Line #92 Main/CorruptedCharacterCopy


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3	%% Examples on this page have been sorted alphabetically by work titles. Please add new examples accordingly. Thanks!
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9	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/119235581_3556106957753007_1284129676527012498_n.jpg]]
10	[[caption-width-right:350:On the left, the superhero ComicBook/{{Superman}}.[softreturn] On the right, the super "hero" [[ComicBook/TheBoys Homelander]].]]
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13	->''[The appearance, naming, and partnership with the hero is]... just about where it ends between [[VideoGame/{{Pikmin}} Louie]] and [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Luigi's]] similarities, because personality-wise, yeah I'd say Louie is more closely resembles VideoGame/{{Wario}}, just a lot less boisterous.''
14	-->-- '''Weegman''', ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiMPe_Xq9xU Pikmin's BIGGEST Degenerate - The Story of Louie]]''
15
16	The {{Expy}} is a character modeled after another, given their own flair/original traits and altered to fit the story. Sometimes this is done out of appreciation for the character. But sometimes, the {{expy}} is meant to be a [[DarkerAndEdgier twisted, corrupted and nastier]] version of the original character. A SupermanSubstitute who's an insensitive {{Jerkass}}, for example.
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18	The Corrupted Character Copy exists as a twisted reflection of the original, usually to serve as a {{Deconstruction}} or TakeThat against the original (although it can also be a product of the same respect and enthusiasm for the original as an {{Expy}}, if the writer simply thinks that a character would make for a fun and compelling villain). To wit, there are a few metrics to apply for a character to count:
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20	* They have to '''obviously''' be an '''intentional''' [[{{Expy}} send up]] of a specific character from another [[CaptainErsatz franchise]] or [[AlternateCompanyEquivalent company]], not just have vague similarities, shared powers, or a few common personality traits. If you look at a given character and immediately think "they're obviously poking fun at [this other given character]," they are a likely candidate for this trope.
21	* OR they have to be recognizably riffing on a fairly specific character archetype, such as the TuxedoAndMartini spy. Broader archetypes open to greater interpretation likely don't count.
22	* They have to take the character or archetype in a direction opposed to how it usually goes. There should be some meaningful examination of that character or archetype, and what happens if you keep ''most'' of the traits that make them recognizable, but delete a key few, or [[ExaggeratedTrope dial one or two others up]].
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24	To aid you in determining if a given character fits this trope, consult the following format guideline:
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26	* ''[Work Featuring Character]'': [Character], Expy of [Template Character with pothole] ([Explanation for why they're an expy of the template]). -- [Explanation for why they are "corrupted"].
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28	This template need not be followed specifically, but if it '''cannot''' be followed, the character in question probably does not count.
29
30	Related to, but distinct from, EvilCounterpart, with the difference being that the EvilCounterpart trope deals with an in-universe darker version of another character. A SubTrope of AlternateCompanyEquivalent, CaptainErsatz and FountainOfExpies. Compare AdaptationalJerkass and AdaptationalVillainy, when the original character shows up as a meaner or more villainous incarnation of how they were originally written.
31	Compare with MoreInterestingAsAVillain where fans believe a heroic character works better as a villain. Contrast VirtuousCharacterCopy, where the {{Expy}} is far more likable and moral than the character their based on. This trope is most prevalent in {{Superhero}} fiction, with Franchise/{{Superman}} himself being the most common target, thus BewareTheSuperman is very closely related. Examples that don't capture the character they're supposed to be "corrupting" very well may overlap with ShallowParody. This may be one reason for KnockingTheKnockoff; the character will likely find this twisted version of themselves [[EvilMeScaresMe horrifying]] or [[OtherMeAnnoysMe infuriating]].
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34	Under certain circumstances, this trope may involve spoilers.
35
36	----
37	!!Example subpages:
38
39	[[index]]
40	* CorruptedCharacterCopy/AnimeAndManga
41	** ''CorruptedCharacterCopy/YuGiOhArcV''
42	* CorruptedCharacterCopy/ComicBooks
43	** CorruptedCharacterCopy/TheDCU
44	** CorruptedCharacterCopy/MarvelUniverse
45	** ''CorruptedCharacterCopy/TheBoys''
46	* CorruptedCharacterCopy/FanWorks
47	* [[CorruptedCharacterCopy/LiveActionFilm Films — Live-Action]]
48	* CorruptedCharacterCopy/LiveActionTV
49	** ''CorruptedCharacterCopy/TheBoys2019''
50	* CorruptedCharacterCopy/VideoGames
51	** ''CorruptedCharacterCopy/BlazBlue''
52	* CorruptedCharacterCopy/WesternAnimation
53	** ''CorruptedCharacterCopy/TheVentureBros''
54	[[/index]]
55
56	!!Other examples:
57	[[foldercontrol]]
58
59	[[folder:Advertising]]
60	* Hot Topic's retired mascot Sweetypuss bears a significant resemblance to Franchise/HelloKitty due to being a white kitten with a red bow on her head, but instead of being amiable and sweet, she's psychotic and rude, behaving more like fellow Jim Benton creation [[Advertising/ItsHappyBunny Happy Bunny]].
