History Main / AdaptationalNiceGuy

* Franchise/SherlockHolmes across the majority of media receives a large amount of this. In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories (especially earlier ones) Holmes was characterised by his NominalHero tendencies and SkewedPriorities to wit solving crimes and exercising his brain with deductive reasoning is what he cares about, actual justice and safeguarding innocent lives is much further down the list of his concerns. He's also all too happy to get as high as kite in opium when he is bored and there's no immediate case to be solved -- all of which Watson calls him out on. Even Conan Doyle [[CreatorsPest got sick]] of Holmes's personality flaws. The other books not written by Arthur Conan Doyle, the stage plays, radio serials, television shows, movies, comics, anime (including ''Franchise/LupinIII'') and numerous video games all generally soften Sherlock into a more RoundedCharacter with his genuine affection for Watson and other people from the books getting played up as well as his more outwardly heroic qualities. Even the DarkerAndEdgier [[Series/{{Sherlock}} modern day series]] which depicts all Holmes' sociopathic flaws and gives him AdaptationalJerkass in how he treats Mrs Hudson and others, still regardless highlights his better nature more frequently than the original stories do.

* Sun Wukong the Monkey King has gotten this in numerous adaptations of ''Literature/JourneyToTheWest'', especially more modern depictions influenced by [[MonkeyKingLite Sun Wukong's expies]] (most famously [[Franchise/DragonBall Son Goku]]). In the original novel, Wukong was a mix between an AwesomeEgo ArrogantKungFuGuy and TheTrickster, being immensely full of himself and more than happy to give grief to the Jade Emperor, wage war on the heavens, and even disrespect Buddha himself before getting royally put in his place. Even when in Tang Sanzang's servitude Sun Wukong killed wantonly when not in his master's presence. Adaptations such as the [[Series/JourneyToTheWest1996 1996]] and [[Series/MonkeyKingQuestForTheSutra 2002]] Hong Kong shows, ''Series/{{Monkey}}'', ''Film/TheMonkeyGoesWest'', ''Film/AChineseOdyssey'', ''Film/TheForbiddenKingdom'', ''Animation/MonkeyKingHeroIsBack'' and ''WesternAnimation/MonkieKid'' all soften Wukong into a merciful BoisterousBruiser JerkWithAHeartOfGold, with some adaptations outright making him TheCape.
* Long John Silver of ''Literature/TreasureIsland'' fame gets this in pretty every adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's work. In the original novel Silver though a AffablyEvil NobleDemon pirate with genuinely admirable traits (like having a coloured wife in the 18th century England) is still overall a lying BitchInSheepsClothing OpportunisticBastard who kills ruthlessly and mainly used Jim Hawkins as a means to an end (even if he did respect the kid). In ''Film/TreasureIsland1934'', ''Film/TreasureIsland1950'', ''Treasure Island (1972)'', ''Film/TreasureIsland1990'', ''Film/MuppetTreasureIsland'' ''Film/TreasureIsland1999'' and ''WesternAnimation/TreasurePlanet'' Silver's likeable qualities played up to the hilt. In particular the vast majority of adaptations empathise Silver's ParentalSubstitute relationship with Jim, often to incredibly [[SugarWiki/CrowningMomentOfHeartWarming heartwarming]] levels.

