History Main / CuteBruiser

[[quoteright:300:[[LightNovel/OkamiSan https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_oo_6985.jpg]]]]

The Cute Bruiser's WeaponSpecialization will probably be GoodOldFisticuffs, a [[CarryABigStick club]], or [[IKnowKarate martial arts]] that focus on direct blows to your opponent instead of pressure points or judo throws. They'll only rarely be using a bladed weapon (unless it's a {{BFS}} of some variety) or depending on projectile weapons, with the exception of [[ImprovisedWeapon throwing]] [[RockBeatsLaser heavy]] [[CarFu objects]]. When confronted with a locked door, her likely solution is to just smash it open. In short, she deals out the blunt trauma very well.

The Cute Bruiser also has some tanking abilities. She is not a GlassCannon who [[FragileSpeedster depends on dodging]]. (Dodging is acceptable behavior, but a Cute Bruiser can take a blow if needed, and so doesn't depend on it). At the end of a fight expect her to be covered in bruises and scratches, but still with a smile on her face, (assuming the fight was won). She might even be [[DishingOutDirt Rock steady]], hitting like a MightyGlacier, and standing like a StoneWall. Might have SuperStrength as justification.

She is usually TheBigGuy in a FiveManBand, a common subversion of the usual traits associated with that character type. Personality-wise she can vary quite a bit. She might be a BoisterousBruiser, she could share some traits with a LittleMissSnarker, or she may just stick with the apparent contradiction of an innocent CheerfulChild who can mix it up in a bar fight. If she is affiliated with a powerful villain, expect to see just how someone with her appearance got to that position.

Compare ChildMage and WaifFu, which have a similar contrast between appearance and combat effectiveness but using a different combat style. Contrast with the LadyOfWar who is elegant in combat.

* Wrestling/LivMorgan. She began as a {{Tomboy}}is PluckyGirl, then gets a GirlinessUpgrade in later gimmicks but never loses the Plucky-aspect of her character.

* Ohtori Chihaya, in ''Rewrite'', looks like your average high-school girl (albeit quite adorable). She also can lift more than six times your average adult male's lift capacity, without breaking a sweat. And walk out of several falls that would cause anyone else serious injury.

The Cute Bruiser's WeaponOfChoice will probably be GoodOldFisticuffs, a [[CarryABigStick club]], or [[IKnowKarate martial arts]] that focus on direct blows to your opponent instead of pressure points or judo throws. They'll only rarely be using a bladed weapon (unless it's a {{BFS}} of some variety) or depending on projectile weapons, with the exception of [[ImprovisedWeapon throwing]] [[RockBeatsLaser heavy]] [[CarFu objects]]. When confronted with a locked door, her likely solution is to just smash it open. In short, she deals out the blunt trauma very well.

* Kung-Fu Girl (Tee Yang's alter-ego) from ''Animation/KungFuWa'' wears a mini-dress, has pink skin and flowing pink hair and is incredibly good at beating the crud out of enemies with MysticalMartialArts.

Almost always a PintSizedPowerhouse. Possibly a SuperStrongChild, in which case she may be a GlacierWaif. When she works out enough, she can evolve into an AmazonianBeauty; a Cute Bruiser typically has toned muscles, but her muscles are always on the leaner side. If she retains her cute looks well into adulthood, even after she becomes a mother, she becomes an ActionMom. When past the age of cuteness she usually disappears as a character before re-emerging in old age as a case of NeverMessWithGranny. Despite what this entry may suggest, this is not an AlwaysFemale trope; a young boy who can punch far above his weight would also qualify.

[[quoteright:300:[[Anime/OkamiSan https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_oo_6985.jpg]]]]

* Bakumi Moriyama of ''VisualNovel/{{Crimsoness}}'', a high school girl who, after one bad day, goes on a rampage and destroys everything in her path, including a crocodile, a demonic statue, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking a door.]] The game ends with her [[spoiler: splitting Earth in half with her BARE HANDS.]]

* [[http://www.ninjai.com Ninjai.]]

* ''WebAnimation/DSBTInsaniT'': Martha's cute, friendly, and also especially strong when [[AnIcePerson in her element.]]
* ''WebAnimation/{{Dreamscape}}'': Anjren's a cute, expressive girl, but don't underestimate her, she can kick some serious ass! Especially when she activates her PoweredArmor.

!!Examples:

* The titular character of ''Tsumugu Logic'', an 18-year old teen who normally doesn't get aggressive and is generally a pleasant person to have around, is shown to be capable to overpower three trained guards ''all by himself''. The one who sent them visibly shows surprise at that, and [[TakeOurWordForIt the visual novel style]] doesn't quite let us see what exactly goes down, but the description says enough. It should also be mentioned that his family has a vague relation to crime to begin with.

The Cute Bruiser also has some tanking abilities. She is not a GlassCannon who [[FragileSpeedster depends on dodging]]. (Dodging is acceptable behavior, but a Cute Bruiser can take a blow if needed, and so doesn't depend on it). At the end of a fight expect her to be covered in bruises and scratches, but still with a smile on her face, (assuming the fight was won). She might even be RockSteady, hitting like a MightyGlacier, and standing like a StoneWall. Might have SuperStrength as justification.

Almost always a PintSizedPowerhouse. Possibly a SuperStrongChild, in which case she may be a GlacierWaif. When she works out enough, she can evolve into an AmazonianBeauty; a Cute Bruiser typically has toned muscles, but her muscles are always on the leaner side. If she retains her cute looks well into adulthood, even after she becomes a mother, she's an ActionMom. When past the age of cuteness she usually disappears as a character before re-emerging in old age as a case of NeverMessWithGranny. Despite what this entry may suggest, this is not an AlwaysFemale trope; a young boy who can punch far above his weight would also qualify.

Almost always a PintSizedPowerhouse. Possibly a SuperStrongChild, in which case she may be a GlacierWaif. When she works out enough, she can evolve into an AmazonianBeauty. When past the age of cuteness she usually disappears as a character before re-emerging in old age as a case of NeverMessWithGranny. Despite what this entry may suggest, this is not an AlwaysFemale trope; a young boy who can punch far above his weight would also qualify.

'''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}:''' I punch above my weight.

* CuteBruiser/WebComics

Like the OldMaster, the Cute Bruiser is a living, breathing, frequently painful lesson in never judging by appearances.

[[caption-width-right:300:She'll leave you [[{{Pun}} cat-atonic]] (even if she's supposed to be the big bad wolf.)]]

[[quoteright:300:[[LightNovel/OokamiSan https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_oo_6985.jpg]]]]

->'''Atrocitus''': You appear feeble.
->'''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}''': I punch above my weight.

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* In TarotMotifs, Strength is often depicted as a young girl holding up a beast.
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[[caption-width-right:300:She'll leave you [[{{Pun}} cat-atonic]] (even if she's supposed to be the big bad wolf).]]

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