History Main / AdaptationalBadass

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* Nor the mighty Bennett Sisters in ''[[Literature/PrideandPrejudiceandZombies Pride and Prejudice and Zombies]]''.
* When ''Literature/GauntsGhosts'' was first released, the Imperial Guard in ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'' were a {{puny|Earthlings}} RedShirtArmy led by [[ModernMajorGeneral idiots]] and [[GeneralRipper maniacs]] that died in droves against every foe of the Imperium. After ''Ghosts'' depicted them as a terrifyingly competent BadassArmy filled with {{Badass Normal}}s and led by {{Four Star Badass}}es (with the odd idiot and maniac thrown in for variety), this portrayal proved so popular that Games Workshop [[TookALevelInBadass near-completely changed their image]] to match it.
* In 2007, the [=CGSociety=] (for Creative Digital Artists) held a contest to create images and pieces using Creator/GregBear's book ''[[Literature/TheWaySeries Eon]]'' as a reference point. The winning trailer was titled [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrLo1qUkCH8 "Worlds Within Worlds"]]. In it, the frant [[NeckSnap breaks a soldier's neck]]. In the book, frants are actually rather peaceful (they're useful due to their HiveMind), and there's no danger at the moment in the book that the trailer portrays.
* This is widespread throughout the ''Nyctophobia'' books, but the most obvious case is [[Franchise/ThePhantomOfTheOpera Erik Garnier]]. In [[Literature/ThePhantomOfTheOpera Leroux's original work]], the Phantom/Erik is just a deformed man haunting a concert hall. In the series, he is ''[[HalfHumanHybrid half-demon]]'', more accurately half-incubus, and his iconically beautiful voice can either be [[CharmPerson compelling]] or it can [[MakeMeWannaShout shatter glass]].

* ''WebAnimation/FreedomToons'': Parodied. Pintsized JewishAndNerdy right-wing pundit Creator/BenShapiro has [[EyeBeams hex vision]].

* On the other hand, the character may have become a DamselScrappy whose only job was to get [[TrappedByMountainLions captured by the bad guys]] and give a DamselInDistress for the hero to rescue. Making them competent in a fight and no longer TheLoad can also result in a more preferred version of the character. There are many examples of such a change becoming a RetCanon to the original character.

** ''AdaptationalBadass/DragonBall''

** ''AdaptationalBadass/UltimateMarvel''

** [[AdaptationalBadass/FanWorksCrossovers Crossovers]]
*** ''AdaptationalBadass/CitadelOfTheHeart''
** [[AdaptationalBadass/FanWorksAThroughM A Through M]]
** [[AdaptationalBadass/FanWorksNThroughZ N Through Z]]
* [[AdaptationalBadass/AnimatedFilms Films — Animation]]

** ''AdaptationalBadass/MarvelCinematicUniverse''

** ''AdaptationalBadass/GameOfThrones''

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[[folder:Myths & Religion]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGvepxEl7Pw Heather Dale's version of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.]] The song that was originally about Gawain's failure became a story of how perfect he was.

** AdaptationalBadass/DragonBall

* {{Satan}}, in most Abrahamic scriptures where he appears, is a fallen angel whose defeat is a given from day one and whose antics on earth are basically a bully picking on the [[{{God}} teacher]]'s [[HumansAreSpecial pets]] and who can be foiled by any yokel with faith or some brains. Starting the UsefulNotes/MiddleAges, demonologists began writing newer interpretations of him based on the admittedly vague texts of the Bible. As of today, Satan is viewed by Christian theologians as a nigh-omnipotent force of evil second only to God himself in terms of raw power, and is only kept from creating HellOnEarth by the forces of light remaining ever vigilant. Likewise, he even has a good chance at obtaining ultimate victory at the end of days.

* {{Satan}}, in most Abrahamic scriptures where he appears, is a fallen angel whose defeat is a given from day one and whose antics on earth are basically a bully picking on the [[{{God}} teacher]]'s [[HumansAreSpecial pets]] and who can be foiled by any yokel with faith or some brains. In modern fiction, he tends to get upgraded to a full-blown GodOfEvil only kept from creating HellOnEarth by the forces of light remaining ever vigilant and who has a good shot of coming out on top in the end of days.

* {{Satan}} tends to get upgraded from a fallen angel whose defeat is a given from day one and whose antics on earth are basically a bully picking on the [[{{God}} teacher]]'s [[HumansAreSpecial pets]] to a full-blown GodOfEvil only kept from creating HellOnEarth by the forces of light remaining ever vigilant.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGvepxEl7Pw Heather Dale's version of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.]] The song that was originally about Gawain's failure, became a story of how perfect he was.

* In ''Literature/AChristmasCarol'' and most adaptations, Scrooge is terrified at Jacob Marley's appearance and warning. In ''Theatre/JacobMarleysChristmasCarol'', after his initial shock he's unfazed by his theatrics, gives a speech dressing him down, and kicks him out of his room with his words alone.