** [[Characters/SpiderManCentralRoguesGallery Electro]] gets fair amount of this. In the mainline 616 universe Max Dillon is anything but a TragicVillain, already a selfish {{jerkass}} upon receiving his ShockAndAwe powers in the comics, he becomes DrunkWithPower and immediately starts robbing banks and he has no qualms working for the likes of Doctor Doom and is happy to ruin Spidey's life any way he can. He does have a few nicer moments but they are few and far between. ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheNewAnimatedSeries'' however started the trend of Electro being treated more sympathetically, as this version of Max was genuinely a nice if shy young man like Peter before getting horrifically bullied and JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope upon becoming a electricity HumanoidAbomination. A very similar tragic backstory is used for ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'' with its Electro being a fan of Spidey who goes nuts after a FreakLabAccident.[[spoiler: ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' which is a continuation of the [=TSM=] film even gives Max a heartwarming moment with his Peter and a happy ending after he's defeated, despite being TruerToTheText in the film i.e a power-hungry asshole.]] ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'' also empathises Electro's sympathetic status with him being genuinely upset at how he's scaring people, even if overall his character is no less villainous as he is in the comics.
* ComicBook/DoctorStrange, being another Ditko creation, was quite douchey earlier on (even more so than Tony Stark) and unlike Spidey didn't really morph into a much cuddlier and nicer hero later on, with Strange's attitude being firmly GoodIsNotNice and him having a laundry list of mistakes and WhatTheHellHero moments in the comics, from brainwashing Captain America to assisting God Doom. In the 1978 TV pilot, ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManAndHisAmazingFriends'', ''WesternAnimation/DoctorStrangeTheSorcererSupreme'', ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperheroSquadShow'', ''WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012'', ''Anime/MarvelDiskWarsTheAvengers'', ''WesternAnimation/HulkWhereMonstersDwell'' and ''Anime/MarvelFutureAvengers'', he's a pure BigGood GentlemanWizard who's at worst a little haughty. [[PlayingWithATrope Played with]] in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, as Strange actually gets some AdaptationalJerkass, being far ruder to others than he is in comics, yet overall, he's still portrayed as more benevolent and doesn't perform his morally flawed comic actions. ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' even reveals that he was saving lives in the middle of war-torn New York before he became a magic superhero.

** Most adaptations downplay or outright omit [[Characters/MarvelComicsProfessorX Professor X]]'s {{manipulative|Bastard}} streak and portray him as more of a saintly, benevolent father figure, in contrast to the SternTeacher he is in the comics. He's still a father figure to most of the X-Men in the source material, albeit one that's a bit more aloof and "[[GoodIsNotNice prickly]]" most of the time. They also tend to omit [[HotForStudent his infatuation]] with his student [[Characters/MarvelComicsJeanGrey Jean Grey]] (who was underage at the time), though that plot point was largely dropped from the comics after the Silver Age, save for in the alternate universe ''ComicBook/UltimateXMen'' series and the lead-up to ''ComicBook/{{Onslaught}}'' (where the titular villain, a SplitPersonality of Xavier's, showed this to Jean, much to her horror). [[spoiler:''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'' is the only adaptation that has been relatively TruerToTheText with Xavier in regards to him being part of [[Characters/MarvelComicsTheIlluminati The Illuminati]], who are [[GoodIsNotNice ruthless]], but even then the Professor (unlike in the comics) is the TokenGoodTeammate, being the most compassionate and moral besides FamilyMan Reed Richards.]]
** To a lesser extent [[Characters/MarvelComicsMagneto Magneto]] gets this in most adaptations (with the big exception of ''ComicBook/UltimateXMen'') which emphasize his AntiVillain and NobleDemon traits and downplay his KnightTemplar brutality towards those who get in his way. Notably comics Magneto has killed numerous humans (a lot of whom were innocent) without much regret, and he's famous for being an [[AbusiveParents awful father]] to his children, shaping Characters/ScarletWitch and [[Characters/MarvelComicsQuicksilver Quicksilver]] into the unstable individuals they are and his treatment of his other daughter [[Characters/XMen60sMembers Polaris]] isn't much better. In ''WesternAnimation/XMenTheAnimatedSeries'', ''WesternAnimation/XMenEvolution'', ''WesternAnimation/WolverineAndTheXMen2009'' and ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'' he's much more AffablyEvil (and eventually outright [[AdaptationalHeroism heroic]] in the film version) and in all the shows, movies and video games, Magneto more frequently joins the X-Men against a greater foe. He's also presented as a caring father to Polaris in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' and even protective of Quicksilver in ''X-Men Evolution'' which is a big contrast to the comics.
** While it often overlaps with censorship against violence, [[Characters/MarvelComicsLogan Wolverine]] is generally [[LighterAndSofter less]] {{blood|Knight}}thirsty and sociopathic in the majority of adaptations than he is in the comics. In the [[Film/XMenFilmSeries films]], Creator/HughJackman's take on the Logan is particularly nicer, being quite reluctant to needlessly kill people and after getting to know them he treats his teammates much better than he usually does in the comics. ''WesternAnimation/XMenEvolution'' even takes away Wolvie's attraction for Jean and his attempts to steal her away from Cyclops due to Jean getting an AgeLift into being a teenager. One exception is ''WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012'' where Logan hits on the underage Mary Jane Watson whilst [[GrandTheftMe inside Peter's body]], though this is due to being a direct adaptation of the ''ComicBook/UltimateMarvel'' where Wolverine is [[AdaptationalJerkass far worse]] than his mainstream counterpart.
** While [[Characters/MarvelComicsCyclops Cyclops]] started out as a good person in the comics, eventually he became a [[GoodIsNotNice ruthless extremist]] and even a FallenHero before some CharacterRerailment. Pretty much every adaptation (except for ''WesternAnimation/WolverineAndTheXMen2009'') takes away or downplays Scott's negative qualities with only ''Film/XMenDarkPhoenix'' touching upon his darker side, but even then it's only born out of his care for Jean and doesn't devolve into borderline villainy like the comics.

