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Robot Clown

 Robot Clown
type
FeatureClass
 Robot Clown
label
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown
page
RobotClown
 Robot Clown
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This trope is under discussion in the Trope Repair Shop.














Clowns and robots. While they may seem vastly different at first glance, a little look at their histories reveals that they're more similar than they seem — both started out loved by many, but as the years went by, evil portrayals of the two became more popular. Because of their similarities, many creators find it fitting to combine the two, creating a Robot Clown.
While clowns and robots as we know them were not introduced until much later, early concepts for the two date back as far as Ancient Greece, making them Older Than Feudalism. Back then, there were "rustic fool" performers — predecessors to clowns — and stories about artificial life, such as the bronze man Talos. Both clowns and robots, however, really started to become popular in the 1800's, when performer Joseph Grimaldi served as the Trope Codifier for most things we associate with clowns nowadays, such as wearing facepaint and frilly clothing. Also at that time, remote-controlled machines were becoming more common.
Then, in 1921, the idea of sentient, human-like robots became well-loved thanks to the release of R.U.R., and continued to increase in popularity thanks to the works of sci-fi writers such as Isaac Asimov. These works fueled a fear of robots dominating humans, leading to the prominence of tropes like A.I. Is a Crapshoot and Killer Robot. However, clowns were still well-received... until the late 1900s, when Monster Clowns became more popular, and the traditional Non-Ironic Clown all but faded away in the eyes of the public. But it's somewhat understandable, considering that both robots and clowns have a bad tendency to fall into the Uncanny Valley.
For this reason, it seems logical that if you style a Killer Robot after a clown, that makes it even scarier. Even in works where most, if not all, the characters are robots, having one be a clown (or vice versa) can really help him or her stand out. And so Robot Clowns have surged in popularity, just like evil human clowns. However, not all Robot Clowns are bad. Some works use these characters the way they were meant to be portrayed — as fun, helpful characters, devoid of malice. Whether a Robot Clown is good or bad, as long as it clearly exhibits traits of both a robot and a clown, it belongs here.
Even the qualities that clowns and robots don't share lend a hand in the effectiveness of these characters. Clowns are usually flamboyant and energetic, while robots are static and emotionless. The contrast between the two can make for an interesting character when they are combined. It's also worth noting that, like their human counterparts, Robot Clowns are mainly used In-Universe as entertainers, unlike "normal" robots, who are mainly used as servants.
Sister Trope to Robot Athlete and Robot Maid as well as a Sub-Trope of Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot. May overlap with Funny Robot if the clown in question is made intentionally funny. See also Hostile Animatronics, if the character is evil. For more clowns with extraordinary abilities, see Magical Clown.
 Robot Clown
fetched
2024-02-28T02:17:43Z
 Robot Clown
parsed
2024-02-28T02:17:43Z
 Robot Clown
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Dropped link to GWAR: Not an Item - IGNORE
 Robot Clown
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Dropped link to LighterAndSofter: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Robot Clown
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Dropped link to PoetsOfTheFall: Not an Item - IGNORE
 Robot Clown
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Dropped link to PropRecycling: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Robot Clown
processingComment
Dropped link to WeaponizedCar: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Robot Clown
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Robot Clown / int_1364c17d
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_1364c17d
comment
Chuckles the Clown from League of Super Evil is a robot created by Dr. Frogg when he was a kid, to get back at kids who didn't invite him to their birthday parties. Chuckles appears to be a Non-Ironic Clown at first, but when he is wound up, he reveals his cruel nature, playing painful pranks on the team.
 Robot Clown / int_1364c17d
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_1364c17d
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 League of Super Evil
hasFeature
Robot Clown / int_1364c17d
 Robot Clown / int_145d53f0
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_145d53f0
comment
Five Nights at Freddy's' large cast of Hostile Animatronics includes some that resemble clowns:
The Puppet is a mime-like animatronic who is controlled by a music box. It plays with this trope, however, because it seems very different from the other animatronics. Some speculate that it isn't a robot at all, but none know for sure what it really is.
