History Main / VillainWithGoodPublicity

* ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}'':

* ''Series/{{Monk}}'': The titular character's archenemy Dale the Whale is a subverted version of this trope, as he goes to great lengths to ensure no one knows about him by buying newspapers for the sole purpose of ''keeping his name out of them''. While it's never explained why he does this, it might be related to the fact that he's an [[FatBastard 800-pound man]] that's too heavy to get out of bed and to wide to fit through his door. In fact, Monk's late wife unintentionally [[SmallRoleBigImpact started the feud]] between Dale and her husband by writing an article about him, describing him as the "Genghis Khan of world finance".

* In his ''Series/LoisAndClark'' incarnation, Lex is a renowned philanthropist, a darling to the press (even Perry White wants to sell him the ''Daily Planet''), and a god to City Hall -- this despite operating a monopoly on city services and gouging his customers. He also runs a crime syndicate on the side, ensuring that even the lowliest mugger answers to him.

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'': The self-proclaimed King of Ooo is a smarmy, schmoozing ConMan and cult leader who has been a thorn in Princess Bubblegum's side [[RememberTheNewGuy since before his introduction in "Apple Wedding"]]. But because the people of the Candy Kingdom are so gullible, he becomes popular enough to usurp Princess Bubblegum by popular election in the penultimate episode of Season 6, "Hot Diggity Doom". Fortunately, after the King louses things up during the events of the "Stakes" miniseries, the Candy People finally realize what a fraud he is, overthrow him, and take back a humbled Bubblegum as their ruler.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Arcane}}'': After the time skip, [[Characters/ArcaneSilco Silco]] is known as an extremely powerful industrialist in Piltover; Caitlyn expresses surprise when Vi states he's actually a criminal. Not so much in Zaun, however, where he is feared by all and known as a crime lord.
* In ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', it's made clear that citizens of the [[Characters/AvatarTheLastAirbenderTheFireNation Fire Nation]] are mostly just ordinary, decent people who happen to be led by evil people, and they all genuinely believe that [[Characters/AvatarTheLastAirbenderFireLordOzai Fire Lord Ozai]] and his family are wise, just leaders trying to share the Fire Nation's glory with the rest of the world. The fact that Ozai is an absolute ruler with total control over the school system and the media makes it pretty easy for him to achieve this; it's at the point where he doesn't even need to worry (or at least, not care) about [[spoiler:spinning a genocide, since his people already accepted one as necessary a century ago]]. [[spoiler:To be fair, it's not clear how well-known the plan to destroy the entire Earth Kingdom was in the Fire Nation, but no one in the High Command or military otherwise, at least, is seen protesting it.]] [[Characters/AvatarTheLastAirbenderPrincessAzula Princess Azula]] does not seem to have had this though, since everyone who comes across her is immediately terrified of her.
* GalacticConqueror [[Characters/Ben10Vilgax Vilgax]] of ''Franchise/Ben10'' at some point during the TimeSkip between ''WesternAnimation/Ben10'' and ''WesternAnimation/Ben10AlienForce'' went back to his homeworld and took it over, presenting himself as a NobleDemon and becoming so beloved by his people they went along with him ''[[{{Egopolis}} renaming their planet and species after himself]]''. Things get even better for him after he reappears in the episode "Ghost Town" when [[EnemyMine Ben helps him]] save his race from Ghostfreak and lets him have all the credit. This continues into ''WesternAnimation/Ben10Omniverse'' as the citizens take up arms against the [[ScaryDogmaticAliens Incurseans]]' attempt at killing Vilgax.
* On paper, there is no reason for [[TheRival Jimmy Pesto]] in ''WesternAnimation/BobsBurgers'' to be successful. In his personal life, he has only one true friend (who he treats like garbage) and is reduced to showing up uninvited at parties, trying to join clubs that don't want him, and frequenting prostitutes as women find him repulsive. Professionally, his restaurant's food is sub-par, his own culinary skills are [[LethalChef almost enough to kill someone]], he uses cheesy gimmicks and he even fakes his last name to project Italian heritage. He even gleefully and publicly tries to [[Recap/BobsBurgersS1E10BurgerWars put Bob out of business in one episode]], even though that means Bob and his family would lose their home. Despite all this, his eatery is ''wildly'' popular making Jimmy wealthy enough to have a much nicer home, luxuries, and vacations than the Belchers could dream of. To his credit, he understands marketing and publicity ''much'' better than Bob, a common trait seen in this trope. Bob even copies his successful ideas, like Super Bowl specials and brunch promotions in order to cash in. Naturally, he fails to have the same results. In Season 11's "[[Recap/BobsBurgersS11E11RomancingTheBeef Romancing the Beef]]", Bob successfully copies Pesto's Valentine's Day promotion, leading to Jimmy genuinely, albeit condescendingly, telling Bob he is proud of him. [[YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame This endorsement is not something Bob is proud of.]]
* Vlad Masters/Plasmius in ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom''. Prior to becoming a reasonably respected mayor in [[CityOfAdventure Amity Park]] (to secretly torment Danny), he was already a well-known billionaire celebrity.
* Within the Franchise/DCAnimatedUniverse, there's Lex Luthor (during his ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'' days and in the Cadmus Arc of ''Justice League Unlimited''), naturally enough, but we also have [[Characters/DCComicsVandalSavage Vandal Savage]] (during the ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' episode "Maid of Honor") and [[WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond Derek Powers]] (until he unintentionally publicly exposed his radioactive condition).
* Victor Veloci from ''WesternAnimation/DinoSquad'' is seen by the public as a great servant to the community. He is, in reality, an evil shapeshifting velociraptor bent on returning the world to the Mesozoic era. Seriously, who would even ''suspect'' that to be the case?
* Bob Santino from ''WesternAnimation/{{Dogstar}}'', who constantly manages to paint himself as humanity's saviour, despite being responsible for many of its catastrophes.
* The Machine's alter ego in the AnimatedAdaptation of ''Film/FreeWilly'' before [[spoiler:Jesse got proof linking him to weapon smuggling]].
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'':
** Mom appears as a sweet, lovable old lady in public, but is really a CorruptCorporateExecutive. She may not always be planning to take over the world, but it ''is'' canon that she intends total global (or more) economic domination.
** Zapp Brannigan also counts as one, a narcissistic, oversexed boob who is incompetent at best, but keeps his job because people still somehow think of him as a hero.
* Cobra Industries in ''WesternAnimation/GIJoeRenegades''. They are seen in the public as a noble company that seeks to benefit the world with their revolutionary technology, but underneath their bright faces, they're a ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world. Cobra Commander deserves special mention since he's known to the public as Adam [=DeCobray=], a philanthropist who seeks to bring world peace, but he's really a monstrous terrorist leader who craves power and relishes in his villainy while his persona is completely fabricated by a hologram to hide [[EvilMakesYouUgly his true hideous appearance]].
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'': Xanatos went to ''prison'' at one point and still manages to be this.
* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'':
** Everyone in town and in his audience sees Li'l Gideon as a cute, lovable child. It quickly becomes clear that he is [[EnfantTerrible anything but]]. [[spoiler:He loses it in the Season 1 finale when it's revealed by Stan that his psychic powers are really him spying on the town.]]
** The Northwest family are popular, well-respected aristocrats, going back to Nathaniel Northwest, the founder of the Gravity Falls. [[spoiler:Turns out Nathaniel Northwest was just labeled "the founder" so the government could cover up the existence of [[TheWonka President Quentin Trembley]], and he was a selfish crook who cheated the townspeople out of a grand party after they gave flesh and blood to build him a mansion. Preston Northwest himself is only the latest in a long line of cheats, and behind closed doors, he abuses and controls his own daughter Pacifica, who seems to be breaking the cycle of bad Northwests.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Kaeloo}}'':
** Despite being an unrepentant {{jerkass}} and a liar, Mr. Cat is widely adored by the populace of Smileyland, and it certainly doesn't help that [[SurroundedByIdiots they're not particularly bright]]. The residents of Smileyland hang onto every word he says and consider him an authority on everything, which has led to countless deaths, injuries, and other misfortunes (all of which are PlayedForLaughs). The trope is particularly noticeable in seasons 4 and 5, where we see characters other than the usual main and recurring cast and they all listen to everything he says.