** Hulk himself has naturally been subject to this in many adaptations. In the comics, while a GentleGiant at his best, The Jolly Green Giant is still a violent monster who has caused immense destruction across the 616 universe and thanks various {{Conflict Ball}}s to is often placed in an antagonistic role against the Avengers. In ''WesternAnimation/HulkAndTheAgentsOfSMASH'', ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'', ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperheroSquadShow'' and the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'' Hulk is a LighterAndSofter character who gets along better with his allies, particularly the Avengers whom he acts as TheBigGuy for regularly, unlike the comics where Hulk (out of dislike) steers clear of them when possible. Additionally similar to Cyclops above, Hulk's infidelity is also missing in adaptations, as he stays loyal to Betty and doesn't cheat on her [[BoldlyComing by sleeping with alien women]] (granted thanks to Betty being PutOnABus, he does as Bruce have a brief relationship with Black Widow in ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'', but it doesn't go anywhere).

* [[Characters/HellblazerJohnConstantine John Constantine]] has gotten an inordinate amount of this in various adaptations his character (or expies of his character) have appeared in. In the ''ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}}'' comics (especially when written by Creator/AlanMoore) John is a {{Jerkass}} NominalHero who, while still a BlueCollarWarlock, is also a grifter and TheFriendNobodyLikes who is usually only ever motivated into action, if he's in danger, being blackmailed, he feels like a challenge, or he sees some material gain to be had. ''Film/Constantine2005'', ''Series/Constantine2014'', ''WesternAnimation/DCAnimatedMovieUniverse'', ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueAction'' and ''Series/TheSandman2022'' all make Constantine a nicer and more traditionally heroic character who is at worst a Han Solo-esque JerkWithAHeartOfGold. Notably Constantine in most adaptations doesn't ask to be paid for his work and seeks out supernatural threats, unlike the comics where he always demands money and often waits for people with demonic troubles to come knocking. Though in fairness to adaptations, DC has gradually made Constantine a LighterAndSofter character over time.

** Terra in the orignal comics was an unapologetically evil SixthRangerTraitor who was so vile that she [[EvenEvilHasStandards disturbed even Deathstroke]]. Almost every adaptation starting from ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'' to ''WesternAnimation/DCAnimatedMovieUniverse'' and ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'' has Terra be an infinitely more sympathetic character who is at worst ForcedIntoEvil and genuinely cares for her teammates, espeically Beast Boy. ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'' is (initially) an exception as Terra is TruerToTheText being treacherous, manipulative, and scheming; however, as the series goes on Terra mellows into her more likeable portrayal popularised by the 2003 cartoon.
* Albert Wesker of ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'', easily as diabolical Creator/{{Capcom}} villain as [[Franchise/StreetFighter M. Bison]], the trope image for SinisterShades and so evil he gets away with [[BigBadDuumvirate working alongside]] goddamn [[Characters/MarvelComicsDoctorDoom Doctor Doom]] in ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3'', gets a fair bit of this in the adaptations he appears in. In the [[Film/ResidentEvilFilmSeries Anderson films]] while still a villain, in ''Film/ResidentEvilRetribution'' Wesker actually helps the heroes out against the larger threat of Red Queen and joins their side. In ''Film/ResidentEvilWelcomeToRaccoonCity'' Wesker is a RegretfulTraitor rather than the MoleInCharge BigBad who genuinely loves Jill and sacrifices himself to save her, unlike the games namely ''[[VideoGame/ResidentEvil5 RE5]] '' where he only saw Jill as a [[ForScience fascinating puppet]], and had no qualms using a torture device on her when she started to fight against his control. ''Series/ResidentEvil2022'' has Wesker be a loving and caring father to his CanonForeigner daughters Billie and Jade [[spoiler: though it's revealed this just a clone and the real Wesker is just as cruel and diabolical as he is in the games]]. Even ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilTheUmbrellaChronicles'' tie-in manga has Wesker [[PetTheDog choosing not to kill]] Chris and Jill along with a little girl, a level of kindness he lacks in the games.

