History Main / FieryStoic

** Harry quickly develops a gift for [[PlayingWithFire fire-magic]], and [[spoiler: has a fragment of the Phoenix inside him, which protected him from the Killing Curse]], and while he's initially HotBlooded, he later develops it into TranquilFury, [[CharacterDevelopment before progressing towards this]] during the second book to ensure that [[spoiler:he doesn't become the Dark Phoenix again and learns how to control the Phoenix within him]], becoming calmer, wiser, and more thoughtful. However, it should be noted that he does still have a temper.

* Young Charlie [=McGee=] from [[Creator/StephenKing Stephen King's]] ''Literature/{{Firestarter}}'', a child that can generate spontaneous combustion just by concentrating on the target. Once the sinister government agents kill her father, Charlie wants out of their facility. TheFilmOfTheBook shows actress Creator/DrewBarrymore as Charlie give the eye to every Shop agent she meets, giving each the chance to stand down. Alas, Shop agents are all TooDumbToLive and dare to oppose Charlie, which nets them instant cremation right where they stand. Although the complex and all its personnel are left a roaring bonfire, it was not a RoaringRampageOfRevenge by a hothead; it was a methodical eradication of all those who opposed her, with Charlie's grim purpose being especially chilling.

* Unlike his FieryRedhead counterpart in the [[VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga video games]], Heat in ''Literature/QuantumDevilSagaAvatarTuner'' is calm and collected at all times, TheQuietOne and he displays DissonantSerenity at the creepiest moments. He only breaks out of this attitude when fighting.

* Gabimaru the Hollow from ''Manga/HellsParadiseJigokuraku''. A ninja famed for his lack of emotions while killing uses his Ninpo to set himself on fire by raising his body temperature to ignite the oil on his skin, and is later revealed to have fire Tao. While Gabimaru shows himself to be more emotional than his reputation portrays him to be, he's much more calm than most fiery flame users.

* Gabimaru "the Hallow" from ''Manga/HellsParadiseJigokuraku''. A ninja famed for his lack of emotions while killing uses his Ninpo to set himself on fire by raising his body temperature to ignite the oil on his skin, and is later revealed to have fire Tao. While Gabimaru shows himself to be more emotional than his reputation portrays him to be, he's much more calm than most fiery flame users.

--> '''Jeong Jeong:''' Destiny? What would a boy know of destiny? If a fish lives its whole life in this river, does he know the river's destiny? No! Only that it runs on and on of his control! He may follow where it flows, but he cannot see the end. He cannot imagine the ocean.
--> '''Aang:''' Okay... But it's the Avatar's duty to master all of the bending disciplines.
--> '''Jeong Jeong:''' To master the bending disciplines, you must first master discipline itself. But you have no interest in this, So I have no interest in you! Now, get out!
--> '''Aang:''' Please, I have to learn. This could be my only chance.
--> '''Jeong Jeong:''' Are you deaf? How can I teach you if you refuse to listen? Before learning firebending you must learn water and earth. Water is cool and soothing, earth is steady and stable, But fire, fire is alive! It breathes, It grows, without a bender, a rock will not throw itself. But fire will spread and destroy everything in its path if one does not have the will to control it! That is its destiny! You are not ready! You are too weak!
** The page image is [[CoolOldGuy Uncle Iroh]], a laidback, goofy MentorArchetype who happens to be [[EvilOverlord Fire Lord Ozai]]'s brother. Early in the series, he's mostly played as his nephew Zuko's comic relief, though rather than a case of ObfuscatingStupidity, he really believes that one of the best lessons his nephew could learn is how to lighten up. Iroh is deeply kind, very wise, and one of the most skilled firebenders in the world -- though perhaps not necessarily as powerful as his brother, as firebending in particular ''is'' generally fuelled by strong emotion (though as it turns out, [[spoiler: it doesn't have to be, the original method focusing much more on its association with life rather than rage and hatred]], and he's considered to be the ''only'' person other than Aang who could conceivably beat Ozai in a straight fight).

* Pyra from ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' is a Fire Element [[LivingWeapon Blade]], but is a kind and demure young woman. Fittingly for the comforting "Hearth Fire" aspect of this trope, she's a SupremeChef as well.

* While PlayingWithFire is the norm for ''Manga/Reborn2004'', being how people's powers manifest in the setting, remaining completely calm while using them is considered an outstanding achievement. That state is called "Hyper Dying Will Mode". When protagonist Tsuna uses it, his personality does a complete 180, from an exaggeratedly emotional kid to calm and focused, hardly ever changing his tone or expression.

