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This doesn't necessarily mean he's androgynous, or looks like a girl, though; that's a different trope, [[Dude Looks Like a Lady]] (or [[Viewer Gender Confusion]], if he's androgynous enough that the audience is genuinely confused about his real gender).
This doesn't necessarily mean he's androgynous, or looks like a girl, though; that's a different trope, [[Dude Looks Like a Lady]] (or [[Viewer Gender Confusion]], if he's androgynous enough that the audience is genuinely confused about his real gender).


The Pretty Boy also isn't necessarily effeminate or weak. He may well be as strong or physically powerful as the other, more muscular guys, and as masculine as the more ruggedly handsome ones. Expect one of his more rugged counterparts to sneeringly call him "Pretty boy" at least once. Increasingly common for even his detractors to comment on [[Even the Guys Want Him|just how much they appreciate his looks]].
The Pretty Boy also isn't necessarily effeminate or weak. He may well be as strong or physically powerful as the other, more muscular guys, and as masculine as the more ruggedly handsome ones. Expect one of his more rugged counterparts to sneeringly call him "Pretty boy" at least once. Increasingly common for even his detractors to comment on [[Even the Guys Want Him|just how much they appreciate his looks]].


Note: East Asian media (particularly Japanese and Korean) uses a related trope, [[Bishonen]]. The main difference is that in western media there seems to be a cutoff point as to where a male can be ''too'' pretty, whereas eastern culture doesn't really have that.
Note: East Asian media (particularly Japanese and Korean) uses a related trope, [[Bishonen]]. The main difference is that in western media there seems to be a cutoff point as to where a male can be ''too'' pretty, whereas eastern culture doesn't really have that.
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{{examples}}
{{examples}}

<!-- %%Anime examples go on the {{Bishonen}} page. -->

== Comic Books ==
== Comic Books ==
* Pietro "Quicksilver" Maximoff from [[X Men]] certainly counts as this, as well as a [[White-Haired Pretty Boy]].
* Pietro "Quicksilver" Maximoff from [[X-Men]] certainly counts as this, as well as a [[White-Haired Pretty Boy]].
** [[Depending On the Artist|It depends on the artist, however]]. For example, in [[Wolverine and The X Men]], he looks even older than his father.
** [[Depending on the Artist|It depends on the artist, however]]. For example, in [[Wolverine and the X-Men]], he looks even older than his father.
* Lucifer from the ''[[Sandman]]'' comics.
* Lucifer from the ''[[Sandman]]'' comics.
* Some of the ''[[Elf Quest]]'' elves are depicted this way, particularly Gliders.
* Some of the ''[[Elf Quest]]'' elves are depicted this way, particularly Gliders.
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== Film ==
== Film ==
* [http://cineplex.media.baselineresearch.com/images/148629/148629_large.jpg Jonas] [http://cineplex.media.baselineresearch.com/images/148632/148632_large.jpg Wandschneider] is a Danish actor, who played in ''Vikaren'' (''The Substitute'') alongside Paprika Steen. He's also amazingly pretty. And has spent 2 weeks in jail for graffiti.
* [http://cineplex.media.baselineresearch.com/images/148629/148629_large.jpg Jonas] [http://cineplex.media.baselineresearch.com/images/148632/148632_large.jpg Wandschneider] is a Danish actor, who played in ''Vikaren'' (''The Substitute'') alongside Paprika Steen. He's also amazingly pretty. And has spent 2 weeks in jail for graffiti.
* [http://img.poptower.com/pic-74306/ezra-miller.jpg?d=1024 Ezra] [http://www.mvff.com/storage/events/spotlights/ezra.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1315523617990 Miller], who plays Kevin in ''We Need to Talk About Kevin'', looks like an elf. Or like a younger Alan Rickman.
* [http://img.poptower.com/pic-74306/ezra-miller.jpg?d=1024 Ezra]{{Dead link}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20120213140606/http://www.mvff.com/storage/events/spotlights/ezra.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1315523617990 Miller], who plays Kevin in ''We Need to Talk About Kevin'', looks like an elf. Or like a younger Alan Rickman.
* Zac Efron. He actually manages to look less bishonen in the [[media:highschoolmusicalmanga.jpg|manga adaptation]] of ''[[High School Musical]]''.
* Zac Efron. He actually manages to look less bishonen in the [[media:highschoolmusicalmanga.jpg|manga adaptation]] of ''[[High School Musical]]''.
* The race of fair-skinned long haired peroxide boys from ''[[Lord of the Rings]]'' comes to mind.
* The race of fair-skinned long haired peroxide boys from ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' comes to mind.
** Even ''Sauron'' was [[media:Sauron_bishonen.jpg|revealed to be one]] until the War of the Last Alliance and the loss of the One Ring [[Glamour Failure|prevented him from taking any form that wasn't as ugly and nasty as his spirit]].
** Even ''Sauron'' was [[media:Sauron bishonen.jpg|revealed to be one]] until the War of the Last Alliance and the loss of the One Ring [[Glamour Failure|prevented him from taking any form that wasn't as ugly and nasty as his spirit]].
* Didier Revol the French exchange student in ''[[Son of Rambow]]'' is so beautiful that [[Even the Guys Want Him]].
* Didier Revol the French exchange student in ''[[Son of Rambow]]'' is so beautiful that [[Even the Guys Want Him]].
* Shua in ''[[Sky Blue (Film)|Sky Blue]]''.
* Shua in ''[[Sky Blue]]''.
* Chris Evans, full stop.
* Chris Evans, full stop.
* Jareth, the Goblin King, from ''[[Labyrinth]]'', who is played by [[David Bowie]], who is mentioned below.
* Jareth, the Goblin King, from ''[[Labyrinth]]'', who is played by [[David Bowie]], who is mentioned below.
* Many vampires in ''[[Interview With the Vampire]]'' arguably fit in the pretty boy aesthetic, making them look androgynous.
* Many vampires in ''[[Interview with the Vampire]]'' arguably fit in the pretty boy aesthetic, making them look androgynous.
* Brian Slade of ''[[Velvet Goldmine]]'' fits this trope rather well, as one might reasonably expect from a nineteen-year-old [[Jonathan Rhys Meyers]] in make up...
* Brian Slade of ''[[Velvet Goldmine]]'' fits this trope rather well, as one might reasonably expect from a nineteen-year-old [[Jonathan Rhys Meyers]] in make up...
* The historical figure Synesius of Cyrene is portrayed as this in ''[[Agora (Film)|Agora]]''. His role is played by [[Rupert Evans]].
* The historical figure Synesius of Cyrene is portrayed as this in ''[[Agora]]''. His role is played by [[Rupert Evans]].
* Pretty much every character Jude Law plays, but especially in ''Wilde'' and ''Alfie'', where that was pretty much his character description.
* Pretty much every character Jude Law plays, but especially in ''Wilde'' and ''Alfie'', where that was pretty much his character description.
* Luke from ''[[Cherrybomb (Film)|Cherrybomb]]'', to the point where Yaoi fangirls started suggesting (some of them quite aggressively) that Rupert Grint's character [[Fan-Preferred Couple|should get with HIM]] instead of the female lead, on the basis that "Luke is prettier". To be fair, the levels of [[Ho Yay]] in this movie probably made this reaction unavoidable.
* Luke from ''[[Cherrybomb]]'', to the point where Yaoi fangirls started suggesting (some of them quite aggressively) that Rupert Grint's character [[Fan-Preferred Couple|should get with HIM]] instead of the female lead, on the basis that "Luke is prettier". To be fair, the levels of [[Ho Yay]] in this movie probably made this reaction unavoidable.
* John Connor as portrayed by [[Edward Furlong]] in ''[[Terminator]] 2'' is a younger example.
* John Connor as portrayed by [[Edward Furlong]] in ''[[Terminator]] 2'' is a younger example.
** (Arguably, [[Edward Furlong]] in almost all his roles in his teens and 20's.)
** (Arguably, [[Edward Furlong]] in almost all his roles in his teens and 20's.)
* Ra in ''[[Stargate (Film)|Stargate]]'', creepily.
* Ra in ''[[Stargate (film)|Stargate]]'', creepily.
* The two leads in ''[[Withnail and I]]'' look like they've have been battered and malnourished for far too long, but still... "I" has the same looks as he had for the [[Doctor Who|Eighth Doctor]] and Withnail is pouty-mouthed, has big blue eyes and his hair goes fluffy when they hit the countryside. The battered factor even adds to the appeal.
* The two leads in ''[[Withnail and I]]'' look like they've have been battered and malnourished for far too long, but still... "I" has the same looks as he had for the [[Doctor Who|Eighth Doctor]] and Withnail is pouty-mouthed, has big blue eyes and his hair goes fluffy when they hit the countryside. The battered factor even adds to the appeal.
* Michael Cimino's ''[[The Deer Hunter]]'' has Nick, played by a very young, very pretty [[Christopher Walken]].
* Michael Cimino's ''[[The Deer Hunter]]'' has Nick, played by a very young, very pretty [[Christopher Walken]].
** Effective [[Dawson Casting]]. Walken was 35.
** Effective [[Dawson Casting]]. Walken was 35.
* Dwayne from ''[[Little Miss Sunshine]]''.
* Dwayne from ''[[Little Miss Sunshine]]''.
* [[Johnny Depp]], in [http://www.deppimpact.com/gallery/albums/caps_djd/djd329.JPG nearly every role] he's ever played ([http://www.deppimpact.com/gallery/albums/caps_es/edward007.JPG less so than usual] in ''[[Edward Scissorhands]]'', least of all [http://www.deppimpact.com/gallery/albums/caps_libertine/libertine1021.JPG in the later part] of ''[[The Libertine]]''.)
* [[Johnny Depp]], in [http://www.deppimpact.com/gallery/albums/caps_djd/djd329.JPG nearly every role] he's ever played ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130919213725/http://deppimpact.com/gallery/albums/caps_es/edward007.JPG less so than usual] in ''[[Edward Scissorhands]]'', least of all [http://www.deppimpact.com/gallery/albums/caps_libertine/libertine1021.JPG in the later part] of ''[[The Libertine]]''.)
* Leonard Whiting from Franco Zaferelli's film adaptation of ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]''. Most of the comments of this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtJJ0Ex5wk8&feature=related old interview] of him and co-star Olivia Hussey on [[YouTube]] are about how he looks like [[Zac Effron]].
* Leonard Whiting from Franco Zaferelli's film adaptation of ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]''. Most of the comments of this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtJJ0Ex5wk8&feature=related old interview] of him and co-star Olivia Hussey on [[YouTube]] are about how he looks like [[Zac Effron]].
* Adam Beach. That plains Indians, despite being tall, have been considered the contemporary version of this trope for centuries, helps.
* Adam Beach. That plains Indians, despite being tall, have been considered the contemporary version of this trope for centuries, helps.
* Seems to be a [[Star Wars|Skywalker]] family trait.
* Seems to be a [[Star Wars|Skywalker]] family trait.
* [[Leonardo Di Caprio]] back in his ''[[Titanic]]'' and ''[[Man in The Iron Mask]]'' days.
* [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] back in his ''[[Titanic]]'' and ''[[Man in the Iron Mask]]'' days.
* Patrick (played by the late [[Heath Ledger]]) in ''[[Ten Things I Hate About You]]''.
* Patrick (played by the late [[Heath Ledger]]) in ''[[10 Things I Hate About You]]''.
* Loki, especially compared to his brother, ''[[Thor (Film)|Thor]]'' .
* Loki, especially compared to his brother, ''[[Thor (film)|Thor]]'' .