Toy Foxy is a Lighter and Softer (In-Universe, at least) version of recurring animatronic Foxy whose bright colors make him or her resemble a clown. It was set up as an attraction for kids to play with. However, the kids ultimately tore it apart, turning it into a mechanical monstrosity known as Mangle.
Balloon Boy is a childlike animatronic who looks like a clown due to his red nose and cheeks, big smile, and colorful clothing. He also has the ability to interfere with the protagonist's various gadgets.
Interestingly, in Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location, all of the main animatronics have a clown motif, with bright color schemes and even the appearance of wearing facepaint. As if this didn't pull them far enough into the the Uncanny Valley, their faces are more technologically advanced than previous animatronics, with movable brows and cheeks. This leads to quite the Nightmare Face when they split their faces open, revealing the robotic endoskeleton inside.
In Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach, the Daycare Attendant is dressed in jester-like clothing (pantaloons patterned in either red and gold stripes or stars, depending on which side is active) with a sun/moon-shaped head. Its Sun side adds to this with an enthusiastic, attempted-Friend to All Children personality. Unfortunately, it's too overbearing and creepy to appeal to its audience and serves as Accidental Nightmare Fuel for its unfortunate wards, Gregory and most of the people playing the game.
 Robot Clown / int_145d53f0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Robot Clown / int_145d53f0
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 Five Nights at Freddy's (Franchise)
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Robot Clown / int_145d53f0
 Robot Clown / int_177ba579
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_177ba579
comment
Interestingly, in Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location, all of the main animatronics have a clown motif, with bright color schemes and even the appearance of wearing facepaint. As if this didn't pull them far enough into the the Uncanny Valley, their faces are more technologically advanced than previous animatronics, with movable brows and cheeks. This leads to quite the Nightmare Face when they split their faces open, revealing the robotic endoskeleton inside.
 Robot Clown / int_177ba579
featureApplicability
1.0
 Robot Clown / int_177ba579
featureConfidence
1.0
 Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location (Video Game)
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Robot Clown / int_177ba579
 Robot Clown / int_17c40956
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_17c40956
comment
Dark Chronicle: The Repulsive Ringmaster Flotsam rides around on a huge, clown-faced Spider Tank called Halloween. The hero, Max, can customize his Mini-Mecha into a robot clown. Later on, Flotsam himself is given a cyborg body after his near-death, but still retains his clownish facepaint and colorful suit.
 Robot Clown / int_17c40956
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_17c40956
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 Dark Chronicle (Video Game)
hasFeature
Robot Clown / int_17c40956
 Robot Clown / int_1d867dbe
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_1d867dbe
comment
The Adventures of Figaro Pho gives us the Robot Dog Rivet, whose red nose and lips, along with his perky, playful behavior, make him very clownlike.
 Robot Clown / int_1d867dbe
featureApplicability
1.0
 Robot Clown / int_1d867dbe
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1.0
 The Adventures of Figaro Pho
hasFeature
Robot Clown / int_1d867dbe
 Robot Clown / int_1dc0de07
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_1dc0de07
comment
Karakuri Circus: Most automata, the main antagonists of the series, are this (others are styled after other circus performers). They perform in the Midnight Circus. The reasons for this are pretty complicated, to say the least.
 Robot Clown / int_1dc0de07
featureApplicability
1.0
 Robot Clown / int_1dc0de07
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1.0
 Karakuri Circus (Manga)
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Robot Clown / int_1dc0de07
 Robot Clown / int_3084658b
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_3084658b
comment
Chortlebot, a boss from Wario Land: Shake It! is a flying robot clown head. Its Gag Nose turns into a spikeball, which Chortlebot launches at Wario. It has Creepy Circus Music as its boss theme, and a distinct, high-pitched cackle.
 Robot Clown / int_3084658b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Robot Clown / int_3084658b
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 Wario Land: Shake It! (Video Game)
hasFeature
Robot Clown / int_3084658b
 Robot Clown / int_3a322a82
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_3a322a82
comment
A "Countdown Clown" Blue Meanie in Yellow Submarine is a machine with a clown's face that launches a missile attack on Pepperland when its red bulbous nose is pressed.