* PlayedWith in ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' with Shoto Todoroki. He speaks softly but tends to give others the cold shoulder, but he has both fire ''and'' ice powers. At first he avoids using his fire to spite his [[AbusiveParents abusive]] fire-using father, but then has a NotSoStoic moment the first time he ''does'' break it out in combat. However, even when he does come to terms with his fire side, he still remains calm and collected.

* Sailor Mars in the ''Manga/SailorMoon'' manga is a level-headed Shinto priestess with fire-related powers tied to the red planet (unless she gets mad). The [[Anime/SailorMoon anime]] makes her a more straightforward "hot-tempered" fire user.

* ''Anime/{{K}}'' has Mikoto Suoh the Red King, who, despite his fire powers is incredibly stoic and laid-back.

* Gabimaru "the Hallow" from ''Manga/HellsParadiseJigokuraku''. A ninja famed for his lack of emotions while killing uses his Ninpo to set himself on fire by raising his body temperature to ignite the oil on his skin, and is later revealed to have fire Tao. While Gabimaru shows himself to be more emotional than his reputation portrays him to be, he's much more calm than most fiery flame users.

[[folder: Fan Works]]

** Harry quickly develops a gift for [[PlayingWithFire fire-magic]], and [[spoiler: has a fragment of the Phoenix inside him, which protected him from the Killing Curse]], and while he's initially HotBlooded, he later develops it into TranquilFury, [[CharacterDevelopment before progressing towards this]] during the second book to ensure that [[spoiler: he doesn't become the Dark Phoenix again and learns how to control the Phoenix within him]], becoming calmer, wiser, and more thoughtful. However, it should be noted that he does still have a temper.

[[folder:Film - Live-Action]]

This is one example of a PowerStereotypeFlip (of which this is a SubTrope), giving characters with fiery powers (or lots of firepower -- see KillItWithFire, MadBomber and ThrowDownTheBomblet) a more serene, [[TheStoic stoic]], composed, wise, or just plain ''nice'' personality that contrasts with the destructive power of fire. It's often justified InUniverse by explaining that they need to maintain their cool to keep their chosen element from getting [[PowerIncontinence out of control]]. It can be equally justified that, as RealLife fire is ''not'' a toy, it is one area where the normal [[FourTemperamentEnsemble choleric personality]] actually has the fire-forged patience (heh heh) to keep their cool.

Particularly common with characters who harness ThePowerOfTheSun rather than harsher earthly (or [[{{Hellfire}} hellish]]) flames. Compare GeniusBruiser for another character archetype which contrasts with their usual portrayal, and MakingASplash, for characters who wield the element this personality is more commonly associated with. Contrast {{Pyromaniac}} and BurningWithAnger.

** Nanoha's [[EvilTwin Material counterpart]] Stern (who is even more stoic than Signum) gains fire powers in the second video game as well as all later appearances in other continuities. Even she isn't sure how it happened, though from a meta perspective it's probably so she'd have LightningFireJuxtaposition with Fate's counterpart Levi.

* ''Film/TheAdventuresOfSharkboyAndLavagirl'': Lavagirl has lava powers, but she's calm and quiet most of the time. In contrast, Sharkboy is associated with water, but is violent and quick to anger.

* Hestia, the [[OddJobGod goddess of hearth and home]] in Myth/ClassicalMythology, symbolizing the domestic warmth of the fireplace and the flames of the sacred pyres and braziers of the temple altars. Despite her OddJobGod status, she is Zeus' eldest sister, and was one of the Twelve Olympians. However, instead of killing/raping mortals like [[JerkassGods her siblings]], she prefers peace and stays a virgin. She even gave up her seat among the Twelve Olympians to Dionysus to prevent conflict. One of the Orphic Hymns sung in her name:

* Similarly, Atar the personified fire in UsefulNotes/{{Zoroastrianism}} is foremostly associated with purity and truth rather than chaos; while Zoroastrianism can get comfortable with ethical hedonism, anger is a cardinal "no no".

* In ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' fire is associated with Red, the color of emotions and passion, so right of the bat most pyromancers are impulsive. However, occasionally you might get a character that is emotional but in a more subtle way, giving the impression of this trope. For instance the Yamabushi shamans from Kamigawa are ascetics with outward calm, but not dettached from their emotional well being.

** Lupa is a very cool-headed tribe leader who even keeps a poker face through having a knife suddenly appear at the side of his throat. He also has the most potent fire attacks in the entire duology.

