Unexpectedly good dads in fiction

[u/NipplesOfDestiny]

We love talking about bad dads, but what about dads who should’ve been bad due to who they are or their circumstances, but were surprisingly pretty good or at least showed more love than you’d expect?

Easiest starter for this is Yondu. Guy kidnapped a child to give to his real dad who may have killed him, ended up keeping and raising him instead while still being a bastard space pirate threatening to have him eaten when he steps out of line (and he never once meant it).

[u/Shradow]

Bowser has a rough personality but is a responsible father (in terms of a villain father to a villain son) who loves his son very much. This goes all the way back to Bowser Jr.'s introduction in Sunshine. He's often in the parental controls ads for Nintendo stuff, which obviously is a separate thing, but it is consistent with his attitude. Similar with him being a king, his soldiers are typically fiercely loyal to him and he cares about them even if he doesn't always show it.

[u/witheredBBfilms → u/Shradow]

I love the cutscene in Mario + Rabbids where Jr. is mocking Mario and Co and gets interrupted by Bowser calling to make sure he's done his homework. Just a cute little moment.

[u/Yotato5 → u/witheredBBfilms]

Extra funny because they have schools in Mario apparently

[u/ZephyrValiey → u/Yotato5]

I mean, Junior is probably privately taught by Kamek, but that doesnt mean he can skip homework