** Allison doesn't use her CompellingVoice on Luther to cope with her divorce, making her quite less rapey and her [[StarCrossedLovers ill fated relationship]] with Luther more genuine and tragic. Then again, Allison does get some degree of AdaptationalJerkass being the one who made Viktor forget he had powers and never telling him, but even then she was just a kid when her father ordered her to do it and she deeply regrets it as an adult and blames herself for Viktor's breakdown. [[spoiler: '''Inverted hard''' in Season 3, where Allison having gone through a TruamaCongaLine does use her voice on Luther leading to a NearRapeExperience for him and her previously NiceGirl personality takes a steep nosedive into a toxic {{Jerkass}} bitch who JumpsOffTheSlipperySlope in very extreme manner and willingly murders a innocent man who accidently got her mother killed. This all results in Allison's comic version looking like a saint in comparsion.]]

*** [[{{Ninja}} Yuffie Kisaragi]]. She gets a '''huge''' amount of this in the DLC ''Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade''. In the original game, she's the most antagonistic party member next to Barret, if not more so since she literally starts off as a [[RandomEncounters random enemy encounter]] who fights AVALANCHE trying to steal Materia. Even after being [[DefeatMeansFriendship defeated and becoming a party member]], Yuffie is still incredibly aggressive and bratty, coming up with rude nicknames for Cloud ("spikey-headed jerk"), Tifa ("boobs") and Cid ("bow-legged ol' man") upon meeting them. While none of the heroes take her exploits seriously and she proves to be nicer later on, Yuffie still [[SoLongAndThanksForAllTheGear robs the team and flees]] to her homeland Wutai. Cloud and company have to save her from [[TheDon Don Corneo]] before she becomes a real team player. In ''Intergrade'', Yuffie, while still brash, is also cheerful and friendly, wanting to talk to Barret and Tifa when she first sees them instead of robbing them blind. She also isn't particularly rude or impatient to anyone (besides Sonon initially), and is generally more of a GenkiGirl. There is some InUniverse justification since Yuffie's role has been changed from a RebelliousPrincess Thief to a Wutai Special Forces Operative, who is stealing Materia from Shinra Robin Hood-style.

** {{Dracula}} of all people is far nicer especially compared to his deception in the games and most media for that matter. In the show, Dracula ''never'' directly kills any innocent women or children and unknowingly spares the old woman who got his wife Lisa burned at the stake. Also unlike the games where Drac has no qualms hurting his son Alucard, in the show Dracula purposely avoids fighting his son in the FinalBattle and directs his aggression towards Trevor and Sypha, only retaliating when Alucard gives him no choice. [[spoiler: Even then when beating the life out of Alucard, Dracula soon [[HeelRealization stops horrified]] that he's "killing his boy" and actually lets Alucard stake him through the heart]].

* In ''WesternAnimation/XMen97'', Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor's relationship is vastly different. In the comics, Cyclops basically treated Maddie as a ReplacementGoldfish to the then-thought-dead Jean Grey, bailing on both her and their son Nathan after learning Jean was alive. [[spoiler:In the series, Cyclops thought that Maddie was ''actually'' Jean (and Maddie thought she was Jean), not realizing that Mr. Sinister performed a TwinSwitch on them. They only separate due to the craziness of the events, leave on good terms and it's Maddie who sends Nathan into the future with a psychic message to let him know that they didn't abandon him]].