61	[[/folder]]
62
63	[[folder:Comedy]]
64	* Creator/AndrewDiceClay's [[GreaserDelinquents "Diceman" persona]] was a twisted version of the Fonz from ''Series/HappyDays''. Both are incredibly loud, boisterous and energetic, as well as looking like cool dudes. But unlike the Fonz, who turns out to have a very strong moral compass, Caricatured ValuesDissonance is at play with the Diceman, who was [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain rabidly racist, homophobic, sexist]], [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and foul-mouthed]].
65	[[/folder]]
66
67	[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
68	%%* [[spoiler:Dr. Zara]], the [[spoiler:true]] BigBad of ''{{WesternAnimation/Abominable}}'', [[{{Pun}} bears]] some resemblance to [[{{WesternAnimation/Brave}} Merida]].ZCE
69	* ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast'': Gaston has been viewed as a blatantly corrupted version of the stereotypical Disney Prince, such as the princes shown in ''WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}}''. Unlike these princes, Gaston, while handsome, is full of himself and thinks he's [[EntitledToHaveYou entitled to have Belle as his bride]]. He's also a corrupted version of Brom Bones from ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfIchabodAndMrToad'', as, while both Gaston and Brom Bones are the boisterous town heroes, there is a huge difference: whereas Brom Bones genuinely loved Katrina, Gaston just views Belle as a prize to be won, which alienates her and drives Gaston to try to [[MurderTheHypotenuse murder the Beast when she chooses the latter]].
70	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Coco}}'': [[spoiler:Ernesto de la Cruz]] is an evil version of Joaquin from ''WesternAnimation/TheBookOfLife''. [[spoiler:Like Joaquin, Ernesto is the [[ItsAllAboutMe self-absorbed]] town hero and befriends a sensitive Musician (Manolo and Héctor). The only difference is [[CharacterDevelopment Joaquin changed his selfish ways]] for his [[ThePowerOfFriendship friends' sake]] while Ernesto murdered his friend to steal his songs and guitar for fame instead of changing for the better.]]
71	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Frozen\|2013}}'': [[spoiler:Prince Hans is obviously based on PrinceCharming of ''WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}}'' as well other Creator/{{Disney}} princes like [[WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty Phillip]], [[WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989 Eric]] etc. However, instead of being a genuine NiceGuy who falls in love with the princess of the film Anna, he's instead a ManipulativeBastard who cruelly exploited Anna's loneliness and [[DesperatelyCravesAffection desire for affection]] and LoveAtFirstSight to get a shot at the throne and is happy to let Anna die and actively try and kill her sister Elsa. Thus, Hans manages to subvert the idealistic qualities of the dashing prince archetype, especially given how the [[Literature/AFrozenHeart tie-in novel]] explains that Hans has been conditioned by his abusive father to want [[MightMakesRight power and entitlement]] from childhood]].
72	* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'': Taking the story's ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}'' parallels into account, Scar is this for Claudius. Both are the charming, scheming younger brothers of martial kings who eventually murder their older brothers to take the throne, which puts them at odds with their respective nephews. However, while Claudius has a number of redeeming qualities, Scar is selfish and heartless. Claudius originally intended for Hamlet to succeed him and only tried to have him killed once it became clear that Hamlet wanted him gone. Scar, in contrast, manipulated Simba into believing Mufasa's death was his fault and sent hyenas after him before Mufasa's body was cold. Claudius does feel some degree of guilt at his brother's murder, while Scar never expresses any regret or remorse for killing Mufasa. While Claudius genuinely tried to be a good king, Scar [[AmbitiousButLazy had no interest in the business of ruling]] and let the Pridelands [[FisherKing turn into a wasteland]]. Scar even goes so far as to essentially condemn his subjects to death by starvation out of stubbornness and pride. Quite a few people have drawn parallels between Scar and another, more monstrous Shakespearean usurper: Theatre/RichardIII.