** In seasons 2-4, Pretty, the local AlphaBitch, was a popular social media influencer with several fans.
* [[spoiler: Dr. Emilia]] in ''WesternAnimation/KipoAndTheAgeOfWonderbeasts''. When she's first introduced, she seems to be a ReasonableAuthorityFigure who wants only to save humanity from enslavement by Scarlemagne. However, she's quickly revealed to be a BadBoss with a [[FantasticRacism hatred of mutes (slang for mutants)]] due to her blaming them for driving the humans from the surface and into Burrows in the first place. When Kipo and Crew defeat her [[spoiler: plan to capture Scarlemagne and kill Song and Kipo]], she retaliates by converting the other humans from Kipo's Burrow to her way of thinking. [[spoiler: The third season shows that she's a CompleteMonster who killed her own brother when he started to believe that humans and mutes could coexist, creates a "cure" that causes a DeathOfPersonality to any mute it touches, and willingly turned herself into a [[{{Hypocrite}} mutant kaiju]] so she could ''kill an entire party full of people]]. Fortunately, Kipo eventually lets everyone see the woman's true colors, and her followers slowly but surely leave her.
%%* An episode of ''WesternAnimation/JimmyTwoShoes'' had Heloise unwillingly becoming one of these.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'':
** [[spoiler:The Equalists' EvilGenius Hiroshi Sato]] kept up this act for ''twelve years'' [[spoiler:after the death of his wife at the hands of a firebending gang left him with a hatred for all benders]]. He gives up the act in the same episode it's revealed to be an act [[spoiler:with TheReveal of his latest invention: a MiniMecha capable of curbstomping all but the most skilled benders]].
** Invoked by [[Characters/TheLegendOfKorraAmon Amon]] when he stated this as a major part of his plan needing followers to accomplish what he was doing, therefore avoiding actions that would put him in a negative light until he had enough. [[MagnificentBastard He was incredibly successful,]] amassing enough followers to threaten all of Republic City.
** [[Characters/TheLegendOfKorraVarrickAndZhuLi Varrick]] is well respected in the Southern Water Tribe and Republic City. However, he's very devious behind closed doors such that he [[spoiler:blew up the Southern Water Tribe Cultural Center, defrauded and nearly bankrupted Future Industries to force Asami to give him controlling interest, and attempted to kidnap the President, all of which was part of his plan to escalate the Water Tribe Civil War. He does get caught later on, but his whole plan went south anyway because he didn't count on [[EldritchAbomination Vaatu]] being involved]].
** The [[BombThrowingAnarchists Red Lotus]] became instant folk heroes to the downtrodden of [[spoiler:Ba Sing Se]] after [[spoiler:[[PayEvilUntoEvil assassinating]] the [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Earth Queen]]]]. Played with, however, in that Zaheer dodges around revealing his identity or those of his cronies.
** [[Characters/TheLegendOfKorraKuvira Kuvira]]. To the people she's helping, she's called The Great Uniter, and she has spent the last three years forcing the fractured Earth Kingdom back together. To other world leaders, she's seen as a WellIntentionedExtremist at best, who needs to step down from power as soon as she fixes the Earth Kingdom. It gets to the point that when she usurps the Crown Prince ''at his own coronation'' and declares herself [[SheIsTheKing Emperor]], she is cheered on by the crowds. However, she does lose it later on as she becomes DrunkWithPower, but that doesn't bother her until she's finally defeated and comes to her senses.
* ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'': ''Fresh Airedale'', a 1945 Creator/ChuckJones cartoon, concerns a "loyal, trustworthy" dog named Shep who gobbles up his master's steak, invites a burglar to ransack the house when the master's away at work, and attempts to kill the nation's "# 1 dog" after reading about him in the paper. A cat repeatedly foils the dog's schemes but ends up taking the blame for them.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Metalocalypse}}'': Dethklok doesn't count since they aren't the series villains. Their manager, however...
* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'' has two notable examples:
** [[Characters/MiraculousLadybugHawkMoth Hawk Moth]], whose civilian identity is [[spoiler:the well-respected fashion designer Gabriel Agreste. Notably, Ladybug ''did'' end up suspecting him in one episode, but he managed to throw her off the scent by akumatizing himself]]. Note that this does not apply to the Hawk Moth persona himself. He attempted it in his debut, trying to frame Ladybug and Cat Noir as the villains for failing to stop him, but Ladybug quickly shut him down by pointing out that he was the one actually doing the criminal deeds in the first place.
** Lila Rossi is a ConsummateLiar and sociopath who's willingly worked with Hawk Moth on more than one occasion. However, thanks to her intricate lies (mostly facilitated by the IdiotBall), she's one of the most popular girls at her school, and she's easily able to paint ''Marinette'' as the petty, jealous one.
* ''WesternAnimation/MonkeyDust'': The Paedofinder General goes around accusing innocent people of being paedophiles before executing them, yet his actions are always met with applause by any bystanders present.
* Zigzagged with Abraham Kane in ''WesternAnimation/{{Motorcity}}'', he presents himself as a savior to the survivors of humanity by constructing Detroit Deluxe, a clean "utopia" that's anything but, and constantly portrays the Burners as ruffians and villains. In practice his reception is mixed, some people like and revere him, buying into all the propaganda, some defect and run away from his crazy world, many are just dissatisfied with his controlling of all their lives, but stick with him because, aside from some short-sighted violence he indulges in, the lifestyle is manageable.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLifeAsATeenageRobot'': As far as the robots of the Cluster know, [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Queen Vexus]] is a kind and noble leader who's protecting them from [[HistoricalVillainUpgrade the evil forces of Earth, led by the villainous XJ-9]]. In truth, she's a tyrant who uses propaganda and mind control to keep her people in line. [[spoiler:Once the lie is exposed, her powerbase totally collapses.]]
%%* Magnacat in ''WesternAnimation/MonsterAllergy''.
* Mojo Jojo has this at the end of ''WesternAnimation/{{The Powerpuff Girls|1998}}'' episode "Forced Kin" after he single-handedly defeats a giant alien trying to conquest mankind only because Mojo didn't want to be usurped.
* Hannibal [=McFist=] in ''WesternAnimation/RandyCunninghamNinthGradeNinja''. His artificial arm has a visible brain attached to it and that doesn't freak people out. Everybody thinks he's a HonestCorporateExecutive but he's plotting to destroy TheHero.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretSaturdays'' has V.V. Argost, who hosts a popular TV show about cryptids and is well-liked around the world to the extent that, when the protagonists begin to fight him in a public place, the citizens actually side with Argost in the fight and ''attack'' them.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** Parodied with [[Characters/TheSimpsonsCharlesMontgomeryBurns Montgomery Burns]]. Despite being a textbook CardCarryingVillain, he often strives -- and ''always'' fails -- to portray himself either as a sensitive, kindly soul (his autobiography is titled ''Will There Ever Be a Rainbow?'') or as a benevolent super-being (in his film festival entry, he portrays himself as both E.T. and Jesus). Furthermore, when he loses his plant (and in one case, his entire fortune as well) and Springfielders are free to openly hate and mock him, Burns is genuinely shocked that they feel that way.
** Senator Mendoza, the BigBad of the [=McBain=] movies, is a ShowWithinAShow example. Supposedly he's one of the most respected men in Congress in [=McBain's=] world, despite being an ObviouslyEvil leader of TheCartel and ordering the brutal murder of a cop who gets too close. [[CowboyCop McBain]] (who clearly is not fooled) gets chewed out by DaChief for breaking the necks of three of his bodyguards and [[RefugeInAudacity driving a bus through his front wall.]]
** [[PosthumousCharacter Jebediah Springfield]], the town's founder, is believed by the citizens to be a heroic pioneer who wrestled bears. In truth, as revealed by his confession found in "Lisa the Iconoclast", he was a FakeUltimateHero. He was actually Hans Sprungfeld, a notorious pirate with a silver tongue ([[NotHyperbole literally]]; he lost his tongue to a Turk in a groghouse fight and had it replaced with a prosthetic silver tongue) who tried to assassinate UsefulNotes/GeorgeWashington.
* Almost every American celebrity lampooned on ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' is depicted as this trope (though Trey Parker asserted he isn't sincere about his hatred towards the celebrities). In "Mystery of the Urinal Deuce", the President and the White House are made out to be evil people who caused the 9-11 attacks, a conspiracy perpetrated by ''themselves''. Then, in the end, we find out that none of this is true, and the reason they perpetrated the hoax was so that people would think the government had everything under control.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'', Norman Osborn (who is secretly the Green Goblin) is still an example of this because he is a ruthless businessman, inventor, gifted chemist, the founder and head of [[EvilInc OsCorp]], and the father of Harry Osborn.
* Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk in the 1990s ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries''. He's a well-respected member of the community. Peter Parker doesn't even know he's a criminal mastermind until late in the season, and, at one point, saves him from an attack by the Hobgoblin during a ground-breaking ceremony. [[Characters/MarvelComicsNormanOsborn Norman Osborn]] is also a Villain With Good Publicity in all versions: {{Muggles}} don't know about his criminal activity as a businessman ''or'' as the Green Goblin. In this particular series, the other crime lords are the same: even ''Spidey'' thought Silvermane was a nice old man.
