History Main / DumbIsGood

** Uchiha Obito. His personality is nearly identical to Naruto. Interestingly enough, [[spoiler: on becoming BigBad Tobi, he also becomes smarter]].

It may be caused by the ThisLoserIsYou effect, since ViewersAreMorons; also closely related to BookDumb. Also likely to believe that SchoolIsForLosers. Not to be confused with GoodIsDumb. This can extend to intellectual pursuits, leading to StrawVulcan, ScienceIsBad or even ScienceIsWrong. Can also lead to an IdiotHero, and/or BrainsEvilBrawnGood. Often found with a MinionWithAnFInEvil character.

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* The stupidest character in ''Franchise/SailorMoon'' is Sailor Moon herself, which is amplified by her laziness and whining. But she's typically the nicest and first to reach out to those in need.
* Gourry Gabriev from ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}'' is definitely ''not'' the sharpest knife in the drawer (a fact alluded to on numerous occasions) yet he comes off as just about the most easygoing, honest, and unobtrusive member of the permanent cast, especially the infinitely smarter but infinitely more jerkish Lina. In the original novels he was actually very much a DeadpanSnarker, and it was ObfuscatingStupidity, which he did mostly because it was funnier that way.
* A recurring theme in ''Manga/{{Kinnikuman}}''. Many of Suguru's opponents, prior to their HeelFaceTurn, are shown to be genuinely more intelligent than him. They also have plenty of techniques that they have spent time developing, whereas Suguru initially won with nothing short of dumb luck. For example, he won his first wrestling match simply because his opponent ''laughed'' so much at his ugly face that he broke his back. The final BigBad is the ultimate embodiment of this trope, with Kinnikuman Super Phoenix being empowered by the God of Intelligence.

* Monkey D. Luffy of ''Manga/OnePiece'' is pretty dumb but certainly is one of the most fun-loving and nicest characters you'll ever meet. The smartest characters are either greedy and selfish (and this is just a description of those in his crew), manipulative, sadistic, homicidal, and schematically vile. And that's not even mentioning [[TheChessmaster Sir Crocodile]] and [[AGodAmI Enel]].
** Though both Tony Tony Chopper (a skilled doctor) and Franky (a skilled shipwright) are both quite intelligent and good-hearted individuals, if not wildly eccentric and there are your fair share of violent and dumb brutes. Chopper also happens to be very naïve, and will often react right alongside Luffy, and also has an odd tendency to "hide" on the wrong side of a door. Franky seems to be more on Sanji or Zoro's level of "dumb", while still being a great engineer.
* ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'''s [[IdiotHero Firo Prochainezo]] [[InvokedTrope deliberately invokes]] this in the LightNovels when he assures Ennis that she can trust him because "[he's] stupid, and that's all there is to it." Additionally, Isaac and Miria are probably the nicest characters in the series. They are also indisputably the ''[[TheDitz dumbest]]''.

** Naruto typically uses his brain last in dealing with any given situation, but it's usually because he acts from the goodness of his heart before anything else. This is a sharp contrast with many of the more intelligent characters, such as Sasuke, Neji and even Sakura, who are generally colder and meaner when they are first introduced (at least at first).
** [[spoiler:The First Hokage Senju Hashirama.]] A tremendous shock to fans and to the ninja who find this stern, noble historical figure cracking bad jokes, going off on tangents, and sulking like a five-year-old.

* Ichigo Kurosaki of ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' is occasionally portrayed as this. Although he supposedly studies hard and gets good grades in school, he is frequently portrayed as an UnskilledButStrong LeeroyJenkins.

* Nobita Nobi from ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}'' has the lowest grade in classes, and is an overall nice guy of the main casts as long as he's not [[ButtMonkey bullied too hard.]]
* ''Manga/FushigiYuugi'' gives us BookDumb NaiveEverygirl Miaka (the epitome of VirginityMakesYouStupid) as the heroic Priestess of Suzaku, working alongside smart-but-not-educated-and-occasionally-dweebish Tamahome. And on the villains' side, we have smart, studious Yui alongside [[ManipulativeBastard clever and manipulative Nakago]].
* ''Manga/LuckyStar'': While Miyuki certainly owes her sweet nature to her mother, it's clear the woman is not responsible for her daughter's intelligence. She'll happily start a conversation with telemarketers but according to Miyuki, she had to mature fast because her family wouldn't be able to function with just her clueless mother running the house.
* The titular character of Manga/{{Yotsuba}} isn't stupid for a five year old child. But there's a very large number of things she doesn't know, and she's very good by any definition.
* Akihisa Yoshi from ''LightNovel/BakaAndTestSummonTheBeasts'' is the baka (read: idiot) of the title, but what he lacks in brain cells he makes up for in heart. Only he would think stealing back his confiscated stuff from a teacher in order to pawn them off to buy a little girl a stuffed animal for her sister would be a good idea. His dumbness infuriates his female friends but his pure actions and motives unwittingly win him their hearts.
* In ''Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers'', [[TheMillstone Italy]] is this, mostly in contrast to [[ThoseWackyNazis Germany]]; his sheer idiocy makes him [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain much more likable]], and often much happier, than his more high-strung companion and his ill-tempered brother.
* Natsu Dragneel from ''Manga/FairyTail'' isn't exactly the sharpest tool in the box. In fact, he actually causes ''more'' problems than he solves. However, he's also a noble hero, a genuine OneManArmy, and a true companion to his friends. Though, that never prevents his TrueCompanions from face palming at his wacky antics.
* ''LightNovel/MyNextLifeAsAVillainessAllRoutesLeadToDoom'':
** Zig-zagged by Catarina Claes. The original villainous version from the DatingSim ''Fortune Lover'' was implied to be an unintelligent, impulsive RichBitch who wasn't given to deep plots, while the Japanese schoolgirl who reincarnated into her is so friendly and empathic that her classmates nicknamed her "Lady Saint" (Saint-sama)...but she's still not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Humorously, at one point in the story a group of girls accuses her of being a bully (like the original Catarina), only for her best friends to defend her by arguing that she's ''too dense'' to have pulled off the complex crimes they're accusing her of committing. Catarina, who's actually in the room while this is happening, is glad that her friends are sticking up for her but [[NotHelpingYourCase is too dense to realize they're insulting her]].
--->'''Catarina''': What's going on? I think they're helping me, but at the same time I feel insulted.
** This comes up more in the spin-off ''On the Verge of Doom''. Catarina regains her memories years later, after she's already been a spoiled brat and a bully for over a decade. Gerald is willing to believe her HeelFaceTurn simply because she's too stupid to keep up an act for long.

* Crossed with ViewersAreMorons, InUniverse, in ''ComicBook/ElvisShrugged'': Col. Tom Parker preaches this on TV, before Elvis interrupts. The setting is a CrapsackWorld where all libraries are closed.

