“ | You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain. | „ |
~ Harvey Dent. |
“ | How messed up is that? That I've gotten away with this for so long, you have no idea how bad I am! You think I am so great, I'm so mature, I always know what to do, but that's not true! I haven't learned a thing from my problems. They've all just made me worse! You think of me of some angel but I am not that kid anymore! I'm a fraud... I'm a fraud... I'M A MONSTER! | „ |
~ Steven Universe before his corruption. |
“ | Wait a minute. Old man Fa Zhou got a point, now. Mulan and Shang are as different as sun and rain. And when the infatutation wears off, their tree of life's gonna wind up with root rot. Oh, yeah, sure, she seems happy. That's the real tragedy here! The girl don't even realize how miserable she is. That's why I gotta nip this thing in the bud. This is not about my pedestal. This is about Mulan making the biggest mistake of my -- Uh, I mean, her life. Man, how could I have been so selfish? Mulan's a girl worth fighting for. And, after all, I am the girl's guardian. Cri-Kee, I'm gonna break them up! | „ |
~ Mushu goes down the dark path as he plans to eliminate Mulan and Shang's love. |
Many heroes walk a thin line between good and evil; indeed, many heroes have fallen into despair, rage or even madness, and once proud heroes descend further into the path of evil, often fighting against people they once protected or fought alongside.
Originally protagonists or forces of good, these villains turn evil due to events in their lives, such as being corrupted by another villain (i.e. convinced by villain's arguments), their desire for revenge, a failed love relationship, betrayal from the good side to the dark side, or any other unresolved traumatic experience in which they question whether or not the good side is worth fighting for. However, some heroes may turn for more greedy reasons (i.e. "From Sugar to Excrement" scenario).
A Fallen Hero - or hero turned to the dark side - is usually the end result of a protagonist exposed to a Corrupting Influence, Brainwasher, and occasionally an Extortionist, a Blackmailer, or even a Bond Destroyer. However, Some of them can still redeem themselves (e.g. Niko Bellic, Steven Universe, Anakin Skywalker, Aruto Hiden, Chris Yukine, Injustice's Green Lantern and Mushu.)
There are various scenarios why these individuals turned to the dark side, though the said individual often to fell onto multiple scenarios altogether:
- From Zero to Nightmare: A scenario where the said hero turned to the dark side in this way often became shocking events for either viewers, heroes, or other people that learned about this. Reason of this mainly because the said hero always looked down upon, his/her existence was ignored, and/or worse, considered as an outcast or an individual that often being abused by other people that dislikes/hate them (either the Big Bad or merely minor villains in the story) no matter what kind of good/heroic efforts that he/she did for others' acknowledgement. Once this individual turned to the dark side, they became feared by many people, includes heroes that faced them. Examples may include various incarnations of the Frankenstein's Monster along with Asriel Dreemurr from Undertale.
- Not good with Rejection: A character may have once had an acquaintance or love interest who befriended them prior to their turn to the dark side. One day, the individual either made an offer, confessed their love, or presented a certain proposal to the hero(es) which the hero(es) rejected. The individual, unable to cope with this, thus decided turned to the dark side. Generally, the worse the hero(es) reject(s) the individual, the farther that individual turns to the dark side. An example is Anakin Skywalker.
- Being an Extremist: a character has well-intentioned goals for the greater good, but their methods and ultimate ends are proven to be very extreme to the point that they become something that is greatly despised, whether by those whom they know, the heroes, or themselves. Good examples of this include Kenny from The Walking Dead.
- From Victim to Villain: These characters were once people who tried to be friendly and do good, but were rewarded with injustice and/or ingratitude by society. Often, they were victims of bullying or abuse, and eventually they were pushed so hard they finally snapped and now seek revenge on the very society that shunned and hated them. Despite their tragic nature, very few of these characters actually are redeemable because they almost never forgive or forget, and/or are now completely insane and cannot be reasoned with. Often, they enact the exact same cruelty, or even worse cruelty, on their tormentors, and even innocent people. An example is Carrie White who became homicidal after snapping from a final prank and proceeds to unleash her power with lethal effect on people without distinguishing them.
