Changing of the Guard: Difference between revisions

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Compare with [[Legacy Character]]s. When done for the right reasons, an excellent way to avoid [[Plot Leveling]]. Then, it may be [[Real Life Writes the Plot|dictated by real life]], if an actor refuses to return, or even to increase merchandizing opportunities. These are generally less fortunate. Can lead to [[Generation Xerox]], which is usually ''not'' done for the right reasons. Contrast [[Old Hero, New Pals]]. If done repeatedly within one storyline, it's [[The Rashomon]].
Compare with [[Legacy Character]]s. When done for the right reasons, an excellent way to avoid [[Plot Leveling]]. Then, it may be [[Real Life Writes the Plot|dictated by real life]], if an actor refuses to return, or even to increase merchandizing opportunities. These are generally less fortunate. Can lead to [[Generation Xerox]], which is usually ''not'' done for the right reasons. Contrast [[Old Hero, New Pals]]. If done repeatedly within one storyline, it's [[The Rashomon]].
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{{examples}}
== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==
== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==
* ''[[Digimon Adventure 02]]'' picked up where [[Digimon Adventure|the first]] left off by having the two youngest kids team up with a whole new group, while the older heroes served as mentors.
* ''[[Digimon Adventure 02]]'' picked up where [[Digimon Adventure|the first]] left off by having the two youngest kids team up with a whole new group, while the older heroes served as mentors.
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== [[Film]] ==
== [[Film]] ==
* ''[[Short Circuit]] 2'', sure it's still Johnny Five but now Guttenberg has been replaced with his quirky not-really-Indian sidekick.
* ''[[Short Circuit|Short Circuit 2]]'', sure it's still Johnny Five but now Guttenberg has been replaced with his quirky not-really-Indian sidekick.
* The ''[[Tremors]]'' series passes the "hero torch" from Val (gets married) to Earl (opens a theme park) to Burt (when last heard from, still at it..)
* The ''[[Tremors]]'' series passes the "hero torch" from Val (gets married) to Earl (opens a theme park) to Burt (when last heard from, still at it..)
* ''[[Smokey and the Bandit]]'' Part 3 with Snowman dressed as The Bandit.
* ''[[Smokey and the Bandit]]'' Part 3 with Snowman dressed as The Bandit.
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== [[Literature]] ==
== [[Literature]] ==
* Raymond E. Feist's [[The Riftwar Cycle|Riftwar Series]]. While most of the powerful magicians are long-lived, supporting characters in the later books are typically descendants of the original protagonists. Famous examples are the descendants of Duke Borric and Jimmy the Hand.
* Raymond E. Feist's ''[[The Riftwar Cycle]]''. While most of the powerful magicians are long-lived, supporting characters in the later books are typically descendants of the original protagonists. Famous examples are the descendants of Duke Borric and Jimmy the Hand.
* [[J. R. R. Tolkien|JRR Tolkien]] wrestled with the idea of having Bilbo have more adventures after ''[[The Hobbit (novel)|The Hobbit]]'', but quickly decided on having a son or other relative have them instead, although it took him a while to write about [[The Lord of the Rings|Frodo]].
* [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] wrestled with the idea of having Bilbo have more adventures after ''[[The Hobbit (novel)|The Hobbit]]'', but quickly decided on having a son or other relative have them instead, although it took him a while to write about [[The Lord of the Rings|Frodo]].
* [[Edgar Rice Burroughs]] played with this in his [[John Carter of Mars|Mars books]]. After the third book, he began writing about a larger stable of viewpoint characters, as John Carter's own romance arc had been completed and he needed new princesses to rescue and heroes to rescue them. John Carter remained a central figure and [[The Hero]] throughout the series, however
* [[Edgar Rice Burroughs]] played with this in his [[John Carter of Mars|Mars books]]. After the third book, he began writing about a larger stable of viewpoint characters, as John Carter's own romance arc had been completed and he needed new princesses to rescue and heroes to rescue them. John Carter remained a central figure and [[The Hero]] throughout the series, however
* [[Andre Norton]]'s ''[[Witch World]]'' started with two books about Simon Tregarth. Then she wrote them about his children, or about other characters in the same world.
* [[Andre Norton]]'s ''[[Witch World]]'' started with two books about Simon Tregarth. Then she wrote them about his children, or about other characters in the same world.
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* [[Older Than Steam]]: Done repeatedly in the sequels to the [[Chivalric Romance]] of Amadis of Gaul.
* [[Older Than Steam]]: Done repeatedly in the sequels to the [[Chivalric Romance]] of Amadis of Gaul.