73	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Megamind}}'':
74	** Hal Stewart, Roxanne's cameraman, begins the story as an {{expy}} of [[Characters/SupermanJimmyOlsen Jimmy Olsen]], being a {{geek}}y redheaded everyman who works with the IntrepidReporter leading lady covering the exploits of the local FlyingBrick superhero. But whereas Jimmy usually gets portrayed as an endearing, helpful NiceGuy who legitimately wants to do the right thing, Hal comes off as creepy even before he becomes a supervillain and only tries to act as a superhero to impress Roxanne, to whose affection he [[EntitledToHaveYou feels entitled]].
75	** {{Downplayed\|Trope}} with Metro Man, [[SupermanSubstitute the Superman equivalent]] and HeroAntagonist to Megamind's VillainProtagonist. While a good guy, Metro Man is much more of a SmugSuper who acts like a jerk to Megamind, who's more of an AntiVillain out of expectancy than being truly evil like [[Characters/SupermanLexLuthor Luthor]] or [[Characters/SupermanBrainiacCharacter Brainiac]]. [[spoiler:And Metro Man fakes his death because [[HeroicFatigue he becomes tired of heroism]] since it's something he felt was thrust upon him, compared to Superman [[GoodFeelsGood enjoying being a hero for the sake of it]].]] [[CharacterDevelopment He does wise up to his more jerkish tendencies as time passes]].
76	* ''WesternAnimation/RubyGillmanTeenageKraken'': From the moment the first trailer was released, Chelsea was immediately recognized as a warped parody of Ariel from ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989'', especially given how the film is set to be released just months after [[Film/TheLittleMermaid2023 Disney's live-action remake of that film]]. Like Ariel, Chelsea is a beautiful, redheaded mermaid, and as such her classmates see her as an AllLovingHero. ''Unlike'' Ariel, who really is as kind and pure-hearted as she appears, Chelsea is a vain, selfish, and cruel BitchInSheepsClothing who plots claim the position of ruler of the ocean from Ruby's grandmother and kill her and her family, with mermaids in general presented as [[VillainWithGoodPublicity Villains with Good Publicity]].
77	* The ''Franchise/{{Shrek}}'' franchise lives and breathes off of this. With the exceptions of [[WesternAnimation/Shrek1 Lord Farquad]] and [[WesternAnimation/PussInBootsTheLastWish The Wolf]], [[spoiler:aka, [[TheGrimReaper Death]]]] [[labelnote:*]] Though he has some similarities to TheBigBadWolf [[/labelnote]], just about every villain in the series is a corrupted version of a classic fairy tale character. [[WesternAnimation/Shrek2 The]] FairyGodmother is portrayed as a sleazy manipulator who only seeks the throne, PrinceCharming [[WesternAnimation/ShrekTheThird is]] portrayed as a RoyalBrat and a DirtyCoward, [[WesternAnimation/ShrekForeverAfter Rumplestiltskin]] is portrayed as an evil wizard who tricks people into giving him what he wants, [[WesternAnimation/PussInBoots Jack and Jill]] are portrayed as menacing thugs, and [[WesternAnimation/PussInBootsTheLastWish Big Jack Horner]] is just a [[TheSociopath sociopath]] who isn’t afraid to kill his own men. [[WesternAnimation/PussInBoots Humpty Dumpty]] and [[WesternAnimation/PussInBootsTheLastWish Goldilocks]], while still technically villains, are portrayed in a more sympathetic light.
78	* The Sprites from ''WesternAnimation/SpriteFright'' are one to Franchise/TheSmurfs. They are tiny, friendly and colourful creatures who enjoy nature and are led by an elder. [[spoiler:But unlike the Smurfs, they aren't above trying to '''kill''' people who destroy nature and even try to kill an '''innocent nature-loving girl''' just for trying to free her obnoxious classmates who mistreated the environment.]]
79	%%* ''WesternAnimation/TheSpongeBobMovieSpongeOutOfWater'': The villainous Burger Beard is basically an evil [[Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean Jack Sparrow]].
80	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Wish\|2023}}'': King Magnifico is one to Yen Sid from ''[[WesternAnimation/{{Fantasia}} The Sorcerer's Apprentice]]''. He's an exceptionally powerful sorcerer with a {{Cosmic Motif\|s}} to his design and [[MrAltDisney holds a few superficial similarities to old Walter himself]] (whom Yen Sid was originally an {{Expy}} of). The movie even begins with him looking for an apprentice, a position Asha auditions for. But while Yen Sid was a stern, but wise fellow who acknowledged his apprentice’s actions for their good intentions, Magnifico is a power-hungry tyrant who only sees the worst in others, even making all other forms of magic in his kingdom illegal so that no one can challenge him.