** [[spoiler:Heat O'Brien]], the [[InUniverse very deliberate]] basis for the guy above. In flashbacks he is depicted as having a very short temper that he barely managed to control. However, [[CharacterizationMarchesOn over the years he has become much more coolheaded]] and is very calm even when fighting his long-time ArchEnemy. He is also a fire user.

* Eleonore von Wittenburg from ''VisualNovel/DiesIrae'' is one of [[BigBad Reinhard's]] most zealous lieutenants, with powers over burning hellfire to match her zeal. In spite of this, she is an experienced commander and as such is able to keep her cool no matter what, even when her temper starts to get the better of her it stays as a TranquilFury. Rare is the day she explodes into all out rage.

* Played with in ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''.
** [[PlayedForDrama Played for drama]] with Jeong Jeong the Deserter. He is a very serious and tranquil firebender who left the Fire Nation military because of the destruction he witnessed that was possible from firebenders, especially as he was the former mentor of noted [[InsaneAdmiral Admiral]] Zhao. As a result, Jeong Jeong resents his bending, and most modern firebenders. He loves and admires earth and waterbending, demonstrated when he talks about the respective elements, describing them to Aang. Feeling his bending is a curse, he even initially refuses to teach Aang at all because of Aang's impatience and over-eagerness.
--> '''Jeong Jeong:''' Destiny? What would a boy know of destiny? If a fish lives it's whole life in this river, does he know the river's destiny? No! Only that it runs on and on of his control! He may follow where it flows, but he cannot see the end. He cannot imagine the ocean.
--> '''Aang:''' Okay... But it's Avatar's Duty to master all of the bending disciplines.
--> '''Jeong Jeong:''' To master the bending disciplines, you must first master discipline itself. But you have no intrest in this, So I have no intrest in you! Now, Get out!

--> '''Jeong Jeong:''' Are you deaf? How can I teach you if you refuse to listen? Before learning firebending you must learn water and earth. Water is cool and soothing, earth is steady and stable, But fire, fire is alive! It breathes, It grows, without a bender, a rock will not throw itself. But fire will spread and destroy everything in it's path if one does not have the will to control it! That is it's Destiny! You are not ready! You are too weak!

Note that this differs from a character who is merely hiding their inner fire under a veneer of TranquilFury -- these slow-burning characters also have a less restrained or outright sadistic personality (though the latter is sometimes still present as a "true self", a darker half or even a SuperPoweredEvilSide which sometimes [[BeneathTheMask slips through]]). And despite being at odds with the more expected, passionate, HotBlooded portrayal of other firestarters, this can still be considered a {{Personality Power|s}}; the calm personality can represent the fire of [[FireOfComfort hearth and hospitality]], with which flames and bonfires are symbolically linked, or the light of [[OneManIndustrialRevolution industry]], even while still dropping hints at the threat fire can still pose if left unchecked.

** Combustionbenders (who are able to focus heat into [[EnergyWeapon intense beams]] of [[PureEnergy pure destructive energy]]) are calm and reserved, as their specific powers require great focus. The MysteriousMercenaryPursuer Sokka dubs "Combustion Man" is a ''[[Film/TheTerminator Terminator]]'' {{expy}} who [[TheQuietOne never speaks]] during his appearances.

* The Forge-Bound faction from ''VideoGame/{{Tyranny}}'' are magical [[TheBlacksmith blacksmiths]], one of several schools of magic on Terratus. Their magic lets them superheat their forges and stand within the flames as they craft weapons and armor -- capable of smithing steel in an era that has only just begun to take its first steps out of the Bronze Age. Despite being sworn to EvilOverlord Kyros and arming his armies, they rarely fight themselves, and consider themselves artisans first and foremost, [[DoingItForTheArt doing what they do for the love of their craft]].%%InUniverse

Note that this differs from a character who is merely hiding their inner fire under a veneer of TranquilFury -- these slow-burning characters also have a less restrained or outright sadistic personality (though the latter is sometimes still present as a "true self", a darker half or even a SuperPoweredEvilSide which sometimes [[BeneathTheMask slips through]]). And despite being at odds with the more expected, passionate, HotBlooded portrayal of other firestarters, this can still be considered a {{Personality Power|s}}; the calm personality can represent the fire of [[FireOfComfort hearth and hospitality]] or [[OneManIndustrialRevolution industry]], with which flames and bonfires are symbolically linked, even while still dropping hints at the threat fire can still pose if left unchecked.