* Rocky Balboa from ''Franchise/{{Rocky}}'' so embodies this trope that many fans forget he was a leg-breaker for a loan shark in the [[Film/{{Rocky}} first movie]]. Of course, he was never shown breaking legs for the loan shark, and he refused to break a man's thumbs. Diminished later on the series when he became a mentor figure, to the point where one reviewer commented that he was the only boxer to become smarter the more he got punched in the head.

%%* Charlie from ''Film/LandOfTheDead''.

* Parodied effectively in ''Film/TropicThunder'' with Tugg Speedman's "Simple Jack" role.
* ''Film/BeingThere'' (and [[SeeminglyProfoundFool Chance the Gardener's character type]] in general), both the original novella and the film version, is something of a subversion of this that ironically predates the above. Chance is a good-hearted fool, but he affects intelligent-but-unhappy people only because they ''think'' he's intelligent, and his concrete statements are thus interpreted as grand metaphors.

* Zangief from ''Film/StreetFighter'' was portrayed as too dumb to be evil. "Quick, change the channel!"
* ''Film/RockAndRollHighSchool'' is about the struggle between an authoritarian, rock and roll-hating principal who complains that students aren't learning in gym class with a Ramones-loving, rabble-rousing, BookDumb student who leads the rest of the school (including one teacher) to trash the school, then blow it up with explosives. This is portrayed as an unequivocally good thing to do. The main character's best friend, however, is supposedly a genius who works on nuclear physics in her spare time
%%* Toad, the harmonica-playing street performer in ''Film/SuperMarioBros'', despite being turned into a Goomba.
* Stan Laurel in ''Creator/LaurelAndHardy'' is usually shown as happier and nicer than Ollie, as well as dumber -- not that Ollie was massively smart either. Notably, in ''A Chump at Oxford'', becoming smart turns Stan into a jerk. Funnily enough in real life Stan Laurel was an intelligent "ideas man" and Ollie was more easy-going and not as clever as Stan (but considerably cleverer than he portrayed himself in films).
* The Creator/AdamSandler movie ''Film/LittleNicky'' has the main character being the good dumbest son of Satan borne out of a fling with an angel while his other brothers Adrian and Cassius are both smarter and stronger respectively. Evidently took after his mother since all the angels are blond, ditzy valley girls.

* ''Film/RegardingHenry'' is probably in a class by itself. Creator/HarrisonFord plays an arrogant prick of a lawyer and a bad husband, until he gets '''shot in the head!'''
* A fairly mild example in ''Film/{{Barbershop}}'', where all the characters who work in the titular shop are generally "good." But the one college educated barber who defines himself by his brain is also the one who's closest to a JerkAss. He's treated as something of a ButtMonkey by the other barbers, and when the somewhat thuggish character Ricky takes him down a peg the whole shop considers it a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome.

* In ''Film/TommyBoy'' Creator/ChrisFarley plays a lovable dunce while his counterpart, Creator/DavidSpade's character, is referred to as "a smug unhappy little man [who treats] people like they're idiots."
* Deconstructed in Creator/BillyBobThornton's ''Film/SlingBlade'', where he plays the mentally disabled man Karl Childers. Karl is kind, soft spoken, and blind to intolerance, and is also a talented mechanic because he always finds the simplest solution to problems. However, he also has no qualms about [[AxCrazy brutally murdering]] people he deems to be bad.

* In ''Film/NapoleonDynamite'', Napoleon is dumber than most of the other characters in the movie and seems to fail at everything. Even his friend Pedro notes Napoleon's only talent as the ability to draw. However, when Napoleon performs his dance towards the end of the movie, his fellow students seem to be genuinely appreciative of it, to the point where they do end up voting for Pedro as class president.
* Every member of the titular team in ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'' (in addition to most of the characters, assuming they're not [[BlackAndGrayMorality outright evil]]) is a quintessential JerkWithAHeartOfGold, to the point where the movie feels like a deliberate exercise in finding as many unique ways to execute the trope as possible... with the exception of Groot -- by far the nicest member of the team and easily the [[DumbMuscle stupidest.]] It doesn't stop him from aiding in their often-excessive acts of violence, but he's so happy-go-lucky about it half the time that it almost feels like he's just ''too dumb'' to even process the morality of his actions.
* The main characters from ''Film/ZombielandDoubleTap'' (except [[NiceGuy Columbus]]) are snide [[AntiHero Anti-Heroes]], whereas the new member [[DumbBlonde Madison]] is shown to be rather dense yet easily the sweetest member of the group next to Columbus. In fact, as much as Wichita and Tallahassee weren't too fond of her, they did feel bad for her when [[spoiler:she went through a supposed zombification and was supposedly {{Mercy Kill}}ed by Columbus (it was really just a SelfInducedAllergicReaction to almonds in her trail mix and Columbus only shot besides her to scare her away).]]

* Baube Lud from ''Literature/FelsicCurrent'' is very dumb. Therefore, despite the mocking of his fellow troopers and his failed attempts at romance, it never occurs to him to be anything but fundamentally good-natured and good at his job. ''Very'' good.

* A precept of The Party in ''Literature/NineteenEightyFour'': "Ignorance is Strength". People are encouraged to not think in order to have better lives. It's because smart people will question the system, realize it sucks, and possibly revolt.
* "Ignorance is Strength" is justified for the HiveMind in Creator/StephenBaxter's [[{{Literature/Xeelee Sequence}} Coalescent]]; it saves the Order from being damaged by the private agenda or misjudgement of any individual, fallible leader, substituting for that judgement the emergent wisdom of the hivemind. It also fosters the conformity necessary for life in close quarters.
* In ''Literature/TheSoundAndTheFury'', the Compson brothers (who narrate different blocks of the story) consist of Benjy, who is sweet but ''severely'' mentally handicapped, Quentin, who is intelligent but [[BrotherSisterIncest got some seriously taboo desires]] and ends up [[spoiler: DrivenToSuicide]], and Jason, a JerkAss. Benjy comes off as by far the most likable of the three.

* Inverted in Creator/LarryNiven's "Literature/NotLongBeforeTheEnd". The hero is a wise, intelligent sorcerer who happens to call himself "Warlock"; the villain is a barbarian with a magic sword.
* Inverted throughout ''Literature/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents'': it is stated outright that "well-read people are less likely to be evil". The villains are BookDumb at best and often shown to be complete philistines who prefer the maudlin, sentimental writing of Edgar Guest to great works like ''Literature/MobyDick''. Olaf is shown to be unable to spell "poison". Two characters who seem to be evil masterminds [[ArtisticLicenseBiology identify eagles as mammals]].