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Castlevania}}'', {{Dracula}} of all people is far nicer especially compared to his deception in the games and most media for that matter. In the show, Dracula ''never'' directly kills any innocent women or children and unknowingly spares the old woman who got his wife Lisa burned at the stake. Also unlike the games where Drac has no qualms hurting his son Alucard, in the show Dracula purposely avoids fighting his son in the FinalBattle and directs his aggression towards Trevor and Sypha, only retaliating when Alucard gives him no choice. [[spoiler: Even then when beating the life out of Alucard, Dracula soon [[HeelRealization stops horrified]] that he's "killing his boy" and actually lets Alucard stake him through the heart]].

* ComicBook/DoctorStrange being another Ditko creation was quite douchey earlier on (even more so than Tony Stark) and unlike Spidey didn't really morph into a much cuddlier and nicer hero later on with Strange's attitude being firmly GoodIsNotNice and he has a laundry list of mistakes and WhatTheHellHero moments in the comics from brainwashing Captain America to assisting God Doom. In the 1978 TV pilot, ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManAndHisAmazingFriends'', Creator/FoxKids ''WesternAnimation/MarvelAnimation'', ''WesternAnimation/DoctorStrangeTheSorcererSupreme'', ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperheroSquadShow'', ''[[WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012 Ultimate Spider-Man]]'', ''Anime/MarvelDiskWarsTheAvengers'', ''WesternAnimation/HulkWhereMonstersDwell'' and ''Anime/MarvelFutureAvengers'' he's a pure BigGood GentlemanWizard who's at worst a little haughty. [[PlayingWithATrope Played with]] in the [[Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse MCU]] as Strange actually gets some AdaptationalJerkass being far ruder to others than he is in comics, yet overall he's still portrayed as more benevolent and doesn't perform his morally flawed comic actions. ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' even reveals he was saving lives in the middle of war torn New York before he became a magic superhero.
* ComicBook/ThePunisher: ''Film/ThePunisher2004'', ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries'', ''WesternAnimation/AvengersAssemble'', Anime/MarvelAnime, ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperheroSquadShow'', ''VideoGame/LegoMarvelSuperheroes'' and the Creator/{{Netflix}} Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse versions of [[Characters/MarvelComicsFrankCastle The Punisher]] have all downplayed Frank Castle's more sociopathic elements. Most adaptations depict Frank as more heroic and amicable, and the 2004 film sees Frank mostly limit the people he kills to the organization that killed his family while in the Netflix shows he kills a pawn shop owner who sells child porn in ''Series/Daredevil2015'' and a group of construction workers who wanted to murder a guy by burying him in cement and a group at a chop shop in [[Series/ThePunisher2017 his own series]]. The animated Spider-Man and Avengers shows soften him into a GoodIsNotNice JerkWithAHeartOfGold rather than someone barely a handful of Marvel's heroes can even stomach being around. The animes highlight Frank's trigger happy ruthless nature but he's still treated as a hero alongside the other Avengers and is considerably nicer than he is in the comics. In the LighterAndSofter ''Superhero Squad Show'' and ''Lego Marvel Superheroes'' Punisher is a lighthearted parody of his usual edgy self [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8XoRGgpF2qc who likens criminals to Brussel Sprouts on an otherwise perfect plate of Mac and Cheese]] in the former and is an environmentalist whom hates air polluting thugs in the latter.

* ''Series/CowboyBebop2021'': In [[Anime/CowboyBebop the anime]], Spike famously hates "kids, animals, and women with attitude" and even suggests [[EatTheDog eating Ein]] at one point. In the live-action Netflix adaptation, his first reaction to Ein is to go into CutenessProximity and starts gushing about how awesome dogs are. He's also generally nicer to other people and even empathizes with some of his bounties rather than simply trying to catch them and haul them in.

* Freeza gets this in ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged''. He's still a genocidal tyrant, but he shows much more care and concern for his higher-ranking minions than his canon counterpart ever did.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}}'': Nerissa, while still a villain, has some redeeming qualities. Unlike in the comics, she is actually remorseful over murdering Cassidy, and genuinely loves [[spoiler:her son, Caleb and her lover/Caleb's father, Julian, but not enough to redeem her]].