== Literature ==
== Literature ==
* The ''[[Honor Harrington (Literature)|Honor Harrington]]'' series by David Weber uses the trope extensively. The two biggest examples are [[God Mode Sue|Victor Cachat]] who is described as being young and ''very'' cute at least once in every book he appears in and Jeremy X who was genetically engineered to be one (he is designed to the point were he can't have any facial hair even!) It is helped along and [[Justified Trope|justified]] by all the [[Designer Babies]] roaming around, [[Magic Plastic Surgery]], and by the pro-long life extension treatments that can make a hardened military officer that is over 40 years old look like he is barely out of high school.
* The ''[[Honor Harrington]]'' series by David Weber uses the trope extensively. The two biggest examples are [[God Mode Sue|Victor Cachat]] who is described as being young and ''very'' cute at least once in every book he appears in and Jeremy X who was genetically engineered to be one (he is designed to the point were he can't have any facial hair even!) It is helped along and [[Justified Trope|justified]] by all the [[Designer Babies]] roaming around, [[Magic Plastic Surgery]], and by the pro-long life extension treatments that can make a hardened military officer that is over 40 years old look like he is barely out of high school.
* Dorian Gray in [[Oscar Wilde]]'s ''[[The Picture of Dorian Gray]]'' is described as intoxicatingly, androgynously beautiful. Making this.
* Dorian Gray in [[Oscar Wilde]]'s ''[[The Picture of Dorian Gray]]'' is described as intoxicatingly, androgynously beautiful. Making this.
* Aramis in ''[[The Three Musketeers (Literature)|The Three Musketeers]]'' is described as being as pretty as a woman. Of course, he's the one of the Musketeers who's most popular with women.
* Aramis in ''[[The Three Musketeers (novel)|The Three Musketeers]]'' is described as being as pretty as a woman. Of course, he's the one of the Musketeers who's most popular with women.
* Raziel in ''[[Lamb the Gospel According To Biff (Literature)|Lamb the Gospel According To Biff]]'' is pretty enough even to provoke [[Stupid Sexy Flanders]] moments from the [[First-Person Smartass]] protagonist, Biff. It's apparently a standard angel trait.
* Raziel in ''[[Lamb: The Gospel According To Biff|Lamb the Gospel According To Biff]]'' is pretty enough even to provoke [[Stupid Sexy Flanders]] moments from the [[First-Person Smartass]] protagonist, Biff. It's apparently a standard angel trait.
* ''[[The War Against the Chtorr]]''. Lizard and Ted describe the teenage protagonist Jim McCarthy this way, though he doesn't believe them. But definitely the case with Shaun -- a sixteen year-old, bisexual attendant on the luxury airship ''Hieronymus Bosch'', whose duties include prostitution and [[Child Soldiers|military defence]].
* ''[[The War Against the Chtorr]]''. Lizard and Ted describe the teenage protagonist Jim McCarthy this way, though he doesn't believe them. But definitely the case with Shaun—a sixteen year-old, bisexual attendant on the luxury airship ''Hieronymus Bosch'', whose duties include prostitution and [[Child Soldiers|military defence]].
* The protagonists in the [[Warchild Series]] are usually described this way, even when they have extensive combat training and are capable of great violence. The third book, "Cagebird" has a protagonist described as cherubic-looking who eventually becomes a prostitute/assassin, and the protagonist from her second book is described as a beautiful boy with large, kittenish eyes.
* The protagonists in the [[Warchild Series]] are usually described this way, even when they have extensive combat training and are capable of great violence. The third book, "Cagebird" has a protagonist described as cherubic-looking who eventually becomes a prostitute/assassin, and the protagonist from her second book is described as a beautiful boy with large, kittenish eyes.
* [http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/20.html Shakespeare's Sonnet 20]. The young boy is described as such: "A woman's face with Nature's own hand painted hast thou, the master-mistress of my passion", until Nature "[[Double Entendre|pricked him out]] for woman's pleasure."
* [http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/20.html Shakespeare's Sonnet 20]. The young boy is described as such: "A woman's face with Nature's own hand painted hast thou, the master-mistress of my passion", until Nature "[[Double Entendre|pricked him out]] for woman's pleasure."
* The [[The Rashomon|temporary protagonist]] of ''Crow on the Bridge'' by [[Max Frei]] reminisces meeting one of these:
* The [[The Rashomon|temporary protagonist]] of ''Crow on the Bridge'' by [[Max Frei]] reminisces meeting one of these:
{{quote| Entered the room a [[Really Seven Hundred Years Old|young]] [[Bifauxnen|man]] of such a blinding beauty that to me it seemed not as much pleasant to the eye as absolutely out of place in the given circumstances. Really, here happens such things, i should make the Gloves of Death and it's yet unknown how to survive this fancy-work; civil war continues for umpteenth year in Conjoined Kingdom, and ultimately the world will fall soon; and he walks here with such a look as if a human had no more important task than to look beautiful. My feelings were about these, though when spoken aloud they sound absurd, i see it myself.}}
{{quote|Entered the room a [[Really Seven Hundred Years Old|young]] [[Bifauxnen|man]] of such a blinding beauty that to me it seemed not as much pleasant to the eye as absolutely out of place in the given circumstances. Really, here happens such things, i should make the Gloves of Death and it's yet unknown how to survive this fancy-work; civil war continues for umpteenth year in Conjoined Kingdom, and ultimately the world will fall soon; and he walks here with such a look as if a human had no more important task than to look beautiful. My feelings were about these, though when spoken aloud they sound absurd, i see it myself.}}
* All of the male vampires in ''[[Twilight (Literature)|Twilight]]''. They even come with the [[Bishie Sparkle]] ''pre-packaged''.
* All of the male vampires in ''[[Twilight (novel)|Twilight]]''. They even come with the [[Bishie Sparkle]] ''pre-packaged''.
* There are a bunch in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'':
* There are a bunch in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'':
** Ser Loras Tyrell is described as "beautiful" rather than handsome, called "The Knight of Flowers" and clad in rainbow armour {{spoiler|until he joined the Kingsguard}}. Of course, this is probably to do with the fact that he's only about sixteen at the start of the series.
** Ser Loras Tyrell is described as "beautiful" rather than handsome, called "The Knight of Flowers" and clad in rainbow armour {{spoiler|until he joined the Kingsguard}}. Of course, this is probably to do with the fact that he's only about sixteen at the start of the series.
** Joffrey Baratheon, who is described as a combination of his sister Myrcella and his uncle Jaime {{spoiler|who also happens to be his father.}}
** Joffrey Baratheon, who is described as a combination of his sister Myrcella and his uncle Jaime {{spoiler|who also happens to be his father.}}
** Rhaegar Targaryen was a beautiful [[White-Haired Pretty Boy]] who despite being a great warrior, was also a sensitve/emo man who liked to play the lyre (fans have joked that the character seems to have walked out of an anime or a JRPG).
** Rhaegar Targaryen was a beautiful [[White-Haired Pretty Boy]] who despite being a great warrior, was also a sensitve/emo man who liked to play the lyre (fans have joked that the character seems to have walked out of an anime or a JRPG).
** "Young Griff" is a beautiful young man who has long eye lashes and dyes his hair [[You Gotta Have Blue Hair|blue]] {{spoiler|He's actually Aegon Targaryen, the son of the above Rhaegar, or at least a convincing impostor}}.
** "Young Griff" is a beautiful young man who has long eye lashes and dyes his hair [[You Gotta Have Blue Hair|blue]] {{spoiler|He's actually Aegon Targaryen, the son of the above Rhaegar, or at least a convincing impostor}}.
** The Citadel student Alleras is probably the female Sarella Sand [[Sweet Polly Oliver|in male disguise]], with the result that (s)he fits this, and is described as being comely, pretty, etc. as opposed to handsome.
** The Citadel student Alleras is probably the female Sarella Sand [[Sweet Polly Oliver|in male disguise]], with the result that (s)he fits this, and is described as being comely, pretty, etc. as opposed to handsome.
* The title character of ''[[Billy Budd]]''.
* The title character of ''[[Billy Budd]]''.
* It's implied that Henry from ''[[The Time Travelers Wife|The Time Traveler's Wife]]'' is one. Apart from being called "pretty" on occasion, it's also mentioned that he looks a good deal like his [[Hot Mom]].
* It's implied that Henry from ''[[The Time Traveler's Wife]]'' is one. Apart from being called "pretty" on occasion, it's also mentioned that he looks a good deal like his [[Hot Mom]].
* From ''[[Harry Potter]]'' we have Cedric Diggory AKA "Pretty Boy Diggory"...
* From ''[[Harry Potter]]'' we have Cedric Diggory AKA "Pretty Boy Diggory"...
** Tom Marvolo Riddle AKA Lord Voldemort, was this back in Hogwarts. But meddling in the dark arts and mutilating his soul for immortality destroyed his good looks.
* We'd better not even begin to describe Tadzio from ''Death in Venice''...
* We'd better not even begin to describe Tadzio from ''Death in Venice''...
** In fact, the actor who portrayed Tadzio in the 1971 [[Film of the Book]], then-14-year-old [http://media.photobucket.com/image/death%20in%20venice/lyds89/vampiros/DEATH_IN_VENICE-26.jpg?o=23 Bjorn Andresen,] was so ''mind-numbingly'' beautiful that [http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2003/oct/16/gender.film his life actually began to mirror that of his character's.] It's not a comfortable story to hear, and it makes him a [[Truth in Television]] case of [[So Beautiful Its a Curse]].
** In fact, the actor who portrayed Tadzio in the 1971 [[Film of the Book]], then-14-year-old [http://media.photobucket.com/image/death%20in%20venice/lyds89/vampiros/DEATH_IN_VENICE-26.jpg?o=23 Bjorn Andresen,] was so ''mind-numbingly'' beautiful that [http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2003/oct/16/gender.film his life actually began to mirror that of his character's.] It's not a comfortable story to hear, and it makes him a [[Truth in Television]] case of [[So Beautiful It's a Curse]].
* [[Les Misérables]] brings us both Enjolras and Montparnasse.
* [[Les Misérables]] brings us both Enjolras and Montparnasse.
* ''Finding H.F.'': Bo, H.F.'s best friend (and {{spoiler|likely half-brother}}) definitely qualifies. He takes utmost care of his appearance, his wavy blond hair.
* ''Finding H.F.'': Bo, H.F.'s best friend (and {{spoiler|likely half-brother}}) definitely qualifies. He takes utmost care of his appearance, his wavy blond hair.
* Sufi poetry extolls the beauty of beardless boys, and some mystics believe such boys represent the perfectness of God.
* Sufi poetry extolls the beauty of beardless boys, and some mystics believe such boys represent the perfectness of God.
* ''[[Fablehaven (Literature)|Fablehaven]]'' has the [[Last-Episode New Character]] Bracken, who is tall, willowy, youthful, and has [[White-Haired Pretty Boy|long, soft silver-white hair]].
* ''[[Fablehaven]]'' has the [[Last-Episode New Character]] Bracken, who is tall, willowy, youthful, and has [[White-Haired Pretty Boy|long, soft silver-white hair]].
* Diane Duane's [[Young Wizards]] series gives us Roshaun ke Nelaid, a [[Human Alien]] prince with [[Hair of Gold]] and [[Royal Brat|a really stuck-up attitude]]. [[It Got Better|He gets better]].
* Diane Duane's [[Young Wizards]] series gives us Roshaun ke Nelaid, a [[Human Alien]] prince with [[Hair of Gold]] and [[Royal Brat|a really stuck-up attitude]]. [[It Got Better|He gets better]].
* This is the defining characteristic of Markus in the ''[[Lonely Werewolf Girl]]'' books. Apparently he looks even [[Cross Dresser|hotter in a frock too]].
* This is the defining characteristic of Markus in the ''[[Lonely Werewolf Girl]]'' books. Apparently he looks even [[Crossdresser|hotter in a frock too]].
* [[The Outsiders|Sodapop Curtis]] is described as being incredibly handsome and looking a lot like his (most likely [[Hot Mom|hot]]) mother. Cue [[The Film of the Book]], where he is ''definitely'' this, because he's played by Rob Lowe.
* [[The Outsiders|Sodapop Curtis]] is described as being incredibly handsome and looking a lot like his (most likely [[Hot Mom|hot]]) mother. Cue [[The Film of the Book]], where he is ''definitely'' this, because he's played by Rob Lowe.
* Despite the [[Scars Are Forever|scars]], many characters in [[Wicked Lovely]] explicitly refer to Niall as 'pretty boy'.
* Despite the [[Scars Are Forever|scars]], many characters in [[Wicked Lovely]] explicitly refer to Niall as 'pretty boy'.
* Lord John Grey from the ''[[Outlander (Literature)|Outlander]]'' series of books ([[Spin-Off|and eventually his own]]). He's described as blonde, pretty, and a bit on the petite side.
* Lord John Grey from the ''[[Outlander (novel)|Outlander]]'' series of books ([[Spin-Off|and eventually his own]]). He's described as blonde, pretty, and a bit on the petite side.
* Torak from [[The Belgariad]] was often described as �overly pretty� (that was before he had the left side of his body burned off of course).
* Torak from [[The Belgariad]] was often described as �overly pretty� (that was before he had the left side of his body burned off of course).
* Francis from ''[[The Secret History]]'' is described like one of these, as well as a fastidiously flamboyant dresser. Charles, too, but only because [[Half-Identical Twins|he looks like Camilla]].
* Francis from ''[[The Secret History]]'' is described like one of these, as well as a fastidiously flamboyant dresser. Charles, too, but only because [[Half-Identical Twins|he looks like Camilla]].
* Vanyel Ashkevron from the Valdemar books.
* Vanyel Ashkevron from the Valdemar books.
* [[Dark Life (Literature)|Dark Life]] has a male character actually ''called'' [[Meaningful Rename|Pretty]]. He's pretty, all right...and usually also [[Badass Long Hair|very]] [[Ice King|very]] [[Beware the Quiet Ones|scary]].
* [[Dark Life]] has a male character actually ''called'' [[Meaningful Rename|Pretty]]. He's pretty, all right...and usually also [[Badass Long Hair|very]] [[Ice King|very]] [[Beware the Quiet Ones|scary]].
* Thomas Raith from [[wikipedia:The Dresden Files|The Dresden Files]]. Mind you, he is a White Court vampire (aka, "an incubus").
* Thomas Raith from [[wikipedia:The Dresden Files|The Dresden Files]]. Mind you, he is a White Court vampire (aka, "an incubus").
** Subverted ([[Playing With a Trope|?]]) in that while he's got a ''very'' pretty boy face, from the neck down he's built "like the high priest of Bowflex".
** Subverted ([[Playing with a Trope|?]]) in that while he's got a ''very'' pretty boy face, from the neck down he's built "like the high priest of Bowflex".
* Marcello Clerici, the protagonist of the 1951 novel ''[[The Conformist]]'', is described as very handsome and feminine-looking both in adolescence and adulthood.
* Marcello Clerici, the protagonist of the 1951 novel ''[[The Conformist]]'', is described as very handsome and feminine-looking both in adolescence and adulthood.