* The ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' novels will occasionally feature a stupid, more sympathetic DumbMuscle villain (Banjo of ''Literature/{{Hogfather}}'', Lemon of ''Literature/SoulMusic'', and Mr. Tulip of ''Literature/TheTruth'' all leap to mind) who gets a more favourable end than his cunning partner in crime, but this is more to show how easily stupid people can be led astray. The heroes are usually quite intelligent.
** Possibly played straight with Brutha from ''Literature/SmallGods''. Despite his fantastic memory, he is considered a bit dim by most other characters. Nevertheless, he is compassionate and noble, and is the only one of Om's many worshipers to actually ''believe'' in him. It may be that his simplicity is the reason he never questioned what he was taught to believe (as opposed to everyone else, who simply go through the motions out of tradition and fear).
** This is explicitly subverted with the characters of Carrot and Vimes. Carrot is a good natured, kind, and generally optimistic person who is often described as "simple". After this description, however, the books never forget to mention that [[GoodIsNotDumb "simple" doesn't mean stupid]], and as the books go on it is clear that Carrot has an incredible deductive mind. Vimes, on the other hand is a cynical grouch who has little use for most people around him, but it's made clear that he truly loves his city and those who work under him, not to mention his wife and son.
--->'''Angua:''' Someone has to be very complex indeed to be as simple as Carrot.
** Cohen and his 'horde' from ''Literature/InterestingTimes'' can't exactly be called smart (except for 'teach'), but they '''are''' extremely skilled fighters.
** All of these simple-but-good examples could be considered cases where ''wisdom'' contributes to goodness more than intellect.
** Granny Weatherwax, who is ''extremely'' intelligent, has said that if you know what's good and what's evil, you can't choose to be evil. She's extremely mean-spirited when she has a chance to be, but is solidly on the side of good. She would have enjoyed evil more, but it simply isn't an option.
* In ''Literature/FlowersForAlgernon'', protagonist Charlie Gordon is a mentally challenged man mocked by most of the people he knows for being retarded. Then he participates in an experiment that makes him a genius, except he's still alienated because most of the people in this world are now half his IQ, so he can't relate to them. Plus, they're frightened/frustrated/jealous of his superior brains. The difference is that when he was retarded, he didn't ''realize'' when people were making fun of him, so he was able to be naive and happy. Then when the experiment fails and Charlie regresses to an IQ in the 70s, he becomes happy again and people start liking him out of pity.
* Caramon Majere, of the ''Literature/{{Dragonlance}}'' series, is perhaps best described as a lovable oaf: Friendly, outgoing, not exactly bright but everyone likes him. Raistlin Majere, on the other hand, is a DeadpanSnarker who spends more time with his spellbooks and his bitterness, recognized as a magical and intellectual genius who spends most of his time ordering Caramon around. And this is ''before'' Raistlin undergoes his StartOfDarkness!
** Caramon does, however, prove himself to be significantly more intelligent than anyone would have given him credit for when he has to think for himself. The authors note in their annotations that he never was stupid, he just thought things through before acting.
* The Creator/LordDunsany short story ''The Bureau d'Echange de Maux'' centers on a TheLittleShopThatWasntThereYesterday where people can exchange any burden they felt they had. One pair exchanges wisdom for folly and folly for wisdom. The man who gave up wisdom is described as leaving looking happier than when he'd come in.

* Brandon in ''Literature/TheLeonardRegime''. Despite being dumb, he still fights for liberty. Also, he is never the aggressor in his arguments with Nick.
* Taranvigian in ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'' works like this. Due to a magical effect, his intelligence shifts from day to day, and his morality is inversely related. This is explicitly part of the effect, as he notes himself that it doesn't work like that for most people.
* In ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', Harry has convinced both the Gatekeeper and the Summer Knight that he can't possibly be the villain they'd suspected him of being, by pointing out that he is not, and never has been, ''smart'' enough for the systematic scheming that an "evil mastermind" requires. Indeed, all he had to do to convince the former was to point at the bandage on his own head and quip "Dude".
* Beak from ''Literature/ReapersGale'' is completely unfamiliar with the concept of nastiness, despite a childhood that would make lesser men cynical. He is also an incredible mage powered by ThePowerOfFriendship.
* ''Literature/MartinFierro'': The protagonist invokes this trope when he says that [[{{ApatheticCitizens}} he didn’t want to vote in the last election]] (In Argentina, to vote for the Civil Judge was required) because ''He is a gaucho redondo'' (dumb) and those things do not interest him. If the judge was angry at this, he would have done better [[{{PersecutedIntellectuals}} persecuting the real culprits]], or in other words, Fierro thinks that people interested in the election are culprits of... something.
* The end of Chapter IV of the ''Literature/{{Confessions}}'' is a lament that all the knowledge, receptivity, and skill in the world is useless if one does not rest in God, making Augustine's ill-learned students far superior to their effortlessly genius, but prideful teacher.

** The regular Crichton, however, is actually legitimately intelligent (the Farscape project was to test a physics theory he came up with, after all) and fairly nice, being one of the more moral characters in season 1. Most of his crewmates think he's a moron (at first at least) thanks to being unfamiliar with the sector of the universe and his constant pop culture references.

* Harry Enfield's character, Tim, Nice But Dim

* The original page quote was a "No one likes the smartest kid in the class" line from ''Series/TheWestWing.'' Regardless, Creator/AaronSorkin does not so much subvert the trope as reject it, shoot it, string it upside down from a lamp post and spit on it. Much of Seasons Three and Four witness President Bartlet and his staff rejecting anti-intellectualism and extolling the virtues of education and intelligence. It's a measure of [[SturgeonsLaw what we normally see on TV]] that "extolling the virtues of education and intelligence" actually makes the show unique.

* [[PlayingWithATrope Played with]] in ''Series/DoctorWho'', in which TheHero is [[InformedAbility one of the smartest beings in the universe]], while there are many instances in which his less intelligent companions are disgusted by his methods.
** In particular, his [[TheChessmaster seventh]] and [[BewareTheNiceOnes eleventh]] incarnations both have a nasty reputation for manipulating companions and civilians alike; the only differences between the two of them is that the seventh became exhausted by it.
** Seemingly played straight in "The Long Game" with Adam Mitchell, though it's that he uses his intelligence to try to profit by stealing future technology to "invent" in the present, which would heavily disrupt the established timeline.
** Many companions, both temporary and long-term, have been notably intelligent or tech-savvy by human standards, such as Martha Jones and Rory Williams.
* The episode of ''Series/TheKingOfQueens'' "Educatin' Doug". Carrie enrolls herself and Doug in an English night class (which Doug isn't too thrilled about) when she thinks they're becoming TV-addicted idiots. Carrie does quite well in the class, but Doug struggles, resorting to beating the information he needs out of Spence, who is also in the class. At first Carrie is angry when she finds this out, but eventually learns that she shouldn't have forced Doug into the endeavor. In addition to Dumb Is Good, the [[AnAesop Aesop]] here would also seem to be "Leave well enough alone".
* ''Series/AllInTheFamily'' loved to play around with it: At first, the [[BookDumb somewhat ignorant]] Archie is [[GrumpyBear decidedly cynic]] and rude, while his intellectual son-in-law Mike is very idealistic and nice. But as the show progressed, we see that Archie [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold is not as abrasive as he seems]], as well the "Meathead" proves that he's [[ItsAllAboutMe rather selfish]] [[{{Hypocrite}} and condescending]] towards the same minorities he supposedly supports.