* Who's the one to turn the tide [[spoiler:in the battle against King Ghiodrah]] in ''Ride/GodzillaVsEvangelionTheReal4D'' after Godzilla is drained? [[ShrinkingViolet Shinji Ikari]], who [[spoiler:drives a katana into King Ghidorah]]. He's also the only one who accomplish anything against Godzilla--and it's the Godzilla of ''Film/ShinGodzilla'' he, Rei, and Asuka are up against.

** ''AdaptationalBadass/CitadelOfTheHeart''

[[folder:Web Original]]
* In the character's source series, ''WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall'''s [[EldritchAbomination The Entity]] ([[spoiler:[[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} aka Missingno]]]]) is mildly creepy if you start applying FridgeLogic, somewhere between useful and annoying if you don't, and is nigh-universally pathetic in battle to the point of usually being incapable of victory. Now, he's a horror that makes other monsters look friendly and harmless, and reduces entire worlds to nothingness. According to WordOfGod, [[spoiler:every other glitch Pokemon is just a different form of this version of Missingno.]]
* ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged'':
** Mr. Popo was never exactly useless; he even gave Goku a run for his money in [[Manga/DragonBall the original series]], but he never did much beyond that and eventually [[CantCatchUp suffered the same fate as the other non-saiyan characters]] in the ''[[Anime/DragonBallZ Z]]'' series (and even most of the OutOfFocus character were stronger than him). His Abridged incarnation, on the other hand, is a CreepyGood HumanoidAbomination and NightmareFuelStationAttendant who is implied to be the most powerful being in the universe, with the only reason he doesn't kill all the villains himself being that [[TheGodsMustBeLazy he's just too lazy]] or [[StonersAreFunny too stoned]]. Notably, the abridged version of the Garlic Jr. arc has him [[spoiler:devour Garlic Jr. and all of his henchmen, defeating them with one move]] when they attack the lookout, whereas in the source material he could only stand and watch in horror.
** Tien is a lot braver and more intimidating in Season 3, with all of his interactions with Vegeta having him [[{{Troll}} making fun of the Prince's shortcomings]] without any fear of retribution, and was very eager to face off against Android 20 in a fight, which intimidated the latter so much that he backed down. The kicker is when he attacks Semi-Perfect Cell all by himself; instead of a DesperationAttack to stall him and buy precious seconds for Android 18 to escape like in the original, here he's sick of sitting on the sidelines while the more powerful characters do everything themselves, intent on proving he's still a warrior even if it means going out in a blaze of glory, with 18's escape being an afterthought. All set to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWlLp5riuzk Counterattack]] from ''Videogame/ShadowOfTheColossus''.
--->'''Cell''': Oh my god! It's Tien! What, was Krillin busy? ''[Tien prepares an attack]'' Come on buddy, you can't be serious. With your power level? You're no Android. You're no Namekian. And you're ''certainly'' no Super Saiyan. ''[[PunyEarthlings You're just human]]''.\\
'''Tien''': Yeah. Well you know what?! F**k power levels! F**ck Super Saiyans! '''[[AtomicFBomb AND F**K! YOU!]] [[CallingYourAttacks SHIN! KIKOOOHOOOOOO]]!'''\\
'''Cell''': Oh, that's adora'''[[OhCrap SHIIIIIIIT!]]'''
*** And unlike the original, this incident is never forgotten by Cell to the point that he shows a lot of enmity with Tienshinhan when he is respectful with everyone else. And Tien is more than happy to mock him for it.
** Unlike in the [[Anime/DragonBallZTheReturnOfCooler original version]], Piccolo in ''Cooler 2'' is far stronger than Goku and Vegeta, wiping out an entire group of Metal-Coolers in a single blast.[[note]]This is due to Gohan not being able to turn Super Saiyan, but Dende being Guardian of Earth, thus it should take place between Piccolo fusing with Kami and the Saiyansusing the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.[[/note]]
* Website/CollegeHumor's ''WebVideo/DoraTheExplorerAndTheDestinyMedallion'' is a three part parody miniseries which re-imagines ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' as a straight action movie.
* In ''WebVideo/DeathNoteTheAbridgedSeriesKpts4tv'', Raye Penber is now so impressive that EvenTheGuysWantHim. He's also [[spoiler: Near's [[ProfessionalKiller hitman]]]] and a [[spoiler: {{Shinigami}}]].
* In ''WebVideo/FinalFantasyRelay'', [[QuirkyBard Edward]] of all characters helps Cecil win the 6 fights in Fabul and killed the Mom Bomb's Gray Bombs in 1 shot (along with Rydia).
* While in the original series Amon he was a highly skilled bloodbender, in ''WebVideo/KorraBridged'' he's capable of ''internally freezing his target's blood into spikes and impaling their heart with it!'' [[spoiler: He uses this techniques to kill his brother Tarrlok and ''almost succeeds in doing the same to Korra'' (thankfully Raava steps in at the last second).]]
* In ''WebVideo/PokemonApokelypse'', being a parody of darker and edgier works, ''everyone'' becomes awesome, especially Team Rocket.
* ''VideoGame/GundamFighter'' has it with their entirety of Gundam casts, especially girls that are harmless.
* ''Blog/ConstableFrozen'': [[http://constable-frozen.tumblr.com/post/105968273648/olaf Olaf]] from ''Franchise/{{Frozen}}''. Seriously.
* ''Videogame/PokemonCrystalKaizo'' is a super-hard Pokemon romhack that makes every wild Pokemon, trainer, and especially bosses, into badasses. Team Rocket especially, as they turn from a generic bad guy organization with laughable com-mon rosters to a army of criminals with powerful stolen Pokemon, capable of locking down Goldenrod, to the point that the player needs to fly to get in, blocking the path to the department store, and they heavily guard stairs and doors. They almost block off the path to the underground as well.
* ''WebVideo/SwordArtOnlineAbridged'' removes or alters [[ActionGirl Asuna]]'s DamselInDistress moments to keep in line with her... ''[[AdaptationalVillainy grayer]]'' characterization. She isn't inexplicably afraid of her clingy, creepy bodyguard Kuradeel in Episode 8, she's [[ManipulativeBastard manipulating]] Kirito into dueling him on her behalf to teach Kuradeel a lesson and avoid the embarrassment of a guild leader having to discipline a subordinate. And in Episode 9, she doesn't fall victim to an ISurrenderSuckers attempt, she [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomps]] an enemy and coldly executes him herself.
* Rachel ''freaking'' Garrett in ''Roleplay/ToBoldlyGoAStarfleetQuest''. Granted, that's partially because she only had one episode (Yesterday's Enterprise) of ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' to work with — and she was injured! — but To Boldly Go leaves little doubt that her eventual command of the ''Enterprise-C'' is no fluke.
[[/folder]]