== Live-Action TV ==
== Live-Action TV ==
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** Also, Dr. Lance Sweets.
** Also, Dr. Lance Sweets.
* The Tenth [[Doctor Who|Doctor]]. Other than oft-repeated fangirl affirmation, there's also:
* The Tenth [[Doctor Who|Doctor]]. Other than oft-repeated fangirl affirmation, there's also:
{{quote| '''River Song:''' Pretty boy! With me I said.<br />
{{quote|'''River Song:''' Pretty boy! With me I said.
(Long pause. Donna looks at the Doctor suggestively.)<br />
(Long pause. Donna looks at the Doctor suggestively.)
'''Doctor:''' Oh, ''I'm'' "Pretty Boy"!<br />
'''Doctor:''' Oh, ''I'm'' "Pretty Boy"!
'''Donna:''' Yes!" (shocked at her own enthusiasm) "Oh, that came out a bit quick." }}
'''Donna:''' Yes!" (shocked at her own enthusiasm) "Oh, that came out a bit quick." }}
** The Eleventh Doctor is what happens when [[Pretty Boy]] meets [[Adorkable]].
** The Eleventh Doctor is what happens when Pretty Boy meets [[Adorkable]].
** [http://www.shockya.com/news/wp-content/uploads/doctor_who_david_tennant.jpg The Tenth Doctor is pretty Adorkable anyway.]
** [http://www.shockya.com/news/wp-content/uploads/doctor_who_david_tennant.jpg The Tenth Doctor is pretty Adorkable anyway.]{{Dead link}}
** The Eighth Doctor ''definitely'' counts. Some fans jokingly call him The Oncoming Pretty.
** The Eighth Doctor ''definitely'' counts. Some fans jokingly call him The Oncoming Pretty.
** And then there's Rory, at least according to the TARDIS.
** The Fifth Doctor is the embodiment of this trope in the Classic Series. Although, [[Executive Meddling]] often deterred the female characters from commenting on this fact.
** The Fifth Doctor is the embodiment of this trope in the Classic Series. Although, [[Executive Meddling]] often deterred the female characters from commenting on this fact.
* Spencer Reid of ''[[Criminal Minds (TV)|Criminal Minds]]'', played by Matthew Gray Gubler. As co-star Shemar Moore bluntly put it, [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainmentfeatures/view/1016904/1/.html "Matthew is so pretty he's almost a girl."] Yep, Dr. Reid is practically the living, breathing ''definition'' of this trope. Even in-universe, one of his nicknames is "Pretty Boy".
* Spencer Reid of ''[[Criminal Minds]]'', played by Matthew Gray Gubler. As co-star Shemar Moore bluntly put it, [https://web.archive.org/web/20101021070801/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainmentfeatures/view/1016904/1/.html "Matthew is so pretty he's almost a girl."] Yep, Dr. Reid is practically the living, breathing ''definition'' of this trope. Even in-universe, one of his nicknames is "Pretty Boy".
* [[Supernatural (TV)|Dean. Winchester]]. His face is the perfect combination of prettiness and manliness.
* [[Supernatural (TV series)|Dean. Winchester]]. His face is the perfect combination of prettiness and manliness.
** Also [[Our Angels Are Different|Castiel]], who ups the ante by also being slender and being the shortest (barely) of the main [[Supernatural]] trio.
** Also [[Our Angels Are Different|Castiel]], who ups the ante by also being slender and being the shortest (barely) of the main [[Supernatural]] trio.
{{quote| '''Japanese gameshow host:''' Mr. Trickster does not like pretty-boy angels!}}
{{quote|'''Japanese gameshow host:''' Mr. Trickster does not like pretty-boy angels!}}
*** Co-star [[Jared Padalecki]] has said of Collins: "With those big [[Blue Eyes]], he can't play a demon. They're like 'aww...' he's too pretty."
*** Co-star [[Jared Padalecki]] has said of Collins: "With those big [[Blue Eyes]], he can't play a demon. They're like 'aww...' he's too pretty."
* [[Dark Angel]] has a younger and prettier [[Jensen Ackles]] as twins Ben and Alec. The latter has [[Stoic Spectacles]] in one episode.
* [[Dark Angel]] has a younger and prettier [[Jensen Ackles]] as twins Ben and Alec. The latter has [[Stoic Spectacles]] in one episode.
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* Charlie Pace in ''[[Lost]]'', particularly during his clean shaven phase.
* Charlie Pace in ''[[Lost]]'', particularly during his clean shaven phase.
* The title role of ''Tom Jones'' in the 1997 BBC version (Max Beesley).
* The title role of ''Tom Jones'' in the 1997 BBC version (Max Beesley).
* Chase on ''[[House (TV)|House]]''.
* Chase on ''[[House (TV series)|House]]''.
{{quote| '''Dr. Foreman:''' Chase, you're a pretty boy. Works well with the ladies, not so much with the patients. No one wants an underwear model performing their splenectomy.}}
{{quote|'''Dr. Foreman:''' Chase, you're a pretty boy. Works well with the ladies, not so much with the patients. No one wants an underwear model performing their splenectomy.}}
* ''[[Glee]]'''s Kurt Hummel, to an absolute tee. All he's missing are the [[Bishie Sparkle|sparkles]]... and even then, he sometimes [[Performance Artist|provides his own]].
* ''[[Glee]]'''s Kurt Hummel, to an absolute tee. All he's missing are the [[Bishie Sparkle|sparkles]]... and even then, he sometimes [[Into Musical Theatre|provides his own]].
** Speaking of [[Glee]], Sam is quite the [[Pretty Boy]] as well. Pretty, with long hair, muscles, and a gorgeous smile. He's so pretty, he has to have his [[Shirtless Scene|shirt off every other scene]].
** Speaking of [[Glee]], Sam is quite the Pretty Boy as well. Pretty, with long hair, muscles, and a gorgeous smile. He's so pretty, he has to have his [[Shirtless Scene|shirt off every other scene]].
** Also, Blaine.
** Also, Blaine.
* Like [[Supernatural|Dean]], [[Prison Break|Michael]] ([[Wentworth Miller]]) is the perfect combination of prettiness and manliness.
* Like [[Supernatural (TV series)|Dean]], [[Prison Break|Michael]] ([[Wentworth Miller]]) is the perfect combination of prettiness and manliness.
{{quote| '''T-Bag:''' One things for sure, you just as pretty as advertised. Prettier even.}}
{{quote|'''T-Bag:''' One things for sure, you just as pretty as advertised. Prettier even.}}
* Nathan from ''[[Misfits]]''.
* Nathan from ''[[Misfits]]''.
* ''[[Mr. Brain (TV)|Mr. Brain]]'': In "Eccentric Neuroscientist vs. Beautiful Revived Ghost" the "beautiful revived ghost" isn't a woman. The ghost is played by the very pretty, yet very male [[Gackt]]. Gackt himself finds Gackt rather tasty.
* ''[[Mr. Brain]]'': In "Eccentric Neuroscientist vs. Beautiful Revived Ghost" the "beautiful revived ghost" isn't a woman. The ghost is played by the very pretty, yet very male [[Gackt]]. Gackt himself finds Gackt rather tasty.
* Vincent Chase from ''[[Entourage]]''.
* Vincent Chase from ''[[Entourage]]''.
* Niles Crane in the early seasons of ''[[Frasier]]''.
* Niles Crane in the early seasons of ''[[Frasier]]''.
* Spike from ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' was this as William the Bloody(-Awful Poet) before he was bitten.
* Spike from ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' was this as William the Bloody(-Awful Poet) before he was bitten.
* Shawn Hunter from ''[[Boy Meets World]]'' was pretty enough that at one point [[Attractive Bent Gender|he passes very convincingly as a girl]]. However, he grew out of it near the end of the show's run, especially after he grew a beard.
* Shawn Hunter from ''[[Boy Meets World]]'' was pretty enough that at one point [[Attractive Bent Gender|he passes very convincingly as a girl]]. However, he grew out of it near the end of the show's run, especially after he grew a beard.
* [http://dutche.home.xs4all.nl/episode%203x4%20merlin%20arms.jpg Merlin] from ''[[Merlin]]'' is most certainly this.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130610135540/http://dutche.home.xs4all.nl/episode%203x4%20merlin%20arms.jpg Merlin] from ''[[Merlin]]'' is most certainly this.
{{quote| '''Barmaid:''' Mmm, you're an handsome fellow.<br />
{{quote|'''Barmaid:''' Mmm, you're an handsome fellow.
'''Arthur:''' Well, just wouldn't be the first to say it.<br />
'''Arthur:''' Well, just wouldn't be the first to say it.
'''Barmaid:''' Oh. No, sorry. I was talkin' about your friend here.<br />
'''Barmaid:''' Oh. No, sorry. I was talkin' about your friend here.
(Looks suggestively at Merlin.)<br />
(Looks suggestively at Merlin.)
'''Arthur:''' (shocked) Him?<br />
'''Arthur:''' (shocked) Him?
'''Merlin:''' (smirking at Arthur)Thank you. }}
'''Merlin:''' (smirking at Arthur)Thank you. }}
** Lancelot manages to be this ''and'' a [[Hunk/]] Not really sure how he pulls it off.
** Lancelot manages to be this ''and'' a [[Hunk]] Not really sure how he pulls it off.
* Michael Kelso from ''[[That 70s Show]]'', who describes himself as "man-pretty".
* Michael Kelso from ''[[That '70s Show]]'', who describes himself as "man-pretty".
* From [[Degrassi]] we have Drew, Craig, Eli, Peter, Zane, Marco, and arguably Dylan. Although the latter is a [[Manly Gay]], his facial features could qualify him as this.
* From [[Degrassi]] we have Drew, Craig, Eli, Peter, Zane, Marco, and arguably Dylan. Although the latter is a [[Manly Gay]], his facial features could qualify him as this.
* [[The Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mysteries]], we have Joe Hardy (aka [[Teen Idol|Shaun Cassidy]]). Yumm.
* [[The Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mysteries]], we have Joe Hardy (aka [[Teen Idol|Shaun Cassidy]]). Yumm.
{{quote| '''Joe:''' Just because I'm younger, smaller and more easily intimidated...?}}
{{quote|'''Joe:''' Just because I'm younger, smaller and more easily intimidated...?}}
* ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' gives us Jon Snow.
* ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' gives us Jon Snow.