* ''[[Heralds of Valdemar]]'' does this, but just as often in reverse, recounting the experience of past generations rather than future ones. And then the children of past generations take the torch, but still in the past. And then their great-great-great-grandchildren show up in the present novels.
* ''[[Heralds of Valdemar]]'' does this, but just as often in reverse, recounting the experience of past generations rather than future ones. And then the children of past generations take the torch, but still in the past. And then their great-great-great-grandchildren show up in the present novels.
* Terry Brooks' [[Shannara]] series does it regularly. The grandchildren of the characters of previous book typically become the protagonists of the next. Suffers from [[Generation Xerox]] somewhat.
* Terry Brooks' ''[[Shannara]]'' series does it regularly. The grandchildren of the characters of previous book typically become the protagonists of the next. Suffers from [[Generation Xerox]] somewhat.
* [[Redwall]]: There's a new set of characters is almost every book. The only constant is the the abbey itself.
* ''[[Redwall]]'': There's a new set of characters is almost every book. The only constant is the the abbey itself.
** And there are a few novels that predate the construction of the Abbey, so not even that is entirely constant.
** And there are a few novels that predate the construction of the Abbey, so not even that is entirely constant.
* ''[[Dragonlance]] Chronicles'' has Tanis as its lead character but its sequel ''Legends'' set shortly after has the twins Caramon and Raistlin take the spotlight. The next book set years later has the children of the heroes from Chronicles as the main cast.
* ''[[Dragonlance]] Chronicles'' has Tanis as its lead character but its sequel ''Legends'' set shortly after has the twins Caramon and Raistlin take the spotlight. The next book set years later has the children of the heroes from Chronicles as the main cast.
* The last few ''[[Anne of Green Gables]]'' books are mostly about her kids.
* The last few ''[[Anne of Green Gables]]'' books are mostly about her kids.
* ''The Sacketts'' series by Louis L'amour has this built-in and happening over and over. As the title suggest, the series is meant to be about the Sackett family, not one particular hero.
* ''[[The Sacketts]]'' series by [[Louis L'Amour]] has this built-in and happening over and over. As the title suggest, the series is meant to be about the Sackett family, not one particular hero.
* Every new one of ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' has a new changing of the guard: First, there were the 4 Pevensie siblings. Then there were two and a cousin. Then the cousin and a friend... The [[Prequel]] even established a minor character from the first published book as the major character in a previous adventure.
* Every new one of ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' has a new changing of the guard: First, there were the 4 Pevensie siblings. Then there were two and a cousin. Then the cousin and a friend... The [[Prequel]] even established a minor character from the first published book as the major character in a previous adventure.
* In Jacqueline Carey's ''Kushiel'' books, the first trilogy is narrated by Phedre. The second is by her adopted son, as Phedre is semi-retired from adventuring by the time he's an adult.
* In Jacqueline Carey's ''[[Kushiel]]'' books, the first trilogy is narrated by Phedre. The second is by her adopted son, as Phedre is semi-retired from adventuring by the time he's an adult.
* The Edge Chronicles features a new set of characters across almost everybook
* ''[[The Edge Chronicles]]'' features a new set of characters across almost every book.
* The sequel series to ''[[Percy Jackson and The Olympians]]'' focuses on a new group of kids.
* The sequel series to ''[[Percy Jackson and The Olympians]]'' focuses on a new group of kids.
* [[Rick Riordan]]'s ''[[The Heroes of Olympus|The Lost Hero]]'' centers about three entirely new demi-gods, not Percy Jackson and his friends.
* [[Rick Riordan]]'s ''[[The Heroes of Olympus|The Lost Hero]]'' centers about three entirely new demi-gods, not Percy Jackson and his friends.
* The first four books of the [[X Wing Series]] had Wedge Antilles and Rogue Squadron, but the primary focus was unmistakeably Corran Horn. Those four books ended with the Rogues, including Wedge and Corran, deciding to help a planet's defenses build up after "killing" the [[Big Bad]]. The next three books were to be written by another author, who wanted to write from the POV of some of Wedge's friends creating a new squadron. [[Executive Meddling]] nixed this, so [[Aaron Allston]] had Wedge leave the Rogues for a while and create a new squadron himself. Some other characters are in common, but in different or reduced roles.
* The first four books of the [[X Wing Series]] had Wedge Antilles and Rogue Squadron, but the primary focus was unmistakably Corran Horn. Those four books ended with the Rogues, including Wedge and Corran, deciding to help a planet's defenses build up after "killing" the [[Big Bad]]. The next three books were to be written by another author, who wanted to write from the POV of some of Wedge's friends creating a new squadron. [[Executive Meddling]] nixed this, so [[Aaron Allston]] had Wedge leave the Rogues for a while and create a new squadron himself. Some other characters are in common, but in different or reduced roles.
