistency.

Also I got those Imperial, I'll start putting these up in a bit.

Edited by 43110 on Apr 6th 2020 at 1:52:20 PM

jjjj2 from Arrakis Since: Jul, 2015
#17048: Apr 6th 2020 at 10:59:17 AM

Deleted this from YMMV.Community S 3 E 04 Remedial Chaos Theory:

  • Magnificent Bastard:
    • Jeff, for using a six-sided die in a group of seven people to determine who has to go get pizza, meaning he'll never have to go to get pizza. Abed even calls him out on it in the real timeline.
    • Abed as well, seeing as how he sent a fake club invitation to Jeff a month ahead, just so he would keep his calendar open for the party.

Being a huge fan of community neither of them count. And we don't do single episode keepers for main characters.

You can only write so much in your forum signature. It's not fair that I want to write a piece of writing yet it will cut me off in the mid
papyru30 from Colorado for summer break Since: Aug, 2016 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
#17049: Apr 6th 2020 at 11:09:49 AM

Yes to Ambrose. BTW I'm pretty sure Oolong is a cut.

43110 (Striking Back) Relationship Status: Reincarnated romance
#17050: Apr 6th 2020 at 11:25:00 AM

I've seen Community and agreed. As for Oolong? I didn't add him to Fan Works and his section from Other Media is being cut so he'll be gone one this week's request gets processed.


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