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* Every [[Boy Band]] ever.
* Every [[Boy Band]] ever.
* Guitarist [http://guitarinternational.com/files/2010/05/JG-1B.jpg Josh Gooch]. Yes that is a man.
* Guitarist [http://guitarinternational.com/files/2010/05/JG-1B.jpg Josh Gooch]. Yes that is a man.
* Pete Wentz of [[Fall Out Boy (Music)|Fall Out Boy]].
* Pete Wentz of [[Fall Out Boy]].
* [http://www.celebrityrockstarguitars.com/rock/dave_murry_files/Dave-murray.jpg Dave] [http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/43798241/Dave+Murray+Iron+Maiden+l_2958f1e87b1b9834443975057891.jpg Murray].
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131217221349/http://celebrityrockstarguitars.com/rock/dave_murry_files/Dave-murray.jpg Dave] [http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/43798241/Dave+Murray+Iron+Maiden+l_2958f1e87b1b9834443975057891.jpg Murray]{{Dead link}}.
* [http://roflrazzi.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/funny-celebrity-pictures-gerard-freaking-way.jpg Gerard Way], anyone? His on-stage sassiness/"obvious" gayness towards fellow band member Frank Iero doesn't help.
* [http://roflrazzi.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/funny-celebrity-pictures-gerard-freaking-way.jpg Gerard Way]{{Dead link}}, anyone? His on-stage sassiness/"obvious" gayness towards fellow band member Frank Iero doesn't help.
* Bill Kaulitz. Some of the other members of [[Tokio Hotel (Music)|Tokio Hotel]] may count as well.
* Bill Kaulitz. Some of the other members of [[Tokio Hotel]] may count as well.
** Lately, both he and his twin brother Tom have taken to growing a beard and mustache. Intentionally to shrug the image? Who knows.
** Lately, both he and his twin brother Tom have taken to growing a beard and mustache. Intentionally to shrug the image? Who knows.
* Teenage pop singer [[Justin Bieber (Music)|Justin Bieber]].
* Teenage pop singer [[Justin Bieber]].
* [[Panic At the Disco (Music)|Brendon Urie.]]
* [[Panic! at the Disco|Brendon Urie.]]
* The late Keith Relf of The Yardbirds: [http://www.raw-tcsd.com/yardbirds%20keith%20relf%20ger9919942.jpg\]
* The late Keith Relf of The Yardbirds: [https://web.archive.org/web/20210323221546/https://www.namebrightstatic.com/images/logo_off.gif]{{Dead link}}
* The late Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones: [http://www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/images/brianjones5.jpg\]
* The late Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones: [https://web.archive.org/web/20130925080618/http://www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/images/brianjones5.jpg]
* [http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hCrpvBRTrh0/TgMmULWoQUI/AAAAAAAAGLQ/nImNUtMHW4Y/s1600/Versailles_-_Holy_Grail_promo.jpg Every single member] of [[Versailles (Music)|Versailles]]. [[Wholesome Crossdresser|Yes, including the one in the dress.]]
* [http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hCrpvBRTrh0/TgMmULWoQUI/AAAAAAAAGLQ/nImNUtMHW4Y/s1600/Versailles_-_Holy_Grail_promo.jpg Every single member] of [[Versailles]]. [[Wholesome Crossdresser|Yes, including the one in the dress.]]
* The late [[Michael Jackson (Music)|Michael Jackson]]. In the mid-90's, before the surgeries became too much, his appearance could be described as this.
* The late [[Michael Jackson]]. In the mid-90's, before the surgeries became too much, his appearance could be described as this.
* [http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lm2ud8jWhe1qespypo1_500.jpg Quorthon] of the black metal band [[Bathory (Music)|Bathory]]. He later grew a beard to hide this.
* [http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lm2ud8jWhe1qespypo1_500.jpg Quorthon] of the black metal band [[Bathory]]. He later grew a beard to hide this.
* Peter Noone of [[Hermans Hermits (Music)|Hermans Hermits]]. Half of the [[YouTube]] comment history of [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv8k0VI9tBc this video] draws attention to his striking resemblance to [[Justin Bieber (Music)|Justin Bieber]]. Funnier still is that Noone was Bieber’s current age at the time of that performance.
* Peter Noone of [[Herman's Hermits|Hermans Hermits]]. Half of the [[YouTube]] comment history of [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv8k0VI9tBc this video] draws attention to his striking resemblance to [[Justin Bieber]]. Funnier still is that Noone was Bieber’s current age at the time of that performance.
* Young [http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx200/BarbarellaSteele1975/sydbarrett.jpg Syd Barrett] & young [http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx200/BarbarellaSteele1975/6725_4dd5.jpg David Gilmour]. Heck, Syd could've been an anime [[Bishounen]] character. Sadly, their fantastic good looks didn't last.
* Young [https://web.archive.org/web/20130705210134/http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx200/BarbarellaSteele1975/sydbarrett.jpg Syd Barrett] & young [http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx200/BarbarellaSteele1975/6725_4dd5.jpg David Gilmour]. Heck, Syd could've been an anime [[Bishounen]] character. Sadly, their fantastic good looks didn't last.
* Though he's often the target of mockery these days for his looks, Tom Petty was quite often considered one in the early days -- to the point where [http://www.thepettyarchives.com/magazines/magazines-1980/1980-03-trouserpress/ he said in an interview (near the end)] that he was tired of people [[So Beautiful It's a Curse|paying more attention to his looks than his music.]]
* Though he's often the target of mockery these days for his looks, Tom Petty was quite often considered one in the early days—to the point where [http://www.thepettyarchives.com/magazines/magazines-1980/1980-03-trouserpress/ he said in an interview (near the end)] that he was tired of people [[So Beautiful It's a Curse|paying more attention to his looks than his music.]]
* The late [[Elvis Presley (Music)|Elvis Presley]].
* The late [[Elvis Presley]].
* Every single member of [[The Horrors]] is this to at least some extent.
* Every single member of [[The Horrors]] is this to at least some extent.