* The first series of the ''[[Warrior Cats]]'' books started off with Firestar as the [[The Hero|main character]]. He was then replaced by Brambleclaw in the ''[[Warrior Cats the New Prophecy]]''. In ''Power of Three'', he turns into a background character like Firestar, and is replaced by Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf. ''Omen of the Stars'' has Ivypool and Dovewing as its main focus, with the ''Power of Three'' characters still in tow.
* The first series of the ''[[Warrior Cats]]'' books started off with Firestar as the [[The Hero|main character]]. He was then replaced by Brambleclaw in the ''[[Warrior Cats the New Prophecy]]''. In ''Power of Three'', he turns into a background character like Firestar, and is replaced by Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf. ''Omen of the Stars'' has Ivypool and Dovewing as its main focus, with the ''Power of Three'' characters still in tow.
* Most of the main good guys from the first three ''[[Emberverse]]'' books have a lot of authority in the [[Divided States of America|new nation-states]] by the time the second series rolls around. This would put a crimp in their ability to go haring off to find the [[Sword of Plot Advancement]] when such a trip would take several years - a fact the resident Tolkien geek deeply laments - and so the task falls to the previously established [[Chosen One]], his childhood friend, and [[Shout-Out|se]][[Lord of the Rings|ven]] more characters who either could be missed by blinking in the first three books or are completely new. While they're away, we do get the occasional glimpse of the old guard struggling to stave off the new [[Big Bad]].
* Most of the main good guys from the first three ''[[Emberverse]]'' books have a lot of authority in the [[Divided States of America|new nation-states]] by the time the second series rolls around. This would put a crimp in their ability to go haring off to find the [[Sword of Plot Advancement]] when such a trip would take several years - a fact the resident Tolkien geek deeply laments - and so the task falls to the previously established [[Chosen One]], his childhood friend, and [[Shout-Out|se]][[Lord of the Rings|ven]] more characters who either could be missed by blinking in the first three books or are completely new. While they're away, we do get the occasional glimpse of the old guard struggling to stave off the new [[Big Bad]].
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* ''[[Power Rangers]]'' did a lot of this in its early seasons: when old actors left or started getting too old for their roles, they transferred their powers to new ones and went off to do stuff.
* ''[[Power Rangers]]'' did a lot of this in its early seasons: when old actors left or started getting too old for their roles, they transferred their powers to new ones and went off to do stuff.
* The ''[[War of the Worlds]]'' series did this when it switched into a [[Darker and Edgier]] season, throwing out [[Villain Decay|decayed villains]] and immediately establishing the threat of the new ones with the death of two of the ensemble. Their mourning was short-lifed due to the addition of Adrian Paul as an [[Anti-Hero]].
* The ''[[War of the Worlds]]'' series did this when it switched into a [[Darker and Edgier]] season, throwing out [[Villain Decay|decayed villains]] and immediately establishing the threat of the new ones with the death of two of the ensemble. Their mourning was short-lifed due to the addition of Adrian Paul as an [[Anti-Hero]].
* In ''[[M*A*S*H (television)|Mash]]'' this happens to several major cast members: Henry's tour of duty ends and gets killed on his way home, and is replaced by Potter. Trapper goes home as well, in comes BJ. Frank breaks down, and is replaced by Charles. When Radar leaves, Klinger takes over his role as the company clerk.
* In ''[[M*A*S*H (television)|M*A*S*H]]'' this happens to several major cast members: Henry's tour of duty ends and gets killed on his way home, and is replaced by Potter. Trapper goes home as well, in comes BJ. Frank breaks down, and is replaced by Charles. When Radar leaves, Klinger takes over his role as the company clerk.
* Agent John Doggett replaced Fox Mulder as the male lead after the latter was abducted by the aliens in the eighth season of ''[[The X-Files]]''. In the ninth season, Monica Reyes replaced Dana Scully as the female lead, [[Deuteragonist|completing the guard change]].
* Agent John Doggett replaced Fox Mulder as the male lead after the latter was abducted by the aliens in the eighth season of ''[[The X-Files]]''. In the ninth season, Monica Reyes replaced Dana Scully as the female lead, [[Deuteragonist|completing the guard change]].
* One episode in [[The Winds of War and War and Remembrance|The Winds of War]] miniseries is actually titled this. It features Roosevelt and Churchill meeting in the Atlantic on warships from each navy, accompanied by [[Crowning Music of Awesome|bands]] and [[Bling of War|navalistic pagentry.]] The implication is that after Britain had been [[You Shall Not Pass|holding the line]] for the first few rounds of the war soon America would enter and become the senior partner of [[The Alliance]].
