Why are antagonists in western media portrayed as being ugly?

[Ikagura Ikagura]

I've noticed how it's usual that when someone's a villain they're often with an angry-looking face, has scars or is just plain displeasant to look at. Maybe it's for easier characterisation (good guys are pretty, bad guys are ugly).

In contrast in Asia (and Japan by extent) they're portrayed as being handsome (if not prettier/cooler than the protagonist team). Maybe it's cultural but I've noticed how in many old school OVAs and video games they are shown with either long hair, a thin face, a pointy jaw and a piercing gaze.

Maybe it's to show how deceiving they could be.

 

[Yousef]

It’s an issue with Japanese medias as well. There’s some association with villainy and attractiveness in some writers’ minds I suppose.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

It’s an issue with Japanese medias as well. There’s some association with villainy and attractiveness in some writers’ minds I suppose.

As I said it's probably because of the whole "deceiving" aspect of these antagonists.

You would rather trust someone handsome looking than somebody who looks ugly because it's the brain mechanism.

Same reason why some people would get attracted to some criminals even if they're awful people.

On the other hand I find it interesting how your typical "moustache-twirling villain" in old western media are shown as either wealthy-looking or smart-looking people

Is it because in our culture we see rich and smart people as being potentially more villainous?

It's almost as if being highly intelligent is seen as being more inclined to be a nefarious person than your everyday man.

Not that I would criticise western culture as a whole but I find it weird how being smart is not seen as a good thing when it should be (which is why we use the term "nerd" for them back in H.S).

 

[happymasksalesman happymasksalesman]

As I said it's probably because of the whole "deceiving" aspect of these antagonists.

You would rather trust someone handsome looking than somebody who looks ugly because it's the brain mechanism.

Same reason why some people would get attracted to some criminals even if they're awful people.

On the other hand I find it interesting how your typical "moustache-twirling villain" in old western media are shown as either wealthy-looking or smart-looking people
View attachment 47726

Is it because in our culture we see rich and smart people as being potentially more villainous?

It's almost as if being highly intelligent is seen as being more inclined to be a nefarious person than your everyday man.

Not that I would criticise western culture as a whole but I find it weird how being smart is not seen as a good thing when it should be (which is why we use the term "nerd" for them back in H.S).

Actually one of main problem about some heros is how they look. In a kid show in my country main character where clothes with a lot of colors which hurt eyes or sing songs which have participation of others but it feels too colorful and hurt eyes.opposit of main hero two old villains where black and red clothes and have some face make you feel you can trust them.(I think it some sort of this:don't judge people from how they look like).they sing too but the voice was louder than music which make it more comfortable and good to watch.
In video games there are two races.
1. Keep the order bad guys are bad guys so they only have bad properties.
2.vilains have a heavy backstory which make you feel sorry for them and want to help them. Of course they turn a full good guy to grey character who done bad works too.
First is fine good and better for kids. But second really can make you sick. You don't know can you trust others? Being bad isn't an option.
Thanks to Hollywood movies and some others we have a lot of problem about this stuff. I think start of this was a movie from 007 series. 007 and doctor NO. Dr was the villain but wasn't look like bad a bit!
You know overfititng isn't something good but it doesn't mean you have to combine lies and truths.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

Actually one of main problem about some heroes is how they look. In a kid show in my country main character where clothes with a lot of colors which hurt eyes or sing songs which have participation of others but it feels too colorful and hurt eyes. Opposite of main hero two old villains where black and red clothes and have some face make you feel you can trust them.(I think it some sort of this:don't judge people from how they look like). They sing too but the voice was louder than music which make it more comfortable and good to watch.
In video games there are two races.
1. Keep the order bad guys are bad guys so they only have bad properties.
2.vilains have a heavy backstory which make you feel sorry for them and want to help them. Of course they turn a full good guy to grey character who done bad works too.
First is fine good and better for kids. But second really can make you sick. You don't know can you trust others? Being bad isn't an option.
Thanks to Hollywood movies and some others we have a lot of problem about this stuff. I think start of this was a movie from 007 series. 007 and doctor NO. Dr was the villain but wasn't look like bad a bit!
You know overfititng isn't something good but it doesn't mean you have to combine lies and truths.

About point 2 I sometimes get bored of "tragic backstory" to make them feel more like they're the actual victims.

Of course I enjoy villains with plausible motives beyond "conquering the world" but I feel that too many writers are apologising them.

 

[RustySK]

Pop culture worldwide usually reflects subconscious biases or uses them as a storytelling tool.
In this particular case and on a purely surface level: Pretty = me likey = good; Ugly = me no likey = bad.

