The protagonists who consider things meaningless, such as fun, emotion, and perhaps even life itself along with their own existences. These characters are usually set-up as protagonists for one of two reasons, either because the work is a character-piece having to do with the characters' existential awakening or to use them purely as a comedic foible, quickly discarding normal heroic concerns for more blunt ones. However, some might simply remain heroic nihilists.

Many of these Nihilistic Heroes may not be able to have a possible chance to even qualify as being "Pure Good" (unless they have remorse, sympathy, getting brainwashed/possessed, and/or have poor judges of character), knowing that these type of characters do not view value into certain things that may be important others in life. Pure good nihilists have to respect the lives of others, despite the fact they view all of humanity, including themselves as meaningless, an example being John Coffey. These heroes are often Anti-Heroes, considering nihilistic characters are often villainous or morally questionable in their actions. They can also be Tragic due to their belief that life is meaningless and/or traumatic experiences that made them view life as meaningless.

This is the heroic counterpart of Nihilists. Nihilistic heroes cannot be Cowards, because the latter tend go out of their way to preserve their own lives while nihilists care only to a very limited extent.

Their opposites are Anti-Nihilists and Cowards.