 Robot Clown / int_3a322a82
featureApplicability
1.0
 Robot Clown / int_3a322a82
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 Yellow Submarine
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Robot Clown / int_3a322a82
 Robot Clown / int_4b97cdc0
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_4b97cdc0
comment
In Magic: The Gathering's Unfinity set, all of the clowns in the interstellar circus-slash-amusesment-park the set takes place in are also robots (except for Pietra, who makes them). According to Mark Rosewater, this was a deliberate choice done to avert the Monster Clown trope—humanoid clowns are more often expected to be monstrous these days, but making them silly little robots helped keep them firmly in Non-Ironic Clown territory.
 Robot Clown / int_4b97cdc0
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_4b97cdc0
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 MagicTheGathering
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Robot Clown / int_4b97cdc0
 Robot Clown / int_5de25ea7
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_5de25ea7
comment
LEGO Batman Trilogy: In LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, one of the many things that the Joker and Lex Luthor do during their Villain Team-Up is attack Gotham City with a giant mech designed to look like the Joker.
 Robot Clown / int_5de25ea7
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_5de25ea7
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1.0
 LEGO Batman Trilogy (Video Game)
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Robot Clown / int_5de25ea7
 Robot Clown / int_63b32574
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_63b32574
comment
Machine Hunter: The Type-3 Entertainer Robots are based on clowns. They're also the most useless robots players can capture during gameplay, inferior to Type-1 and Type-2, despite being introduced after.
 Robot Clown / int_63b32574
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_63b32574
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1.0
 Machine Hunter (Video Game)
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Robot Clown / int_63b32574
 Robot Clown / int_65d9acd2
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_65d9acd2
comment
In the The Sarah Jane Adventures episode "The Day of the Clown", the Monster Clown Pied Piper attack Sarah Jane and co with robot mannequins dressed as clowns.
 Robot Clown / int_65d9acd2
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_65d9acd2
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 The Sarah Jane Adventures
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Robot Clown / int_65d9acd2
 Robot Clown / int_7353a7bd
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_7353a7bd
comment
Dynamite Headdy: The Puppeteer boss is a clown puppet. While all the characters are puppets, this character looks particularly robotic because he has a propeller where his waist and legs should be.
 Robot Clown / int_7353a7bd
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_7353a7bd
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 Dynamite Headdy (Video Game)
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Robot Clown / int_7353a7bd
 Robot Clown / int_7385bc4d
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_7385bc4d
comment
Doraemon: In The Genius Nobita's Airship Amusement Park, Doraemon and friends visits a futuristic amusement park only for the facilities to be taken over by the main villain, Jester and his small army of clown-bots.
 Robot Clown / int_7385bc4d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Robot Clown / int_7385bc4d
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1.0
 Doraemon (Manga)
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Robot Clown / int_7385bc4d
 Robot Clown / int_80d157ee
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_80d157ee
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Dinosaurs For Hire has a giant clown mecha as the toy factory stage's boss.
 Robot Clown / int_80d157ee
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_80d157ee
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1.0
 Dinosaurs For Hire (Video Game)
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Robot Clown / int_80d157ee
 Robot Clown / int_8258e260
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_8258e260
comment
Super Mario Bros.:
The Koopa Clown Car has been Bowser's personal weaponized helicopter since Super Mario World. It has a clown face which changes its expression depending on its status. Several variations exist such as the "Junior" for his son and the Koopalings and the "Fire" starting in Super Mario Maker, but all of them bear the clown face.
Downplayed in Super Mario 3D World: Motley Bossblob is — as the name says — more of a Blob Monster Clown, however his Chrome Champion look really gives him a robotic vibe.
 Robot Clown / int_8258e260
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_8258e260
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 Super Mario Bros. (Franchise)
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Robot Clown / int_8258e260
 Robot Clown / int_90b916ba
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_90b916ba
comment
Batman: The Animated Series: In "The Last Laugh", the Joker introduces a new minion called Captain Clown. Batman is visibly confused by this new minion's superhuman strength, until he breaks the minion's face, revealing that he is actually a robot. This gives Batman the realization that killing the minion will not break his strict Thou Shalt Not Kill rule, and so the minion meets his doom in a trash compactor. The Joker actually sounds shocked, crying out "You killed Captain Clown!", though it's impossible to tell whether he's trolling Batman, genuinely trying to be funny, or crazy enough to actually equate the (rather crude, and definitely not sapient) robot with a living person.