It's an idiotic, potentially dangerous impulse, but it's also a super easy shorthand to subtextually convey to the viewer how you want them to perceive your characters.
You know, if you're too lazy, unambitious with your storytelling, or not skilled enough to establish those traits effectively otherwise.

(Since the topic has me thinking about it - for a movie that makes fantastic use of subconscious cultural biases to enhance its story and mess with viewer expectations, I can recommend the horror film The Wailing)

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

Pop culture worldwide usually reflects subconscious biases or uses them as a storytelling tool.
In this particular case and on a purely surface level: Pretty = me likey = good; Ugly = me no likey = bad.

It's an idiotic, potentially dangerous impulse, but it's also a super easy shorthand to subtextually convey to the viewer how you want them to perceive your characters.
You know, if you're too lazy, unambitious with your storytelling, or not skilled enough to establish those traits effectively otherwise.

(Since the topic has me thinking about it - for a movie that makes fantastic use of subconscious cultural biases to enhance its story and mess with viewer expectations, I can recommend the horror film The Wailing)

Characterisation in ancient times were meant to be easy and quick to be recognised.

Even fairytales and fables made clear antagonists (usually a wolf because they were common and still really dangerous back when they were told) to make it easier for the kids to assimilate who's who in the plot.

But reality is more complex: usually a handsome looking person could easily manipulate you with nice words and smart-sounding speeches just so you would follow them even to Hell.

There's a reason why Lucifer in the DC Vertigo comic is a gentleman that offers you deals. I've read somewhere: "the devil doesn't come dressed in a red cape and pointy horns. He comes as everything you've ever wished for".

This is also why we got antiheroes that usually don't look that handsome (and more antipathic) like Wario (sorry I didn't have other exemples) to counteract the nice looking heroes.

But I do agree that it's potentially bad for people to recognise truly ill-intended people.

 

[OmegaPunch's icon OmegaPunch OmegaPunch]

People have a tendency to judge a book by its cover, so when people look at a cute/attractive character, they love it. But when they look at an ugly looking character, they hate it.
It's why a lot of people love hot villains, like Makima from Chainsaw Man for example.

Another example:
Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil Village.

 

[PrismRed]

I dunno, I think this applies to most medias not just the west. I can even name several good looking western antagonists easy, we got Draco, Lex Luther, Gus Fring, Lord Ozai, Gaston from Beauty and the Beast, I find all the evil queens from almost all Disney animations are particularly sexier than their protagonist counterpart. I thirst for Maleficent and Grimhilde back in the day, there I said it.

 

[happymasksalesman happymasksalesman]

Characterisation in ancient times were meant to be easy and quick to be recognised.

Even fairytales and fables made clear antagonists (usually a wolf because they were common and still really dangerous back when they were told) to make it easier for the kids to assimilate who's who in the plot.

But reality is more complex: usually a handsome looking person could easily manipulate you with nice words and smart-sounding speeches just so you would follow them even to Hell.

There's a reason why Lucifer in the DC Vertigo comic is a gentleman that offers you deals. I've read somewhere: "the devil doesn't come dressed in a red cape and pointy horns. He comes as everything you've ever wished for".

This is also why we got antiheroes that usually don't look that handsome (and more antipathic) like Wario (sorry I didn't have other exemples) to counteract the nice looking heroes.

But I do agree that it's potentially bad for people to recognise truly ill-intended people.

I heard that too.

Post automatically merged: Mar 24, 2025

People have a tendency to judge a book by its cover, so when people look at a cute/attractive character, they love it. But when they look at an ugly looking character, they hate it.
It's why a lot of people love hot villains, like Makima from Chainsaw Man for example.
View attachment 47792
Another example:
Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil Village.
View attachment 47795

Well one of reason resident evil old fans and new fans have some problem is this guy....I see a lot of meme relevant to her.
Don't forget her's daughters...
I didn't play re village yet but I know whole plot. Another good example is merchant from re4 ,Duke in village. They aren't bad guys and sometime so helpful but they doesn't look like pretty and re merchant was more popular than main hero leon skelety.
Or hunk, he work for umbrella and do bad works but he is one of most famous re character and have a cool style.

 

[_oBSOLEte_]

I think maybe antagonists in mangas are more often "rivals" rather than true "vilains". Maybe it reflects more about the competitive side of the Japanese culture. It's also a trope where they can eventually end up on the same side to fight the true ugly elemental vilain.

But deep inside, everyone is a goth lover. Monsters are always more fascinating.

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

I've noticed how it's usual that when someone's a villain they're often with an angry-looking face, has scars or is just plain displeasant to look at. Maybe it's for easier characterisation (good guys are pretty, bad guys are ugly).

In contrast in Asia (and Japan by extent) they're portrayed as being handsome (if not prettier/cooler than the protagonist team). Maybe it's cultural but I've noticed how in many old school OVAs and video games they are shown with either long hair, a thin face, a pointy jaw and a piercing gaze.