* Dr. Paradigm of ''WesternAnimation/StreetSharks'' certainly counts. He manages to convince the entire city that the sharks and their father are the real bad guys, essentially ensuring that they blame everything wrong on ''them''. On the other hand, that's the only plan of his that actually works. The Sharks finally manage to put a dent on his credibility by forcing him to assume his [[InvoluntaryShapeshifting Pirahnoid form]] on national TV.
* Shere Khan in ''WesternAnimation/TaleSpin'', although feared because of his immense power and wealth, citizens of Cape Suzette do not suspect that he's a ManipulativeBastard and CorruptCorporateExecutive to the point of having dealings with criminals like pirates and gangsters.
* ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'':
** In the original [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987 1987 TMNT cartoon]], Lord Dregg, the replacement BigBad for Shredder and Krang for the final two seasons, successfully launched a [[PropagandaMachine propaganda campaign]] against the Turtles, who were already [[HeroWithBadPublicity Heroes with Bad Publicity]] anyway, to make himself one. This lasts until the Season 9 finale thanks to his being unable to fight off the MonsterOfTheWeek [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Doomquest]], and an EngineeredPublicConfession.
** Darius Dunn in ''[[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward]]''.
*** [[Characters/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003TheShredder Oroku Saki]] himself during Season 3 of the Turtles revamp. By singlehandedly funding the rebuilding of New York City after an alien invasion, he was hailed as a hero and humanitarian. While it hadn't directly affected the Turtles' efforts against him much (being ninjas ''and'' mutant freaks, they have to work in secrecy anyway), it was still irritating. The public was never the wiser, even constructing a library in his honor when he was finally defeated.
** And then there's Chris Bradford in the [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012 2012 TMNT cartoon]]. He's one of Shredder's CoDragons and star pupils, and also a well-respected martial arts superstar with a chain of dojos all over the United States.
* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'':
** Chris [=McLean=], the show's host, may be considered as such by the way he creates dangerous challenges and tweaks the rules to his own sadistic liking.
** Duncan, the winner of Season 2 in his ending, could count as this. While he torments Harold for the majority of the season (Duncan claims that Harold booted Courtney, while [Harold] had a reason to.), he ends up making the final two where he would win in a close [4-3] vote. Plus, in a real-world example, Duncan wins the online voting with 77% of the votes (while 23% of the viewers wanted Beth to win).
* Porter C. Powell in ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated''. Not only did he exploit Sari's lack of a birth certificate to make himself the legitimate CEO of Sumdac Systems (then again, she's only eight), but he also made expert use of legal loopholes to justify his hiring of mad scientist Henry "Headmaster" Masterson. He's shady and corrupt, even getting out of even more legal trouble with his matter-eating virus. He's kicked out of the company when Isaac returns but continues to do business by selling Soundwave toys. After they're revealed as the real Soundwave's minions, the backlash finally puts him out of business. His return in the almanac mentions him having a few more resources at his disposal, which he used to get an [=AllSpark=] fragment... which backfired by turning his car into a Decepticon named Tux, who drained the rest of his resources.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBros'' gradually reveals that the late Jonas Venture is clearly this. To the outside world, he was a beloved inventor, super scientist, and media darling whose name still carries weight in the present time. Behind the scenes, however, he was a hideously awful parent, a dangerously unethical scientist, and a philandering man-whore who [[spoiler:blackmailed his best friend into being his [[TheDragon personal attack dog]] for years]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Villainous}}'', most of the {{Hero Antagonist}}s are at best {{Smug Super}}s and at worst, this trope.
** Airlock was an AxCrazy CorruptedCharacterCopy of [[VideoGame/{{Metroid}} Samus Aran]] who robs one of her employer's lackeys at gunpoint [[CantTakeCriticism for criticizing her]], and yet was a high-ranking member of the local HeroesRUs.
** Ms. Heed was a close friend to the BigGood Goldheart and served on his SuperTeam, but was a BadInfluencer who enslaved an entire city with her LivingAphrodisiac power and is PutOnAPrisonBus once the villains bring this to light.
* ''WesternAnimation/WheelSquad'': Enzo is an example of the trope. The most of what we get to see of the good publicity part was in "Water, Water, Everywhere". The heroes took photographs linking him to a scheme of illegal waste dumping that was contaminating the community's water supply and he managed to explain it away by claiming he was there to investigate and help. Fortunately, in order to give credence to these claims, he had to finance a project to de-pollute the water supply.
* ''WesternAnimation/XMenEvolution'':
** The Brotherhood in the episode "No Good Deed" using EngineeredHeroics. The only ones to realize they're up to no good are the X-Men (who they frame for violently using their powers) and Edward Kelly (who doesn't know they're up to no good, but [[FantasticRacism assumes they are because they're mutants]]).
** Bit of a subversion for Avalanche, his genuine no ulterior motive involved rescue of an elderly lady kickstarted their rep as heroes and the final disaster that his friends fled after causing, is stopped by Avalanche working with the X-Men. Lance does reject the label of hero by the end of it, despite showing he's got more standards than you'd think.
** Edward Kelly himself is one to some extent. To many, he's a noble principal who wants to help his students, and to the {{Muggles}}, he is legitimately a good principal. He's just such a massive racist against mutants that he tries to encourage fellow mutant hater Duncan to team up ''with the Brotherhood'' just so they can ''pick a fight with Cyclops and get him, and him only, expelled simply for being a good mutant''.
* Captain Good in ''WesternAnimation/YogisSpaceRace''. Everyone in that series sees him as a hero but he's actually Phantom Phink.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Young Justice|2010}}'':
** The Reach invoke this by going to the capitol and peacefully meeting with diplomats. It doesn't exactly help that G. Gordon Godfrey has been spending the rest of the season [[HeroWithBadPublicity complaining about how the Justice League doesn't do this]] or, worse, that [[StrawmanHasAPoint that he's right to do so]].
** In Season 3, [[Characters/SupermanLexLuthor Lex Luthor]] is once again this. Being the head of the New United Nations that include superheroes from around the world as members and getting laws passed that keeps the Justice League from doing their jobs as heroes with sanctions from many countries. He has successfully convinced many countries, and even some heroes of that country, the Justice League does more harm than good. The heavy restrictions cause Batman and others to leave, believing the league is now useless.
** G. Gordon Godfrey himself counts [[spoiler:since he's actually the New God Glorious Godfrey of Apokolips, Darkseid's specialist in manipulating populations via mass media]]. His show is quite popular, and even Superboy finds him fascinating.
[[/folder]]

%% This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order. Thanks!
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[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/BaldursGateII'':
** The corrupt Harper Galvarey, who is seen as a veritable saint by his Harper kin, despite being an ObviouslyEvil SmugSnake.
** More generally, the Shadow Thieves play with this trope as well. Seemingly aware that a good-aligned party would only be working with them very reluctantly, they mostly downplay their more evil acts if the player opts to side with them against [[TheDragon Bodhi]], and only deploy the party on missions where their criminal acts are on the benign side.
* ''VideoGame/BaldursGateIII'' has Lord Enver Gortash, BarbarianHero Karlach's ArchEnemy who pulls a TyrantTakesTheHelm on the titular city through EngineeredHeroics [[spoiler:and is head of the BigBadTriumvirate]]. He acts as a DarkMessiah, transforming the city into a PoliceState in the name of security and turns the most popular newspaper into a PropagandaMachine extolling his virtues. Most of the citizenry [[GullibleLemmings believe his lies]], and the few that don't end up in cells or worse.
* The BigBad of ''VideoGame/BatenKaitos'', Emperor Geldoblame, is this in his capital city but is [[ZeroPercentApprovalRating loathed everywhere else]]. [[spoiler:A better example is Lady Melodia, one of the world's [[HundredPercentApprovalRating most beloved]] nobles... [[TheManBehindTheMan who puppeteered]] the hated [[DiscOneFinalBoss Geldoblame]] into doing the grunt work.]]
** Baelheit, leader of Machina Vanguard and one of two candidates for Emperor, and BigBad of ''VideoGame/BatenKaitosOrigins''. Wants to turn everyone into machines. [[spoiler:His opponent [[TheManBehindTheMan Verus]] counts too when he's revealed to be manipulating Baelheit.]]
* While it really doesn't play a major aspect of the story, in ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'' it's strongly implied that {{Heaven}} is worshiped by humanity as a FluffyCloudHeaven because the [[OurAngelsAreDifferent angels]] (who are actually more like {{Eldritch Abomination}}s) tricked the humans after wiping out the Umbra Witches, who knew the world existed as a balance and not that LightIsGood and DarkIsEvil.
* ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'': Zachary Hale Comstock is seen as the Hero of Wounded Knee. See a description of that [[FinalSolution "battle"]] for why that term is '''not''' appropriate. Hell, the dude has even fashioned a religion based on ''his'' version of American Values and is often referred to as "The Prophet" in Columbia.
* In ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'', the AxCrazy Jin Kisaragi is seen as a hero for ending the Ikaruga civil war. Downplayed in that he's not really "evil" so much as "a ''massive'' {{Jerkass}}" (and he gets CharacterDevelopment that turns him into a JerkWithAHeartOfGold) [[spoiler:and he was intentionally propped up as this by the true BigBad to further his own plans]].
* Handsome Jack, the BigBad of ''VideoGame/Borderlands2'' is this; off of Pandora, he is seen as an incredibly noble, heroic figure who is bringing law and order to the ravaged DeathWorld of Pandora. The reality is that he's a violent, murderous psychotic who is committing all manner of atrocities, including human testing of experimental mutagens. InUniverse, he was initially seen as a heroic figure when he first arrived on Pandora as well, but his subsequent actions made his nature quite clear to the people of Pandora.
* ''VideoGame/BugFables'': Downplayed with Mothiva. She's a beloved celebrity who secretly has no problems beating up Team Snakemouth in attempt to steal their fame, and is never exposed of this beyond losing some fans in the Termite Kingdom. She is still a genuine Explorer [[EnemyMine and is begrudgingly willing to work with Team Snakemouth when the chips are really down.]]
* [[spoiler:General Shepherd]] in ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfare2''. [[spoiler:He deliberately instigates a US-Russian war because he thinks America's become weak and pathetic, and he wants to make it a military power again. Even after Soap and Price successfully kill him, the public still thinks Shepherd is a war hero, and they are [[HeroWithBadPublicity international terrorists]].]]
* ''VideoGame/CelestialHearts'': Since the Gravehart family built the prosperous Hart City, the citizens believe them to be benevolent aristocrats. Unfortunately, the Graveharts are actually kidnapping people to drain their energy.
* The Crey Corporation in ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' is meant to be this, but there is a jarring stretch of WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief in the process. There are a TON of missions involving Crey conspiracies, several stories that show deep levels of corruption within the company, and hundreds of Crey operatives (wearing outfits with the distinctive Crey logo, even) in several very public areas that [[EverythingTryingToKillYou take potshots at every last hero to pass by]] while often strongarming civilians. One randomly generated mission even has them attacking a bank to get "frozen assets". One would think that with a rap sheet like this, Crey would have been destroyed with utter impunity as priority number one, but they're still mentioned as having products in nearly every home and a respectable face. It's practically a whole organization ClarkKenting it up.
** That's mainly an attempt to have the plot advance as you level up. High-level arcs involve Crey as nothing but the rogue remnants of their security forces after their CorruptCorporateExecutive faced trial for about a million charges.
** Also from ''City of Heroes'', Westin Phipps. To the general public, he is an unsung hero standing up for the weak and downtrodden against the threat of Arachnos. In truth, he is in the employment of said villainous organization, charged with finding whatever gives the people hope and driving it into the ground.
* Kane, resident MagnificentBastard of ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquer'', attained much of his power in the First Tiberium War through clever manipulation of the media against the Global Defense Initiative, painting them as the very same violent, bloodthirsty murderers his own Brotherhood of Nod usually turned out to be. He continues his fine tradition in the Third Tiberium War, with the Brotherhood playing the only stabilizing influence in Earth's Yellow Zones, feeding and protecting the population of the economically ruined and poor regions of the world, all the better to stoke the fires of their hatred for the perceived oppressors of GDI... In the fourth game, he's actually working ''with'' the GDI to combat the tiberium threat.
* Bob Page in ''VideoGame/DeusEx'' is considered by the general populace as a benevolent philanthropist. The game's opening cutscene [[CorruptCorporateExecutive reveals him to be otherwise]], controlling the population while operating behind an AncientConspiracy.
%%** Walton Simons.
* ''Franchise/DragonAge'':
** Loghain from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins''. One of the many problems the Warden faces during the game is trying to prove that the war hero who fought for Ferelden's freedom during the Orlesian occupation, is the same man that callously left King Cailan to die during the Battle of Ostagar and pinned the blame on the Grey Wardens.
*** Loghain is actually an interesting example. Everyone acknowledges his heroic past, but the only parts of the country that actually support him are Gwaren (which is his fief), Amaranthine, belonging to his PsychoSupporter Rendon Howe, and Denerim, where his government is based. Highever is pissed at him for supporting a Howe coup against the ruling Cousland family, Redcliffe is led by the slain king's uncle, and most of the Bannorn ''hates'' his guts. It's actually rather easy to oust him, because his actions have pretty much eroded all of the nobility's good will by the time you're strong enough to challenge him, and only one nobleman supports him without question (because he's afraid Loghain will pillage his lands in retaliation).
** In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'', a Mage Hawke is seen as this from the warped perspective of [[KnightTemplar Knight-Commander Meredith]], being a troublesome Apostate who's allowed to roam free, sowing anarchy and chaos in their wake, because the people of Kirkwall see Hawke as their Champion. In a similar vein, Meredith regards a Non-Mage Hawke as a troublemaker who openly consorts with apostates and is plotting to subvert her authority. Of course, this is because Meredith sees ''herself'' as the hero of the story. [[WrongGenreSavvy She's not]].
* The Order of Zugzwang, the main villains of ''VideoGame/DragonQuestV'', use propaganda and servants to give the rest of the world the impression that they're a benevolent religious order that seeks to protect the world, when they actually seek to bring their ruler into the world so he can rule. By the third generation, they have human followers from around the world, and it's hard to go anywhere without hearing something about them.
* ''VideoGame/DyztopiaPostHumanRPG'':
** Subverted with Prime Minister Morgalia and Sho Sharker. The former won all her elections due to her connections with Zeta, but always lost the popular vote because most voters oppose her pro-occupation stance. The latter has the biggest entertainment show, but his ratings and views are actually pumped up by bots rather than pumped up organically.
** Downplayed with Zazz, since while he's able to paint Akira as a terrorist [[spoiler:and pin the Vulcanite Mines bombing on them, he notes that a lot of the citizens still believe in Akira's cause while remaining suspicious of Zetacorp progaganda]].
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'':
** This is the case for the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Prince]] Azura. Despite playing an active role in the events of ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'' that would eventually lead to the destruction of the [[OurElvesAreDifferent Dunmer]] homeland, the Dunmer religion still highly reveres Azura. In fact, the destruction of the Dunmer homeland has made Azura ''more'' revered in the Dunmeri religion and was what ultimately ended worship of the [[PhysicalGod Tribunal]], her most hated enemies.
** Boethiah, the Daedric Prince of Plots whose sphere covers a litany of high crimes including murder, assassination, betrayal, and treason is near-universally considered one of the more outright malevolent Daedric Princes. However, similar to Azura, to the Dunmer, he is considered one of the "good" Daedra and the anticipation of [[PhysicalGod Almalexia]]. Specifically, they see Boethiah as a brutal but positive force, driving them to be tougher and stronger, and to be guarded against treachery and betrayal. In effect, Boethiah's harsh trials and ruthless betrayals push the Dunmer to [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre become greater than they think they are]].
** Mephala is a [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Prince]] whose sphere is "obscured to mortals", but who is associated with [[ManipulativeBastard manipulation, lies, sex, and secrets]]. Like Azura and Boethiah, Mephala is considered one of the "good" Daedra to the Dunmer and the anticipation of [[PhysicalGod Vivec]]. The Dunmer believe that Mephala taught them the skills they would need to [[CloakAndDagger evade their enemies or to kill them with secret murder]]. In their early days, as the Chimer, they were few in number and surrounded by enemies (primarily the [[HornyVikings Nords]] and [[OurDwarvesAreDifferent Dwemer]]) on all sides. She is also credited with organizing the "clan" systems that would eventually become the [[TheClan Dunmeri Great Houses]]. She has yet to demonstrate any benevolence in-game as mortals would understand it -- ''including'' her association with Vivec.
** Meridia is a [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Prince]] whose sphere is obscured to mortals, but is associated with LifeEnergy, {{Light|IsNotgood}}, and [[ProudBeauty Beauty]]. She manages to be both this and a HeroWithBadPublicity. Amongst her faithful and many other groups, Meridia is considered one of the most "benevolent" Daedric Princes. She, in fact, doesn't like it when her actions are painted in anything but a positive light even at her most [[GoodIsNotNice ruthless]], [[DisproportionateRetribution petty]], and [[ManipulativeBastard vindictive]].