81	* King Candy from ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'' is an evil {{expy}} of the Mad Hatter from ''WesternAnimation/AliceInWonderland'', complete with an Creator/EdWynn-style voice provided by his voice actor, Creator/AlanTudyk. Both are kooky, old-fashioned-style figures connected with food (tea in the Mad Hatter's case, candy in King Candy's) and also known for their interactions with the young female protagonist. However, while the Mad Hatter isn't particularly helpful to Alice, he isn't really harmful either, being just another individual she meets in Wonderland. King Candy tries to hunt down Vanellope (a homeless nine-year-old) so she can't race, because [[spoiler:it would reveal him as Turbo, who stole her position and is responsible for her being a glitch]].
82	[[/folder]]
83
84	[[folder:Literature]]
85	* [[PhysicalGod The Watchers]] from ''Literature/TheArtsOfDarkAndLight'' are this to the [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Valar]] from ''Literature/TolkiensLegendarium''. Like the Valar they are immortal beings with powers beyond the younger races who were once worshipped by humans as gods; and chose to stay behind and watch over the physical world while the rest of their kind moved on to the celestial realm. Their description of being "like in form to Men and Elves", and being their "teachers and chieftains" in the earliest times are almost word-for-word copied from ''Literature/TheSilmarillion''. However, while the Valar are BenevolentPrecursors who love the younger races; the Watchers have grown to hate the mortal world and want to follow the rest of their kind to the higher planes. They secretly control powerful institutions from behind the scenes and every five hundred years when the gate to the higher realms opens up they wage massively destructive wars with armies of mortal followers to take control of it.
86	* Gus in Thomas Dixon's ''Literature/TheClansman'', best known for being adapted into ''Film/TheBirthOfANation1915'', can be seen as this to [[Literature/UncleTomsCabin Uncle Tom]]; whereas Uncle Tom is a paragon of Christian morality who dies a martyr by refusing to give away the whereabouts of two slaves he helped escape, Gus is a violent rapist who gets what he has coming through a VigilanteExecution courtesy of the Klan.
87	* In the ''Literature/PastDoctorAdventures'' novel ''Verdigris'' by Paul Magrs, the Children of Destiny are based on the original seventies [[Series/TheTomorrowPeople1973 Tomorrow People]], being a group of psychic teenagers advised by a computer with an ordinary name (Simon, rather than Tim) from their underground base in London. However the Galactic Federation they think they're working for is fake, and they're being duped to see U.N.I.T. as the bad guys, because ''real'' aliens all want to live in harmony. It's also suggested that all this "homo superior" stuff is a bit fascist.
88	* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'':
89	** Cohen the Barbarian is an AffectionateParody of the most famous BarbarianHero [[Literature/ConanTheBarbarian Conan]] with the {{Hunk}} macho cool guy qualities being heavily subverted as Cohen is instead a gross and skinny old man (it's inferred he used to be a traditionally Arnie-type warrior but age has caught up with him), and unlike Conan, he's far more greedy and overtly selfish, though still incredibly {{badass}}, having a century of honed skills. Cohen does become more likeable in later books, however, and genuinely loves and supports his daughter Conina.
90	** ''Literature/{{Maskerade}}'', a spoof of ''Literature/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'', features its own Christine whose appearance and bearing is actually more accurate to the book than the majority of other adaptations. However whereas original Christine was genuinely sweet, highly talented, caring, heroic and selfless (willingly to be trapped until death with a madman for the sake saving other people’s lives) Discworld’s Christine is the hard opposite being a InnocentlyInsensitive BrainlessBeauty who really only cares for herself and how other people see her, on top of being HollywoodToneDeaf (rather than having a BeautifulSingingVoice) and only has a leading part at all due to her father forcing the manager to give her one. Also a bit of a TakeThat at the music industry, as Agnes Nitt the real heroine has classic Christine’s divine voice and importance within the story but not her willowy beauty thus she’s demoted to the ensemble and has to sing for the ''Maskerade''’s Christine.
91	** ''Literature/NightwatchDiscworld'' is a partial spoof of ''Literature/LesMiserables'' but seriously switches around the character dynamics of Valjean and Javert. Valjean’s role of the convict in this case is fulfilled by Carcer though where Valjean is TheAtoner, an AllLovingHero and a borderline saint who never harms or kill another person once even when defending the barricade, Carcer is instead a mass murdering PsychoKnifeNut CopKiller bastard who adores sadism for sadism’s sake and corruption of power (since it gives him more freedom to be evil). Valjean’s sympathetic crime of stealing a loaf of bread is even directly used by Carcer as part of his cheerful FauxAffablyEvil persona, which Vimes rightly calls out as bullshit.
92	---> '''Carcer:''' Yeah I already told ‘em how you got a down on me for stealing a loaf of bread.\
93	'''Vimes:''' Come off it Carcer. That’s not you. You never pinched a loaf of bread in your life. Murdering the baker and stealing the bakery, that’d be your style.