Maybe it's to show how deceiving they could be.

So people don't become down bad

 

[Clippy]

Hmm, I'm not sure if it's a universal thing, really. We have a bunch of hot villain tropes like femme fatale. Vampires and succubi are also portrayed as desirable more often than not. Of course, there are tropes that are associated with a villain being ugly, like witches for example.

Same goes for the good guys. Some focus on displaying strength, vitality or virility so you have protagonists like Bond or Indiana Jones. Wisdom and knowledge are often linked with age and I think we'd be hard-pressed to find many people who find Doc Brown or Yoda good-looking yet there's no doubt that they're the good guys.

Ultimately, it might be down to our collective cultural consciousness. We associate character traits with how those characters are presented so it's easy to convey positive or negative characteristics to the viewer by making characters 'look the part'.

 

[Bonkers225]

It's harder to hate a villain if they look cool. Like in pro wrestling, you can't be a bad ass heel, or you'll end up getting cheered, becoming a tweener or babyface like Austin eventually did. Same with the nWo.

Does anyone hate Sephiroth? Exactly.

 

[Nebulon_Galaxy]

People hate Blue and he is pretty good looking.

Same with Silver

 

[Antilocal123]

Cuz ugly people are scary and uncomfy to look at, have you seen @RanmyakuIchi? Next question.

 

[fake-kun]

Cuz ugly people are scary and uncomfy to look at, have you seen @RanmyakuIchi? Next question.

You didn't use /j, which means you're serious. /j

 

[Antilocal123]

You didn't use /j, which means you're serious. /j

Because I’m not joking! I HATE THAT MF …./……..j…..

 

[RanmyakuIchi's icon RanmyakuIchi RanmyakuIchi]

Because I’m not joking! I HATE THAT MF …./……..j…..

Love you too, sugar bear.

Post automatically merged: Mar 24, 2025

I'd like to add that villians having facial scars has a historical precident, as it was common practice among German officers to deliberately slash one another's face in a controlled saber duel in order to get the look, hence why Nazi villians often have facial scars in WW2 media.

 

[Elektroskansen]

On the other hand I find it interesting how your typical "moustache-twirling villain" in old western media are shown as either wealthy-looking or smart-looking people

Well, think about it, have you ever heard of a poor bad guy in history? Osama Bin Laden, Adolf Hitler, Caligula - these guys had all the money and power a bad guy needs for villainy. You can't exactly attempt to take over the world if you don't have enough dough to hire some henchmen and build a fabulous looking bunker, right..?

All jokes aside, I do think that it has some roots in this. We've seen more than many examples of rich guys getting bored with just having fun in their mansions and wanting to tell other people what to do.

 

[What's His Face]

It's easier for shallow people to accept ugly as evil, because "ugly is evil" to them. Pretty privilege exists just as much as rich privilege.

 

[Nidoking's icon Nidoking Nidoking]

Immediately 'negative' impression for most people when they see someone notably unattractive, as opposed to generally positive first impression when they see somebody attractive. It's just sort of human nature, and when you stack how most societies seem to treat attractiveness on top of it... it just makes sense.

That's one of the reasons I love the Hunchback of Notre Dame, especially the Disney version; it glorifies a not only unattractive man, but a deformed one, and makes him a very respectable, lovable, and heroic person. A lot of things have gradually started to do that with protagonists, but they're always pretty spread out and far from the norm. There's also a LOT of very attractive villains, even going as far as probably being the more common trait.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

It's easier for shallow people to accept ugly as evil, because "ugly is evil" to them. Pretty privilege exists just as much as rich privilege.

I see.

And I think that while someone wealthy enough to take care of themselves will look youthful and pretty the workers would have ended up more "deteriorated" from years of physical work.


While I think that, in the world, most of us are richer than many inhabitant of many countries.

Immediately 'negative' impression for most people when they see someone notably unattractive, as opposed to generally positive first impression when they see somebody attractive. It's just sort of human nature, and when you stack how most societies seem to treat attractiveness on top of it... it just makes sense.

That's one of the reasons I love the Hunchback of Notre Dame, especially the Disney version; it glorifies a not only unattractive man, but a deformed one, and makes him a very respectable, lovable, and heroic person. A lot of things have gradually started to do that with protagonists, but they're always pretty spread out and far from the norm. There's also a LOT of very attractive villains, even going as far as probably being the more common trait.

Aside from the Hunchback there's also Frankenstein's creature that, in the book, is much more smart and verbose.