* In ''Series/TheOuterLimits1995'' episode "From Within", Creator/NeilPatrickHarris plays a man whose mental retardation renders him immune to Id-unleashing parasites.
* Kieth has problems in ''Like Family'' when he moves to a place where people don't have this attitude.
* In the MadeForTVMovie of ''Literature/BraveNewWorld'' this is an actual ad campaign for a media company. (Which just happened to be [[BitingTheHandHumor modeled after the "TV is Good" campaign]] for ABC...)
* Inverted in ''Series/CriminalMinds'', with main characters being highly intelligent FBI profilers, while the [=UnSubs=], barring the occasional EvilGenius generally have low or average intelligence, with a lot of them being uneducated.
* In the soap opera ''Series/AllMyChildren,'' cunning (often) villain Adam Chandler had a twin brother, Stuart, who was both very sweet and quite dumb.
* In ''Series/{{Eureka}}'', Sheriff Carter is frequently shown finding solutions to problems that none of the geniuses around him can't find.
* ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'': Ted seems to be at his most annoying when he's displaying conspicuous intellect. He even acknowledged this himself in one episode, recognizing that he was being a "douchebag" when reciting (from memory) Dante's ''Literature/TheDivineComedy'' in the original Italian, a legitimately impressive achievement.
* Invoked on ''Series/FamilyMatters'' when Eddie and Laura set Laura's friend, Maxine, up with Waldo Geraldo Faldo. She was initially put off by his stupidity, but in the end, she found him at the same time to be a charming and sweet guy. They continued to date until Waldo was eventually PutOnABus.
* Played with in ''Series/ItsAlwaysSunnyInPhiladelphia''. Within the gang, it's played straight. [[IvyLeagueForEveryone Dennis is the most well-educated member of the group]]. He's the most manipulative (tied with Frank) and is implied to be TheSociopath, a rapist, [[IncestSubtext attracted to his sister]], and a SerialKiller. Illiterate [[GeniusDitz Charlie]] is the least selfish person in the gang and [[BatmanGambit his most villainous moments make him seem more intelligent]]. However ,this is only true within the gang ,as the gang themselves are both stupid and bad people. [[InvertedTrope Others are shown to be both smarter and morally superior]].
* Inverted in 'Series/MisterRogersNeighborhood'', albeit subtly. Despite his reputation as an anodyne kids show host, Mr. Rogers studied child development under Margaret McFarland at the University of Pittsburgh, and used what he learned in order to make one of the most developmentally appropriate children's shows on the air. From the use of transition scenes (the Trolley) to the frank discussion of emotions (which seems banal to adults, but is necessary for children so that they can begin to understand their own emotions and deal with them), Mister Rogers put his intelligence to use to serve children, rather than to sell them toys or junk food.

* In the ''Series/PryorsPlace'' episode "Voyage to the Planet of the Dumb", Creator/PattyMaloney is dressed in a white T-shirt with the slogan STOOPID IS GRATE crudely lettered in blue.

* A major tenet of Imperial dogma in ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}''. "Thought Begets Heresy; Heresy Begets Retribution" and "Only the Awkward Question; Only the Foolish Ask Twice" are two common quotes in the fluff. Within the metaphysics of the universe, close-minded dogmatism is one of the only things [[JustifiedTrope that can stop]] [[IDidWhatIHadToDo a normal human from]] [[MindRape falling]] to [[TheCorruption Chaos.]]
** [[TheOgre Ogryns]] follow this tenet without knowing it. They have blind faith in the [[GodEmperor Emperor]], and while some fought on the wrong side during the Horus Heresy, it is highly suspected that they were lied to about which side they were on.
*** Ogryns embody another common Imperial view of this trope: "Blessed is the mind too small for doubt."

* ''Franchise/MassEffect'': Zigzagged. Due to being an AudienceSurrogate, Commander Shepard technically falls under this due to having very little knowledge of the massively known universe. S/he is really more {{Genre Blind|ness}} in the beginning of the game rather than dumb, but the council and other [=NPCs=] in the game [[UnderestimatingBadassery classify Shepard as being dumb anyway.]] It's justified as Shepard was simply a random soldier serving under a highly intelligent captain before being promoted to a [[SpacePolice Spectre]] without much warning. Fortunately, the commander proves to be a very fast learner after asking many questions about others and wisely takes in different aliens to help him/her, despite his superiors calling him/her foolish for even trusting these allies. It eventually [[CharacterDevelopment all pays off for Shepard in the end.]]
** Subverted with the krogan warrior Urdnot Wrex. If Shepard takes the time to befrend Wrex, he reveals that he's actually ''very'' intelligent, he's just [[KnightInSourArmor bitter about how his species has become self-destructive]]. Should he survive the first game, he goes on to attempt to educate his people to try and make them more than the dumb brutes the galaxy things that all krogan are.
** Played with in [[AxCrazy Jack's]] case. She never had a normal life, resulting in her never gaining a basic education, social skills, or a care for following society's rules in general. However, after her HeelFaceTurn she becomes a noble hero who [[MamaBear violently thrashes any villains who attempt to harm her students.]] Hilariously, she still has trouble with handling her paperwork.
* Duster in ''VideoGame/{{Mother 3}}'', especially when compared next to Kumatora. Duster is portrayed throughout the game as dumb, but never fails to be a nice guy. By contrast, Kumatora, the smart girl of the group, is rather cynical and has quite a bit of an attitude.
* Tragically averted by Eddie in ''VideoGame/SilentHill2'', who used to be a perfectly nice but slow-witted ManChild, but it was his lack of intelligence that exacerbated his problems, because it left him unable to cope with the bullying he received in any kind of healthy or constructive way. He eventually snapped, [[spoiler:killing a dog and crippling its owner, before fleeing to Silent Hill, where he could lash out and indulge his newfound violent impulses freely]].

