Pessimists, or just simply Cynics, are individuals who anticipate undesirable outcomes, or the worst. These individuals often express doubt on anything positive and present a gloomy or wrathful attitude much of the time. Unlike their opposites, Optimists, Pessimists are relenting in defeat. However, in certain terms, some of these characters can be Knights in Sour Armor (the second type of anti-heroes), as while they are cynical, they won’t hesitate to stand up for justice and righteousness, even though they are not entirely convinced that such ideals exist.

Prime examples include Squidward Tentacles, Shiki, Mandy, Raven, Zak, Sadness, and Yumi Yoshimura.

They should not be confused with Misanthropes, since pessimists do not have a true animosity with humans. They shouldn't be confused with Nihilistic either, as some pessimists might still believe that life has a purpose, while nihilists embrace the belief that everything is meaningless. Pessimists have a chance to become purely good if they meet all the criteria and lack and/or shed their corrupting qualities.