* In ''VideoGame/EnsembleStars'', this was Eichi's favored tactic, presenting himself as a kindly savior and hero of justice to maximize his unit's popularity while secretly undermining and sabotaging any competing units.
* In ''VideoGame/EscapeFromMonkeyIsland'', Charles L. Charles [[spoiler:(BigBad Lechuck's alter ego)]] becomes one of these after winning the gubernatorial vote with his "Good Times, Free Grog" policy, which the local pirates cannot possibly resist.
* Due to Three Dog's news/radio show on Galaxy News Radio, the ghoul Roy Phillips is this in ''VideoGame/Fallout3''. Despite being a total bastard who is willing to murder an entire hotel full of people (who, all but one, were assholes) and ''will do'' if he's let in, along with not giving a shit about anyone that's not him, he still has Good Karma as he's a "poor victim" of cruel racists who won't let a ghoul live in their hotel according to Three Dog. Since he has Good karma, the game penalizes you if you kill him after he's let in, if you're not sneaking with a Stealth Boy on that is.
* Almost all games in the ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' series since VII use this as part of the main story:
** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', the Empire pretends to end the war to become this.
** In VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII, we have Shinra, who actively hides its atrocities and provides the planet with much-needed electricity. (Plus, LaResistance has a tendency to induce civilian casualties in its activities.)
** Edea in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' is welcomed with cheers when she gives her speech at Deling City. They seem to be even happier when [[spoiler:she kills off corrupt [[PresidentEvil President Deling]]]].
** [[spoiler:The leaders of the Yevon clergy]] from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'', especially [[spoiler:OmnicidalManiac Seymour]].
** Cocoon of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' keeps the majority of its human citizens safe, so who cares if a few "undesirables" get exiled to Pulse?
** The Empire of Niflheim seems to be one in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'' in that it's well supported by the people of the countries they conquered. From the look of things, they've managed to convince Prince Ravus that Insomnia is the one that killed the royalty of Tenebrae and managed to convince those under Lucis rule that they're there to liberate them and bring equality to the people.
** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'', the true manipulators hide behind the shadows, using political and religious leaders as well as local legends to their advantage. Particularly, the [[CorruptChurch Church of Glabados]] pushes both sides to start the War of the Lions, expecting them to destroy each other, so the Church could come in and save the populous, and gain true control of the country. The true hero gets written out of history as a heretic (though accounts of what really happened survives).
* Ashnard of ''VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance'' is fondly remembered by his peasants even though he killed a thousand of them in addition to every other royal and noble. The invaders are bad but they only rule because Ashnard gave it to them. He's also indirectly responsible for the food shortage but his goal was to destroy the world. [[JustifiedTrope The peasants don't know the truth]] but his concubine does and still remembers him fondly.
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn'', where Zelgius/[[spoiler:The Black Knight]] was viewed as an inspiring hero by Begnion and [[spoiler:Daein]], respectively, even while [[spoiler:he secretly worked to put his master's plan to induce the apocalypse into effect]].
** [[spoiler:Sephiran/Lehran]], as his real persona was revered as a Saint and [[spoiler:beloved Prime Minister of Begnion]], and his real identity was all the more beloved as [[spoiler:one of the heroes that had defeated the ancient Goddess of Chaos Yune (who herself is actually a HeroWithBadPublicity)]]. His PR is so good that we don't realize there's something not quite right until ''well into the 2nd game''. Or the end of the first game, depending on what tone you attribute to his last piece of dialogue.
** [[spoiler:The Goddess Ashera herself, reverently worshiped as a benevolent deity by all people on Tellius, proves to be quite willing to kill them all.]] Most of the villains of ''Radiant Dawn'' are an example of LightIsNotGood, which explains why so many are so respected.
* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto2'': The Zaibatsu Corporation is a prominent and powerful crime syndicate with a private army of armed thugs and a fleet of [[CoolCar Z-Types]] that patrol the streets in droves and partake in many criminal activities, including using a radio station at one point to broadcast a signal that puts people listening to it in [[BrainwashedAndCrazy a murderous frenzy]]. Despite this, they seem to only be known by the general public as an energy company that also sells (among other things) pharmaceuticals.
-->''"Oh, it looks so easy in the movies, but keeping it up ''can'' be a real problem!"''
* ''VideoGame/GuildWars'':
** In ''Prophecies'', after the royal family of Kryta fled during the Charr invasion, it was the [[PathOfInspiration White Mantle]] who mustered an army to save the nation. They built a theocracy to replace the monarchy and were generally well-liked by the people. In reality, the "gods" of the Mantle were an ancient race of amoral archsorcerers manipulating the entire nation for their own benefit, with their human servants willingly sacrificing dozens of innocents.
** Warmarshal Varesh of ''Nightfall'' is beloved by her people. Many of her soldiers fight based on retirement packages of rich farmland that will be claimed when they conquer their neighboring countries. None of them realize her end goal is to free an insane god who will either murder or convert them all into his slaves.
* ''VideoGame/GuildWars2'' has Minister Caduceus the Wise, a member of the Krytan Ministry beloved by the common folk. This is a reputation he spent a great deal of effort building, supported by secret dealings with bandits and centaurs to make Queen Jenah look incompetent by comparison.
* ''VideoGame/HiFiRush'': Kale Vandelay, the CEO of Vandelay Technologies, is the game's main antagonist. Having turned his mother's beloved philanthropic robotics company into a sketchy for-profit corporation, he has a well-funded and effective PropagandaMachine that downplays her achievements while painting him as a brilliant leader and a true successor to her vision.
* ''VideoGame/Infamous2'': [[BoomerangBigot Bertrand]] is this for quite some time... until Cole and Kuo photograph him using his conduit powers and creating the swamp monsters that have been plaguing New Marais.
* ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'':
** [[HarmlessVillain Veigar, the Tiny Master of Evil]], is {{Parodied|Trope}} version of this -- Veigar wants to be [[CardCarryingVillain feared by all as the greatest evil overlord Runeterra has ever known]], but he's so bad at being "evil" that [[AccidentalHero he loops around to being a net benefit to the populous he intends to subjugate]], namely by throwing destructive magic against ''actual'' local threats. The small-town yokels he claims lordship over end up liking him, but they play along with pretending to hate and fear him so that he continues what he's doing.
** Renata Glasc, the Chem-Baroness, is [[CorruptCorporateExecutive an incredibly ruthless and predatory businesswoman]] making huge power plays within Zaun and Piltover, ranging from merely predatory to [[CorporateWarfare outright militaristic]] extents, but among the public, she's a darling of the chemtech industry and her name associated with quality. Part of this is maintained with [[PragmaticVillainy carefully-chosen acts of charity]], with her engaging in philanthropic acts like offering free medicine and providing helpful infrastructure in exchange for [[UndyingLoyalty their undying servitude]] of anyone who uses them.
* From ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel'' is Gilliath Osborne, the EvilChancellor of the empire of Erebonia and BigBad of the games. This is due to being part of an EvilVersusEvil conflict against the country's nobility, who have a long history of classism and oppression. While Osborne's expansionist policies have created his fair share of enemies, said policies have also improved the living conditions for the country's commoners, which result in him looking better in comparison to most of the nobility. [[spoiler:However, by the end of the series he winds up becoming a downplayed [[HeroWithBadPublicity inversion]]- despite his legitimately good intentions and the fact that his actions ultimately benefitted Erebonia, saved it from Ishmelga, and done a lot to hamper the AncientConspiracy Ouroboros, thus saving untold numbers of lives, the atrocities he committed in the process combined with how few people know his true motives instead makes him go down in history as a power-hungry tyrant.]]
* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'', Link gets framed for kidnapping Zelda despite the fact that it was really Agahnim who at first simply locks her in the castle's dungeon, but later banishes her to the Dark World. Agahnim also has fame for ridding Hyrule of drought and pestilence.
** For the first half of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'', Ganondorf is one of the king's top aides and is well trusted by all but Zelda and Link, who know the evil man that Ganondorf is, but won't be taken seriously, part of the reason being that they're just kids and Zelda knows because of a dream. We all know how that turns out. [[spoiler:Considering that Zelda's plan of action ends up giving Ganondorf the Triforce of Power, a holy relic that makes him effectively immortal and insanely powerful, the old Ganondorf is very, very preferable.]]
* ''VideoGame/LikeADragon''
** In ''Videogame/YakuzaLikeADragon'', Ryo Aoki is the Governor of Tokyo and in-universe a very popular politician due to being a [[YoungerAndHipper relative young face]] among the elder statesmen of Japan running on a campaign of cleaning up the streets (which in his case means [[VillainousGentrification getting rid of the undesirables of society to make way for his criminal allies]]). His lackey Ogasawara refers to this as "Front-facing power" while his secret connections to the criminal underworld is known as "back-facing power".