* In ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'', just about everyone in the Companions guild mocks Farkas for being the dumbest one in the bunch -- including Farkas himself. However, he is bar none the nicest guy in the guild, being one of only two members of the inner Circle (the other being Kodlak, the Harbinger) to be even remotely welcoming to the Dragonborn when s/he joins them. Although the others gradually warm up to the Dragonborn, Farkas is friendly from the first meeting, to the point where he's a legitimate contender for the nicest follower in the entire game. It should be noted, though, that Farkas is actually a subversion of the trope; while he is as ''good'' as he initially seems, he's not as ''dumb'' as everyone would have you think.
* ''VideoGame/RandalsMonday'': Murray is incredibly stupid, and also the nicest guy in the game. The smarter a character is, the more likely they're a manipulative jerk.

* In ''Webcomic/TheLastDaysOfFoxhound'', the biggest jerks in the comic tend also to be the smartest (excepting perhaps Raven) -- Otacon is the best example in that he is perhaps the only genuinely good person in the series, and also a complete [[TheDitz Ditz]].
* This is parodied in ''Webcomic/HappyButDead''. When Tito, Gear and Colin die, Colin and Gear go to Hell. Once there, they learn that Tito made it into Heaven despite doing just as much bad stuff as they did. However, as he was considered too stupid to fully understand what he was doing was wrong, he automatically gets a free pass to Heaven.

* Parodied in ''WebVideo/FriendshipIsWitchcraft''. Ponyville's citizens take great pride in being ignorant, to the point that [[EverybodyHatesMathematics numbers are forbidden in Ponyville]] (as mentioned by Cheerilee, a schoolteacher). In episode 7, Applejack, who is away [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext retrieving her free iPod nanos]], sends a letter saying that the free iPods were fake and that she's been kidnapped into slavery, but her friends completely ignore the message and think that, because she now knows how to write, she's been corrupted by knowledge and thinks of herself as too good for her friends. When her friends catch up to her, she eventually reveals a bomb that activated when she left the plantation, and explains the whole situation, but they ''still'' ignore what she's trying to say (lampshaded when Applejack asks "Are you even listening to what I'm saying?" and her friends shake their heads). The story culminates in Applejack reporting to Princess Celestia that [[IgnoranceIsBliss it's better to know nothing at all]].

* ''WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy'': Mostly played straight.
** Ed and Jonny are {{Kindhearted Simpleton}}s, Nazz is a bit ditzy but very sweet, and May is the dumbest Kanker and probably the most innocent and least cruel of the three.
** Subverted with Edd. He is a genius and, while he can be self righteous and judgemental, he's ''incredibly'' nice most of the time, up to the point that the other neighbors tolerate him the most out of the main trio. He is often portrayed as sensitive, thoughtful, and reasonable.
* ''WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory'': While Dexter is less of a {{Jerkass}} than rival genius Mandark, he is still high-strung, arrogant, and seems to have problems in regards to thinking ahead. In contrast, his older sister [=Dee Dee=] is usually much more cheerful, sensible (sometimes) and laid back, despite being something of a {{Cloudcuckoolander}}.

%%* ''WesternAnimation/TheRenAndStimpyShow''.
%%* ''WesternAnimation/CowAndChicken''.
* ''WesternAnimation/PinkyAndTheBrain'': Pinky being [[TheDitz the dumb]] but nice and happy one, while Brain being a super-genius hellbent on taking over the world. This is played with when Brain makes Pinky intelligent and, finding out that an intelligent Pinky is actually smarter than him, comes to realize he is the reason they always fail (proved mathematically no less) and reduces his own intelligence. The subversion is that Pinky is still happy, energetic, and full of "Narf" when he is intelligent while the Brain, though he does suddenly find rather silly things funny all of a sudden, retains his unhappy personality.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy'': Billy in early seasons is an idiotic but friendly CheerfulChild in contrast to Mandy who is smart, cynical, and heartless. For better or worse, later seasons [[{{Flanderization}} take away the "good" part]] as Billy is still stupid and also a spoiled, violent {{Jerkass}}.

* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'': The episode "Patrick Smartpants" has TheDitz Patrick [[FlowersForAlgernonSyndrome accidentally become smart]], then quickly turn into an InsufferableGenius who eventually becomes miserable because he can no longer relate to his dumb friend [=SpongeBob=]. So he becomes an idiot again and is ecstatic. This is presented as an unequivocally good thing.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** In the episode "HOMR", in which the normally stupid Homer gets a crayon dislodged from his brain, making him slightly more intelligent than average (Homer: Is there no room in the world for somebody with a 103 IQ? ) . However, he quickly loses his friends due to his intelligence. Then Lisa tells him the sad "truth": As intelligence goes up, happiness goes down. Smart Homer sees only one recourse -- re-insert the crayon through his nose...
** Lisa is consistently (and for some, obnoxiously) portrayed as both the most intelligent and morally upright person in the family. She is frequently disliked by classmates and feels isolated and depressed as a result of her intelligence. She might sometimes save all of Springfield and be right a lot (at least, in the view of the writers) but she pays a heavy cost. Maybe the message is that Dumb Is Good most of the time, but you also need smart people around to occasionally save your ass.
** One episode had the people with the highest [=IQs=] put in charge of the town. It was a complete disaster, largely due to their arguing over who was the smartest.
** Ned Flanders isn't smart like Lisa, but he always sticks to his Christian values in doing the right thing and being a good neighbor to everyone, which gets him labeled as an extremely boring guy and Homer is constantly annoyed by him. Even when Homer or someone else tries to show Ned how to have a good time, Ned doesn't know how to relax or let loose because he fears doing something un-Christian may get him condemned to Hell or the like.
* ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZim'': It fell afoul of this trope accidentally with the character of GIR, a RobotBuddy at [[TheDitz extreme levels of stupidity]]. Intended to be merely an idiot hedonist, he was seen as one of the nicer characters in the series, and an entire episode was dedicated to sticking him in "duty mode," which had the result of making him several times more evil than [[KillAllHumans Zim himself]]. It didn't stick. Played more straight with Keef, who's completely oblivious to the fact that Zim doesn't like him, but one of the only nice kids at Skool.

%% * Peter Griffin on ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' prior to the show being {{uncanceled}}.
%% * Lindsay from ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama''.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Animalia}}'': Played with, when Alligator actress Alegra becomes highly intelligent after accidentally absorbing [[TheMentor Livingstone's]] intelligence, causing her to suddenly become a dangerously EvilGenius, to the point Livingstone's rival Tyranicus ended up helping the protagonist to get the intelligence back because he'd rather have his rival in perfect state than an intelligent Alegra.Partially subverted in that Alegra [[AlphaBitch wasn't really a nice person to begin with]] (though her normal self [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold does displays a softer side occasionally]]), whereas Livingstone, when possessing his natural hight intelligence, is portrayed as an extremely wise and kind person. As such, the message would rather be that intelligence is a gift that can cause as much harm as good, depending who's possessing it.
* ''Music/{{Gorillaz}}'': 2D isn't too bright, but definitely a nice person; he's a supporter of the Free Tibet campaign, and fans often comment on how [[IgnoranceIsBliss adorably innocent]] he is. Moreso than Murdoc, his crazy and amoral bandmate.
-->'''Paula Cracker''' (talking about 2D in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBRFRcB4gCA this interview]]: He was very sweet. A bit thick, though.

* ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'': Michelangelo is considered the least intelligent member of the team and is often called out on his foolishness by his own brothers. Though, whenever he has to help them combat serious villains he shows off his amazing ninja skills in hand to hand combat in order to keep up with his badass brothers. Donatello, meanwhile, is a full aversion, being TheSmartGuy and also a really nice dude.
* “WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo”: While all the character have their dumb moments, Cyborg and Beast Boy have the most among them all. In one episode, to point out that intelligence levels are linked to popularity, Robin uses CB and BB as examples, saying they know virtually nothing, and everyone loves them, a comment which they are flattered by, despite basically being called idiots. Robin also points out that his average intelligence gives him average popularity, and Raven’s vast amount of knowledge makes her a bummer.
** In the same episode, Raven makes Starfire super smart, and she begins spouting out random, depressing facts to her teammates about things they love, ruining the fun things and bumming them out.
* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'': Bumblebee is the least intelligent member of his team, but when he's called into action he's always the first one to jump at the need to help others.
* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'': Bulkhead admits that he's only good for breaking stuff instead of building stuff and is easily confused by {{Technobabble}}. However, he's considered one of the most kindhearted autobots on the team and sometimes outsmarts antagonists who are more intellectually superior than he is.
* ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'': The most noble of the Maximals, Silverbolt, is also so committed to being StupidGood that even the other heroes wonder if his processor could perhaps use some debugging.
-->'''Creator/ScottMcNeil:''' Silverbolt...strong, proud, brave, and smart as a sack of hammers.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball'': While Richard Watterson is stupid to a painful degree, and his sons Gumball and Darwin are mostly bratty, they're all usually the well-intentioned heroes of the series who try to do what's right and bring justice to their neighborhood... [[AntiHero most of the time.]]
** Sussie is very dumb, to the point she doesn't know the difference between a duck and a dog. However, she loves all her classmates, and gives them many gifts (even if they're lame). She likes everyone and not once has been rude or angry at a character. However, one episode implies she acts that way on purpose, while in another episode, it is shown she was very intelligent but got stupid after being [[ChildhoodBrainDamage dropped by her parents]].
* ''WesternAnimation/BoJackHorseman'': Highly intelligent characters like [=BoJack=], Carolyn, and Diane tend to be a lot less happy than dumber characters like Todd and Mr. Peanutbutter. In the first episode, [=BoJack=] even says of Mr Peanutbutter, "he's so stupid that he doesn't even realize how miserable he should be. I envy that." Made somewhat more realistic when character development reveals that Todd isn't so much stupid as he is naive and clueless, and that Mr. Peanutbutter has a cynical side combined with a [[FurryReminder cultural]] dislike of expressing negative feelings. And [=BoJack=]'s intelligence doesn't actually translate into acting ability or common sense -- it just makes him able to see exactly what is happening as he repeatedly ruins his own life.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Kaeloo}}'': Dumb characters like [[IdiotHero Kaeloo]] and [[TheDitz Stumpy]] are much nicer than smart characters like [[SurroundedByIdiots Mr. Cat]]. [[spoiler: Somewhat {{subverted| trope}} by Stumpy as the show goes on and he becomes more antagonistic.]]
* Played with in ''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty''. In the first two seasons, Rick is a genius and Morty is an idiot. Rick smacks Morty around and doesn't care about anyone else, while Morty is nice but weak and useless. In the episode ''Rickcounters of the Rick-kind'' we meet AlternateUniverse Doofus Rick, who is a nice person, and [[spoiler: Evil Morty, who seems to be much smarter than the other Morty's.]] In season 3, Morty is shown becoming smarter as a result of his adventures with Rick, but also to be turning more cynical and less good.
* Leni Loud from ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'', second eldest of eleven siblings is obviously the least intelligent of the lot, but is also the one who is the slowest to rile up and act out in anger. The episode "Shop Girl" revolves around her siblings trying to teach her to stop being so nice and naive, only for it to backfire, and she still is as nice as she always has been.

* Zig-zagged by Catarina Claes from ''LightNovel/MyNextLifeAsAVillainessAllRoutesLeadToDoom''. The original villainous version from the DatingSim ''Fortune Lover'' was implied to be an unintelligent, impulsive RichBitch who wasn't given to deep plots, while the Japanese schoolgirl who reincarnated into her is so friendly and empathic that her classmates nicknamed her "Lady Saint" (Saint-sama)...but she's still not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Humorously, at one point in the story a group of girls accuses her of being a bully (like the original Catarina), only for her best friends to defend her by arguing that she's ''too dense'' to have pulled off the complex crimes they're accusing her of committing. Catarina, who's actually in the room while this is happening, is glad that her friends are sticking up for her but [[NotHelpingYourCase is too dense to realize they're insulting her]].
-->'''Catarina''': What's going on? I think they're helping me, but at the same time I feel insulted.

* ''Webcomic/BobAndGeorge'': [[http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/020722c Why George forgot his powers]]
* In ''Webcomic/{{Sinfest}}'', [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=4273 the enlightened drones seem not to recognize that their home is Satan's lair.]] Though they also seem to suffer no harm from it; Satan is ordering new ones to replace them.

** Though both Tony Tony Chopper (a skilled doctor) and Franky (a skilled shipwright) are both quite intelligent and good-hearted individuals, if not wildly eccentric and there are your fair share of violent and dumb btrutes. Chopper also happens to be very naïve, and will often react right alongside Luffy, and also has an odd tendency to "hide" on the wrong side of a door. Franky seems to be more on Sanji or Zoro's level of "dumb", while still being a great engineer.

* Deconstructed in Billy-Bob Thorton's written, directed, and starred in film ''Film/SlingBlade'', where he plays the mentally disabled man Karl Childers. Karl is kind, soft spoken, and blind to intolerance, and is also a talented mechanic because he always finds the simplest solution to problems. However, he also has no qualms about [[AxCrazy brutally murdering]] people he deems to be bad.

* In Film/NapoleonDynamite, Napoleon is dumber than most of the other characters in the movie and seems to fail at everything. Even his friend Pedro notes Napoleon's only talent as the ability to draw. However, when Napoleon performs his dance towards the end of the movie, his fellow students seem to be genuinely appreciative of it, to the point where they do end up voting for Pedro as class president.

