My problem with the trope is deeper. What is the trope about? A villain that does nothing, then, is not a villain. Heck, look at the examples, most of the listed character do something. Alot of the examples seem to be about villains that have no reasons to be evil.
Seriously wondering how much of a trope there is here at all.
A villain that's uninvolved with the main plot of the story I would think. Like a side villain who just intersects with the main plot for a bit then continues off on his own or is defeated just cause he is in the way.
Midboss from Disgaea is a great example. (unless you dig in the All There in the Manual).
Filler Villain would probably be a good name for this. (EDIT: NVM)
edited 29th Oct '10 12:13:07 AM by Raso
Sparkling and glittering! Jan-Ken-Pon!Then this should be redefined and renamed to something like Side Antagonist or Minor Antagonist
Diagonalizing The Matrix
When I read this title I was nearly sure that Orcus on His Throne had been renamed.
This may need a more distinctive title.
Pretentious quote || In-joke from fandom you've never heard of || Shameless self-promotion || Something weird you'll habituate to![]()
I think that's what this trope is intended to be although a Primary Villain isn't required.

Should Villain Who Doesn't Do Anything be renamed? Thing is, many of the villains does stuff, they just don't have any bearing on the plot. Using an example from the page, Oogie Boogie doesn't have anything to do with the "taking-over-Christmas" plot, but he does create tension by threatening to cook Santa for a snake-and-spider stew, making the need for Jack to realize his mistake much more urgent.
Someone on the discussion page suggested Villainous Plot Tumor as a sort of counterpart to Romantic Plot Tumor, and I think that would be a more fitting name. Anyone else thinks so?
edited 28th Oct '10 10:24:00 PM by PumpkinLore
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