** [[Characters/FantasticFourTheFantasticFour Mister Fantastic]] often lacks his comic counterpart's arrogance and numerous morally questionable actions as seen in ''WesternAnimation/FantasticFourTheAnimatedSeries'', ''Film/FantasticFour2005'', ''Film/FantasticFour2015'' and ''WesternAnimation/FantasticFourWorldsGreatestHeroes''. [[spoiler: ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'' would seem like an exception with MCU Mr Fantastic being part of [[Characters/MarvelComicsTheIlluminati The Illuminati]] but even in that film Reed doesn’t display any arrogance and ForScience behaviour from the comics, being a genuinely kind man who tries to non-violently halt Scarlet Witch’s rampage by beseeching her to let the version of Wanda she's possessing go.]]

** [[Characters/SpiderManCentralRoguesGallery Electro]] gets fair amount of this. In the mainline 616 universe Max Dillon is anything but a TragicVillain, already a selfish {{jerkass}} upon receiving his ShockAndAwe powers in the comics, he becomes DrunkWithPower and immediately starts robbing banks and he has no qualms working for the likes of Doctor Doom and is happy to ruin Spidey’s life any way he can. He does have a few nicer moments but they are few and far between. ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheNewAnimatedSeries'' however started the trend of Electro being treated more sympathetically, as this version of Max was genuinely a nice if shy young man like Peter before getting horrifically bullied and JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope upon becoming a electricity HumanoidAbomination. A very similar tragic backstory is used for ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'' with its Electro being a fan of Spidey who goes nuts after a FreakLabAccident.[[spoiler:''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' which is a continuation of the [=TSM=] film even gives Max a heartwarming moment with his Peter and a happy ending after he’s defeated, despite being TruerToTheText in the film i.e a power-hungry asshole.]] ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'' also empathises Electro’s sympathetic status with him being genuinely upset at how he’s scaring people, even if overall his character is no less villainous as he is in the comics.

* ''VideoGame/AnotherCode'': ''Recollection'' does this to [[spoiler:Ryan Gray. Rather than being a vindictive sociopath out for revenge against the Robins family for their role in the ANOTHER project by way of erasing their memories and fracturing their minds, as he was the case in ''R - A Journey into Lost Memories'', the Ryan in the remake has nothing against Ashley or Richard. In fact, his only goal is to bring Sayoko back to life out of a desire to reconnect with the one being who ever acknowledged his existence, with him legitimately not understanding that overwriting Ashley's mind with that of her late mother's would be a cruel thing to do.]]

* In the original ''ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesMirage'' comics, Splinter taught the Turtles their skills for the sole purpose of having them as a death squad for revenge against the Shredder for his murder of Hamato Yoshi and the Turtles' subsequent adventures being about dealing stuff that affected them or people they know. Every adaptation has downplayed this with Splinter training the Turtles due to seeing them as family and/or defending themselves and the Turtles themselves actively seek out crimes to stop.[[note]]In the [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987 1987]] and [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012 2012]] series, as well as [[spoiler:''WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheTeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'']], this can be explained away as instead of being a rat that was anthropomorphized by mutagenic ooze, Splinter was a CompositeCharacter with a SparedByTheAdaptation Yoshi, transforming into a rat-man by the ooze instead -- thus no need for revenge for a murder that didn't happen [[spoiler:the final arc of season 4 of the 2012 series, when Splinter ''was'' killed by Shredder and the Turtles go on a rampage to kill the Shredder]] -- and in the [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003 2003 series]], Splinter actually initially avoids telling the Turtles about what happened with Shredder to avoid them getting a desire for revenge[[/note]]

* ''Theatre/{{Heathers}}'': [=JD=] and Veronica are a lot less villainous than in the 1988 movie. The former, while still a killer, is far more sympathetic and troubled than trouble. The latter is less of a willing accomplice to [=JD=]'s evil schemes.

