History Main / AdaptationalJerkass

* A minor case of this happens during the film adaptation of ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix''. In both the book and the movie, the Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge thinks Dumbledore is planning to turn the Hogwarts students against him. To prevent this, he forbids them from learning practical defensive magic and sends Dolores Umbridge to Hogwarts to enforce this prohibition. Harry and his friends start an illegal study group named Dumbledore's Army, secretly teaching the students how to cast defensive spells without Umbridge knowing. In the book, Dumbledore's Army is willingly revealed by the best friend of Harry's love interest Cho, followed by Harry and Cho having a fight about this in which both sides actually have a point. When Umbridge discovers Dumbledore's Army in the movie, the group is unwillingly revealed by Cho, who is obviously forced to show its location, as she was dragged along by Malfoy. Yet Harry seems to treat it as if Cho willingly did so and alienates her like the rest of the school does, making him look like a bit of a jerk to her.

* Several characters in ''Series/GameOfThrones'' are subjected to this in contrast from the books:

* ''Videogame/MegaManBattleNetwork'': Downplayed with [=ProtoMan.EXE=]. The original Proto Man in ''Videogame/MegaManClassic'', while aloof, is a supportive big brother figure for Mega Man. In BN timeline, [=ProtoMan.EXE=] is considered a rival to [=MegaMan.EXE=] because their operators are also rivals, but [=ProtoMan=] doesn't take it personally; he's also more willing to scold and even fight [=MegaMan=] if it's necessary.

* Anyone familiar with Link, the hero of ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', knows he's near consistently portrayed in adaptations as, and implied in the games to be, a brave, humble, all around heroic person who saves the land of Hyrule and its princess without expecting anything in return. People familiar with Link's other portrayals will probably be surprised that in the ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda'' cartoon, that came after the NES games, he's the complete opposite. This Link was lazy, self-centered, whiny and is only motivated by getting Zelda to kiss him.

** Robett Glover is a loyal Stark bannerman who helped Wyman Manderly in his plot to overthrow the Boltons and bring House Stark back to Winterfell. In the show, he refuses to help Jon Snow and Sansa Stark in retaking Winterfell not only because Jon's army had Wildings in them but because he lost his trust on his brother Robb after the Red Wedding and he rudely told Sansa that House Stark is dead. Fortunately, after Jon and Sansa successfully retook Winterfell, he realizes his mistake and apologizes to them.

* ''Manga/PokemonAdventures'': Norman, the protagonists father in ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire''. In the games, Norman is a kind, gentle person who respects his child's wishes and would most likely not use physical violence. In the manga, Norman is a lot meaner and [[AbusiveParents beats up his son]] for disobeying him. Despite his harshness, he is on the side of good -- he is genuinely supportive of Ruby.

* In ''Videogame/{{Kirby}}'', King Dedede, while he's a lazy and rather greedy king whose "royalty" is questionable, he can be a pretty good guy every now and then who helps Kirby saving the day. In the ''Anime/KirbyOfTheStars'' anime, Dedede is more of a jerk who wants to "clobbah dat dere Kirby" almost every episode and treats other people like crap.

** Inverted with Gary in the English dub. In Japan, he and Ash are friendly rivals and Gary is respected. The dub has Gary be far more hated in general and he is a jerk towards Ash. This makes him more in-line with his game counterpart, Blue.

* While Donald Duck has always been a bit irritable, ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse2013'' portrays him as rather assholish and more prone to being disrespectful toward his friends.

* Practically everybody in the [[Website/GoAnimate "grounded videos"]] that have a "[[WesternAnimation/{{Caillou}} Baby]] [[WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer s]][[WesternAnimation/LittleBill h]][[WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}ow"]] character as the target could count, from the main character who goes from a likable guy and or girl to a sociopathic bully who wants to fuck everyone over to the [[AbusiveParents main character's parents that go from loving to hating their kids' guts]] to the [[SadistTeacher character's teacher that will punish their students for every minor thing.]]

* Practically everybody in the [[Website/GoAnimate "grounded videos"]] that have a "Baby show" character as the target could count, from the main character who goes from a likable guy and or girl to a sociopathic bully who wants to fuck everyone over to the [[AbusiveParents main character's parents that go from loving to hating their kids' guts]] to the [[SadistTeacher character's teacher that will punish their students for every minor thing.]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'', the Titans are straight-laced heroes. In ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'', they regularly display {{Jerkass}} behavior, are often VitriolicBestBuds, and are {{Heroic Comedic Sociopath}}s.

* The Flying Scotsman seemed relatively humble and respectful in his few speaking roles in ''Literature/TheRailwaySeries'', but in his first appearance in the [[WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine TV series]]' special ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatRace'', he's much more pompous and arrogant, has a low opinion on Sodor's engines, and often makes remarks to rile up Gordon, his brother.

** Velma in ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooMysteryIncorporated'' is more cynical, self-centered, vain, and sarcastic, similar to the titular protagonist of ''WesternAnimation/Daria''. Most of these changes however, are to do with her being written a lot more like an actual teenager would act.

* Fred from Scooby-Doo has become this in ''WesternAnimation/BeCoolScoobyDoo'', rendering him into a dimwitted, control freak and an unmasking hog.

* Anyone familiar with Link, the hero of ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', knows he's near consistently portrayed in adaptations as, and implied in the games to be, a brave, humble, all around heroic person who saves the land of Hyrule and its princess without expecting anything in return. People familiar with Link's other portrayals will probably be surprised that in the ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda'' cartoon, that came after the [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda1 NES]] [[VideoGame/Zelda2TheAdventureOfLink games]], he's the complete opposite. This Link was lazy, self-centered, whiny and is only motivated by getting Zelda to kiss him.