A direct inversion of GoodIsNotDumb. Another inversion is an InsufferableImbecile; a mentally disabled jerk may invoke the DisabilityAsAnExcuseForJerkassery. Contrast with GentlemanAndAScholar, in which an intelligent character is one of the ''most'' pleasant, thoughtful, and well-adjusted people around. Try not to get this and SilentProtagonist mixed up, along with the KindheartedSimpleton (whose levels of stupidity, friendliness, tolerance, and patience can relate, but they mainly differ by the Kindhearted Simpleton's qualities by their evident compassion, altruistic dialog/behavior, sympathetic communication, massive naivete, and the quality of being a genuinely simple person who has unintelligence or lack common-sense yet has an evident heart of gold and good-nature as opposed to the Dumb Is Good with just being friendly and TheDitz).

** Throughout Portal, there's this distinct vibe concerning Prometheus. In the mythology, Prometheus was definitely lacking in hindsight, while his brother, Epithemus, is lacking in foresight. [=GLaDOS=] never learns from her mistakes, only altering her modus operandi in the later half of the game. [[spoiler: Wheatley takes the role of Epithemus. Definitely learning from the mistakes of [=GLaDOS=], but rarely thinking ahead to formulate plans or traps.]]

* Subverted in ''VideoGame/{{Portal 2}}'' with [[spoiler:Wheatley]]. Though he does a FaceHeelTurn [[spoiler:upon gaining control of the Enrichment Center, it takes literally seconds before he goes power mad. We learn from [=GLaDOS=] that he was built to be as unintelligent as possible to hold her murderous tendencies back. He attempts to trick and kill Chell and does not care that his actions (or lack thereof) will cause the entire Enrichment Center to blow up]]. Ultimately he's plagued by poor common sense regardless of his morality.
** Throughout Portal, there's this distinct vibe concerning Prometheus. In the mythology, Prometheus was definitely lacking in hindsight, his brother, Epithemus, is lacking in foresight. [=GLaDOS=] never learns from her mistakes, only altering her modus operandi in the later half of the game. [[spoiler: Wheatley takes the role of Epithemus. Definitely learning from the mistakes of [=GLaDOS=], but rarely thinking ahead to formulate plans or traps.]]

The smart character will be mean because he is arrogant and literally doesn't suffer fools gladly. In more sympathetic portrayals, the smart character is [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold good underneath]], but made [[GrumpyBear cynical]] and [[JadeColoredGlasses bitter]] by his keen intellect, which allows him to see that [[CrapsackWorld the world sucks]], or [[AwfulTruth their lives will]] [[YourDaysAreNumbered one day end]]. Inversely, the dumb character has no reason to be [[ThePollyanna continuously happy]], other than to provide a {{foil}} for the smart character, to show that being all smart all the time makes you [[InsufferableGenius unlikeable]], miserable, or both, and why would you choose to be that way if ignorance is bliss?

A direct inversion of GoodIsNotDumb. Another inversion is an InsufferableImbecile; a mentally disabled jerk may invoke the DisabilityAsAnExcuseForJerkassery. Contrast with GentlemanAndAScholar, in which an intelligent character is one of the ''most'' pleasant, thoughtful, and well-adjusted people around. Try not to get this and SilentProtagonist mixed up, along with the KindheartedSimpleton (whose levels of stupidity, friendliness, tolerance, and patience can relate, but they mainly differ by the Kindhearted Simpleton's qualities by their evident compassion, altruistic dialog/behavior, sympathetic communication, massive naivete, and the quality of being a genuinely simple person who lacks smarts yet has an evident heart of gold as opposed to the Dumb Is Good with just being friendly and TheDitz).

A direct inversion of GoodIsNotDumb. Another inversion is an InsufferableImbecile; a mentally disabled jerk may invoke the DisabilityAsAnExcuseForJerkassery. Contrast with GentlemanAndAScholar, in which an intelligent character is one of the ''most'' pleasant, thoughtful, and well-adjusted people around. Try not to get this and SilentProtagonist mixed up, along with the KindheartedSimpleton (whose levels of stupidity, friendliness, tolerance, and patience can relate, but they mainly differ by the Kindhearted Simpleton's qualities by their evident compassion, altruistic dialog/behavior, sympathetic communication, massive naivete, and the quality of being a genuinely unintelligent person who has an evident heart of gold as opposed to the Dumb Is Good with just being friendly and TheDitz).

A direct inversion of GoodIsNotDumb. Another inversion is an InsufferableImbecile; a mentally disabled jerk may invoke DisabilityAsAnExcuseForJerkassery. Contrast with GentlemanAndAScholar, in which an intelligent character is one of the ''most'' pleasant, thoughtful, and well-adjusted people around. Try not to get this and SilentProtagonist mixed up, along with the KindheartedSimpleton (whose levels of stupidity, friendliness, tolerance, and patience can relate, but they mainly differ by the Kindhearted Simpleton's qualities by their evident compassion, altruistic dialog/behavior and communication, massive naivete, and the quality of being a genuinely unintelligent person as opposed to just being friendly and TheDitz).

A direct inversion of GoodIsNotDumb. Another inversion is an InsufferableImbecile; a mentally disabled jerk may invoke DisabilityAsAnExcuseForJerkassery. Contrast with GentlemanAndAScholar, in which an intelligent character is one of the ''most'' pleasant, thoughtful, and well-adjusted people around. Try not to get this and SilentProtagonist mixed up, along with the KindheartedSimpleton (whose levels of friendliness, tolerance, and patience can relate, but they mainly differ by the Kindhearted Simpleton's qualities by their evident compassion, altruistic dialog/behavior and communication, massive naivete, and the quality of being [[{{Pun}} not the brightest crayon in the box]]; a genuinely unintelligent person as opposed to just being friendly and TheDitz).

** [[TheOgre Ogryns]] follow this tenet without knowing it. They have blind faith in the [[AGodAmI Emperor]], and while some fought on the wrong side during the Horus Heresy, it is highly suspected that they were lied to about which side they were on.

A direct inversion of GoodIsNotDumb. Another inversion is an InsufferableImbecile; a mentally disabled jerk may invoke DisabilityAsAnExcuseForJerkassery. Contrast with GentlemanAndAScholar, in which an intelligent character is one of the ''most'' pleasant, thoughtful, and well-adjusted people around. Try not to get this and SilentProtagonist mixed up, along with the KindheartedSimpleton (whose levels of friendliness, tolerance, and patience can relate, but they mainly differ by the Kindhearted Simpleton's qualities by their evident compassion, altruistic dialog/behavior and communication, massive naivete, and the quality of being genuinely unintelligent rather than just being friendly and TheDitz).