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* In [[Norse Mythology]], Balder is so pretty that ''everything in the universe'' that can pledges their love to him.
* In [[Norse Mythology]], Balder is so pretty that ''everything in the universe'' that can pledges their love to him.
** Loki. Even in the post-Christianization days, he's described as "pleasing and handsome" in appearance, but never the rugged, muscled type.
** Loki. Even in the post-Christianization days, he's described as "pleasing and handsome" in appearance, but never the rugged, muscled type.
* [[Older Than Feudalism]]: The [[Greek Mythology|Greek god]] Dionysus in some depictions, such as [[Euripides]]' ''[[Bacchae (Theatre)|Bacchae]]''. Ganymede sometimes gets this treatment as well.
* [[Older Than Feudalism]]: The [[Greek Mythology|Greek god]] Dionysus in some depictions, such as [[Euripides]]' ''[[Bacchae]]''. Ganymede sometimes gets this treatment as well.
* A surprising [http://oneobjectivistsartobjectoftheday.blogspot.com/2011/03/unusual-depictions-of-jesus-week.html amount of images of Jesus].
* A surprising [http://oneobjectivistsartobjectoftheday.blogspot.com/2011/03/unusual-depictions-of-jesus-week.html amount of images of Jesus].
* Cu Chulainn is described in [[Celtic Mythology]] as a very attractive man of the elfish, smooth-faced sort, at least when he wasn't in a [[Game Face|warp spasm]].
* Cu Chulainn is described in [[Celtic Mythology]] as a very attractive man of the elfish, smooth-faced sort, at least when he wasn't in a [[Game Face|warp spasm]].
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== Tabletop Games ==
== Tabletop Games ==
* A [[Fanfic|fan-made]] chapter of the [[Space Marine|Space Marines]] of [[Warhammer 40 K]] fame, the Pretty Marines. They have some sort of gland that creates the [[Bishie Sparkle|sparkle]], and their guns have roses on them. Their scouts are [[Cute Shotaro Boy|cute shotaro boys,]] and they have [[Yaoi Fangirl|legions of female fans]]. And this is all well and good... just watch out for the ''[[Face Heel Turn|Chaos]]'' Pretty Marines.
* A [[Fanfic|fan-made]] chapter of the [[Space Marine]]s of [[Warhammer 40,000]] fame, the Pretty Marines. They have some sort of gland that creates the [[Bishie Sparkle|sparkle]], and their guns have roses on them. Their scouts are [[Cute Shotaro Boy|cute shotaro boys,]] and they have [[Yaoi Fangirl|legions of female fans]]. And this is all well and good... just watch out for the ''[[Face Heel Turn|Chaos]]'' Pretty Marines.
** And as "pretty boy" as you can get canonically in the ultra-gritty universe of [[Warhammer 40000]], there's both [[Our Elves Are Better|the Eldar]], to a point, and the Primarch of the Blood Angels, Sanguinis, who has [[Winged Humanoid|angel wings]] and everything (of course, his death caused all the [[Super Soldier]] armies based on him to become [[Our Vampires Are Different|bloodthirsty and prone to going insane]])
** And as "pretty boy" as you can get canonically in the ultra-gritty universe of [[Warhammer 40,000]], there's both [[Our Elves Are Better|the Eldar]], to a point, and the Primarch of the Blood Angels, Sanguinis, who has [[Winged Humanoid|angel wings]] and everything (of course, his death caused all the [[Super Soldier]] armies based on him to become [[Our Vampires Are Different|bloodthirsty and prone to going insane]])
*** Eldar, "To a point"?
*** Eldar, "To a point"?
{{quote| "The Eldar are physically similar to humans, but with longer, cleaner limbs, slim and elegant features, pointed ears, and penetrating eyes."}}
{{quote|"The Eldar are physically similar to humans, but with longer, cleaner limbs, slim and elegant features, pointed ears, and penetrating eyes."}}
*** Additionally the chapters based on Sanguinis' gene seed are also noted as being somewhat prettier than the other marines.
*** Additionally the chapters based on Sanguinis' gene seed are also noted as being somewhat prettier than the other marines.
** The Emperor's Children (Chaos) Space Marine Legion. So Bishonen that they are derrisively referred to as "peacocks" by most of the other legions while they are still loyal to the Imperium's cause. Their primarch, Fulgrim, is one of the prettiest humans alive. Furthermore, even after falling to Chaos, they continue trying to make themselves look as alluring and attractive as possible, part of their pact with the Chaos god Slaanesh. It doesn't help that their armour is various shades of purple and pink...
** The Emperor's Children (Chaos) Space Marine Legion. So Bishonen that they are derrisively referred to as "peacocks" by most of the other legions while they are still loyal to the Imperium's cause. Their primarch, Fulgrim, is one of the prettiest humans alive. Furthermore, even after falling to Chaos, they continue trying to make themselves look as alluring and attractive as possible, part of their pact with the Chaos god Slaanesh. It doesn't help that their armour is various shades of purple and pink...
*** Pretty much any follower of Slaanesh in either classic Warhammer or Warhammer 40k qualifies. The Emperor's Children were always bishonen, after falling in thrall to Slaanesh they became more like [[Incredibly Lame Pun|Bosch-onen]].
*** Pretty much any follower of Slaanesh in either classic Warhammer or Warhammer 40k qualifies. The Emperor's Children were always bishonen, after falling in thrall to Slaanesh they became more like [[Incredibly Lame Pun|Bosch-onen]].
**** Unlike the Pretty Marines, the pre-Heresy Emperor's Children were just as brutal and ruthless as any other Space Marines, so looks can be deceiving.
**** Unlike the Pretty Marines, the pre-Heresy Emperor's Children were just as brutal and ruthless as any other Space Marines, so looks can be deceiving.
* "Bishonen Look" is an Advantage in ''[[GURPS]]'' (introduced in ''GURPS [[Humongous Mecha|Mecha]]''), which works like Attractive, except the bonus to reaction roles apply to both sexes. In 4e the same Advantage is simply named "Androgynous".
* "Bishonen Look" is an Advantage in ''[[GURPS]]'' (introduced in ''GURPS [[Humongous Mecha|Mecha]]''), which works like Attractive, except the bonus to reaction roles apply to both sexes. In 4e the same Advantage is simply named "Androgynous".
* ''[[Exalted]]''. To give just a few examples: the Solars Moray Darktide and Swan, the Infernal Captain Gyrfalcon, the Abyssal known as the Prince of Shadows, and the Alchemical known as Voice of Authority. There are many others.
* ''[[Exalted]]''. To give just a few examples: the Solars Moray Darktide and Swan, the Infernal Captain Gyrfalcon, the Abyssal known as the Prince of Shadows, and the Alchemical known as Voice of Authority. There are many others.
* The 3rd Edition of ''[[Nobilis (Tabletop Game)|Nobilis]]'' whimsically notes that mysterious bishounen are usually Imperators, Powers, Excrucians, or the offspring of the Star-Beast Qot. In the event they happen to be human, they're probably not that mysterious.
* The 3rd Edition of ''[[Nobilis]]'' whimsically notes that mysterious bishounen are usually Imperators, Powers, Excrucians, or the offspring of the Star-Beast Qot. In the event they happen to be human, they're probably not that mysterious.
* Despite metal growing out of his body, and his muscles, and [[Walking Shirtless Scene|clothing so scanty as to show off those muscles]], ''[[Magic the Gathering]]'''s Koth of the Hammer has a very pretty face.
* Despite metal growing out of his body, and his muscles, and [[Walking Shirtless Scene|clothing so scanty as to show off those muscles]], ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'''s Koth of the Hammer has a very pretty face.




== Theatre ==
== Theatre ==
* Herbert von Krolock in ''[[Tanz Der Vampire]]'' is one of these whenever the actor's makeup can create the effect, and the results tend to be [http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd245/weshouldbefriends/Tim%20Reichwein/omggorgeous.jpg stunning]. His father, meanwhile, looks like the less fortunate end result of the formula "[[Pretty Boy]] + age + suffering and guilt".
* Herbert von Krolock in ''[[Tanz der Vampire]]'' is one of these whenever the actor's makeup can create the effect, and the results tend to be [http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd245/weshouldbefriends/Tim%20Reichwein/omggorgeous.jpg stunning]. His father, meanwhile, looks like the less fortunate end result of the formula "Pretty Boy + age + suffering and guilt".




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* ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic]] 5'': {{spoiler|Agrael is this underneath that big red suit of armor.}}
* ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic]] 5'': {{spoiler|Agrael is this underneath that big red suit of armor.}}
* Johnny Cage of the ''[[Mortal Kombat]]'' series, though Johnny himself is the one who enforces it. He constantly refers to himself as "pretty" and is always praising his own good looks. Even one of his battle cries revolves around how pretty he thinks he is:
* Johnny Cage of the ''[[Mortal Kombat]]'' series, though Johnny himself is the one who enforces it. He constantly refers to himself as "pretty" and is always praising his own good looks. Even one of his battle cries revolves around how pretty he thinks he is:
{{quote| '''Johnny:''' Oh yeah! I'm so pretty!}}
{{quote|'''Johnny:''' Oh yeah! I'm so pretty!}}


== Webcomics ==
== Webcomics ==
* In the [[Animesque]] [[Web Comic]] ''[[El Goonish Shive (Webcomic)|El Goonish Shive]]'', Tedd normally wears [[Nerd Glasses]] to keep bullies from insulting him for being androgynous; he doesn't seem to be aware that without them he (or in this case, Grace disguised as him) is attractive enough to make [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-05-21 (mostly) straight guys extremely uncomfortable]. His habit of [[Gender Bender|changing his sex]] into an [[Attractive Bent Gender|even prettier female form]] is probably at least partly [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2006-08-07 because he can feel comfortable about being attractive while a girl]. He isn't quite the classic bishie, being short and rather geeky, but this only seems to underscore the effect.
* In the [[Animesque]] [[Web Comic]] ''[[El Goonish Shive]]'', Tedd normally wears [[Nerd Glasses]] to keep bullies from insulting him for being androgynous; he doesn't seem to be aware that without them he (or in this case, Grace disguised as him) is attractive enough to make [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-05-21 (mostly) straight guys extremely uncomfortable]. His habit of [[Gender Bender|changing his sex]] into an [[Attractive Bent Gender|even prettier female form]] is probably at least partly [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2006-08-07 because he can feel comfortable about being attractive while a girl]. He isn't quite the classic bishie, being short and rather geeky, but this only seems to underscore the effect.
** He's also used [[Bishie Sparkle]] at least twice. Notable in that this is apparently visible in-universe; the next panel always includes someone asking [[Lampshade Hanging|"Since when could you glow?"]]
** He's also used [[Bishie Sparkle]] at least twice. Notable in that this is apparently visible in-universe; the next panel always includes someone asking [[Lampshade Hanging|"Since when could you glow?"]]
* Rieken in ''[[A Distant Soil]]'', fits this trope to a T, down to white hair so long it drags on the ground. The twist, though, is that he is probably the most supernaturally powerful being alive.
* Rieken in ''[[A Distant Soil]]'', fits this trope to a T, down to white hair so long it drags on the ground. The twist, though, is that he is probably the most supernaturally powerful being alive.
* Parody/[[Subverted Trope|subversion]]: [http://www.drunkduck.com/Stickman_and_Cube/index.php?p=243777 This strip] from the [[Stick Figure Comic]] ''[[Stickman and Cube]]'' has the cartoonist supposedly draw the two characters [[Bishonen]]. The joke is that they look ''exactly the same'', being of course a stickman and a cube, except with added [[Bishie Sparkle]]. But... so bishie!
* Parody/[[Subverted Trope|subversion]]: [https://web.archive.org/web/20100630184857/http://www.drunkduck.com/Stickman_and_Cube/index.php?p=243777 This strip] from the [[Stick Figure Comic]] ''[[Stickman and Cube]]'' has the cartoonist supposedly draw the two characters [[Bishonen]]. The joke is that they look ''exactly the same'', being of course a stickman and a cube, except with added [[Bishie Sparkle]]. But... so bishie!
* Maxim of ''[[Girl Genius]]'', sporting a narrower, pointier face, thinner build, and longer, bishi-er hair than his compatriots Dimo and Oggie, very nearly fits here. There are only a couple things off: First, he has purple skin, smiles too much, smiles too ''big'', and has a mouth full of sharp teeth, all because he is a Jaegermonster. Second, he's too fun-loving, upbeat, and goofy, also because he is a Jaegermonster. Third, his personality is far too distinctive. [[No Except Yes|Other than that]] he fits perfectly.
* Maxim of ''[[Girl Genius]]'', sporting a narrower, pointier face, thinner build, and longer, bishi-er hair than his compatriots Dimo and Oggie, very nearly fits here. There are only a couple things off: First, he has purple skin, smiles too much, smiles too ''big'', and has a mouth full of sharp teeth, all because he is a Jaegermonster. Second, he's too fun-loving, upbeat, and goofy, also because he is a Jaegermonster. Third, his personality is far too distinctive. [[No Except Yes|Other than that]] he fits perfectly.
** [[Word of God|Foglio]] has said that he designed Maxim for fun, to see if he ''could'' draw a bishonen Jaeger. Well, he can!
** [[Word of God|Foglio]] has said that he designed Maxim for fun, to see if he ''could'' draw a bishonen Jaeger. Well, he can!
* The titular character from [[Terinu]] is definitely bishie, coming from a genetically uplifted race designed to look cute. Being marsupials, even the females are fairly androgenous in appearance ([[Pettanko|flat-chested]] after all).
* The titular character from [[Terinu]] is definitely bishie, coming from a genetically uplifted race designed to look cute. Being marsupials, even the females are fairly androgenous in appearance ([[Pettanko|flat-chested]] after all).
* ''[[The Cyantian Chronicles]]'': Jules reacts this way to Sean. Although that might just be because of his wings.
* ''[[The Cyantian Chronicles]]'': Jules reacts this way to Sean. Although that might just be because of his wings.
** Similarly, ''[[Alien Dice]]'' has Lexx. Who, in a noncanon segment from Cafe Anime, got kidnapped, blasted with a jar of [[Bishie Sparkle|bishi glitter]], and paraded around in a leash and an undershirt as a demonstration of "How To Bishi". And who has a large fan base in Canon.
** Similarly, ''[[Alien Dice]]'' has Lexx. Who, in a noncanon segment from Cafe Anime, got kidnapped, blasted with a jar of [[Bishie Sparkle|bishi glitter]], and paraded around in a leash and an undershirt as a demonstration of "How To Bishi". And who has a large fan base in Canon.
* ''[[Blip]]'' portrays [[Satan|Lucifer]] this way. At one point, Luc meets an angel who is his exact double. His reaction: "I'm... gorgeous!"
* ''[[Blip]]'' portrays [[Satan|Lucifer]] this way. At one point, Luc meets an angel who is his exact double. His reaction: "I'm... gorgeous!"
* ''[[RPG World]]'' has Eikre, whose whole character is based on this. Along with him are his friends Hawk and Jeff. In fact the three of them took high school classes on how to '''BE BISHONEN'''.
* ''[[RPG World]]'' has Eikre, whose whole character is based on this. Along with him are his friends Hawk and Jeff. In fact the three of them took high school classes on how to '''BE BISHONEN'''.
* ''[[Overlordof Ravenfell]]'' has two main bishonen characters in Razin and Javanshin.
* ''[[Overlord of Ravenfell]]'' has two main bishonen characters in Razin and Javanshin.
* ''[[Fey Winds]]'' has bishonen, but also parodies it in regards to Sidney's twin brother.
* ''[[Fey Winds]]'' has bishonen, but also parodies it in regards to Sidney's twin brother.
* Nearly all of the main male characters from [[Khaos Komix]], but especially Tom. Probably comes with being [[Ft M]] transsexual. He doesn't have any of the typical personality traits, however, being [[Straight Gay]] (bordering on [[Manly Gay]]).
* Nearly all of the main male characters from [[Khaos Komix]], but especially Tom. Probably comes with being FtM transsexual. He doesn't have any of the typical personality traits, however, being [[Invisible to Gaydar]] (bordering on [[Manly Gay]]).
* Oswald of ''[[Knights Errant (Webcomic)|Knights Errant]]'' gets special mention for being known as a [[Pretty Boy]] in-story. Most of the other characters aren't too bad-looking either.
* Oswald of ''[[Knights Errant (webcomic)|Knights Errant]]'' gets special mention for being known as a Pretty Boy in-story. Most of the other characters aren't too bad-looking either.
* Large portion of the cast of ''[[Roommates 2007 (Webcomic)|Roommates]]'' and its [[Spin-Off]] s ''[[Girls Next Door (Webcomic)|Girls Next Door]]'' and ''[[Down the Street (Webcomic)|Down the Street]]'' (but not enough to qualify as a [[Cast Full of Pretty Boys]] mostly because there are enough strong women in the series' who get ''panel time'').
* Large portion of the cast of ''[[Roommates 2007|Roommates]]'' and its [[Spin-Off]] s ''[[Girls Next Door]]'' and ''[[Down the Street]]'' (but not enough to qualify as a [[Cast Full of Pretty Boys]] mostly because there are enough strong women in the series' who get ''panel time'').