* One episode in ''[[The Winds of War and War and Remembrance|The Winds of War]]'' miniseries actually uses the trope name as its title. It features Roosevelt and Churchill meeting in the Atlantic on warships from each navy, accompanied by [[Crowning Music of Awesome|bands]] and [[Bling of War|navalistic pageantry.]] The implication is that after Britain had been [[You Shall Not Pass|holding the line]] for the first few rounds of the war soon America would enter and become the senior partner of [[The Alliance]].


== [[Video Games]] ==
== [[Video Games]] ==
* ''[[Star Ocean the Second Story]]'', has two selectable protagonists, one of which is the son of one of the protagonists in ''[[Videogame/Star Ocean The First Departure|Star Ocean The First Departure]]''. (e.g. Star Ocean 1)
* ''[[Star Ocean the Second Story]]'', has two selectable protagonists, one of which is the son of one of the protagonists in ''[[Star Ocean|Star Ocean: First Departure]]''. (e.g. Star Ocean 1)
* The [[And the Adventure Continues...|ending]] of [[Neverwinter Nights]] was set up for another adventure, but they move on to entirely new groups of heroes in the expansions and the sequel.
* The [[And the Adventure Continues...|ending]] of [[Neverwinter Nights]] was set up for another adventure, but they move on to entirely new groups of heroes in the expansions and the sequel.
* Most games in the ''[[Castlevania]]'' series focus on a different Belmont, although sometimes they're not available due to plot purposes, like in ''Bloodlines'', ''Symphony Of The Night'', and ''Portrait Of Ruin''.
* Most games in the ''[[Castlevania]]'' series focus on a different Belmont, although sometimes they're not available due to plot purposes, like in ''Bloodlines'', ''Symphony Of The Night'', and ''Portrait Of Ruin''.
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* ''[[Valis]] IV'' introduces a new heroine named Lena Brande, since Yuko, heroine of the previous games, [[Ascended to A Higher Plane of Existence]] at the end of ''Valis III''. Cham and Valna return as supporting characters.
* ''[[Valis]] IV'' introduces a new heroine named Lena Brande, since Yuko, heroine of the previous games, [[Ascended to A Higher Plane of Existence]] at the end of ''Valis III''. Cham and Valna return as supporting characters.
* All the games in ''[[The Tale of Alltynex]]'' trilogy does this.
* All the games in ''[[The Tale of Alltynex]]'' trilogy does this.
* At the end of [[Final Fantasy X]], Tidus {{spoiler|ceases to exist due to the fact that Jecht's existance as Sin was the only thing keeping him alive}}. Obviously, ''[[Square Enix]]'' couldn't make him the protagonist of [[Final Fantasy X-2|the sequel]], so the story centers around Yuna instead and her quest to bring him back.
* At the end of [[Final Fantasy X]], Tidus {{spoiler|ceases to exist due to the fact that Jecht's existence as Sin was the only thing keeping him alive}}. Obviously, ''[[Square Enix]]'' couldn't make him the protagonist of [[Final Fantasy X-2|the sequel]], so the story centers around Yuna instead and her quest to bring him back.
* ''Pokémon'' series has had by far 6/12/13 heroes (depending on how you count) ([[Pokémon Red and Blue|Red/Leaf]], [[Pokémon Gold and Silver|Ethan/Kris/Lyra]], [[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire|Brendan/May]], [[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl|Lucas/Dawn]], [[Pokémon Black and White|Hilbert/Hilda and the new, unnamed heroes]]) in the main series. In Orre games, there's Wes in [[Pokémon Colosseum]] and Michael in Pokémon XD. [[Pokémon Ranger|Ranger games]] have 3/6 heroes (Lunick/Solana, Kellyn/Kate and Ben/Summer). Then there's Mark/Mint from TCG games, an unnamed hero from Pokémon Conquest, Todd Snap from Pokémon Snap and Lucy Fleetfloot from Pokémon Troizei/Link. It's probably used to justify [[Bag of Spilling]].