94	* ''Literature/ImTheVillainessSoImTamingTheFinalBoss'': [[spoiler:Prince Cedric Jean Ellmeyer]] is this to Prince Geordo Stuart from ''Literature/MyNextLifeAsAVillainessAllRoutesLeadToDoom''. Both are the blonde prince in a RebornAsVillainessStory and fiancé to the "villainess" protagonists. [[spoiler:Cedric]], however, is essentially Geordo with all his negative traits (charming yet coupled with a black heart, tamely sadistic, and fiercely competitive for the love of Catarina to the rest of the harem) taken to their worst extremes (superficially charming and a manchild and [[spoiler:entitled to have Aileen even after dumping her for Lilia out of envy]]). He even has [[spoiler:an inferiority complex similar to that of the original Alan Stuart from ''Fortune Lover'' towards his brother Claude, yet worsened for petty envy due to Aileen falling for Claude]].
95	* ''Literature/ReignOfTheSevenSpellblades'' was heavily inspired by ''Franchise/HarryPotter'', and many characters especially in the first volume are recognizable as altered versions of Potterverse characters:
96	** Headmistress Esmeralda, for [[CompositeCharacter Albus Dumbledore and to a lesser extent Severus Snape]], being both the respected head of a prestigious magic academy and [[spoiler:in love with the mother of the main protagonist]] (though [[DecompositeCharacter Darius Grenville takes most of Severus' nastier personality traits]]). However, while Dumbledore (ostensibly) is quite a caring headmaster and deeply concerned with student welfare at Hogwarts, Esmeralda is [[DareToBeBadass completely unapologetic]] about the fact that about twenty percent of the students who matriculate to Kimberly Magic Academy will be [[MagicMisfire "consumed by the spell"]] before they graduate. Furthermore, while Albus and Severus did everything in their power to protect Lily and her family, [[spoiler:Esmeralda is the one [[YouKilledMyMother who killed Chloe]] and left Oliver without a mom growing up]]. Additionally, Severus' love for Lily is portrayed as true and selfless, and he's penant over accidentally causing her death, while Esmeralda intentionally kills the woman she loves and [[YourSoulIsMine eats her soul]], proving herself just as rotten as her co-conspirators.
97	** Darius Grenville draws clear inspiration from Severus Snape: tall, slim, shoulder-length black hair, SadistTeacher of alchemy at a WizardingSchool who covets another professor's position (swordmaster rather than Defense Against the Dark Arts), and has a backstory connection to the main character's mother. Except rather than trying to save her from the BigBad and failing, [[spoiler:[[YouKilledMyFather he helped murder her]]]]. He also has a habit of helping promising students along in their academic research so he can [[PlagiarismInFiction plagiarize it]], [[spoiler:and is [[RasputinianDeath torturously killed]] at the end of the first volume, having succeeded only in solidifying Oliver Horn's resolve to kill his mother's other six murderers]].
98	** Frances Gilchrist is similar to Minerva [=McGonagall=], as a [[SternTeacher stern no-nonsense elder teacher]] who teaches advanced magic and is personally loyal to the headmaster. However, while [=McGonagall=]'s stern attitude belies a warmer side that cares for her students and she's definitely a fighter for good, [[spoiler:Gilchrist is part of the conspiracy that murdered Oliver's mother]].
99	* ''Literature/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'': Ren Amaki is very obviously based on Kirito from ''Literature/SwordArtOnline'', being a dark-haired, sword-wielding hero who has NoSocialSkills, prefers soloing, is stoic and serious, dresses in black, and is even introduced to the story playing a VRMMO called ''Brave Star Online''. To drive the point home, in the anime he's also voiced by Creator/YoshitsuguMatsuoka, [[CastingGag Kirito's Japanese voice actor]]. However, the way he's written points out several glaring flaws in Kirito's character, as Ren is essentially what Kirito would be like if he didn’t bother to learn the systems of the world he’s in and never opened up to others or learned to work with other people, instead relying on raw force to get the job done.
100	* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'': Tywin Lannister is essentially a considerably darker take on Denethor from ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings''. Both are stern, competent lords (but not kings!) utterly committed to {{realpolitik}}. Both let their hearts be hardened after the deaths of their beloved wives, then use their children for nakedly political ends. Both favor their older, more martial sons over their younger, more academic sons -- despite having more in common with the latter. The difference is that, despite his cold demeanor and ruthless politicking, Denethor is sincerely trying to do the right thing and still has a good deal of human feeling no matter how much he may try to pretend otherwise. Tywin, by contrast, is motivated by the advancement of his house, does objectively horrible things that Denethor would no doubt [[EveryoneHasStandards find beyond the pale]], and has a far more genuniely stony heart.