- From Sugar to Excrement: These characters were once highly revered and loved by their peers but turned evil, often by greed, bringing shock and despair to those who knew them. Rhinox/Tanko is a good example of this kind of situation.
- Being Possessed/Brainwashed: Once heroic, these characters were either possessed or brainwashed by another villain or corruptive presence, and consequently became villains. However, this is the rarest and most controversial form of a hero turning to the dark side since they did not turn evil by their own free will and essentially had to be programmed into being villainous. Examples may include most of the characters from the Possessed/Brainwashed category, such as Liu Kang from Mortal Kombat X and Karone from Power Rangers: In Space and Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy. Most of these characters redeem themselves after snapping out of their current state.
- Desperation: These characters were people who, despite having followed the rules of life and following their principles, are even affected by the crisis both socially and economically and puts them in danger of putting their daily lives or the things they have managed to maintain during years (a company, for example) to ruin; this causes these characters to fall into (irrational) despair, in order to prolong, or even to "eradicate" the inevitable, forcing them to break the rules and act immorally, whether stealing things (such as money obviously), kidnapping, or even killing the people who persecute them, either for economic reasons, or because they witness their crimes. A good example includes Henry J. Waternoose III, he was only driven to villainy out of desperation to keep Monsters, Inc. afloat in the midst of the energy crisis, as well as due to stressful financial problems and his responsibilities as CEO. Mr. Waternoose became more villainous and manipulative, as this drive and desperation stripped away his morals and was determined to not let anything stop what he believed would be the best way for the company to keep going, never bothering to look for alternative energy sources. He even turned on his most loyal employee to ensure that his plans work out.
Some of them can redeem themselves such as Niko Bellic or Injustice's Green Lantern.
In the worst cases, a fallen hero can even go on to become Pure Evil. A good example featured on the Villains Wiki is Lucifer of Supernatural, or Light Yagami from Death Note. If so, they generally shouldn't be on here. However, this is rare as many Fallen Heroes who remain here are not Pure Evil and have heroical traits still in spite of their character progressing into villainy and are often kept due to their remaining heroism that prevents them from becoming villains or Pure Evil. (Examples include but are not limited to: Clay Jensen, Hannah Baker, Justin Foley in 13 Reasons Why, Hifumi Yamada, Celestia Ludenberg, Mikan Tsumiki, Teruteru Hanamura, Korekiyo Shinguji from the Danganronpa franchise, etc.)
Also, these kinds of heroes are the polar opposite of Redeemed Villains.
Some of these heroes could also be deceased.
NOTES
- Pure Good heroes can never corrupt themselves; they can never fall into this category and they are therefore incorruptible.
- If a hero considered Pure Good becomes Fallen, they can no longer be in the Pure Good category as Pure Goods are incorruptible.
See also
- Fallen Heroes on the Evil Wiki
- Fallen Heroes on the Villains Wiki
-
Ken Kaneki -
SCP-105 -
Meliodas -
Omni-Man -
Hajime Nagumo -
Dr. Wondertainment -
Endeavor (My Hero Academia) -
Reiner Braun
All items (1045)
- A.I.M.S.
- A2
- Abel (Street Fighter)
- Abigail Walker
- Ace Operatives
- Adam "Kane" Marcus
- Admiral Roebuck
- Adu Du
- Aegon V Targaryen
- Agito Makishima
- Agâh Beyoglu
- Ai (VRAINS)
- Aina
- Aisha (Winx Club)
- Akane Kurashiki
- Akira Nishikiyama
- Akito Hyuga
- Akito Sohma
- Alan Garner
- Aldmeri Dominion (Elder Scrolls Online)
- Alex (Control Z)
- Alex Kidd
- Alex Mercer
- Alex Standall
- Alex Wilder (Marvel)
- Alexa Bliss
- Alice (American McGee's Alice)
- Alice (Freak Island)
- Alistair Krei
- Allen Hale
- Allison Argent
- Alvin the Treacherous
- Alvin, Simon and Theodore
- Amita
- Amy Sorel
- Anakin Skywalker (Angry Birds Star Wars)
- Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars)
- Andrei Sergeivich Kalinin
- Andy & Chris
- Angry German Kid
- Anna Williams
- Anne Hale
- Anne Marie Cunningham
- Annelotte Kreutz
- Ant-Man (Hank Pym)
- Anya Amasova
- Ao (Naruto)
- Aragog
- Arbormon
- Archangel (Marvel)
- Archangel (X-Men Movies)
- Archer (Fate/stay night)
- Ares (Warriors Orochi)
- Arnice
- Arnie Kowalski
- Arthur Morgan
- Aruto Hiden
- Asajj Ventress
- Asgore Dreemurr
- Ash Graven
- Ashley Butler
- Asriel Dreemurr
- Asura (Samurai Shodown)
- Athena (God of War)
- Atticus Rhodes
- Augus
- Aya (Green Lantern: The Animated Series)
- Ayame Makishima
- Azrael (Arkhamverse)
- Azrael (Jean-Paul Valley)
- Baatar Jr.