This is one example of a PowerStereotypeFlip (of which this is a SubTrope), giving characters with fiery powers (or lots of firepower -- see KillItWithFire, MadBomber and ThrowDownTheBomblet) a more serene, [[TheStoic stoic]], composed, wise, or just plain ''nice'' personality that contrasts with the destructive power of fire. It's often justified InUniverse by explaining that they need to maintain their cool to keep their chosen element from getting [[PowerIncontinence out of control]]. It can be equally justified that it is one area where the normal [[FourTemperamentEnsemble choleric personality]] actually has the fire-forged patience (heh heh) to keep their cool.

* While PlayingWithFire is the norm for ''Manga/KatekyoHitmanReborn'', being how people's powers manifest in the setting, remaining completely calm while using them is considered an outstanding achievement. That state is called "Hyper Dying Will Mode". When protagonist Tsuna uses it, his personality does a complete 180, from an exaggeratedly emotional kid to calm and focused, hardly ever changing his tone or expression.

This is one example of a PowerStereotypeFlip (of which this is a SubTrope), giving characters with fiery powers (or lots of firepower -- see KillItWithFire, MadBomber and ThrowDownTheBomblette) a more serene, [[TheStoic stoic]], composed, wise, or just plain ''nice'' personality that contrasts with the destructive power of fire. It's often justified InUniverse by explaining that they need to maintain their cool to keep their chosen element from getting [[PowerIncontinence out of control]]. It can be equally justified that it is one area where the normal [[FourTemperamentEnsemble choleric personality]] actually has the fire-forged patience (heh heh) to keep their cool.

** The page image is [[CoolOldGuy Uncle Iroh]], a laidback, goofy MentorArchetype who happens to be the Fire Lord's brother. Early in the series, he's mostly played as his nephew Zuko's comic relief, though rather than a case of ObfuscatingStupidity, he really believes that one of the best lessons his nephew could learn is how to lighten up. Iroh is deeply kind, very wise, and one of the most skilled firebenders in the world -- though perhaps not necessarily as powerful as his brother, as firebending in particular ''is'' generally fuelled by strong emotion (though as it turns out, [[spoiler: it doesn't have to be, the original method focusing much more on its association with life rather than rage and hatred]], and he's considered to be the ''only'' person other than Aang who could conceivably beat Ozai in a straight fight).
** Many of the more prominent firebenders appear outwardly calm, but this is often a MaskOfSanity, one which AntiVillain Zuko tries and often fails to maintain. [[EvilOverlord Ozai]], his daughter and [[TheDragon dragon]] Azula, and Admiral Zhao all derive significant power from their reserves of TranquilFury, but have [[HairTriggerTemper Hair-Trigger Tempers]] and eventually [[VillainousBreakdown crumble]] when their various plans start to fall apart. A large part of Zuko's CharacterDevelopment is about learning how to accept his anger and use it ''constructively'', and let much of it go, rather than being controlled by it like his father and sister.

** Combustionbenders (who are able to focus heat into [[FrickinLaserBeams intense beams]] of [[PureEnergy pure destructive energy]]) are calm and reserved, as their specific powers require great focus. The MysteriousMercenaryPursuer Sokka dubs "Combustion Man" is a ''[[Film/TheTerminator Terminator]]'' {{expy}} who [[TheQuietOne never speaks]] during his appearances.

* In ''VideoGame/FateExtra'', Karna possesses the Mana Burst (Flames) skill, which allows him to [[ElementalWeapon light all of his weapons on fire]] with [[ThePowerOfTheSun the sun's flames]] through his heritage to the sun god, Surya. Due to being abandoned at an early age, he has NoSocialSkills and rarely expresses what he's feeling on his face, which combined with his tendency for BrutalHonesty makes him appear resentful and bitter. In reality, he's a generous AllLovingHero, which is why he is called the "Hero of Charity".
* ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'' introduces Arjuna, who also possesses the Mana Burst (Flames) skill as well as a bow gifted to him by the god of fire himself. He tries to be an unflappable, cool-headed hero, but his burning jealousy for Karna and constant desire to prove himself makes his BloodKnight tendencies [[SubvertedTrope far more obvious.]]

* PlayedWith in ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' with Shoto Todoroki. He speaks softly but tends to give others the cold shoulder, but he has both fire ''and'' ice powers. At first he avoids using his fire to spite his fire-using father, but then has a NotSoStoic moment the first time he ''does'' break it out in combat. However, even when he does come to terms with his fire side, he still remains calm and collected.