101	* ''Literature/SwordArtOnline:'' [[Characters/SwordArtOnlineNobuyukiSugou Nobuyuki Sugou]] is this to Jareth the Goblin King, played by Creator/DavidBowie in the 1980's classic ''Film/{{Labyrinth}}''; insomuch as his online Oberon persona is ''also'' a handsome blonde fairy king who holds absolute power over his kingdom that lusts after a beautiful and brave maiden. However, the similarities end right there, for whereas Jareth is a classy and dignified gentleman who rules his minions with a stern but fair hand, Sugou's Oberon is a depraved and crass tantrum-prone wuss who abuses his power and rules with an iron fist. Also, while Jareth's love for the significantly younger Sarah '''is''' far from appropriate, he courts her with gentlemanly chivalry and charm, ''genuinely'' loving and ''respecting'' her enough to let her and her baby brother go when she conclusively refused his affections, leaving the story heartbroken but alive with his dignity intact. Oberon, in contrast, is a tasteless sexual deviant who regularly ''forces'' himself on Asuna against her wishes, and whose reign is ended by the sword of Asuna's husband Kirito's in bloody pieces.
102	* The first part of ''Literature/VillagerAWantsToSaveTheVillainessNoMatterWhat'' is a WholePlotReference to ''Literature/TrappedInADatingSimTheWorldOfOtomeGamesIsToughForMobs'', though one of the key differences is that Amy is a less sympathetic version of Marie. Both are fans of an otome game they get reincarnated into, and they both seek to obtain the reverse harem ending and live out lives of luxury, but get stopped by the protagonist, and go through several BreakTheHaughty moments. Marie eventually saw the error of her ways and pulled a HeelFaceTurn, and even before that, she had her fair share of PetTheDog moments. On the other hand, Amy remains a HateSink, as shown by her obsession with making sure Anastasia gets raped, and eventually becomes the BigBad.
103	[[/folder]]
104
105	[[folder:Music]]
106	* Music/{{KMFDM}}'s "Son of a Gun" is described as "forged from steel" and "superhero number one," and if that wasn't enough, his appearance in the animated music video changes toward the end to make him a very obvious SupermanSubstitute. He's also "[[DumbMuscle shit for brains]], [[MurderIsTheBestSolution born to kill]]" and basically a sociopathic superpowered thug who [[BewareTheSuperman makes himself judge, jury and executioner over everyone else]].
107	[[/folder]]
108
109	[[folder:Theme Parks]]
110	* Theatre/HalloweenHorrorNights is fond of this trope, with some haunted houses having darker parodies of popular characters:
111	** 2018 had a Film/{{Ch\|ildsPlay}}ucky themed Scarezone called ''Revenge of Chucky'' that was flooded with creepy corrupted parodies of 80's kids toys. Amongst the childhood-ruining theme park, you'd see a [[https://halloweenhorrornights.fandom.com/wiki/Jem burnt-faced]] WesternAnimation/{{Jem}} or a [[https://halloweenhorrornights.fandom.com/wiki/Cabbage_Patch_Girl menacing]] [[Toys/CabbagePatchKids Cabbage Patch Kid]] holding a bloody knife, while people get torn apart in giant [[https://halloweenhorrornights.fandom.com/wiki/Monkeys_in_a_Barrel Barrel of Monkeys]] and [[https://halloweenhorrornights.fandom.com/wiki/Operation_Victim Operation]] playsets.
112	** 2019's ''Holidayz in Hell'' was a maze based on the idea of innocent holidays gone horribly wrong. For the Christmas section, one of the characters was [[https://halloweenhorrornights.fandom.com/wiki/Winter_Witch the Winter Witch]], a crueler version of [[Franchise/{{Frozen}} Elsa]] with icy-blue skin, stone-cold eyes, sharp fangs, a crown made of shards of ice, and a bloodstained dress.
113	[[/folder]]
114
115	[[folder:Visual Novels]]
116	* Nagito Komaeda from ''VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair'' seems to be a straight {{Expy}} of Makoto Naegi, the idealistic OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent protagonist from [[VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc the previous game]], but it's eventually revealed that he actually {{deconstruct\|edTrope}}s several aspects of Makoto's character, as Nagito's inferiority complex, flip-flopping "luck" and dedication to the ideal of "hope" renders him ''far'' more [[AxCrazy unstable]] than Makoto. WordOfGod [[http://koorinokokoro.tumblr.com/post/61750100051/character-draft-translation confirms]] that his status as this trope is intentional.
