Archetype:True Hero

True Hero
Luke Skywalker (Star Wars Canon/Legends) was the new hope against the Empire.
Archetype of:	True Hero.

"You will give the people an ideal to strive towards. They'll race behind you. They will stumble. They will fall. But in time, they will join you in the sun. In time, you will help them accomplish wonders."

― Jor-El (Man of Steel teaser trailer)

"Ha! Not a memory to your name, yet you are as intent as ever to charge forward with only courage and justice on your side. You have not changed a bit. Once a hero, always a hero."

― Impa (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild)

"Every time I fought alongside you, I have been Amazed."

― Steve Rogers to Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Marvel Comics)

"You are extraordinary, my sons. Unlike anything the world has ever seen. Bowed in greatness, destined to protect the people of New York!"

― Master Splinter to the Ninja Turtles (Paramount's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

"I’m just a guy who’s aspiring to be a hero for fun."

― Saitama (One-Punch Man)

"Even if he was called a Super Devil, he was originally a Gremory. Just a gentle and strong person. Yes, he was gentle and strong, precisely because of this, Sirzechs had such determination. Precisely because of his gentleness and his strength, he departed for the sake of protecting everything."

― Narrator on Sirzechs Lucifer (Highschool DxD)

"For a true hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart."

― Zeus (Hercules)

"I’m nobody. I came because I have no choice. I came to save my home, and the people that I love."

― Aquaman (DC Extended Universe)

The ability to use the powers and characteristics of a true hero archetype. Note that this is essentially a definition of an archetype. Opposite to Dark Lord.

Also Called

• Benevolent One
• Blazing/Shining/Radiant/Luminous Hero
• Emperor of Light
• Hero/Lord of Light/Righteousness
• Messiah/Redeemer/Savior
• True Patriot/Heroine/Warrior/Soldier
• White Knight
• Light Lord

Properties

User is a True Hero, a person who lives to help others, but in a way that shows those people how to help themselves, in the face of danger, combats adversity through impressive feats of ingenuity, bravery or strength, often sacrificing their own personal concerns for a greater good. They possess benevolent abilities and often command loyal friends, allies, and followers.

These individuals also love to spread freedom, redemption, and hope to others that are wrongfully enslaved by evil rulers even towards the evil rulers themselves. Anyone can be a True Hero; some are human, basically chosen ones, many have true and just nature, and certain holders of the title are actually manifestations of their true, righteous goodness that lies within themselves.

True Heroes and Dark Lords are famously known as the perfect enemies throughout the fictional universe and reality.

Associated Powers

• Demonic Slayer: May have training/ability to slay demonic entities.
• Deity Soul: Some may have divine possession, thus becoming literal manifestations of their inner god.
• Heroic Luck: User is fairly lucky in heroic situations that assist them in times of need.
• Hypercompetence: Some users have unsurpassed talents and skills.
• Immortality: Some users gain eternal life.
• Invulnerability: Users are usually impervious to conventional attacks and weaponry.
• Magic: Wield all forms of Good and Neutral magic.
  • Aether Magic: Master the essence that flows through most of existence.
  • Angelic Magic: Master Angelic magic.
  • Animancy: Use magic that revolves around the living.
  • Creation Magic: Use magic to recreate what was destroyed.
  • Divine Magic: Use magic that revolves around divinity.
  • Dream Magic: Use magic to bring the best dreams to life.
  • Fertility Magic: Use magic to make land, living things & plants fertile.
  • Hope Magic: Use magic to spread & be empowered by hope.
  • Light Magic: Use magic to spread light.
  • Love Magic: Use magic to spread & be empowered by love.
  • Music Magic: Use magic to spread utopian music
  • Mysticism: Master the purest kind of magic.
  • Nature Magic: Use magic to keep nature balanced.
  • Order Magic: Use magic to maintain order.
  • Peace Magic: Use magic to preserve peace.
  • Purification Magic: Use the magic of salvation.
  • Pure Alchemy: Use magic to create pure elixirs and potions.
  • Pure Aura Magic: Master magic of pure aura.
  • Pure Chi Magic: Master magic of pure chi.
  • Restoration Magic: Use magic that revolves around the restoration.
  • Shamanism: Use magic to perceive, contact, and bargain or control the spiritual world
• Nigh Omnipotence: True Heroes tend to possess god-like powers.
  • Energy Manipulation: Manipulate and control pure energy.
  • Light Element Manipulation: Command light elements.
  • Light Manipulation: Many users wield vast powers of light.
  • Psionics: True Heroes are known to have many mental abilities.
    • Mental Manipulation: Control the minds of virtually anyone.
    • Telekinesis: Manipulate any and all forms of matter mentally.
    • Telepathy: Send thoughts as messages across great distances.
• White Arts: True Heroes' staple; mastering the aspects of good magic.
• Pure Heart: A True Hero isn't measured by the size of their strength but by the size of their heart.
• Self-Resurrection: Even if destroyed, users can return to life.
• Special Power: Some users may have a special power specifically meant for heroes.
• True Power: Some users may have untapped power within themselves.