== Web Original ==
== Web Original ==
* Bladezz in [[The Guild]], especially in his modeling pictures and the music video.
* Bladezz in [[The Guild]], especially in his modeling pictures and the music video.
* In [[Sapphire (Literature)|Sapphire]], you have Boris Rubanenko, Daisuke Midori, and Nikolai Kitano, to name a few.
* In [[Sapphire]], you have Boris Rubanenko, Daisuke Midori, and Nikolai Kitano, to name a few.
* Gabriel Dunn from ''[[Broken Saints]]'' has elements of this, especially in some panels. Also, despite writer Brooke Burgess' disdain for the idea of Raimi being played by a pretty boy in a theoretical Big Hollywood Movie Version, Raimi isn't too far off from this himself.
* Gabriel Dunn from ''[[Broken Saints]]'' has elements of this, especially in some panels. Also, despite writer Brooke Burgess' disdain for the idea of Raimi being played by a pretty boy in a theoretical Big Hollywood Movie Version, Raimi isn't too far off from this himself.
* In ''[[The Secret Life of Dolls]]'', [[The Golden Compass|Lyra]] and [[Pirates of the Caribbean|Elizabeth Swann]] had this discussion about a picture of the Will Turner doll:
* In ''[[The Secret Life of Dolls]]'', [[The Golden Compass|Lyra]] and [[Pirates of the Caribbean|Elizabeth Swann]] had this discussion about a picture of the Will Turner doll:
{{quote| Lyra popped up over Elizabeth's shoulder. "That scarf is a girly scarf."<br />
{{quote|Lyra popped up over Elizabeth's shoulder. "That scarf is a girly scarf."
"Well, that's just how guys dressed back... now."<br />
"Well, that's just how guys dressed back... now."
"In tights?"<br />
"In tights?"
She sighed. "Sometimes Will was prettier than I was." }}
She sighed. "Sometimes Will was prettier than I was." }}
* Apollo, Dionysus, and Eros in [[Thalias Musings]].
* Apollo, Dionysus, and Eros in [[Thalia's Musings]].
* Hashimoto Daichi, and Nektarios Lekas, who along with most male demigods, is described as being handsome.
* Hashimoto Daichi, and Nektarios Lekas, who along with most male demigods, is described as being handsome.
* [[The Nostalgia Critic (Web Video)|The Nostalgia Critic]]. Even he lampshaded it in the ''[[Battlefield Earth (Film)|Battlefield Earth]]'' review by trying to say he got more handsome, but couldn't do it and chose "pretty" instead.
* [[The Nostalgia Critic]]. Even he lampshaded it in the ''[[Battlefield Earth (film)|Battlefield Earth]]'' review by trying to say he got more handsome, but couldn't do it and chose "pretty" instead.




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* Comedy Central's animated "reality" show ''[[Drawn Together]]'' parodies this character type with Xandir.
* Comedy Central's animated "reality" show ''[[Drawn Together]]'' parodies this character type with Xandir.
* ''Field Test'', the third segment of ''[[Batman]]: Gotham Knight'', gives Bruce Wayne a rather [[Bishonen]]-esque look (which doesn't exactly fit Kevin Conroy's voice that well).
* ''Field Test'', the third segment of ''[[Batman]]: Gotham Knight'', gives Bruce Wayne a rather [[Bishonen]]-esque look (which doesn't exactly fit Kevin Conroy's voice that well).
* ''[[WITCH (Animation)|WITCH]]'', ''[[Winx Club]]'', and ''[[Totally Spies]]'', due to their anime influences, tend to have bishie male characters as [[Love Interests]].
* ''[[WITCH (animation)|WITCH]]'', ''[[Winx Club]]'', and ''[[Totally Spies!]]'', due to their anime influences, tend to have bishie male characters as [[Love Interests]].
* Aqualad from ''[[Teen Titans (Animation)|Teen Titans]]''. As well as Malchior (or Rorek) except his "human" form is ''made of paper''.
* Aqualad from ''[[Teen Titans (animation)|Teen Titans]]''. As well as Malchior (or Rorek) except his "human" form is ''made of paper''.
* Chase Young was tagged to be a [[Bishonen]] in the ''[[Xiaolin Showdown (Animation)|Xiaolin Showdown]]'' trope-section - I guess it works if you're into 1500-year-old half-dragons immortals...he does stay in his human form most of the time.
* Chase Young was tagged to be a [[Bishonen]] in the ''[[Xiaolin Showdown]]'' trope-section - I guess it works if you're into 1500-year-old half-dragons immortals...he does stay in his human form most of the time.
* Julio Blanco from the MTV cartoon ''[[Spy Groove]]'' is so pretty that ''[[Leonardo Di Caprio]]'' is considered a suspect in his death {{spoiler|He faked it.}}
* Julio Blanco from the MTV cartoon ''[[Spy Groove]]'' is so pretty that ''[[Leonardo DiCaprio]]'' is considered a suspect in his death {{spoiler|He faked it.}}
* Brackus from ''[[Di Gata Defenders]]'' was revealed to be one [[I Was Quite a Looker|when he was younger]]. Blatant Fanbase pandering by the animators.
* Brackus from ''[[Di-Gata Defenders]]'' was revealed to be one [[I Was Quite a Looker|when he was younger]]. Blatant Fanbase pandering by the animators.
* Sylvain in the weird, [[Animesque]] French animated film ''[[Gandahar]]'' (AKA ''Light Years'').
* Sylvain in the weird, [[Animesque]] French animated film ''[[Gandahar]]'' (AKA ''Light Years'').
* [[Gorillaz]]'s 2D has elements of this, except with a distinct [[Uncanny Valley]] flavour. [http://www.musictrax.org/images/gorillaz.jpg Look at him.]
* [[Gorillaz]]'s 2D has elements of this, except with a distinct [[Uncanny Valley]] flavour. [http://www.musictrax.org/images/gorillaz.jpg Look at him.]{{Dead link}}
* Lancelot from [[King Arthurs Disasters]].
* Lancelot from [[King Arthur's Disasters]].
* Mozenrath from the ''[[Aladdin (Disney)|Aladdin]]'' series.
* Mozenrath from the ''[[Aladdin (Disney film)|Aladdin]]'' series.
* Gordon Gibble from [[Kick Buttowski]].
* Gordon Gibble from [[Kick Buttowski]].
* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'': Zuko manages to be quite the pretty boy in spite of the horrible burn scar that mars a large portion of his face, his prettiness is accentuated in seasons two and three after his hair grows out and softens the harsher edges of said scar.
* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender (Animation)|Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'': Zuko [http://piandao.org/screencaps/ep12/ep12-503.png at age thirteen when he didn't have his scar]. Also, Haru.
* In [[Sequel Series]] ''[[The Legend of Korra]]''
** Fans in and out of universe consider him this even with the scar
* In [[Sequel Series]] ''[[The Legend of Korra (Animation)|The Legend of Korra]]''
** [[Tall, Dark and Handsome]] Mako takes over the throne for Zuko in this department, (his younger brother Bolin is a [[Big Beautiful Man]])
** [[Tall, Dark and Handsome]] Mako takes over the throne for Zuko in this department, (his younger brother Bolin is a [[Big Beautiful Man]])
** [[Jerk Jock]] and [[Agent Peacock]] Tahno also qualifies, and [[The Hero]] Korra disparagingly calls him such in "The Spirit of Competition."
** [[Jerk Jock]] and [[Agent Peacock]] Tahno also qualifies, and [[The Hero]] Korra disparagingly calls him such in "The Spirit of Competition."
* Shang in ''[[Mulan]]''. Yao even refers to him as such during His [[Shirtless Scene]].
* Shang in ''[[Mulan]]''. Yao even refers to him as such during His [[Shirtless Scene]].