117	* Yuki Maeda from the FanGame ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaAnother'' is also a darker take on Makoto Naegi, even with their similar base characteristics of being relatively normal, genial, and [[BornLucky lucky]]. More specifically, while Makoto remains true to his hopeful ideals even as the body count begins rising, Yuki becomes increasingly cynical to the point that he eventually delivers a pessimistic speech imploring the remaining students to give up. [[spoiler:It also doesn't help that while Makoto becomes the Ultimate Hope that saves the survivors from despair, [[TheKillerInMe Yuki reveals himself to be Utsuro]], a member of Ultimate Despair who masterminded the Killing Game, and almost manages to drive the survivors to despair]].
118	* [[PassionateSportsGirl Grace Madison]] from ''VisualNovel/ProjectEdensGarden'', another Danganronpa FanGame, is a rude, foul-mouthed, and attractive blonde with a rabbit motif and a FriendlessBackground, and in this respect she is similar to [[Characters/DanganronpaMiuIruma Miu Iruma]] from ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony''. However, the difference between the two, barring Miu's shameless perversion, is that Miu [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold has a nicer side to her]], even during the first meeting, and a good portion of her tactless behavior can be chalked up to her lack of social skills; [[HatesBeingAlone her loneliness is implied to be a major sore spot for her]]. On the other hand, Grace is not only aware that she is a jerk to the very core, showing no courtesy to others, she is also willing to burn bridges to defend her title as the Ultimate Golfer. At best, she has a HiddenHeartOfGold, but that's about it.
119	[[/folder]]
120
121	[[folder:Web Animation]]
122	* ''WebAnimation/HappyTreeFriends'':
123	** Splendid is clearly modelled off of Characters/{{Superman\|TheCharacter}}, except that Splendid is so incompetent at being a superhero that he ends up killing everyone he tries to save.
124	** Flippy is similarly modelled off of Franchise/{{Rambo}}, but where Rambo ''tries'' to live a peaceful life and typically only hurts people who go out of their way to provoke him, Flippy goes into mad rages at the drop of a hat and tends to brutally murder anyone who happens to be nearby at the time. PlayedWith in that Flippy ''is'' a genuinely nice person; his murderous tendencies were the result of him suffering through [[ShellShockedVeteran PTSD]] during his time at the war, to which said trauma [[EnemyWithin eventually manifested into]] a murderous SplitPersonality known as [[SociopathicSoldier Fliqpy]], who is usually activated whenever Flippy [[BerserkButton is reminded of the war]].
125	** Lumpy looks and acts a lot like Bullwinkle from ''WesternAnimation/RockyAndBullwinkle'', but with the incompetence exacerbated to the point where [[LethallyStupid he's an active danger to everyone around him]].
126	* ''WebAnimation/InanimateInsanity'': Taco appears to be a clone of Rocky from ''WebAnimation/BattleForDreamIsland'', with both being armless {{cloudcuckoolander}}s with a tendency to engage in projectile vomiting and being regarded as TooQuirkyToLose. Rocky is exactly as oblivious and silly as he looks, while on the other hand, Taco shows signs of [[spoiler:and is eventually revealed to have been]] [[ObfuscatingInsanity pretending to be insane]] to fish for sympathy.
127	* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'':
128	** [[Characters/RWBYCinderFall Cinder Fall]] is an intentional {{Expy}} of Literature/{{Cinderella}}, where abuse turned her villainous and her "[[BigBad fairy godmother]]" empowers that evil. [[spoiler:Cinder shares Cinderella's background of abusive slavery within a wicked step-family, and a "PrinceCharming" who tries to rescue her. The caveat is that her "Prince Charming"'s intervention requires her to endure years of abuse while he trains her to obtain a legal escape only when she's old enough. She eventually snaps, murdering her family and then her "Prince Charming" for trying to arrest her.]]
129	** [[Characters/RWBYAdamTaurus Adam Taurus]] is an {{Expy}} of Prince Adam, the titular Beast from ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast''. Like the Beast, Adam is in a relationship with [[Characters/RWBYBlakeBelladonna Blake Belladonna]], who serves as his Belle by being a BadassBookworm, and he's the head of the White Fang, a rebellion group of Faunus who've been wronged by humanity, akin to the Beast's servants being cursed alongside him. Unlike the Beast, however, Adam is a merciless terrorist who not only sees his troops as [[WeHaveReserves expendable]], instead of how the Beast cared for his servants, but he views Blake as little more than an item who he feels he's {{entitled to have\|You}}, much like how Gaston acts.