Relationships

• Chivalry
  • Many heroes possess an innate ability to manifest great courage and nobility at all times, especially in the face of adversity. Showing a great virtue in selflessness and compassion for others and destroying all things evil.
    • (Example: Jack, Samurai Jack)
• True Friend
  • Many heroes are true friends to all in need, always honest, kind, and true to all. They always make friends and bringing out the best in people and recognize the power of friendship.
    • (Example: Sora, Kingdom Hearts)
• Rebel
  • Usually, their desire for justice or retribution against the tyranny and cruelty of others. Driving many in a revolution to fight against the darkest beings who have nothing but greed and corruption in themselves. Liberation others for the cause of freedom, justice, and righteousness.
    • (Example: Monkey D. Dragon, One Piece)
• Counterpart
  • Often, the counterpart does something that gets the true hero they are a counterpart of in trouble in some way, and the hero has to fix that. They may also be rivals or otherwise enemies to the true hero.
    • (Example: Shadow the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog)
• Traitor
  • The true hero may have been friends of the traitor, until the traitor betrayed the true hero or the group they were both part of. The true hero may seek vengeance or seek to turn the traitor in for their crimes.
    • (Example: Shin, Fist Of The North Star)

Flaws/Weaknesses

• Will be opposed by malevolent forces.
• May be easily manipulated.
• May be equal or in servitude to a more powerful being (another True Hero, a Transcendent Being or a Righteous Figure).
• Temptation may either void the power or corrupt into a Dark Lord.

Example Characters

See Also: The Cape, The Paragon, and Ideal Hero

Anime/Manga/Manhwa

• Son Goku (Dragon Ball)
• Agatsuma Zenitsu (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)
• Akira (Devilman Crybaby)
• Sairaorg Bael (Highschool DxD)
• Dulio Gesulado (Highschool DxD)
• Issei Hyodou (Highschool DxD)
• Sirzechs Lucifer (Highschool DxD)
• Vasco Strada (Highschool DxD)
• Jonathan Joestar (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part I Phantom Blood)
• Joseph Joestar (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part II Battle Tendency)
• Caesar Zeppeli (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part II Battle Tendency)
• Jotaro Kujo (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part III Stardust Crusaders)
• Noriaki Kakyoin (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part III Stardust Crusaders)
• Muhammed Avdol (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part III Stardust Crusaders)
• Jean Pierre Polnareff (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part III Stardust Crusaders)
• Hayato Kawajiri (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part IV Diamond is Unbreakable)
• Iihiko Shishime (Medaka Box); the original version
• All Might (My Hero Academia)
• Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
• Arthur Pendragon (Nanatsu no Taizai)
• Mumen Rider (One Punch Man)
• Saitama (One Punch Man)
• Shiba (Rave Master); the First Rave Master
• Haru Glory (Rave Master); the Second Rave Master
• Chloe O'Bell (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken)
• Natsuki Subaru (Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World)