I think it's inherent to our culture that promote the body and assume that "nice looking = sane being"
(Mens sana in corpore sano)

I remember this pic from Bioshock Infinite:

 

[YuriSukiSan]

So to preface this, I don't think you should be judged by how you are born. There should obviously be inclusion in media but I feel like the thread is skirting around the obvious.

The fact is we're genetically hardwired to seek out what reflects good physical and mental qualities in our species as a whole. Whether that's positive behaviour or intrinsic qualities each sex looks for in pretty much every person naturally. Artists tend to take masculine traits or feminine traits in characters and exaggerate them because that's what a lot of people find attractive on a broad, generalized, basis, which sells but it's more than that.

To be even more blunt, a fat, lazy, norwooding, slob that look like they haven't eaten a healthy meal or exercised since their teens doesn't emphasize the good qualities of man in visual media. Good qualities in people aren't just genetic they are born from self sacrifice, discipline, integrity, bravery, resilience and the humility to hold yourself accountable for your own behaviour. While you can be born beautiful and be spiritually vile (and characters like that are great) to actually sculpt your body - to maintain that form, that actually requires a level of effort that transcends being born with good genetics. You have to transcend that and become something more, that's inspiring. Even someone like Aniki that started out as a meme became something greater because they championed personal growth and well being, he pretty much spawned an entire subculture around it.

Inversely a character like Hanako Ohtani wasn't born fat, she doesn't have some kind of genetic abnormality that makes her put on tons of weight. She's not some tragic victim of genetic circumstance portrayed as evil because of it. She's a selfish, narcissistic, glutton, that doesn't hold herself accountable for her own behaviour in any way, shape, or form. She takes zero personal responsibility. And that's the point, negative characteristics taken to their logical conclusion to portray a negative character. It's not just because she's fat.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

So to preface this, I don't think you should be judged by how you are born. There should obviously be inclusion in media but I feel like the thread is skirting around the obvious.

It should be the fundamental education to tell not to judge people solely on appearance but rather on their behaviour.

I dislike how inclusiveness (or inclusivity) is done because I feel that true inclusion is not actually achieved and many groups are still left and ignored but this isn't the subject.

The fact is we're genetically hardwired to seek out what reflects good physical and mental qualities in our species as a whole. Whether that's positive behaviour or intrinsic qualities each sex looks for in pretty much every person naturally. Artists tend to take masculine traits or feminine traits in characters and exaggerate them because that's what a lot of people find attractive on a broad, generalised, basis, which sells but it's more than that.

While it may be true for reproduction (we seek, as heterosexual male of course, females that look like they could carry offspring) but this is our basic reptilian brain doing that. It's probably why sadly when someone looks sick or disabled they'd have a hard time finding a mate as evolution would make people reproduce with the better candidates and not carry genetic defects that may "spoil" the gene pool.

We're evolved enough to know to bypass some of these and still be friendly towards those who don't fulfil our attraction.

To be even more blunt, a fat, lazy, norwooding, slob that look like they haven't eaten a healthy meal or exercised since their teens doesn't emphasize the good qualities of man in visual media. Good qualities in people aren't just genetic they are born from self sacrifice, discipline, integrity, bravery, resilience and the humility to hold yourself accountable for your own behaviour. While you can be born beautiful and be spiritually vile (and characters like that are great) to actually sculpt your body - to maintain that form, that actually requires a level of effort that transcends being born with good genetics. You have to transcend that and become something more, that's inspiring. Even someone like Aniki that started out as a meme became something greater because they championed personal growth and well being, he pretty much spawned an entire subculture around it.

Like Mens sana in corpore sano? I see what you mean although mocking people for their appearance is, to my view, a low blow.

I feel like that there's a line between encouraging people to do efforts and having a toxic behaviour towards others (especially in Asia where in several cultures they are even worse towards overweight people and even encourage young women to go through aesthetic surgery).

There's a good middle ground between toxicity with body shape and body positivity claiming that being obese (not overweight, obese as in the medical condition) isn't a bad thing and that society should change around them.

Too bad that people using the "Gigachad" meme nowadays are using it as an Internet argument weapon ("me good you bad" kind of argument) rather than an encouragement towards others.

Inversely a character like Hanako Ohtani wasn't born fat, she doesn't have some kind of genetic abnormality that makes her put on tons of weight. She's not some tragic victim of genetic circumstance portrayed as evil because of it. She's a selfish, narcissistic, glutton, that doesn't hold herself accountable for her own behaviour in any way, shape, or form. She takes zero personal responsibility. And that's the point, negative characteristics taken to their logical conclusion to portray a negative character. It's not just because she's fat.

I barely know the story but thanks for telling.

Baron Harkonen is, beyond his weight, a symbol of opullence, over-consumption and hedonism I think.

Almost like a "Soviet movie villain that portrays the rich imperialist" in a way.