== Real Life ==
== Real Life ==
* Just about every single teen/Disney Channel star ever is put up as this. Zac Efron and [[Justin Bieber (Music)|Justin Bieber]] are two [[Egregious]] examples.
* Just about every single teen/Disney Channel star ever is put up as this. Zac Efron and [[Justin Bieber]] are two [[Egregious]] examples.
* A young [[Christopher Walken]]. "I was a pretty boy. Particularly in my early movies. I don't like looking at them so much. There's a sort of pretty thing about me."
* A young [[Christopher Walken]]. "I was a pretty boy. Particularly in my early movies. I don't like looking at them so much. There's a sort of pretty thing about me."
* [[Jamie Campbell Bower]] has a slender build and relatively feminine facial feautures which definitely make him a pretty boy. This is lessening slightly as he gets older.
* [[Jamie Campbell Bower]] has a slender build and relatively feminine facial feautures which definitely make him a pretty boy. This is lessening slightly as he gets older.
** See [http://images.wikia.com/cinema/it/images/2/23/Sandro_Lohmann.jpg Sandro Lohmann] for a German version.
** See [https://web.archive.org/web/20150706041941/http://images.wikia.com/cinema/it/images/2/23/Sandro_Lohmann.jpg Sandro Lohmann] for a German version.
* Andrej Pejic. Ridiculous. [http://i.cocoperez.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/andrej-pejic-wants-to-pose-for-playboy__oPt.jpg Example?]
* Andrej Pejic. Ridiculous. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120521051333/http://i.cocoperez.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/andrej-pejic-wants-to-pose-for-playboy__oPt.jpg Example?]
{{quote| Perhaps [[Long-Haired Pretty Boy]]? Or maybe [[Bishonen]]}}
{{quote|Perhaps [[Long-Haired Pretty Boy]]? Or maybe [[Bishonen]]}}
* [http://media.photobucket.com/image/bjorn%20andresen/Astatie/Bjorn%20Andresen/0003.jpg Bjorn Andresen.] This [[So Beautiful It's a Curse|didn't always make him happy.]]
* [http://media.photobucket.com/image/bjorn%20andresen/Astatie/Bjorn%20Andresen/0003.jpg Bjorn Andresen.] This [[So Beautiful It's a Curse|didn't always make him happy.]]
* Nico Rosberg, a [[Formula One]] driver, whom one driver referred to as "the prettiest girl in Formula One". He's earnt himself the ("in-universe") nickname "Britney".
* Nico Rosberg, a [[Formula One]] driver, whom one driver referred to as "the prettiest girl in Formula One". He's earnt himself the ("in-universe") nickname "Britney".
* Astronaut [http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3370633432/1/tumblr_lgu7idhfe91qcqt10 Roger Chaffee]. Poor guy had to die before he was taken seriously by the press. Graying hair and occasional stubble did nothing.
* Astronaut [http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3370633432/1/tumblr_lgu7idhfe91qcqt10 Roger Chaffee]{{Dead link}}. Poor guy had to die before he was taken seriously by the press. Graying hair and occasional stubble did nothing.
* [[Paul McCartney]], known as "the cute [[The Beatles|Beatle]]".
* [[Paul McCartney]], known as "the cute [[The Beatles|Beatle]]".
* Tenor Franco Corelli broke the stereotype of the overweight, plain-looking opera singer by being this. He was idolized like a rock star.
* Tenor Franco Corelli broke the stereotype of the overweight, plain-looking opera singer by being this. He was idolized like a rock star.
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* [[Benedict Cumberbatch]].
* [[Benedict Cumberbatch]].
* [[Tom Hiddleston]]
* [[Tom Hiddleston]]
* The late [[Heath Ledger]].
* The late [[Heath Ledger]].
* The young Gregory Peck could look like this.
* The young Gregory Peck could look like this.
* If it's possible, youtube singer Nick Pireta looks like a poutier Dean Winchester.
* If it's possible, youtube singer Nick Pireta looks like a poutier Dean Winchester.
* Mathew Baynton of ''[[Horrible Histories (TV)|Horrible Histories]]''. His co-stars' standard response when asked about the show's success is "Mat's eyes".
* Mathew Baynton of ''[[Horrible Histories (TV series)|Horrible Histories]]''. His co-stars' standard response when asked about the show's success is "Mat's eyes".
* [[Ian McKellen]], in his youth.


{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Always Male]]
[[Category:Always Male]]
[[Category:Characters As Device]]
[[Category:Characters As Device]]
[[Category:Pretty Boy]]
[[Category:Pages with comment tags]]
[[Category:A Pretty Boy Index]]
[[Category:A Pretty Boy Index]]
[[Category:Pretty Boy]]
[[Category:The Beautiful Tropes]]
[[Category:All the Tropes Superhero Team]]

Latest revision as of 15:16, 21 May 2023

You're prettier than half my daughters.
Craster, talking about Jon Snow, Game of Thrones

You know that ruggedly handsome manly man the ladies all sigh for? This isn't that guy. Oh, he still gets the sighs, but it's because he is so dang pretty. These guys are often slender or slight, with fine facial features. Height is variable: if his prettiness comes from his youthfulness, then he's probably shorter; if it comes from his status as Mr. Fanservice, then he's going to be taller.

This doesn't necessarily mean he's androgynous, or looks like a girl, though; that's a different trope, Dude Looks Like a Lady (or Viewer Gender Confusion, if he's androgynous enough that the audience is genuinely confused about his real gender).

The Pretty Boy also isn't necessarily effeminate or weak. He may well be as strong or physically powerful as the other, more muscular guys, and as masculine as the more ruggedly handsome ones. Expect one of his more rugged counterparts to sneeringly call him "Pretty boy" at least once. Increasingly common for even his detractors to comment on just how much they appreciate his looks.

Note: East Asian media (particularly Japanese and Korean) uses a related trope, Bishonen. The main difference is that in western media there seems to be a cutoff point as to where a male can be too pretty, whereas eastern culture doesn't really have that.

See also Agent Peacock.

Examples of Pretty Boy include:

Comic Books


Film

Literature

  • The Honor Harrington series by David Weber uses the trope extensively. The two biggest examples are Victor Cachat who is described as being young and very cute at least once in every book he appears in and Jeremy X who was genetically engineered to be one (he is designed to the point were he can't have any facial hair even!) It is helped along and justified by all the Designer Babies roaming around, Magic Plastic Surgery, and by the pro-long life extension treatments that can make a hardened military officer that is over 40 years old look like he is barely out of high school.
  • Dorian Gray in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray is described as intoxicatingly, androgynously beautiful. Making this.
  • Aramis in The Three Musketeers is described as being as pretty as a woman. Of course, he's the one of the Musketeers who's most popular with women.
  • Raziel in Lamb the Gospel According To Biff is pretty enough even to provoke Stupid Sexy Flanders moments from the First-Person Smartass protagonist, Biff. It's apparently a standard angel trait.
  • The War Against the Chtorr. Lizard and Ted describe the teenage protagonist Jim McCarthy this way, though he doesn't believe them. But definitely the case with Shaun—a sixteen year-old, bisexual attendant on the luxury airship Hieronymus Bosch, whose duties include prostitution and military defence.
  • The protagonists in the Warchild Series are usually described this way, even when they have extensive combat training and are capable of great violence. The third book, "Cagebird" has a protagonist described as cherubic-looking who eventually becomes a prostitute/assassin, and the protagonist from her second book is described as a beautiful boy with large, kittenish eyes.
  • Shakespeare's Sonnet 20. The young boy is described as such: "A woman's face with Nature's own hand painted hast thou, the master-mistress of my passion", until Nature "pricked him out for woman's pleasure."
  • The temporary protagonist of Crow on the Bridge by Max Frei reminisces meeting one of these:

Entered the room a young man of such a blinding beauty that to me it seemed not as much pleasant to the eye as absolutely out of place in the given circumstances. Really, here happens such things, i should make the Gloves of Death and it's yet unknown how to survive this fancy-work; civil war continues for umpteenth year in Conjoined Kingdom, and ultimately the world will fall soon; and he walks here with such a look as if a human had no more important task than to look beautiful. My feelings were about these, though when spoken aloud they sound absurd, i see it myself.

  • All of the male vampires in Twilight. They even come with the Bishie Sparkle pre-packaged.
  • There are a bunch in A Song of Ice and Fire:
    • Ser Loras Tyrell is described as "beautiful" rather than handsome, called "The Knight of Flowers" and clad in rainbow armour until he joined the Kingsguard. Of course, this is probably to do with the fact that he's only about sixteen at the start of the series.
    • Joffrey Baratheon, who is described as a combination of his sister Myrcella and his uncle Jaime who also happens to be his father.
    • Rhaegar Targaryen was a beautiful White-Haired Pretty Boy who despite being a great warrior, was also a sensitve/emo man who liked to play the lyre (fans have joked that the character seems to have walked out of an anime or a JRPG).
    • "Young Griff" is a beautiful young man who has long eye lashes and dyes his hair blue He's actually Aegon Targaryen, the son of the above Rhaegar, or at least a convincing impostor.
    • The Citadel student Alleras is probably the female Sarella Sand in male disguise, with the result that (s)he fits this, and is described as being comely, pretty, etc. as opposed to handsome.
  • The title character of Billy Budd.
  • It's implied that Henry from The Time Traveler's Wife is one. Apart from being called "pretty" on occasion, it's also mentioned that he looks a good deal like his Hot Mom.
  • From Harry Potter we have Cedric Diggory AKA "Pretty Boy Diggory"...
    • Tom Marvolo Riddle AKA Lord Voldemort, was this back in Hogwarts. But meddling in the dark arts and mutilating his soul for immortality destroyed his good looks.
  • We'd better not even begin to describe Tadzio from Death in Venice...
  • Les Misérables brings us both Enjolras and Montparnasse.
  • Finding H.F.: Bo, H.F.'s best friend (and likely half-brother) definitely qualifies. He takes utmost care of his appearance, his wavy blond hair.
  • Sufi poetry extolls the beauty of beardless boys, and some mystics believe such boys represent the perfectness of God.
  • Fablehaven has the Last-Episode New Character Bracken, who is tall, willowy, youthful, and has long, soft silver-white hair.
  • Diane Duane's Young Wizards series gives us Roshaun ke Nelaid, a Human Alien prince with Hair of Gold and a really stuck-up attitude. He gets better.
  • This is the defining characteristic of Markus in the Lonely Werewolf Girl books. Apparently he looks even hotter in a frock too.
  • Sodapop Curtis is described as being incredibly handsome and looking a lot like his (most likely hot) mother. Cue The Film of the Book, where he is definitely this, because he's played by Rob Lowe.
  • Despite the scars, many characters in Wicked Lovely explicitly refer to Niall as 'pretty boy'.
  • Lord John Grey from the Outlander series of books (and eventually his own). He's described as blonde, pretty, and a bit on the petite side.
  • Torak from The Belgariad was often described as �overly pretty� (that was before he had the left side of his body burned off of course).
  • Francis from The Secret History is described like one of these, as well as a fastidiously flamboyant dresser. Charles, too, but only because he looks like Camilla.
  • Vanyel Ashkevron from the Valdemar books.
  • Dark Life has a male character actually called Pretty. He's pretty, all right...and usually also very very scary.
  • Thomas Raith from The Dresden Files. Mind you, he is a White Court vampire (aka, "an incubus").
    • Subverted (?) in that while he's got a very pretty boy face, from the neck down he's built "like the high priest of Bowflex".
  • Marcello Clerici, the protagonist of the 1951 novel The Conformist, is described as very handsome and feminine-looking both in adolescence and adulthood.