Cartoons/Comics

• Finn the Human (Adventure Time)
• Avatars (Avatar: The Last Airbender/The Legend of Korra)
  • Avatar Wan
  • Avatar Aang
  • Avatar Korra
• Ben Tennyson (Ben 10)
• Rex Salazar (Generator Rex)
• Bruce Wayne/Batman (DC Comics)
• Green Lanterns (DC Comics)
  • Kyle Rayner
  • John Stewart
  • Alan Scott
  • Guy Gardner
  • Hal Jordan
• Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman (DC Comics)
• Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (DC Comics)
• Booster Gold (DC Comics)
• Captain America (Marvel Comics)
  • Isaiah Bradley
  • Steve Rogers
  • James "Bucky" Barnes
  • Sam Wilson
• Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Marvel Comics)
• Calvin Rankin/The Mimic of Earth 12 (Marvel Comics)
• Moana (Moana)
• Jack (Samurai Jack)
• Zayne Carrick (Star Wars Legends)
• Anakin Solo (Star Wars Legends)
• Cade Skywalker (Star Wars Legends)
• Lion-O (Thundercats)
• Optimus Prime (Transformers)
• Hot Rod/Rodimus (Transformers)
• The Paw Patrol (Paw Patrol)
• Ninja Turtles (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Movies

• Grandmaster Jedi (Star Wars)
  • Yoda
• Luke Skywalker (Star Wars)
• Primes (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)
• Hercules (Disney's Hercules)
• Po (Kung Fu Panda)

Folklore/Mythology

• Archangel Michael/Mîkhā'ēl/Mīkhā'īl (Abrahamic Religions)
• Jesus Christ (Christianity)
• Rama(Hinduism)
• Krishna(Hinduism)
• Daniel (Shemhamphorash)

Literature

• Harry Potter (Harry Potter)
• Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle)

Live Television

• Wyatt Halliwell (Charmed)
• Leo (Charmed)
• Jon Snow/Aegon Targaryen (Game Of Thrones)
• Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones)
• Tyrion Lannister (Game of Thrones)
• Hiro Nakamura (Heroes)
• Peter Petrelli (Heroes)
• Merlin (Merlin)
• Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)
• Emma Swan (Once Upon a Time)
• Spartacus (Spartacus)
• Dean Winchester (Supernatural)
• Sam Winchester (Supernatural)
• Bobby Singer (Supernatural)

Video Games

• Ryu (Breath of Fire I)
• Lightning (Final Fantasy XIII: Lightning Returns)
• Cole MacGrath (inFAMOUS series); with Good Karma
• Riku (Kingdom Hearts)
• Sora (Kingdom Hearts)
• Spyro (The Legend of Spyro)
• Link (The Legend of Zelda)
• Commander Shepard (Mass Effect); as a Paragon
• Kyle Katarn (Star Wars: Jedi Knight series)
• Mario (Super Mario Bros)
• Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog)
• Noishe (Tales of Symphonia); as one of his evolutionary states
• Various Characters (TYPE-MOON)
  • Artoria Pendragon
  • Jeanne D'Arc
  • Karna
  • Kiritsugu Emiya
  • Shirou EMIYA/Counter Gaurdian EMIYA
  • Shirou Tokisada Amakusa/Shirou Kotomine
  • Sieg
  • Siegfried
• Frisk (Undertale)
• Undyne (Undertale); as Undyne the Undying
• Adol Christin (Ys series)

Gallery

Anime/Manga/Manhwa

Son Goku (Dragon Ball series)

Despite being reborn as a devil, Akira Fudo (Devilman Crybaby) fights for what's right including for his friends.

Sirzechs Lucifer (Highschool DxD) in addition to his power as a Super Devil, has immense kindness, he will readily sacrifice himself for the sake of protecting everything.

Regulus Rey Leather Rex (LN).jpg

Sairaorg Bael (Highschool DxD) is a compassionate warrior with a noble heart, his unbreakable determination to protect the innocent allows him to triumph a legendary Evil Dragon in combat.