 Robot Clown / int_90b916ba
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_90b916ba
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 Batman: The Animated Series
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Robot Clown / int_90b916ba
 Robot Clown / int_98c961e2
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_98c961e2
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Helluva Boss: The Imp jester Fizzarolli sells a line of robotic replicas of himself to entertain both kids and adults.
 Robot Clown / int_98c961e2
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_98c961e2
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 Helluva Boss (Web Animation)
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Robot Clown / int_98c961e2
 Robot Clown / int_a0500a06
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_a0500a06
comment
Rugrats: "The Mysterious Mr. Friend" involved the babies fighting an army of malfunctioning clown robot toys Stu invented.
 Robot Clown / int_a0500a06
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_a0500a06
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1.0
 Rugrats
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Robot Clown / int_a0500a06
 Robot Clown / int_a172e7f4
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_a172e7f4
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Mirrorman has a one-shot clown villain in an episode set in an amusement park, who turns out to be a robotic clone sent by the invaders.
 Robot Clown / int_a172e7f4
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_a172e7f4
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 Mirrorman
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Robot Clown / int_a172e7f4
 Robot Clown / int_a183d57f
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_a183d57f
comment
In the Futurama episode "Bendin' in the Wind", an injured Bender is treated by a robot version of Patch Adams in a clown outfit.
 Robot Clown / int_a183d57f
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_a183d57f
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 Futurama
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Robot Clown / int_a183d57f
 Robot Clown / int_a7a0b48b
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_a7a0b48b
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NieR: Automata has the machine lifeforms in the Amusement Park, who are dressed as clowns and jesters.
 Robot Clown / int_a7a0b48b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Robot Clown / int_a7a0b48b
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 NieR: Automata / Videogame
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Robot Clown / int_a7a0b48b
 Robot Clown / int_a892109f
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_a892109f
comment
Whoniverse:
The Psychic Circus from the Doctor Who episode "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy" has robot clown performers.
In the The Sarah Jane Adventures episode "The Day of the Clown", the Monster Clown Pied Piper attack Sarah Jane and co with robot mannequins dressed as clowns.
K9 establishes clowns as one of the various types of robots which are commonplace in the future year of 2050.
In "Dream-Eaters", Darius has a nightmare of being trapped in his car with three robotic clowns and the human Mr. Floppy Fun Pants.
"Robot Gladiators" has Chuckles and Boris, a pair of clowns (with the same costumes from "Dream-Eaters") forced to fight as gladiators who befriend K9. They return to the circus once the K9 Unit crash the business.
 Robot Clown / int_a892109f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Robot Clown / int_a892109f
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1.0
 Whoniverse (Franchise)
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Robot Clown / int_a892109f
 Robot Clown / int_abc09ce0
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_abc09ce0
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What's New, Scooby-Doo?: The Monster of the Week in "A Terrifying Round With a Menacing Metallic Clown" is, as the title indicates, a giant robotic clown. It starts out disguised as an obstacle on a mini-golf course, then comes to life to terrorize golfers. It turns out to be controlled by Mayor Snipper, who specifically built it to scare people away from the golf course because he believes that golf ruined his son's life.
 Robot Clown / int_abc09ce0
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_abc09ce0
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 What's New, Scooby-Doo?
hasFeature
Robot Clown / int_abc09ce0
 Robot Clown / int_bd52c531
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_bd52c531
comment
In Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach, the Daycare Attendant is dressed in jester-like clothing (pantaloons patterned in either red and gold stripes or stars, depending on which side is active) with a sun/moon-shaped head. Its Sun side adds to this with an enthusiastic, attempted-Friend to All Children personality. Unfortunately, it's too overbearing and creepy to appeal to its audience and serves as Accidental Nightmare Fuel for its unfortunate wards, Gregory and most of the people playing the game.
 Robot Clown / int_bd52c531
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_bd52c531
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1.0
 Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach (Video Game)
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Robot Clown / int_bd52c531
 Robot Clown / int_c1b43f85
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_c1b43f85
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Downplayed in Super Mario 3D World: Motley Bossblob is — as the name says — more of a Blob Monster Clown, however his Chrome Champion look really gives him a robotic vibe.