** In ''VideoGame/LikeADragonInfiniteWealth'', [[spoiler:Palekana is a religious organization that is well-liked in Honolulu for their outreach programs, including taking care of orphans and feeding the homeless. Their leader, the reclusive Bryce Fairchild, is regarded as something of a hometown hero for his kindness and generosity. Beneath the surface, however, Palekana is a [[ReligionOfEvil cult]] that has its buried its roots in practically all levels of Hawaiian society, from the criminal organizations that otherwise only ''appear'' to be at odds with one another, to the highest seats in the state's government. This control is enforced with spies, all of whom were handpicked and indoctrinated by Bryce as children to instill such unwavering loyalty that nothing is off-limits if it's to protect him -- not even ''suicide''.]]
* Hiro Mikoshiba in ''VideoGame/LostJudgment''. He managed to get away with bullying Toshiro Ehara into committing suicide because of his reputation as a model student at Seiryo High School, and the school didn't want to risk its reputation by labeling their most promising student as a bully.
* In ''VideoGame/LunarTheSilverStar'', [[spoiler:Ghaleon]]'s RedRightHand is obvious from the moment he is introduced, but it doesn't matter. He helped save the world once before and is counted among the world's leaders. By the time he reveals his true agenda, he has already turned the [[NiceJobBreakingItHero heroes]] into his patsies [[BatmanGambit through their altruism]] several times over.
* ''Franchise/MassEffect'':
** Saren Arterius, at least briefly, under the cover of being a SPECTRE.
** In the ''Lair of the Shadowbroker'' expansion, an option comes up to try and discredit the Blue Suns mercenaries. The results report failure due to the Blue Suns launching a killer counter-PR campaign.
** Nassana Dantius. She's first met under the guise of being a friendly asari politician who wants Shepard to handle a brutal force of space pirates in order to bring justice to those who were wronged by them, but it turns out that this was because [[spoiler:the space pirate leader is her sister]], who could've caused her to lose her high position if this information was revealed to the public. In the second game, she's also revealed to be a BadBoss to her own employees and doesn't blink twice when they get killed.
* In ''VideoGame/MasterDetectiveArchivesRainCode'', [[spoiler:Makoto Kagutsuchi, the CEO of Amaterasu Corporation, Number One's homunculus clone, and the true BigBad, is so beloved by the general public of Kanai Ward that even after [[TheAtoner atoning for his crimes by telling the residents the truth of their true identities as homunculi and the countless crimes he committed for them]], they opt for him to remain in his position as CEO even when he personally decides he should turn himself into the police.]]
* ''Franchise/MegaMan'':
** Dr. Wily in ''VideoGame/MegaMan9''. Failed several times and people still believe he can change.
** In ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce 3'', Mr. King is a well-renowned philanthropist whose King Foundation funds all manner of public works such as orphanages to benefit children. He's also the leader of the criminal syndicate Dealer and uses said orphanages to create [[SuicideMission disposable]] {{Tykebomb}}s.
** Copy X of ''VideoGame/MegaManZero''. Instituted policies of genocide towards the reploids of Neo Arcadia to try and ease the burden of an energy crisis and is ''dangerously'' delusional about his own self-righteousness, but the humans see him as a hero because his methods have ensured their comfort. After his (second) death in ''3'', some of the humans in ''4'' even go so far as to claim that "X" was the only Reploid who ever truly looked after humans, not even realizing that by his [[CameBackWrong second revival]] in ''3'' he was fully willing to kill humans too.
** Subverted with Dr. Weil of ''VideoGame/MegaManZero3'' and ''[[VideoGame/MegaManZero4 4]]''. He made a [[GambitRoulette very intricate plan]] to make [[HeroWithBadPublicity Zero and the Resistance look very bad]], which, in turn, made ''him'' the hero. However, no sooner had this been established, did he turn on the people of [[TheEmpire Neo Arcadia]], and they were able to finally see what sort of monster he really was.
** Serpent and Master Albert from ''VideoGame/MegaManZX'' and ''Advent'', respectively. Serpent passes himself off as the head of Slither Inc., a national hero for both providing energy across the country and using his private military to fight off Maverick attacks. Turns out he's actually ''behind'' those very same attacks in the first place, using death and destruction to kidnap people and sacrifice their souls to [[ArtifactOfDoom Model W]]. His true intentions don't become obvious to the public until he has his fleet of warships attack Innerpeace near the end of the game for one giant harvest, firebombing part of the city. Albert is a member of the Sage Trinity, the highest authority of the world government, and seemingly wants to help protect the world, except he's actually the man behind the creation of Model W, using his influence and connections to put his plan to become a [[GodhoodSeeker god]] into motion and being the one [[TheManBehindTheMan who influenced Serpent in the first place]].
* ''VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance'': [[spoiler:Senator Armstrong]], to the extent that he's a 2020 presidential candidate. Of course, this is at least partially because he doesn't write his own speeches, by his own admission.
%%* King Tejara from ''VideoGame/{{Myst}}'' in D'ni history.
* Baron Widebeard from ''VideoGame/NellyCootalot'' manages to keep Saul Island and the Barony of Meeth under control, thanks to his major publicity stunts, enough entertainment and hospitality for a small island, and [[spoiler:stealing gold from the Leprechauns and forcing the [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter spoonbeaks]] into slavery]].
* [[UnfortunateNames Vice-President Aslik]] from ''[[VideoGame/{{Oddworld}} Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus]]'' tries to evoke this trope with his Mudokon "[[SlaveRace workers]]" but fails ''miserably''.
--> '''Aslik:''' Those stinkin' slaves-- *notices camera is on* I mean, my fellow employees: Uncle Aslik's been taking good care of you, right? I love all of you like you was my own, right? BUT IF WE DON'T CATCH THIS ABE GUY, IT'S THE BREW VATS FOR ALL OF YOU!
* ''VideoGame/{{Omori}}'': [[IronicName Sweetheart]] is an arrogant duchess who locks people in her dungeon for petty reasons and is a general tyrant, but is nevertheless the biggest celebrity in Headspace, with [[NiceCharacterMeanActor starring roles in movies and TV shows]], lots of merchandise, and legions of admirers. In due fairness, most of her fans are Sprout Moles, who are... [[TheDitz not known for their impressive feats of intellect]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Overlord}}'':
** Possibly your character, in the first game; as the game's base assumption is that your character is evil, rather than choosing between being good or evil, your moral choice is whether to be an AxCrazy maniac who slaughters all in your path...or a Villain With Good Publicity who uses the respect and gratitude of the people to further your own evil ends.
** In ''VideoGame/OverlordDarkLegend'', the above Overlord's predecessor, Lord Gromgard, has amazing publicity. His incompetent relatives have driven the kingdom to ruin, and the people are just so glad to finally have someone who knows what they're doing and can finally restore prosperity that they treat the whole "evil overlord" thing as little more than an amusing quirk.
** You can also be a Villain With Good Publicity in ''VideoGame/OverlordII'', but this time, it comes by mind-controlling the populace into loving you, rather than genuinely earning their respect -- you cruelly use them as tools, pawns, cannon fodder, and meat shields, but they have no choice but to be worshipful servants.
*** A better example is Emperor Solaris -- while the Overlord's "good" or "lawful evil" option is brainwashing his subjects, most of them were unwilling serfs under the "Glorious Empire" before you conquer them instead, the rest are the spoiled elite nobles, that love their emperor, along with almost everyone that isn't a slave, or similarly oppressed. The Real kicker is that the Emperor rose to power on the back of anti-magic sentiment after a cataclysm and plague caused by magic, earning the love of many, and the eternal devotion of the upper class and nobles he uses to maintain his power. Beyond being the main but distant antagonist of the entire game, he also is secretly [[spoiler:Flroian Greenheart]] a trusted follower of [[spoiler:Queen Fay]] and seemingly the closest thing the story has to a real hero when he isn't being the comic relief. More than that it turns out he was the cause of the cataclysm and plague in the first place because [[spoiler:he was an elf with no magic and sought out the Overlord's tower heart after the last one disappeared, accidentally causing it to go critical and explode like a nuclear reactor]]. He then used the crisis to gain political power and champion an anti-magic agenda while secretly [[spoiler:gathering all the "purged" re-stolen, magic for himself with his end game being ascending to godhood, with his failed attempt creating the final boss of the game]]. This becomes obvious in the last levels when he outright exposes his citizens to magic via their "healing fountains" in order to turn them into hostile zombie-like things just to buy a bit more time against the Overlord.
* ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'':
** Tatsuzou Sudou from ''VideoGame/Persona2: Eternal Punishment'' is QUITE effective at hiding evidence of anything that might darken his good name, as evidenced by the hordes of {{Dirty Cop}}s and TheTriadsAndTheTongs he has on speed dial.