** At the same time though, this in inverted as their softer sides and HiddenDepths are more present. Jetta went from the TokenEvilTeammate to being calm and relatively nice (especially towards Roxy, who she's best friend with in the comics but is enemies with in the cartoon). A lot more emphasis goee into giving Pizzazz's HiddenDepths focus. She has a lot more moments of sincerity, happiness, and vulnerability. In one issue she actually listens to Stormer's wants to do a ballad and ends the issue on a middle ground. She'll allow a ballad on the next album, not the current one. In the cartoon scene that was inspired by Pizzazz outright just ''shredded'' the lyrics because she doesn't like "soft" songs.

** Yara Greyjoy (the show's counterpart to Asha Greyjoy) is rather rude to her brother Theon as she comes off as a KarmicTrickster in terms of her baiting him

* L from ''Manga/DeathNote'' is subject to this in the TV drama. Though not exactly a ''hero'' (with WordOfGod admitting that he's a bit evil), he usually comes across as ALighterShadeofGrey when compared to Light, and a few spin-offs (namely the film L: Change the World and the light novel Another Note) [[AdaptationalHeroism portray him more sympathetically]]. The drama, by contrast, draws more attention to the amorality of his actions and he is generally far more smug and arrogant than most portrayals.

* Downplayed in ''VideoGames/BlazBlue'': in the original games, Jin is already quite a {{Jerkass}}, but he still has a soft spot for his ChildhoodFriend Tsubaki. In ''Anime/BlazblueAlterMemory'', that soft spot is gone.

* In the ''VideoGame/AdvancedVariableGeo'' series, Yuuki is shown to be a GoodSamaritan who protects other women from muggers and rapists. But [[Anime/VariableGeo the OVA adaptation]] nearly makes Yuuki out to be a rapist, herself, by having her [[ThanksForTheMammary sexually]] [[ForcefulKiss harass]] Satomi during their fight.

* Killua is an AntiHero in all versions of ''Manga/HunterXHunter'' however in the 1999 anime adaptation there are more allusions to his dangerous CreepyChild nature from the get go.

* Sonic in ''Anime/SonicTheHedgehogTheMovie'' is more easily annoyed and angered than he is portrayed in the games.

* L from ''Manga/DeathNote'' is subject to this in the TV drama. Though not exactly a 'hero' (with WordOfGod admitting that he's a bit evil), he usually comes across as [[ALighterShadeofGrey A Lighter Shade of Gray]] when compared to Light and a few spin-offs (namely the film L: Change the World and the light novel Another Note) [[AdaptationalHeroism portray him more sympathetically]]. The drama by contrast draws more attention to the amorality of his actions and he generally is far more smug and arrogant than most portrayals.

* in ''WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries'' Seto Kaiba is even more of a jerk than in ''Manga/YuGiOh'', especially in mistreating his little brother.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' the Titans are straight-laced heroes. In ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'' they regularly display {{Jerkass}} behavior, are often VitriolicBestBuds, and are {{Heroic Comedic Sociopath}}s.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/{{Witch}}'' cartoon Cornelia is presented as more of a straight AlphaBitch than the LovableAlphaBitch she is in the ''ComicBook/{{Witch}}'' comics. She's ruder and generally more aggressive. In the comics she is a BullyHunter but in the cartoon, prior to her CharacterDevelopment she was TheBully herself.
* Fred from Scooby-Doo has become this in ''WesternAnimation/BeCoolScoobyDoo", rendering him into a dimwitted, control freak and an unmasking hog.

* ''Anime/PokemonAdventures'':
** Norman, the protagonists father in ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire''. In the games, Norman is a kind, gentle person who respects his child's wishes and would most likely not use physical violence. In the manga, Norman is a lot meaner and [[AbusiveParents beats up his son]] for disobeying him. Despite his harshness, he is on the side of good-- he is genuinely supportive of Ruby.
** {{Inverted|Trope}} with Silver. His game counterpart from ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' is the most {{Jerkass}} rival thus far, literally pushes you around, and is mean to his Pokemon prior to his CharacterDevelopment. Silver in the manga is aloof but not as confrontational or aggressive.

** This is utilized with several gym leaders. Many, most notably Lt. Surge, Erika, and Skyla, are egotistical {{Jerkass}}es with a condescending demeanor towards their challengers (or, in Erika's case, towards those who don't appreciate the perfume her gym makes). Pryce is a JerkWithAHeartOfGold who is cold towards Pokemon due to a misunderstanding with his Piloswine long ago, although he ''does'' get better when the Piloswine is found and the situation explained. In particular in the games, Pryce is a perfectly pleasant and decent man, Erika is a laidback {{Ojou}}, and Lt. Surge, while cocky in the games, isn't nearly as mean about it as he is in the anime (being a Type 2 {{Eaglelander}} instead of a Type 1). All of them [[DefeatEqualsFriendship make friends with the heroes]] in the end.

** Iris in the games is very peppy and nice however in the anime, while heroic, her CatchPhrase is telling Ash that he is "just a kid" due to his immaturity ([[HypocriticalHumor despite being the same age as him]]) and she's brattier than in the games.

* {{Inverted|Trope}} in ''Manga/SchoolLive''. The anime changes TheReveal that [[spoiler:Megu-nee has been DeadAllAlong and Yuki [[ThroughTheEyesOfMadness hallucinates her presence]]]] to happen much later than it did in the manga, and has Miki be a character from episode 1 instead of being rescued early on (thus adding her into certain scenes and having certain chapters become flashbacks). To avoid spoilering [[spoiler:Megu-nee's death]] the anime removed all of Miki's confrontations with Yuki and Rii early on, making her a far more subdued character.