* In the original ''ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesMirage'' comics, Splinter taught the Turtles their skills for the sole purpose of having them as a death squad for revenge against the Shredder for his murder of Hamato Yoshi and the Turtles' subsequent adventures being about dealing stuff that affected them or people they know. Every adaptation has downplayed this with Splinter training the Turtles due to seeing them as family and/or defending themselves and the Turtles themselves actively seek out crimes to stop.[[note]]In the [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987 1987]] and [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012 2012]] series, as well as [[spoiler:''WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheTeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'']], this can be explained away as instead of being a rat that was anthropomorphized by mutagenic ooze, Splinter was a CompositeCharacter with a SparedByTheAdaptation Yoshi, transforming into a rat-man by the ooze instead --thus no need for revenge for a murder that didn't happen -- and in the [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003 2003 series]], Splinter actually initially avoids telling the Turtles about what happened with Shredder to avoid them getting a desire for revenge[[/note]]

** [[Characters/SpiderManLoveInterests Gwen Stacy]]'s initial jerkassery in the comics is often left out of adaptations. ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'' even turns her into a member of Peter's high school social circle and in ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan'' she is nice to Peter from the get-go.

* Similar to Reed, ComicBook/IronMan gets softened across the media he appears in. In the comics, Tony, thanks to ''Demon in a Bottle'', ''ComicBook/CivilWar2006'', and being part of [[Characters/MarvelComicsTheIlluminati The Illuminati]] has gotten an infamous reputation of being a BrokenAce and borderline fascist AntiHero who is still working to redeem himself. Adaptations such as ''WesternAnimation/IronManTheAnimatedSeries'', ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'', ''WesternAnimation/IronManArmoredAdventures'', ''Anime/MarvelAnime'', ''VideoGame/MarvelsAvengers'' and especially the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'' downplay most of Tony’s antagonistic and flawed traits and make him genuinely good and often selfless.

** Unlike a [[AdaptationalJerkass/UltimateMarvel crapton of other characters in the universe]] (including Betty Brant), J. Jonah Jameson in ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan'' underwent this, as he was more reasonable, ultimately realizing that [[Characters/SpiderManPeterParker Spider-Man]] is trying to help, and starts trying to better Spidey's public image. [[spoiler:And unlike when he learned it in ''ComicBook/{{Civil War|2006}}'', when this Jonah learned Peter is Spider-Man, he not only rehired Peter, he wanted to pay for Peter going to college and refused to act against [[Characters/MarvelComicsMilesMorales Miles Morales]].]]

** While it often overlaps with censorship against violence, Characters/{{Wolverine|JamesLoganHowlett}} is generally [[LighterAndSofter less]] {{blood|Knight}}thirsty and sociopathic in the majority of adaptations than he is in the comics. In the [[Film/XMenFilmSeries films]], Creator/HughJackman’s take on the Logan is particularly nicer, being quite reluctant to needlessly kill people and after getting to know them he treats his teammates much better than he usually does in the comics. ''WesternAnimation/XMenEvolution'' even takes away Wolvie’s attraction for Jean and his attempts to steal her away from Cyclops due to Jean getting an AgeLift into being a teenager. One exception is ''WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012'' where Logan hits on the underage Mary Jane Watson whilst [[GrandTheftMe inside Peter’s body]], though this is due to being a direct adaptation of the ''ComicBook/UltimateMarvel'' where Wolverine is [[AdaptationalJerkass far worse]] than his mainstream counterpart.

* Both ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperheroSquadShow'' and ''WesternAnimation/SpideyAndHisAmazingFriends'' portray [[Characters/IncredibleHulkBruceBanner the Hulk]] as a friendlier and more laid back character than other incarnations, a strong contrast from the mindlessly destructive and perpetually angry brute he's usually portrayed as.

* Cid's behaviour towards Shera in ''WebAnimation/FinalFantasyVIIMachinabridged'' might still be pretty abusive, but unlike in the original game [[spoiler:[[AggressiveSubmissive it's a front for their BDSM relationship]]]]. He's also less abrasive towards the other members of the team, and quick to give them {{Rousing Speech}}es to lift their spirit.
* Both James and Henry get this in ''WebVideo/SodorThenAndNow'' as both are shown to be far more humble and kinder engines than they were in canon.