** Most of the targets of ''VideoGame/Persona5'' are primarily people in power who use their status/influence to take advantage of others. This ranges from a teacher who's a former Olympic athlete who abuses his students to an esteemed artist who secretly plagiarizes his apprentices, all the way up to [[spoiler:a well-connected politician with sights on becoming Prime Minister]]. [[spoiler:TheMole, Goro Akechi,]] is this as well, being [[spoiler:an extremely popular KidDetective who's actually responsible for the very crimes he's lauded for solving]].
*** [[spoiler:Masayoshi Shido]] is this to an absolutely insane degree; almost no one other than the Phantom Thieves and their close associates ever express any negative opinion about him. It gets to the point where even after the Phantom Thieves call [[spoiler:Shido]] out in public, and ''he himself'' confesses to his crimes that the Phantom Thieves accurately announced beforehand, after [[HeelFaceBrainwashing his heart is stolen]], the public staunchly refuses to acknowledge that [[spoiler:Shido]] is evil at all. It's only after [[spoiler:the Phantom Thieves steal the general public's heart that they finally see Shido for the CorruptPolitician and [[DespotismJustifiesTheMeans power-hungry]] {{Jerkass}} he really is]].
* ''VideoGame/PizzaTycoon'': The player can be one, if they hold a high reputation in both social and underworld standings. In fact, the game rewards the player for employing this trope, as public officials are more likely to do favors, and the underworld will be there to protect one from troubles.
* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
** Lady Venus, The Under's biggest celebrity, and [[spoiler:Mayor Es Cade of Phenac City]] from ''VideoGame/PokemonColosseum''. The former is a Cipher Admin, the latter is [[spoiler:the BigBad, [[TheDogWasTheMastermind the true boss of the Cipher crime syndicate]]]].
** [[spoiler:[[TheDogWasTheMastermind Mr. Verich]]]] in ''VideoGame/PokemonXDGaleOfDarkness'' appears to be [[spoiler:a kindly old rich guy who's loved in Gateon Part]], but is actually Greevil, the worldwide boss of Cipher.
** [[spoiler:Dusknoir]] from ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeonExplorers'' has elements of this at first. Everyone thinks he's a famous, knowledgable explorer, but he's actually [[spoiler:Primal Dialga's servant who was sent back to the past to stop the player character and Grovyle from [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong fixing the future]].]]
** Blake Hall from ''VideoGame/PokemonRanger: Shadows of Almia'' is the president of Altru Inc., the largest corporation in Almia. He is highly popular among the citizens of Almia because he claims to have invented an efficient alternative to fossil fuels, but [[spoiler:he drove his father from his own company because he didn't want to use the Dark Crystal]], and [[spoiler:his 'efficient energy source' involves using the Dark Crystal to make every Pokémon in the region his mindless slave]].
** Elite Four Malva in ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'' was a famous reporter in addition to being [[TokenEvilTeammate one of the heads]] of the Pokémon League, and abused her position to act as TheQuisling for the ApocalypseCult [[EcoTerrorist Team Flare]]. Despite this [[KarmaHoudini she doesn't face any repercussions for supporting them]] and even ''continues to do so'', expressing resentment towards the PlayerCharacter for stopping their EvilPlan (which was ''[[ANaziByAnyOtherName genocide]]'').
** The ''Teal Mask'' DLC from ''VideoGame/PokemonScarletAndViolet'' presents an especially sad example. [[spoiler:Munkidori, Okidogi, and Fezendipity are viewed as the "Loyal Three" by Mossui Town, because they supposedly died trying to save the village from a vicious ogre. In reality, Ogerpon attacked them because they stole three masks from her and [[OnlyFriend her master]] that were made by the only villager who didn't shun them upon their arrival.]]
* In ''VideoGame/ProfessorLaytonAndTheUnwoundFuture'', [[spoiler:Prime Minister Bill Hawks]] is the victim of the evil deeds of evil scientists for the whole game, up until TheReveal, at which point it is shown that he is [[GreaterScopeVillain the unknown instigator of the whole plot]] due to his greed and want for power. He [[spoiler:ran a dangerous scientific experiment to please investors, with fatal results; then swept the deaths under the rug and used the money he received to fund a political campaign. Both major antagonists want revenge for the loved ones they lost in the incident]]. He is [[HateSink the only unrepentant character in the original trilogy, and perhaps in the whole series]], and yet [[KarmaHoudini he has never been shown paying the consequences]].
* ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'':
** Chairman Drek from ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002 Ratchet & Clank]]'' is this, as well as a CorruptCorporateExecutive, to the extent that he tears up and destroys entire planets and ''no one'' but a simple mechanic and a robot even thinks about trying to stop him. He's also the man who gives good PR to the otherwise useless superhero Captain Qwark. Qwark then does a FaceHeelTurn through the course of the game and, in [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando the second game]], tries to manufacture heroic publicity for himself by causing the Protopet disaster. [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal The third game]] is then spent [[HeelFaceTurn with much time under his command]], believing he's going to turn on you before he fakes a HeroicSacrifice, only to finally do some actual heroics at the end.
** ''VideoGame/RatchetDeadlocked'' gives us an interesting subversion in Ace Hardlight, the champion of the [=DreadZone=] deathmatches. The BigBad Gleeman Vox is a media mogul who is trying to promote Ace as TheAce (Wink wink) everyone should adore and therefore buy merchandise of, but apparently no one really wants any. Vox complains at the beginning of the game that he can't even ''give'' Ace products away.
* ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'':
** Umbrella had good publicity until it was involved in Raccoon's destruction. Not only does the US government tear up all contracts with the company, their public stocks take a nosedive. In the movies, rather than the U.S. government nuking Raccoon City, it was Umbrella itself who did so, and they got off completely scot-free while making the survivors [[HeroWithBadPublicity Heroes With Bad Publicity]]. By the time the public realizes any of the truth, the ZombieApocalypse has begun, and they're ''still'' the only major human authority left.
** ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil6'' has this with Derek C. Simmons, the National Security Advisor who is also the head of a secret cabal known only as "the Family," who [[AncientConspiracy have had a hand in forming the modern world]] since at least the Colonial era. As the National Security Advisor, he was considered above suspicion of causing the Tall Oaks incident. It helped that he had set Helena up to take the fall prior to the outbreak and controlled all of the evidence implicating him... though he didn't count on the real Ada leaving Leon and Helena evidence that proves his guilt after his demise.
** ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilRevelations2'' has this example with [[spoiler:Alex Wesker, the last of the [[TykeBomb Project Wesker test subjects]]. Before the events of the game, Wesker is on a small island, where she brings jobs and a better standard of living to the poor inhabitants. They celebrate her as a godsend. But it's all a cover for the horrible human experiments that she does on the people behind the scenes. The people mostly had no idea until it was too late. Many documents found throughout the game highlight this point, repeatedly]].
* In ''VideoGame/{{Robopon}}'', Miss Amron, the [=Legend6=] and a TV idol, uses TV to hypnotize her viewers into loving her. When the broadcast ceases, however, she becomes unpopular.
* In ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2'', despite all the atrocities the Boss commits, random people on the street will occasionally stop to cheer them on, especially for killing the various lieutenants of the other gangs. In ''VideoGame/SaintsRowTheThird'', the Third Street Saints operate a massive media empire that has since made the members celebrities in the eyes of Stillwater. This includes taking the time to give autographs in the middle of a bank robbery to having cops you're in the middle of fighting ask you to autograph your weapons before putting them down. By [[VideoGame/SaintsRow4 the fourth game]], The Boss has even become [[PresidentEvil President of the United States]]. Of course, this doesn't mean that the Boss is a good president; they had a 20% approval rating, but it dropped to [[ZeroPercentApprovalRating zero]] the next day.
** The Ultor Corporation in the second game could also be seen as an example. On the surface, they're a respectable megacorporation, having (among other things) renovated the once-bad part of town that gives the series its name into an ultra-modern district, to the city's approval. Dig a little deeper, however, and they turn out to be just as corrupt and immoral as the gangs. In addition to working with the Brotherhood and Ronin, when the gang violence escalates [[spoiler:they plan on encouraging the carnage so they can buy the bad parts of town, renovate it and sell it for large profit]], and [[spoiler:[[CorruptCorporateExecutive Chairman/CEO Dane Vogel]] knowingly sends the board of directors to their deaths at the hands of the protagonist after they turn on him]].
** [[BigBad Killbane]] in the third game also qualifies. He's a famous millionaire professional wrestler who secretly leads a massive criminal organization, and uses his public image to slander the Saints and frame them for his crimes.