* ''Pokémon'' series has had by far 6/12/13 heroes (depending on how you count) ([[Pokémon Red and Blue|Red/Leaf]], [[Pokémon Gold and Silver|Ethan/Kris/Lyra]], [[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire|Brendan/May]], [[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl|Lucas/Dawn]], [[Pokémon Black and White|Hilbert/Hilda and the new, unnamed heroes]]) in the main series. In Orre games, there's Wes in [[Pokémon Colosseum]] and Michael in Pokémon XD. [[Pokémon Ranger|Ranger games]] have 3/6 heroes (Lunick/Solana, Kellyn/Kate and Ben/Summer). Then there's Mark/Mint from TCG games, an unnamed hero from Pokémon Conquest, Todd Snap from Pokémon Snap and Lucy Fleetfloot from Pokémon Troizei/Link. It's probably used to justify [[Bag of Spilling]].


== [[Web Comics]] ==
== [[Web Comics]] ==
* ''[[Scary Go Round]]'' started with the characters Tessa and Rachel (let's call them the "New Guard") as protagonists, but they were soon complemented with and eventually usurped by characters from John Allison's previous webcomic ''Bobbins''. For a while Shelley, Amy, Tim, and Ryan (the "Old Guard") reigned supreme, but then a batch of younger characters, in particular [[Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep"|The Boy]] and [[Strange Girl]] / [[Perky Goth]] Esther (the "Young Guard" along with their friends) gradually took over. In the final chapters of SGR, the younger siblings of the "Young Guard", mainly Lottie and Shauna (the "Kid's Guard") starred (and transitioned into the successor webcomic ''[[Bad Machinery]]'').
* ''[[Scary Go Round]]'' started with the characters Tessa and Rachel (let's call them the "New Guard") as protagonists, but they were soon complemented with and eventually usurped by characters from John Allison's previous web comic ''Bobbins''. For a while Shelley, Amy, Tim, and Ryan (the "Old Guard") reigned supreme, but then a batch of younger characters, in particular [[Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep"|The Boy]] and [[Strange Girl]]/[[Perky Goth]] Esther (the "Young Guard" along with their friends) gradually took over. In the final chapters of ''SGR'', the younger siblings of the "Young Guard", mainly Lottie and Shauna (the "Kid's Guard") starred (and transitioned into the successor web comic ''[[Bad Machinery]]'').
** The "Old Guard" remained until the end too: the very last couple of comics show Shelley saying goodbye to Amy and Ryan and leaving town. As Lottie is the sister of Esther's best friend and both of them have met Shelley, it's almost my case of [[Take Up My Sword]] in the investigating-local-weirdness game. Ryan and Amy still appear in ''[[Bad Machinery]]'' as supporting characters - Ryan is now Shauna and Lottie's teacher.
** The "Old Guard" remained until the end too: the very last couple of comics show Shelley saying goodbye to Amy and Ryan and leaving town. As Lottie is the sister of Esther's best friend and both of them have met Shelley, it's almost my case of [[Take Up My Sword]] in the investigating-local-weirdness game. Ryan and Amy still appear in ''[[Bad Machinery]]'' as supporting characters - Ryan is now Shauna and Lottie's teacher.


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* This was sort of the entire point of ''[[Tiny Toon Adventures]]''—the old school [[Looney Tunes]] ran an academy at which they could teach their skills to the next generation of [[Suspiciously Similar Substitute]]s.
* This was sort of the entire point of ''[[Tiny Toon Adventures]]''—the old school [[Looney Tunes]] ran an academy at which they could teach their skills to the next generation of [[Suspiciously Similar Substitute]]s.
* In the ''[[The Legend of Korra]],'' episode "Welcome to Republic City" Katara, aged survivor of the previous series ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]],'' [[Lampshaded Trope|lampshades]] this in her [[Passing the Torch]] speech to young Avatar Korra:
* In the ''[[The Legend of Korra]],'' episode "Welcome to Republic City" Katara, aged survivor of the previous series ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]],'' [[Lampshaded Trope|lampshades]] this in her [[Passing the Torch]] speech to young Avatar Korra:
{{quote|'''Katara''': "Aang's time has passed. My brother and many of my friends are gone. It's time for you and your generation to take on the responsibility of keeping peace and balance in the world. But I think you're going to be a great Avatar." }}
{{quote|'''Katara:''' Aang's time has passed. My brother and many of my friends are gone. It's time for you and your generation to take on the responsibility of keeping peace and balance in the world. But I think you're going to be a great Avatar.}}
** It was played with a little bit previously, as the Avatar is a constantly reincarnated series of heroes, and Aang was frequently compared with his previous incarnations Roku and Kyoshi. Korra gets it a little worse though as there are plenty of people living who still remember Aang.
** It was played with a little bit previously, as the Avatar is a constantly reincarnated series of heroes, and Aang was frequently compared with his previous incarnations Roku and Kyoshi. Korra gets it a little worse though as there are plenty of people living who still remember Aang.


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