** Jinana/Ushas originally merely had a few physical attacks and a LightEmUp SignatureMove that she needed help to execute. Here, she has PrehensileHair and can create several different types of unblockable [[SlowLaser SlowLasers]] and an actual LaserBlade.

** Jinana/Ushas originally merely had a few physical attacks and a LightEmUp SignatureMove that she needed help to execute. Here, she has PrehensileHair and can create several different types of unblockable FrickinLaserBeams and an actual LaserBlade.

When this is done to [[HistoricalDomainCharacter a real-life person]], then it's HistoricalBadassUpgrade. For a sister trope specializing in female characters, see {{Xenafication}}. The inverse of this trope is AdaptationalWimp.

Another possibility is that characters who wrre reasonably competent and skilled in their original incarnations had their capabilities and accomplishments elevated in their next depiction, sometimes to an InvincibleHero or InvincibleVillain level. This is related to the BigBudgetBeefUp or SerialEscalation, the character is changed to match the intensity of the action.

* ''Blog/ConstableFrozen'': [[http://constable-frozen.tumblr.com/post/105968273648/olaf Olaf]] from ''Franchuse/{{Frozen}}''. Seriously.

There are characters in the media who are known, simply put, for being [[WhatMeasureIsANonBadass less-than-dangerous]]. They might even be a NonActionGuy, or TheChick, or TheLoad, or at least a DamselInDistress. When danger rears its head, the character generally beats feet and lets their tougher friends deal with the problem.

But then, for some unexplainable reason, when the work is being adapted into another type of media, the character is made a bona fide badass. The reasons for this are myriad. Regardless of the whys, there are four things to consider with such a change:
* Sometimes a character is ''defined'' by being a NonActionGuy, that their usefulness to the story is their intelligence, [[TheHeart peacekeeping among teammates]] or being a FriendToAllLivingThings. When making such a character become violent in any form, a side effect is that they appear and act brutish as a trade-off, causing CharacterDerailment.
* On the other hand, the character may have become a DamselScrappy whose only job was to get [[TrappedByMountainLions captured by the bad guys]] and give a DamselInDistress for the hero to rescue. Making them competent in a fight and no longer TheLoad can also result in a more preferred version of the character. In fact there are many examples of such a change becoming a RetCanon to the original character.
* In some cases (especially video games) this is the result of someone who's a non combatant in their own series appearing in a setting where fighting skill of some kind is required, overlapping with PowerCreepPowerSeep. These types of characters are the kind most likely to use tropes such as IKnowMaddenKombat, MartialArtsAndCrafts, and FightingClown.
* This trope can even apply to characters who are reasonably competent and skilled in their original incarnations, but future versions elevate their capabilities and accomplishments, sometimes to an InvincibleHero or InvincibleVillain level. This is related to the BigBudgetBeefUp or SerialEscalation, the character is changed to match the intensity of the action.

* ''Blog/ConstableFrozen'': [[http://constable-frozen.tumblr.com/post/105968273648/olaf Olaf]] from ''Disney/{{Frozen}}''. Seriously.