* Tony Montana in ''VideoGame/ScarfaceTheWorldIsYours'', despite his drug-dealing, becomes respected enough that he can talk citizens into surrendering their cars and cool off "heat" from gangs and the police with a snappy one-liner.
* Played with in the case of the [[MegaCorp Orochi Group]] in ''VideoGame/TheSecretWorld.'' Outside the eponymous Secret World, the Group is considered a perfectly respectable corporate entity, providing its employees with [[BetterLivingThroughEvil generous salaries and benefits]], hosting award ceremonies, donating billions to charities, and sponsoring youth programs worldwide; its daughter corporations share in this respect, and are known for producing genuinely beneficial products such as revolutionary drugs and vaccines, life-saving prosthetic organs, alternate energy sources, agricultural methods that increase crop yield a thousandfold, and vat-grown foods that eliminate the need for slaughtered animals. Any criticism heard about the group is largely the province of conspiracy theorists and crackpots -- in part because Group subsidiary QBL Media keeps the information carefully hidden. However, ''inside'' the Secret World, Orochi is looked upon with a great deal of suspicion by the societies, many of whom take a dim view of the group's attempts to harness magical power -- and with very good reason.
* In ''VideoGame/SlyCooperThievesInTime'', Cyrille La Paradox is described by Carmelita as this. He's believed by the world to be an esteemed art dealer who turned his life around after a prison sentence. He's actually using time travel to alter history to retroactively establish his industries as an NGOSuperpower.
* Bruno Dondurma in ''VideoGame/SolatoroboRedTheHunter'' is the leader of the Kurvaz military group, and managed to keep his position by blackmailing and threatening others into doing business with him rather than display any actual skill in combat. He also knows how to work around the confines of the law while maintaining a relatively clean public image, granting him immunity on both fronts. [[spoiler:Even after his death and the much more benevolent Opéra takes over as the Kurvaz leader, some soldiers still hold him to high regard, completely ignoring how he almost caused TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt through his own [[AmbitionIsEvil power-hungry ambitions]].]]
* ''VideoGame/StarCraftIIWingsOfLiberty'' has Emperor Arcturus Mengsk. By the game's start, he's got most of the Dominion eating out of his hand, even though he was willing to let the Zerg eat everyone alive just a few years ago just to get into power. Then, [[Awesome/StarCraftII Media Blitz]] happens, and his approval rating plummets to 14% at the highest.
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'':
** The Light Side path for Sith characters often invoke this as the image the Empire ''should'' be trying to cultivate, having the secondary effect of making the Republic appear worse in comparison. Likewise, Light Sided options often use PragmaticVillainy and BenevolentAlienInvasion tactics to bring planets (mostly) peacefully under Imperial control.
** This trope applies to Republic characters if they are from the dark side path. They commit cruel acts to win, but at the end of the day, they are still recognized as heroes who helped make the Republic a better place.
** In the ''Knights of the Fallen Empire'' expansion, Emperor Valkorion of the Eternal Empire is definitely one of these. The Zakuul citizens have higher living standards than most Republic core worlds, to say nothing of the Sith Empire with its lousy infrastructure. And Valkorion, as far as any Zakuul citizen could tell, was the very model of a [[BenevolentMageRuler benevolent despot guided by The Force]]. Unfortunately for the ''rest'' of the galaxy, the Eternal Empire's prosperity and stability was only maintained because Valkorion was also Darth Vitiate, the ''Sith Empire's'' ruler, and was using the Sith Empire's constant warfare to gain greater power from all the deaths, draining entire planets to stay alive, ''and'' embezzling the spoils of war to fund Zakuul's coffers. The player's two Zakuul companions (Senya and Koth) find it a little hard to believe their cherished ruler was really such a monster.
* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsX'': The Keepers of Order are respected all across Al-Warth for the peace and security they help bring, since their dark side is wholly internal, and it's not until late in the game that they start taking actions that go against the reputation they've built for themselves. Their publicity's so good that the protagonist sometimes pretends to still be with the organization when the Keepers aren't around to challenge the assertion.
* The BigBad of ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'' starts off as one of these, to the point that when his sister (who overheard him talking about his plans with a subordinate) fails her attempt to kill him, she refuses to explain exactly why she was trying, apparently (and somewhat justifiably) believing that if she just came out and accused him of [[OmnicidalManiac trying to destroy the world]], [[CassandraTruth she'd get laughed off]] and he'd get away with it.
%%* [[spoiler:The Cruxis and the Tethe'allan side of the Church of Martel]] in ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia''.
* In the scenario of ''Franchise/{{Tekken}} 6'', former TragicHero Jin becomes corrupted, takes over the Mishima Zaibatsu, and uses it for various atrocities. The people turned to the G Corporation, led by his father Kazuya, one of the series' villains (and [[BaitTheDog ex-hero]]), as the savior of the world from the Zaibatsu, and Kazuya happily uses it to his advantage to try to get rid of Jin. Never mind that Kazuya is also evil and has done lots of atrocities with the Zaibatsu starting with the second game of series. Before the series started, Kazuya's father Heihachi was known to run the Zaibatsu as this, as well. His villainy was originally smaller scale and mostly defined by his actions towards Kazuya.
* The ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}'' series has a few like this. Queen Azshara of the night elves was responsible for the first demon invasion in ''Literature/TheWarOfTheAncients'', but her people loved her so much that until the very end they all believed that she was only a victim of her DecadentCourt. Archbishop Benedictus is the secret leader of the [[EldritchAbomination Old Gods]] worshipping Twilight's Hammer cult and tries to stop the players from saving the world at the end of ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft Cataclysm'', but nobody believes the players who slew him. Finally, Kargath Bladefist is one of the most revered orcs of the Horde, with many locations named after him. When players have to kill him, the players are told to remember the hero he was in the past and not what he became because of demon corruption. Except he never was a hero; as revealed in ''Literature/RiseOfTheHorde'', he was a member of the Shadow Council who sold his people to the demons for personal power. A rare case where ''nobody, not even most players'' discovered his true nature. [[note]]Though the real world reason for this is a ContinuitySnarl. In the original lore of ''Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal'' Kargath was stranded on Azeroth with Grom by Ner'zhul with the Warcraft III manual implying he joined the modern Horde. All the lore about Kargath being evil to begin with came quite a while after ''World of Warcraft'' had already been following older lore in which he either joined the modern Horde or was a FallenHero.[[/note]]
* ''VideoGame/WatchDogs'':
** There is an Internet media company called Blume. They are responsible for the ctOS technology that is supposed to keep the whole city of Chicago wired, making communication easy for the citizens. However, you find out that Blume is monitoring everyone unknowingly, and is using some of the information as blackmail against others and to secretly impose a PoliceState on the citizens of Chicago, as well as perform assassinations against anyone they can't control. [[spoiler:After the events of the game, Blume is able to maintain their [[KarmaHoudini good publicity status]] by covering up their actions, which is reported during the ending credits. And after the credits, a Blume commercial is shown, promoting version 2.0 that expands their operations beyond the city of Chicago and is now nationwide.]]
** Lucky Quinn holds charity events alongside Chicago's mayor under public eye, but [[spoiler:is actually a murderer and a mob boss]].
* The characters of ''VideoGame/{{Xenosaga}}'' don't actually know Wilhelm is the BigBad until quite late in the third episode. Even to the player, his nature is ambiguous.
* ''VideoGame/YandereSimulator''
** The bullies are popular, pretty social butterflies that most students think highly of, with only victims of theirs [[spoiler:such as the Delinquents]] aware of their true nature as AlphaBitch bullies. However, WordOfGod says the good publicity won't last: by the time the two oldest graduate, students will start cottoning on to their true nature, and by the time the youngest reaches her senior year, she will be the outcast she once bullied since everyone knows what she's ''really'' like by then.
** It's quite possible for Ayano to become this herself, if she increases her reputation enough and hides her tracks well, many can regard her as a wonderful person and not realize that under that is a murderous {{Yandere}} willing to do ''anything'' to get her Senpai.
** [[spoiler:This is [[VillainousLineage in the blood]]. Ayano's mother Ryoba convinced an entire nation she was innocent of killing a fellow student and simultaneously turned the Journalist into a HeroWithBadPublicity for trying to expose her.]]
[[/folder]]

** [[Characters/MiraculousLadybugLilaRossi Lila Rossi]] is a ConsummateLiar and sociopath who's willingly worked with Hawk Moth on more than one occasion. However, thanks to her intricate lies (mostly facilitated by the IdiotBall), she's one of the most popular girls at her school, and she's easily able to paint ''Marinette'' as the petty, jealous one.

[[caption-width-right:250:Lucky for the mayor that nobody seems to listen to ''him'' either.]]