 Robot Clown / int_c1b43f85
featureApplicability
1.0
 Robot Clown / int_c1b43f85
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1.0
 Super Mario 3D World (Video Game)
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Robot Clown / int_c1b43f85
 Robot Clown / int_c43df4d8
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_c43df4d8
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The Psychic Circus from the Doctor Who episode "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy" has robot clown performers.
 Robot Clown / int_c43df4d8
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_c43df4d8
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1.0
 Doctor Who
hasFeature
Robot Clown / int_c43df4d8
 Robot Clown / int_c48ef022
type
Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_c48ef022
comment
The staff of Hotel Burinkin from Doraemon: Nobita and the Tin Labyrinth includes a robot clown working as a porter.
 Robot Clown / int_c48ef022
featureApplicability
1.0
 Robot Clown / int_c48ef022
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1.0
 Doraemon: Nobita and the Tin Labyrinth
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Robot Clown / int_c48ef022
 Robot Clown / int_c6d91592
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_c6d91592
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One of the enemies you can find in Bomberman Hero's Clown Valley is a knife-throwing clown on a rolling ball. As all the characters in Bomberman are robots, these enemies fit the bill, and are all the more creepy for it.
 Robot Clown / int_c6d91592
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 Robot Clown / int_c6d91592
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 Bomberman Hero (Video Game)
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Robot Clown / int_c6d91592
 Robot Clown / int_d0744832
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_d0744832
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The very first issue of the very first The Avengers series offers an extremely weird example of this trope, with the Hulk disguising himself as a robot in clown makeup.
 Robot Clown / int_d0744832
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_d0744832
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 The Avengers (Comic Book)
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Robot Clown / int_d0744832
 Robot Clown / int_d4fe0095
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_d4fe0095
comment
K9 establishes clowns as one of the various types of robots which are commonplace in the future year of 2050.
In "Dream-Eaters", Darius has a nightmare of being trapped in his car with three robotic clowns and the human Mr. Floppy Fun Pants.
"Robot Gladiators" has Chuckles and Boris, a pair of clowns (with the same costumes from "Dream-Eaters") forced to fight as gladiators who befriend K9. They return to the circus once the K9 Unit crash the business.
 Robot Clown / int_d4fe0095
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_d4fe0095
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1.0
 K9
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Robot Clown / int_d4fe0095
 Robot Clown / int_dab32c3
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_dab32c3
comment
Clown Man of Mega Man 8 is a clown robot who likes to play with trapezes with his extendable arms, and is the boss of a toy-themed amusement park.
 Robot Clown / int_dab32c3
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_dab32c3
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 Mega Man 8 (Video Game)
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Robot Clown / int_dab32c3
 Robot Clown / int_ebaf064d
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_ebaf064d
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Kirby: Triple Deluxe has an enemy called Clown Acrobot who is implied to be a robot, not just because of his name, but also because he's an emotionless Perpetual Smiler clown with a metallic-looking face.
 Robot Clown / int_ebaf064d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Robot Clown / int_ebaf064d
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 Kirby: Triple Deluxe (Video Game)
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Robot Clown / int_ebaf064d
 Robot Clown / int_f1360d68
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Robot Clown
 Robot Clown / int_f1360d68
comment
Mobile Fighter G Gundam: The Jester Gundam is a clown-themed mech. Aside from its white face and colorful armor, its most powerful attack is "Top Mode", where it transforms into a giant spinning top to create illusions and confuse enemies.
 Robot Clown / int_f1360d68
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1.0
 Robot Clown / int_f1360d68
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 Mobile Fighter G Gundam
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Robot Clown / int_f1360d68

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Robot Clown
processingCategory2
Ambiguity Index
 Robot Clown
processingCategory2
Clown Tropes
 Metropolis (2001) / int_fcc6edd8
type
Robot Clown
 Robot / int_fcc6edd8
type
Robot Clown
 LEGO Batman (Video Game) / int_fcc6edd8
type
Robot Clown
 NieR: Automata / Videogame / int_fcc6edd8
type
Robot Clown
 One Piece De D (Web Video) / int_fcc6edd8
type
Robot Clown