- Barbara Kean
- Barnacle Boy
- Barney Stinson
-
- Baron Samedi (folklore)
- Barriss Offee
- Barry Robinson
- Basara Toujou
- Bastila Shan
- Batman (Frank Miller)
- Battalion (Mighty No. 9)
- Beatrice (Dante's Inferno)
- Beavis & Butt-Head
- Bee (The Babysitter)
- Beelzebul (Genshin Impact)
- Beelzemon (Digimon Tamers)
- Beetlejuice
- Bela Talbot
- Bellamy Blake
- Ben Reilly
- Benjamin L. Willard
- Benjamin Richter
- Betty Grof
- Betty Ross (Marvel)
- Big Boss
- Big Cass
- Big Daddy Cool Diesel (Kevin Nash)
- Big Show
- Bigmouth
- Bill Williamson
- Billy (The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy)
- Billy Butcher (The Boys)
- Bismuth
- Bizuki
- Black Cat
- Black Woz
- Blackarachnia
- Blackbot the Pirate
- Blake Bradley
- Bloo
- Blutarch Mann
- Bobert
- BoJack Horseman
- Boris the Wolf
- Bracelety
- Brain (Animaniacs)
- Brian Griffin
- Brian Thomas
- Brooke Thompson
- Bryan Mills
- Bucky Barnes
- Bucky Barnes (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
- Burai (Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger)
- Burnham
- Butters Stotch
- C.H.E.R.U.B
- Cade Skywalker
- Cady Heron
- Caleb (Blood)
- Calvin Lucien
- Cao Wei
- Captain Atom (DC Animated Universe)
- Captain Hero
- Captain Hook (Once Upon a Time)
- Captain Nemo
- Captain Panaka (Star Wars)
- Carl Clover
- Carl Lee Hailey
- Carmen (Happy Feet Two)
- Carmen Sandiego (Where in The World is Carmen Sandiego?)
- Carrie White
- Carter Pewterschmidt
- Cassandra (Tangled)
- Cassandra Alexandra
- Cassandra Cain (DC)
- Luke Castellan
- Castiel
- Celebrimbor
- Celestia Ludenberg
- Chad Dickson
- Chang Wufei
- Char Aznable
- Charlie Harper
- Chase (Kamen Rider Drive)
- Chazz Princeton
- Chef (South Park)
- Chip and Skip
- Chirin (Chirin no Suzu)
- Chiro
- Cho Sang-woo
- Chris (Cross Ange)
- Chris Jericho
- Chris Redfield
- Chris Yukine
- Cia
- Ciel Phantomhive
- Clair Aoki
- Clara Stahlbaum
- Class 77-B
- Claus
- Clay Jensen
- Cletus (Helluva Boss)
- Cletus, Collin and Keenie
- Cleveland Brown
- Clone Troopers
- Clyde Donovan
- Cody Travers
- Collin (Helluva Boss)
- Commander Bly
- Commander Cody
- Commander Fox
- Computer (Courage the Cowardly Dog)
- Concussion
- Copper (The Fox and the Hound)
- Cortana
- Count Bleck
- Craig Marduk
- Craig Tucker
- Crash Bernstein
- Creek
- Crewmates (Among Us)
- Croix Meridies
- Cronos
- Curtis Connors (The Amazing Spider-Man)
- Cyrax