Despite being a hopeless pervert, Issei Hyodou, (Highschool DxD) is kind, courageous, with unwavering determination to protect those who are important to him, even if it means putting his life on the line.

Dulio Gesulado (Highschool DxD) is considered the strongest exorcist and also the kindest of them all.

Vasco Strada (Highschool DxD) was deeply admired among the Exorcists of the Church for his immense compassion and unrivaled strength.

Despite his ruthlessness and murderous intent against all goblins, Goblin Slayer (Goblin Slayer) has proven to be a selfless hero through the eyes of many adventurers and kind-hearted to many especially his friends.

Despite his reasons for heroism and lack of emotions, Saitama (One-Punch Man) always manages to save the day when fighting the tyranny of evil.

Shiba Roses (The Rave Master); is the first Rave Master to be chosen by the Rave, succeeded in winning the way fifty years ago and stopping the Mother of All Dark Brings, Sinclair.

Haru Glory (The Rave Master); is the second Rave Master to be chosen by the Rave due to both his pure heart and strong will and succeeded in destroying the Dark Brings and his rival Lucia, the Dark Bring Master.

Jonathan Joestar (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part I: Phantom Blood)

Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto/Boruto)

Arthur Pendragon (Nanatsu no Taizai) was hailed as the Child of Hope chosen by Excalibur and all the countless heroes who reside inside the blade destined to be the King among Kings, letting him use all this techniques…

…after awakening to his true state as the King of Chaos and merging with Excalibur, letting Arthur create worlds and alter reality itself. He is able to also materialize a stronger Excalibur fitting for the King who'll create an Everlasting Kingdom.

Cartoons/Comics

Avatar Aang (Avatar franchise) was an exceptionally noble, peaceful, and heroic figure. Always striving to do what's right, seeing all life as sacred, and never trying to hurt or kill anyone, even those who deserve punishment.

As Aang's successor, Avatar Korra (Avatar franchise) initially had a lot to live up to but in the end, proved herself more than worthy.

Despite his immaturity, Ben Tennyson (Ben 10) has proven to be a noble hero through his years.

Known as the world's greatest hero, Superman (DC Comics) is not just known for his powers, but for his patriotism towards all of humanity.

Booster Gold (DC Comics) may seem like a greedy and fame-hungry jerk but at the end of the day, he's our only hope.

After Hercules (Disney's Hercules) risked his soul to save Megaera in the underworld, Hercules achieved his dream and became a true hero, restoring his godhood.

Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Marvel Comics) has had many struggles in his life but always strives to do the right thing.

Wendell Vaughn/Quasar (Marvel Comics)

While growing up poor and under the thumb of a bitter, dejected father, Calvin Rankin/The Mimic of Earth 12 (Marvel Comics) started out as an angry young man who used his mutant abilities for evil and personal gain but after Charles Xavier offered him a position in the X-Men, The Mimic would soon become one of his world's greatest champions.

Jack (Samurai Jack) has proven himself time and again to be noble and just throughout his adventures, a hero capable of defeating the dark lord Aku.

Ninja Turtles (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Video Games

Mario (Super Mario)

Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog)

Link (The Legend of Zelda)

Sora (Kingdom Hearts)

Riku (Kingdom Hearts) despite his beginning associated with the darkness he has redeemed himself time and again through the power of his friends.

Spyro the Dragon (Spyro)

Others

Archangel Michael/Mîkhā'ēl/Mīkhā'īl (Abrahamic Religions)

Jesus Christ (Christianity) is seen as the savior of souls because of his self-sacrifice to an agonizing fate for those who believed in him would be spiritually saved. Legends say that he will one day return to save the world from predestined doom.

Optimus Prime (Transformers) is seen as a true patriot by both humans and cybertronians alike, not only because of his faith in them but for the incredible self-sacrifices he made for them all.

Spartacus (Spartacus) was forever seen as a true/war hero through the eyes of history and many roman slaves because of his noble cause for freedom.

Kyle Katarn (Star Wars: Jedi Knight series)