Stealth Sequel: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

When a [[Sequel]] or [[Prequel]] to a work isn't actually stated or advertised as a sequel/prequel. At first, it looks like a [[Spiritual Successor]], [[Continuity Reboot]], [[Alternate Universe]], or some other closely related universe tie-in but it turns out to be a direct sequel. This might just be hinted at, or expressed outright near the end. See also [[Broad Strokes]].

 

== [[Anime]] & [[Manga]] ==

* ''[[Suzumiya Haruhi]]''. The internet exploded after new episodes suddenly starting airing without any previous announcement. Well they did make an announcement, they said it was a rerun of the first season (which is technically true, as the new episodes were shown chronologically with the old ones).

* ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion]]''. [[Mind Screw|Maybe]].

* ''[[Rozen Maiden]] Tale'' started out as a [[What If]] manga that shows what would happen if Jun [[Red Pill, Blue Pill|decided not to wind]]. Then the story transitioned into where the original continuity (which was [[Cut Short]] in the original manga) left off...

 

== [[Film]] ==

* ''[[Alice in Wonderland]]'', the [[Alice in Wonderland (film)|movie]], isn't too stealthy about it since Alice is older, but she starts off her adventure in nearly the same way as the original book. Then, while Alice is struggling with changing size, the Dodo remarks, "You'd think she'd remember all of this from the first time."

** It also offers a conclusion to the Federation's conflict with the Romulan Empire, which had been gradually developing since ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'': {{spoiler|just as the Federation is on the verge of peace with the Romulans, [[Shoot the Shaggy Dog|their home planet's star goes supernova and almost the entire species is wiped out]]}}.

* ''[[Catwoman (film)|Catwoman]]'' is a stealth sequel to the Batman films, notably, ''[[Batman Returns]]''. Her origin is identical to the one played by Michelle Pfeiffer, the Catwoman persona is said to be a [[Legacy Character]], and in the pictures of former "Catwomen", we see Michelle Pfeiffer's original character.

* The [[Ridley Scott]] film ''[[Prometheus]]'' is a stealth prequel to ''[[Alien]]''.

** Similarly, the first ''[[Alien vs. Predator]]'' movie could be seen as a prequel to the ''[[Alien (franchise)|Alien]]'' series proper. It starts out looking like a mindless slash-em-up crossover, but it goes on to explain the origin of the Xenomorph species as well as some details about The Company's genesis.

* At the end of ''[[Final Destination 5]]'' {{spoiler|two of the remaining survivors die in Flight 180, revealing the film to be a ''prequel'' to the first film.}}

* ''[[Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom]]'' takes place before ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'', and it's only indicated by the date at the beginning of the film.

* ''[[Nanny McPhee]] and the Big Bang''. The only connection to the first movie is revealed {{spoiler|at the very end, when a doddering old lady is revealed to be the baby of the first family all grown up.}}

 

== [[Interactive Fiction]] ==

 

== [[Live Action TV]] ==

 

== [[Video Games]] ==

** ''[[Dragon Quest VI]]'' has thematic links to the other "Zenithian Trilogy" games (''IV'' and ''V''), but there are hints that it's actually a prequel.

* ''[[Xenosaga]]'' may or may not be a prequel to ''[[Xenogears]]''. Likewise, ''[[Xenoblade]]'' being a sequel to both. While ''Blade'' doesn't have much in common with the other two apart from some themes and design elements, and takes place in a different universe {{spoiler|''Saga'''s ending involves the main characters breaking the cycle of Eternal Recurrence, where the universe is constantly dying and being brought back exactly the same, while in ''Blade'' it's a major plot point that there was a completely different universe before the one the characters live in was born, suggesting that the actions of Shion and friends allowed the ''Blade''-verse to be born after their own world ended.}}

 

== [[Web Comics]] ==