130	** Leonardo Lionheart is an intentional {{Expy}} of The Cowardly Lion from "Literature/TheWonderfulWizardOfOz" that helped Dorothy in the story despite being a CowardlyLion. Unlike the Lion in the original story however, [[spoiler:he ends up working with the BigBad and series version of the Wicked Witch, Salem, out of his fear for her which inadvertently Kickstarts the villains victory in Vale and causes the deaths of every Huntsmen in Mistral including himself when he tries to run away from the fight.]]
131	** The Ace Ops are all based on many of the characters from Literature/AesopsFables. Clover Ebi is based on "The Lucky Fisherman", Marrow Amin is based on the dog from "The Dog and its Reflection", Tortuga and Harriet Bree are based on "[[Literature/TheTortoiseAndTheHare The Tortoise and The Hare]]" respectively, and Elm Ederne and Vine Zeki are based on "The Elm and the Vine". While many of the characters in the story learn an aesop through their experiences, the Ace Ops are based on versions that didn't learn anything and end up suffering because of it [[spoiler:with Clover, Tortuga and Vine being killed because they didn't learn anything or learned too late and the team struggling to work together and constantly arguing with each other after Ironwood declares martial law and labels Team RWBY as their enemies throughout the end of Volume 7 and most of Volume 8.]]
132	** General James Ironwood is an intentional {{Expy}} of The Tin Man from "Literature/TheWonderfulWizardOfOz" that helped Dorothy kill the Wicked Witch who believed that he didn't have a heart. While Ironwood initially did start in the series trying to help the heroes take down the BigBad and series equivalent of the Wicked Witch, Salem, he did so through very controlling and questionable means and suffered from constant paranoia with one of his allies even believing that he didn't have a heart. [[spoiler:Following the fall of Beacon however, he begins changing for the worse and uses even more controlling methods in Atlas to stop her, leading to the Kingdom to begin hating him in the process and even the heroes begin to question if trusting him is wise. After the villains intentionally trigger his TraumaButton near the end of Volume 7 despite finally deciding to trust his allies, his paranoia fully corrupts him and causes him to turn against the heroes and abandon the city of Mantle to just save Atlas with the implication that he finally lost his heart in the process, leading to him becoming the ArcVillain of Volumes 7 and 8 as well as all of his allies eventually turning on him and him DyingAlone.]]
133	** Volume 9 introduces Alyx, an {{Expy}} of Literature/{{Alice\|s Adventures In Wonderland}}, who wrote her own adaptation of her adventure in [[TheWonderland the Ever After]]. Though InUniverse, her character is marked with AlternativeCharacterInterpretation, with Yang seeing her as a mean girl that lied and cheated to reach her goals while Weiss sees her as someone that did what it took to get back home. It's then revealed by [[spoiler:an older Jaune, AKA the Rusted Knight]] that Alyx was ''much'' worse. [[spoiler:The real Alyx was selfish and [[LackOfEmpathy uncaring towards others]], even her own brother Lewis. And after the visit with the Herbalist (who attempts to "fix" people of their conditions), she became far more paranoid and ruthless, poisoning Jaune and doing whatever it takes to get home. Jaune even suspects that Alyx sacrificed Lewis so she can get back to Remnant, while ommitting his existence when she wrote her own accounts of her adventure. However, it's revealed that Lewis did make it back while Alyx had a HeelRealization over her mistakes in the Ever After and wanted to go back to fix them, only to be killed by the Curious Cat]].
134	[[/folder]]
135
136	[[folder:Webcomics]]
137	* ''Webcomic/EnnuiGo'': Brittany is a combination of ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} (specifically [[Characters/SupergirlTheCharacter the Kara Zor-El version]], since she's the cousin of the comic's resident SupermanSubstitute Omegaman along with being blonde) and ComicBook/SheHulk (as [[SuperhumanTransfusion she obtained her powers through a blood transfusion from her cousin]]). But unlike the both of them, who are heroic figures who use their abilities for good, Brittany is an AlphaBitch who uses her powers for her own selfish desires.
138	[[/folder]]
139
140	[[folder:Web Video]]
141	* Captain Bible from the WebVideo/WizardsWithGuns video "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THRcTILdYb4&list=PL_y-TRBU5g6rg-xzRWThXzYyWKEsBmpyu This Christian Batman Knockoff is Worse than You Think]]" is an obvious spoof of Series/{{Bibleman}}. While Bibleman was a devout Christian who tried to use his hero visage to proselytize to the youth and save them from colorful supervillains, Captain Bible is more like a Punisher-esq [[TheFundamentalist Fundamentalist]] who uses guns, grenade launchers and lightsabers to brutally murder his villains. Since his villains are just like Bibleman's villains (wearing bright neon and encouraging kids to lie and steal), Captain Bible's methods are definitely [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill overkill]].
142	[[/folder]]

Context Main / CorruptedCharacterCopy