Live-Action TV

  • Vince Noir from The Mighty Boosh. [1]
    • What are you talking about? That's Lance Dior
  • In the Bones episode "The Girl in the Mask", a doctor flies in from Japan to aid with the investigation and the team spends most of the episode trying to figure out his/her gender. Angela divines at the end of the episode through a very thorough hug that he/she is a man, despite the fact that the character was played by a woman.
    • Also, Dr. Lance Sweets.
  • The Tenth Doctor. Other than oft-repeated fangirl affirmation, there's also:

River Song: Pretty boy! With me I said.
(Long pause. Donna looks at the Doctor suggestively.)
Doctor: Oh, I'm "Pretty Boy"!
Donna: Yes!" (shocked at her own enthusiasm) "Oh, that came out a bit quick."

  • Spencer Reid of Criminal Minds, played by Matthew Gray Gubler. As co-star Shemar Moore bluntly put it, "Matthew is so pretty he's almost a girl." Yep, Dr. Reid is practically the living, breathing definition of this trope. Even in-universe, one of his nicknames is "Pretty Boy".
  • Dean. Winchester. His face is the perfect combination of prettiness and manliness.
    • Also Castiel, who ups the ante by also being slender and being the shortest (barely) of the main Supernatural trio.

Japanese gameshow host: Mr. Trickster does not like pretty-boy angels!

      • Co-star Jared Padalecki has said of Collins: "With those big Blue Eyes, he can't play a demon. They're like 'aww...' he's too pretty."
  • Dark Angel has a younger and prettier Jensen Ackles as twins Ben and Alec. The latter has Stoic Spectacles in one episode.
  • Derek Jupiter on I'm in the Band.
  • Charlie Pace in Lost, particularly during his clean shaven phase.
  • The title role of Tom Jones in the 1997 BBC version (Max Beesley).
  • Chase on House.

Dr. Foreman: Chase, you're a pretty boy. Works well with the ladies, not so much with the patients. No one wants an underwear model performing their splenectomy.

T-Bag: One things for sure, you just as pretty as advertised. Prettier even.

  • Nathan from Misfits.
  • Mr. Brain: In "Eccentric Neuroscientist vs. Beautiful Revived Ghost" the "beautiful revived ghost" isn't a woman. The ghost is played by the very pretty, yet very male Gackt. Gackt himself finds Gackt rather tasty.
  • Vincent Chase from Entourage.
  • Niles Crane in the early seasons of Frasier.
  • Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer was this as William the Bloody(-Awful Poet) before he was bitten.
  • Shawn Hunter from Boy Meets World was pretty enough that at one point he passes very convincingly as a girl. However, he grew out of it near the end of the show's run, especially after he grew a beard.
  • Merlin from Merlin is most certainly this.

Barmaid: Mmm, you're an handsome fellow.
Arthur: Well, just wouldn't be the first to say it.
Barmaid: Oh. No, sorry. I was talkin' about your friend here.
(Looks suggestively at Merlin.)
Arthur: (shocked) Him?
Merlin: (smirking at Arthur)Thank you.

Joe: Just because I'm younger, smaller and more easily intimidated...?

Music


Religion and Mythology

  • In Norse Mythology, Balder is so pretty that everything in the universe that can pledges their love to him.
    • Loki. Even in the post-Christianization days, he's described as "pleasing and handsome" in appearance, but never the rugged, muscled type.
  • Older Than Feudalism: The Greek god Dionysus in some depictions, such as Euripides' Bacchae. Ganymede sometimes gets this treatment as well.
  • A surprising amount of images of Jesus.
  • Cu Chulainn is described in Celtic Mythology as a very attractive man of the elfish, smooth-faced sort, at least when he wasn't in a warp spasm.


Tabletop Games

"The Eldar are physically similar to humans, but with longer, cleaner limbs, slim and elegant features, pointed ears, and penetrating eyes."

      • Additionally the chapters based on Sanguinis' gene seed are also noted as being somewhat prettier than the other marines.
    • The Emperor's Children (Chaos) Space Marine Legion. So Bishonen that they are derrisively referred to as "peacocks" by most of the other legions while they are still loyal to the Imperium's cause. Their primarch, Fulgrim, is one of the prettiest humans alive. Furthermore, even after falling to Chaos, they continue trying to make themselves look as alluring and attractive as possible, part of their pact with the Chaos god Slaanesh. It doesn't help that their armour is various shades of purple and pink...
      • Pretty much any follower of Slaanesh in either classic Warhammer or Warhammer 40k qualifies. The Emperor's Children were always bishonen, after falling in thrall to Slaanesh they became more like Bosch-onen.
        • Unlike the Pretty Marines, the pre-Heresy Emperor's Children were just as brutal and ruthless as any other Space Marines, so looks can be deceiving.
  • "Bishonen Look" is an Advantage in GURPS (introduced in GURPS Mecha), which works like Attractive, except the bonus to reaction roles apply to both sexes. In 4e the same Advantage is simply named "Androgynous".
  • Exalted. To give just a few examples: the Solars Moray Darktide and Swan, the Infernal Captain Gyrfalcon, the Abyssal known as the Prince of Shadows, and the Alchemical known as Voice of Authority. There are many others.
  • The 3rd Edition of Nobilis whimsically notes that mysterious bishounen are usually Imperators, Powers, Excrucians, or the offspring of the Star-Beast Qot. In the event they happen to be human, they're probably not that mysterious.
  • Despite metal growing out of his body, and his muscles, and clothing so scanty as to show off those muscles, Magic: The Gathering's Koth of the Hammer has a very pretty face.


Theatre

  • Herbert von Krolock in Tanz der Vampire is one of these whenever the actor's makeup can create the effect, and the results tend to be stunning. His father, meanwhile, looks like the less fortunate end result of the formula "Pretty Boy + age + suffering and guilt".


Video Games

  • Male blood elves in World of Warcraft. (Although they can have a little bit of facial hair.)
    • Lampshaded in some of their /silly and /flirt emotes. A silly- "Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?"
  • Heroes of Might and Magic 5: Agrael is this underneath that big red suit of armor.
  • Johnny Cage of the Mortal Kombat series, though Johnny himself is the one who enforces it. He constantly refers to himself as "pretty" and is always praising his own good looks. Even one of his battle cries revolves around how pretty he thinks he is:

Johnny: Oh yeah! I'm so pretty!

Webcomics

  • In the Animesque Web Comic El Goonish Shive, Tedd normally wears Nerd Glasses to keep bullies from insulting him for being androgynous; he doesn't seem to be aware that without them he (or in this case, Grace disguised as him) is attractive enough to make (mostly) straight guys extremely uncomfortable. His habit of changing his sex into an even prettier female form is probably at least partly because he can feel comfortable about being attractive while a girl. He isn't quite the classic bishie, being short and rather geeky, but this only seems to underscore the effect.
  • Rieken in A Distant Soil, fits this trope to a T, down to white hair so long it drags on the ground. The twist, though, is that he is probably the most supernaturally powerful being alive.
  • Parody/subversion: This strip from the Stick Figure Comic Stickman and Cube has the cartoonist supposedly draw the two characters Bishonen. The joke is that they look exactly the same, being of course a stickman and a cube, except with added Bishie Sparkle. But... so bishie!
  • Maxim of Girl Genius, sporting a narrower, pointier face, thinner build, and longer, bishi-er hair than his compatriots Dimo and Oggie, very nearly fits here. There are only a couple things off: First, he has purple skin, smiles too much, smiles too big, and has a mouth full of sharp teeth, all because he is a Jaegermonster. Second, he's too fun-loving, upbeat, and goofy, also because he is a Jaegermonster. Third, his personality is far too distinctive. Other than that he fits perfectly.
    • Foglio has said that he designed Maxim for fun, to see if he could draw a bishonen Jaeger. Well, he can!
  • The titular character from Terinu is definitely bishie, coming from a genetically uplifted race designed to look cute. Being marsupials, even the females are fairly androgenous in appearance (flat-chested after all).
  • The Cyantian Chronicles: Jules reacts this way to Sean. Although that might just be because of his wings.
    • Similarly, Alien Dice has Lexx. Who, in a noncanon segment from Cafe Anime, got kidnapped, blasted with a jar of bishi glitter, and paraded around in a leash and an undershirt as a demonstration of "How To Bishi". And who has a large fan base in Canon.
  • Blip portrays Lucifer this way. At one point, Luc meets an angel who is his exact double. His reaction: "I'm... gorgeous!"
  • RPG World has Eikre, whose whole character is based on this. Along with him are his friends Hawk and Jeff. In fact the three of them took high school classes on how to BE BISHONEN.
  • Overlord of Ravenfell has two main bishonen characters in Razin and Javanshin.
  • Fey Winds has bishonen, but also parodies it in regards to Sidney's twin brother.
  • Nearly all of the main male characters from Khaos Komix, but especially Tom. Probably comes with being FtM transsexual. He doesn't have any of the typical personality traits, however, being Invisible to Gaydar (bordering on Manly Gay).
  • Oswald of Knights Errant gets special mention for being known as a Pretty Boy in-story. Most of the other characters aren't too bad-looking either.
  • Large portion of the cast of Roommates and its Spin-Off s Girls Next Door and Down the Street (but not enough to qualify as a Cast Full of Pretty Boys mostly because there are enough strong women in the series' who get panel time).


Web Original

  • Bladezz in The Guild, especially in his modeling pictures and the music video.
  • In Sapphire, you have Boris Rubanenko, Daisuke Midori, and Nikolai Kitano, to name a few.
  • Gabriel Dunn from Broken Saints has elements of this, especially in some panels. Also, despite writer Brooke Burgess' disdain for the idea of Raimi being played by a pretty boy in a theoretical Big Hollywood Movie Version, Raimi isn't too far off from this himself.
  • In The Secret Life of Dolls, Lyra and Elizabeth Swann had this discussion about a picture of the Will Turner doll:

Lyra popped up over Elizabeth's shoulder. "That scarf is a girly scarf."
"Well, that's just how guys dressed back... now."
"In tights?"
She sighed. "Sometimes Will was prettier than I was."

  • Apollo, Dionysus, and Eros in Thalia's Musings.
  • Hashimoto Daichi, and Nektarios Lekas, who along with most male demigods, is described as being handsome.
  • The Nostalgia Critic. Even he lampshaded it in the Battlefield Earth review by trying to say he got more handsome, but couldn't do it and chose "pretty" instead.


Western Animation


Real Life

  • Just about every single teen/Disney Channel star ever is put up as this. Zac Efron and Justin Bieber are two Egregious examples.
  • A young Christopher Walken. "I was a pretty boy. Particularly in my early movies. I don't like looking at them so much. There's a sort of pretty thing about me."
  • Jamie Campbell Bower has a slender build and relatively feminine facial feautures which definitely make him a pretty boy. This is lessening slightly as he gets older.
  • Andrej Pejic. Ridiculous. Example?

Perhaps Long-Haired Pretty Boy? Or maybe Bishonen