A direct inversion of GoodIsNotDumb. Another inversion is an InsufferableImbecile; a mentally disabled jerk may invoke DisabilityAsAnExcuseForJerkassery. Contrast with GentlemanAndAScholar, in which an intelligent character is one of the ''most'' pleasant, thoughtful, and well-adjusted people around. Try not to get this and SilentProtagonist mixed up, along with the KindheartedSimpleton (whose levels of friendliness, tolerance, and patience can relate, but they mainly differ by the Kindhearted Simpleton's qualities by their evident compassion, altruistic dialog, massive naivete, and the quality of being genuinely unintelligent rather than just being friendly and TheDitz).

A direct inversion of GoodIsNotDumb. Another inversion is an InsufferableImbecile; a mentally disabled jerk may invoke DisabilityAsAnExcuseForJerkassery. Contrast with GentlemanAndAScholar, in which an intelligent character is one of the ''most'' pleasant, thoughtful, and well-adjusted people around. Try not to get this and SilentProtagonist mixed up, along with the KindheartedSimpleton (whose levels of friendliness, tolerance, and patience can relate, but they mainly differ by the Kindhearted Simpleton's qualities by their evident compassion, humble nature, massive naivete, and the quality of being genuinely unintelligent instead of just being friendly and TheDitz).

* ''WesternAnimation/PinkyAndTheBrain'': Pinky being [[TheDitz the dumb]] but nice and happy one, while Brain being an super-genius hellbent on taking over the world. This is played with when Brain makes Pinky intelligent and, finding out that an intelligent Pinky is actually smarter than him, comes to realize he is the reason they always fail (proved mathematically no less) and reduces his own intelligence. The subversion is that Pinky is still happy, energetic, and full of "Narf" when he is intelligent while the Brain, though he does suddenly find rather silly things funny all of a sudden, retains his unhappy personality.

* ''WesternAnimation/SpaceGhost'': Brak used to be an intelligent, underhanded villain in the original show, but following his return in ''WesternAnimation/CartoonPlanet'', ''WesternAnimation/SpaceGhostCoastToCoast'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheBrakShow'', he became an lovable, harmless [[KindheartedSimpleton simpleton.]] Such to the point that he has no idea how it happened, either:

** Sussie is very dumb, to te point she doesn't know the difference between a duck and a dog. However, she loves all her classmates, and gives them many gifts (even iff they're lame). She likes everyone and not once has been rude or angry at a character. However, one episode implies she acts that way on purpose, while in other episode, it is shown she was very intelligent but got stupid after being [[ChildhoodBrainDamage dropped by her parents]].
* ''WesternAnimation/BoJackHorseman'': Highly intelligent characters like [=BoJack=], Carolyn, and Diane tend to be a lot less happy than dumber characters like Todd and Mr. Peanutbutter. In the first episode, [=BoJack=] even says of Mr Peanutbutter, "he's so stupid that he doesn't even realise how miserable he should be. I envy that." Made somewhat more realistic when character development reveals that Todd isn't so much stupid as he is naive and clueless, and that Mr Peanutbutter has a cynical side combined with a [[FurryReminder cultural]] dislike of expressing negative feelings. And [=BoJack=]'s intelligence doesn't actually translate into acting ability or common sense -- it just makes him able to see exactly what is happening as he repeatedly ruins his own life.

A direct inversion of GoodIsNotDumb. Another inversion is an InsufferableImbecile; a mentally disabled jerk may invoke DisabilityAsAnExcuseForJerkassery. Contrast with GentlemanAndAScholar, in which an intelligent character is one of the ''most'' pleasant, thoughtful, and well-adjusted people around. Try not to get this and SilentProtagonist mixed up.

[[SmartJerkAndNiceMoron Smart People are mean and Dumb People are nice]]. Geniuses are psychotic and high-strung, idiots are nice and sweet, because IgnoranceIsBliss. [[BrainsAndBrawn In comedy]] [[BokeAndTsukkomiRoutine pairs]] the genius will [[DopeSlap smack around the idiot]].

This is a pretty common trope in many films, especially OscarBait. Intelligent and rational people are portrayed as emotionally unfulfilled, neglectful of their family and friends, mean, or corrupt, and contrasted with a simple-minded, often mentally-delayed character with a heart of gold.

It may be caused by the ThisLoserIsYou effect, since ViewersAreMorons; also closely related to BookDumb. Also likely to believe that SchoolIsForLosers. Not to be confused with GoodIsDumb. This can extend to intellectual pursuits, leading to StrawVulcan, ScienceIsBad or even ScienceIsWrong. Can also lead to an IdiotHero, and/or BrainsEvilBrawnGood. Often found with a MinionWithAnFInEvil.

* “TeenTitansGo”: While all the character have their dumb moments, Cyborg and Beast Boy have the most among them all. In one episode, to point out that intelligence levels are linked to popularity, Robin uses CB and BB as examples, saying they know virtually nothing, and everyone loves them, a comment which they are flattered by, despite basically being called idiots. Robin also points out that his average intelligence gives him average popularity, and Raven’s vast amount of knowledge makes her a bummer.

* ''WesternAnimation/PinkyAndTheBrain'': Pinky being the dumb but nice and happy one, while Brain being a dour super genius hellbent on taking over the world. Played with when Brain makes Pinky intelligent and, finding out that an intelligent Pinky is actually smarter than him, comes to realize he is the reason they always fail (proved mathematically no less) and reduces his own intelligence. The subversion is that Pinky is still happy, energetic, and full of "Narf" when he is intelligent while the Brain, though he does suddenly find rather silly things funny all of a sudden, retains his unhappy personality.

* ''WesternAnimation/SpaceGhost'': Brak used to be an intelligent, underhanded villain in the original show, but following his return in ''WesternAnimation/CartoonPlanet'', ''WesternAnimation/SpaceGhostCoastToCoast'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheBrakShow'', he became a lovable, harmless simpleton. He has no idea how it happened, either:

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'': In "Mars University", when Gunter the chimpanzee wears the bowler hat that Professor Farnsworth invented that makes him super-intelligent, he's a snobbish know-it-all, especially towards Fry. Later, when Gunter's hat gets broken and thus only gives him average intelligence, he finds that he's much happier that way and decides to attend business school, much to [[BigNo Farnsworth's ire]]. Mars University also parodies this trope with its motto, "knowledge brings fear."

It may be caused by the ThisLoserIsYou effect, since ViewersAreMorons; also closely related to BookDumb. Also likely to believe that SchoolIsForLosers. Not to be confused with GoodIsDumb. This can extend to intellectual pursuits, leading to StrawVulcan, ScienceIsBad, or even ScienceIsWrong. Can also lead to an IdiotHero, and/or BrainsEvilBrawnGood. Often found with a MinionWithAnFInEvil.